Black Layer Research Articles

An Opto-Electro-Thermal Model for Black-Silicon Assisted Photovoltaic Cells in Thermophotovoltaic Applications

Black silicon (b-Si)-assisted photovoltaic cells have textured b-Si surfaces, which have excellent light-trapping properties. There has been a limited amount of work performed on the theoretical modelling of b-Si photovoltaic cells, and hence, in this work, a coupled optical-electrical-thermal model has been proposed for the simulation of b-Si photovoltaic cells. In particular, the thermal aspects in b-Si photovoltaic cells have not been discussed in the literature. In the proposed model, the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method was used to study the optical response of the b-Si photovoltaic cell. Semiconductor equations were used for the electrical modelling of the cell. For the thermal model, the Energy Balance Transport Model was used. The developed model was used to simulate b-Si photovoltaic cells under thermophotovoltaic sources. The impacts of heat generation on the electrical performance of thermophotovoltaic cells are discussed. Simulation results from this study showed that black silicon layer improved efficiency and power output in thermophotovoltaic cells compared to thermophotovoltaic cells with no surface texture. In addition, heat generation due to Joule heating and electron thermalization in b-Si-assisted thermophotovoltaic cells reduced the open-circuit voltage and electrical performance.

Hierarchical Synergistic Structure for High Resolution Strain Sensor with Wide Working Range.

Strain sensors have been attracting tremendous attention for the promising application of wearable devices in recent years. However, the trade-off between high resolution, high sensitivity, and broad detection range is a great challenge for the application of strain sensors. Herein, a novel design of hierarchical synergistic structure (HSS) of Au micro cracks and carbon black (CB) nanoparticles is reported to overcome this challenge. The strain sensor based on the designed HSS exhibit high sensitivity (GF>2400), high strain resolution (0.2%) even under large loading strain, broad detection range (>40%), outstanding stability (>12000 cycles), and fast response speed simultaneously. Further, the experiments and simulation results demonstrate that the carbon black layer greatly changed the morphology of Au micro-cracks, forming a hierarchical structure of micro-scale Au cracks and nano-scale carbon black particles, thus enabling synergistic effect and the double conductive network of Au micro-cracks and CB nanoparticles. Based on the excellent performance, the sensor is successfully applied to monitoring tiny signals of the carotid pulse during body movement, which illustrates the great potential in the application of health monitoring, human-machine interface, human motion detection, and electronic skin.

White and black anodic TiO2 nanotubes: Comparison of biological effects in A549 and SH-SY5Y cells

In this work, the cytotoxicity of black TiO2 nanotubes in comparison to their white counterparts is exploited for the first time. To provide a comprehensive overview, the toxicity is also assessed in comparison to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using two different cell lines. The TiO2 nanotube layers were prepared by anodic oxidation of Ti foils and investigated in the as-prepared white form, and in the black form, achieved by reduction via comproportionation reaction of Ti and TiO2. Additionally, a part of the black TiO2 nanotube layers was coated with a thin TiO2 coating with a nominal thickness of ~0.275 nm by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). Pulmonary A549 cells and neural SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to a wide range of TiO2 nanotube concentrations (1–500 μg/mL) for 24 and 48 h. Then, the cytotoxicity was evaluated using cell viability and glutathione assessments. Essentially, no reduction in cell viability was observed after incubating the cells with TiO2 nanotubes up to 100 μg/mL, while MWCNTs decreased the cell viability at a similar concentration significantly. In addition, ALD TiO2 coating on the black TiO2 nanotubes caused disappearance of mild toxic effects of white and black TiO2 nanotubes due to the shading of carbon and fluorine species incorporated within the TiO2 nanotube walls.

Electrochemistry and electrochemical assessment of host–guest complexation of substituted pillar[m]arene[n]quinones

