Retention Efficiency Research Articles

Two Demosponges as Promising Bioremediators of a Potential Pathogenic Vibrio

Marine sponges play a fundamental role in the proper functioning of the ecosystem by filtering organic matter and contributing to nutrient fluxes. These animals have been proposed as efficient bioremediators of microbiological contamination in various environmental conditions subjected by anthropogenic pressure. In the present study, the bioremediation potential of the demosponges Aplysina aerophoba and Geodia cydonium was analyzed ex situ. For this purpose, the viable count of an antibiotic-resistant bacterial strain belonging to the species Vibrio parahaemolyticus was assessed in presence of the selected sponge species. Although some sponge individuals showed closed oscula during the first hours of the experiment, A. aerophoba and G. cydonium reduced the bacterial load in the seawater up to five orders of magnitude in 72 h. In addition, they had high clearance rates and retention efficiencies, with almost complete removal of the tested bacteria. Low Vibrio concentrations were observed in all tanks after six days, suggesting no excretion of viable Vibrio from sponges. These results corroborate the usefulness of A. aerophoba and G. cydonium as bioremediators of bacteria and therefore appear to be ideal candidates for bioremediation purposes in anthropogenic environments, such as aquaculture facilities, where multidrug-resistant bacteria may play a role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Advancing Sustainable Educational Practices Through AI-Driven Prediction of Academic Outcomes

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into educational systems has the potential to transform academic practices and promote sustainability in education. This study explores the development and evaluation of machine learning (ML) models to predict student performance, integrating socio-demographic, academic, and behavioral data to enhance accuracy and interpretability. By leveraging advanced techniques such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and explainable AI (XAI), this research provides actionable insights into key factors influencing student success, such as attendance and socio-economic status. The results demonstrate that CNNs achieve exceptional predictive accuracy (99.97%) compared to traditional models, while XAI methods ensure model transparency for informed decision-making. These findings enable the design of personalized learning strategies, timely interventions, and equitable educational practices that contribute to student retention and overall institutional efficiency. This study aligns with the goals of sustainable education by emphasizing data-driven approaches to enhance learning outcomes, equity, and resource utilization.

Synergistic Electrode and Electrolyte Polarities Lead to Outstanding Organic Potassium‐based Batteries

AbstractOrganic materials are promising as battery electrodes due to their flexible design, low cost, and sustainability. Although high electrolyte concentrations are known to suppress organic cathode dissolution, the organic cathode solubility depends on the interplay between the electrode and electrolyte polarities, which remains unexplored. Here, we elucidate the delicate interplay of electrode and electrolyte polarities to achieve stable cycling of organic cathode. Notably, we demonstrate that the solubility of low‐polar organic cathodes initially increases and subsequently decreases in electrolytes with increasing polarity. In contrast, high‐polar organic cathodes display increasing solubility in electrolytes with increasing polarity. When the polarities of the organic cathodes and the electrolyte are tuned, the batteries show high‐capacity retention and Coulombic efficiency. For example, polyaniline||potassiated graphite (KC8) pouch cells deliver 2500 cycles with an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.85 %. These new insights into low‐ and high‐polar organic cathode behavior in electrolytes lay a theoretical foundation for designing new organic battery electrodes and optimizing their electrolyte formulation.

Talent Management Effectiveness in Vietnamese State-Owned Banks

In the constantly changing digital context, state-owned commercial banks have implemented positive changes in their human resource development strategies. To meet the government's objectives for human resource development in the banking field, it is crucial to explore current talent management practices and assess their effectiveness in this industry. This study addresses the identified gap based on the objectives of reviewing the talent management practices employed by Vietnamese banks and evaluating the effectiveness of these activities. This research employed qualitative method as well as quantitative method to serve the research objectives. Twenty semi-structured indepth interviews with middle-level managers from different banks were conducted. Furthermore, 300 quantitative questionnaires containing measurement scales were sent to managers and staff at the banks to assess the efficiency of talent attraction, engagement, development, and retention. Findings reveal that state-owned commercial banks have developed an increasing level of commitment to talent management activities with obtained tangible results. However, there are still downsides related to talent training, engagement, and the measurement of talent management effectiveness for different reasons.

