Volume Fluctuations Research Articles

The impact of global cropland irrigation on soil carbon dynamics

Irrigation can increase crop yields and could be a key climate adaptation strategy. At present, under the background of increasing food demand and continuous expansion of irrigation cropland, there still uncertainties about the soil carbon dynamics under the change of irrigation water volume and irrigated area in view of large-scale spatial heterogeneity. Therefore, this paper uses space-for-time + meta-analysis and a two-step methodology based on the residual trend analysis to quantitatively analyze the relationship between soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil respiration (Rs) in response to fluctuations in irrigation water volume and irrigated land extents. Here we show that the irrigation water volume within 100–1000 mm had a negative impact on SOC, and the impact was correlated with the irrigation water volume. Different levels of irrigation water manifest distinct effects on SOC content across varying soil depths. When irrigation water quantities are less than 700 mm, the impact on SOC content in the 0–30 cm depth layer surpasses that in the 30–200 cm depth layer. Conversely, when irrigation water quantities equal or exceed 700 mm, this pattern is reversed. The overall impact of irrigation on SOC stock at a depth of 0–200 cm was −14.88±6.7%. Tillage, planting intensity, topography, and soil type within irrigated cropland all exert variable impacts on SOC content. Whether these influences are deleterious or beneficial hinges predominantly upon the balance between the augmentation of SOC stock due to heightened carbon inputs from crops and the reduction of SOC through alterations in microbial activity. Mann-Kendall trend analysis showed that from 2000 to 2015, the overall Rs of cropland showed an increasing trend, with an increase rate of 3.67 g/m2/year. The increase of global Rs is mainly driven by climate change factors (temperature, precipitation and solar radiation), while the decrease of Rs in a small number of areas is mainly driven by management practices (fertilizer nitrogen, irrigation, and tillage). Our study further quantifies the impact of irrigation on soil carbon dynamics, thereby offering potential pathways and data support for the advancement of sustainable agriculture.

Engineering Heterostructured Fe-Co-P Arrays for Robust Sodium Storage.

Transition metal phosphides attract extensive concerns thanks to their high theoretical capacity in sodium ion batteries (SIBs). Nevertheless, the substantial volume fluctuation of metal phosphides during cycling leads to severe capacity decay, which largely hinders their large-scale deployment. In this regard, heterostructured Fe-Co-P (FeP/Co2P) arrays are firstly constructed in this work for SIBs. The novel self-supported construction without insulated binders favors fast charge migration and Na+ ion diffusion. In addition, the special heterostructure with abundant heterointerfaces could considerably mitigate the volume change during (de)sodiation and provide increased active sites for Na+ ions. Density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations confirm the built-in electric field in the heterointerfaces, which greatly hastens charge transfer and Na+ ion transportation, thereafter bringing about enhanced electrochemical performance. Most importantly, the FeP/Co2P heterostructure discloses higher electrical conductivity than that of bare FeP and Co2P based on the theoretical calculations. As anticipated, the heterostructured Fe-Co-P arrays demonstrate superior performance to that of Fe-P or Co-P anode, delivering high reversible capacities of 634 mAh g-1 at 0.2 A g-1 and 239 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 after 300 cycles.

Field Assessment of Variable Left-Turn Mode by Time-of-Day for Intersections Being Upgraded With Flashing Yellow Arrow Signal Heads and Offset Left-Turn Lanes

The present study conducted a field assessment of variable left-turn (VLT) mode by time-of-day (TOD) plan for signalized intersections being upgraded with offset left-turn lanes and four-section vertical flashing yellow arrow (FYA) signal heads in Alabama. The VLT-TOD plan involved changing left-turn phasing from protected-permissive left-turn to permissive by TOD, based on left-turn and corresponding opposing traffic volume criteria at selected intersections. Consequently, the field assessment involved comparing surrogate safety and traffic operational measures for permissive left-turn and through traffic movements before and after the VLT-TOD implementation. Video and signal event data were collected in before and after conditions of the VLT-TOD implementation for the field assessment. The before–after comparison of safety and operational measures revealed that the VLT-TOD plan coupled with the FYA signal heads facilitated improved operational efficiency for the through traffic without compromising the safety and traffic operations of left-turning drivers at the study sites during the TOD hours. The results showed that surrogate measures, such as critical gap, postencroachment time, and follow-up time for permissive left-turns, remained unchanged before and after implementing the VLT-TOD plan, whereas a significant increase in the percent of green arrivals for through traffic was observed. The results are promising as they indicate that at signalized intersections with significant traffic volume fluctuation, the VLT by TOD plan utilizing the four-section FYA signal heads has the potential to significantly enhance overall traffic operations, particularly in situations in which drivers do not encounter sight-distance issues during the permissive left-turn phases.

