Generation Potential Research Articles

Harnessing collisional nonlinearity for enhanced harmonic generation by ultraviolet plasmonic nanoparticles.

We investigate the contribution of inelastic electron collisions to nonlinear (NL) dynamics in ultraviolet plasmonic nanoparticles, exploring their potential for harmonic generation. Employing the Landau weak coupling formalism to model radiation-driven electron dynamics in sodium and aluminum, we account for both electron-electron and electron-phonon scattering processes by a set of hydrodynamic equations, which we solve perturbatively to obtain third-order NL susceptibilities. Furthermore, we model high harmonic generation enhanced by localized surface plasmons in nanospheres composed of such poor metals, demonstrating their efficient operation for extreme ultraviolet generation. Our investigation reveals that plasmonic nanospheres composed of sodium and aluminum produce a large field intensity enhancement of ≃103-105, boosting the harmonic generation process. Our findings indicate that poor metals hold great promise for advanced extreme ultraviolet nano-sources with potential applications in nano-spectroscopy.

Intravascular Casting Radiopaque Hydrogel Systems for Transarterial Chemo/Cascade Catalytic/Embolization Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

This paper introduces catheter-directed intravascular casting hydrogels for transarterial chemo/starvation/chemodynamic embolization (TACSCE) therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Comprising Mn ion-crosslinked hyaluronic acid-dopamine (HD) with glucose oxidase (for glucose decomposition to H2O2 in starvation therapy), doxorubicin (for chemotherapy), and iopamidol (for X-ray imaging), these hydrogels are fabricated for transarterial embolization therapy guided by X-ray fluoroscopy. Mn4+ (from MnO2) demonstrates strong coordination with the catechol group of HD, providing hypoxia relief through O2 generation and cellular glutathione (GSH) consumption, compared to the OH radical generation potential of Mn2+. The gelation time-controlled, catheter-injectable, and rheologically tuned multitherapeutic/embolic gel system effectively reaches distal arterioles, ensuring complete intravascular casting with fewer complications related to organic solvents. Glucose deprivation, cascade reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, GSH depletion, and sustained release profiles of multiple drug cargos from the hydrogel system are also achieved. The combined chemo/starvation/chemodynamic efficacies of these designed hydrogel systems are confirmed in HCC cell cultures and HCC-bearing animal models. The developed radiopaque/injectable/embolic/sol-to-gel transformable systems for TACSCE therapy may offer enhanced therapeutic efficacies compared to typical transarterial embolization and transarterial chemoembolization procedures for HCC.

Analysis of development of floating offshore wind energy in Spain

Offshore wind energy generation has developed rapidly especially in the last decade. In some countries, despite having good wind conditions for its development, it has not been possible to implement it. This is because its continental shelf is very short, that is, the land under water in shallow seas is not wide enough to install fixed foundations. Consequently, the development of floating platforms is awakening interest in this type of generation, as is the case in Spain. In this article, a methodology for calculation the generated electrical energy in floating offshore wind farms and the corresponding losses is developed. In this way, all necessary data involved in the methodology have been obtained from the sites destined for offshore wind development. These emplacements have been released by Spanish Government in recently approved Maritime Spatial Plan. The generation potentials in Spanish waters have been evaluated according to most interesting ratios as levelized cost of energy, capacity factor and cost of installed megawatt. Results show that most of emplacements are interesting enough for the development of OWFs. Deserve to be mentioned three main areas, such as, northwest waters, Canary Island zones and north part of Catalonia.

Mid-infrared supercontinuum generation in As2S3-circular photonic crystal fibers pumped by 4.5 µm and 6 µm femtosecond lasers

A study on As2S3 chalcogenide photonic crystal fiber (PCF) and its potential in supercontinuum generation (SCG) applications is presented. The designed fibers exhibit near-zero flattened chromatic dispersion, facilitating coherent and broad SCG utilizing femtosecond lasers at 4.5 and 6 µm wavelengths. A continuous spectrum spanning from 1.5 to 8 µm is achieved when the initial fiber is stimulated with an input power of 20 kW. With a pulse width of 100 fs and input power of 6 kW, the second fiber provides soliton-induced SCG with 2 to 15 µm spectral bandwidth. Furthermore, the integration of these large core diameter PCFs with high-power laser pulses guarantees the preservation of optical fiber integrity without damage. Consequently, these fibers hold promise for delivering SC spectra characterized by high power density, catering to a diverse range of practical applications including optical communications, spectroscopy, sensing, metrology, and calibration.

