Constant Density Research Articles

Added Anions to Zirconia as a Ceramic Material

Abstract: Anodic polarization of zircaloy-4 has been studied at a constant current density of 8 mA.cm2 and at room temperature. Thickness estimates were made from capacitance and faradaic data. Anodic polarized coloured zirconia film was observed by the addition of millimolar concentration of anions (Cl¯). By the addition of chloride ions to the oxalic acid dihydrate was better improvement in the anodization rate, faradaic efficiency field strength zirconia ceramic is recorded for exhibiting enhanced mechanical properties for manufacture of medical devices as well as biocompatability and have biological properties also. In future research needed to validate zirconia ceramic applications

CFD study of heat transfer in power‐law fluids over multiple corrugated circular cylinders in a heat exchanger

AbstractThe heat transfer in power‐law fluids across three corrugated circular cylinders placed in a triangular pitch arrangement is studied computationally in a confined channel. Continuity, momentum, and energy balance equations were solved using ANSYS FLUENT (Version 18.0). The flow is assumed to be steady, incompressible, two‐dimensional, and laminar. A square domain of side 300Dh is selected after a detailed domain study. An optimized grid with 98,187 cells is used in the study. The convergence criteria of 10−7 for the continuity, x‐momentum, and y‐momentum balances and 10−12 for the energy equation were used. Constant density and non‐Newtonian power‐law viscosity modules were used. The diffusive term is discretized using a central difference scheme. Convective terms are discretized using the Second‐Order Upwind scheme. Pressure–velocity coupling between continuity and momentum equations was implemented using the semi‐implicit method for pressure‐linked equation scheme. Streamlines show wake development behind the cylinders, which is very dominant at large ReN and n. Isotherm contours are cramped at higher values of ReN and PrN, implying higher heat transfer. Global parameters, like, Cd and Nu, are computed for the wide ranges of controlling dimensionless parameters, such as power‐law index (0.3 ≤ n ≤ 1.5), Reynolds (0.1 ≤ ReN ≤ 40), and Prandtl (0.72 ≤ PrN ≤ 500) numbers. The NuLocal plot attains a pitch near the corrugation of the surface due to abrupt changes in velocity and temperature gradients. Nu increases with ReN and/or PrN and decreases with n under ot herwise identical situations. Nu is correlated with pertinent parameters, namely, ReN, PrN, and n.

Semi-symmetric metric gravity: From the Friedmann–Schouten geometry with torsion to dynamical dark energy models

In this paper, we develop a geometric generalization of General Relativity based on the semi-symmetric metric connection introduced by Friedmann and Schouten in 1924. Although the mathematical properties of this connection, which allows for torsion, have been extensively studied, its physical implications remain underexplored. We provide a detailed exposition of the differential geometric aspects of semi-symmetric connections and formulate the corresponding field equations induced by the specific form of torsion we are investigating. We consider the cosmological applications of the theory by deriving the generalized Friedmann equations in a flat, homogeneous and isotropic geometry. The Friedmann equations also include some supplementary terms as compared to their general relativistic counterparts, which can be interpreted as a geometric type dark energy. To evaluate the proposed theory, we consider three cosmological models — the first with constant effective density and pressure, the second with the dark energy satisfying a linear equation of state, and a third one with a polytropic equation of state. We also compare the predictions of the semi-symmetric metric gravitational theory with the observational data for the Hubble function, and with the predictions of the ΛCDM model. Our findings indicate that the semi-symmetric metric cosmological models give a good description of the observational data, and for certain values of the model parameters, they can reproduce almost exactly the predictions of the ΛCDM paradigm. Consequently, Friedmann’s initially proposed geometry emerges as a credible alternative to standard general relativity, in which dark energy has a purely geometric origin.