Engineering conductive carbon networks within hollow structure: A wire-in-tube Co9S8/C@C composite for efficient K-ion storage

Hollow structured composites show great promising to accommodate the large volume fluctuation of high-capacity anodes with good structure integrity, while it still suffers from insufficient charge transportation due to the intrinsic low conductivity of anodes and the limited transport channels within hollow structure. Herein, conductive carbon networks are rationally constructed within hollow structure to realize both excellent structure stability and superior charge transportation. By encapsulating MOF-derived Co9S8/C wires into hollow carbon tubes, as-prepared wire-in-tube (WIT) Co9S8//C@C composite manifests exceptional potassium storage performance. It displays excellent cycling retention and maintains high capacities of 410 mA h g−1 at 100th cycle under 0.1 A/g and 201 mA h g−1 after 1500 cycles at 1 A/g. It also achieves a superior rate capability of 200 mA h g−1 at 10 A/g, surpassing most cobalt sulfide-based anodes that have been reported for PIBs. As revealed by in-depth characterizations and theoretical calculation, the conductive network engineering within hollow structure can optimally augment the electron/ion conductivity of Co9S8 and tolerate its volume changes during cycles, thus leading to the exceptional performance of WIT Co9S8//C@C composite.

Regulating lithium nucleation and deposition on carbon cloth decorated with vertically aligned Ag-doped MnO2 nanosheet arrays for dendrite-free lithium metal anode

Metallic Li with high specific capacity and low electrode potential is considered as the most promising anode material. The main obstacles to its application are uncontrollable Li dendrites growth and infinite volume changes. Herein, we design a modified carbon cloth (CC) by vertically aligned MnO2 nanosheet arrays embedded with tiny Ag (Ag/MnO2@CC) through hydrothermal approach. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that MnO2 and Ag show a more negative adsorption energy (−4.31 and −2.34 eV) than C (−1.65 eV), implying their better lithiophilicity. Finite element simulations demonstrate that the Ag-doped MnO2 nanosheet arrays reduce local current density and redistribute Li-ion flux. Moreover, the channels assembled by vertical-aligned MnO2 nanosheets and 3D CC can offer sufficient spaces to buffer volume fluctuation during cycling. Accordingly, the Ag/MnO2@CC is employed as a lithiophilic host to supervise homogenous Li nucleation and deposition. The Ag/MnO2@CC electrodeposited with Li exhibits dendrite-free feature and a high Coulombic efficiency of 99.9% during 300 cycles. The symmetric cell shows an ultra-low polarization voltage of 14 mV over 1300 h at 1 mA cm−2 with the capacity of 1 mAh cm−1. The full cell paired with LiFePO4 exhibits excellent capacity of 105.5 mAh g−1 after 400 cycles at 1 C.

Sustainable ZIF-67/Mo-MXene-Derived Nanoarchitecture Synthesis: An Enhanced Durable Performance of Lithium-Selenium Batteries.

Selenium-based electrodes have garnered attention for their high electrical conductivity, compatibility with carbonate electrolytes, and volumetric capacity comparable to sulfur electrodes. However, real-time application is hindered by rapid capacity deterioration from the "shuttle effect" of polyselenides and volume fluctuations. To address these challenges, a hybrid Se@ZIF-67/Mo-MXene-derived (Se@Co-NC/Mo2C) nanoarchitecture is developed via an economically viable in situ electrostatic self-assembly of ZIF-67 and Mo2C nanosheets. The catalytic effects and porous framework of Co-NC/Mo2C enhance electrode attributes, promoting superior adsorption and conversion of lithium polyselenides and facile ion/electron transport within the electrode, resulting in stable electrochemical performance. Lithium-selenium batteries (LSeBs) exhibit remarkable characteristics, boasting high specific capacity and exceptional durability. The Se@Co-NC/Mo2C electrode delivers a reversible capacity of 503.5 mAh g-1 at 0.5 C with 98% capacity retention, 100% Coulombic efficiency, and exceptional cyclic durability through 8600 cycles. In sustainability tests at 10C/1C charging/discharging, the Se@Co-NC/Mo2C electrode demonstrates an optimistic and stable capacity of ≈370.6 mAh g-1 with 93% capacity retention at the 3100th cycle in a carbonate-based electrolyte and ≈181.3 mAh g-1 with 92% capacity retention after 5000 cycles in an ether-based electrolyte, indicating exceptional stability for practical rechargeable batteries. This cost-effective and efficient approach holds significant potential for high-performance and durable LSeBs.

