Humidity Research Articles

New Thermochemical Salt Hydrate System for Energy Storage in Buildings

This paper introduces an innovative design for an “inorganic salt-expanded graphite” composite thermochemical system. The storage unit is made of a perforated, compressed, expanded graphite block impregnated with molten CaCl2∙6H2O; the humid air passes through the holes that allow the moisture to diffuse and react with the salt. The prepared block underwent 90 hydration-dehydration cycles. Although most of the performed cycles were carried out with salt overhydration and deliquescence, the treated samples have remained mechanically and thermally stable with no drop in energy density. The volumetric energy density of the composite ranged from 135.5 to 277.6 kWh/m3, depending on airflow rate and absolute humidity. To ensure composite material cycling stability, the energy density of the block was measured during hydration at similar conditions of absolute humidity, inlet temperature, and airflow rate (0.01 kgwater/kgair, 20 °C, 400 l/min). The average energy density at these conditions was sustained at 219 kWh/m3. The block integrity was monitored by visual inspection after removing it from the reactor chamber every few cycles. Both the composite material and its manufacturing process are simple and easy to scale up for future commercialization.

Using plasma-activated water for decontamination of Salmonella spp. on common building surfaces in poultry houses

Plasma-activated water (PAW) has been shown to have antimicrobial properties, making it a promising tool for surface decontamination. This study evaluated the ability of PAW generated from high voltage atmospheric cold plasma to remove Salmonella from common surfaces (stainless steel (SS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), concrete, and wood) found in poultry houses. PAW was generated by exposing distilled water to atmospheric cold plasma in 80% humid air at 90 kV and 60 Hz for 30 min. The resulting PAW contained 1120 ppm of nitrate and 1370 ppm of hydrogen peroxide, with a pH of 1.83. PAW was then applied to coupons of SS, PVC, wood, and concrete surfaces inoculated with 7–8 log10 CFU of cocktail of Salmonella spp. (S. Typhimurium, S. Newport, S. Montevideo, and S. Enteritidis). PAW effectively reduced Salmonella levels on SS and PVC surfaces to below the detection limit within 30 s. On wood surfaces, a longer treatment time of 7.5 min was required to achieve a maximum reduction of 2.63 log10 CFU, likely due to the porosity of the wood limiting PAW contact with the bacteria. On concrete surfaces, the reduction in Salmonella levels was only 0.98 log10 CFU. This was likely due to the greater surface roughness and high alkalinity, which neutralized the PAW species.

A Climatology of the Comprehensive Climate Index and Input Values for Türkiye, 1985–2014

Spatial and temporal variations and trends in the Comprehensive Climate Index (CCI) and relevant input values are presented and discussed for fifteen locations across Türkiye. Environmental conditions that are stressful to livestock are captured in the CCI model metrics, which are determined using input of temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation data. The period from 1985 to 2014 is used to characterize the climatology of CCI across Türkiye. Given its midlatitude location, pronounced seasonality exists in the individual input values and in CCI index values. Differences across Türkiye in CCI are strongly influenced by elevation and moderated for coastal locations. Warming temperature trends and declining levels of humidity combine to create a pattern where CCI has increased at some locations and declined at other places since 1985.

Theoretical analysis of heat and mass transfer characteristics of a counter-flow packing tower with different heating modes

Mass extraction/injection and multi-stage system have been proven to be effective approaches to improve the performance of humidification and dehumidification (HDH) desalination system. However, these two optimization schemes cause that the flow ratios of water to air at different positions of humidifier or that of different humidifiers have great difference. A single heating mode is inapplicable to all flow ratios of water to air. Hence, it is necessary to reveal the relationship among mass flow ratio, heating mode and thermal efficiency of humidifier for the selection of appropriate heating mode. A theoretical model of packing tower (typical kind of humidifier) which agrees well with experimental results was established in this paper, and the average relative errors of outlet air temperature, humidity and thermal efficiency are 2.3 %, 4.9 % and 5.8 %, respectively. A comparison among the thermal efficiencies of a counter-flow packing tower with different heating modes (I: solution heated, II: air heated, III: solution-air heated) was conducted. It is found that there exist two values of mass flow ratio (FRI-II and FRII-III) at which the thermal efficiencies of air heated and solution-air heated are equal and that of solution heated and solution-air heated are equal, respectively. However, the thermal efficiency of solution heated is always higher than that of solution-air heated (FRI-III does not exist). It seems clear that there is a relationship between FR and thermal efficiency (η) as follows: FR < FRI-II, ηI > ηIII > ηII; FRI-II < FR < FRII-III, ηI > ηII > ηIII; FR > FRI-II, ηII > ηI > ηIII. Additionally, the effects of inlet parameters on the FRI-II and FRII-III are also evaluated. The results show that the maximum temperature, inlet solution concentration and ambient temperature have positive effects on FRI-II and FRII-III, but ambient relative humidity has negative effect. In the final part, the selection of the heating mode of a counter-flow packing tower is taken as example to introduce the application of FRI-II and FRII-III proposed in this paper.

