Scalable Production Research Articles

Process Optimization and Techno-Economic Analysis for the Production of Phycocyanobilin from Arthrospira maxima-Derived C-Phycocyanin

C-Phycocyanin (C-PC) is a photosynthetic pigment found in cyanobacteria, notably in Arthrospira species. The extraction of phycocyanobilin (PCB), the chromophore of C-PC, is a common approach to address the instability of C-PC under light, heat, and acidic conditions. Methanol is typically used for PCB extraction. However, its use poses challenges for industrial applications owing to the need for solvent removal, extensive purification, and safety validation. Therefore, this study proposes ethanol as an alternative to methanol, optimizing the ethanol extraction conditions through response surface methodology (RSM) using a central composite design (CCD) and techno-economic analysis. The parameters evaluated were the extraction temperature, time, and C-PC/solvent ratio. Optimal conditions—68.81 °C, 14.91 h, and a C-PC to solvent ratio of 1:95 (w/v)— yielded a predicted PCB yield of 29.18%, closely aligning with the actual value of 29.67 ± 1.33%. A techno-economic analysis for pilot-scale PCB production showed that optimized ethanol extraction could yield 147.13 kg/year with 506 batches, compared with 84.31 kg/year standard methanol extraction with 317 batches. Furthermore, it was evaluated to have a unit production cost of USD 1,413,588/kg, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 53.36%, and a payback time of 1.6 years with increased yields and reduced toxic solvent disposal costs. This study supports scalable PCB production with a natural blue pigment suitable for the food, beverage, and cosmetics industries.

Impact of Substrates, Volatile Fatty Acids, and Microbial Communities on Biohydrogen Production: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hydrogen is becoming recognized as a clean and sustainable energy carrier, with microbial fermentation and electrolysis serving critical roles in its production. This paper provides a thorough meta-analysis of BioH2 production across diverse substrates, microbial populations, and experimental settings. Statistical techniques, including ANOVA, principal component analysis (PCA), and heatmaps, were used to evaluate the influence of various parameters on the hydrogen yield. The mean hydrogen generation from the reviewed studies was 168.57 ± 52.09 mL H2/g substrate, with food waste and glucose demonstrating considerably greater hydrogen production than mixed food waste (p < 0.05). The inhibition of methanogens with inhibitors like 2-bromoethanesulfonate (BES) and chloramphenicol (CES) enhanced hydrogen production by as much as 25%, as demonstrated in microbial electrolysis cell systems. PCA results highlighted Clostridium spp., Thermotoga spp., and Desulfovibrio spp. as the most dominant microbial species, with Clostridium spp. contributing up to 80% of the YH2 in fermentation systems. The study highlights synergistic interactions between dominant and less dominant microbial species under optimized environmental conditions (pH 5.5–6.0, 65 °C), emphasizing their complementary roles in enhancing H2 production. Volatile fatty acid regulation, particularly acetate and butyrate accumulation, correlated positively with hydrogen production (r = 0.75, p < 0.01). These findings provide insights into optimizing biohydrogen systems through microbial consortia management and substrate selection, offering a potential way for scalable and efficient H2 production.

Dynamic silicone hydrogel gauze coatings with dual anti-blood adhesion mechanism for rapid hemostasis and minimal secondary damage.

Hemostatic materials that can rapidly control bleeding without causing secondary damage or sharp pain upon removal are receiving increasing demands in acute trauma treatments and first-aid supplies. Here, we report the development of a dynamic silicone hydrogel coating on medical gauze to enable rapid hemostasis and synergistic anti-blood adhesion properties. The silicone hydrogel can spontaneously form oriented cross-linked structures on fibrous medical gauze through a solution-processing method to achieve macroscopic superhydrophobicity with microscopic surface slipperiness, resulting in excellent anti-blood adhesion with the on-wound peeling force at ~0 millinewton. The development of dynamic silicone hydrogel coating on medical gauze enables a unique integration of advanced features including instant bleeding control, excellent anti-blood adhesion, and excellent air permeability. The proposed strategy is also suitable for scalable production, making it promising in the applications of trauma management.

Metal-Mediated Chlorine Transfer for Molten Salt-Driven Thermodynamic Change on Silicon Production.

