Enhancement Of Extraction Efficiency Research Articles

Sustainable approaches to analyzing phenolic compounds: a green chemistry perspective.

Innovative and eco-friendly methodologies for the determination of phenolic compounds, showing a paradigm shift in analytical chemistry toward sustainability. Phenolic compounds, valued for their diverse health benefits, have historically been analyzed using methods that often involve hazardous solvents and energy-intensive processes. This review focuses on green analytical chemistry principles, emphasizing sustainability, reduced environmental impact, and analytical efficiency. The use of DES, specifically Ch: Chl-based DES, emerges as a prominent green alternative for extracting phenolic compounds from various sources. The integration of UAE with DES enhances extraction efficiency, contributing to a more sustainable analytical approach. Furthermore, the review highlights the significance of DLLME and SPME in reducing solvent consumption and simplifying extraction procedures. These techniques exemplify the commitment to making phenolic compound analysis environmentally friendly. The incorporation of portable measurement tools, such as smartphones, into analytical methodologies is a notable aspect discussed in the review. Techniques like UA-DLLME leverage portable devices, making phenolic compound determination more accessible and versatile. Anticipating the future, the review foresees ongoing advancements in sustainable analytical approaches, driven by collaborative efforts across diverse disciplines. Novel solvents, extraction techniques, and portable measurement methods are expected to play pivotal roles in the continuous evolution of green analytical methodologies for the analysis of phenolic compounds. The review encapsulates a transformative journey toward environmentally responsible and efficient analytical practices, paving the way for further research and application in diverse analytical settings.

Frozen storage procedures for salmon and plaice samples: Nutrient composition and implications for preservation.

We hypothesized that removing water from fish muscle homogenate by freeze-drying might be a cost-effective way to stabilize nutrients and allow higher temperatures for long-term frozen storage prior to analytical measurements. To test our hypothesis, fish muscle fillets from lipid-rich farmed Atlantic salmon (n=5) and lean wild-caught European plaice (n=5) were homogenized and fresh-frozen at -20 and -80°C. A subset of these samples was freeze-dried prior to further frozen storage at the respective temperatures. Using validated methods, vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids were measured after a short time of storage (starting point) and up to 1year (endpoint), with intermediate analytical checkpoints of 1, 3, and 6months. Trends in the degradation of certain nutrients during the different frozen storage conditions are discussed. In general, by freeze-drying fish homogenate samples prior to frozen storage at -20°C for up to 1year, amino acids, vitamins, and fatty acids were stabilized in both salmon and plaice when compared to wet-frozen storage of the same samples, and storage at -80°C did not improve preservation of the freeze-dried samples. For wet-frozen samples, -80°C would be recommended for 1-year storage of fillet homogenate samples, even though several nutrients preserved well at -20°C. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: We present individual nutrient stability profiles in muscle homogenates from fatty fish (salmon) and lean fish (plaice) during different frozen storage conditions over time. Based on these data, freeze-drying followed by frozen storage at -20°C for at least 1year could be applied prior to analyses of amino acids, fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins, and fatty acids. Of note is that freeze-drying followed by frozen storage before analysis led to slightly increased measurements of several fatty acids in plaice samples, possibly attributable to an increase in dry weight or an enhancement in extraction efficiency through freeze-drying.

An integrative metabolomics and metagenomics analysis of functional microbiota examines the extraction of bioactive products using longan pericarp

Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) is a nutrient-rich fruit, widely cultivated in China. However, its seeds and pericarp, often discarded as waste, are rich in bioactive components, particularly polyphenolics. In this research, we develop microbiota-assisted extraction technique, which is efficient and environmentally friendly for extracting these valuable components. These results showcased superior efficiency in the diversity and richness of extracted bioactive components, although yielding slightly lower TP content than ethanol extraction. The active components extracted by microbiota-assisted extraction technique increased to 2.45 mg/g, which was higher 2.13 times and 3.10 times compared to optimized ethanol and water extraction, respectively. The numbers of active components extracted by these three methods were 39, 24 and 30, separately, and Quercetin 3-D-xyloside and Kaempferol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl were identified in longan pericarp extracts by microbiota-assisted extraction. Metagenomics analysis revealed stable and diverse microbiota with functional capabilities for enhancing extraction efficiency. Functional annotations indicated significant roles in biosynthesis, carbohydrate degradation, and fatty acid metabolism. Microbiota-assisted extracts exhibited a broad spectrum of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These results provide a theoretical foundation for developing sustainable extraction technologies.

