Ideal Efficiency Research Articles

Tumor Supplying Artery Injection of Liposome@Sunitinib Could Effectively Inhibit the Progression of Kidney Tumor.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the urinary system and is not sensitive to chemotherapy or radiotherapy in its advanced stages. Sunitinib is recommended as a first-line target drug for unresectable and metastatic RCC by targeting tyrosine kinase-related signaling pathways, but its therapeutic effect is unsatisfactory. Recently, nanomaterials have shown great prospects in the medical field because of their unique physicochemical properties. Particularly, liposomes are considered as ideal drug delivery systems due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and ideal drug-loading efficiency. Considering that tumor supplying artery injection can directly distribute drugs into tumor tissues, in this study, liposomes were employed to encapsulate water-insoluble sunitinib to construct the liposome@sunitinib (Lipo@Suni) complex, so that the drug could directly target and distribute into tumor tissue, and effectively trapped in tumor tissues after tumor supplying artery injection for the advantage of the physicochemical properties of liposomes, thereby achieving a better therapeutic effect on advanced RCC. Here, we found that compared with the peripheral intravenous administration, trans-renal arterial administration increases the content and prolongs the retention time of liposomes in tumor tissues; accordingly, more sunitinib is dispersed and retained in tumor tissues. Ultimately, trans-renal arterial administration of Lipo@Suni exerts a better suppressive effect on RCC progression than peripheral intravenous administration, even better than the conventional oral administration of sunitinib.

Atom-Level Tandem Catalysis in Lithium Metal Batteries.

High-energy-density lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are limited by reaction or diffusion barriers with dissatisfactory electrochemical kinetics. Typical conversion-type lithium sulfur battery systems exemplify the kinetic challenges. Namely, before diffusing or reacting in the electrode surface/interior, the Li(solvent)x + dissociation at the interface to produce isolated Li+, is usually a prerequisite fundamental step either for successive Li+ "reduction" or for Li+ to participate in the sulfur conversions, contributing to the related electrochemical barriers. Thanks to the ideal atomic efficiency (100 at%), single atom catalysts (SACs) have gained attention for use in LMBs toward resolving the issues caused by the five types of barrier-restricted processes, including polysulfide/Li2S conversions, Li(solvent)x + desolvation, and Li0 nucleation/diffusion. In this perspective, the tandem reactions including desolvation and reaction or plating and corresponding catalysis behaviors are introduced and analyzed from interface to electrode interior. Meanwhile, the principal mechanisms of highly efficient SACs in overcoming specific energy barriers to reinforce the catalytic electrochemistry are discussed. Lastly, the future development of high-efficiency atomic-level catalysts in batteries is presented.

High-Performance Tandem Quantum-Dot Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Bulk-Heterojunction-Like Charge-Generation Layers.

In this study, the fundamental but previously overlooked factors of charge generation efficiency and light extraction efficiency (LEE) are explored and collaboratively optimized in tandem quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). By spontaneously forming a microstructured interface, a bulk-heterojunction-like charge-generation layer composed of a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate)/ZnO bilayer is fabricated and an ideal charge-generation efficiency surpassing 115% is obtained. The coupling strength of the waveguide mode for the top unit and the plasmon polariton loss for the bottom unit are highly suppressed using precise thickness control, which increases the LEE of the tandem devices. The red tandem QLED achieves an exceptionally low turn-on voltage for electroluminescence at 4.0V and outstanding peak external quantum efficiency of 42.9%. The ultralow turn-on voltage originates from the sequential electroluminescence turn-on of the two emissive units of the tandem QLED. Benefiting from its unique electroluminescent features, an easily fabricated optical-electrical dual anti-counterfeiting display is built by combining a dichromatic tandem QLED with masking technology.

Low-cost, stable all-inorganic charge transporting layer based FAPI perovskite solar cells achieving ≈ 26% efficiency using SCAPS-1D