The development of silicon (Si) material poses a great challenge with profound technological advancements for semiconductors, photo/photoelectric systems, solar cells, and secondary batteries. Typically, Si production involves the thermochemical reduction of silicon oxides, where chloride salt additives help properly revamp the reaction mechanism. Herein, we unravel the chemical principles of molten AlCl3 salt in metallothermic reduction. Above its melting temperature (Tm ≈ 192°C), three AlCl3 molecules coordinate with each metal (M) atom (e.g., conventional Al andMg, or even thermodynamically unfeasible Zn) to form metal-AlCl3 complexes, M(AlCl3)3. In the molten AlCl3 salt media, all complexes directly lead to the universal formation of AlOCl byproduct and as-reduced Si spheres through internal Cl* transfer during the reduction reaction. Intriguingly, highly oxophilic metal (i.e., Mg) establishes additional energetic shortcuts in reaction pathways, where AlCl3 directly detaches an oxygen atom, accompanied by strong metal-oxygen interactions and Cl* transfer within the same complex. Moreover, the thermodynamic stability of the metal-AlCl3 complex residue (MAl2Cl8) and the microstructure of post-treated Si do change according to the metal choice, imparting disparate physicochemical properties for Si. This work offers insights into the scalable production of tailored Si materials for industrial applications, along with cost-effective operations at 250°C.

Scientometric Insights into Rechargeable Solid-State Battery Developments

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) offer significant improvements in safety, energy density, and cycle life over conventional lithium-ion batteries, with promising applications in electric vehicles and grid storage due to their non-flammable electrolytes and high-capacity lithium metal anodes. However, challenges such as interfacial resistance, low ionic conductivity, and manufacturing scalability hinder their commercial viability. This study conducts a comprehensive scientometric analysis, examining 131 peer-reviewed SSB research articles from IEEE Xplore and Web of Science databases to identify key thematic areas and bibliometric patterns driving SSB advancements. Through a detailed analysis of thematic keywords and publication trends, this study uniquely identifies innovations in high-ionic-conductivity solid electrolytes and advanced cathode materials, providing actionable insights into the persistent challenges of interfacial engineering and scalable production, which are critical to SSB commercialization. The findings offer a roadmap for targeted research and strategic investments by researchers and industry stakeholders, addressing gaps in long-term stability, scalable production, and high-performance interface optimization that are currently hindering widespread SSB adoption. The study reveals key advances in electrolyte interface stability and ion transport mechanisms, identifying how solid-state electrolyte modifications and cathode coating methods improve charge cycling and reduce dendrite formation, particularly for high-energy-density applications. By mapping publication growth and clustering research themes, this study highlights high-impact areas such as cycling stability and ionic conductivity. The insights from this analysis guide researchers toward impactful areas, such as electrolyte optimization and scalable production, and provide industry leaders with strategies for accelerating SSB commercialization to extend electric vehicle range, enhance grid storage, and improve overall energy efficiency.

Impact of Self-Assembled Monolayer Structural Design on Perovskite Phase Regulation, Hole-Selective Contact, and Energy Loss in Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

Recent studies have shown that self-assembled molecule (SAM)-based hole-selective contacts (HSCs) offer a promising solution to the challenges faced by perovskite solar cells (PVSCs), including minimal material consumption, scalable production, high interface stability, and the use of environmentally friendly solvents. In this study, the efficacy of two designs of SAMs (Cz and PA) as HSCs in inverted PVSCs was investigated by comparing them with the conventional MeO-2PACz (MeO) SAM. Surface analyses showed that the surface of PA is smoother than that of Cz, which helps to reduce interfacial defects. Subsequent perovskite deposition exhibited a reduced formation of the PbI2 phase, incidiating that its phase modulation ability is superior to that of MeO. Further analyses demonstrate the superior charge extraction ability of PA as a result of reduced interfacial defects and non-radiative recombination at the HSC/perovskite interface. By further coupling with phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI) surface passivation, both interfaces of the perovskite film were optimized and the inverted ((FAPbI3)0.85(MAPbBr3)0.15)0.95(CsPbI3)0.05 (bandgap = 1.62eV) PVSC achieves a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.3% and a very high open-circuit voltage of 1.227V due to the largely reduced energy loss. In addition, the PA PVSC exhibits enhanced long-term thermal stability at 85°C in a nitrogen atmosphere.

High efficient synthesis of benzyl lactate through waste PLA alcoholysis by protic ionic salt

Benzyl lactate (BL) is a critical reagent in pharmaceutical and chemical synthesis due to its versatility. Traditional synthesis of BL was constrained by the high cost and low yield, thereby hindering the feasibility of large-scale production. Here, we reported a novel synthesis strategy for BL by utilizing the alcoholysis of waste polylactic acid (PLA) by benzyl alcohol with the protic ionic salt, HTBD-OAc, as the catalyst. The gram-scale experiments achieved a 94.9 % yield, and the robustness of this reaction was evidenced by the yield maintaining 92.5 % across six recycling experiments. More impressively, kilogram-scale synthesis facilitated a complete conversion of PLA to BL, achieving an unprecedented yield of 98.7 % at 180 °C within two hours. The exceptional catalytic efficiency of this reaction is attributed to the synergistic functions between the HTBD+ cation and OAc− anion in the catalyst HTBD-OAc. This study heralds a significant stride towards the sustainable and scalable production of high-purity benzyl lactate, paving the way for extended industrial applicability for this essential compound.