Ambient‐Printed Methylammonium‐Free Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Multiple Molecular Interactions

AbstractThe ambient printing of high‐performance and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is crucial for enabling low‐cost and energy‐efficient industrial fabrication. However, producing high‐quality perovskite films via ambient printing remains challenging due to direct exposure to air, which easily induces additional stacking defects and triggers perovskite degradation compared to films fabricated by traditional spin‐coating under inert conditions. Here, a multiple molecular interaction strategy is introduced to address this challenge by incorporating a 2‐thiazole formamidine hydrochloride (TC) additive, effectively suppressing defect formation during ambient printing. The specific interactions between TC and precursor components, i.e., multiple hydrogen bonds and coordination interactions, could promote the crystallization of α‐phase perovskites and reduce cation and anion vacancies simultaneously when drying in air. These endows high‐quality ambient‐printed perovskite films with large crystalline grains with eliminated nanovoids and low trap‐densities, which improve charge carrier dynamics and prevent perovskite decomposition and hydration under thermal/humidity stress during long‐term annealing/ambient storage. The unencapsulated PSCs show a high efficiency of 23.72% with good stability, i.e., realizing 92% and 95% efficiency retention after 672 h of annealing at 85 °C in a N2 atmosphere and after 2088 h of storage in ambient air.

Multifunctional Polar Polymer Boosting PEO Electrolytes toward High Room Temperature Ionic Conductivity, High-Voltage Stability, and Excellent Elongation.

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) has been widely studied as an electrolyte owing to its excellent lithium compatibility and good film-forming properties. However, its electrochemical performance at room temperature remains a significant challenge due to its low ionic conductivity, narrow electrochemical window, and continuous decomposition. Herein, we prepare a multifunctional polar polymer to optimize PEO's electrochemical properties and cycling stability. PEO's crystallinity is disrupted with the addition of polar polymer, and the amorphous polymer segments create more transfer pathways for Li-ion. More importantly, the polar groups enhance PEO's Li-ion transference number by facilitating lithium salt dissociation through Lewis acid-base interactions and weaken the coordination between Li-ion and ether oxygen, thereby expediting Li-ion migration. In addition, the trifluoromethyl groups promote TFSI- defluorination, forming LiF-rich solid electrolyte interphase layers that prevent continuous decomposition of PEO. The resulting composite electrolyte exhibits excellent room temperature ionic conductivity (2.06 × 10-4 S cm-1) and Li-ion transference number (0.30) and outstanding voltage (4.9 V). The assembled symmetric lithium battery could perform stably for 620 h at 0.1 mA cm-2. Li||LiFePO4 cells exhibit excellent capacity retention (87.81%) and Coulombic efficiency (100.0%) at 0.5 C over 700 cycles.

Effects of Film-Bottomed Treatment on Absorbability and Translocation of Nitrogen in Spring Wheat in Arid Area

Plastic film-bottomed treatment (FBT) is a critical agricultural practice in arid regions, aimed at enhancing crop productivity by improving soil moisture retention and nutrient availability. However, the effects of different depths of film-bottomed treatment (DFBT) on nitrogen (N) absorption and translocation in spring wheat remain inadequately understood. We conducted a field experiment on sandy soil to investigate the effects of different DFBT depths (60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 cm) and on total N absorption amount (TNAA), total N translocation amount (TNTA) in all nutritive organs, grain nitrogen content (GN), and grain yield (GY). Morphological measurements included GY, GN, TNAA, and TNTA in the stem, sheath, leaf, spike axis, kernel husk (SAKH), and culm. The results showed that FBT significantly reduced soil moisture loss, with the 100 cm depth reducing soil leakage by 59.6% (p < 0.001). At the flowering stage, nitrogen derived from fertilizer (NDF) and soil nitrogen (NDS) were significantly higher at the 80 cm depth (p < 0.001). At maturity, the total nitrogen absorption amount (TNAA) and translocation amount (TNTA) in the main stem and across nutrient organs were significantly higher under the 80 cm DFBT (p < 0.001), leading to improved nitrogen use efficiency. The correlation between TNTA and GN was strongest at 80 cm (p < 0.001). Grain yield (GY) and GN were optimized at intermediate depths, particularly at 80 cm, suggesting this depth provides an optimal balance between water retention and drainage efficiency. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing DFBT depth, particularly at 80 cm, to achieve enhanced water retention, efficient nitrogen utilization, and improved crop productivity in arid agricultural systems. This research provides critical insights into sustainable agricultural practices under water-limited conditions, offering practical guidance for improving food security in arid regions.

Synergistic Electrode and Electrolyte Polarities Lead to Outstanding Organic Potassium-based Batteries.