From roofs to renewables: Deep learning and geographic information systems insights into a comprehensive urban solar photovoltaic assessment for Stonehaven

As urban solar photovoltaic (PV) construction emerges as a leading renewable energy technology, there is a growing focus on its implementation. However, the challenges of scarce, low-resolution, and inaccurate PV-related data sources hinder accurate assessments of urban PV potentials and are not conducive to efficient and rational smart city planning. This study tackles these challenges by introducing a mature, detailed, and accurate assessment process, taking Stonehaven as an example, aimed at leveraging limited data to mine more data and geographic information useful for guiding urban PV planning. Initially, utilise existing Digital Surface Model (DSM) and optical image data, combined with deep learning techniques and a PV potential assessment model, to comprehensively assess the PV power generation potential of the Stonehaven area. Our results demonstrate that integrating DSM significantly enhances the accuracy of roof segmentation. Furthermore, compared with DeeplabV3, U-Net performs better in roof segmentation. Additionally, the solar radiation potential (SRP) map generated by DSM highlights the superior solar radiation receiving capacity of south-facing and flat roofs. We provide a detailed PV power generation potential (PPGP) map of individual building roofs, revealing the substantial potential of this area for generating up to 1.12 × 10^7 kWh of electricity per year. Detailed and fine-grained PPGP can also help to optimise PV siting and electricity resource allocation. Furthermore, our return-on-investment period (ROIP) analysis indicates that most Stonehaven roofs have ROIPs between 8.1 and 11.3 years. The detailed ROIP distribution map can help people make informed PV investment decisions. Future research directions include enhancing data quality, refining segmentation algorithms, and exploring assisted urban energy planning analysis for smarter urban planning.

ALDH2 regulates mesenchymal stem cell senescence via modulation of mitochondrial homeostasis

Although mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is involved in aging and aging-related diseases, its role in the regulation of human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) senescence has not been investigated. This study aimed to determine the role of ALDH2 in regulating MSC senescence and illustrate the potential mechanisms. MSCs were isolated from young (YMSCs) and aged donors (AMSCs). Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining and Western blotting were used to assess MSC senescence. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial membrane potential were determined to evaluate mitochondrial function. We showed that the expression of ALDH2 increased alongside cellular senescence of MSCs. Overexpression of ALDH2 accelerated YMSC senescence whereas down-regulation alleviated premature senescent phenotypes of AMSCs. Transcriptome and biochemical analyses revealed that an elevated ROS level and mitochondrial dysfunction contributed to ALDH2 function in MSC senescence. Using molecular docking, we identified interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) as the potential target of ALDH2. Mechanistically, ectopic expression of ALDH2 led to mitochondrial dysfunction and accelerated senescence of MSCs by increasing the stability of IRF7 through a direct physical interaction. These effects were partially reversed by knockdown of IRF7. These findings highlight a crucial role of ALDH2 in driving MSC senescence by regulating mitochondrial homeostasis, providing a novel potential strategy against human aging-related diseases.

Enhancement of thermoelectric properties of p-type bismuth telluride bulk composites with Ag-TiO2 nano particles via spray coating and hot deformation process

We aimed to enhance p-type Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3.4 (BST) composite's thermoelectric (TE) properties by minimizing thermal conductivity through hierarchical phonon scattering via nano Ag-coated TiO2 (Ag/TiO2). Hot deformation (HD) was employed to induce multi-scale microstructures in these high-performance p-type TE materials, affecting electrical and thermal transport properties through improved textures and donor-like effects. Our optimization strategy included creating grain boundaries, multiple phonons scattering centers, and introducing high-density lattice defects, significantly reducing lattice thermal conductivity. The combined effects led to a noticeable improvement in the figure of merit (zT) across the temperature range, with all TE parameters measured along the in-plane direction. In the case of the hot-deformed Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3.4 alloy, the maximum zT reached 1.31 at 350 K, while the average zT (zTavg) was 1.17 in the range of 300–400 K, suggesting promising potential for near room temperature TE power generation and solid-state cooling.

