Production Technology Research Articles

Research on the Design and Production Technology of Mongolian Silver Bowl

Research on the Design and Production Technology of Mongolian Silver Bowl

Coupling furfural oxidation for bias-free hydrogen production using crystalline silicon photoelectrodes

To commercialize the technology of photoelectrochemical hydrogen production, it is essential to surpass the US. Department of Energy target of 0.36 mmol h−1 cm−2 for 1-sun hydrogen production rate. In this study, we utilize crystalline silicon, which can exhibit the highest photocurrent density (43.37 mA cm−2), as the photoelectrode material. However, achieving bias-free water splitting (>1.6 V) remains challenging due to the intrinsic low photovoltage of crystalline silicon (0.6 V). To address this limitation, we replace water oxidation with low-potential furfural oxidation, enabling not only bias-free hydrogen production but also dual hydrogen production at both the cathodic and anodic sides. This approach results in a record 1-sun hydrogen production rate of 1.40 mmol h−1 cm−2, exceeding the Department of Energy target by more than fourfold.

Optimization of bi-dispersed porous catalysts for methane super dry reforming via a particle-resolved simulation

Methane super dry reforming (MSDR) is a promising technology for sustainable hydrogen production and greenhouse gas utilization. However, its industrial application is hindered by high energy demand and catalyst deactivation due to carbon deposition. This study aims to optimize bi-dispersed porous catalysts for MSDR through particle-resolved simulation, focusing on the effects of micropore diameter, macropore fraction, and total porosity. A mathematical model incorporating continuity, momentum, species transport, and energy equations was established to simulate the performance of the catalysts. Hierarchical pore structures significantly enhance methane and carbon dioxide conversion rates, which reach 85% and 80% under optimized catalyst conditions, respectively. This improvement leads to increased hydrogen yield and selectivity, while simultaneously reducing carbon deposition. Our study identifies optimal macropore fractions (0.4) and micropore diameters (2 nm) that effectively balance diffusion and reaction kinetics, thereby maximizing catalyst performance. Tailored hierarchical designs of bi-dispersed catalysts are crucial for advancing MSDR technology and have great potential for industrial-scale hydrogen production.

Research of Defoaming Detection in Shale Foam Drainage Wells Based on Machine Vision

Shale gas is generally faced with the problem of bottom-hole accumulation in the middle and late stage of exploitation. Foam drainage gas production technology is one of the means to solve the problem of bottom-hole accumulation and restore the normal production of gas Wells. When the foam mixture reaches the ground, it needs to be defoamed. At present, the defoaming effect is mainly evaluated by regular manual sampling from the separator sampling port. In order to reduce the work intensity, realize automatic detection and improve the detection accuracy, a set of anti-foam detection system based on machine vision was developed and field test was carried out. The results show that: The defoaming detection system meets the requirements of field conditions, and the system has strong stability and reliability; The defoaming detection model based on DeepLabV3+ has high accuracy, and the processed images are similar to the manual sampling results; The minimum difference between the foam height measurement system and the manual measurement is 0mm, the maximum difference is 8.60mm, and the data with the difference of 5mm and below account for 94.4%, that is, the accuracy rate reaches 94.4%. It is concluded that the development and test of the defoaming detection system has verified the feasibility of using machine vision technology for defoaming detection, and has practical significance for promoting the intelligent development of the defoaming detection process and improving the efficiency of shale gas extraction.

Advanced Characterization of Archaeological Ceramics

The characterization of archaeological ceramics involves mineral composition studies of the ceramic mass and investigations of associated organic residues. Analyses of the mineral composition of the ceramic mass are conducted to determine the origin of the raw materials, the production technologies used to create the ceramic, and the history of the objects. Contemporary ceramics research pays much attention to analyzing organic residues, which provide valuable information about the diet, cooking practices, and vessel use of ancient communities. This article discusses examples of the use of various analytical techniques, with particular emphasis on spectroscopic and chromatographic methods. The crucial importance of validating research methods and interdisciplinary cooperation is also discussed.