In-Depth Study of Ambipolar Charge-Transport Regime through External Triggers and Gas Sensing.

Ambipolar devices are a hot topic in research tables due to their unique advantage in reducing the size of the electrical system and enhancing its efficiency. Here, we report a bilayer heterojunction device constructed using octafluoro-vanadyl-phthalocyanine (VOF8Pc) and lutetium bisphthalocyanine (LuPc2), which exhibits both p- and n-type behaviors under oxidizing (NO2 and O3) and reducing gas (NH3) species depending on the humidity level and temperature variations. The initial polarity of the device is identified as n-type by measuring a current decrease under oxygen exposure. Most interestingly, we were capable of observing the zero state (no response) where both opposite charge carriers fight for the majority to dominate the electrical properties of the device when it goes from n- to p-type or vice versa. The inversion in the nature of the majority charge carriers in this ambipolar device was achieved by optimizing the external trigger. The unique property of controllable polarity inversion in a VOF8Pc/LuPc2-based bilayer heterojunction device makes it the most effective ambipolar device for real-world applications.

Performance study of solar air collector-air source heat pump system inside the greenhouse

During the process of heating greenhouses, the phenomenon of inadequate heating installations is widespread. To address this issue, this paper proposed a solar air collector-air source heat pump (SAC-ASHP) system for greenhouses, combining solar technology with heat pump (HP) technology to provide sufficient heat during continuous cloudy days and winter. The heating capacities of the system on sunny, cloudy, and overcast days were 100.2 kWh, 112.3 kWh, and 157.8 kWh, respectively. The corresponding power was 30.1 kWh, 36.1 kWh, and 53.6 kWh. The coefficient of performance (COP) of the single air source heat pump (ASHP) for these days was 3.4, 3.2, and 3.0, respectively, while the COP of the solar heat pump (SHP) was 4.0, 3.5, and 3.1. Additionally, greenhouse employed heat and moisture recovery for humid air, aiming to provide a suitable environment for plant growth around the clock while conserving energy. The heat collection in the heat and moisture recovery combined HP mode was 66.7 % higher than in the heat exchanger (HE)-fan mode. This experimental study investigated the operational performance of the system in dynamic environments, revealing the stability of the system for greenhouse heating in cold regions, and providing new research ideas for greenhouse heating.

Numerical Investigation on the Effect of Air Humidification and Oxygen Enrichment on Combustion and Emission Characteristics of Gas Boiler

Gas boilers exhibit thermal inefficiency and unsatisfying pollutant emissions. In this study, numerical simulations were conducted to examine the effect of humidified oxygen-enriched air on methane combustion in a furnace and the effects of different premixed ratios of air on the temperature field inside the furnace, intermediate product OH groups, component concentration distribution, and pollutants. Although humidification of ambient air effectively reduced the flame center temperature and mass concentration of the NOx generated during combustion in the furnace, the highest growth rate of CO concentration at the furnace outlet was 18.6%. Humidification of oxygen-enriched air increased the center temperature and outlet NO concentration of the furnace compared with those during no oxygen enrichment, but the outlet CO concentration showed a decreasing trend, with the highest decrease rate of 34.6%. This study determined an optimal CO–air premix ratio with a moisture concentration of 50 g/kg dry air and an oxygen concentration of 23%. The air humidification and oxygen enrichment technology proposed in this article provides a technical reference for low nitrogen transformation of existing gas boilers.

