Integration Technology Research Articles

Innovations and Challenges in Semi-Transparent Perovskite Solar Cells: A Mini Review of Advancements Toward Sustainable Energy Solutions

Amid the shift away from fossil fuels, third-generation perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have become pivotal due to their high efficiency and low production costs. This review concentrates on semi-transparent perovskite solar cells (ST-PSCs), highlighting their power conversion efficiency (PCE) and average visible transmittance (AVT). We address strategies to optimize ST-PSC performance, tackling inherent challenges, such as optical losses from reflection, parasitic absorption, and thermalization loss, which impact the operational efficiency under variable environmental conditions. ST-PSCs are distinguished by their lightweight, flexible, and translucent properties, allowing for diverse applications in urban building integration, agricultural greenhouses, and wearable technology. These cells integrate seamlessly into various settings, enhancing energy harnessing without compromising on aesthetic or structural elements. However, the scalability of ST-PSCs involves challenges related to stability and efficiency in large-scale deployments. The tropical urban landscape of Singapore provides a unique case study for ST-PSC application, blending architectural aesthetics with high solar irradiance to optimize energy efficiency. While the potential for ST-PSCs to contribute to sustainable urban development is immense, significant technological hurdles must be overcome to realize their full potential. Continued advancements in material science and engineering are essential to address these challenges, ensuring the scalability and long-term deployment of ST-PSCs in global energy solutions.

Cross-functional integration between demand and supply processes: a case study about the role of digital technologies

PurposeThe objective of this article is to analyze the integration between the internal functions related to demand and supply processes. The studied object was an agribusiness company that uses digital technologies to operate its inbound logistics.Design/methodology/approachA case study was conducted in a global agribusiness company that went through a restructuring process with the implementation of a shared service center. In-depth interviews were conducted with employees from the demand and supply areas. The analysis involved description of cross-functional integration processes from the areas of demand and supply, the identification of technologies from Industry 4.0 present in the activities of those areas and their role in the integration process.FindingsThe analysis revealed the mediating role of technology in cross-functional integration, the presence of new integration factors and their impact on process performance. A framework was developed that describes the relationship between technology and integration factors, their impacts, and the implications for theory and practice.Practical implicationsRegarding this study, the focal company migrated its activities, which were previously isolated and dispersed across branches, to a centralized shared services unit. This research contributes by providing managers with elements to support their investment decisions in technologies that facilitate the integration process, mainly in the areas of planning and execution. It also contributes to the planning of processes, helping managers who are implementing or migrating activities and areas to new management structures.Originality/valueThis paper brings two new assumptions that may guide future investigations about cross-functional integration and its effects on demand and supply integration (DSI): (1) Digital technologies are able to support cross-functional integration in order to provide information integrity, team alignment, agile and assertive decision making within supply and demand processes; (2) Cross-functional integration, mediated by digital technologies, can generate agility and accuracy of information in the demand and supply processes. This accuracy and agility provide improvements in demand and supply process performance metrics, such as predictability, assertiveness, standardization, productivity and response time.

Gradient-Wettable Multiwedge Patterned Surface for Effective Transport of Droplets against the Temperature Gradient.

With the rapid advancement of electronic integration technology, the requirements for the working environment and stability of the heat dissipation equipment have become increasingly stringent. Consequently, studying a high-efficiency gas-liquid two-phase heat transfer surface holds significant importance. Aiming at the limited liquid transport performance caused by the temperature gradient in the heat transfer process, this paper combines the wetting gradient with the shape gradient and proposes a gradient-wettable multiwedge patterned surface, where droplets can be transported over long distances and at high velocities. In this paper, the effect of the average wetting gradient on droplet transport performance is investigated by designing a multiwedge hydrophilic pattern and adjusting the wetting properties of the hydrophobic region. The study focuses on the temperature gradient resistance of gradient-wettable, multiwedge patterned surfaces, providing a mechanistic explanation of the surface's ability to resist temperature gradients through theoretical analysis. It is shown that the gradient wettability multiwedge patterned surface has better resistance to the temperature gradient that hinders the droplet movement, and the droplets can still achieve transport of ∼38 mm at an average speed of ∼158 mm/s under the temperature gradient of 0.59 °C/mm. The research in this paper provides some insights into the application of temperature gradient resistance on heat transfer surfaces and contributes to heat dissipation methods for electronic integrated environments.

Ultraflexible Vertical Corbino Organic Electrochemical Transistors for Epidermal Signal Monitoring.

