Alternate Layers Research Articles

Spray pyrolysis–derived V2O5 thin films as an alternative electrochromic layer for electrochromic devices

In this study, vanadium oxide films were produced in the vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) films phase as an alternative electrochromic layer for electrochromic devices by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique at 300°C. The V2O5 films were subjected to heat treatment at different temperatures (400°C–450°C–500°C) and the ellipsometric, structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of the films were investigated. The optical parameters of the V2O5 films were calculated by different theoretical methods and compared with the ellipsometric results. The average thickness and refractive index values are 172 nm and 2.29, respectively. The V2O5 films showed high optical absorbance in the visible region and bandgap energy values ranged from 2.10 to 2.44 eV. The resistivity and roughness of the films decreased. The average roughness was determined to be 45 nm on average. These results suggest that V2O5 phase films, whose physical properties are improved by annealing without phase change, can be considered as promising electrochromic layers for electrochromic devices applications.

Static solid cooling (SSC) method for directional solidification and single crystal production: A CAFE Simulation Approach

This article presents a novel directional solidification (DS) technique called static solid cooling (SSC), which has been characterized and compared to the conventional high rate solidification (HRS) method using finite element simulation and a coupled three-dimensional (3D) cellular automaton finite element (CAFE) method. The SSC technique uses alternative heat conductor and insulation layers to provide DS conditions. Simulation results show that the SSC method provides a higher cooling rate, temperature gradient, and velocity of the solidification front compared to the HRS method. Moreover, due to its higher heat dissipation ability, the SSC method produces a convex shape in the solidification front, which is crucial for the production of defect-free single crystal blades. According to the simulation model, the HRS method can produce a defect-free single crystal structure up to a withdrawal rate of 3 mm/min, whereas, the SSC method can maintain a single crystal structure without any stray grain defects up to a withdrawal rate of 6 mm/min. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the novel SSC technique over the conventional HRS method in producing high-quality single crystal structures. The proposed method could have significant implications for industries such as aerospace and energy that require high-performance materials with superior mechanical properties at elevated temperatures.

Integrated geophysical and remote sensing/GIS interpretation for delineating the structural elements and groundwater aquifers of the Foumban locality, Western Highlands of Cameroon (WHC)

This study was conducted in the Foumban locality, in the Western Highlands of Cameroon (WHC) where a majority of the population is suffering from scarcity of water for domestic purposes and many other related uses. Thus, it aims at investigating the structural and geo-electrical characteristics of the aquifer system of the locality, based on an integrated approach (Geophysics and GIS). For this purpose, the Landsat 8 image with 30 × 30 m resolution and 20 vertical electrical sounding (VES) data were analysed with ArcGIS, ENVI version 5.3, Stereonet v9.3.2 and QWSELN software, coupled with the principal component analysis (PCA). Based on the structural aspect, a total of 224 fractures with lengths higher than 1 km have been identified and drawn. They are mainly grouped in the Centre, North-East and South-East of the study area. Five main families within linear directions have been identified: N10-20 (13.84%), N20-30 (17.86%), N50-60 (9.82%), N80-90 (5.90%) and N140-150 (7.59%). They are mostly oriented NE-SW, following the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL). These fractures which play an important role in the capacitive and drainage function of the fractured aquifer result from the tectonic movements and decompression of rock masses. According to the geoelectrical characteristics, different VES curve types have been identified, corresponding to various alternate layers of conductive, semi resistive and resistive formations; with thickness ranging between 0.41 to 47 m and resistivity values between 82 to 3410 Ωm. The three cross-section realised (A-A’, B-B’ and C-C’) show that those alternate materials (topsoil, laterite, weathered layer, fractured basement and fresh basement rock) are discontinuous both vertically and horizontally, highlighting the geometry and hydrogeological complexity of these areas. This study is a contribution to a better understanding of the basement aquifers milieu; it could be used by the water supply departments and decision makers for locating appropriate positions of new productive wells in the study area.

Feasibility of Exceeding 20% Efficiency for Kesterite/c-Silicon Tandem Solar Cells Using an Alternative Buffer Layer: Optical and Electrical Analysis.