Effects of Soil Nutrient Restoration Aging and Vegetation Recovery in Open Dumps of Cold and Arid Regions in Xinjiang, China

Open-pit coal mining inevitably damages the soil and vegetation in mining areas. Currently, the restoration of cold and arid open-pit mines in Xinjiang, China, is still in the initial exploratory stage, especially the changes in soil nutrients in spoil dumps over time. Dynamic remote sensing monitoring of vegetation in mining areas and their correlation are relatively rare. Using the Heishan Open Pit in Xinjiang, China, as a case, soil samples were collected during different discharge periods to analyze the changes in soil nutrients and uncover the restoration mechanisms. Based on four Landsat images from 2018 to 2023, the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) and fractional vegetation cover (FVC) were obtained to evaluate the effect of mine restoration. Additionally, the correlation between vegetation changes and soil nutrients was analyzed. The results indicated that (i) the contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and organic matter (OM) in the soil increased with the duration of the restoration period. (ii) When the restoration time of the dump exceeds 5 years, N, P, K, and OM content is higher than that of the original surface-covered vegetation area. (iii) Notably, under the same restoration aging, the soil in the artificial mine restoration demonstration base had significantly higher contents of these nutrients compared to the soil naturally restored in the dump. (iv) Over the past five years, the RSEI and FVC in the Heishan Open Pit showed an overall upward trend. The slope remediation and mine restoration project significantly increased the RSEI and FVC values in the mining area. (v) Air humidity and surface temperature were identified as key natural factors affecting the RSEI and FVC in cold and arid open pit. The correlation coefficients between soil nutrient content and vegetation coverage were higher than 0.78, indicating a close and complementary relationship between the two. The above results can clarify the time–effect relationship between natural recovery and artificial restoration of spoil dumps in cold and arid mining areas in Xinjiang, further promoting the research and practice of mine restoration technology in cold and arid open pits.

Integrated One-Step Fabrication of Protonic Sensing Devices for Respiratory Monitoring.

The development of direct fabrication routes with seamless integration of both the macro/micropatterning process and nanostructure synthesis is crucial for the commercial realization of cost-effective nanoscale sensor devices. This, if realized, can liberate us from the conventional limitations inherent in nanoscale device manufacturing. Specifically, such fabrication routes can, in principle, address the challenges such as the complexity, multistep nature, and substantial costs associated with existing technologies, which are not suitable for widespread market adoption in everyday-use devices. Herein, we propose a novel yet facile one-step fabrication approach that simultaneously accomplishes both patterning and nanostructure synthesis by employing low-power, cost-effective laser technology with a minimal environmental footprint. Versatile in nature, this approach can enable the incorporation of diverse functionalities spanning a broad spectrum of technologies, encompassing fields such as sensors, catalysts, photonics, energy storage, and biomedical monitoring devices. As a proof of concept, using our approach, we fabricated an ultra responsive, high-speed protonic sensing device for real-time respiratory monitoring. The enhanced temporal characteristics of our as-fabricated device, particularly in the relative humidity levels of interest in breath monitoring (typically over 55%), exhibited a superior response/recovery time in rapid humidity fluctuations. We envisage that the advantages brought by the presented fabrication approach can pave the way to establish a new method for inexpensive large-scale functional-material-based device fabrication.

Application of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) model for solar plant location selection

This study aims to systematically evaluate and identify the most suitable locations for establishing solar farms in the United Kingdom. It employs a comprehensive Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) model that incorporates the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method. Eight potential locations have been identified and selected for their climatic conditions and other pertinent parameters. These potential locations underwent additional assessment considering several factors including temperature, annual hours of sunshine, absolute humidity, proximity to major roads, distance from the power network, and potential demand. The data was normalized to eliminate scale effects and improve comparability. A MATLAB program has been developed with universality and user-friendliness in mind. Its purpose is to establish location selection factors graphs according to application-specific criteria and generate the matrix representation of these graphs for each potential candidate location. The permanent matrix, a composite metric synthesizing six criteria, identifies Torquay as the optimal location with a permanent value of 18.16. This quantitative approach, intersected with qualitative assessments, presents a clear hierarchy of site suitability. The model's simplicity, scalability, and proven accuracy make it a valuable tool for assessing renewable energy project viability in diverse regions.

