Commercial Prospects Research Articles

N‐ZrS3/p‐ZrOS Photoanodes with NiOOH/FeOOH Oxygen Evolution Catalysts for Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation

AbstractPhotoelectrochemical water splitting offers a promising approach for carbon neutrality, but its commercial prospects are still hampered by a lack of efficient and stable photoelectrodes with earth‐abundant materials. Here, we report a strategy to construct an efficient photoanode with a coaxial nanobelt structure, comprising a buried‐ZrS3/ZrOS n−p junction, for photoelectrochemical water splitting. The p‐type ZrOS layer, formed on the surface of the n‐type ZrS3 nanobelt through a pulsed‐ozone‐treatment method, acts as a hole collection layer for hole extraction and a protective layer to shield the photoanode from photocorrosion. The resulting ZrS3/ZrOS photoanode exhibits light harvesting with good photo‐to‐current efficiencies across the whole visible region to over 650 nm. By further employing NiOOH/FeOOH as the oxygen evolution reaction cocatalyst, the ZrS3/ZrOS/NiOOH/FeOOH photoanode yields a photocurrent density of ~9.3 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode with an applied bias photon‐to‐current efficiency of ~3.2 % under simulated sunlight irradiation in an alkaline solution (pH=13.6). The conformal ZrOS layer enables ZrS3/ZrOS/NiOOH/FeOOH photoanode operation over 1000 hours in an alkaline solution without obvious performance degradation. This study, offering a promising approach to fabricate efficient and durable photoelectrodes with earth‐abundant materials, advances the frontiers of photoelectrochemical water splitting.

CO2 methanation: a bibliometric analysis and review of activated carbon-based materials (2014–24)

Abstract This study highlights the significant potential of activated carbon (AC)-based materials in environmental remediation and energy production, particularly in converting carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) into methane (CH4) and water (H2O) using transition metal-based catalysts. It emphasizes the role of porous AC in waste reduction and resource utilization, examining various applications of CO2 and evaluating environmental impacts. The research explores commercialization opportunities and specifically investigates CO2 methanation using AC-based materials. Using bibliometric analyses of 4196 articles from the Web of Science database, the study identifies a growing research interest in porous AC-related CO2 methanation from 2014 to 2024. The top three journals in this field are Environment Development and Sustainability, Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, and Journal of Environment Science and Pollution. However, there is limited inter-institutional collaboration in this field, suggesting room for development towards commercializing sustainable CH4 production pathways. CH4 is highlighted as a crucial intermediate in industrial processes, and research directions are identified through co-occurring author keywords analysis. The study suggests the need for a comprehensive approach integrating AC materials into carbon-neutral energy processes while addressing the potential adverse effects of AC nanoparticles on biological and environmental factors. Ultimately, it clarifies the potential uses and commercialization prospects for porous AC materials, especially in conjunction with carbon capture and utilization technologies, promoting sustainable practices in energy production and environmental management.