Single-unit metalens integrated micro light-emitting diodes

Metalenses, characterized by their discontinuous local phase shifts, are optically analogous to macroscopic curved lenses but are flat and scaled down to micrometer dimensions. Their compactness and compatibility with semiconductor manufacturing processes facilitate monolithic integration into existing optical devices. Here, we report on the integration of metalenses with micro light-emitting diodes (μ-LEDs), resulting in enhanced extraction efficiency and directionality. The metalenses were composed of identical nanohole units, each 150 nm in diameter, strategically arranged to induce desired local phase shifts at specific coordinates by varying the density of these units. Both simulated and experimental results demonstrated that these easy-configuration metalenses effectively focused a plane wave at a predetermined spot and collimated a diverging light source at the focal spot, exemplifying optical reciprocity. When integrated with ultraviolet (λ = 390 nm) 60 μm-sized μ-LEDs, the metalenses significantly improved device performance, exhibiting a 338% enhancement in peak intensity and a ±8° reduction in beam divergence compared to an unpatterned μ-LED. We believe that metalens-integrated μ-LEDs with high brightness, directionality, and resolution are optimally suited for near-eye applications, including virtual reality and augmented reality displays.

Sustainable Extraction Protocols for the Recovery of Bioactive Compounds from By-Products of Pomegranate Fruit Processing.

This study investigates sustainable extraction protocols for the recovery of bioactive compounds from by-products of various pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars, including Acco, Hicaz, Jolly Red, Parfianka, Valenciana, and Wonderful, generated during the industrial processing of the fruits. Advanced extraction technologies, including ultrasounds, microwaves, and hydrodynamic cavitation, have been compared to conventional extraction procedures and utilized to enhance extraction efficiency while also minimizing environmental impact. Water-based extraction methods have been utilized to promote the development of sustainable and eco-friendly processes. The comparison between conventional extractions and ultrasound-assisted extractions (UAEs) and microwave-assisted extractions (MAEs) demonstrated notable improvements in extraction yields, particularly for ellagitannins (punicalins, punicalagins, and ellagic acid) and total polyphenols, with increases ranging from about 45 to 200%. However, the increases directly comparing UAEs to MAEs ranged from about 4 to 6%. This indicates that while both UAEs and MAEs offer notable improvements over conventional extractions, the differences in extraction efficiency between the two advanced methods were relatively modest. These advancements were observed across various pomegranate cultivars, highlighting the versatility and effectiveness of these methods. Notably, hydrodynamic cavitation-based extractions (HC) emerged as particularly promising, consistently yielding the highest levels of bioactive compounds (ellagitannins and total polyphenols), especially when operated at higher frequencies. Compared to conventional extractions, HC exhibited substantial increases in extraction yields for Wonderful pomegranate by-products, surpassing the efficiency of both UAEs and MAEs (approximately 45 and 57% for UAE and MAE, respectively, versus about 80% for HC). Among these advanced techniques, HC has emerged as particularly promising, yielding the most favorable results and leading to significant improvements in the yield of bioactive compounds. When directly compared to UAEs and MAEs, HC increased extraction yields by over 20%. Furthermore, HC allowed for shorter extraction times. The Wonderful cultivar consistently exhibited the highest levels of ellagitannins and the highest total polyphenol content among all types of extraction procedures used, whether conventional or advanced. This highlights the great potential of the Wonderful cultivar in terms of bioactive compound extraction and underscores its significance in research and applications related to pomegranate processing and utilization. This study suggests that the implementation of these advanced technologies into extraction processes represents a significant advancement in the field, offering a promising avenue for the development of efficient and environmentally friendly extraction methods for obtaining valuable bioactive compounds from pomegranate processing by-products.