Techniques for Measuring the Fluctuation of Residual Lower Limb Volume in Clinical Practices: A Systematic Review of the Past Four Decades

Increased pressure and shear stress distributions at the limb–socket interface are hypothesised to result from changes in the residual limb shape and volume, which can cause socket fit difficulties. Accurate residual limb volume measurements may aid clinicians in developing strategies to accommodate volume fluctuations. This review primarily aims to analyse the techniques available for measuring the residual lower limb volume that may be used in clinical settings, as documented in the works published over the previous four decades. A comprehensive search of articles in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar identified 904 articles, and further analysis resulted in only 39 articles being chosen to be analysed. Based on the findings, there are nine techniques available to measure the residual limb volume: water displacement, anthropometric measurement, contact probes, optical scanning, spiral X-ray computed tomography (SXCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, laser scanning, and bioimpedance. Considering the variety of techniques for determining residual limb volume, it is critical to choose the ones that best suit clinicians’ objectives, and each technique has potential sources of error that should be avoided by taking precautionary action. A comprehensive study of the measurement techniques is needed since researchers have developed and extensively utilised many new measuring devices, especially handheld 3D laser scanners.

Effect of hexyl‐branched backbone size on the size distribution and coalescence of free volume around an amphiphilic molecule

AbstractWe used molecular dynamics simulation to study the size distribution and coalescence of free volume around an amphiphilic molecule (nonyl ethoxylate (NE)) at a concentration of 0.5 wt% in blends of linear and branched polyethylene that contained a small four‐arm alkane (7,12 hexyl octadecane). The branched polyethylene chains had 10 and 82 hexyl branches/1000 backbone carbons. The coalescence dynamics (fluctuation of free volume in time) was quantified by the number of Fourier frequencies and the corresponding power (amplitude). In our previous work, we hypothesized that cavitation, the first step of environmental stress cracking observed experimentally, starts from the free volume coalescence at the interface between NE and polyethylene molecules and showed that hexyl branches in the branched polyethylene molecules suppress such coalescence, suggesting that cavitation, a much longer time scale process, could also be slowed down. The current work showed that the behavior of hexyl branches in branched polyethylene in a blend with linear polyethylene was similar to that in pure branched polyethylene, but that the hexyl branches in the 7,12 hexyl octadecane exhibited the opposite behavior. In particular, they intensified free volume coalescence, especially around the hydrophilic ethylene oxide segments of NE. The addition of 7,12 hexyl octadecane to branched polyethylene alone or blended with linear polyethylene does not seem to slow down free volume coalescence (cavitation), leading us to conclude that the effect of hexyl branches on the free volume coalescence around NE depends on the size of the backbone to which the branches are attached.Highlights Hexyl branches reduce free volume coalescence activities. The longer the backbone is, the stronger the hexyl branch effect. More coalescence activities occur on the hydrophilic segment of NE.

Lignin‐Derived Functional Carbon Framework for Homogeneous Sodium Deposition

AbstractSodium metal batteries have become popular owing to their low redox potential, high theoretical capacity, and superior energy density. But the formation of sodium dendrites during electrochemical cycles diminishes the security and longevity of these batteries. In response to this challenge, we employ lignin as a carbon source to fabricate a three‐dimensional (3D) carbon framework current collector. This framework boosts an expansive specific surface area and a wealth of oxygen‐rich functional groups. These components serve to cushion the volume fluctuations of sodium metal throughout the electrochemical cycle, directing the even deposition of sodium ions. The as‐prepared anode displays a low overpotential of −7 mV and a stable cycling life of 400 hours at 0.5 mA cm−2. When coupled with Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode, the full cell can achieve a capacity of 97.6 mAh g−1 and a capacity retention of 94.7 % after 60 cycles. This research shows that using lignin as a carbon source to prepare a 3D carbon framework current collector is an effective mean to inhibit the harmful effects of sodium dendrites on batteries.