Tandem solar cells have the potential to be more efficient than the Shockley-Queisser limit imposed on single junction cells. In this study, optical and electrical modeling based on experimental data were used to investigate the possibility of boosting the performance of kesterite/c-Si tandem solar cells by inserting an alternative nontoxic TiO2 buffer layer into the kesterite top subcell. First, with SCAPS-1D simulation, we determined the data reported for the best kesterite (CZTS (Eg = 1.5 eV)) device in the experiments to be used as a simulation baseline. After obtaining metric parameters close to those reported, the influence on the optoelectronic characteristics of replacing CdS with a TiO2 buffer layer was studied and analyzed. Different top subcell absorbers (CZTS0.8Se0.2 (Eg = 1.4 eV), CZTS (Eg = 1.5 eV), CZTS (Eg = 1.6 eV), and CZT0.6Ge0.4S (Eg = 1.7 eV)) with different thicknesses were investigated under AM1.5 illumination. Then, to achieve current matching conditions, the c-Si bottom subcell, with an efficiency at the level of commercially available subcells (19%), was simulated using various top subcells transmitting light calculated using the transfer matrix method (TMM) for optical modeling. Adding TiO2 significantly enhanced the electrical and optical performance of the kesterite top subcell due to the decrease in parasitic light absorption and heterojunction interface recombination. The best tandem device with a TiO2 buffer layer for the top subcell with an optimum bandgap equal to 1.7 eV (CZT0.6Ge0.4S4) and a thickness of 0.8 µm achieved an efficiency of approximately 20%. These findings revealed that using a TiO2 buffer layer is a promising way to improve the performance of kesterite/Si tandem solar cells in the future. However, important optical and electrical breakthroughs are needed to make kesterite materials viable for tandem applications.

Enhancing the Performance of Oxide‐Based Transverse Thermoelectric Generators by Optimized Internal Geometry

AbstractIn transverse thermoelectric generators (TTEGs), comprising an artificially anisotropic material formed by a layered and tilted structure of two materials, the induced thermoelectric voltage is generated perpendicular to the applied temperature gradient. The performance of TTEGs composed of alternate layers of La1.99Sr0.01CuO4 (LSCO) and silver (Ag), tilted at an angle φ, with metal‐to‐ceramic thickness ratio νt, is investigated. Improvement in performance is achieved by optimizing the internal geometry parameters, φ and νt of the tilted layered structure. The transverse power factor PFtr and figure‐of‐merit ZtrT of the artificially tilted material composite are analytically calculated and presented in color contours. Experimentally, a power output Pout of 14.5 mW at ΔT = 140 K is measured for a TTEG with φ = 66°, compared to 2.8 mW and 11 mW for generators with φ of 20° and 45°, respectively. Moreover, TTEGs with different values of νt are prepared. Furthermore, transverse multilayer thermoelectric generators (TMLTEG) with output power of 14.3 mW at ΔT = 225 K are fabricated utilizing the ceramic multilayer technology. It is demonstrated that the transverse thermoelectric effect using an artificial anisotropic material consisting of ceramic and metal can be explored for autonomous thermoelectric energy generation for low‐power applications.

Novel 2D/3D Heterojunction for UV Light‐Emitting Diodes Using Hexagonal Boron Nitride as Hole Injection Layer

The AlGaN materials system has been extensively studied in order to improve the efficiency of UV‐B and UV‐C light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). While progress has been made, significant challenges remain at shorter wavelengths. Most notably, increased Al composition for shorter‐wavelength operation results in increased activation energy of Mg dopants, resulting in low p‐doping. Although p‐doped h‐BN, with a bandgap of 5.9 eV, has been proposed as a potential replacement of p‐doped AlGaN, there have not been demonstrations of LEDs fabricated from p‐doped h‐BN/AlGaN heterostructures. Such unique heterostructures combine 2D p‐doped h‐BN materials with 3D AlGaN materials. Herein, fabrication and characterization of p‐doped h‐BN/AlGaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs)/n‐AlGaN LEDs, demonstrating emission of light at 290 nm corresponding to the AlGaN MQWs, with weaker emission at 262 nm corresponding to the AlGaN barrier, are reported. These results conclusively show hole injection through p‐doped h‐BN into AlGaN and provide a proof of concept that p‐doped h‐BN can be an alternative hole injection layer for UV LEDs.