Impact of NICRA Project on Knowledge and Adoption of Sustainable Cabbage Production Technologies: A Study in Sangsangyu Block under Tuensang District of Nagaland, India

Adoption of sustainable production technology plays a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change. Present study, was conducted to assess the extent of adoption of climate-resilient cabbage farming practices among beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers of Sangsangyu block, under Tuensang district, where cabbage cultivation is prominent, with a sample of 150 respondents (75 beneficiaries and 75 non-beneficiaries). The socio-economic analysis revealed that beneficiaries had higher educational qualifications, more farming experience, and better income levels than non-beneficiaries. Most beneficiaries were engaged in agriculture as their primary occupation, whereas non-beneficiaries had a higher proportion of individuals involved in non-agricultural activities. The findings on knowledge levels indicated that beneficiaries had significantly higher awareness of sustainable cabbage production technologies compared to non-beneficiaries. For instance, 73.33% of beneficiaries had high knowledge of sustainable spacing, compared to only 44.00% of non-beneficiaries. A similar pattern was observed in areas such as fertilizer application (58.67% vs. 37.33%), mulching and irrigation (69.33% vs. 49.33%), and integrated pest and disease management (57.33% vs. 30.67%). The statistical analysis confirmed these disparities, with the mean knowledge score of beneficiaries (22.84) significantly higher than that of non-beneficiaries (13.42), supported by a t-value significant at the 1% level. Adoption levels of sustainable technologies were also substantially higher among beneficiaries. The majority of NICRA beneficiaries adopted practices such as transplanting at the right stage (89.33%), proper irrigation during head formation (69.33%), and integrated pest management (72.00%), whereas non-beneficiaries lagged significantly behind. Adoption rates for post-harvest measures were also higher among beneficiaries (69.33%) compared to non-beneficiaries (44.00%), emphasizing the role of NICRA in enhancing climate-smart agricultural practices. Further in context sustainability index, social sustainability contributes the highest of about 58.97 per cent. Overall, the study underscores the positive impact of NICRA interventions in promoting climate-resilient cabbage production technologies. Beneficiaries demonstrated higher knowledge, greater adoption rates, and improved agricultural outcomes compared to non-beneficiaries. However, despite the success of NICRA, a considerable knowledge and adoption gap remains among non-beneficiaries, highlighting the need for broader dissemination of climate-resilient technologies. Expanding outreach and extension efforts could significantly enhance the overall adoption of sustainable farming practices, ensuring greater resilience and productivity in cabbage cultivation.

From design to efficiency: cobalt-based MOFs for efficient and stable electrocatalysis in hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions.

The pursuit of clean and renewable energy sources demands efficient technologies for hydrogen production, with water splitting emerging as a promising route. This study explores the use of Cobalt-based Metal-Organic Frameworks (Co-MOFs) as electrocatalysts for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Two distinct Co-MOFs, synthesized with the organic linkers 5-nitroisophthalic acid (X1) and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (X2), were designed and evaluated for their electrocatalytic performance. X1 exhibited suboptimal morphology and a low specific surface area, resulting in lower catalytical activity and restricting its suitability for long-term applications. In contrast, X2 exhibited exceptional catalytic efficiency with remarkably low overpotentials for both HER (151.7 mV) and OER (180 mV), alongside superior long-term stability. The enhanced electrocatalytic performance of X2 is attributed to its optimized morphology, superior metal-active site distribution, and robust structural integrity, making it an ideal candidate for large-scale water splitting. This work paves the way for the development of high-performance MOF-based electrocatalysts, offering insights for advancing hydrogen generation technologies.

Product innovation and firm performance: does the technology capacity of a firm matter?

Purpose Technological innovation and development have increasingly become crucial for the survival and growth of enterprises. Although the impact of innovation on performance and the relationship between technological development and performance have been investigated, the interrelationship between the three components has been neglected. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating role of technological capability in product innovation and firm performance in the context of the Vietnamese economy. Design/methodology/approach By using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) regression and the xtpcse regression analysis method to address data errors in the time series model, this study uses panel data from 218 listed companies on the Vietnam stock market from 2015 to 2022. Findings The findings suggest that companies innovating their products can enhance firm performance. However, companies with high technological capability may have a negative impact on firm performance and moderate the impact of product innovation on firm performance. Specifically, technological capabilities weaken the effect of product innovation on firm performance. Further analysis by dividing the sample into two groups based on high and low Return on Assets reveals that the moderating variable TECHCAP holds similar significance. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted using data from companies listed on the Vietnam stock market, which may not be fully representative of all firms in the Vietnamese economy. The second limitation comes from differences in recording and disclosing financial information related to product innovation costs specified in Vietnamese Accounting Standards compared to other countries. This leads to some difficulties in collecting data, reporting results and making objective comparisons with studies around the world. Practical implications The findings of this research provide valuable insights for managers in formulating short-term and long-term business strategies. The results also serve as a reference for potential investors in making effective investment decisions. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the complex relationship between technological capability, product innovation and firm performance. It offers a novel understanding of how technological capabilities can moderate the benefits of product innovation, providing a nuanced perspective for both scholars and practitioners.