Harnessing the power of artificial neural networks methodology and multi-objective optimization for enhanced yield and bioactivity of plants polyphenolic compounds

The extraction of polyphenolic compounds from plants is crucial in the industrial production of functional nutraceuticals, but traditional methods often yield low and variable results. In this research, an innovative strategy for optimizing polyphenol extraction from two plants Cistus creticus L. and Ephedra alata subsp. alenda (Stapf) Trab., known for their rich composition in polyphenols and their bioactivities, using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction in conjunction with artificial neural networks (ANNs) and multi-objective optimization is presented. ANNs were trained to model the intricate relationships among UAE parameters, including solvent concentration, temperature, and time, and the outcomes, encompassing polyphenol yield and bioactivity. Multi-objective optimization techniques were subsequently applied to identify extraction conditions that maximize both yield and bioactivity simultaneously. Results validate the accuracy of the ANNs model in predicting polyphenol yields and the significant enhancement in extraction efficiency and bioactivity achieved through multi-objective optimization. The extracts prepared in the optimal conditions have demonstrated superior antioxidant activities, compared to the non-optimized extracts, with the smallest values of IC50 of 242,378 µg/mL, and 146,736 µg/mL for the plants Ephedra alata subsp alenda (Stapf) Trab. and Cistus creticus L. respectively. This study introduces a promising approach for elevating the extraction of plant-derived polyphenols, augmenting their bioactivity with ANNs and multi-objective optimization. In light of the obtained results, it is recommended that further research explore the scalability and applicability of the presented innovative strategy in larger-scale industrial settings. Considering the demonstrated success in optimizing polyphenol extraction from Cistus creticus L. and Ephedra alata subsp. alenda (Stapf) Trab., extending the application of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction, coupled with artificial neural networks (ANNs) and multi-objective optimization, to other plant species could offer valuable insights. Additionally, investigating the economic feasibility and environmental impact of implementing this strategy on an industrial scale would contribute to its practical viability.

Effect of CTC processing on quality characteristics of green tea infusion: A comparative study with conventional orthodox processing

Traditionally, green tea is manufactured using orthodox processing methods. The CTC (curl, tear, and crush) method, widely employed in black tea processing, has minimal application in green tea production. However, it exhibits potential in terms of extraction efficiency to infusion. This study investigates the CTC method for producing green tea (CGT) and compares the extraction efficiency of bioactives to infusion with orthodox green tea (OGT). Total polyphenol, catechins, caffeine, and theanine extraction efficiencies were evaluated in both CGT infusion (CGTI) and OGT infusion (OGTI), along with water extract, antioxidant activity, color parameters, and sensory attributes. Results showed the amount of the bioactive compounds extracted from 2.00 g OGT could be attained from 0.75 to 1.00 g of CGT. This indicates that CGT is 100 to 167% more efficient in terms of the contents of bioactives in the infusion than OGT. This finding corroborates the observations of higher antioxidant activity of CGT compared to OGT. CGTI achieved similar taste and color perceptions with half the amount of OGT or even less. This enhanced extraction efficiency, along with CGTI's taste and color characteristics, can facilitate its commercial production, benefiting consumers and the tea industry. Industrial relevanceThis study provides comprehensive information on CTC green tea to the tea industry, which is the first of its kind with such in-depth details. As evident, the CTC processing mode of green tea promises more affordability to its growing consumers leading to increased demand for this type of tea which will immensely benefit the tea industry.

Experimental and model research on judging liquid accumulation in pipelines under the action of surfactant