A green approach for delignification of corn husks and their application as an unpowered thermo-responsive sensor

The world is adopting biodegradable materials to replace existing petroleum-based plastics, owing to their toxicity and unfriendly environmental aspects. Biodegradable corn husk (CH) is considered a promising alternative due to its environmental friendliness and widespread availability as agricultural waste. In this work, a green process for the delignification of corn husk was developed and preparation of CH-based reversible thermo-responsive delignified corn husk (RTDCH) sensors was done which exhibit different colors corresponding to particular temperature ranges. These RTDCH sensors employed with reversible thermo-responsive nanoparticles (RTNPs) were characterized thoroughly using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), which ensures their successful synthesis. Upon deploying them for sensing temperatures from 20 to 80℃, different color displays appeared rapidly within 5seconds, which helps to identify the particular temperature range. The RTDCH exhibited excellent reusability for several cycles and maintained consistency in color displays at certain exposed temperatures. The RTDCH, being unpowered, fast responsive, accurate, biodegradable, economical, and scalable production feasibilities, has the necessary traits to become practical at the industrial level. Such materials have tremendous potential for the food industry, scientific laboratories, and monitoring the temperature of industrial processes. The strategy adopted in this work is crucial since it is paving the way for the development of advanced functional materials from natural wastes through green synthesis approaches.

Fast single-crystallization of Cu foils Facilitated by graphene growth

The production of large-area single-crystal metal foils such as Cu and Ni has recently gained momentum through thermally annealing of commercially available polycrystalline foils. Surface energy plays a pivotal role for grain growth, but is usually insufficient, particularly for adjacent grains with similar surface orientations, causing prolonged annealing time and reproducibility issues. Our method accelerates Cu foil single-crystallization through graphene growth, where graphene coverage on Cu modulates surface energy, enhancing driving forces and accelerating grain growth. This is a critical breakthrough in overcoming the traditional grain growth limitations. We successfully prepare decimeter-sized single-crystal Cu (111) foils with high efficiency and reproducibility and use it for single-crystal graphene growth. Our method paves the way for the scalable production of large-area single-crystal Cu foils, with potential applications extending to other metals, contributing to the ongoing efforts to overcome the challenges associated with traditional single-crystal production methods.

Hydrothermal synthesis of rGO-decorated NiMn2O4 nanoneedles for high-performance positive electrode in asymmetric supercapacitors

Pseudocapacitive electrode materials inherently have low electron conductivity, which prevents an energetic material from being fully utilised. We were able to produce effective hierarchical NiMn2O4/rGO composites, which provide an appealing solution to this issue. The composites were synthesised using a one-step hydrothermal approach. Due to the high electrical conductivity of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), the needles on plate like morphology of NiMn2O4, and the strong hold of dynamic materials to the current collector, the resulting hybrid electrodes exhibit a specific capacitance of 1628 Fg−1 at a current density of 1 Ag−1. They also demonstrate excellent rate performance and remarkable cycling stability, with a capacitance retention of 97.4 % after 10,000 cycles. In addition, the NiMn2O4/rGO//AC asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) exhibits a peak energy density of 45Whkg−1 when operated at a power density of 3240 Wkg−1. The ASC device has an impressive ultralong cycling life, with a capacitance retention rate of 89.1 % after undergoing 10,000 charge/discharge cycles. The NiMn2O4/rGO composites provide a scalable production method and demonstrate outstanding electrochemical performance. This presents an opportunity to create innovative hybrid electrodes for enhanced supercapacitors.

Enhanced chitosan fibres for skin regeneration: solution blow spinning and incorporation with platelet lysate and tannic acid

Abstract In this study, we developed and characterised enhanced chitosan/polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibre scaffolds using solution blow spinning (SBS) for potential application in skin tissue engineering. SBS enabled the efficient and scalable production of fibre matrices with precise morphology control, facilitating the integration of PEO to improve spinnability, 100X the speed of electron spinning. Following fabrication, fibres were subjected to potassium carbonate neutralisation to reduce PEO content, improving chitosan stability in aqueous environments. Characterisation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) confirmed structural integrity post-neutralisation and the successful incorporation with bioactive additives. Platelet lysate (PL) was incorporated to introduce growth factors, and tannic acid (TA) was added for antibacterial properties and enhanced mechanical stability through potential crosslinking. Mechanical testing showed that the optimised PL- and TA-enriched scaffolds exhibited the highest mechanical performance, with Young’s modulus of 7.0 ± 0.6 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 26.4 ± 2.3 MPa, elongation at break of 16.5 ± 1.7%, and toughness of 3.0 ± 0.3 MJ m−3 which is within the range of human skin. At the same time, SEM and ATR-FTIR analyses confirmed the stability and distribution of these functional agents within the fibre network. Biocompatibility tests with normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) indicated low cytotoxicity, appropriate cell adhesion and proliferation over 14 days in culture, suggesting these scaffolds as promising candidates for wound healing and skin regeneration applications.