Azobenzene-Based Main-Chain Liquid Crystalline Polymers Bearing Periodically Installed Alkyl, PEG, or Fluoroalkyl Segments and Photoisomerization Studies

ABSTRACT In the present study, liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) were prepared by melt-transesterification of azobenzene-bearing diols and diethyl malonate (DEM) derivatized monomers. The effect of the nature and length of the installed pendant segments on the mesomorphic properties of the prepared LCPs was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and polarized optical microscopy (POM) studies. The formation of layered morphology was inferred from X-ray scattering analysis arising from the colocation of rigid azobenzene moieties in one layer and the flexible pendant segments in alternate layers due to the zigzag folding of the polymer backbone. The linear variation of the interlamellar spacing with the number of carbon atoms in the pendant alkyl segments corroborates the proposed zigzag backbone folding in the polymers. The rate constant values obtained from the photoisomerization studies of the isomeric polymers and model compound, which are in the same ballpark, reveal that the photoisomerization process of such polymers is not affected by the position or size of the azobenzene unit.

Numerical investigation of graphene derivatives as HTL in PBDB-T:NCBDT bulk heterojunction organic solar cell

The damaging effects of the most widely used PEDOT:PSS have led researchers to search for an alternative hole transport layer (HTL) in non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) based bulk heterojunction organic solar cells (BHJOSC’s). This work highlights the numerical simulation study of possible new approach of utilizing graphene, graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and p type doped graphene (p-graphene), as an alternative to PEDOT:PSS in non-fullerene acceptor based bulk heterojunction organic solar cell (NFABHJOSC) with PBDB-T as donor and NCBDT as acceptor using SCAPS1D. NCBDT is an emerging small-molecule non-fullerene acceptor (SM-NFA) whose bandgap can be tuned and reduced, making it a better option as an acceptor. Validation of the software is done by matching simulation results with experimental results. Diverse electron transport layers (ETL’s), including PDINO, ZnO, IGZO, TiO2, TiO2:gr (20%) composite, and TiO2:gr (10%) composite, are introduced, and device performance of various configurations is analysed. Optimization of the best device configuration ITO (4.8 eV)/rGO/PBDB-T:NCBDT/PDINO/Al gave an improved efficiency of 17.47%, fill factor (FF) of 77.45%, short circuit current density (Jsc) of 25.407 mA/cm2, and an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.8878 V.

Fabrication of In2S3 and In–Ga–S Thin Films via Atmosphere‐Controlled Fine‐Channel Mist Chemical Vapor Deposition

In the field of thin‐film solar cells, there is a growing need for cadmium‐free buffer layers and fabrication techniques that are both cost‐effective and environmentally friendly. In this study, the deposition of In2S3 and In–Ga–S thin films as alternative buffer layer materials in thin‐film solar cells, using mist chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at atmospheric pressure, is focused on. Indium diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC) and gallium DTC dissolved in dehydrated tetrahydrofuran are used as precursors. The deposited In2S3 demonstrates a wider direct bandgap (Eg‐dir ≈ 2.7 eV) than CdS, showing a potential for reducing parasitic absorption. Introducing a certain amount of gallium into In2S3 induces structural changes, resulting in a wider bandgap material. This bandgap widening primarily lowers electron affinity, making it beneficial for absorber materials with wider bandgap energies. Overall, the In2S3 and In–Ga–S thin films deposited via mist CVD exhibit preferable properties as alternatives to the CdS buffer layer. Moreover, the deposition technique proposed in this study can be adapted for the nonvacuum and cost‐effective deposition of other sulfide materials.

Multi-layered solid element for seismic analysis of rubber bearings considering stress continuity based on finite particle method

Rubber bearings are crucial components in seismic isolation systems to mitigate the damaging effects of earthquakes on structures. Rubber bearings generally consist of alternate layers of steel and rubber bonded together. Simplified two-point spring models omit this layered construction and have limitations in adaptability and programmability, while refined multiple solid models lead to substantial computational costs. This study presents an effective and efficient approach to simulate rubber bearings by using multi-layered solid element based on the finite particle method (FPM). The traditional “Zigzag” shape function is extended into the 3D situation to reflect the serrated deformation within the layered construction. Based on the simplified assumption of stress continuity, an iterative approach is presented for the deformation gradient to achieve the force continuity between layers in dynamic nonlinear scenarios. The multi-layered solid models for both natural rubber bearings (NRBs) and lead rubber bearings (LRBs) are proposed based on this element. The errors of the hysteresis curves of rubber bearings are below 3.1 % between the numerical results obtained by using the multi-layered solid model and the experimental results. The computational speedup ratio of the proposed multi-layered solid model is verified to be 19 relative to the refined multiple solid model. The proposed method is applied to a base-isolated frame structure to demonstrate its effectiveness in structural seismic analysis.