Performance Improvement of Industrial Gas Turbine for Power Augmentation in the Nigeria Oil and Gas Sector

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the electricity supply situation in Nigeria, focusing specifically on enhancing the performance of industrial gas turbines, GE GT13E2 (Afam Power Plant owned by FIPL) in Port Harcourt. The study encompasses two primary aspects. Firstly, it involves an examination of the nominal operating conditions of a combined cycle system and explores their dynamic performance through advanced simulations. Secondly, the research introduces a supplementary burner into the combined system and conducts a comparative analysis, considering factors such as system efficiency and power output. The power plant configurations are simulated using Gasturb14. The analysis is carried out by establishing the maximum attainable temperature in the Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG), which determines the number of stages of supplementary firing that can be implemented. The results presented in this paper unveil the substantial potential for power generation with the addition of supplementary burners, indicating a remarkable increase in power output, yielding approximately 187.444 MW. However, this significant boost in power generation comes with an associated trade-off, wherein the overall system efficiency experiences a reduction. From an economic perspective, the additional power generated by the afterburner translates directly into increased revenue from electricity sales. Considering the average residential electricity rate in the U.S. as of February 2023, the calculated additional revenue from the afterburner amounted to approximately $25,641.58 per hour.

Chlorpyrifos induces cytotoxicity via oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in HepG2 cells

Chlorpyrifos (CPF), a widely used broad-spectrum organophosphate pesticide, has been associated with various adverse health effects in animals and humans. While its primary mechanism of action involves the irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, secondary mechanisms have also been suggested. The aim of the present study was to explore the secondary mechanisms of action involved in CPF-induced acute cytotoxicity using human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. In particular, we investigated oxidative stress and mitochondrial function by assessing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) alteration. Results showed that 24-h exposure to CPF (78.125–2500 μM) decreased cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 280.87 ± 26.63 μM). Sub-toxic CPF concentrations (17.5, 35 and 70 μM) induced increases in ROS generation (by 83%), mitochondrial superoxide (by 7.1%), LPO (by 11%), and decreased ΔΨm (by 20%). CPF also upregulated Nrf2 protein expression, indicating the role of the latter in modulating the cellular response to oxidative insults. Overall, our findings suggest that CPF caused hepatotoxicity through oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Given the re-emerging use of CPF, this study emphasizes the need for comprehensive analysis to elucidate its toxicity on non-target organs and associated mechanisms.

The effect assessment of wind turbine capacity on offshore wind power generation potential in guangdong

Abstract The installed capacity of offshore wind power directly impacts the number of turbines and the total electricity generation. This study uses wind speed and offshore wind power planning data, and Guangdong Province is a case study. Three scenarios are set (7.5 MW, 9.5 MW, and 15 MW) to explore the influence of turbine installed capacity on electricity generation. The results indicate that when the turbine capacity is 9.5 MW, it generates the highest electricity, which accounts for approximately 162718.9 GWh per year.

Unleashing the Potential of Single-Atom Nanozymes: Catalysts for the Future.

Single-atom nanozymes (SANs) have become a breakthrough in atomically precise catalysis, which relies on the catalytic active site formed by the single-atom itself. From this angle, SANs and their advantages compared to natural enzymes as well as spaces for their application are emphasized. The SANs have outstanding control over their catalytic activities; this is compared with bulk materials and natural enzymes. The structure of the SANs has very promising potential for the next generation of biosensing and biomedical devices and environmental remediation. Although their capabilities are high, difficulties still arise. The specificity, scalability, biosafety, and catalysis mechanisms raise additional issues that require further research. We build up a vision of the perspectives of the better implementation of SANs, which are designed for diagnostic purposes, improving industrial technologies, and creating new sustainable technologies in the food processing industry. AI and machine learning systems may clarify the structure-performance relationship of SANs for improved material and process selectivity. The future of SANs is very promising, and by addressing these challenges and leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence and materials science, SANs have the potential to become powerful tools for a sustainable future.