Anabasis setifera leaf extract from arid habitat: A treasure trove of bioactive phytochemicals with potent antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the biological activities of Anabasis setifera extract, including its antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. In the current study, Anabasis setifera leaves extract was evaluated for antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant activities and phytochemical analyses. Ethyl acetate extract of Anabasis setifera (EA-AS) exhibited promising antimicrobial activity toward Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Aspergillus brasiliensis, Aspergillus fumigatus with MICs 62.5, 125, 62.5, 31.25, 62.5, 125 and 125 μg/mL respectively. Moreover, EA-AS showed anticancer activity at safe concentrations, where IC50 were 36.4 and 44 μg/mL toward Hep-G2 and MCF-7 cancerous cell lines. EA-AS was found to contain 55 significant compounds identified through gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry (GCMS). The most abundant compounds were 1,4-dimethoxy-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5-benzocycloheptenone (26.04%), hexa-2,4-diyn-1-ylbenzene (8.40%), dihydrobenzo[b]fluoranthene (6.10%), ethanone, 1-[2,3-dihydro-2-(1-methylethenyl)-5-benzofuranyl (6.10%), and valerenol (4.08%). GC mass analysis confirmed the antioxidant properties of AS by detecting several compounds with antioxidant activity, including hexa-2,4-diyn-1-ylbenzene, nerolidol, spathulenol, -naphthalenem ethanol, decahydro-4-trimethyl-8-methylene, hexadecenoic acid, tremetone, desmethoxyencecalin, heptadecyn-1-ol, thunbergol, hexadecanol, dotriacontane, taylorione, ligulatin, retinoic acid, and falcarinol. The analysis of EA-AS reveals that it is a rich source of valuable phytochemicals: total Phenolic Content: a promising 4,264 μg/mL /, suggesting substantial biological and pharmacological potential. Total tannin content: 391.17 μg/mL, indicating potential applications in industries like nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Total flavonoid content exceptionally high at 5,163 μg/mL, while the total alkaloid content measured 1,036.26 μg/mL. Additionally, EA-AS demonstrated antioxidant activity with an EC50 of 30.6 μg/mL. In conclusion, the comprehensive analysis of the EA-AS reveals its immense potential as a rich source of valuable phytochemicals with diverse bioactivities, warranting further in-depth studies to unlock its full pharmaceutical and commercial prospects. Our results suggest substantial biological and pharmacological prospects for EA-AS as a promising antimicrobial, anticancer, and potent antioxidant.

Charge-Compensation-Driven Failure Mechanism of Ni Redox in Fe-Rich Ni/Fe/Mn-Based O3-Type Layered Oxide Sodium-Ion Cathodes.

For cathode materials of sodium-ion batteries, O3-type Ni/Fe/Mn-based (Na-NFM) layered oxides have garnered extensive attention because of high economic viability, environmental friendliness, and the potential for high energy density. Among them, Fe-rich compositions exhibit higher initial charge capacity and lower bill-of-material costs, while they fade rapidly and exhibit low initial coulombic efficiency, hindering their commercialization prospects. In this work, we investigate the failure of Fe-rich Na-NFM materials through X-ray absorption spectroscopy methods. The results reveal a combined failure mechanism that encompasses not only the conventional theory of Fe migration but also an abnormal Ni-redox deterioration, which has not yet been reported. More factors related to the failure of Fe-rich Na-NFM layered oxides are discussed in detail. These findings are expected to inspire targeted research efforts toward Fe-rich Na-NFM materials, thereby accelerating the practical application of sodium-ion batteries.

N-ZrS3/p-ZrOS Photoanodes with NiOOH/FeOOH Oxygen Evolution Catalysts for Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation.

Photoelectrochemical water splitting offers a promising approach for carbon neutrality, but its commercial prospects are still hampered by a lack of efficient and stable photoelectrodes with earth-abundant materials. Here, we report a strategy to construct an efficient photoanode with a coaxial nanobelt structure, comprising a buried-ZrS3/ZrOS n-p junction, for photoelectrochemical water splitting. The p-type ZrOS layer, formed on the surface of the n-type ZrS3 nanobelt through a pulsed-ozone-treatment method, acts as a hole collection layer for hole extraction and a protective layer to shield the photoanode from photocorrosion. The resulting ZrS3/ZrOS photoanode exhibits light harvesting with good photo-to-current efficiencies across the whole visible region to over 650 nm. By further employing NiOOH/FeOOH as the oxygen evolution reaction cocatalyst, the ZrS3/ZrOS/NiOOH/FeOOH photoanode yields a photocurrent density of ~9.3 mA cm-2 at 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode with an applied bias photon-to-current efficiency of ~3.2% under simulated sunlight irradiation in an alkaline solution (pH = 13.6). The conformal ZrOS layer enables ZrS3/ZrOS/NiOOH/FeOOH photoanode operation over 1000 hours in an alkaline solution without obvious performance degradation. This study, offering a promising approach to fabricate efficient and durable photoelectrodes with earth-abundant materials, advances the frontiers of photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Prospects for Commercialization of Rabbit Production in Africa: Empirical Evidence from Ghana