Hybrid dual-mode high-output triboelectric nanogenerator for achieving alternating current/direct current collaborative output

The large-scale practical application of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) mainly depends on the limitations of output performance. On the basis of previous theory, this paper proposes a comprehensive strategy on the coupling of triboelectrification, corona discharge, volume effect, and space volume utilization of charge capture to enhance TENGs’ output. Thereby, a hybrid dual-mode high-output TENG (HDH-TENG) is proposed to efficiently harvest natural mechanical energy through a rotation-driven sliding-TENG (RS-TENG) and a magnetic-driven contact-separation TENG (MC-TENG). The simplified sliding-TENG with the combination of PU foam and vertical-radial electrodes achieves AC/DC collaborative output with charge density of 173.3 and 175.2 µC m−2, respectively. The simplified contact-separation TENG with the PU foam achieves AC output with charge density of 108.8 µC m−2. Furthermore, the integrated RS-TENG and MC-TENG achieve efficient collaborative output of DC with power density of 6.4 W m−2 Hz−1 and AC with power density of 128.6 mW m−2 Hz−1 through persistent directional sliding and contact separation, respectively, where a record-high constant current density output reached 1.9 mA m−2 Hz−1. The HDH-TENG can drive 6575 LEDs and 12 incandescent lamps, and continuously and stably power 52 hygrothermographs. This work further provides a new strategy for charge density enhancement of TENGs.

Impact of the UNB topographical density model on precise geoid determination in the high mountainous region

A precise gravimetric geoid model is computed utilising Stokes’s formula, supposing an absence of topography above the geoid. Subsequently, the geoid model undergoes a simple correction for topographic masses, the constant density is taken as 2670 kg/m3. Notably, the true density of topographical mass deviates by approximately ±20% from this constant value. Recently, the University of New Brunswick in Canada released a global topographical density model at a 30 arc-second resolution. This paper investigates the impact of incorporating this model on the precision of the gravimetric geoid within a mountainous region in the Colorado test region. Numerical findings reveal that variations in geoid undulation attributable to this model can extend to a few decimetres, a discrepancy that cannot be neglected in geoid modelling with one-centimetre precision. It is therefore recommended that the considerable impact of topographic density fluctuations on geoid determination be taken into account, particularly in mountainous regions.

Effect of row distance on plant architecture, weed suppression and yield of silage maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in a pesticide-free cultivation system in Southern Germany

Conventional farming prioritizes monocultures and synthetic chemicals to secure high yields. However, there are a growing number of initiatives worldwide to reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides. One option for pesticide-free weed management is the adjustment of sowing pattern (row distance, plant arrangement, sowing density). This study investigated the effects of an equal distance sowing versus a normal distance sowing (EDS and NDS1) at constant sowing density on plant morphology, growth and yield of silage maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) as well as the weed occurrence. Therefore, a 3-year (2020–2022) pesticide-free, field experiment was conducted at the Heidfeldhof Research Station, University of Hohenheim, Germany. In silage maize, neither plant architecture nor biomass yield showed significant differences between EDS with 0.375 m and NDS with 0.75 m row distance. In contrast, soybean developed a bushier plant architecture with more branches and shorter petioles in EDS with 0.15 m compared to plants in NDS with 0.50 m row distance, demonstrating phenotypic plasticity. A higher number of pods per plant (EDS: 28.05; NDS: 22.73) and seed yield (EDS: 406.58 g m−2; NDS: 389.34 g m−2) indicated the potential for increased yields applying EDS. Crop competitiveness against weeds was higher in EDS than in NDS, especially early in the growing season. The results highlight the importance of EDS as a valuable tool for pesticide-free, non-organic cropping systems through positive effects on crop yield and efficient weed control.

Facile electrodeposited sandwich-like CuSx/MnSx electrocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution in seawater splitting

This study investigates a sandwich-like CuSx/MnSx electrode fabricated through electrodeposition technique on nickel foam (NF) substrate for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in seawater splitting. The synthesized electrode exhibits plenty of active sites, substantial specific surface area, and a distinctive morphology reminiscent of a tuberose-type nanostructure. Moreover, synergistic activity between the copper and manganese components enhances the rate of electron transfer process, thereby augmenting the electrocatalytic performance. Partial oxidation serves to increase active sites and control the morphology of the nanoparticles. The optimized electrode exhibits a minimal overpotential of 144 mV at 10 mA/cm2 for saline water splitting. The Tafel slope of 197 mV/dec and a transfer coefficient (α) of 0.3 indicate that the rate-determining step for the HER is likely the initial Volmer reaction. A higher electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of 2268 cm2, a solution resistance of 0.84 Ω, and a charge transfer resistance of 5.18 Ω suggest improved ion diffusion in the synthesized electrode. The electrocatalytic performance was also investigated by carrying out experiments with varying alkalinity in natural seawater electrolytes. The catalyst demonstrated robust stability for HER in natural seawater splitting with constant current density after 50 h of chronoamperometric analysis. The facile electrodeposited electrocatalyst exhibits energy-efficient and sustainable performance, effectively catalyzing reactions in a seawater-based electrolyte during the HER.