Integrating district heating potentials into European energy system modelling: An assessment of cost advantages of renewable and excess heat

This paper takes a novel modelling approach by considering high spatial resolution heat generation potentials for district heating and integrating them into a European energy system model. Subsequently, a modelling analysis of an integrated energy system including district heating, electricity and hydrogen supply for 25 EU Member States and the year 2050 is carried out. In contrast to existing approaches, the modelling approach captures the heterogeneous resource availability in district heating. The results show multivalent district heating networks based on a wide range of renewable and excess heat sources used directly or in combination with large-scale heat pumps. The high spatial resolution of the heat generation potentials allows a detailed cost comparison of different possible future technology mixes in district heating. The paper finds that the use of heat pumps, geothermal energy and industrial excess heat offer slight cost advantages for the energy system as a whole. Geothermal heat can also provide cost advantages for district heating generation.

Hydrocarbon Generation Potential and Organic Matter Enrichment Mechanism of the Cambrian Marine Shale in the Tadong Low Uplift, Tarim Basin

AbstractCambrian shales in China and elsewhere contain abundant oil and gas resources. However, due to its deep burial and limited outcrop, there has been relatively little research conducted on it. The Cambrian shale of the Tadong low uplift in the Tarim Basin of western China, specifically the Xidashan–Xishanbulake Formation (Fm.) and overlying Moheershan Fm. provide a case study through the use of organic petrology, mineralogy, organic and elemental geochemistry, with the aim of analyzing and exploring the hydrocarbon generation potential (PG) and organic matter (OM) enrichment mechanisms within these shale formations. The results indicate that: (1) the Cambrian shale of the Tadong low uplift exhibits relatively dispersed OM that consists of vitrinite‐like macerals and solid bitumen. These formations have a higher content of quartz and are primarily composed of silica‐based lithology; (2) shale samples from the Xidashan–Xishanbulake and Moheershan formations demonstrate high total organic carbon (TOC) and low S2 content. The OM is predominantly type I and type II kerogens, indicating a high level of maturation in the wet gas period. These shales have undergone extensive hydrocarbon generation, showing characteristics of relatively poor PG; (3) the sedimentary environments of the Xidashan–Xishanbulake and Moheershan formations in the Tadong low uplift are similar. They were deposited in warm and humid climatic conditions, in oxygen‐deficient environments, with stable terrigenous inputs, high paleoproductivity, high paleosalinity, weak water‐holding capacity, and no significant hydrothermal activity; and (4) the relationship between TOC and the paleoproductivity parameter (P/Ti) is most significant in the Lower Cambrian Xidashan–Xishanbulake Fm., whereas correlation with other indicators is not evident. This suggests a productivity‐driven OM enrichment model, where input of land‐derived material was relatively small during the Middle Cambrian, and the ancient water exhibited lower salinity. A comprehensive pattern was formed under the combined control of paleoproductivity and preservation conditions. This study provides valuable guidance for oil and gas exploration in the Tarim Basin.

Utilization of citrus, date, and jujube substrates for anaerobic digestion processes

AbstractThis research explores the potential for generating biogas and clean energy by processing organic waste, a process that can become a sustainable solution to Syria's energy needs. Focusing on agricultural residues generated from citrus fruit orange, date, and jujube cultivation in Syria, this study evaluates the potential for anaerobic digestion of these residues for biogas production. It highlights the influence of substrate composition and the optimization of fermentation processes on biogas and methane production. The study focuses on evaluating the anaerobic digestion process by examining various dosages ranging from 20% to 50% dry matter for citrus orange waste, and different types of substrate with a fixed ratio of 20% substrate dry matter. It specifically discusses the factors influencing the inhibitory effect of anaerobic digestion, giving particular consideration to orange waste, a significant byproduct of the citrus industry. The biogas produced maintained a stable methane content when a citrus‐to‐inoculum ratio of 30:70 was used. Jujube waste, characterized by a composition rich in cellulose and hemicellulose, exhibited a higher potential for biogas and methane generation among the fruit waste investigated, particularly when combined with the inoculum in a 20:80 ratio. The research findings underscore the potential of using Syrian agricultural residues, including orange citrus peel, date, and jujube fruit, for the production of biogas through anaerobic digestion.

