Industrial Potential Research Articles

Unleashing the Export Potential of Light Engineering Products: Evidence from a Firm-Level Survey

Based on a firm-level survey, this article analyzes the export potential, capacity, and challenges of the light engineering industries (LEI) in Bangladesh. The light engineering sector accounts for 2.5% of the country’s GDP and employs over 10 million people. Many of the firms operating in this industry are small-scale and decentralized, which makes them more accessible to local communities and helps in the promotion of inclusive growth. The industry's products are affordable and customized to meet the needs of local consumers, making them an essential component of the country's development strategy. However, there is a lack of credible information regarding the location of the light engineering enterprises and their export potential. The contribution of this paper is to fill this critical gap. The paper finds that the LE firms' location and specialization depend on the availability of raw materials and local demand; the firms operate with a small number of workers (less than 10) and mostly use domestic raw materials and conventional machines. However, they rarely replace their machinery, which affects productivity. Major findings also include that light engineering firms mostly produce agricultural machinery, spare parts, and machinery and parts for the construction sector, transport, textile, food processing, and molding industries. Meanwhile, the paper finds that less than 2% of the firms are currently exporting due to limited production capacity, lack of quality raw materials, insufficient capital, unskilled workers, and lack of policy support. Around 16% of the surveyed firms believe they have high export potential, whereas 82.4% of firms have no plans regarding exporting their products to the global market. To promote the industry's export competitiveness and overcome ongoing challenges, a set of policy recommendations are given, including effective policy implementation, utilization of firm-level dataset, product quality improvement, skills development, use of modern technologies, and adequate policy support from the government. Social Science Review, Vol. 41(1), June 2024, Page 121-144.

Construction of Escherichia coli cell factory for efficient synthesis of indigo.

Indigo is widely used in dyes, medicines and semiconductors materials due to its excellent dyeing efficiency, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-corrosion, and thermostability properties. Here, a biosynthetic pathway for indigo was designed, integrating two enzymes (EcTnaA, MaFMO) into a higher L-tryptophan-producing the strain Escherichia coli TRP. However, the lower catalytic activity of MaFMO was a bottleneck for increasing indigo titers. To overcome this limitation, the enzyme activity of MaFMO was enhanced through mechanism-guided rational design. The optimal mutant obtained in this study, MaFMOD197E, whose kcat/Km was 1.34 times that of the wild type, and its specific activity was 2.36 times that of the wild type. In addition, the expression levels of EcTnaA and MaFMOD197E were regulated by optimizing the promoters and increasing the copy number to generate the strain E. coli IND-13. Finally, in the optimal fermentation conditions (220 rpm, 0.05% Tween-80), the strain E. coli IND-13 achieved the indigo titer of 568.52 mg/L in a 5-L bioreactor, with the yield and productivity of 2.62 mg/g and 12.96 mg/L/h (the highest to date), respectively. The results presented here can lay a foundation for further construction of cell factories for indigo and its derivatives with industrial application potential.

A two-tier optimization strategy for feature selection in robust adversarial attack mitigation on internet of things network security

Adversarial attacks were commonly considered in computer vision (CV), but their effect on network security apps rests in the field of open investigation. As IoT, AI, and 5G endure to unite and understand the potential of Industry 4.0, security events and incidents on IoT systems have been enlarged. While IoT networks efficiently deliver intellectual services, the vast amount of data processed and collected in IoT networks also creates severe security concerns. Numerous research works were keen to project intelligent network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) to avert the exploitation of IoT data through smart applications. Deep learning (DL) models are applied to perceive and alleviate numerous security attacks against IoT networks. DL has a considerable reputation in NIDS, owing to its robust ability to identify delicate differences between malicious and normal network activities. While a diversity of models are aimed at influencing DL techniques for security protection, whether these methods are exposed to adversarial examples is unidentified. This study introduces a Two-Tier Optimization Strategy for Robust Adversarial Attack Mitigation in (TTOS-RAAM) model for IoT network security. The major aim of the TTOS-RAAM technique is to recognize the presence of adversarial attack behaviour in the IoT. Primarily, the TTOS-RAAM technique utilizes a min-max scaler to scale the input data into a uniform format. Besides, a hybrid of the coati–grey wolf optimization (CGWO) approach is utilized for optimum feature selection. Moreover, the TTOS-RAAM technique employs the conditional variational autoencoder (CVAE) technique to detect adversarial attacks. Finally, the parameter adjustment of the CVAE model is performed by utilizing an improved chaos African vulture optimization (ICAVO) model. A wide range of experimentation analyses is performed and the outcomes are observed under numerous aspects using the RT-IoT2022 dataset. The performance validation of the TTOS-RAAM technique portrayed a superior accuracy value of 99.91% over existing approaches.