The superior opto-electronic properties of metal halide perovskites have uncovered great potential as light harvesters for thin-film photovoltaics, capturing the dominant research trend for over a decade now. While Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) depict promising results of a successful photovoltaic technology, further replacement of conventional charge transporting layers (CTLs) with inorganic counterparts can impart sustainable device stability and cost-effectiveness. Here, we represent a theoretical study aimed to analyse the performance of Formamidinium Lead Iodide (FAPI) based PSCs using SCAPS-1D simulation tool (version 3.3.09). The solar cell is designed into a novel, and cost-effective inverted p-i-n architecture comprising of inorganic transporting layers. The introduction of a thin CuI buffer layer accompanied with the hole transporting layer (HTL) was found to boost the device performance greatly. Furthermore, a systematic analysis of the device parameters was carried out based on crucial factors like thickness of the absorber, CTLs, and buffer layer, interfacial defect densities (Nit), series resistances (RS) and working temperature (T). In addition to this, we also conducted a study on the combined effect of absorber defect density (Nt) and thickness on our simulated PSC. Our optimized device configuration ITO/CuI/Cu2O/FAPI/ZnO/Al, resulted in an ideal device efficiency of ≈ 26% and a reasonably high efficiency of 21.58% adopting a more realistic approach. This study therefore focuses on an economical architectural design strategy with an emphasis on device efficiency, and its long-term sustainability.

Comprehensive optimization of an integrated energy system for power, hydrogen, and freshwater generation using high-temperature PEM fuel cell

Modern energy conversion technologies with low or no emissions are needed to achieve sustainable development goals. This research examines the thermodynamic and exergy-economic features of a high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell. A cutting-edge, integrated energy system uses high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells, an organic Rankine cycle, a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, and a multi-effect desalination unit. This setup generates electricity, hydrogen, and fresh water. Methanol-steam reformation produces hydrogen for the fuel cell. The recommended cycle drives an organic Rankine power producing cycle using 120–200 °C waste heat from high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell to power water electrolysis and hydrogen generation. An integrated method incorporates energy and exergy balances and cost analysis to assess the proposed system's exergetic, economic, and environmental impacts. The suggested integration delivers high energy and exergy efficiency at an acceptable cost and environmental effect. According to parametric research, boosting the fuel cell's working temperature decreases production costs and carbon dioxide emissions per mass. Raising current density has positive technical and environmental impacts. As the current density increases from 0.4 to 0.8 (A/cm2), the net power generation increases to 46.67% and the exergy efficiency increases from 64.5% to 68%. An increase in multi-effect distillation motivate steam pressure from 200 to 600 kPa results in an increase in the daily freshwater generated from 111.68 m3 to 116.41 m3. For environmental protection and output optimization, fuel utilization ratio must be reduced. The ideal system's exergy efficiency, product unit cost, and environmental impact are 65.78%, 86.28 ($/h), and 4.33%, respectively.

The influence of penetration and cutting speed of pipe-jacking disc cutter on its cutting force and rock-breaking efficiency

The disc cutter, which is essential to pipe-jacking to break rock, is the main tool used in this crucial method of tunnel building. The present research is focused on the force of the disc cutter and how well it breaks rock. This paper uses the medium-weathered granite of the Xinjing Mountain Substation - Beifeng Substation as an example to study the effects of penetration and cutting speed on the force and rock-breaking efficiency of the disc cutter. It does this by using ABAQUS to analyze the disc cutter’s operating state under various penetration and cutting speeds and to find the ideal rock-breaking efficiency. The findings demonstrate that: (1) Breaking rock is a discontinuous process that advances continuously. The rock unit beneath the disc cutter ring will change from an elastic to an elastic condition as the disc cutter moves. The rock unit beneath the disc cutter ring will undergo continuous extrusion as the disc cutter moves, changing from an elastic to a plastic state until failing as a result of damage. (2) All of the cutting forces rise as penetration and cutting speed increase, but the rolling force is more affected by penetration and vertical force by cutting speed. When the disc cutter breaks in a straight line, the side force is little. (3) The rock-breaking efficiency increases with a 4 mm penetration and a faster cutting speed.

Deep Reinforcement Learning-Based Integrated Control of Hybrid Electric Vehicles Driven by Lane-Level High-Definition Map

For automobiles, the innovation of autopilot, connected communication, and new energy have been treated as the trend. This paper proposed a deep reinforcement learning-based integrated control strategy driven by the lane-level high-definition map for hybrid electric vehicles. Firstly, an optimal route with a length of 1277km from Shanghai to Beijing was determined from Google Maps. Based on the longitude, latitude, and elevation data from Google Earth, a lane-level driving environment was built and the global speed was preplanned based on the limited and safe speed. Secondly, a multi-policy integrated control framework and training method were proposed, adopting two types of deep reinforcement learning algorithms to control the velocity and steering angle of the vehicle layer and power distribution of the powertrain. Finally, processor-in-the-loop tests were completed by adopting NVIDIA Jetson Nano and Jetson AGX Xavier. Results show that the integrated control strategy achieves stable control effects on velocity and steering angle based on the environment model, gets a fuel economy of 6.77L/100km, and presents ideal efficiency on embedded devices. Moreover, the results are compared with three other typical powertrains in long-distance driving, and the comparison of driving costs and infrastructure emphasizes the necessity of the development of hybrid electric vehicles.