Towards device stability of perovskite solar cells through low-cost alkyl-terminated SFX-based hole transporting materials and carbon electrodes

Developing cost-effective, high-efficiency, and stable hole transporting materials (HTMs) is crucial for replacing traditional spiro-OMeTAD in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and achieving sustainable solar energy solutions. This work presents two novel air-stable HTMs based on a spiro[fluorene-9,9′-xanthene] (SFX) core functionalized with N-methylcarbazole (XC2-M) and N-hexylcarbazole (XC2-H) rings. These HTMs were synthesized via a straightforward, three-step process with good overall yields (∼40%) and low production costs. To further reduce device cost, carbon back electrodes were employed. The resulting PSCs, with a structure of FTO/SnO2/Cs0.05FA0.73MA0.22Pb(I0.77Br0.23)3/HTM/C achieved power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 13.5% (XC2-M) and 10.2% (XC2-H), comparable to the reference spiro-OMeTAD device (12.2%). The choice of alkyl chain on the HTM significantly impacts film morphology and device stability. The XC2-H device exhibited exceptional long-term stability, retaining approximately 90% of its initial PCE after 720 h of storage in 30–40% humidity air without encapsulation. This surpasses the performance of both the spiro-OMeTAD (55% retention) and XC2-M (68% retention) devices. The superior stability of XC2-H is attributed to its highly hydrophobic nature and the formation of a compact, smooth film due to interdigitation of the hexyl chains. The straightforward synthesis of XC2-H from commercially available materials offers a promising approach for large-scale PSC production.

The Synergistic Effect of the Same Climatic Factors on Water Use Efficiency Varies between Daily and Monthly Scales

The coupled processes of ecosystem carbon and water cycles are usually evaluated using the water use efficiency (WUE), and improving WUE is crucial for maintaining the sustainability of ecosystems. However, it remains unclear whether the WUE in different ecosystem responds synchronously to the synergistic effect of the same climate factors at daily and monthly scales. Therefore, we employed a machine learning-driven factor analysis method and a geographic detector model, and we quantitatively evaluated the individual effects and the synergistic effect of climate factors on the daily mean water use efficiency (WUED) and monthly mean water use efficiency (WUEM) in different ecosystems in China. Our results showed that (1) among the 10 carbon flux monitoring sites in China, WUED and WUEM exhibited the highest positive correlations with the near-surface air humidity and the highest negative correlation with solar radiation. The correlation between WUEM and climate factors was generally greater than that between WUED and climate factors. (2) There were significant differences in the order of importance and degree of impact of the same climate factors on WUED and WUEM in the different ecosystems. Among the 10 carbon flux monitoring sites in China, the near-surface air humidity imposed the greatest influence on the WUED and WUEM changes, followed by the near-surface water vapor pressure. (3) There were significant differences in the synergistic effects of the same climate factors on WUED and WUEM in the different ecosystems. Among the 10 carbon flux monitoring sites in China, the WUED variability was most sensitive to the synergistic effect of solar radiation and photosynthetically active radiation, while the WUEM variability was most sensitive to the synergistic effect of the near-surface air humidity and soil moisture. The research results indicated that synchronous responses of the WUE in very few ecosystems to the same climate factors and their synergistic effect occurred at daily and monthly scales. This finding enhances the understanding of sustainable water resource use and the impact of climate change on water use efficiency, providing crucial insights for improving climate-adaptive ecosystem management and sustainable water resource utilization across different ecosystems.

Advancing lettuce physiological state recognition in IoT aeroponic systems: A meta-learning-driven data fusion approach

Automatically identifying key physiological factors in plants, such as leaf relative humidity (LRH), chlorophyll content (Chl), and nitrogen levels (N), is vital for effective aeroponic management and improving growth, yield, quality, and sustainability. Meta-learning (MetaL) solutions utilize data fusion and intelligent processing, ensuring fast and consistent outcomes. This paper aims to develop a novel MetaL framework that leverages multimodal data sources—including spectral, thermal, and IoT environmental data—to enable real-time, non-invasive identification of LRH, Chl, and N content in aeroponically grown lettuce. The research examined various spectral reflectance indices (SRIs) and thermal indicators from plant characteristics. Model-based feature selection was implemented using back-propagation neural networks (BPNN), decision trees (DT), and gradient boosting machines (GBM) to identify key attributes and optimize hyperparameters. The experimental findings indicated that deploying GBM-based top variables as the foundational model, combined with BPNN as the meta-model, significantly improved the accuracy of analyzing the assigned factors. The prediction scores (R²) for LRH, Chl, and N increased to 0.875 (RMSE=0.879), 0.886 (RMSE=0.694), and 0.930 (RMSE=0.184), respectively, compared to applying BPNN-based features alone as a standalone model. Overall, the designed methodology contributes to more accurate predictions of plant physiological states, enabling proactive steps toward sustainable aeroponic agriculture.