Skin-conformal organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) have attracted significant attention for real-time physiological signal monitoring and are vital for health diagnostics and treatments. However, mechanical harmonization amid the inherent dynamic nature of the skin surface and the acquisition of intrinsic physiological signals are significant challenges that hinder the integration of the ultimate skin interface. Thus, this study proposes a novel 4-terminal (4-T) vertical Corbino OECT, exhibiting high transconductance (>400 mS) and offering remarkable resilience and operational stability at an extremely low voltage of 10mV (1.9% of minimal current change after 104 biasing cycles and endurance up to 103 cycles of repetitive deformation with a 5µm bending radius). Consequently, ultralow-power, motion-resistant epidermal electrocardiogram, electromyogram, and electrooculogram sensors are developed with an exceptional signal-to-noise ratio of 40.1dB. The results of this study present a significant stride in non-invasive, skin-interfaced health-monitoring technologies and herald a new era in integrative health technologies.

Scalable parallel photonic processing unit for various neural network accelerations

In recent years, integrated optical processing units (IOPUs) have demonstrated advantages in energy efficiency and computational speed for neural network inference applications. However, limited by optical integration technology, the practicality and versatility of IOPU face serious challenges. In this work, a scalable parallel photonic processing unit (SPPU) for various neural network accelerations based on high-speed phase modulation is proposed and implemented on a silicon-on-insulator platform, which supports parallel processing and can switch between multiple computational paradigms simply and without latency to infer different neural network structures, enabling to maximize the utility of on-chip components. The SPPU adopts a scalable and process-friendly architecture design, with a preeminent photonic-core energy efficiency of 0.83 TOPS/W, two to ten times higher than existing integrated solutions. In the proof-of-concept experiment, a convolutional neural network (CNN), a residual CNN, and a recurrent neural network (RNN) are all implemented on our photonic processor to handle multiple tasks of handwritten digit classification, signal modulation format recognition, and review emotion recognition. The SPPU achieves multi-task parallel processing capability, serving as a promising and attractive research route to maximize the utility of on-chip components under the constraints of integrated technology, which helps to make IOPU more practical and universal.

Atomic-scale insights into the microstructure and interface evolution mechanism of copper/tantalum nanofilms during ultra-precision grinding

The copper (Cu)/tantalum (Ta) nanofilms are the vital component in the through silicon via (TSV) wafer. However, the current lack of research on the ultra-precision machining of Cu/Ta nanofilms limits the development of TSV-based 3D integration technologies. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations are conducted to reveal the microstructure and interface evolution mechanism of Cu/Ta nanofilms during nano-grinding under various grinding depths. The results show that the material removal mode differs between the Cu and Ta layers, and the thickness of the subsurface damage layer of the Cu layer is greater than that of the Ta layer. The Cu/Ta interface is well stabilized, and small amounts of micro-defects appear only at larger grinding depths after grinding. The lattice mismatch of the constituent layers and the hindering role by the interface lead to stress concentration at the interface, and it is more obvious with increasing grinding depth. Nevertheless, there is a significant stress release after grinding. Our computations indicate that the competition between the evolution of interfacial structures and discrepancies in the physical properties of constituent layers leads to an increase in grinding forces at the interface. Furthermore, the heat transfer is obstructed by the Cu/Ta interface. This study provides valuable insights into the grinding mechanisms of Cu/Ta nanofilms, which is conducive to further improving the manufacturing process of the TSV wafer and enhancing the performance of microelectronic devices.

Efficient integration of calcium looping with methane Bi-reforming using Pd-enhanced Ni-CaO dual functional nanomaterials

Integration technology of methane bi-reforming (BRM; a combination of methane steam and dry reforming) with calcium looping (CaL-BRM) offered a novel solution to reduce CO2 emission, enabling direct capture and conversion of low-concentration CO2 from sources into value-added products (H2, syngas) within the same reactor. In this study, Ni-CaO-based dual-functional material (DFM), with a small quantity of palladium in the nanostructure, was developed via a continuous two-stage aerosol process and employed in the CaL-BRM. Experimental results demonstrate that Pd-Ni-CaO exhibited high activity and cyclic stability over multiple cycles, maintaining effective CO2 capture (12.0 mmolCO2/gCaO) and BRM performance (>98 % CO2 conversion; H2/CO = 2) at a relatively low temperature (600 °C). Density functional theory calculations reveal that the presence of Pd lowered the activation energy of CH* dissociation, the rate-determining step, from 1.14 to 0.67 eV. The higher adsorption energy (−0.87 eV) of H2O on the Ni-Pd surface and the lower energy barrier (0.62 eV) for subsequent dissociation contributed to the promising catalytic performance in the presence of steam. These findings underscore the significance of utilizing appropriate DFM and demonstrate the potential of CaL-BRM for efficient integrated carbon capture and utilization.