Enhancing the fracture resistance of additive manufactured polylactic acid via Morse-code-like architecturing

Additively manufactured poly-lactic acid (PLA) suffers from a limited fracture resistance. In this study, a combination of circular hole (dot) and elliptical hole (dash) architectures inspired from the Morse-Code are incorporated into (PLA) through additive manufacturing (AM) to improve their fracture resistance. The circular hole-like (C) features work as crack arrestors and the elliptical hole-like (E) features work as crack deflectors. A combination of simulations and experiments are performed to quantifiably determine the effect of single feature, double features, and other tailored arrangements of these features on the crack driving force and fracture resistance using elastic-plastic fracture mechanics. All the AM architecture systems show a significantly higher fracture resistance compared to the bulk AM PLA. Amongst the various systems tested, both the initiation work of fracture and total work of fracture are found to be the highest for alternative layers of E-C features. A 1172 % increase is observed from initiation to total work of fracture for the EC architecture, which is reflected in the fracture resistance curve (R-curve). This has important applications in the structural integrity and life of biomedical systems made from PLA. The applicability of work of fracture and conventional fracture mechanics for additively manufactured, architected systems with significant crack tip plasticity is also discussed.

Wood flour / ceramic reinforced Polylactic Acid based 3D - printed functionally grade structural material for integrated engineering applications: A numerical and experimental characteristic investigation

Recently, efforts have been done to capitalize on the potential of multidisciplinary research in order to produce unique features in polymer technology. To improve its physical and chemical properties for any intended use, the most promising Polylactic acid (PLA) has recently been copolymerized using other polymeric or non-polymeric components. This investigation aims to employ the material extrusion (MEX) process to develop a new functionally grade structural material (FGSM) by alternate layer deposition of wood flour reinforced PLA (WPLA) and ceramic reinforced PLA (CPLA). The mechanical properties of the printed laminates are examined using tensile, compression and three point bend tests. The microscopic investigation is used to assess fracture morphologies. A numerical simulation is also performed using ABAQUS under standardized parametric settings to investigate the mechanical behaviour of the laminates. The experimental and numerical results are consistent, with a deviation about ∼1 %. The tensile, compressive, and flexural strength of the newly developed FGSM are 61.39, 95.4, and 107.8 % higher than those of WPLA printed laminates. Furthermore, the acquired mechanical behaviour results are merely comparable to those of CPLA printed laminates. DSC thermograms demonstrate that FGSM has a better glass transition temperature (66oC) and a cold crystalline temperature (87.63oC), which contributes to its thermal stability. Overall, the newly developed FGSM might be considered a viable alternative, mechanically strong, and less expensive polymer composite material for structural built applications in any engineering and related fields.

Fabrication of multi-layered polymer-based polypill using single-nozzle Fused Deposition Modeling and its dissolution mechanism

The meteoric rise of additive manufacturing has enabled it to create remarkable feats in the field of pharmaceutics and drug delivery applications. The main objective of this study was to print a polypill, having two drugs of common ailments in different layers, using a single nozzle Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), instead of using a complex and cost-intensive dual extrusion printer. This was accomplished through a thermally fused filament. Myo-inositol (MI) and methylcobalamin (MCB) were the two drugs used for the present study. Initially, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) filaments have been loaded with these drugs using Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) method and then, fused using heat and this blended filament has been fed into the FDM printing apparatus. These filaments have been used to finally obtain a polypill containing drugs in an alternate layer fashion. Various tests related to the filaments and tablets have been carried out to analyse the chemical, physical and thermal feasibility of this research attempt. The thermal analysis like Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis tests confirmed filaments to be stable at printing temperature and FTIR results affirmed non-existence of any adverse degradation reaction in the drugs or other constituents. In-vitro dissolution studies were also conducted on the polypill and it was revealed that the dissolution rate for MI has been significantly higher than that of MCB drug. MI drug released completely in 5 h while MCB part was complete by 6.5 h. Finally, the drug dissolution behaviour was examined based on the dissolution data.