Foam drainage gas extraction is applied in various natural gas extraction scenarios, such as water-bearing gas wells, gas fields with high water content, and wet natural gas pipeline transport, with the goal of enhancing extraction efficiency and lowering production costs. A common issue in foam-carrying liquid gas wells and wet natural gas pipelines is the large errors observed in the prediction model for liquid accumulation onset, derived using ellipsoidal droplets. Additionally, this model is only applicable to a single surfactant type and concentration. To investigate the effects of different types and concentrations of surfactants on the onset of liquid accumulation. This paper re-establishes the critical foam-carrying flow rate model for spherical cap-shaped foam droplets using Newton's laws of motion, through an analysis of their motion state within the air core. Through the critical foam-carrying flow rate test experiments and foam droplet deformation test experiments to obtain critical foam-carrying flow rate model in the surface tension, foam density, Weber number, drag coefficient and other parameters of the change rule and calculation method. The model's validity was further confirmed using field-measured production data from foam-carrying liquid gas wells, demonstrating accurate validation results. Compared to the previous model, this new model treats foam droplets as spherical cap-shape and introduces a dimensionless scaling factor and foaming capacity to quantify the impact of surfactant types and concentrations on foam droplet surface tension and density. This enhances the model's applicability across different types and concentrations of surfactants with greater accuracy. This offers an efficient, precise, and versatile method for predicting liquid accumulation in foam-carrying liquid gas fields, thereby enhancing the efficiency and safety of gas extraction.

Comparative chemical profiling of leaf essential oils from Cinnamomum kanehirae and related species using steam distillation and solvent extraction: Implications for plant-based classification

Cinnamomum kanehirae Hayata, belonging to Lauraceae family, is an indigenous and endangered species of considerable economic importance in Taiwan. It plays a crucial role as the host for the economically valuable saprotrophic fungus, Taiwanofungus camphorates. However, accurate species identification poses a challenge due to the similarity in morphological features and frequent natural hybridization with closely related species. Acquiring high-quality and pure leaf oils becomes imperative for precise species identification and producing superior goods. In this study, our objective was to establish methodologies for analyzing the chemical composition of leaf essential oils and subsequently apply this knowledge to differentiate among three Cinnamomum species. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was employed to scrutinize the chemical makeup of leaf essential oils from three closely related species: C. kanehirae, C. micranthum, and C. camphora. We utilized Steam Distillation (SD) and steam distillation-solvent extraction (SDSE) methods, with the SDSE-Hexane approach chosen for optimization, enhancing extraction efficiency and ensuring essential oil purity. Through the SDSE-Hexane method, we identified seventy-four compounds distributed across three major classes: monoterpenes hydrocarbons (0.0–7.0 %), oxygenated monoterpenes (3.8–90.9 %), sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons (0.0–28.3 %), and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (1.6–88.1 %). Our findings indicated the presence of more than one chemotype in both C. kanehirae and C. camphora, whereas no specific chemotype could be discerned in C. micranthum. Furthermore, clustering based on chemotypes allowed for the differentiation of samples from the three species. Notably, we demonstrated that the chemical compositions of grafted C. kanehirae remained largely unaffected by the rootstock. Conversely, natural hybrids between C. kanehirae and C. camphora exhibited profiles more closely aligned with C. kanehirae. The optimized extraction method and the chemotype-based classification system established in this study present valuable tools for essential oil preparation, species identification, and further exploration into the genetic variation of Cinnamomum.

A simulation‐guided tri‐spiral condenser design for enhancing lemongrass essential oil recovery

AbstractWe present a groundbreaking achievement in essential oil extraction, showcasing the development of a highly efficient tri‐spiral condenser for use in microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) setups. This innovative condenser is specifically designed to swiftly cool vapors, optimizing oil yield during the MAE process. Our investigations demonstrate a notable improvement in oil purity, attributed to the expedited condensation facilitated by the tri‐spiral design. Traditional heat exchangers, like the Liebig condenser, fall short in efficiently handling the high vapor production rates of MAE. In response to this challenge, our tri‐spiral condenser design enhances condensation speed, resulting in a remarkable 12.2% increase in oil yield compared with the Liebig condenser (2.1% with tri‐spiral vs. 1.87% with Liebig), as validated by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry. Beyond elevating oil purity, our design holds promise for diverse applications requiring rapid cooling. This work not only advances laboratory practices but also contributes to the broader societal need for efficient and sustainable methods in the essential oil extraction industry.Practical applicationsThe innovative tri‐spiral condenser design, as elucidated in this article, presents significant practical applications, especially in the realm of lemongrass essential oil recovery. This breakthrough technology holds promise for the fragrance and cosmetics industries, where lemongrass essential oil is a valuable ingredient. The novel condenser design enhances extraction efficiency, leading to a higher concentration of essential oil with improved aromatic compounds. Cosmetic manufacturers can benefit from a more potent and fragrant lemongrass oil for skincare and aromatherapy products. Additionally, the pharmaceutical sector could leverage this advancement for developing therapeutic products harnessing the medicinal properties of lemongrass. By optimizing essential oil recovery, the tri‐spiral condenser design not only caters to the needs of the fragrance, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries, but also aligns with a broader trend towards sustainable and efficient manufacturing practices, ensuring the accessibility of high‐quality lemongrass essential oil for diverse applications.