Integrated Business Planning with Real Time Integration

This paper explores the significance of real-time integration within IBP, highlighting how it enhances operational visibility, improves decision-making, and fosters collaboration across the supply chain. By leveraging advanced integration technologies, such as Cloud and APIs, businesses can harness real-time data to drive agility and responsiveness in their planning processes. Furthermore, this paper addresses the challenges of implementation, including technical complexities and change management, while providing best practices for successful integration. IBP as a vital tool for organizations seeking to thrive in an increasingly dynamic marketplace.

Urban–Rural Integration and Agricultural Technology Innovation: Evidence from China

Urban and rural relations are important for the sustainable development of a nation or region. Urban and rural integration (URI), as a conceptual framework and strategic tool for managing urban–rural relations, is supposed to play a role in linking urban and rural socio-economic systems to promote the two-way flow of resources, facilitate spatial restructuring and functional transformation, enhance resource allocation efficiency, and shorten the gap between urban and rural areas. This article takes agriculture technological innovation in China as an example, and discuss whether and how URI can promote agricultural technological innovation (ATI). Based on a dataset of 288 prefecture-level cities spanning the years from 1999 to 2018, this article analyzes the mechanism and effect of URI on the development of ATI by using the negative binomial regression model and other models based on measuring the level of URI in the municipal area. The main conclusions are as follows. (1) URI positively promotes the development of ATI and exhibits significant heterogeneity across various dimensions, regions, and agricultural production areas. (2) The mechanism analysis shows that governance systems and mature markets positively moderate the impact of URI on promoting ATI, which also exhibits heterogeneous characteristics across various regions. (3) The impact of URI on the development of ATI exhibits a double threshold effect, and its marginal impact on the development of ATI increases with the deepening of URI. Moreover, the threshold effect of URI demonstrates significant heterogeneity. In central and urban areas, after surpassing the threshold value, the influence of URI on agricultural technological innovation becomes greater. Therefore, it is crucial to continuously deepen the development of URI, smooth the channels of factor flow, enhance resource sharing, break down the urban and rural barriers, and create a new engine for ATI development.

Analysis and Countermeasures of the Impact of New Energy Grid Connection on Power System Stability

With the transformation of the global energy structure and the enhancement of environmental protection awareness, new energy grid connection has become an important direction in the development of the power industry. This article takes Lishui Zhenghao Electric Power Industry Group Co., Ltd. as the research background, analyzes the impact of new energy grid connection on the stability of the power system and the problems it generates, and proposes corresponding solutions. This article first introduces the background, purpose, and significance of new energy grid integration, as well as the current research status at home and abroad. Subsequently, this article elaborates on the principles and classifications of new energy grid integration technology, and analyzes the specific impact of new energy grid integration on the stability of the power system. Through case analysis of new energy grid integration practices in Lishui area, this article reveals the main problems that currently exist in the process of new energy grid integration. Finally, based on an in-depth analysis of existing problems, this article proposes a series of strategies to improve the stability of new energy grid integration, aiming to provide theoretical guidance and practical reference for new energy grid integration practices in Lishui area and even the whole country.

Automatic Indoor Thermal Comfort Monitoring Based on BIM and IoT Technology

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Internet of Thing (IoT) integration technologies can improve operational efficiency in the operational phase of construction projects. Currently, research on the integration of BIM and IoT has yet to ensure secure data transmission and lacks real-time data processing capabilities. This study builds a framework to collect and analyze BIM and IoT data in real time. The framework is verified to be effective through a case study in an office building. The monitoring system can automatically calculate the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) value, upload and update real-time temperature and humidity data, and visualize thermal comfort through heat maps. The proposed integration approach offers building management strategies to enhance thermal comfort in office environments, fostering a more inclusive and accommodating workspace that acknowledges the diverse cultural backgrounds of occupants.