Achieving exceptional strain-hardening ability in nanocrystalline Ni–W coatings through compositionally modulated multilayer approach

Nanocrystalline Ni–W coatings show exceptional strength; however, they exhibit poor toughness due to limited ductility and high residual stresses which impede their use in practical applications as a potential hard chrome replacement. In the present study, compositionally modulated multilayer (CMM) coatings with alternate layers of Ni-1 at% W (soft) and Ni-15 at% W (hard) of three different layer thicknesses of 1, 0.5, and 0.1 μm are developed by pulse reverse electrodeposition to achieve the strength-ductility synergy, thereby enhanced wear resistance. Microcompression test results reveal that all the CMM coatings exhibit remarkably higher strain-hardening ability than the homogenous coatings. Significant fluctuations in the strain-hardening rate and a positive shift in the onset stress for the work-hardening stages were observed with the layer thickness. This suggests a strong interplay between the hard and soft layers on the deformation characteristics of multilayer coatings. Detailed electron microscopy of the cross-section of the deformed micropillars shows substantial evidence of co-deformation of both layers. A mechanism is proposed to explain the enhanced strain-hardening in multilayers involving the strength incompatibility arising in the layers leading to lateral constraints, resulting in strain gradient plasticity, stabilizing of local shear by the soft layers, and the barrier effect of the interfaces.

Wytwarzanie ochronnych struktur kompozytowych za pomocą technologii infuzji w celu zapewnienia odporności na fale uderzeniowe

The paper presents the results of experiments on the use of infusion of polymer binders into a pre-constructed skeleton of reinforcing structures. Currently, three-layer structures with an average layer of aluminum honeycombs are considered to be one of the effective structural elements that ensure the damping of the blast wave. As an alternative middle layer, it is possible to offer elements of various shapes (cylinders, cubes, etc.) and geometries made of modern composites that are well-proven under the impact of a shock wave. These are, as is known, metal-polymer composites, i.e. materials containing, in addition to polymer binder and fabric filler, thin layers of metal. In order to form a solid structure that perceives an explosive load, an attempt was made to use RFI technology to obtain individual elements with which two steel sheets are connected. Aramid, glass fabrics and aluminum thin (0.5, 0.15, 0.05 mm) plates were used in the experiments. For the implementation of the infusion process, an epoxy resin was used, suitable in its technological parameters for this process. The use of this resin leads to the minimization of non-nourished areas and pores. In this case, the uniformity of the product obtained from the composite material is achieved. It should be added that RFI technology differs from other polymer processing technologies in the following significant advantages: the possibility of abandoning expensive equipment, reducing energy costs for equipment and its maintenance, and complete rejection of the use of prepregs. However, there are a number of difficulties that are associated with the technological process of infusion, these primarily include the rheological requirements of the binder: at room temperature, the resin should have a low viscosity, and in the practice of fillers, the viscosity should have rather low values. Below are some preliminary plans for the development of this technology in order to obtain a product that provides attenuation of the blast wave.

Millefeuille-inspired biomass alternate multilayer composite, for excellent absorption-dominated, broadband EMI shielding and joule heating

The development of biomass electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with low cost, low reflection(R-value), and high shielding efficiency is promising but also challenging. Inspired by the alternate structure of a millefeuille, we propose an alternating assembly approach for conductive and magnetic layers. Employing sustainable bamboo fibers (BF) and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) as raw matrix, the magnetic and conductive layers were fabricated by compositing copper-plated BF (Cu@BF) and iron-plated BF (Fe@BF) with PLA, respectively. By alternately stacking magnetic and conductive layers and followed by hot pressing, the high EMI SE and low R-value biomass multilayer composite with “multi-(absorption-reflection-reabsorption)” structures were obtained. The performance of different alternating layers (3/5/7/9 layers) was studied, and a linear correlation between layer number, SE, and R-value was established. The results demonstrate that increasing the alternate layer number could readily tune the SE in the X-band from 45.02 dB (3-layer) to 80.2 dB (9-layer) and reduce Rmin from 0.40 to 0.25. Furthermore, the 9-layer composite exhibits approximately 75 dB SE in 1–18 GHz, simultaneously realizing high efficiency, low reflectivity, and broadband shielding. Notably, its excellent conductivity also provides reliable Joule heating performance. The shielding and thermal features of the composite highlight its potential in construction and smart housing heating applications.

Wearable, Machine Washable, Breathable Polyethylenimine/Sodium Alginate Layer-by-Layer-Coated Cotton-Based Multifunctional Triboelectric Nanogenerators.