Efficient and stable acidic oxygen evolution based on W18O49 nanowires supported IrOX.

Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) is considered to be a promising green hydrogen production technology but places high demand on the anodic oxygen-evolving electrocatalysts to withstand the strong oxidizing and acidic reaction condition. Here we report a robust W18O49 nanowire supported IrOX (IrOX-W18O49) catalyst for acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) prepared by chemical vapor deposition followed with polyol reduction. The catalyst exhibits excellent electrocatalytic OER performance with an overpotential of 223 mV for a current density of 10 mA cm-2 and a small Tafel slope of 66.4 mV dec-1 in acidic media, superior to most electrocatalysts. More impressively, the assembled three-electrode cell with IrOX-W18O49 as the working electrode exhibits excellent electrocatalytic OER performance and can operate stably at 10 mA cm-2 for 140 h. In-situ spectroscopy characterizations reveal that the IrOX-W18O49 works in a route of lattice oxygen mechanism during OER. The favorable interaction between W18O49 nanowires and the IrOX active species together with the strong Ir-O interaction stabilizes the high-valence Ir and prolongs the service life of the catalyst for OER.

Assessment of Green Steel Production Technologies: Feasibility, Scalability, and Economic Viability

Assessment of Green Steel Production Technologies: Feasibility, Scalability, and Economic Viability

Empirical Categorization of Factors Affecting Online Consumer Behavior of Gen Z Regarding Newly Launched Technological Products and Moderating Impact of Perceived Risk

In previous years, studying consumer behavior was seen as important, but in today’s fast-changing market, with rapid technological advancements, understanding consumer behavior can be a key factor in a product’s success or failure. The aim of the current research was to investigate the factors that can influence the online consumer behavior of Generation Z, regarding technological products that have just been launched and are available to the public. To achieve this goal, a cross-sectional research study was conducted with a sample of 302 Generation Z consumers selected using convenience sampling and elements of systematic sampling. This research used a structured questionnaire with established measurement scales to explore different aspects of online consumer behavior. The questionnaire was based on variables identified from various consumer behavior theories and models. The results led to the identification of six groups of influencing factors on online consumer behavior, highlighting the importance of these factors in shaping online consumer behavior and showing the influence of perceived risk as a moderating factor. These findings provide a thorough understanding of the factors that influence online consumer behavior while simultaneously laying the foundation for the creation of targeted and differentiated marketing strategies.

Development of Mass Production Technology for Hollow Parts by MIM Process

Development of Mass Production Technology for Hollow Parts by MIM Process

Agricultural Utilization of Biochar: A Review of Production Technologies

Biochar production has gained significant attention lately due to its potential to sequester carbon, improve soil fertility and mitigate climate change. Various production technologies have been developed to convert biomass into biochar, each with its unique characteristics and advantages. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current biochar production technologies aiming to synthesize existing knowledge and identify research gaps with a focus on their potential to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 12, 13 and 15. The scope of this review encompasses various biochar production techniques including slow pyrolysis, fast pyrolysis, gasification and torrefaction. The effects of production conditions such as temperature, residence time, and feedstock types on biochar properties and yields are discussed. The prospects of using biochar in the agricultural system were discussed. Additionally, challenges and opportunities associated to scaling up biochar production technologies are highlighted. The findings of this review have implications for the development of sustainable biochar production practices and environmental management strategies.

Participatory Evaluation and Promotion of Tef Production Technologies for Moisture Deficit Areas of Simada District in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Participatory Evaluation and Promotion of Tef Production Technologies for Moisture Deficit Areas of Simada District in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Sweetness and exile: Madeiran sugar connections in motion

ABSTRACT Madeira is often referred to as the birthplace of the modern plantation. In the fifteenth century, this newly settled North Atlantic subtropical island was the locus of a turning point in the economics, technology and social engineering of sugar production. Madeira hosted a brief yet transformative moment in sugarcane’s trajectory from its Mediterranean and Asian fields to the large-scale, capital- and labor- intensive plantations in the Caribbean and Brazil. In that moment, a plant species, land, technology, capital and labor were assembled in ways that radically changed the world. Mintz’s Sweetness and Power accounts for the interconnection of production and consumption of the prized commodity. Along those lines and adding the cropscape approach, I will address in this article the co-production of plants and people in the context of sugar production, the persisting links between Madeirans and sugarcanes, and the plantation imaginaries that co-exist with them.

Life cycle assessment of urea production: Environmental impact comparison of two fertilizer technologies in Northern India.

Life cycle assessment of urea production: Environmental impact comparison of two fertilizer technologies in Northern India.