Dynamic performance enhancement in 2D and 3D curved flexible photovoltaic modules: Mismatch loss analysis and cell interconnection configurations optimization

The integration of photovoltaic (PV) technology into curved-surface buildings holds promise for energy-efficient eco-cities. However, the surface irradiance field of curved PV modules is uneven, and the distribution varies with the relative position to the sun and the surface shape. In this study, the dynamic irradiance field distributions of 2D and 3D curved PV modules are investigated. Based on this, 3 PV cell interconnection methods are proposed in conjunction with the irradiance balance principle. The electrical performance and power loss mechanisms are analyzed, and the dynamic adaptability, orientation adaptability, and geometric adaptability are evaluated. The results show diverse irradiance field patterns under different central angle conditions: uniform distribution in the north-south or east-west direction, while Gaussian distribution in other directions. Appropriate PV cell interconnection methods for 2D curved PV modules can effectively reduce mismatch losses, demonstrating significant enhancement in power output, up to 1721.21 Wh and 1604.10 Wh respectively. However, for 3D curved PV modules, the 3 interconnection methods fail to effectively adapt to the dynamic variation in irradiance, thus unable to fully exploit the power generation potential. In-depth investigation of mismatch losses in this study contributes to improving the reliability and economic viability of curved PV module, promoting its commercial application.

Quantitative analysis of molecular structure characterization of different liptinite-rich coals using FTIR spectroscopy

As one of the important components in low-rank coals, liptinite plays an indispensable role in the formation and utilization of coal, thus, understanding the occurrence and structures of liptinite-rich coals provides a theoretical basis for the origin and clean utilization of coals. In this study, the occurrence of liptinite and the functional groups and molecular structure of different liptinite-rich coals were quantitatively characterized by using optical microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. The results showed that the sample JS-7 from Yunnan Province mainly enriched sporinite and bituminite, the sample JS-15 from Yunnan Province is rich in dispersed resin and the amber-rich coal from Liaoning Province mainly contains bulk resin. The FTIR results indicated that the amber-rich coal, the sample JS-7 and pure amber (Liaoning Province) consist mainly of trisubstituted benzene. The sample JS-7 has the highest content of trisubstituted benzene (63.4%) due to the high content of sporinite and bituminite. The sample JS-15 is mainly composed of tetrasubstituted and pentasubstituted benzene, which may be relevant to the cyclization of aliphatic chains and the decarboxylation reaction of benzene rings. The CC group has not been detected in the sample JS-7 and pure amber. The FTIR structural parameters indicate that the pure amber has the lowest maturity, the lowest degree of aromatization, but the highest hydrocarbon generation potential. The highest CH2/CH3 group value (14.69) and the lowest A factor value (0.36) of the sample JS-15 indicate a well-developed aliphatic chain structure and lowest hydrocarbon generation potential, respectively, which probably caused by the low content of CO group.

Autothermal downdraft oxy-steam co-gasification of biomass and plastic wastes for hydrogen-rich syngas production: An Aspen plus modelling

The potential of H2-rich syngas generation using downdraft co-gasification of biomass and plastic wastes is investigated using an autothermal restricted equilibrium study using Aspen Plus. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis is carried out to impart the influence of important process parameters, viz. equivalence ratio(ER: 0.1–0.5), feed plastic content(FPC: 0–30 %), steam to feed ratio(SFR: 0–4) and steam temperature(150–1000 °C) on performance parameters, viz. syngas composition, gasification temperature(GT), lower heating value(LHV), cold gas efficiency(CGE), gasification energy efficiency(GEE) and hydrogen energy efficiency(HEE). The ER and SFR showed dominant effects on performance. The increase in ER from 0.1 to 0.5 causes an increase in GT from 565 °C to 1734 °C. The highest syngas H2 content and HEE of 52.1 % and 36.9 %, respectively, are obtained for 0.25 ER. The increase in SFR improves the syngas H2 content at the cost of LHV and GEE, with the highest HEE of 36.9 % obtained at 0.25 ER. The analysis of variance(ANOVA) and response surface methodology(RSM) has also been studied along with the multi-objective optimisation(MOO).