Enhancing agricultural sustainability through optimization of the slaughterhouse sludge compost for elimination of parasites and coliforms

For a sustainable ecology, slaughterhouse sludge must be managed effectively in preview of the parasitic or coliforms’ spill over to the community. In order to determine the effectiveness of a customized biological decomposer solution in lowering the parasitic eggs and coliform bacteria, three composting units (Unit 1, Unit 2, and Unit 3) were treated with its different amounts. Over a period of 60 days, pH, temperature, humidity, number of the parasitic eggs per gram (EPG) of faecal material, viability of eggs, and coliform counts were evaluated. By the fifth day of the composting process, pH had significantly (P < 0.05) increased across all the treatments and then decreased gradually. Also on the 5th day, all three units entered the thermophilic range (> 45 °C), which persisted for 20 days for Unit 3 and 15 days for Units 1 and 2. Humidity levels initially increased significantly (P < 0.05) in all three units (Unit 3 = 71%, Unit 2 = 64%, and Unit 1 = 55%) but then gradually decreased. On day 5, no decrease in EPG in Unit 1 was detected; however, a non-significant (P > 0.05) 12.5% decline in EPG in Unit 2 and Unit 3 was recorded. After that, a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in EPG was observed in all the three treatments until day 25. By day 5, decreased egg viability was significantly (P < 0.05) recorded in Unit 3 (21.43%); in Unit 1 and Unit 2, the decrease was 6.25% and 14.29%, respectively. Additionally, all units showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in total coliforms, meeting minimum allowable limit in Unit 2 and 3 on day 10 and on day 15 in Unit 1. The most substantial reduction in faecal coliforms was observed in Unit 3 (from 2.6 log₁₀ to 1.3 log₁₀), followed by Unit 2 (from 2.6 log₁₀ to 1.5 log₁₀), and then Unit 1 (from 2.6 log₁₀ to 1.6 log₁₀). The results of this study support recommendation of advanced composting techniques to eradicate or reduce the abundance of pathogens (parasites and coliforms). Hence, we endorse the value of careful composting procedures in environment-friendly abattoir waste management and agricultural practices through creating pathogen-free, eco-friendly fertilizers to promote both agricultural and environmental sustainability.

Microplastic levels in the indoor air of buildings based on plastic waste recycling in Indonesia

Introduction: Microplastics are a new type of contamination in the environment caused by plastic fragmentation and degradation. The generation of plastic waste increases every year, therefore efforts are made to recycle it into building materials. It is unclear how building use resulting from recycling plastic waste affects the development of microplastics in the atmosphere. The purpose of this study is to determine the airborne concentrations of microplastics in buildings constructed from recycled plastic waste. Materials and methods: The study measured microplastic levels in the air for 30 days in a miniature building made from plastic waste. Samples taken during the dry season in Indonesia in 2023. Air sampling is carried out by passive method. Visual observation of the shape, and amount of microplastics using a microscope. Results: Microplastics are found in the air of building spaces made from recycled plastic waste with varying levels every day. The average level of microplasty in the air for 30 days was 30,8 particles/m2/day. Maximum microplastic rate of 63 particles/m2/day, and minimum rate of 18 particles/m2/ day. The average air temperature when sampling is 25,48 ºC, air humidity is 68,37 % and ultraviolet intensity is 860 mwatt/cm2. Conclusions: Microplastic levels in the air of building spaces made from recycled plastic waste that can not be identified can be identified whether they are still within safe limits or not. This is because there is no regulation in Indonesia even in the world that regulates the safe limit of microplastic levels in the environment.

Classroom indoor air quality and noise level assessment of different educational institutions in a university area in Bangladesh