Continuous Production of Bifunctional Platform Chemicals from Plant Oils in Water by Cyclodextrin-Mediated Hydroformylation.

Platform chemicals from renewable resources with broad applications are highly desirable, particularly for replacing fossil-based monomers. Bifunctional aliphatic ester-aldehydes, accessible via regioselective hydroformylation of unsaturated oleochemicals, can be converted into linear ω-amino/ω-hydroxy esters and dicarboxylic acids-key building blocks for biobased aliphatic polycondensates. However, their success hinges on efficient, economically viable production, with catalyst recycling being critical. We present the Rh-catalyzed, cyclodextrin-mediated, aqueous biphasic hydroformylation of methyl 10-undecenoate (from castor oil) and methyl 9-decenoate (from rapeseed oil) to produce methyl 12-oxododecanoate and methyl 11-oxoundecanoate, respectively, with high yields and productivity. This system allows for efficient catalyst recycling via decantation, maintaining 30% of its native activity in aqueous biphasic conditions. Reaction conditions were optimized using a tailored experimental design, reducing nearly 200 experiments to 39 without sacrificing predictive accuracy. The optimized conditions were transferred to a continuous miniplant, achieving a low rhodium loss of 0.018 % h⁻¹, with excellent space-time yields of 76.5 kg h⁻¹ m⁻³. Rhodium in the product was as low as 79 ppb, with 4.4 kg of product per mg of catalyst lost, marking a significant step in combining hydroformylation-derived, bio-based platform chemicals with economic industrial potential.

Empowering Sustainable Infrastructure and Sustainable Development Goals Through Industry 5.0 Implementation

ABSTRACTThe transition to Industry 5.0 represents a significant transformation in the global industrial landscape, combining advanced technology with human creativity to promote sustainable development. This study investigates the potential of Industry 5.0 to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within sustainable infrastructure projects, addressing a critical gap in existing research concerning its practical applications and outcomes. Utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS‐SEM), the study analyzes data collected from 150 construction professionals in Egypt, focusing on key enablers such as digital transformation skills, eco‐innovation, and proactive governmental support. The results demonstrate that these Industry 5.0 enablers significantly enhance environmental resilience, social inclusivity, and economic efficiency in infrastructure projects. The research offers a novel theoretical framework and empirical evidence on the constructive role of Industry 5.0 in achieving sustainable infrastructure outcomes, providing valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academic researchers. These findings highlight the potential of Industry 5.0 to drive innovation that aligns with the SDGs and fosters sustainable, human‐centric development.

Fostering lithium-ion battery remanufacturing through Industry 5.0

Abstract The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) has resulted in notable environmental benefits, yet challenges persist regarding battery disposal and recovery. The increasing demand for EVs heightens concerns about the environmental impact of lithium-ion battery (LIB) waste, which threatens both ecosystems and public health. Although remanufacturing is seen as a sustainable solution to these issues, current research does not thoroughly examine the role of Industry 5.0 technologies in optimising this process. This study aims to compare and assess the potential of various Industry 5.0 technologies and approaches to enhance the remanufacturing of lithium-ion batteries. Using the AHP-PROMETHEE method, we identify the most critical and influential Industry 5.0 prospects that should be prioritised for addressing key challenges such as diagnostic accuracy, safe disassembly, and high-quality reassembly. The multi-criteria analysis highlights key Industry 5.0 imperatives that can facilitate efficient and effective remanufacturing processes. The study identifies Digital Product Passport (DPP), Digital Twin (DT), and the Internet of Everything (IoE) as critical enablers in optimizing the LIB remanufacturing process. The analysis reveals that DPP stands out as the top enabler, significantly enhancing transparency, traceability, and lifecycle management for LIBs. DT and IoE follow closely, contributing to real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and seamless data integration across the supply chain. This paper delves in the emerging concept of the Digital Battery Passport (DBP), a DPP mandated by recent European regulations aimed at improving battery management and circularity. The DBP facilitates access to critical data throughout the battery’s lifecycle, including its origin, composition, and state of health. This information is crucial for optimising remanufacturing processes, ensuring compliance with sustainability standards, and extending battery life. The paper highlights the potential of DBP to transform the EV battery value chain by enhancing transparency and enabling more informed decision-making across stakeholders. Our findings offer significant insights for policymakers, battery manufacturers, and remanufacturing firms.