Microscopic derivation of the generalized collective Hamiltonian

The nucleus in the center-of-mass frame is described by 3A−3 independent coordinates, including three Euler angles and three variables ρ,β,andγ to describe orientation, size, and shape of the nuclear inertia ellipsoid as well as 3A−9 generalized Euler angles to describe internal motion of the nucleons. Based on the idea that the incompressible nucleus has constant density, we suggest a definition of the deformation parameter β. It allows us to derive the Hamiltonian, which describes large-amplitude collective motions. At β≪1 it reduces to a sum of the Bohr Hamiltonian and the Hamiltonian of monopole ρ vibrations. As a result of straightforward calculations we obtain explicit expressions for all the inertial parameters as functions of the variables ρ,β,andγ. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Electrochemical Recovery of N and P from Municipal Wastewater

Phosphorus, P, is a vital element of paramount importance for both humans and for the Environment. Wastewater contains often relatively high concentrations of P which can be recovered as crystalline struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O, MAP). This option is quite attractive in assisting sustainable development because struvite can be used as a slow-release fertilizer. Domestic wastewater is usually high in P and nitrogen, N, but relatively poor in magnesium, Mg. It is necessary to develop low-cost solutions for the enrichment of wastewater with Mg. In the present work, sacrificial magnesium anodes were used, which dissolve upon anodic polarization, releasing sufficient magnesium for the selective precipitation of MAP. The application of constant current between two electrodes of which the anode is a low-cost magnesium cylindrical rod (4 cm2 exposed surface area) and the other a platinum cathode electrode, both immersed in ammonium phosphate solutions, without adjustment of the solution pH, was investigated. Constant current density over the range 10–100 A·m−2, between the Mg- Pt electrodes immersed in solutions of ammonium hydrogen phosphate of exactly known initial concentration, was applied using a potentiostat. In the presence of sodium chloride solutions, on the magnesium anode and in the bulk solution, Mg(OH)2 (brucite) formed because of the passivation of the Mg electrode. In dilute ammonium hydrogen phosphate solutions, the magnesium anode dissolution resulted in struvite precipitation, even at a low applied current (10 mA). Struvite crystals with an average size of 20 μm were precipitated. The behavior of the cell for the electrolyte solutions used was Faradaic as long as the surface coverage of the anode was relatively low. The anodic dissolution of Mg resulted in high pH values (pH 11) eliminating the need for alkali addition.

Polypropylene nanocomposite film with enhanced energy storage performance via a continuous preparation

Dielectric polymers have been extensively employed in renewable energy conversion, hybrid electric vehicle, and high voltage direct current transmission systems, owing to their excellent electrical insulation, processability, and self-healing capability. However, the challenge lies in their relatively low dielectric constant (εr) and limited discharge energy density (Ue), which hinder the advancement of integrated power modules. Despite numerous efforts aimed at enhancing Ue, the fabrication of scalable dielectric film with both enhanced Ue and high charge–discharge efficiency (η) remains a major obstacle. Herein, the polypropylene-based films with BaTiO3@PP-g-MAH (BTO@PP-g-MAH) core–shell nanoparticles are prepared through a continuous melt extrusion process. The resulting nanocomposite film, incorporated with 5 wt% BTO@PP-g-MAH, exhibits an impressive Ue of 5.15 J cm−3 and achieves a high η of 93.2 % at 433 MV m−1, along with excellent cycle dielectric stability. Such enhancements in εr and Ue are ascribed to the improved interfacial polarization facilitated by BaTiO3 nanoparticles and the enhanced interface binding achieved through the PP-g-MAH shell layers. Furthermore, the enhancement of electric breakdown strength (Eb) is comprehensively investigated based on electrical breakdown mechanism and electromechanical breakdown model. This study demonstrates a novel strategy to prepare nanocomposite dielectric films that are compatible with commercial capacitor fabrication process.