Synergistic effects of Pt single atomic site and Cu nanoclusters for catalytic oxidation of methyl mercaptan

Here, we report a catalyst design strategy, which uses hydrotalcite as a precursor to obtaining uniformly loaded nano copper clusters and further load single atom Pt to form a synergistic catalytic effect between precious metals and transition metals and is applied to the catalytic oxidation of CH3SH. The ability of adsorption-activation of molecular oxygen can be enhanced by constructing copper nanoclusters on the surface of metal oxides, and the catalytic oxidation path of methanethiol can be changed from MVK scheme to ER scheme. However, it is still not enough to obtain the ideal methanethiol conversion efficiency. Inspired by the organometallic chemistry of platinum, the element sulfur has a good bonding ability with platinum. We introduced platinum single atoms onto copper nanoclusters. Confirmation of atomically dispersed Pt by spherical aberration corrected electron microscopy and XAFS. Combined with the above characterization and calculation, it can be seen that the introduction of single-atom Pt is conducive to the adsorption of CH3SH, Cu nanoclusters can activate oxygen molecules, and the synergistic effect of the two active sites can significantly improve the catalytic oxidation activity of the catalyst for CH3SH. The oxidation of CH3SH occur via the Langmuir-Hinshelwood scheme (L-H scheme).

A Two‐Step Entanglement Concentration for the Less‐Entangled Four‐Photon Cluster States

AbstractEntanglement concentration serves as an essential tool to obtain the maximally entangled states from the less‐entangled states in quantum information processing tasks. An efficient two‐step entanglement concentration protocol (ECP) is proposed to concentrate the less‐entangled four‐photon cluster states with four unknown coefficients into the maximally entangled states in this paper. The protocol utilizes parity‐check gate and photon‐polarized controlled‐Z gate, constructed with a single semiconductor quantum dot in a single optical microcavity (quantum dot‐cavity coupled system) and several linear optical elements. The discarded quantum states can be recycled in the next round concentration to achieve a higher success probability. Under conditions of strong coupling and weak side leakage rate, the ECP can tend toward ideal fidelity and efficiency. Compared to the previously proposed ECPs that utilize various auxiliary tools such as additional entangled states and complex quantum logic gates, the ECP significantly simplifies the analysis process and enables efficient implementation. Thus, the ECP is more economical and feasible in future optical systems.

Comment on "Improving the efficiency of a CIGS solar cell to above 31% with Sb2S3 as a new BSF: a numerical simulation approach by SCAPS-1D" by M. F. Rahman and S. Goumri-Said et al., RSC Adv., 2024, 14, 1924.

It was reported in early 2024 that a single-junction 1.1 eV bandgap copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cell can achieve actual power conversion efficiency up to 40.70%, open circuit voltage up to 1.330 V, and fill factor up to 90.55% at 300 K when the solar cell is irradiated by the air mass 1.5 global (AM1.5G) solar spectrum (M. F. Rahman et al., RSC Adv., 2024, 14, 1924-1938). These simulated solar cell performance parameters exceed the ideal detailed balance-limiting power conversion efficiency, open circuit voltage, and fill factor of a 1.1 eV bandgap single-junction solar cell.

Enhanced combined sewer overflow treatment by rapid magnetic flocculation–magnetic sedimentation: efficiency and mechanism

Rapid magnetic flocculation required a reaction time of only 2 minutes to achieve the ideal pollutant removal efficiency.

Spectral routers for snapshot multispectral imaging

Snapshot spectral imaging aims at capturing full spatial and spectral information simultaneously. It can benefit greatly from a photon-efficient spectral decomposition that does not sacrifice spatial resolution. The multispectral filter arrays that enable compact single-chip snapshot multispectral imaging, however, suffer from fundamental and important limitations: low photon efficiency and low spatial resolution. Here, we introduce a spectral router for snapshot multispectral imaging to address these limitations. A spectral router routes all light incident on its entire surface directly to the photodetector of each spectral channel without need for a propagation layer between the router and the detector. Unlike filters, spectral routers do not reject light to achieve spectral selectivity and can ideally exploit 100% of the incident light. Spectral routers also break the size barrier that exists for filter arrays and can be designed with wavelength size footprint. This enables spectral routers to simultaneously provide spectral information as well as spatial information at higher spatial resolution, and can even allow them to provide spectral information without sacrificing spatial information beyond the diffraction limit. We illustrate the concept with two examples. A first spectral router covers the visible range and can achieve ideal optical efficiency for six spectral channels in a sub-micrometer footprint, which is 15 times smaller than a filter array repeat unit with the smallest Fabry–Pérot filters. The second example covers the shortwave infrared (SWIR) range with nine spectral channels and is suitable for pixels that are two times smaller than the smallest SWIR imager pixels demonstrated to date.