MOF-derived cobalt nanoparticles in silicon suboxide-based anodes for enhanced lithium storage

The ultra-high theoretical capacity of silicon-based (Si) materials makes them promising anode materials for high energy density lithium-ion batteries. Unfortunately, the dramatic volume change (∼300%) and low electrical conductivity of silicon have severely hindered the commercial use of silicon anodes. Silicon suboxide (SiOx) is one of the ideal candidates for high energy density batteries due to its reduced swelling and lower cost as compared to silicon. However, it remains a huge challenge to address the low conductivity, low (initial) coulombic efficiency and apparent volume effects of SiOx. In this paper, SiOx/Co@C composite anode materials loaded with metal Co nanoparticles were uniformly and efficiently prepared by using 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) as silicon source and Co-MOF as Co source via molecular self-assembly strategy. The experimental results and density functional theory (DFT) calculation showed that the catalytic action of embedded Co nanoparticles had activated the silico-oxygen bond of SiOx and the irreversible product Li2O, thereby improving the initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) and enhancing the reversible capacity. At the same time, the metal Co with mechanical rigidity and electrical conductivity alleviated the volume fluctuation during alloying and improved the charge transfer capacity and ion transport rate of the composite. When compared with SiOx@C anodes, SiOx/Co@C-600 composites showed higher initial CE, superior cyclic stability and good rate performance. In particular, the successful matching of the anode with the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode in full cell systems validated the possibility of its practical application. This work provides important insights into the application of Si-based materials in lithium-ion battery electrode materials and the development of high energy density batteries.

Optimization of short-term stock selection based on volume and price using a non-cooperative parallel DEA model

This paper presents a novel approach to portfolio optimization in the field of finance, with a specific focus on short-term yield. Existing literature has mainly utilized fundamental data to predict long-term trends in stock prices, but our proposed methodology utilizes technical indicators based on the theory of chasing up. Furthermore, we address the non-cooperative nature of volume and price fluctuation indicators and introduce non-cooperative theory into the short-term volume and price stock selection scheme for the first time. We propose an optimization of short-term stock selection based on volume and price using a non-cooperative parallel Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model, which we apply to Chinese main board listed companies. Our empirical results demonstrate the effectiveness of our model in selecting high-yield stocks in the short term. This paper contributes to the ongoing discussion on portfolio optimization and presents a compelling solution for investors seeking to maximize their financial gains. The proposed methodology can be utilized in practical applications and has significant implications for the financial industry.

Stress-Relief Engineering in a N-Doped C-Modified Hierarchical Nanoporous Si Anode with a Microcurved Pore Wall Structure for Enhanced Lithium Storage.

The commercialization of alloy-type anodes has been hindered by rapid capacity degradation due to volume fluctuations. To address this issue, stress-relief engineering is proposed for Si anodes that combines hierarchical nanoporous structures and modified layers, inspired by the phenomenon in which structures with continuous changes in curvature can reduce stress concentration. The N-doped C-modified hierarchical nanoporous Si anode with a microcurved pore wall (N-C@m-HNP Si) is prepared from inexpensive Mg-55Si alloys using a simple chemical etching and heat treatment process. When used as the anode for lithium-ion batteries, the N-C@m-HNP Si anode exhibits initial charge/discharge specific capacities of 1092.93 and 2636.32 mAh g-1 at 0.1 C (1 C = 3579 mA g-1), respectively, and a stable reversible specific capacity of 1071.84 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles. The synergy of the hierarchical porous structure with a microcurved pore wall and the N-doped C-modified layer effectively improves the electrochemical performance of N-C@m-HNP Si, and the effectiveness of stress-relief engineering is quantitatively analyzed through the theory of elastic bending of thin plates. Moreover, the formation process of Li15Si4 crystals, which causes substantial mechanical stress, is investigated using first-principles molecular dynamic simulations to reveal their tendency to occur at different scales. The results demonstrate that the hierarchical nanoporous structure helps to inhibit the transformation of amorphous LixSi into metastable Li15Si4 crystals during lithiation.

Unveiling the Intricate Connection: Cell Volume as a Key Regulator of Mechanotransduction.