A node deployment and resource optimization method for CPDS based on cloud‐fog‐edge collaboration

AbstractWith the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) in power distribution and the advancement of energy information integration technologies, the explosive growth in network data volume caused by massive terminal devices connecting to the power distribution network has become a significant challenge. Multi‐terminal collaborative computing is a key approach to addressing issues such as high latency and high energy consumption. In this article, fog computing is introduced into the computing network of the power distribution system, and a cloud‐fog‐edge collaborative computing architecture for intelligent power distribution networks is proposed. Within this framework, an improved weighted K‐means method based on information entropy theory is presented for node partitioning. Subsequently, an improved multi‐objective particle swarm optimization algorithm (MWM‐MOPSO) is employed to solve the task resource allocation problem. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed architecture and allocation strategy is validated through simulations on the OPNET and PureEdgeSim platforms. The results demonstrate that, compared to traditional cloud‐edge service architectures, the proposed architecture and task offloading scheme achieve better performance in terms of processing latency and energy consumption.

I-PHAOS: An Overview with an Open-Source Collaborative Database on Miniaturized Integrated Spectrometers

On-chip spectrometers are increasingly becoming tools that might help in everyday life needs. The possibility offered by several available integration technologies and materials to be used to miniaturize spectrometers has led to a plethora of very different devices, that in principle can be compared according to their metrics. Having access to a reference database can help in selecting the best-performing on-chip spectrometers and being up to date in terms of standards and developments. In this paper, an overview of the most relevant publications available in the literature on miniaturized spectrometers is reported and a database is provided as an open-source project to which researchers can have access and participate in order to improve the share of knowledge in the interested scientific community.

Boosting self-powered wearable thermoelectric generator with solar absorber and radiative cooler

The electrical output of wearable thermoelectric generators (wTEGs) has traditionally been constrained by small temperature differentials when powering microelectronics. In this study, we innovatively combine photothermal and radiative cooling mechanisms within a single wTEGs system, enabling substantial, uninterrupted power generation. Specifically, we designed a multilayer selective solar absorber (m-SSA) composed of flexible dielectric-metal stacks. This absorber demonstrates exceptional solar absorption efficiency of 93 % and significantly low thermal emissivity of 10 %. In practical outdoor conditions, it achieves a temperature increase of up to 108 °C under solar irradiation. Concurrently, we developed a flexible hierarchically porous radiative cooler (HP-RC), which reflects 96 % of solar energy and emits 97 % of thermal energy, achieving a cooling differential of up to 10 °C, even at ambient temperatures of 42 °C. Integration of the m-SSA and HP-RC with wTEGs allows for the simultaneous harvesting of heat from solar, cold space, and earth (robots or human body). This novel energy capture mechanism yielded a notable power density of 198 mW/m² for human body and 52 mW/m2 for steel robots in outdoor wearable applications. This significant advancement promotes the field toward high-performance, integrated green power technologies and holds promise for next-generation wearable self-powered devices.

The integrative biology of the heart: mechanisms enabling cardiac plasticity.

Cardiac phenotypic plasticity, the remodelling of heart structure and function, is a response to any sustained (or repeated) stimulus or stressor that results in a change in heart performance. Cardiac plasticity can be either adaptive (beneficial) or maladaptive (pathological), depending on the nature and intensity of the stimulus. Here, we draw on articles published in this Special Issue of Journal of Experimental Biology, and from the broader comparative physiology literature, to highlight the core components that enable cardiac plasticity, including structural remodelling, excitation-contraction coupling remodelling and metabolic rewiring. We discuss when and how these changes occur, with a focus on the underlying molecular mechanisms, from the regulation of gene transcription by epigenetic processes to post-translational modifications of cardiac proteins. Looking to the future, we anticipate that the growing use of -omics technologies in integration with traditional comparative physiology approaches will allow researchers to continue to uncover the vast scope for plasticity in cardiac function across animals.

Modeling and experimental characterization of a compact Mach–Zehnder electro-optic modulator on the SOI

The Mach–Zehnder electro-optic modulator (MZM) plays a crucial role in photonics integration technology during signal transmission. We propose the design and fabrication of a silicon-based electro-optic modulator based on the M-Z structure and design a modulator using silicon as the waveguide core layer on a silicon dioxide substrate. The detailed design involves a 1×2 splitter, branch waveguides, modulating arm waveguides, and a 2×1 combiner. The MZM fabrication and characterization results reveal that the half-wave voltage of the silicon-based MZM is 2 V, with an optical loss of −2.464dB and a device core size of 450µm×2800µm. The experimental results indicate that the MZM with a low half-wave voltage, a low loss, and high integration has significant value. The proposed MZM exhibits considerable improvements, featuring a low half-wave voltage and a low loss, and this device may serve as a fundamental component in wearable large-scale photonic integrated circuits for weak ECG real-time detection.