Prospects for Commercialization of Rabbit Production in Africa: Empirical Evidence from Ghana

Accelerating Museum AI Research and Application at the UK Natural History Museum: The NHM AI Lab Programme

The United Kingdom's Natural History Museum (NHM) AI Lab Programme represents a pioneering initiative aimed at harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to bridge the gap between the museum's extensive collection and cutting-edge AI technologies. Despite its immense potential, the application of AI in museum research remains nascent (e.g., He et al. 2024), with some individual research groups pursuing independent projects without cohesive collaboration with AI experts who know or have experience in similar endeavours. Moreover, differing standards in utilising AI among researchers add complexity to the field. The NHM AI Lab Programme addresses these challenges by co-creating AI pilot projects that bring together the NHM's collection, academic researchers, and AI experts. The NHM AI Lab Programme serves as a nexus for interdisciplinary collaboration, offering expertise in AI, machine learning, data science, and software engineering to support NHM researchers. Through one-to-one consultations and collaborative research projects, the NHM AI Lab Programme facilitates the integration of innovative AI-driven technologies into streamlining digitisation workflows and enhancing Earth and Life Science research at the NHM. In less than a year since its inception, our Programme has achieved several milestones, hosting around 20 diverse projects. These include research projects such as the application of AI for the automatic detection and identification of nannofossils in chalk, the classification of ancient shark and dinosaur teeth, the prediction of mammal disease outbreaks, and the extraction of data from historical bird egg records. Additional projects focus on the automation of mineral analysis and the detection of secondary impact craters on planetary surfaces using AI. Some led to journal publications (e.g., He et al. 2024), while others streamlined NHM researchers' workflows, enhancing their processes of research and digitisation. Moreover, several initiatives have paved the way for new funding streams and collaborative ventures, as well as promising commercial prospects. Certain projects have pioneered the creation or transformation of datasets to meet AI-ready standards, such as data quality, consistency, accessibility, usability, and data governance protocols, helping to embed AI practices into NHM research. This AI Lab Programme can act as a model for other institutions addressing a similar challenge of bridging the gap between AI and their research and collections. This presentation provides insights into the establishment and operation of the NHM AI Lab Programme, shares experiences, highlights successful collaborations, discusses challenges encountered, and outlines future directions.

Innovative designs for semitransparent carbon-based perovskite solar cells for building-integrated applications

Recently, semitransparent perovskite solar cells (SM-PSKs) have been developed, allowing part of the light to pass through the cell while absorbing the rest. Various strategies, including thinning the perovskite layer, innovative electrode materials, and incorporating plasmonic nanoparticles, have been explored, leading to efficiencies up to 14.78 % and transparency of 26.7 %. However, such cells face stability issues and are mostly fabricated in a controlled environment, limiting their scalability to module level and reducing their commercialization prospects. In contrast, carbon incorporation has shown potential for extending the lifespan of opaque PSKs, exhibiting remarkable stability of 1000 h and efficiencies exceeding 16 %. This study employs carbon-based perovskite solar cells fabricated using the screen printing technique with environmental conditions maintained at ambient levels for both temperature and humidity. The architecture of the cell is carefully modified to obtain several novel designs of semitransparent carbon-based perovskite solar cells (CSM-PSKs). UV–Vis spectroscopy tests are performed for each CSM-PSK, resulting in different average visible transparencies (AVT). The electrical properties of the opaque and proposed CSM-PSK designs are characterized using a Solar Simulator (Model: Solixon A-70-CU-2). Among the designs, one CSM-PSK demonstrates superior performance with an AVT of 8.65 % and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.6 %, highlighting their scalability for sustainable building-integrated energy solutions.