In situ fabrication of covalent organic frameworks on solid-phase microextraction probes coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for enrichment and determination of androgens in biosamples.

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was developed for rapid and sensitive determination of endogenous androgens. The SPME probe is coated with covalent organic frameworks (COFs) synthesized by reacting 1,3,5-tri(4-aminophenyl)benzene (TPB) with 2,5-dioctyloxybenzaldehyde (C8PDA). This COFs-SPME probe offers several advantages, including enhanced extraction efficiency and stability. The analytical method exhibited wide linearity (0.1-100.0µg L-1), low limits of detection (0.03-0.07µg L-1), high enrichment factors (37-154), and satisfactory relative standard deviations (RSDs) for both within one probe (4.0-14.8%) and between different probes (3.4-12.7%). These remarkable performance characteristics highlight the reliability and precision of the COFs-SPME-ESI-MS method. The developed method was successfully applied to detect five kinds of endogenous androgens in female serum samples, indicating that the developed analytical method has great potential for application in preliminary clinical diagnosis.

Ordered mesoporous hairbrush-like nanocarbon assembled microfibers for solid-phase microextraction of benzene series in oilfield sewage.

The development of advanced functional nanomaterials for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) remains an imperative aspect of sample pretreatment. Herein, we introduce a novel SPME fiber consisting of graphene fibers modified with ordered mesoporous carbon nanotubes arrays (CNTAs) tailored for the determination of benzene series in oilfield wastewater, which is synthesized by an ionic liquid-assisted wet spinning process of graphene nanosheets, followed by a precisely controlled growth of metal-organic framework and subsequent pyrolysis treatment. The resulting robust microfiber structure resembles a "hairbrush" configuration, with a crumpled graphene fiber "stem" and high-order mesoporous CNTAs "hairs". This unique architecture significantly enhances the SPME capacity, as validated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The hairbrush-like nanocarbon assembled microfibers possess structural characteristics, a high specific surface area, and numerous binding sites, offering efficient enrichment of benzene series compounds in oilfield wastewater, including benzene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, p-xylene, and toluene. Our analysis demonstrates that these microfibers exhibit broad linear ranges (0.2-600μg L-1), low detection limits (0.005-0.03mg L-1), and excellent repeatability (3.2-5.5% for one fiber, 2.1-6.7% for fiber-to-fiber)for detection. When compared to commercial alternatives, these hairbrush-like nanocarbon-assembled microfibers exhibit significantly enhanced extraction efficiency for benzene series compounds.

Dextrin-assisted gel electromembrane extraction of chiral drugs: Improving the extraction efficiency and investigation of enantioselectivity of extraction

The present study investigates the use of dextrins (maltodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin) to improve the efficiency of the agarose-based gel electromembrane extraction technique for extracting chiral basic drugs (citalopram, hydroxyzine, and cetirizine). Additionally, it examines the enantioselectivity of the extraction process for these drugs. To achieve these, dextrins were incorporated into either the sample solution, the membrane, or the acceptor solution, and then the extraction procedure was performed. Enantiomers were separated and analyzed using a capillary electrophoresis device equipped with a UV detector. The results obtained under the optimal extraction conditions (sample solution pH: 4.0, acceptor solution pH: 2.0, gel membrane pH: 3.0, agarose concentration: 3 % w/v, stirring rate: 1000 rpm, gel thickness: 4.4 mm, extraction voltage: 62.3 V, and extraction time: 32.1 min) indicated that incorporating dextrins into either the sample solution, membrane or the acceptor solution enhances extraction efficiency by 17.3–23.1 %. The most significant increase was observed when hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin was added to the acceptor solution. The findings indicated that the inclusion of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in the sample solution resulted in an enantioselective extraction, yielding an enantiomeric excess of 6.42–7.14 %. The proposed method showed a linear range of 5.0–2000 ng/mL for enantiomers of model drugs. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for all enantiomers were found to be < 4.5 ng/mL and <15.0 ng/mL, respectively. Intra- and inter-day RSDs (n = 4) were less than 10.8 %, and the relative errors were less than 3.2 % for all the enantiomers. Finally, the developed method was successfully applied to determine concentrations of enantiomers in a urine sample with relative recoveries of 96.8–99.2 %, indicating good reliability of the developed method.