Rural Industries and Their Role in the Development of Rural Areas and Afghanistan's National Economy

Afghanistan's predominantly rural population faces severe economic and social challenges, such as poverty, unemployment, and migration to urban areas due to over-reliance on agriculture. This study explores the role of rural industries in addressing these issues by examining their potential to improve economic conditions in rural areas and their contribution to the national economy. It also identifies the primary challenges to developing these industries and proposes strategies for overcoming them. Findings suggest that rural industries have the potential to reduce poverty, create employment, and increase household income, contributing significantly to Afghanistan’s rural development. However, inadequate infrastructure, limited investment, and market access remain substantial barriers. This study aims to examine the role of rural industries in the development of rural areas and their impact on Afghanistan's national economy. Additionally, it seeks to identify the challenges and opportunities for developing these industries and propose strategies for improving their current state. In this study, I aim to address the following questions: What role do rural industries play in the economic development of rural areas in Afghanistan? What are the major challenges to the development of rural industries in Afghanistan? And how can the potential of rural industries be harnessed to strengthen the national economy?, This review study utilizes both analytical and descriptive approaches and relies on credible scientific sources and field data. The information collected includes academic articles, government reports, and statistical data related to rural industries in Afghanistan. Data analysis is conducted descriptively and analytically, focusing on the economic, social, and environmental impacts of rural industries. The findings indicate that the development of rural industries can significantly improve the economy of Afghanistan's rural areas. These industries, by creating employment opportunities, increasing income, and reducing poverty, play a key role in strengthening the national economy. Additionally, the identification of challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and insufficient investment highlights the primary barriers to the development of rural industries in the country.

Genomic insights into Thermomonas hydrothermalis: potential applications in industrial biotechnology.

Thermomonas hydrothermalis, a thermophilic bacterium isolated from hot springs, exhibits unique genomic features that underpin its adaptability to extreme environments and its potential in industrial biotechnology. In this study, we present a comparative genomic analysis of two strains, DSM 14834 and HOT.CON.106, revealing distinct metabolic pathways and stress response mechanisms. The genome annotation highlighted strain-specific variations, such as enhanced motility and chemotaxis capabilities in HOT.CON.106 and a stronger genomic stability emphasis in DSM 14834. Comparative analysis with other Thermomonas species demonstrated that T. hydrothermalis possesses a unique genomic architecture, including genes for thermostable enzymes (e.g., amylases and pullulanases) and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. These enzymes and metabolites have significant industrial potential in high-temperature processes such as bioenergy production, bioplastics synthesis, and bioremediation. The findings underscore the relative differentiation between the strains and their broader implications for sustainable biotechnology, offering a basis for further exploration of thermophilic microorganisms in industrial applications.

Ultrasound-laccase pre-treatment enhances agarwood essential oil extraction and bioactivity.

Agarwood essential oil is prized for its elegant aroma and pharmacological properties; however, the traditional hydrodistillation method suffers from inefficiencies, constraining the industrial potential of agarwood. We proposed an ultrasonic-assisted laccase synergistic pretreatment technique that enhanced extraction throughput by 70.90% compared to the traditional method by facilitating pore formation in agarwood and expediting the release of essential oil. The essential oil extracted using this method retained a similar aromatic profile to the traditional method but achieved a higher sesquiterpene oxide concentration (95.3% vs. 89.6%). Additionally, it exhibited notable improvements in antioxidant activity, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and α-glucosidase inhibition, attributed to the increased affinity of sesquiterpene oxides for enzymes through hydrogen bonding, covalent interactions, and hydrophobic effects with amino acid residues. This approach not only maximises the efficiency of agarwood essential oil extraction and amplifies its bioactive properties, but also offers a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative, promoting the long-term vitality of the agarwood industry.