Flight-Validated Electric Powertrain Efficiency Models for Small UASs

Minimizing electric losses is critical to the success of battery-powered small unmanned aerial systems (SUASs) that weigh less than 25 kgf (55 lb). Losses increase energy and battery weight requirements which hinder the vehicle’s range and endurance. However, engineers do not have appropriate models to estimate the losses of a motor, motor controller, or battery. The aerospace literature often assumes an ideal electrical efficiency or describes modeling approaches that are more suitable for controls engineers. The electrical literature describes detailed design tools that target the motor designer. We developed SUAS powertrain models targeted for vehicle designers and systems engineers. The analytical models predict each component’s losses using high-level specifications readily published in SUAS component datasheets. We validated the models against parametric experimental studies involving novel powertrain flight data from a specially instrumented quadcopter. Given propeller torque and speed, our integrated models predicted a quadcopter’s battery voltage within 5% of experimental data for a 5+ min mission despite motor and controller efficiency errors up to 10%. The models can reduce development costs and timelines for different stakeholders. Users can evaluate notional or existing powertrain configurations over entire missions without testing any physical hardware.

Low-pressure plasma sprayed dense scandia-stabilized zirconia electrolyte and its effect on SOFC performance

The plasma spraying process has been proven capable of fabricating high-performance metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs), and the critical technology is to prepare dense MS-SOFC electrolytes. Usually, very low-pressure plasma spraying (<1000 Pa) is adopted as it can significantly improve the electrolyte density and air tightness. However, at the same time, it also has the disadvantages of low deposition efficiency and high cost. This paper explores whether it is possible to prepare dense MS-SOFC electrolytes under low-pressure conditions (1000–10000 Pa) with ideal deposition efficiency and cost. Specifically, 4000 Pa and 7000 Pa were chosen to prepare scandia-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ) electrolytes. The effects of spraying pressure and distance on the electrolyte microstructure and cell electrochemical performance were investigated. It was found that the electrolyte prepared at a pressure of 4000 Pa and a spraying distance of 325 mm had the lowest porosity of 3.28%. Meanwhile, the cell exhibited the best electrochemical performance with an open circuit voltage of 1.008 V and a maximum power density of 970 mW/cm2 at 800 °C.

High performance analysis and optimization of metal halide perovskite-based thermoelectric generators for sustainable energy harvesting

Metal halide perovskite-based thermoelectric materials have garnered considerable attention due to their ultralow thermal conductivities and decent electric transport properties, while the research into thermoelectric generators (TEGs) lag much behind the progress of materials. In this paper, a real-sized 3D finite element model of a metal halide perovskite-based TEG is established under iso-thermal and iso-heat flux boundary conditions. Compared with traditional PbTe-based TEGs, perovskite-based TEGs exhibit more promising TE performance with TE conversion efficiency reaching ∼12 % at a 104 W/m2 thermal input power. In addition, the geometric parameters as well as the thermal management parameters under the iso-heat flux boundary condition, are optimized and discussed. The Taguchi optimization combined with the analysis of variance (ANOVA) method is further employed to quantify the contribution and importance of these factors on the output performance of the perovskite-based TEG. The results demonstrate that changing the device geometry and thermal management parameters will affect the temperature distribution between the hot- and cold-side. The thermal input power and the height of the p-n legs are the dominant factors affecting the output power and the TE conversion efficiency of the perovskite-based TEG. Promisingly, the TE conversion efficiency can reach above 20 % (or 65 % of the corresponding ideal Carnot efficiency) for an optimized perovskite-based TEG. This work predicts and verifies the highly promising TE performance of new metal halide perovskite-based TEGs. The principles behind the analyses here provide new strategies for designing and optimizing TEGs for waste-heat harvesting and other sustainable energy conversion applications.