A Bibliometric Analysis on Artificial Intelligence in the Production Process of Small and Medium Enterprises

Industry 4.0 represents the main paradigm currently bringing great innovation in the field of automation and data exchange among production technologies, according to the principles of interoperability, virtualization, decentralization and production flexibility. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is driven by structural changes in the manufacturing sector, such as the demand for customized products, market volatility and sustainability goals, and the integration of artificial intelligence and Big Data. This work aims to analyze, from a bibliometric point of view of journal papers on Scopus, with no time limitation, the existing literature on the application of AI in SMEs, which are crucial elements in the industrial and economic fabric of many countries. However, the adoption of modern technologies, particularly AI, can be challenging for them, due to the intrinsic structure of this type of enterprise, despite the positive effects obtained in large organizations.

Characterization of the two-dimensional length and diameter distributions of gold nanorods by size exclusion chromatography

Access to complex multidimensional property distributions of nanoparticle systems is indispensable for the understanding of their synthesis, processing and application in modern production technologies. Plasmonic gold nanorods are a system of particular interest due to their shape-dependent localized surface plasmon resonance. In this study, we show how the optical back coupling technique, previously developed for the analysis of sedimentation coefficient-resolved extinction spectra derived from analytical ultracentrifugation experiments, can be transferred to standard laboratory equipment, namely size exclusion chromatography. The optical back coupling method utilizes the unique spectral extinction of plasmonic nanoparticles such as gold nanorods and other geometries combined with their hydrodynamic properties to determine full size and shape distributions. Our technique opens up a simple and easy-to-use characterization platform that requires very little sample volume and provides multidimensional access to length, diameter, aspect ratio, volume and surface area distributions of plasmonic nanoparticles in one single experiment. We characterize a variety of gold nanorods of different aspect ratios and validate our results by complementary scanning transmission electron microscopy experiments. Finally, we provide an outlook on how this approach can be developed further.

Nanofibrous Chitin Clusters Constructed via Controllable Crystalline Structure Transition for 3D Functional Materials

AbstractIntensively studied polymeric particle production technologies often rely on the combination of polymer self‐assembly and particle processing techniques. Herein, an elegant crystallization transition‐mediated strategy is proposed to confine molecular self‐assembly within a limited range, avoiding the need for extra particle processing steps. This approach enables the production of the regenerated nanofibrous chitin clusters woven with the helical nanofibers. By dissolving the β‐chitin in an aqueous NaOH solution and adjusting the degree of deacetylation (DD value) to 28.0–41.4%, the chitin chains self‐assembly pathway is facilitated to undergo a crystalline transition from α‐chitin to hydrated chitosan. This transition diminishes the chitin chains self‐assembly tendency and confines the self‐assembly to the submicro‐ and micrometer scales. The morphological parameters of these chitin clusters, including cluster size, nanofiber tentacle density, diameter, and helical pitch, can be tuned by adjusting the DD value. These nanofibrous chitin clusters are successfully employed as building blocks to create 3D structural materials for thermal insulation and functional food applications, demonstrating their potential in constructing advanced materials. It is anticipated that the crystalline structure transition‐mediated concept can be applied to other polymeric particle fabrication, opening up a new avenue for designing advanced particles for various applications.

High-Performance Electrocatalysts for Anion-Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers through Acoustic Cavitation.

Electrochemical water splitting is a promising technology for the sustainable production of green hydrogen. Large-scale hydrogen production demands efficient electrocatalysts to continuously operate at large current densities. Catalyst deterioration and its peel-off are major concerns at large current densities, resulting in subpar performance. Herein, we utilized acoustic cavitation-assisted electrodeposition to synthesize highly efficient and robust NiFe and NiMn oxyhydroxide catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), respectively. The acoustic cavitation process led to the development of a uniform nanoscale structure, partial amorphization, and the formation of oxygen vacancies, likely as a result of high-strain deformation. The synthesized catalysts demonstrated excellent performance, with very low overpotentials of 285 and 189 mV at 1000 mA/cm2, for OER and HER respectively. The cell configuration required 1.76 V only for achieving 1 A/cm2 and demonstrated negligible deterioration after 24 h of continuous operation. The commercial viability of the developed catalysts was obtained by testing in a 2.5 × 2.5 cm2 anion-exchange membrane (AEM) stack up to a 1.2 A/cm2 current density. The potentials required to reach industry-relevant high current densities of 500 and 1000 mA/cm2 were 2.1 and 2.6 V, respectively. The electrode stability at the electrolyzer scale was investigated by running the stack at current densities from 100 to 1000 mA/cm2 for a total of 100 h, wherein the electrode demonstrated high durability and robustness.