Investigation into the effects of the refining steps before deodorization on the formation of trans fatty acids in linseed oils

Trans fatty acids (TFAs) are formed in refined linseed oil during the deodorization step. Effects of deodorization on TFA formation in vegetable oils have been intensively investigated. However, the role of refining process (degumming, neutralization, bleaching) before deodorization on TFA formation in the deodorization step remains unclear. In this study, TFA generation potential in linseed oils refined by different ways of degumming, neutralization, bleaching was evaluated, and changes in their quality indexes were also measured. Results showed that adequate refining could improve the quality of linseed oil, while inadequate neutralization or bleaching induced more TFA formation during the deodorization step, suggesting that pigments or free fatty acids in linseed oils might promote TFA formation. Meanwhile, spiked experiments, in which partly refined linseed oils were spiked with pigments or α-linolenic acid, confirmed that pigments or free fatty acids in linseed oils induced the isomerization of unsaturated fatty acids. This study demonstrated that TFA formation in refined linseed oils could be mitigated by optimizing refining processes before deodorization, and also provided theoretical basis for oil refining industry to control the oil quality.

A high-performance sub-THz planar antenna array for THz sensing and imaging applications

Terahertz (THz) spectral region from 0.1 to 3 THz is envisaged to hold immense potential in the next generation of wireless technologies. Recently, research has focused on this terahertz gap, because of its unprecedented channel capacities. At the physical layer, the design complexities and fabrication of THz devices, especially antennas are the prime bottlenecks to realize its full potential. This article introduces a cost-effective, easy-to-fabricate, and reproducible sub-THz antenna design based on a single-layer planar printed circuit board technology. The antenna incorporates carefully designed quasi-cross slots and applied machine learning-assisted global optimization techniques to achieve the desired performance metrics. The antenna performance is elucidated through numerical simulations and verified through a rigorous in-house THz experimental framework around 100–110 GHz. The proposed antenna offers a peak gain of 13.90 dBi with less than 1 dB variation within the entire band of 100–110 GHz. The antenna holds the potential to achieve terabits per second data rates and futuristic high-resolution short-range THz imaging applications.

Molecular structure and evolution mechanism of shale kerogen: Insights from thermal simulation and spectroscopic analysis

During thermal evolution, the kerogen in shale formation undergoes significant chemical, structural and compositional changes, continuously influencing the shale storage capacity, hydrocarbon generation potential, and gas occurrence state. This study systematically examines the chemical structural changes during the thermal evolution of Longmaxi shale kerogen using hydrothermal laboratory experiments from 420 to 850 °C. Additionally, a range of characterization techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Solid-state 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C NMR), were employed to systematically investigate the kerogen structure and its evolution patterns. Results indicate that Longmaxi Formation kerogen comprises a large molecular carbon framework with aromatic structures, long-chain aliphatic components, and oxygen-containing functional groups. As thermal maturity reaches 2.6 %, the alignment of aromatic fringes gradually increased, with over 60 % aligning in the main direction. Throughout thermal evolution (1.9–3.2 %), fringes in the 5–10 Å range within aromatic structures peak at over 20.45 %, with fringes over 50 Å rapidly increasing from 3 % to over 15 %. Early in the thermal evolution, the long-chain aliphatic component of the kerogen decreases rapidly and part of the structure forms small aromatic rings through aromatisation. The mature to over-mature stage can be divided into three phases: 1) 1.7–2.4 % (loss of oxygen-containing functional groups), 2) 2.4–3.5 % (formation of larger aromatic structures via condensation reactions), 3) over 3.5 % (continued aggregation of aromatic rings, resulting in an increase in the length of aromatic fringes). At a macroscopic level, this induces changes in kerogen pore structure and carbonization features. This study thus provides new insights into the thermal evolution of shale kerogen, which in turn improve understanding of shale reservoirs for hydrocarbon exploitation.