Electrochemical behavior of pillar[n]arene[m]quinone (n + m = 5, n = 2–4) has been for the first time investigated in aqueous media on the glassy carbon electrode. All the compounds studied showed quasi-reversible redox conversion to hydroquinone derivatives. The reaction was not complicated with ionization of hydroxy groups or by the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. In the whole pH region tested (2.0 – 9.0) the stoichiometry of electron and hydrogen ions transfer was found the same (1:1). The peak currents changed with no respect of the number of quinone units in the macrocycle molecule and were probably more affected by steric factors and self-aggregation confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Adsorption of the macrocycles on the electrode covered with carbon black resulted in remarkable improvement of the conditions of electron exchange and of the peak currents on voltammograms. Screening of possible guest molecules showed that among amino acids, tyrosine formed complexes with pillarquinones both in solution and on the electrode interface. Complexation resulted in decrease of the peak currents on voltammograms due to steric hindrance of electric wiring. This made it possible to determine 5–100 µM tyrosine in the solution and 1–100 µM tyrosine with pillar[3]arene[2]quinone adsorbed in the carbon black layer. No interferences were established in normal human serum and Ringer-Locke’s solution. The approach to supramolecular detection of small molecules by intrinsic redox activity of the macrocyclic hosts can be extended to other analytes by modification of the macrocyclic components of the reaction.

Monitoring of indicators of chromatin status in quails ovarian follicles granulosa cells of different directions of productivity

Relevance. Identification and analysis of the reasons for reducing egg productivity is an urgent problem in quail breeding. The aim of this study is to assess the destructive processes in the somatic cells in ovarian follicles (the level of apoptosis and pycnosis) of mature quail layers of different productivity in connection with egg production and quality indicators of eggs.Methods. In experiments, the level of apoptosis and pyknosis in granulosa cells of ovarian follicles of 3–8 mm females of Estonian, Manchurian, English white, tuxedo, English black and Pharaoh breeds was evaluated. The quails were kept in individual cages in monopreed pairs with a muted 14-hour light day. The age of the females was 160–180 days. The level of pycnotic cells was assessed by the Tarkowski cytological method, apoptotic processes were analyzed by staining with fluorochromes, propidium iodide and acridine orange (10 mcg/mlPI/AO).Results. chromatin. The results of the study of chromatin destruction using PI/AO showed a high average percentage of apoptotic cells in almost all breeds except thep < 0.05). The maximum proportion of dead granulosa cells was tested in Tuxedo and English Black layers (52% and 43% respectively). At the same time, the English white breed of quails at the age of 183 days has one of the best indicators of egg production and the proportion of yolk in relation to egg weight, which indicates the possibility of prolonging the period of their use as laying hens.

A Floating Integrated Solar Micro‐Evaporator for Self‐Cleaning Desalination and Organic Degradation

AbstractSafe and clean freshwater harvesting from (organic‐containing) saline or wastewater holds great potential for mitigating water scarcity and pollution, but remains challenging. Herein, a floating photothermal/catalytic‐integrated interfacial micro‐evaporator (g‐C3N4@PANI/PS) is reported as a proof‐of‐concept multifunctional scavenger evaporator system (MSES) to achieve both solar‐driven complete desalination and organic degradation. The spherical porous lightweight polystyrene core, incorporated with a black surface functional layer (g‐C3N4@PANI), enables the hybrid micro‐evaporator to naturally float and thereby collectively self‐assemble under surface tension for interfacial evaporation, which achieves preeminent self‐cleaning for complete salt/solute separation and efficient organic photodegradation under rotation. Remarkably, the floating micro‐evaporator achieves a high solar‐vapor conversion efficiency of ≈90% with high interfacial energy localization and provides abundant active photocatalytic sites on the interface, which is further enhanced by interfacial photothermal cooperation. High photo‐driven degradation efficiencies of 99% for nonvolatile organic compounds (non‐VOC) bisphenol A and 95% for VOC phenol in wastewater are achieved. An outdoor comprehensive solar water treatment test toward organic‐containing high‐salinity sewage verifies the feasibility of MSES for sustainable freshwater harvesting (1.3 kg m−2 h−1), downstream salt recovery, and organic degradation. This strategy may inspire an integrated solution of water scarcity, clean energy, and environmental pollution toward carbon neutrality.

Low-cost surface modification of a biomedical Zr-2.5Nb alloy fabricated by electron beam melting