Light Extraction Efficiency Enhancement of White Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) by Micro/Nano-Patterning the Substrate Layer

We demonstrate the enhancement of light extraction efficiency of surface-emitting white Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) by incorporating micro/nano-metric structures on the outer surface of the 3-layer substrate (SiO2-Si3N4-SiO2). To enhance light extraction efficiency of the OLEDs, various light scattering structures including plano-convex &amp; plano-concave micro-lens array, flat-top &amp; round-top nano-pillars array, and wavy structures were engraved on the outer surface of the substrate layer. For optimization, we varied the thickness of the internal layers of the OLEDs, and height, width, period, and radius of the micro/nano-scale structures. The performance of the micro/nano-structured OLEDs was simulated and analyzed using Lumerical FDTD and GPVDM simulators. We examined the far field light intensity, transmitted power, angular distribution of light, photon escape probability, photon density, internal &amp; external quantum efficiency, and current-voltage curve of the designed OLEDs. We investigated the results in different locations, especially after the substrate layer: Far Field-1 (0 μm), and Far Field-2 (2.5 μm). Compared to conventional OLEDs, the micro/nano-structured OLEDs showed higher external quantum efficiency. The highest external quantum efficiency of 67.304% (Far Field-1) was detected in the round-top nano-pillars array engraved white OLED having structure period of 1.2 μm. We strongly believe that, the proposed micro/nano-structured white OLEDs are suitable for lighting applications.

High-Power Terahertz Free Electron Laser via Tapering-Enhanced Superradiance

A superradiant FEL in the THz (3 THz) region is currently operating at Ariel University. It is based on the novel ORGAD accelerator, which is a hybrid linear RF photo-cathode 6 MeV electron gun. The hybrid term stands for its unique standing wave (SW)—traveling wave (TW) structure. The undulator generates spontaneous superradiance, which corresponds to spontaneous emission when the electron bunch duration is shorter than the radiated frequency, resulting in a much higher photon yield. However, the efficiency of this scheme is still quite low. In order to achieve higher emission (by improved efficiency), we intend to implement a new and promising radiative interaction scheme: tapering-enhanced superradiance (TES). This particular undulator design employs a tapered (amplitude) undulator in the zero-slippage condition to obtain a significantly more powerful and efficient THz radiation source. At the current stage, the scheme is designed for emission at approximately 0.5 THz. The design and start-to-end simulations demonstrate significant enhancement of superradiant energy and extraction efficiency using this method compared to a reference uniform case.

Development of a hollow fiber–liquid phase microextraction method using tissue culture oil for the extraction of free metoprolol from plasma samples

In this research, a method known as a hollow fiber-liquid-phase microextraction was employed to extract and concentrate free metoprolol from plasma samples. The extracted analyte was subsequently determined using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode-array detector. Several parameters, including hollow fiber length, sonication time, extraction temperature, and salt addition, were investigated and optimized to enhance extraction efficiency. After extracting the analyte under optimum conditions from plasma samples, the enrichment factor and extraction recovery were 50 and 86 %, respectively. Moreover, the method exhibited detection and quantification limits of 0.41 and 1.30 ng mL−1, respectively. The analysis of real samples demonstrated satisfactory relative recoveries in the range of 91–99 %.