Organic materials are promising as battery electrodes due to their flexible design, low cost, and sustainability. Although high electrolyte concentrations are known to suppress organic cathode dissolution, the organic cathode solubility depends on the interplay between the electrode and electrolyte polarities, which remains unexplored. Here, we elucidate the delicate interplay of electrode and electrolyte polarities to achieve stable cycling of organic cathode. Notably, we demonstrate that the solubility of low-polar organic cathodes initially increases and subsequently decreases in electrolytes with increasing polarity. In contrast, high-polar organic cathodes display increasing solubility in electrolytes with increasing polarity. When the polarities of the organic cathodes and the electrolyte are tuned, the batteries show high-capacity retention and Coulombic efficiency. For example, polyaniline||potassiated graphite (KC8) pouch cells deliver 2500 cycles with an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.85%. These new insights into low- and high-polar organic cathode behavior in electrolytes lay a theoretical foundation for designing new organic battery electrodes and optimizing their electrolyte formulation.

Universal Bench for Full-scale Tests of FOPS® Filters and Modeling of Suspended Solids Pollution

The problems related to the treatment of surface runoff polluted by suspended solids are evaluated. The peculiarities of morphology and composition of suspended solids particles contained in surface runoff are considered. The design and the principle of operation of the developed experimental testing bench for tests to determine the efficiency of retention of solid particles by different filtering materials and life-size FOPS® filters are presented. It is shown that narrow particle size distribution fractions of natural zeolite can be used to evaluate both the retention of suspended solids by filter materials (or FOPS® filters) and the porous structure of fiber filter materials.

Capacitorless Dynamic Random Access Memory with 2D Transistors by One-Step Transfer of van der Waals Dielectrics and Electrodes.

Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) has been a cornerstone of modern computing, but it faces challenges as technology scales down, particularly due to the mismatch between reduced storage capacitance and increasing OFF current. The capacitorless 2T0C DRAM architecture is recognized for its potential to offer superior area efficiency and reduced refresh rate requirements by eliminating the traditional capacitor. The exploration of two-dimensional (2D) materials further enhances scaling possibilities, though the absence of dangling bonds complicates the deposition of high-quality dielectrics. Here, we present a hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN)-assisted process for one-step transfer of van der Waals dielectrics and electrodes in 2D transistors with clean interfaces. The transferred aluminum oxide (Al2O3), formed by oxidizing aluminum (Al), exhibits exceptional flatness and uniformity, preserving the intrinsic properties of the 2D semiconductors without introducing doping effects. The MoS2 transistor exhibits an extremely low interface trap density of about 3 × 1011 cm-2 eV-1 and a leakage current density down to 10-7 A cm-2, which enables effective charge storage at the gate stack. This method allows for the simultaneous fabrication of two damage-free MoS2 transistors to form a capacitorless 2T0C DRAM cell, enhancing compatibility with 2D materials. The ultralow leakage current optimizes data retention and power efficiency. The fabricated 2T0C DRAM exhibits a rapid write speed of 20 ns, long data retention exceeding 1,000 s, and low energy consumption of approximately 0.2 fJ per write operation. Additionally, it demonstrates 3-bit storage capability and exceptional stability across numerous write/erase cycles.

A Case Study of a Solar Oven’s Efficiency: An Experimental Approach

This research presents the design, construction, and experimental evaluation of a novel box-type solar oven optimized for enhanced thermal efficiency and heat retention, developed to address the challenges of sustainable cooking in temperate climates. The solar oven, measuring 120 cm × 60 cm × 45 cm, incorporates strategically designed rock wool insulation and 5 kg of steel plates as thermal mass, along with a double-glazed glass cover tilted at an experimentally optimized angle of 15° relative to the horizontal plane. Extensive experimental testing was conducted in Viseu, Portugal (40° N latitude) under varying meteorological conditions, including solar irradiance levels ranging from 400 to 900 W/m2 and wind speeds of up to 3 m/s. The results demonstrated that the oven consistently achieved internal temperatures exceeding 160 °C, with a peak temperature of 180 °C, maintaining cooking capability even during periods of intermittent cloud cover. Quantitative analysis showed that the thermal efficiency of the oven reached a peak of 38%, representing a 25–30% improvement over conventional designs. The incorporation of thermal mass reduced temperature fluctuations by up to 40%, and the enhanced insulation reduced conductive heat loss by approximately 30%. Cooking tests validated the oven’s practical effectiveness, with the successful preparation of various foods including rice (90 min), cake (120 min), vegetables (60 min), and bread (110 min). This study provides comprehensive performance data under different meteorological conditions, including detailed temperature profiles, heating rates, and thermal efficiency measurements. By addressing key limitations of prior models, particularly the challenge of temperature stability during variable solar conditions, the proposed solar oven offers a cost-effective, efficient solution that can be adapted for use in diverse climates and regions, with particular relevance to areas seeking sustainable alternatives to traditional cooking methods.