• Thermal oxidation is an effective way to prepare oxide layer on a Zr-2.5Nb alloy fabricated by electron beam melting (EBM). • The morphology, phase constituents, and surface color of oxide layer change in the oxidation process. • Grain refinement significantly delays the breakaway oxidation. • A dense and black oxide layer with a hardness of 902 HV is prepared on a EBM- built Zr-2.5Nb alloy by oxidation at 600°C for 3 hours. The Zr-2.5Nb alloy with a fine microstructure consisting of α laths was successfully prepared by electron beam melting (EBM). The thermal oxidation behaviors and kinetics of the as-built, and the EBM-built and hot isostatically pressed (HIPed) Zr-2.5Nb materials in a temperature range of 450–600°C were investigated and compared with those of the alloy prepared by conventional casting and forging. It was found that the oxidation kinetics of the as-built and the forged materials followed the parabolic rate law during isothermal oxidation at 550°C, but the HIPed materials exhibited a parabolic-to-linear kinetic transition, suggesting that the larger grain sizes enhanced the oxidation. The oxide layers of all materials were composed of a large fraction of monoclinic zirconia phase ( m -ZrO 2 ) and a small fraction of tetragonal zirconia phase ( t -ZrO 2 ), and transformed from t -ZrO 2 to m -ZrO 2 with increasing oxidation time. The surface hardness of the as-built, the forged and the HIPed materials increased from 215, 204, and 188 HV before oxidation to 902, 1070, and 1137 HV after oxidation, respectively. The cross-sections of the materials showed the presence of micropores and microcracks inside the oxide layers with thicknesses ranging from 4 to 8 µm. With the oxidation temperature of 600°C and oxidation time duration of 3 h, a dense black m -ZrO 2 oxide layer with smooth surface and 902 HV hardness was obtained on the EBM as-built Zr-2.5Nb materials.

Comparison between an Innovative Solarization System and Dazomet-Based Fumigation

An innovative soil solarization system based on biochar was recently proposed. The difference with traditional solarization lies in the use, after soil irrigation, of a biodegradable black liquid sprayed on the soil surface in order to obtain a black body capable of drastically increasing the absorption of incident radiation and, as a consequence, increasing temperatures at different depths. Due to these higher temperatures, it is possible to eliminate pathogens in shorter times than with traditional solarization. In recent years, this practice has been tested in various contexts by comparing traditional solarization with this innovative new practice through temperature measurement at different soil depths for two months. The experimental data confirm the validity of this new approach for soil treatment: higher temperatures were registered with the innovative system, up to 10 °C more than the traditional method. In this work, we report a comparison between the new solarization system and a fumigation method. Our experimental results demonstrate that it is possible to obtain a satisfying soil treatment with a natural and sustainable practice based on solar energy, overcoming the major limitation of traditional solarization: application time. The black layer on the soil allows for the attainment of temperatures as high as necessary to eliminate most pathogens in a shorter time (just 30 days) than traditional solarization (2 months).

Estimation of 137Cs Distribution and Recovery Using Various Types of Sorbents in the Black Sea Surface Layer

Monitoring 137Cs in seawater is necessary for the timely detection of radioactive contamination. The possibility of sorption and the sorption efficiency of 137Cs from seawater were studied for the first time during several cruises of the R/V (research vessel) Professor Vodyanitsky using various types of sorbents based on transition metal ferrocyanides (Anfezh, Niket, Uniket, FSS, FD-M, FIC, Termoxid 35, NKF-C) and zirconium phosphate (Termoxid 3A). The influence of the seawater flow rate and volume of the sorbent used for the recovery of 137Cs was estimated. The ferrocyanide sorbents Niket, Uniket, Termoxid 35, and FIC showed the best sorption efficiency (60–100%) at a seawater flow rate of 2–4 column volumes per minute. The data obtained during three cruises on the R/V Professor Vodyanitsky were analyzed. A detailed (28 sampling points) spatial distribution of 137Cs in the Black Sea along the southern coast of Crimea was studied using the sorbents that showed the best characteristics. An increase in 137Cs activity in the study area was not found, and the average activity was 9.01 ± 0.87 Bq/m3.

Highly conductive fiber with design of dual conductive Ag/CB layers for ultrasensitive and wide‐range strain sensing

AbstractRecently the ever‐increasing demand for wearable electronics has greatly triggered the development of flexible strain sensors. However, it is still challenging to simultaneously achieve high sensitivity, wide working range, and good wearability. Herein, we developed a highly stretchable fiber strain sensor based on wet‐spun porous polyurethane (PU) fiber, and especially a unique conductive network of dual silver (Ag)/carbon black (CB) layers is constructed. Under strain, the rapid crack propagation on the brittle Ag layer brings a large resistance change and thus high sensitivity, while the tunneling‐effect dominated CB layer bridges the separated Ag islands to maintain the integrity of conductive pathways under large strain. By means of the synergistic effect of Ag/CB layers, this composite fiber of Ag/CB@PU presents not only high conductivity of 5139.9 S/m, but also ultrahigh sensitivity with a gauge factor of 2.52 × 106 and a wide working range of up to 200%. Besides that, it is also capable of detecting very tiny strain of 0.1% and working stably for over 8000 cycles. Using mature weaving technology, this fiber strain sensor can be seamlessly integrated into the textile to conformally track different movements of the human body. Together with the facile all‐solution‐based fabrication protocol, this work proposed a new strategy to prepare high‐performance fiber strain sensor, promising the textile‐based wearable applications.