The volumes of living cells undergo dynamic changes to maintain the cells' structural and functional integrity in many physiological processes. Minor fluctuations in cell volume can serve as intrinsic signals that play a crucial role in cell fate determination during mechanotransduction. In this review, we discuss the variability of cell volume and its role in vivo, along with an overview of the mechanisms governing cell volume regulation. Additionally, we provide insights into the current approaches used to control cell volume in vitro. Furthermore, we summarize the biological implications of cell volume regulation and discuss recent advances in understanding the fundamental relationship between cell volume and mechanotransduction. Finally, we delve into the potential underlying mechanisms, including intracellular macromolecular crowding and cellular mechanics, that govern the global regulation of cell fate in response to changes in cell volume. By exploring the intricate interplay between cell volume and mechanotransduction, we underscore the importance of considering cell volume as a fundamental signaling cue to unravel the basic principles of mechanotransduction. Additionally, we propose future research directions that can extend our current understanding of cell volume in mechanotransduction. Overall, this review highlights the significance of considering cell volume as a fundamental signal in understanding the basic principles in mechanotransduction and points out the possibility of controlling cell volume to control cell fate, mitigate disease-related damage, and facilitate the healing of damaged tissues.

Compositionally Sequenced Interfacial Layers for High-Energy Li-Metal Batteries.

Electrolyte additives with multiple functions enable the interfacial engineering of Li-metal batteries (LMBs). Owing to their unique reduction behavior, additives exhibit a high potential for electrode surface modification that increases the reversibility of Li-metal anodes by enabling the development of a hierarchical solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). This study confirms that an adequately designed SEI facilitates the homogeneous supply of Li+, nonlocalized Li deposition, and low electrolyte degradation in LMBs while enduring the volume fluctuation of Li-metal anodes on cycling. An in-depth analysis of interfacial engineering mechanisms reveals that multilayered SEI structures comprising mechanically robust LiF-rich species, electron-rich P-O species, and elastic polymeric species enabled the stable charge and discharge of LMBs. The polymeric outer SEI layer in the as-fabricated multilayered SEI could accommodate the volume fluctuation of Li-metal anodes, significantly enhancing the cycling stability Li||LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 full cells with an electrolyte amount of 3.6gAh-1 and an areal capacity of 3.2mAhcm-2. Therefore, this study confirms the ability of interfacial layers formed by electrolyte additives and fluorinated solvents to advance the performance of LMBs and can open new frontiers in the fabrication of high-performance LMBs through electrolyte-formulation engineering.

Rolling shutter speckle plethysmography for quantitative cardiovascular monitoring.

We propose a new speckle-based plethysmography technique, termed rolling shutter speckle plethysmography (RSSPG), which can quantitatively measure the velocity and volume fluctuations of blood flow during the cardiac cycle. Our technique is based on the rolling shutter speckle imaging, where the short row-by-row time differences in the rolling shutter image sensors are used to measure the temporal decorrelation behavior of vertically elongated speckles from a single image capture. Temporal analysis of the speckle field provides rich information regarding the dynamics of the scattering media, such as both the dynamic scattering fraction and the speckle decorrelation time. Using a sequence of images, RSSPG can monitor fluctuations in the blood flow dynamics while separating velocity and volume changes in blood vessels and obtaining high-quality plethysmography waveforms compared to regular photoplethysmography. We demonstrate the quantitative RSSPG based on accurate fitting of the speckle dynamics model, as well as the qualitative RSSPG based on simple row-by-row correlation (RIC) calculation for fast and robust analysis. Based on exploratory in vivo experiment, we show that RSSPG can reliably measure pulsatile waveforms and heart rate variations in various conditions, potentially providing physiologically relevant information for cardiovascular monitoring.

Necklace‐Structured Silicon Suboxide‐Based Anode Materials with Multiple Carbon Networks for Stable Lithium Storage

AbstractSilicon suboxide (SiOx) attracts great attentions from both academy and industry owing to its higher capacity than graphite and smaller volume swelling than Si, making it possible to achieve a tradeoff between capacity and cycling stability. Whereas, the volume expansion problem and poor electrical conductivity of SiOx severely hinder its practical applications. Herein, a unique necklace‐structured SiOx‐based anode material consisting of carbon nanotube wired SiOx/C@C spheres with a surface carbon coating layer (CNT@SiOx/C@C) is constructed. The multiple carbon networks wire the whole composite anode material, effectively confining the volumetric variation of SiOx, and enhancing the structural integrity of the electrode. The as‐synthesized necklace‐structured CNT@SiOx/C@C manifests decent lithium storage behaviors in terms of discharge capacity (857.7 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1), cyclability (81.7% capacity retention over 100 cycles at 0.1 A g−1), and rate capability (333.3 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1). This study demonstrates the effectiveness of constructing multiple carbon networks for tackling the volume swelling and conductivity issues of SiOx. It is also anticipated that this structural design would be generally applied to other high‐capacity electrode materials suffering from large volume fluctuation and low conductivity.