Chemically robust functionalized covalent organic framework for the highly efficient and selective separation of bromine.

Effective sequestration of bromine holds great promise for the chemical industry's safe expansion, environmental preservation, and public health. However, attaining this goal is still challenging due to the serious drawbacks of existing adsorbents such as limited capacity, low retention efficiency, and sluggish uptake kinetics. Herein, we report a strategy-driven systematic study aimed at significantly enhancing multiple host-guest interactions to obtain functionalized covalent-organic frameworks for the efficient sequestration of bromine. Results showed that the presence of specific quantities of selective binding sites of the porous frameworks afford stronger host-guest interactions and therefore higher bromine adsorption capacities. The developed framework exhibits high bromine sorption capacity of up to 5.16 g g-1 in the vapor phase and 8.79 g g-1 in the aqueous phase under static adsorption conditions with fast kinetics, large distribution coefficient (Kd ∼105 mL g-1), high retention efficiency and reusability. Moreover, the adsorbent is able to sequestrate trace bromine (from 13 ppm to below 4 ppm) from aqueous medium with fast adsorption kinetics (86.3% within less than 3 h) and demonstrates the selective extraction of bromine over iodine under both static and dynamic conditions. These results were further utilized to demonstrate recycling-selective and highly efficient bromine capture from a real-water system, exhibiting excellent scalability and affordability, as exemplified using COF membranes in a continuous flow-through process.

Digital upgrade of drainage detention devices for forced retention.

Current urban challenges related to local urban flooding require effective preventive measures. This applies particularly to various methods of stormwater retention, including forced retention, and solutions that enable cooperation between small individual retention systems and drainage systems. Therefore, this study presents the results of research on the hydraulic efficiency of controllable systems, which combine the features of an on-site tank with the solutions of network tanks to increase the retention of stormwater in drainage systems. The study had two main objectives: first, to investigate the potential for improving the hydraulic efficiency of retention devices operating within forced retention systems through the implementation of real-time control, and second, to assess the impact of hydraulic parameters characterizing flow in the system on the efficiency of the studied types of devices. The operation of three hydraulic systems in terms of forced retention was verified: a classic linear system, a forced retention system subjected to digitisation through real-time control implementation and a forced retention system devoid of control elements. The study was conducted under laboratory conditions that simulate actual operational conditions. The results demonstrate that a retention system based on real-time control can increase the correct operation time by up to 50%. The efficiency relative to linear objects for the retention system based on real-time control ranged from 50% to 241.67%, whereas a system lacking control elements showed an increase of 66.67%-136.64%. Additionally, this study demonstrated a significant impact of the stormwater fill level in forced retention devices on their hydraulic efficiency. The results indicate the potential to increase the efficiency of various retention solutions through the application of a properly selected and optimised control system.

A New Strain of Preponderant Amphitriploid Carassius Clone Juvenile With Integrated Genomes Partly From White Crucian Carp (C. auratus cuvieri) Requires Low Dietary Protein.

This study was carried out to search for the protein requirement of a new strain of preponderant amphitriploid Carassius clone, which integrated genomes partly from white crucian carp (C. auratus cuvieri). Seven groups of fish (body weight: 9.73 ± 0.03 g) were fed with seven isolipidic and isocarbohydrate diets containing 21.38%, 25.82%, 27.94%, 31.36%, 34.23%, 37.87%, and 40.70% crude protein (P21, P24, P27, P30, P33, P36, and P39), respectively. After 8-week feeding, weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) were lower in the P30 group than those in the P39 group, but no difference was found in final body weight (FBW), survival, condition factor (CF), or hepatosomatic index (HSI) between different groups. Increased dietary protein decreased feeding rate (FR) and viscerosomatic index (VSI) while improved feed efficiency (FE). Decreased protein retention efficiency (PRE) and improved activity of liver alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and content of plasma ammonia suggested intensified fish amino acid catabolism in high dietary protein groups. The dietary protein requirement of the new Carassius clone was as low as 21.38% for growth. The optimal dietary protein for high FE was 39.62% and should be less than 30.56% to maintain the maximum protein retention. High dietary protein might be harmful to the fish due to the increased contents of liver malondialdehyde (MDA) and plasma cortisol. Dietary protein level altered fish body and muscle flavor substance composition. Low dietary protein could obtain high muscle fatty acid, free amino acid, and lipid accumulation, including whole body and muscle crude lipid, plasma total triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). Therefore, the recommended dietary protein for this new Carassius clone juvenile should be 21.38%-30.56%.