Engineered Therapeutic Bacteria with High-Yield Membrane Vesicle Production Inspired by Eukaryotic Membrane Curvature for Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Bacterial membrane vesicles (BMVs) are emerging as powerful natural nanoparticles with transformative potential in medicine and industry. Despite their promise, scaling up BMV production and ensuring stable isolation and storage remain formidable challenges that limit their broader application. Inspired by eukaryotic mechanisms of membrane curvature, we engineered Escherichia coli DH5α to serve as a high-efficiency BMV factory. By fusing the ethanolamine utilization microcompartment shell protein EutS with the outer membrane via the ompA signal peptide, we induced dramatic membrane curvatures that drove enhanced vesiculation. Simultaneously, overexpression of fatty acyl reductase led to the production of amphiphilic fatty alcohols, further amplifying the BMV yield. Dynamic modulation of peptidoglycan hydrolase (PGase) expression facilitated efficient BMV release, resulting in a striking 149.11-fold increase in vesicle production. Notably, the high-yield BMVs from our engineered strain, without the need for purification, significantly bolstered innate immune responses and demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study presents a strategy to overcome BMV production barriers, showcasing the therapeutic potential of engineered bacteria and BMVs for IBD treatment, while highlighting their potential applications in diverse biomedical fields.

Genome-resolved analysis of Serratia marcescens SMTT infers niche specialization as a hydrocarbon-degrader.

Bacteria that are chronically exposed to high levels of pollutants demonstrate genomic and corresponding metabolic diversity that complement their strategies for adaptation to hydrocarbon-rich environments. Whole genome sequencing was carried out to infer functional traits of Serratia marcescens SMTT recovered from soil contaminated with crude oil. The genome size (Mb) was 5,013,981 with a total gene count of 4,842. Comparative analyses with carefully selected S. marcescens strains, two of which are associated with contaminated soil, show conservation of central metabolic pathways in addition to intra-specific genetic diversity and metabolic flexibility. Genome comparisons also indicated an enrichment of genes associated with multidrug resistance and efflux pumps for SMTT. The SMTT genome contained genes that enable the catabolism of aromatic compounds via the protocatechuate para-degradation pathway, in addition to meta-cleavage of catechol (meta-cleavage pathway II); gene enrichment for aromatic compound degradation was markedly higher for SMTT compared to the other S. marcescens strains analyzed. Our data presents a valuable genetic inventory for future studies on strains of S. marcescens and provides insights into those genomic features of SMTT with industrial potential.

Cold atmospheric plasma-induced alterations in the multiscale structural and functional properties of guar gum.

The use of guar gum in the food industry faces challenges owing to its large molecular weight and high viscosity. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a novel technique that utilizes the reactive species produced by high voltage discharge to modify food ingredients. In this study, guar gum was treated with CAP at different powers and duration, and its rheological properties, molecular structure, thermal stability, emulsifying activity, and stability were evaluated. CAP reduced the molecular weight of guar gum and altered its M/G ratio, leading to a decrease in the apparent viscosity of guar gum and an enhancement in its thermal stability and emulsifying function for soy protein isolate emulsions. Molecular structure analysis revealed the CAP treatment did not destroy the basic structure of guar gum, but caused alterations in the linkages between its glycosidic bonds and/or carbohydrate units. Scanning electron microscopy showed guar gum changed from a dense surface structure to a porous and loose structure after CAP treatment. Therefore, CAP effectively modifies guar gum, enhancing its potential in food and other industries.

Tailoring catalysis at the atomic level: trends and breakthroughs in single atom catalysts for organic transformation reactions.

The utilization of precise materials in heterogeneous catalysis will provide various new possibilities for developing superior catalysts to tackle worldwide energy and environmental issues. In recent years, single atom catalysts (SACs) with excellent atom utilization and isolated active sites have progressed dramatically as a thriving sector of catalysis research. Additionally, SACs bridge the gap between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts and overcome the limitations of both categories. Current research on SACs is highly oriented towards the organic synthesis of high-significance molecules with promising potential for large-scale applicability and industrialization. In this context, this review aims to comprehensively analyze the state-of-the-art research in the synthesis of SACs and analyze their structural, electronic, and geometric properties. Moreover, the unprecedented catalytic performance of the SACs towards various organic transformation reactions is succinctly summarized with recent reports. Further, a detailed summary of the current state of the research field of SACs in organic transformation is discussed. Finally, a critical analysis of the existing challenges in this emerging field of SACs and the possible countermeasures are provided. We believe that SACs have the potential to profoundly alter the chemical industry, pushing the boundaries of catalysis in new and undiscovered territory.