Screening high-efficiency promoter to construct trans-vp28 gene Anabaena sp. PCC7120 against white spot syndrome virus of Litopenaeus vannamei

This study aimed to select high-quality promoters to construct trans-vp28 gene Anabaena sp. PCC7120 and feed Litopenaeus vannamei to assess the effect of L.vannamei against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Transgenic algae were created using five plasmids containing PrbcL, Pcpc560, Ptrc, Ptac, and PpsbA. According to the gene expression efficiency and the growth index of transgenic algae, Pcpc560 was determined to be the most efficient promoter. Shrimps were continuously fed trans-vp28 gene Anabaena sp. PCC7120 for one week and then challenged with WSSV. After the challenge, the transgenic algae group (vp28-7120 group) was continuously immunized [continuous immunization for 0 days (vp28-7120-0d); continuous immunization for 2 days (vp28-7120-2d); continuous immunization for 4 days (vp28-7120-4d)]. After seven days, the daily survival rate of each experimental group was continuously tracked. Following the viral challenge, the hepatopancreas samples were assayed for their levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), thioredoxin peroxidase (TPX), acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) at varying time intervals. In comparison to the positive control group (challenge and no vaccination) and the wild-type group (challenge, fed wild-type Anabaena sp. PCC7120), the vp28-7120 group (challenge, fed trans-vp28 gene Anabaena sp. PCC7120) exhibited a remarkable increase in survival rates, reaching 50 % (vp28-7120-0d), 76.67 % (vp28-7120-2d), and 80 % (vp28-7120-4d). Furthermore, the vp28-7120 group consistently displayed significantly higher activities of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, ACP, and AKP, while exhibiting notably lower TPX activity, when compared to the control group. These results indicate that the Pcpc560 promoter effectively elevated the expression level of the exogenous vp28 gene and spurred the growth of the trans-vp28 gene Anabaena sp. PCC7120. Consequently, trans-vp28 gene Anabaena sp. PCC7120 significantly bolstered the immunity of L.vannamei. Therefore, utilizing the Pcpc560 promoter to develop trans-vp28 gene Anabaena sp. PCC7120 based oral vaccine is highly beneficial for industrial-scale cultivation, advancing its commercialization prospects.

Research on screening effect and time-frequency characteristics of screen surface with additional striking beam

ABSTRACT In this study, a new flexible screen surface structure with an additional striking beam was proposed for improved efficiency and addressing the clogging issue while processing moist coal material. Vibration tests were used to analyze the time-frequency characteristics of the screen surface and the striking beam under no-load and load conditions. The effects of different process parameters on the elastic screening effect of viscous and wet materials were explored. Further, the industrial application of the equipment was preliminarily carried out. The results showed that the load did not affect the main vibration frequency of the elastic screen surface and the striking beam. When the axis distance was adjusted to 7.5 cm, the displacement from the feeding end to the discharge end gradually decreased, promoting the rapid loosening and stratification of the material group. Semi-industrial tests showed that the optimal screening effects had a screening efficiency of 92.16% and a total misplaced content of 5.95% when exciting force was 18 kN, the exciting frequency was 10.8 Hz, the feeding rate was 9.36 t/h, the distance was 7.5 cm, and the moisture content was 8.21%. The GQPSS1848 vibrating screen applied in the industry achieved a screening efficiency of 86.66% at a processing capacity of 85 t/h with a broad commercial prospect. The study aims to provide theoretical and technical support for the research and development of flexible screening equipment and the efficient classification of −3 mm sticky and wet materials.

Development and collaborative validation of an event-specific quantitative real-time PCR method for detection of genetically modified CC-2 maize.