Introduction: The classroom environment is crucial for fostering effective learning and safeguarding teacher-student health. This study assessed the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and noise levels in classrooms across three institutions: a university, a secondary and higher secondary school (called a school and college), and a primary school. Materials and methods: Various IAQ parameters such as Particulate Matters (PM2.5 and PM10), Carbon monoxide (CO), Carbon dioxide (CO2), Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC), and temperature, Relative Humidity (RH), light, and noise levels were measured using calibrated instruments from February to March 2024. Results: The air pollutants and noise levels varied among the institutions. The mean values of PM 2.5 (76.6 µg/m3) and PM (116.7 µg/m3) were highest The mean values of PM 2.5 (76.6 µg/m3) and PM (116.7 µg/m3) were highest in the primary school, while CO (0.82 ppm), light (92.9 lux), temperature (27.6 °C), and noise levels (77.6 dB) peaked in the school and college. University classrooms showed the maximum concentrations of CO2 (804.9 ppm), TVOC (32.9 ppb), and RH (58.6%). In all institutions, PM2.5, PM10, and noise levels exceeded WHO-recommended limits, whereas CO, CO2, RH, and temperature remained within their respective standards. Light levels were below Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. Correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations between PM2.5 PM10, and CO. Hazard Quotient (HQ) values for PM 2.5 and PM10 exceeded 1.0, indicating potential health risks. Variations in pollutants and noise levels among institutions may be due to classroom facilities, student density, ventilation systems, and student activities. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to IAQ pollutants and noise levels could impair cognitive function, respiratory health, and overall well-being of the students and educators. Implementing proper ventilation (e.g., HEPA filters) systems, soundproofing acoustic panels, and continuous IAQ monitoring is recommended for a safer classroom environment.

Industrial Fault Detection Systems

This project presents an industrial fault detection system that monitors important electrical and environmental conditions to improve equipment reliability and safety. Using an ESP32 microcontroller, the system checks for issues like fuse and Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) status, as well as under and over-voltage situations with a ZMPT101B sensor. It also tracks temperature and humidity levels using a DHT11 sensor. The system displays real-time information on a 16x2 LCD and can be accessed via a web page, allowing operators to monitor conditions from anywhere. By quickly detecting electrical faults and environmental changes, this system helps reduce downtime and maintenance costs.

The Effect of Air Humidity on the Performance of DC Link Capacitor Components

DC link capacitors (DCLCs) are key devices in converters. The relative humidity affects the performance of the elements of a DCLC. Currently, there are relatively few studies on the effect of relative humidity on the electrical characteristics of the elements of DCLCs during the production process. This study describes the effects and the control of the relative humidity in the production process. For this purpose, a DCLC component withstand voltage test platform and a DCLC component aging test platform were established. The voltage withstand tests were conducted during different processes and at different relative humidities, and life aging tests were conducted at different relative humidities and different storage times. The results show that after the winding and metal-spraying processes, the voltage withstand levels of the components stored at 30% RH, 60% RH, and 80% RH were very close to that of the components at 3000 VDC; after the heat-setting process, the voltage withstand levels of the components stored at 30% RH, 60% RH, and 80% RH showed a decreasing tendency compared with the level of the components at 3000 VDC. Regarding the samples, after the heat-setting process, stored at 30% RH and 60% RH for 24 h, 96 h, 168 h, 240 h, and 336 h and 2000 h of the aging tests, the capacitance decreases monotonically as the storage time is increased but never exceeds 3%, and the capacitance change decreases as the relative humidity increases. This study can provide important guidance for the humidity control of various processes in the production of DCLCs.

IoT-Enabled Air Irrigation: A Data-Driven Approach to Sustainable Agriculture in Water-Scarce Regions

The escalating water scarcity crisis, particularly in arid regions like Maharashtra, India, poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity. Traditional irrigation methods often face challenges related to water wastage and inefficient distribution. To address these issues, this study proposes an innovative IoT-enabled smart “Air Irrigation" system. This novel approach involves dispersing water into the air to create a microclimate with optimal humidity levels, promoting plant growth and reducing water consumption.

Post-Treating Grain Boundaries and Surface Defects by Long-Chain Polymer for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.

Grain boundaries (GBs) and surface defects within perovskite films are inherent challenges that affect the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs. In this work, Nylon 11 (N11) is utilized, a long-chain polymer, for post-treating the GBs and surface defects within FAPbI3 films. The multifunctional groups of N11 exhibit unique passivation abilities, enabling self-regulation and selective correction of reverse-charged defects. Post-treating with N11 results in high-quality FAPbI3 films characterized by tight GBs and low surface defect density. Despite fabrication under full open-air conditions, the N11 post-treatment significantly enhances the power conversion efficiency (PCE) value of FAPbI3 PSCs, increasing it from the reference value of 21.89% to 23.54%. Importantly, the long alkyl chain present in N11 significantly enhances the humidity stability of the PSCs. Unencapsulated PSCs treated with N11 maintain 89% of their initial PCE after exposure to air with 30% relative humidity (RH) for 1000h, demonstrating resilience to elevated humidity levels. This work highlights the substantial improvement in the photovoltaic performance of PSCs achieved through the post-treatment with N11.