DESENVOLVIMENTO DE MATRIZ DE SÍLICA AMINOFUNCIONALIZADA COMO POTENCIAL ADSORVENTE DE ÍONS Pt4+ EM SISTEMAS DE PRÉ-CONCENTRAÇÃO PARA ANÁLISE POR FAAS

DEVELOPMENT OF AMINOFUNCTIONALIZED SILICA MATRIX AS A POTENTIAL ADSORBENT FOR Pt4+ IONS IN PRECONCENTRATION SYSTEMS FOR FAAS ANALYSIS. The use of materials such as organofunctionalized silica for application in solid phase extraction (SPE) allows the preconcentration of several ions, including Pt, and subsequent detection. This work aims to synthesize and characterize an organofunctionalized silica (Sil-TMSDT) with the silylant N’(trimethoxysilyl)propylethylenetriamine and its application as a solid phase in the preconcentration Pt4+ ions in aqueous media, using detection by flame atomization atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the aminofunctionalization of the silica. For the adsorption process, a preconcentration mini-column with 200 mg of Sil-TMSDT, a solution of 0.485 mg L-1 of K2[PtCl6] at pH 10 and HNO3 0.5 mol L-1 as eluent were used, obtaining an enrichment factor of 15-fold with retention efficiency higher than 99%. The Pt4+ ion determined by FAAS showed a linear response between 0.02 and 0.40 mg L-1; a linear coefficient where R = 0.9981; a 16-fold preconcentration factor; a limit of quantification (LOQ) and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.045 and 0.014 mg L-1, respectively. The proposal system showed analytical applicability to determining Pt4+ ion in an aqueous medium and could be used to detect traces of this potentially toxic metal in biological fluids such as urine and blood.

On the Reversibility of Sustainable Symmetric Aqueous Organic Redox Flow Batteries

Herein, the effect of electrode anodization on the enhancement of the reversibility and the electrochemical activity of the redox‐active molecule alizarin in both positive and negative electrodes is reported. Alizarin is a bifunctional plant‐based anthraquinone redox species that exhibits irreversibility at positive potential (versus Ag/AgCl). The results show that the anodization of carbon paper increases surface area and introduces functional groups, which in turn promotes reversibility at the positive potential. To demonstrate the applicability of our technique, the modified electrodes are used in a symmetric aqueous organic redox flow battery, showing a significant improvement in capacity retention and Coulombic efficiency compared to pristine carbon electrodes.

Effects of biochar on soil contaminated by metals and metalloids from slag disposal of an old environmental liability in Ribeira Valley, Brazil.

Contamination with potentially toxic metals and metalloids (PTMs) in mining areas poses significant environment and human health risks. Using biochar as an amendment can be a cost-effective and eco-friendly method to reduce PTM bioavailability in contaminated soils, thus lowering plant uptake. This study investigated biochar derived from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) at three pyrolysis temperatures (300, 500, and 700°C) and two application rates (1% and 5%, w/w) for the remediation of slag-contaminated soils from an old environmental liability in the Ribeira Valley (Brazil). The results showed Zn>Pb>Cu>As>Co>Cr>Cd>Ni pseudo-total concentrations in slag with concentrations of As, Cu, Pb, and Cd posing greater environmental risks due to their toxicity. The biochar addition exerted limited effects on chemical fractionation, likely due to soil alkalinity, and BC300 5% increased As availability. A 1% biochar addition improved maize (Zea mays) growth, whereas 5% BC500 and BC700 were phytotoxic. The highest bioconcentration factor (BCF) values were observed for Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn, which are all essential nutrients for plants; however, translocation factor (TF) from roots to shoots was generally low. A combination of BCF and TF<1 suggested mechanisms limiting PTM uptake and translocation in plants. Pb showed a high ecological risk potential (Eri), with hazard quotients (HQ) exceeding 1 for the slag. BC700 5% provided the most promising Eri for As, Pb, and Zn; however, it proved toxic to maize, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary research and biochar's potential in site remediation. Further treatments are necessary for enhancing the retention efficiency or exploring combinations with other organic or inorganic amendments.