As one of the developed genetically modified (GM) maize varieties in China, CC-2 has demonstrated promising commercial prospects during demonstration planting. The establishment of detection methods is a technical prerequisite for effective supervision and regulation of CC-2 maize. In this study, we have developed an event-specific quantification method that targets the junction region between the exogenous gene and the 5' flanking genomic DNA (gDNA) of CC-2. The accuracy and precision of this method were evaluated across high, medium, and low levels of CC-2 maize content, revealing biases within ±25% and satisfactory precision data. Additionally, we determined the limits of quantification of the method to be 0.05% (equivalent to 20 copies) of the CC-2 maize. A collaborative trial further confirmed that our event-specific method for detecting CC-2 produces reliable, comparable, and reproducible results when applied to five different samples provided by various sources. Furthermore, we calculated the expanded uncertainty associated with determining the content level of CC-2 in these samples.

Dipole-assisted hole injection for efficient blue quantum dot light-emitting diodes

Quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) present commercial potential and application prospects in both lighting and display technologies. Blue quantum dots (QDs) possess a substantial bandgap and a profound valence band. The significant potential barrier between blue quantum dots and the hole transport layer leads to an imbalance in charge transfer, thereby adversely impacting the device performance. Self-assembled monolayers are attractive for carrier transport. Here, a dynamic self-assembly method is introduced, doping [2-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethyl]phosphonic acid (2PACz) into Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) to form electric dipoles at interfaces, realizing better energy level alignment and hole injection rate. The maximum external quantum efficiency rises from 8.77% to 17.26% with 2PACz: PEDOT:PSS strategy, representing a twofold enhancement. This result demonstrates that small molecules undergo dynamic self-assembled bilateral motions during crystallization process, aligning energy levels and passivating interfacial trap states, thereby endowing blue QLEDs with high brightness and high efficiency. This work offers a viable pathway for broader applications of blue QLEDs.

Unexpected social change: The transformation of the Pati Regency’s coastal community due to the Indonesian government’s trawl restriction policy

Abstract Indonesia’s developmental endeavors, with a focal point on Java Island, presented an overarching concern for the excessive depletion of its coastal and maritime reservoirs. This fundamental notion laid the groundwork for Indonesian governmental actions in 2015 under the stewardship of Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pujiastuti. During this period, a proactive measure was introduced, entailing the imposition of fishing limitations within the Northern Java Sea vicinity. Embodied within the Ministerial Regulation of Marine Affairs and Fisheries No. 2 of 2015, the restriction of Deploying Trawl and Seine Nets within Indonesian Fishery Management Zones became a tangible manifestation aimed at upholding the preservation of coastal and maritime resources. After an approximate span of eight years since the enforcement of this policy, noteworthy transformations have transpired within the northern Java capture fisheries sector. Comprehensive interviews, meticulous observations, and scrutiny of documents within the Pati Regency (particularly in the Juwana sub-district) within the Central Java province revealed discernible shifts within coastal communities in a relatively brief span. Employing the social-ecological system framework, an analytical lens was cast upon the repercussions of this governmental restriction policy on the circumstances of the Juwana sub-district’s coastal communities, notably the fishermen. The curtailment imposed on fishing apparatus compelled fishermen to modernize and enhance the efficiency of their equipment. The evolving working ethos of the community trended toward collective endeavors and opportunistic pursuit of commercial prospects. Nevertheless, simultaneous challenges surfaced, including societal disparities amidst coastal communities, the marginal involvement of local governance, and the plausible peril of ecosystem detriment beyond the initial boundaries.

Construction of Ni−Re Supported on Hydrotalcite‐Derived MgAl Catalysts for Promoting the Ring Hydrogenation of Furfural into Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol in Water