Low-voltage anodizing of copper in sodium bicarbonate solutions

The low-voltage (< 5 V) anodization of copper in aqueous solutions of sodium bicarbonate was studied for the first time. As demonstrated, this method leads to the formation of microstructures on a copper surface, that are composed of malachite (CuCO3·Cu(OH)2). Moreover, by tuning the operating conditions, i.e., applied cell voltage and electrolyte concentration, different surface morphologies can be grown. As shown by electron microscopy investigation, clusters of ribbons corrosion pits or nonuniformly located powdery precipitates are formed when the low anodizing voltage is applied. Anodization at 1.0 V in 0.4 M sodium bicarbonate solution led to the formation of a velvet-like, deep black anodic layer that covered the whole metal surface with ribbon-resembling structures. A thorough investigation of the obtained anodic layers with X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray adsorption (XAS), Raman, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) uncovered the mixed crystalline-amorphous nature of the anodic copper species. Besides dominating the crystalline malachite phase, the amorphous cupric oxide was also identified. This composition offers promising features for catalytic applications, hence, low-voltage anodized copper was tested in an electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction to explore one possible application of the presented material. The current density of 4.7 mA cm−2 was registered for the selected sample.

Improved electrochemical performance of aqueous zinc-ion batteries with modified glass fiber separator by Ketjen Black

The development of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) with high capacity and high cycling stability has drawn increasing attention in recent years. Herein, a novel separator modification technology by spraying Ketjen black (KB) conductive carbon layer on the side of cathode is developed for improving the capacity and cycle stability of AZIBs. Benefiting from the KB separator, the Zn/MnO2 battery shows a high reversible specific capacity of 194.6 mAh g−1 at a current density of 2 A g−1 in a long-term cycle of 1500 cycles. In addition, the battery maintains 87% capacity retention after 6000 cycles at the current density 5 A g−1. The results indicate that the KB separator reduces the charge transfer impedance and improves the ion diffusion coefficient, showing excellent electrochemical kinetics. Meanwhile, the unique adsorption properties of KB separator reduce the attachment of by-products on the cathode surface. And the KB separator electrooxidizes Mn2+ ions on the surface to generate electrochemically active layered birnessite. Birnessite not only balances the capacity fading of the battery, but also improves the capacity of the battery, so that the battery has stable electrochemical performance. The method adapted in this work provides valuable insights for designing high performance aqueous zinc-ion secondary batteries.

Insights into Alpine-Karst-Type Tufa Deposits in Geological Environmental Records: A Case Study of the Calcareous Tufa Profile of the Jiuzhaigou Natural Reserve on the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau

To study the geological environmental records of alpine-karst-type tufa deposits in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, the calcareous tufa profile exposed by the “8.8” Jiuzhaigou earthquake was taken as the research object and combined with a field geological investigation. Further, the petrography, sedimentology, chronology, and elemental geochemistry of the calcareous tufa were studied and analyzed. The results show the following. (1) The Sparkling Lake calcareous tufa profile was deposited under the background of a warm and humid climate during the Holocene. The growth pattern follows a bottom-to-top deposition. (2) At 750 ± 30–300 ± 30 aB.P., the calcareous tufa layers were gray-black as a whole, and the changes in mineral composition and elemental geochemistry indicate a fluctuating upward trend for temperature and precipitation during this period. (3) The formation of two sets of black peat layers in the upper part of the tufa calcareous profile is due to the synergistic action of multiple factors caused by strong tectonic activity. In conclusion, the deposition mechanism of the calcareous tufa in Jiuzhaigou was controlled by paleoclimate hydrology and glaciation for a long time, while strong tectonic activity over a short period of time considerably changed the color, structure, element content, and mineral composition of the calcareous tufa.