Density matters: How population dynamics of house mice (Mus musculus) inform the epidemiology of Leptospira

Abstract Rodents are maintenance hosts of numerous pathogens, and both their density and the pathogen prevalence determine the risk they pose to other animals or humans. However, density is often overlooked. We investigated a capture‐mark‐recapture‐sampling strategy to study introduced mice (Mus musculus) and Leptospira as a model and demonstrate the advantages of a combined approach. We estimated population density and Leptospira prevalence in mice in a replicated longitudinal survey conducted between 2016 and 2018. Capture‐mark‐recapture sessions were undertaken at two sites in Spring and Autumn and blood and kidney samples were collected at the end of each session. Mouse density and areas of activity were estimated using spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) models and both were compared between Leptospira positive and negative mice. Leptospira exposure and shedding status were estimated using Microscopic Agglutination Test, and a combination of culture and lipL32 PCR on kidneys. Leptospira prevalence was higher in spring (83%–86%) than in autumn (31%–37%) and mouse densities simultaneously varied from 3.6 to 55.9/ha. However, despite these variations in prevalence and density, the density of infected animals remained relatively constant over time (3–8/ha). Shedding or being seropositive was also associated with the activity of mice. Shedding or seropositive mice had a larger activity area, and seropositive mice were trapped on average 1 day earlier than seronegative mice. Synthesis and applications: Our results show how understanding the population dynamics of pathogen‐carrying rodents is critical in epidemiology. The wider movement patterns and easier encounters of positive mice highlight the possibility of biases in classical prevalence surveys and have implications for disease transmission within and between species. Importantly, and quite counter‐intuitively, Leptospira prevalence was negatively associated with mouse density, resulting in a constant density of shedders that contradicts the conventional view of higher exposure risk at high rodent density. More broadly, such sampling designs can improve animal and disease control policies and better inform modelling studies by providing more parameter estimates than classical prevalence surveys.

Exergy analysis in solid oxide fuel cells with different operating temperature and pore diameter

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) provide energy production at high temperatures. In this study, the effect of operating temperature (873 K–1673 K) and pore diameter (4 μm–16 μm), which are important parameters determining the performance of solid oxide fuel cells, are investigated by energy and exergy analysis. Quadrupling the pore diameter increases the activation loss by 0.280 V under constant current density. Thermal efficiency, exergy dissipated, entropy production and exergy efficiency are calculated using energy and exergy analysis. The power density increases with increasing temperature. For example, at a current density of 3000 A/m2, increasing the operating temperature by 45 % from 873 K increases the power density by 3.79 times compared to the initial case. At the same current density, when the pore diameter is 4 μm and 10 μm, the power densities are 2659.64 W/m2 and 2253.46 W/m2, respectively. This is explained by the high cell losses at low temperatures. At a current density of 1000 A/m2, the exergy dissipated is 719.85 kW at an operating temperature of 973 K and 1030.07 kW at 873 K. At 1073 K operating temperature and 7 μm pore diameter, the maximum thermal and exergy efficiencies are 67.77 % and 61.72 %, respectively. Increasing the operating temperature from 873 K to 1273 K increases the thermal and exergy efficiency by 31.55 % and 28.39 % respectively. Increasing the pore diameter decreases the power density and causes a decrease in thermal and exergy efficiency. Increasing the pore diameter by 30 % at a current density of 7000 A/m2 results in a decrease in thermal and exergy efficiency by 5.1 % and 4.64 %, respectively. This research examines the effects of different temperatures and pore diameters in detail by considering the exergy analysis of the solid oxide fuel cell with a thermodynamic approach, unlike the numerical analysis studies concentrated on in the current literature.

Neutrino oscillations in matter using the adjugate of the Hamiltonian

We revisit neutrino oscillations in constant matter density for a number of different scenarios: three flavors with the standard Wolfenstein matter potential, four flavors with standard matter potential and three flavors with non-standard matter potentials. To calculate the oscillation probabilities for these scenarios one must determine the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the Hamiltonians. We use a method for calculating the eigenvalues that is well known, determination of the zeros of determinant of matrix (λI-H)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$(\\lambda I -H)$$\\end{document}, where H is the Hamiltonian, I the identity matrix and λ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\lambda $$\\end{document} is a scalar. To calculate the associated eigenvectors we use a method that is little known in the particle physics community, the calculation of the adjugate (transpose of the cofactor matrix) of the same matrix, (λI-H)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$(\\lambda I -H)$$\\end{document}. This method can be applied to any Hamiltonian, but provides a very simple way to determine the eigenvectors for neutrino oscillation in matter, independent of the complexity of the matter potential. This method can be trivially automated using the Faddeev–LeVerrier algorithm for numerical calculations. For the above scenarios we derive a number of quantities that are invariant of the matter potential, many are new such as the generalization of the Naumov–Harrison–Scott identity for four or more flavors of neutrinos. We also show how these matter potential independent quantities become matter potential dependent when off-diagonal non-standard matter effects are included.