Corporate Social Responsibility, Earnings Management, and Cash Holding: A Study of Non-Financial Firms in Pakistan

This study investigates the interplay between CSR practices, earning management, and cash holdings in Pakistani publicly listed companies (PLCs). Spanning the period from 2013 to 2022, the research aims to provide empirical insights into how CSR initiatives influence financial practices within the Pakistani context. Methodologically, the study employs panel unit root tests and compares Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), fixed effects, and random effects models to analyze a sample of 202 non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange. The implications of these findings underscore the importance of strategic CSR integration to enhance financial transparency, mitigate agency conflicts, and foster sustainable corporate growth. Managerial implications suggest that executives should focus on enhancing board effectiveness, strengthening audit oversight, aligning managerial incentives with long-term shareholder interests, and integrating CSR initiatives into core business strategies. However, the study acknowledges several limitations. These include the sector-specific focus on non-financial firms, which may limit generalizability to other sectors within the Pakistani economy. The study's reliance on panel unit root tests and econometric models, while robust, may benefit from alternative methodological approaches and sensitivity analyses. In conclusion, while this study contributes valuable insights into the CSR practices and financial management of Pakistani PLCs, future research should explore longitudinal trends, sector-specific variations, the role of emerging technologies in integration of CSR into corporate strategies. Addressing these areas would further enhance our understanding and inform policy interventions aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable in emerging market economies like Pakistan.

Integrated Technologies for Anti-Deicing Functions and Structures of Aircraft: Current Status and Development Trends

With the increasing adoption of composite materials in aircraft construction, traditional anti-icing technologies face significant challenges due to the low thermal conductivity and heat resistance of composite resins. These limitations have spurred the development of lightweight, efficient, durable, and cost-effective integrated anti-icing technologies as a critical area of research. This paper begins with an overview of advancements in electrothermal anti-icing and de-icing technologies for aircraft. It then explores the configurations and applications of functional-structural integration technology for anti-icing and de-icing, emphasizing pivotal technologies and current challenges in this field. Finally, the study forecasts the development trends in the multifunctional integration of thermal conductivity/insulation, anti-icing, and electromagnetic wave transparency/wave-absorbing properties. These advancements are driven by the evolution of composite materialization in aircraft and the progression of multi-electrical/all-electrical technologies. The objective is to provide a comprehensive guide for technological development in anti-icing, aiding researchers and relevant departments to further enhance the application of anti-icing technology in composite material aircraft.

Device packaging and integration optimization based on neural network method: Effect of microchannel structure on heat sink performance

With the continuous improvement of power density of electronic device packaging, microchannel structure based on advanced packaging integration technology has become one of the hot topics in thermal management research. In this paper, two heat sink models are numerically simulated: rectangular microchannel and microchannel-pinfin hybrid. The effects of microchannel structure, inlet/outlet arrangement and pinfin design on heat sink performance were studied. The heat sink performance is evaluated by the maximum temperature at hotspot area, the total thermal resistance and the mean absolute temperature deviation (MATD). The research results show that at the same Reynolds number, the hybrid structure with pinfin has better heat sink performance. Compared with the rectangular microchannel structure, the maximum temperature at the hotspot area is reduced by 20.45 K and the total thermal resistance is reduced by 5.9 %. Compared with the three inlet/outlet arrangements of I-type, U-type and Z-type, the I-type hybrid structure has the best heat sink performance. The average absolute temperature deviation is about 10 K at high Reynolds number, and the temperature distribution is more uniform. In addition, the heat sink performance is improved by increasing the pinfin size to expand the heat transfer area. This paper uses simulation results to build an artificial neural network model in order to quickly and accurately predict numerical results under different parameter conditions. The network model has good accuracy and robustness, with a mean absolute error of 0.376 %. The prediction model takes heat source power, Reynolds number and pinfin structural parameters as input. Rapidly predicting the performance of heat sinks with different structural parameters under different boundary conditions will effectively save experimental and computational costs. This research provides new ideas and tools for optimizing heat sink design, and helps improve the application of microchannel cooling technology in electronic devices.

DESCRIPTION OF INTEGRATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR TEACHING BIOLOGY IN ACADEMIC LYCEUMS

The article describes methods of using integrative technologies in teaching biology in academic lyceums, the methodological feasibility of providing integrative knowledge. in the development of special competencies related to biology among students, and recommendations are given aimed at improving its implementation.