New nanostructure perovskite-based light-emitting diode with superior light extraction efficiency enhancement

The external quantum efficiency (EQE) of a perovskite-based light-emitting diode (PELED) is a key indicator, comprising the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) and light extraction efficiency (LEE). Currently, enhancing EQE faces a major challenge in optimizing LEE. This study introduces an innovative structure to boost LEE, exploring various influencing parameters. The transition from a planar to a domical architecture leverages factors like the waveguiding effect, resulting in a remarkable tenfold increase in LEE, from 6 to 59%. Additionally, investigations into factors affecting LEE, such as altering dipole orientation, material-substrate contact angle, and layer thickness, reveal the potential for further improvement. The optimized structure attains an impressive LEE value of 74%.

Optimizing the QuEChERS method for efficient monitoring of fipronil, thiobencarb, and cartap residues in paddy soils with varying properties.

This study aims to optimize the QuEChERS methodology for extracting three pesticides (fipronil, thiobencarb, and cartap) from two paddy soils with distinct characteristics. Various modifications were explored to enhance extraction efficiency, employing acetonitrile (MeCN) or ethyl acetate (EtOAc) for extraction and primary-secondary amine (PSA) and graphitized carbon black (GCB) for the clean-up. Assessment criteria included accuracy, precision, linearity, detection limits, uncertainty, and matrix effects. Results revealed that the clayey soil with lower organic carbon (OC) content (1.26%) and 100% moisture yielded the highest pesticide recoveries (113.72%, 115.73%, and 116.41% for FIP, THIO, and CART, respectively). In contrast, the silty clayey soil with higher OC content (2.91%) and 20% water content exhibited poor recoveries (< 60%). FIP and CART demonstrated better recoveries with MeCN, while THIO performed better with EtOAc under specific moisture conditions. Clean-up sorbents significantly reduced FIP and CART recoveries, with THIO recoveries less affected. Acidifying with HCl substantially improved CART recovery. EtOAc introduced a moderate to strong matrix effect for FIP and THIO, while MeCN in soils with 100% moisture resulted in a strong matrix effect for CART. The study highlighted the substantial impact of extraction conditions, pesticide properties, and soil conditions on the outcomes of the QuEChERS method. A comprehensive understanding of these interplays was deemed crucial for accurately quantifying pesticide residues in agricultural soils.

Synthesis of in-situ magnetized MOF-cellulose membranes for high-efficiency enrichment of diamide insecticides in vegetables and determination by LC-MS/MS

This study presents a novel, eco-friendly composite adsorbent material designed for the magnetic solid-phase extraction of diamide insecticides from vegetable samples. The membrane, denoted as Fe-MMm, was incorporated with a cellulose framework embedded with Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) magnetized with Fe3O4. This innovative material streamlined the conventional solid-phase extraction process, simplifying the sample pre-treatment. By combining it with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the method achieves significantly enhanced extraction efficiency through systematic optimization of experimental parameters, including adsorbent selection, pH, ionic strength, adsorption time, and elution time. The method had a wide linear range of 0.1–1000 ng/mL and an exceptionally low detection limit ranging from 0.023 to 0.035 ng/mL. The successful identification of diamide insecticides in vegetable samples underscores the potential of Fe-MMm as a robust material for sample pretreatment in analytical applications.

Planar Compound Eye Lens for Enhanced Light Extraction Efficiency in AlGaN‐Based Deep Ultraviolet LEDs

Total internal reflection prevents photons from escaping deep‐ultraviolet (DUV) LED, resulting in serious energy waste and reduced service life. To lift the limitation of extraction ability of AlGaN‐based DUV LEDs, an inspiration was drawn from biological visual systems with wide field, which have obtained highly optimized features through evolution. By reconfiguring planar compound eye lens (PCEL) on the n‐AlGaN surface utilizing bio‐inspired features acquired from praying mantis, light extraction efficiency (LEE) enhancement over 180% is demonstrated both for transverse electric (TE) and magnetic fields by finite difference‐time domain (FDTD) simulation. Owing to its ultrathin planar structure and compatibility of material, PCEL provides a pathway to improve energy utilization efficiency of DUV‐LED utilizing one‐step nanoimprint.