Cotton-based textiles are ubiquitous in daily life and are prime candidates for application in wearable triboelectric nanogenerators. However, pristine cotton is vulnerable to bacterial attack, lacks antioxidant and ultraviolet (UV)-protective abilities, and shows lower triboelectric charge generation against tribonegative materials because it is present in the neutral region of the triboelectric series. To overcome such drawbacks, herein, a facile layer-by-layer method is proposed, involving the deposition of alternate layers of polyethylenimine (PEI) and sodium alginate (SA) on cotton. Such modified fabric remains breathable and flexible, retains its comfort properties, and simultaneously shows multifunctionalities and improved triboelectric output, which are retained even after 50 home laundering cycles. Also, the modified fabric becomes more tribopositive than nylon, silk, and wool. A triboelectric nanogenerator consisting of modified cotton and polyester fabric is proposed that shows a maximum power density of 338 mW/m2. An open-circuit voltage of ∼97.3 V and a short-circuit current of ∼4.59 μA are obtained under 20 N force and 1 Hz tapping frequency. Further, the modified cotton exhibits excellent antibacterial, antioxidant, and UV-protective properties because of the incorporation of PEI, and its moisture management properties are retained due to the presence of sodium alginate in the layer. This study provides a simple yet effective approach to obtaining durable multifunctionalities and improved triboelectric performance in cotton substrates.

Research on spatial carving method of glutenite reservoir based on opacity voxel imaging

The glutenite reservoir in an exploration area in eastern China is well-developed and holds significant exploration potential as an important oil and gas alternative layer. However, due to the influence of sedimentary characteristics, the glutenite reservoir exhibits strong lateral heterogeneity, significant vertical thickness variations, and low accuracy in reservoir space characterization, which affects the reasonable and effective deployment of development wells. Seismic data contains the three-dimensional spatial characteristics of geological bodies, but how to design a suitable transfer function to extract the nonlinear relationship between seismic data and reservoirs is crucial. At present, the transfer functions are concentrated in low-dimensional or high-dimensional fixed mathematical models, which cannot accurately describe the nonlinear relationship between seismic data and complex reservoirs, resulting in low spatial description accuracy of complex reservoirs. In this regard, this paper first utilizes a fusion method based on probability kernel to fuse seismic attributes such as wave impedance, effective bandwidth, and composite envelope difference. This provide a more intuitive reflection of the distribution characteristics of glutenite reservoirs. Moreover, a hybrid nonlinear transfer function is established to transform the fused attribute cube into an opaque attribute cube. Finally, the illumination model and ray casting method are used to perform voxel imaging of the glutenite reservoirs, brighten the detailed characteristics of reservoir space, and then form a set of methods for ' brightening reservoirs and darkening non-reservoirs ', which improves the spatial engraving accuracy of glutenite reservoirs.

Efficient zinc protection enabled by polyhedral metal-organic framework and ionic-crosslinking binder

Towards the efficient reversibility and cyclability of Zinc (Zn) plating/stripping, surface modification has been recognized as one of the straightforward strategies for Zn electrodes. In this study, 20 μm of a composite layer prepared by blending ZIF-8 and sodium alginate (SA) was uniformly coated on the Zn foil (Z8-SA@Zn) as an alternative protective layer to explore their synergistic contributions in suppressing the side reaction under the aqueous electrolyte. Benefiting from the following characteristics: (a) ionic crosslinking between SA and Zn2+, (b) improved Zn2+ flux, (c) more hydrophilic / zincophilic, and (d) chemical stability, the resulting Z8-SA@Zn revealed the remarkably anti-corrosive property, insignificant zincate growth, high Coulombic efficiency, and prolong cyclability. Encouragingly, the zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitor assembled by Z8-SA@Zn anode and commercial activated carbon cathode not only delivers an impressive rate capability (45 mAh/g at 1 mA/cm2, 37 mAh/g at 10 mA/cm2) but also achieves the excellent cycling stability (capacity retention: 91 % after 20,000 cycles at 5 mA). According to the results disclosed here, combining ZIF-8 and SA as the interfacial layer provides multifunctional features, enabling the effective protection of Zn foil. Consequently, it is rationally believed that the Z8-SA@Zn can be a promising anode material for Zn2+ storage applications.

CVApool: using null-space of CNN weights for the tooth disease classification

In light of current developments in dental care, dental professionals have increasingly used deep learning methods to get precise diagnoses of oral problems. Using intraoral X-rays in dental radiography is imperative in many dental interventions. Integrating deep learning techniques with a unique collection of intraoral X-ray images has been undertaken to enhance the accuracy of dental disease detection. In this study, we propose an alternative pooling layer, namely the Common Vector Approach Pooling technique, to address the constraints associated with average pooling in deep learning methods. The experiments are conducted on a large dataset, involving twenty different dental conditions, divided into seven categories. Our proposed approach achieved a high accuracy rate of 86.4% in identifying dental problems across the seven oral categories.