AbstractBiomass‐derived feedstocks play a vital role in sustainable economies for renewable energy, waste management, energy security, and commercial prospects. This study focused on promoting the ring hydrogenation of furfural (FAL) into tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA) in an aqueous solution using a potential Ni−Re‐supported hydrotalcite‐derived MgAl catalyst at different Ni : Re molar ratios. Structural analyses, such as an in situ time‐resolved X‐ray absorption near edge structure, under H2 reduction elucidated the simultaneous transformation of Re6+ and Re7+ to Re0 with the remaining highly stable Ni2+. The construction of Ni−Re on hydrotalcite‐derived MgAl catalyst resulted in the alleviated H2 reduction behavior, facilitated H2 adsorption and desorption processes, and suitable catalyst acidity detected by H2 temperature‐programmed reduction, and H2 and NH3 temperature‐programmed desorption experiments, respectively. Under optimized conditions, a maximum THFA yield of 78 % with a complete FAL conversion was attained using Ni1Re0.16/MgO−Al2O3 catalyst at a reaction temperature of 140 °C, H2 pressure of 20 bar, catalyst loading of 20 %, and reaction time of 2 h in a H2O system. Isotopic deuterium (D2O) labeling revealed that D substitution was notably pronounced through isotopic exchange between the D atom from D2O and H atom in FAL during its hydrogenation to THFA.

Emerging strategies for the improvement of modifications in aqueous rechargeable zinc–iodine batteries: Cathode, anode, separator, and electrolyte

AbstractAqueous rechargeable zinc–iodine batteries have gained traction as a promising solution due to their suitable theoretical energy density, cost‐effectiveness, eco‐friendliness, and safety features. However, challenges such as the polyiodide shuttle effect, low iodine cathode conductivity, zinc anode dendritic growth, and the requirement for efficient separators and electrolytes hinder their commercial prospects. Hence, this review highlights recent progress in refining the core optimization strategies of zinc–iodine batteries, focusing on enhancements to the cathode, anode, separator, and electrolyte. Cathode improvements involve the addition of inorganic, organic, and hybrid materials to counteract the shuttle effect and boost redox kinetics, where these functional materials also are applied in anode modifications to curb dendritic growth and enhance cycling stability. Meanwhile, cell separator design approaches that effectively block polyiodide shuttle while promoting uniform zinc deposition are also discussed, while electrolyte innovations target zinc corrosion and polyiodide dissolution. Ultimately, the review aims to map out a strategy for developing zinc–iodine batteries that are efficient, safe, and economical, aligning with the demands of contemporary energy storage.

Three‐dimensional carbon nanotube framework enables low‐cost LiFe5O8 anode material for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries

LiFe5O8 is regarded as a promising material, which is used as anode for lithium‐ion batteries on account of its lower cost and higher theoretical capacity. However, its practical applications are hindered by the low electron transfer rate, poor cycling performance, and huge magnification of lattice volume. In this work, a LiFe5O8/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite anode is designed to realize the ideal anode for low‐cost lithium‐ion batteries, showing broad commercial application prospects. It is found that the three‐dimensional conductive network of CNTs is used to accelerate electron transfer rate within the LiFe5O8 particles, thereby significantly reducing the reversible reaction barrier (Fe/Fe3O4). In addition, it can also alleviate the volume change of electrode, which maintains a stable Li+ insertion/extraction behavior during long‐term cycles. As a consequence, there is still a high capacity (427.3 mAh g−1) of the LiFe5O8/CNTs 3% anode reserved after 50 cycles at 0.5 C whereas the bare LiFe5O8 anode only delivers a low capacity of 220.6 mAh g−1 along with a poor cycling stability. This work highlights the outstanding contribution of electronic conductivity toward the electrochemical performance of LiFe5O8 anode and provides a low‐cost and commercially applicable composite anode for developing lower cost lithium‐ion batteries.

Evaluating Employment Opportunities for PMKVY Trainees: A Comprehensive Study

The goal of the Prime Minister's Knowledge and Skills (PMKVY) initiative is to provide a planned, skill-motivating, and easily accessible national work structure. Because of talent mismatch, India has a scarcity of structured, high-quality employment and qualified labour. PMKVY primarily concerns creating commercial prospects and employment options for labourers in the rust belt, pink-collar, and black-collar categories. The young of the country need to develop their abilities since they can lead to higher-paying professions, more fulfilling dreams, and opportunities to work independently. By 2022, the PMKVY wants to offer 500 million young people in urban and rural areas programs for skill development, education, vacation, and training. A web-based application might improve the efficacy of the plan, bring stakeholders together, and assist in coordinating requirements. Since its implementation, 37 states have adopted the PMKVY. By learning specialized skills in local or conventional labour, the PMKVY seeks to boost self-employment and improve the productivity of skilled people throughout several states. The top ten states for training and placement are Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Orissa, Delhi, West Bengal, Haryana, and Gujarat.