A new SLM-manufactured Al[sbnd]Si alloy with excellent room and elevated-temperature mechanical properties

The synergistic strengthening of multiple phases has long been an effective method of enhancing conventional metallic structural materials. However, the assembly of solute atoms with high solubility and low diffusion rate into highly stable and high-volume fraction nano-precipitates using the selective laser melting (SLM) technique is challenging. In this study, a new Al-9.0Si-2.8Fe-2.1Mn-1.1Ni (in wt%) alloy was fabricated using the SLM. The melt pool structure of the alloy exhibits equiaxed grain characteristics under optimum parameters, with large volume fractions of in-situ precipitated IMC-Al15(Fe,Mn,Ni)3Si2 and Si phases within the grains. The alloy demonstrates commendable tensile properties at room temperature (YS 373 ± 8 MPa, UTS 602 ± 12 MPa, El 4.2 ± 0.5 %) and retains excellent strength and ductility as well as creep resistance at elevated temperatures of 400 °C (YS 92 ± 3 MPa, UTS 100 ± 5 MPa, El 24 ± 0.7 %, steady-state creep rate ~ 10−5 s−1 under 60 MPa). Lamellar nano-Si phases can induce strain delocalization effects and grain boundary relaxation through partial dislocation twinning behavior, thereby coordinating high-temperature deformation. Under large deformations and prolonged creep processes, the transmission of external loads and the evolution of defects (The edge dislocation at interfaces, the stacking faults and deformation twins within the Si phase) effectively transfer stress to low-load-bearing regions, promoting the delocalization of deformation. The abundant second phases within the alloy (IMC and Si phases) hinder dislocation movement and promote dislocation multiplication, maintaining ultra-high deformation resistance and low steady-state creep rate. Due to the absence of heat treatment and the addition of expensive elements, the alloy has wide industrial application potential.

Novel chitosan/lignin hydrogel prepared by the Mannich reaction for Pb(II) and Cu(II) removal from aqueous solution

Green and high-performance biomass-based adsorbents have a good application prospect for the removal of heavy metals. At present, the preparation of chitosan/lignin BIOMASS adsorbents mainly adopts dissolution-drying method, and the obtained adsorbents show relatively poor adsorption performance for heavy metals. To overcome this problem, a novel chitosan/lignin hydrogel (CSL) is prepared by a simple one-pot method through the Mannich reaction. Research findings show that the hydrogels present higher adsorption selectivity for Pb(II) and Cu(II) than other common heavy metals. Among them, the optimal hydrogel CSL1 shows unexpectedly ultrafast adsorption rate for Pb(II) and Cu(II) with equilibrium time of only 1 min and 2 min. Meanwhile, the maximum adsorption capacities of CSL1 for Pb(II) and Cu(II) are 139.86 and 98.71 mg·g−1, respectively. Compared with the reported adsorption materials related to chitosan or lignin, the CSL1 has the advantages of simple preparation process, considerable adsorption capacity, and short adsorption equilibrium time. Moreover, the adsorption mechanism is investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the results prove that the adsorption mechanism is chemical complexation. This work not only contributes to the advancement of hydrogel-based adsorbents, but also holds significant industrial potential for addressing water pollution issues and promoting sustainable development.

Engineering a two-enzyme system in Mycolicibacterium neoaurum for efficient biotransformation of phytosterols to dihydrotestosterone.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a valuable steroid drug with widespread clinical applications, but traditional chemical synthesis is environmentally harmful and requires complex reaction conditions. This study introduces a one-step microbial transformation method for the production of DHT from inexpensive phytosterols (PS) using engineered Mycolicibacterium neoaurum (MNR). The heterologous expression of 5α-reductase (5α-R) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) in MNR enabled the efficient conversion of PS to DHT. To further enhance 5α-R activity, semi-rational mutagenesis was employed, which significantly increasing DHT production. Molecular dynamics simulations provided insights into the underlying mechanisms driving this enhancement. Additionally, the incorporation of a PntAB-based NADPH regeneration system further improved DHT yield. Process optimization resulted in a maximum DHT concentration of 1.123g·L-1, representing the first gram-scale microbial production of DHT. Compared to traditional chemical synthesis, this biotransformation method offers milder reaction conditions, reduced environmental impact, and eliminates the need for toxic catalysts. This work demonstrates a sustainable and efficient microbial method for DHT production, with significant industrial potential for the greener manufacturing of steroid hormone drugs.