Designing Metallic Neutral Density Filters with Constant Optical Density Versus Wavelength

Observations in space and on earth can be subject to wide dynamic ranges of light levels which may need to be controlled by neutral density filters. The optical density (OD) of neutral density (ND) filters made with single metal layers is often not very neutral or constant in OD versus wavelength over the wavelength band of interest. Photographers are the major users of quantities of ND filters, but there are many other applications for smaller numbers of ND filters. There are a limited number of publications on how to design metallic ND filters. It is shown here that designs of metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) can be designed to have more constant OD over a wavelength band. Designs are shown employing software which accommodates the fact that the indices of thin metal films usually vary with film thickness

Constructing Favorable Microenvironment on Copper Grain Boundaries for CO2 Electro-conversion to Multicarbon Products.

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR) to multicarbon chemicals provides a promising avenue for storing renewable energy. Herein, we synthesized small Cu nanoparticles featuring enriched tiny grain boundaries (RGBs-Cu) through spatial confinement and in situ electroreduction. In-situ spectroscopy and theoretical calculations demonstrate that small-sized Cu grain boundaries significantly enhance the adsorption of the *CO intermediate, owing to the presence of abundant low-coordinated and disordered atoms. Furthermore, these grain boundaries, generated in situ under high current conditions, exhibit excellent stability during the eCO2RR process, thereby creating a stable *CO-rich microenvironment. This high local *CO concentration around the catalyst surface can reduce the energy barrier for C-C coupling and significantly increase the Faradaic efficiency (FE) for multicarbon products across both neutral and alkaline electrolytes. Specifically, the developed RGBs-Cu electrocatalyst achieved a peak FE of 77.3% for multicarbon products and maintained more than 134 h stability at a constant current density of -500 mA cm-2.

Poly(aryl piperidinium)‐Based AEMs Utilizing Spirobifluorene as a Branching Agent

AbstractThe high‐performance anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are developed by incorporating 9,9′‐spirobifluorene as a 3D branching agent, addressing the common trade‐off between ion conductivity and dimensional/mechanical stability. By fine‐tuning the ratio of terphenyl to biphenyl and the amount of the branching agent, the AEM is refined, achieving high conductivity (≈190 mS cm−1 at 80 °C in 1 m KOH) with decent dimensional/mechanical properties, comparable to the recently reported state‐of‐the‐art membranes. Investigations using gas pycnometer and atomic force microscopy demonstrated that spirobifluorene enhances the fractional free volume around the membrane's backbone and more precisely modulates the separation between hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains, thus boosting both ion conductivity and mechanical stability. This membrane also displayed excellent chemical stability, with negligible degradation at 80 °C in 1 m KOH over 1,000 h. With such a membrane, an excellent cell performance is achieved, with a current density of 11.2 A cm−2 at 80 °C and 2 V in 1 m KOH, and 1.8 A cm−2 at 80 °C and 2 V in pure water conditions. The in situ membrane stability test, conducted at a constant current density of 1 A cm−2 for 500 h, showed no significant degradation.

3D Nickel–Manganese bimetallic electrocatalysts for an enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction performance in simulated seawater/alkaline natural seawater

In this paper, we report an inexpensive one-step synthesis of self-supported 3D nickel-manganese (NiMn) bimetallic coatings and their application for the hydrogen evolution reaction in simulated seawater (1 M KOH + 0.5 M NaCl) and alkaline natural seawater (1 M KOH + natural seawater). These binary coatings were electrodeposited on a titanium substrate using a facile electrochemical deposition method by a dynamic hydrogen bubble template technique. The as-deposited NiMn coatings with variable Mn amounts produce typical globular and unique porous architecture with abundant pores of different sizes. The activity of these fabricated catalysts towards the hydrogen evolution reaction was investigated by linear sweep voltammetry towards simulated seawater and alkaline natural seawater at different temperatures. The surface morphology and composition of the catalysts were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The as-prepared NiMn/Ti electrocatalyst, which was electrodeposited using a chemical bath containing Ni2+ and Mn2+ ions with a molar ratio of Ni2+:Mn2+ = 1:5, exhibits excellent hydrogen evolution activity in simulated seawater with an ultra-low overpotential of 64.2 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2. It is noteworthy that this NiMn/Ti electrocatalyst also achieves a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline natural seawater with a comparably low overpotential of 79.3 mV. The current densities increase by ca. 1.75–2.35 times with an increase in temperature from 25 °C to 75 °C for hydrogen evolution in both electrolytes. This bimetallic catalyst has shown excellent long-term stability at a constant potential of −0.23 V (vs. RHE) and a constant current density of 10 mA cm−2 for 10 h, which ensures higher durability and robustness for practical application of seawater splitting technology.