Crystallinity tuning of LCNO/graphene nanocomposite cathode for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

In this work, a graphene-enhanced LiCo0.525Ni0.475O2 (LCNOG) cathode was synthesized by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis and the effects of annealing at 650–850 °C were investigated. Sharper X-ray diffraction peaks showed enhanced crystallization with an increase in average crystallite size from 28 nm to 56 nm after annealing at 850 °C. LCNOG annealed at 850 °C delivered a high capacity of over 2030 J compared to 1280 J, with a near ideal coulombic efficiency of 99.5 % and long cycle stability. The acceleration of kinetics is evidenced by more favorable redox peak positions in voltammetry and a 5-fold lower interfacial resistance in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The improved performance is due to the larger grain size, higher crystallinity, increased conductivity and graphene-induced diffusion facilitation. The relationship between crystallinity and cathodic properties provides critical insight into cathode design. The exceptional performance achieved by tailoring crystallinity through annealing makes LCNOG a potential material for high-voltage cathodes for lithium-ion technology.

Comment on CdTe solar cell efficiency

Based on computer simulations, it has been reported in October 2023 that conventional cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells can achieve actual air mass 1.5 global (AM 1.5 G) power conversion efficiency up to 35.79% [R. Hosen et al., Journal of Alloys and Metallurgical Systems 4 (2023) 100041]. Since the ideal Shockley-Queisser detailed balance-limiting power conversion efficiency of a 1.5 eV CdTe solar cell is only 32.1% at 25 °C, it is unlikely that an actual, conventional, CdTe solar cell will exceed this efficiency.

Inhibition effect of three types of biochar on volatile organic compounds from asphalt: Revealing chemical adsorption as the primary mechanism

For advancing sustainable and eco-friendly road materials, addressing the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from asphalt binders is paramount. As an environment-friendly adsorbent, biochar is highly promising for mitigating such VOCs emissions. Herein, the feasibility and mechanism of using biochar to control VOCs emissions from asphalt were investigated. Biochar was derived from rice husk, straw and coffee grounds. The VOCs composition was analysed using thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Differential scanning calorimetry was employed to simulate asphalt VOCs release, while temperature-programmed desorption spectroscopy was employed to investigate biochar inhibition. Rice husk–derived biochar exhibited the highest inhibition effect on asphalt VOCs. The inhibitory effects of the three biochar samples were weakened with increasing number of carbon atoms in organic compounds, with less ideal inhibition efficiency for aromatic compounds. Chemical adsorption was the primary mechanism for the inhibition of VOCs emissions by biochar at high temperatures.

CFD Analysis on the Development of Pre-Duct Shape to Improve Propeller Performance

Energy saving contributions of Energy Saving Device (ESD) Pre-Duct are reducing energy losses and separation at the stern, increasing the ideal propeller efficiency, increasing the capture of viscous wake that passes through the propeller disk, and increasing the interaction of the propeller and ship hull. The effect of ESD Pre-Duct in front of the propeller on saving of energy is influenced by the accuracy and suitability of the geometry, position, and shape of pre-duct. In this study, the shape of the asymmetric un-circular pre-duct was develop and analysis conducted by compared the effect of the shape of pre-duct on the performance of propeller, the shape of pre-duct: circular (conventional), un-circular, and asymmetric un-circular. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling results using the ANSYS CFX software package with Propeller Open Water (POW) test simulations show that the installation of pre-ducts with several shape developments in general has a significant effect on increasing propeller performance at low propeller rotation speeds, whereas on high propeller rotation even though there is an increase in propeller performance but not significant.

Quantum steering vs entanglement and extracting work in an anisotropic two-qubit Heisenberg model in presence of external magnetic fields with DM and KSEA interactions

We examine the Dzyaloshinski-Moriya (DM) and Kaplan-Shekhtman-Entin-Wohlman-Aharony (KSEA) interactions in thermal equilibrium submitted to the anisotropic Heisenberg two-qubit model in an inhomogeneous magnetic field. The steerability between the two qubits is evaluated using quantum steering. The concurrence serves as a witness to quantum entanglement. Both the extracted work and the ideal efficiency of the two qubits are quantified. We discuss how quantum correlations behave in relation to the bath's temperature, the Kaplan-Shekhtman-Entin-Wohlman-Aharony coupling parameter and DM coupling. We find that the nonclassical correlations in a two-qubit Heisenberg XYZ Model are fragile under thermal effects. Nevertheless, the results indicate that the concurrence is stronger than quantum steering under thermal effects in the presence of DM and KSEA. We obtained that an extraction of work is comparable with the bare energies.