Design and characterization of a high performance transceiver integrated PMUTs array for breast cancer imaging

This paper introduces an innovative transceiver integrated with high-performance piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs) array, specifically designed for breast cancer imaging. The PMUTs array is meticulously partitioned into drive and detection sections, optimizing the size ratios of the top electrodes within a transduction cell. In this configuration, the outer drive electrode facilitates ultrasonic wave transmission, while the detection electrode concurrently receives signals, enhancing both sensitivity and reducing the overall size of the breast cancer ultrasound imaging system. The sensor dimensions of the scandium-doped aluminum nitride (ScxAl1−xN, x=9.5%)-based PMUTs array are compact, measuring 3.2 mm × 3.2 mm. Thorough characterization of the packaged PMUTs array is conducted using an industry-standard calibration instrument. Notably, the reported PMUTs array achieves an impressive receiving sensitivity of −162 dB (re: 1 V/μPa) with a 40 dB gain, a transmitting sensitivity of 156 dB (re: 1 μPa/V), and a maximum drive nonlinearity of 0.21% at the resonant frequency. Comparative analysis with state-of-the-art commercially available transducers underscores the excellence of the transceiver integrated PMUTs array for breast cancer imaging applications. The outstanding performance and the integration of the transceiver design contribute to a significantly reduced footprint, rendering the reported integrated transceiver PMUTs array highly valuable for portable breast cancer imaging devices with promising commercial prospects.

Advancements in Scaling Up Perovskite Solar Cells: From Small-Area Devices to Large-Scale Modules.

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has exceeded those of conventional thin-film solar cell technologies, and the speed at which this increase has been achieved is unprecedented in the history of photovoltaics. Despite the significant progress achieved by PSCs at the laboratory level, their commercial prospects still face two significant challenges: scaling up in size and ensuring long-term stability. Small-area devices (~1 cm2) are typically fabricated using spin-coating. However, this approach may not be suitable for preparing the large-area (>100 cm2) substrates required for commercialization. Thus, new materials and methods must be developed to facilitate the coating of large-area PSCs. This review will discuss the development of scaling up organic-inorganic hybrid PSCs and the challenges of increasing the device area. Furthermore, it will provide an overview of the methodologies for achieving high-efficiency perovskite solar modules.

Advancing Microfluidic Immunity Testing Systems: New Trends for Microbial Pathogen Detection.

Pathogenic microorganisms play a crucial role in the global disease burden due to their ability to cause various diseases and spread through multiple transmission routes. Immunity tests identify antigens related to these pathogens, thereby confirming past infections and monitoring the host's immune response. Traditional pathogen detection methods, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and chemiluminescent immunoassays (CLIAs), are often labor-intensive, slow, and reliant on sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel, which can be limiting in resource-poor settings. In contrast, the development of microfluidic technologies presents a promising alternative, offering automation, miniaturization, and cost efficiency. These advanced methods are poised to replace traditional assays by streamlining processes and enabling rapid, high-throughput immunity testing for pathogens. This review highlights the latest advancements in microfluidic systems designed for rapid and high-throughput immunity testing, incorporating immunosensors, single molecule arrays (Simoas), a lateral flow assay (LFA), and smartphone integration. It focuses on key pathogenic microorganisms such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and the ZIKA virus (ZIKV). Additionally, the review discusses the challenges, commercialization prospects, and future directions to advance microfluidic systems for infectious disease detection.