Novel Ultrasonic Pretreatment for Improving Drying Performance and Physicochemical Properties of Licorice Slices During Radio Frequency Vacuum Drying.

To enhance the physicochemical quality, drying efficiency, and nutrient retention of dried Licorice products, this study investigated the effects of ultrasonic pretreatment on the radio frequency vacuum (RFV) drying characteristics, microstructure, and retention of natural active substances in Licorice slices. The ultrasonic time, power, and frequency were considered as experimental factors. The results showed that, compared with conventional RFV drying, ultrasonic pretreatment reduced the drying time of Licorice slices by 20-60 min. The Weibull model accurately described the moisture ratio changes under different pretreatment conditions (R2 > 0.9984, χ2 < 2.381 × 10-5). The optimal retention of polysaccharides, total phenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidants was achieved under pretreatment conditions of 30 min of ultrasonic time, 180 W of ultrasonic power, and 40 kHz of ultrasonic frequency. Furthermore, ultrasonic pretreatment preserved the internal cellular structure of Licorice slices, maintaining intact tissue cells and well-defined microchannels. However, a slight reduction in sample color was observed following ultrasound application. In conclusion, ultrasonic pretreatment significantly improved the RFV drying process for Licorice slices by enhancing drying efficiency, preserving active ingredients, and optimizing the physicochemical quality of the dried product. This study provides novel insights and methods for optimizing the drying process of Licorice, offering a foundation for further research and industrial applications.

Design Strategy of Electricity Purchase and Sale Combination Package Based on the Characteristics of Electricity Prosumers in Power System

With the progress in renewable energy and smart grid technologies, electricity users are evolving into prosumers, capable of both consuming and generating electricity through distributed photovoltaic (DPV) systems. Concurrently, the liberalization of the electricity retail market has prompted retailers to design customized electricity packages based on users’ needs and preferences, aiming to enhance service quality, efficiency, and user retention. However, previous studies have not fully addressed the multidimensional characteristics and electricity consumption behaviors that influence package selection. This paper initially dissects user characteristics across three key dimensions: electricity demand preferences, price sensitivity, and risk tolerance. Therefore, leveraging utility functions and autonomous choice behavior models, we propose two innovative electricity purchase and sale combination packages: a fluctuating pricing package and a discount-based pricing package. Furthermore, we introduce the Self-Adaptive Weight and Reverse Learning Particle Swarm Optimization (SAW&amp;RL-PSO) algorithm to address the complexities of these choices. Simulation results indicate that the methodologies presented significantly enhance user benefits and retailer revenues while also effectively managing electricity usage fluctuations and the challenges of integrating large-scale DPV systems into the electrical grid.

Al2O3-Induced Phase Conversion Regulation of WS2 Anode Enhances the Lithium Storage Reversibility.

WS2 is an attractive anode in alkali metal ion batteries (AMIBs) due to its 2D-layered structure and high theoretical capacity. However, the shuttle effect of sulfur and the spontaneous growth of W nanoparticles are key issues that limit the alkali-ion accommodation ability. Now, it is still a great challenge to achieve in situ control of the microstructure evolution paths in enclosed batteries for extending the cycling reversibility/lifespan. Herein, the phase conversion paths of both film- and powder-type WS2 anodes are investigated in lithium-ion batteries. It is found that the reversible conversion mechanism is beneficial for alleviating the shuttle effect through strong W-LixSy bonding. Also, once the size of the phase-converted W/WS2 redox pair exceeds ∼10 nm inside the anode layer, the Li+ storage ability will severely decay due to uncontrollable W precipitation. To maintain high reversibility, amorphous Al2O3 is introduced upon pristine WS2. After initializing the battery test, the particle size of the W/WS2 redox pair is in situ modulated within the range of ∼3-5 nm because of the refinement effect of gradually pulverized Al2O3. Thus, the decay suppression effect lasting over 750-1400 cycles is obtained with enhanced W ↔ WS2 conversion efficiency and good capacity retention. This is expected to promote the optimization of Mo-group sulfides/selenides/tellurides toward AMIBs.