Development of a Time Series E-Commerce Sales Prediction Method for Short-Shelf-Life Products Using GRU-LightGBM

Effective sales prediction for e-commerce would assist retailers in developing accurate production and inventory control plans, which would further help them to reduce inventory costs and overdue losses. This paper develops a systematic method for e-commerce sales prediction, with a particular focus on predicting the sales of products with short shelf lives. The short-shelf-life product sales prediction problem is poorly addressed in the existing literature. Unlike products with long shelf lives, short-shelf-life products such as fresh milk exhibit significant fluctuations in sales volume and incur high inventory costs. Therefore, accurate prediction is crucial for short-shelf-life products. To solve these issues, a stacking method for prediction is developed based on the integration of GRU and LightGBM. The proposed method not only inherits the ability of the GRU model to capture timing features accurately but also acquires the ability of LightGBM to solve multivariable problems. A case study is applied to examine the accuracy and efficiency of the GRU-LightGBM model. Comparisons among other sales prediction methods such as ARIMA and SVR are also presented. The comparative results show that the GRU-LightGBM model is able to predict the sales of short-shelf-life products with higher accuracy and efficiency. The selected features of the GRU-LightGBM model are also useful due to their interpretability while developing sales strategies.

Model Pengaruh Harga International Terhadap Penjualan Ekspor Pupuk Urea Pada Pt Xyz Menggunakan Marketing Mix Strategy

PT XYZ is one of the largest fertilizer companies in Indonesia. One of the company's goals is to become a competitive producer of fertilizers and other chemical products that are in high demand among consumers. To achieve this, the company needs a marketing strategy to boost sales, compete with both domestic and international rivals, and address the fluctuations in sales volume. Therefore, the company has opted to use multiple linear regression as a reference to assess whether sales prices and international prices have an impact on sales volume. Additionally, the marketing mix, or the combination of marketing elements, will be crucial in achieving the company's objectives. In the execution of marketing activities, every company strives to establish marketing strategies and target its market. This marketing strategy revolves around the marketing mix. The research findings indicate that sales prices and international prices do not have a significant impact on sales volume, possibly due to the presence of other variables such as the company's location, product promotion, and other factors influencing the results.

Constructing a Topologically Adaptable Solid Electrolyte Interphase for a Highly Reversible Zinc Anode.

The performance of aqueous zinc metal batteries is significantly compromised by the stability of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which is intimately linked to the structure of the electrical double layer (EDL) between the zinc anode and electrolyte. Furthermore, understanding the mechanical behavior of SEI is crucial, as it governs its response to stress induced by volume changes, fracture, or deformation. In this study, we introduce l-glutamine (Gln) as an additive to regulate the adsorbed environment of the EDL and in situ produce a hybrid SEI consisting of ZnS and Gln-related species. The results of the nanoindentation test indicate that the hybrid SEI exhibits a low modulus and low hardness, alongside exceptional shape recovery capability, which effectively limits side reactions and enables topological adaptation to volume fluctuations in zinc anodes during zinc ion plating/stripping, thereby enabling Zn//Zn symmetric cells to exhibit an ultralong cycle life of 4000 h in coin cells and a high cumulative capacity of 18,000 mA h in pouch cells. More importantly, the superiority of the formulated strategy is further demonstrated in Zn//NH4V4O10 full cells at different N/P ratios of 5.2, 4.9, 3.5, and 2.4. This provides a promising approach for future interfacial modulation in aqueous battery chemistry.

A pneumatic reconfigurable socket for transtibial amputees.

Many transtibial amputees rate the fit between their residual limb and prosthetic socket as the most critical factor in satisfaction with using their prosthesis. This study aims to address the issue of prosthetic socket fit by reconfiguring the socket shape at the interface of the residual limb and socket. The proposed reconfigurable socket shifts pressure from sensitive areas and compensates for residual limb volume fluctuations, the most important factors in determining a good socket fit. Computed tomography scan images are employed to create the phantom limb of an amputee and to manufacture the reconfigurable socket. The performance of the reconfigurable socket was evaluated both experimentally and numerically using finite element modelling. The study showed that the reconfigurable socket can reduce interface pressure at targeted areas by up to 61%.