Trends in Digital Twin Technology for Industry 4.0: A Bibliometric Study

Digital Twin (DT) technology has emerged as a critical enabler of Industry 4.0, bridging the physical and digital worlds through real-time data integration, simulation, and optimization. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to explore the research trends, key contributors, and thematic clusters in DT research over the past decade. The analysis reveals China's leading role in DT research, supported by strong international collaborations with the United States, Germany, and other countries. Key themes include technological enablers such as IoT, sensors, and infrastructure, as well as emerging applications in sustainability, smart cities, and energy systems. Challenges such as risks, uncertainties, and feasibility constraints remain significant barriers to DT adoption, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and standardization efforts. The study identifies opportunities for integrating DT with technologies like blockchain and AI, as well as expanding applications in healthcare and agriculture. These findings provide valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to advance DT technology and its transformative potential in Industry 4.0.

Manufacturing bio-based fiber-reinforced polymer composites: process performance in RTM and VARI processes

The utilization of bio-based materials for the manufacturing of fiber-reinforced polymer composites is gaining importance under the sustainability paradigm. The identification of suitable process parameters and limited process reproducibility remain among the major challenges to enhance the industrial application potential of bio-based composites. This is especially relevant, as the manufacturing process influences composite quality, economic performance and environmental impacts. This study compares Resin Transfer Molding and Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion for two sets of process parameters in order to manufacture a composite plate consisting of a flax-fiber textile impregnated with a partially bio-based epoxy matrix. Process quality is described through statistical analysis of processing and composite properties, and performance in terms of process replicability and reliability using performance estimates. Processing parameters were selected to depict a range of manufacturing scenarios that were suitable for the selected bio-based material system from curing for 180 min at 60 °C to curing for 30 min at 100 °C. For an identical set of process conditions, Resin Transfer Molding outperforms Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion in terms of tensile and flexural characteristics. Conversely, the latter shows the strongest fiber-matrix adhesion and the most homogeneous impregnation. Whereas manufacturing at lower temperature leads to positive effects on composite quality, higher processing temperature with shorter curing cycles achieve highest process performance in terms of P p and P pk indices. An additional annealing at 120 °C neither increases composite quality nor reduces manufacturing-induced variability. Results depend on processing differences and indicators to determine process performance, as well as methodological choices.

Analysis of investment value of energy enterprises

With the ever-evolving landscape of energy technologies, the role of the energy industry across various sectors has become increasingly significant, cannot be overlooked. The advent of new energy sources has profoundly transformed the energy industry, making it a focal point for potential investment. This article delves into the investment value of three specific companies within the energy sector, providing an overview of their prospects in today's dynamic environment. Employing a combination of investigative, observational, and literature research methods, this analysis is grounded in both theoretical frameworks and empirical data. Drawing from this comprehensive research, several key conclusions emerge. Firstly, it is evident that the emergence of new energy has had minimal impact on the established industry leaders. Secondly, the nature of investments in the energy sector suggests that patience may be required to yield substantial returns. Lastly, the overall value of investment in the energy sector remains notably high. In summary, the energy industry's resilience and potential for growth make it an attractive prospect for investors, especially amidst the rapid evolution of new energy technologies.

Spatio-temporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors of carbon emission reduction potential of the transportation industry in China

AbstractScientific estimation of China's transport carbon reduction potential (CERP) and exploration of its temporal and spatial characteristics and influencing factors are important bases for formulating emission reduction policies. Based on the dual perspective of equity and efficiency, we assess the CERP of the transportation industry in 30 provinces in China from 2010 to 2019 and analyze its spatio-temporal evolution characteristics using the Kernel density estimation method. Then, the Dagum Gini coefficient is used to measure the regional differences and sources of the CERP, and its influencing factors are analyzed with the help of the random effects panel Tobit regression model. The results show that: (1) from 2000 to 2019, the CERP of the transportation industry in China and the three regions show an oscillating upward trend, with a spatial pattern of "high in the west and low in the east". (2) The overall difference in the CERP of the transportation industry shows a fluctuating downward trend, and the difference in hypervariable density has the highest contribution rate. The inter-regional differences between the West and other regions are the largest, and the intra-regional difference pattern shows the pattern of western > central > east. (3) The technological improvement, industrial structure, and scale of transportation industry development have a significant positive impact on the CERP of the transportation industry. The influence of urbanization influence and environmental regulation have a significant negative influence.