Pollution characteristics of full-scale butterfly valves: Risk assessment of heavy metal release behavior influenced by the bacterial communities and corrosion products

Given that contamination of butterfly valves has not been well understood in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs), this study aimed to investigate the synergistic adsorption/release effects of microorganisms and corrosives on heavy metals. Results showed that outer layer scales were relatively loose, while hard black inner scales were mainly composed of Fe3O4 and Fe2O3, allowing Ca, As, Cr, Tl, and Pb to accumulate with low-diverse bacteria, primarily Desulfovibrio. Loose black inner layer scales were mainly formed by Fe(OH)3 and Fe(OH)2, enabling Ca, Cr, and Pb to accumulate with high-diverse bacteria, notably Desulfovibrio, Xanthobacteraceae, and Gallionellaceae. Metals involved in the metabolic activity of bacteria showed a negative correlation with these bacteria. Metals complexed and precipitated extracellularly in bacteria exhibited a positive correlation with these bacteria. Individual Pollution Factor (ICF), Global Pollution Factor (GCF), and Risk Assessment Code (RAC) demonstrated high bio-availability risks for Cd, especially in loose deposits with significant mobility.

Van der Waals Black Phosphorus/Bi10O6S9 Heterojunction Harvesting Ambient Electric Field Energy for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Sense

Ingenious utilization of ambient energy is a vigorous issue for heterostructure-type devices in evoking their performance in various applications. Using the van der Waals effect, two-dimensional black phosphorus is developed to bond with a unique Bi10O6S9 layer, which then forms a type-II heterostructure based on a truncated pyramidal Si/Ag/WO3 substrate. It is demonstrated that the ambient electric field can not only promote the separation and transfer of the electrons (and holes) excited by light irradiation but also induce additional electrons (and holes) to migrate in the same direction as that of those excited by light irradiation. Under the action of a 1100 V m–1 ambient electric field, the photoelectrochemical response current of light irradiation is increased 1.6 times, while the stability of the photoelectrochemical response current can retain 81.06% of the initial value even after 6000 s. The thin black phosphorus layer alone contributes 1.75 times the response current. On this basis, a sensitive device for monitoring the weak physiological electric field of a human arm assisted by light irradiation was developed, which shows wide application prospects in wearable devices.

Evaluation of the effects of corn silage maturity and kernel processing on steer growth performance and carcass traits.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of feeding kernel processed corn silage to growing calves at 65% inclusion (dry matter [DM] basis; Exp. 1] and finishing beef steers at 20% inclusion (DM basis; Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, steers (n = 184; initial shrunk body weight [BW] = 388 ± 22.3 kg) were used to evaluate the influence that kernel processing of corn silage has on production responses when fed at 65% diet inclusion (DM basis) during a 46-d growing period. Steers were allotted to 1 of 24 pens (12 replicate pens/treatment). Treatments were based upon corn silage that was either kernel processed or not. In Exp. 2, steers (n = 192; initial shrunk BW = 446 ± 28.3 kg) were used in a 112-d finishing experiment. Treatments were grouped in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (24 pens total; 8 steers/pen) to evaluate corn silage harvest maturity (1/2 to 2/3 milk line or black layer) and kernel processing (processed or not) at time of corn silage harvest on finishing steer growth performance and carcass traits when corn silage is fed at a dietary DM inclusion of 20%. Both experiments were analyzed as a randomized completed block design with pen as experimental unit. In Exp. 1, final BW tended (P = 0.07) to be increased by 3 kg in kernel processed corn silage. Daily weight gain and DM intake were increased (P ≤ 0.04) by 6% and 2%, respectively, in steers fed kernel processed corn silage compared to controls; however, gain efficiency was not appreciably influenced by treatment (P = 0.15). In Exp. 2, there were no harvest maturity × kernel processing interactions (P ≥ 0.26) for any growth performance measures or any parameters related to efficiency of dietary NE utilization. No harvest maturity × kernel processing interactions (P ≥ 0.08) were observed for any carcass traits except for the distribution of USDA Prime carcasses (P = 0.04). Steers fed 2/3 milk line and unprocessed corn silage had a lower (P = 0.05) proportion of carcasses grade USDA Prime (0.0%) compared to all other treatments (12.0%). Harvest time (P ≥ 0.07) and kernel processing (P ≥ 0.07) of corn silage had no appreciable influence on any other carcass trait measures. These data indicate that kernel processed corn silage fed to growing calves at 65% diet inclusion (DM basis) enhances intake and daily gain, while kernel processed corn silage fed to finishing steers at 20% diet inclusion (DM basis) does not appreciably influence daily gain, efficiency of gain, or carcass parameters.

Phonon mechanism of angle-dependent superlubricity between black phosphorus layers.