Adjustable Ultra-Light Mechanical Negative Poisson's Ratio Metamaterials with Multi-Level Dynamic Crushing Effects.

Mechanical metamaterials with multi-level dynamic crushing effects (MM-MLs) are designed in this study through coordinate transformation and mirror arrays. The mechanical effects of the diameter and length ratio of the struts and connecting rods, the Euler angles, and the cell numbers on the mechanical properties are investigated separately. MM-ML can exhibit significant two-level platform stress, and the local cells in the first platform stress stage undergo rotational motion, while the second platform stress stage mainly involves collapse compression and bending. Although increasing the length of the connecting rods can increase the range of Poisson's ratio, it will reduce the level of platform stress and energy absorption. Increasing the Euler angle will reduce the strain interval of the first platform stress and can improve the energy absorption capacity. In addition, increasing the cell number while maintaining a constant relative density can effectively enhance energy absorption. MM-ML has significant parameter controllability, can achieve different platform stress regions, different ranges of Poisson's ratios, and energy absorption requirements according to the application scenario, and can demonstrate functional diversity compared to existing research. The design scheme can provide ideas for adaptive crushing protection requirements.

Enhanced schemes for resolution of the continuity equation in projection-based SPH

To the best knowledge of the authors, the numerical resolution of the continuity equation, i.e., the simultaneous achievement of accurate and physically consistent velocity divergence and density fields, has not been investigated in the context of projection-based particle methods. In this study, based on the Velocity-divergence Error Mitigating (VEM)/Volume Conservation Shifting (VCS) schemes developed for the WCSPH method, which improve the numerical resolution of the continuity equation, VEM/VCS schemes are proposed for projection-based particle methods. Furthermore, two other novel schemes are introduced. First, a Dynamic VEM (DVEM) scheme is proposed, where VEM is dynamically activated only when the velocity divergence instantaneously diverge from the reference solution at individual particles. The second scheme is referred to as Enhanced VCS by reference density (EVCS), where precise imposition of dynamic free surface boundary condition is considered. Several benchmark tests with different features have been conducted, and it is shown that the proposed schemes enhance the numerical resolution of the continuity equation for incompressible flows, i.e., the divergence free velocity and the constant density conditions. Application of DVEM and EVCS has provided enhanced resolution of the continuity equation along with clear reductions in the numerical energy dissipation associated with the approximated additional numerical terms.

Flexible tungsten disulfide superstructure engineering for efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution in anion exchange membrane water electrolysers

Anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis employing non-precious metal electrocatalysts is a promising strategy for achieving sustainable hydrogen production. However, it still suffers from many challenges, including sluggish alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics, insufficient activity and limited lifetime of non-precious metal electrocatalysts for ampere-level-current-density alkaline HER. Here, we report an efficient alkaline HER strategy at industrial-level current density wherein a flexible WS2 superstructure is designed to serve as the cathode catalyst for AEM water electrolysis. The superstructure features bond-free van der Waals interaction among the low Young’s modulus nanosheets to ensure excellent mechanical flexibility, as well as a stepped edge defect structure of nanosheets to realize high catalytic activity and a favorable reaction interface micro-environment. The unique flexible WS2 superstructure can effectively withstand the impact of high-density gas-liquid exchanges and facilitate mass transfer, endowing excellent long-term durability under industrial-scale current density. An AEM electrolyser containing this catalyst at the cathode exhibits a cell voltage of 1.70 V to deliver a constant catalytic current density of 1 A cm−2 over 1000 h with a negligible decay rate of 9.67 μV h−1.