Based on a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and quantum theories, this study discloses the phonon mechanism of angle-dependent superlubricity between black phosphorus layers. Friction exhibits 180° periodicity, i.e., the highest friction at 0° and 180° and lowest at 90°. Thermal excitation reduces friction at 0° due to thermal lubrication. However, at 90°, high temperature increases friction caused by thermal collision owing to lower interfacial constraints. Phonon spectra reveal that with 0°, energy dissipation channels can be formed at the interface, thus enhancing dissipation efficiency, while the energy dissipation channels are destroyed, thus hindering frictional dissipation at 90°. Besides, for both commensurate and incommensurate cases, more phonons are excited on atoms adjacent to the contact interface than those excited from nonadjacent interface atoms.

Effect of stabilization in expansive soil from materials have rich source of calcium

One of the common methods used to revise the concepts of road soil and black layer is soil improvement. This approach meets the nuances of development and involves improving the features of materials that are currently in the workplace. A final method of soil improvement is to replace loose dirt with more stable materials such as concrete, topsoil, geotextiles, and geo-grids to enhance the physical-mechanical qualities of such clays, conventional stabilizers, including hydrated lime, basic Portland concrete, sulphated oil, and dark top are frequently utilized. When used for soil improvement, substance stabilizers can reduce the negative ecological impact of the development industry and can be used as a soil stabilizer for kaolin clay soils. Due to the use of costly and sustainable ingredients like cement and lime, the expansion of kaolin is still difficult. The combination of SF and ESA stabilizes sensitive kaolin, as shown by the particle size distribution (PSD), specific gravity. Attberg limit, compression parameters, and pure shear strength (USS) properties are utilized in this work. In this study, the authors used materials like calcium-rich eggshells and lime to examine the stabilization effects of various soils. To establish hardness, ideal moisture content, maximum dry density, etc., several tests are carried out.

Simple house foundation models in potential landslide area (case study: Bojong Koneng Village, Babakan Madang Sub-District, Bogor District)

Bogor Regency is a land area that has varied geomorphological conditions, mostly in the form of plateaus, hills and mountains with constituent rocks dominated by volcanic eruptions. This study was conducted to determine the topographic and geotechnical conditions at the Bojong Koneng location to determine the prediction of landslide areas, obtain the foundation planning criteria for simple houses in vulnerable areas, and design a foundation model suitable for simple houses in erosion-prone areas based on field survey in Curug Village, Bojong Koneng Village, Babakan Madang, Bogor Regency, West Java With a slope ranging from 10°-25° sloping to the north which is a soft black clay layer with the slope of the layer in the direction of the slope. In the existing slope model without Strauss piles, the safe slope stability factor (SF) is only around 1.02, so the slope is not fully declared safe. The installation of Strauss piles fondation theoretically helpbaas to improve slope stability for hard soil conditions at a relatively shallow depth from the ground surface or in this study at a depth of 5.20 meters. The SF value at the tip of the strauss pile is only attached to the hard soil layer, almost approaching the condition of the strauss pile penetrating 1.00 m deep hard soil. However, when viewed from the sliding plane of the Strauss pile fondation tip which is only attached to the hard soil layer, it behaves like a pile so this needs to be avoided in planning.

A highly efficient and sustainable photoabsorber in solar-driven seawater desalination and wastewater purification.

Producing freshwater from seawater and wastewater is of great importance through interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG). Herein, the three-dimensional (3D) carbonized pine cone, CPC1, was fabricated via a one-step carbonization process as a low-cost, robust, efficient, and scalable photoabsorber for the ISSG of seawater as well as a sorbent/photocatalyst for use in wastewater purification. Taking advantage of the large solar-light-harvesting ability of CPC1 due to the presence of carbon black layers on the 3D structure, its inherent porosity, rapid water transportation, large water/air interface, and low thermal conductivity, a conversion efficiency of 99.8% and evaporation flux of 1.65 kg m-2 h-1 under 1 sun (kW m-2) illumination were achieved. After carbonization of the pine cone, its surface becomes black and rough, which leads to an increase in its light absorption in the UV-Vis-NIR region. The photothermal conversion efficiency and evaporation flux of CPC1 did not change significantly during 10 evaporation-condensation cycles. CPC1 exhibited good stability under corrosive conditions without significant change in its evaporation flux. More importantly, CPC1 can be used to purify seawater or wastewater by the removal of organic dyes as well as by the reduction of polluting ions, like nitrate ions in sewage.