A robust, recyclable, and biodegradable whole corn bioplastic enabled by dissolution-regeneration strategy

Biomass-based plastic, derived from renewable and biodegradable resources such as plant materials, offers a promising solution to mitigate the severe energy and environmental issues caused by petroleum-based plastics. While challenges remain in addressing complex and costly processing produces, as well as improving mechanical properties and water resistance in bioplastic production, these factors hinder the widespread application of bioplastic. Herein, we proposed a facile and cost-efficient method to prepare high-performance bioplastics from whole corn by dissolving it in a green metal salt solution system (ZnCl2/AlCl3 system) to deconstruct into a homogeneous and viscous precursor slurry, and then regenerating it from ethanol to form a dense hydrogen and ionic crosslinking network. The prepared whole corn-based bioplastic has a uniform and dense structure, exhibiting excellent mechanical properties (78.5 MPa), water stability, thermostability, and recyclability. Owing to entirely biomass-based components and their effective processes, bioplastic is biodegradable and has low environmental impact. This strategy provides an avenue for the scalable production of large-scale production of high-performance, environmental, renewable, and biodegradable bioplastic, thus demonstrating a promising alternative for reducing the consumption of petroleum resources.

Scalable production of flexible and multifunctional graphene-based polymer composite film for high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding

Graphene have gained significant interest for potential in lightweight, ultrathin, and flexible electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials due to their high electrical conductivity, low density, and ability to dissipate electromagnetic waves, but its poor dispersibility and processability hinders its applications. Besides, there is an urgent need for EMI shielding materials with multifunctional features. Herein, we proposed a flexible graphene/carbon nanotubes/polyurethane (GC/PU) composite film with a dense three-dimensional multilayer structure. This resultant GC/PU film shows high tensile strength of 42.9 MPa, ultra-high conductivity of 2087.2 S/m, and X-band EMI shielding efficiency of 37.7 dB at a thickness of 130 μm and even higher value of 72.1 dB at 520 μm. Moreover, this GC/PU film demonstrates an excellent electric heating performance (surface temperature of 127.5 °C at 5.0 V, thermal response <20 s) and flame-retardant capability, which endows it with the capability of anti-icing/de-icing. Therefore, this work may provide a promising approach for developing high-performance EMI shielding composites that may be used in the areas of wearables, defense, and aerospace.

Electrochemical upgrading of PET plastic wastes for hydrogen production using porous Fe–Ni2P nanosheets

The electrochemical upgrading of PET plastic wastes-to-hydrogen is an important conversion system for achieving sustainable, low-cost and scalable hydrogen production. Designing cost-effective and highly active dual-function electrocatalysts for the ethylene glycol (PET monomer) oxidation reaction (EGOR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is very crucial for achieving practical application of PET plastic wastes upgrading assisted electrochemical water splitting technology. Herein, a simple hydrothermal-phosphating two-step method is implemented to achieve ultrathin porous iron (Fe) doped nickel phosphide (Ni2P) nanosheets attached to the nickel foam (named as Fe–Ni2P/NF). Profiting from the ample active sites provided by the ultrathin structure, porous structure and the optimized electronic structure caused by Fe doping, Fe–Ni2P/NF exhibits predominant electroactivity for HER and EGOR. Additionally, PET plastic wastes hydrolysate electrolyzer is assembled by using Fe–Ni2P/NF as a dual-functional electrode for the co-generation of hydrogen and formate. The constructed Fe–Ni2P/NF||Fe–Ni2P/NF electrolyzer only requires an electrolysis potential of 1.39 V to derive 10 mA cm−2 current density, which is lower than that of conventional water splitting (1.55 V). This work would afford a reference for constructing cost-efficient and steady plastic-assisted water electrolysis bifunctional catalysts, and expands the field of energy-saving co-generation of value-added chemicals and hydrogen.

Soft Sputtering of Large-Area 2D MoS2 Layers Using Isolated Plasma Soft Deposition for Humidity Sensors.

2D transition-metal dichalcogenides are emerging as key materials for next-generation semiconductor technologies owing to their tunable bandgaps, high carrier mobilities, and exceptional surface-to-volume ratios. Among them, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has garnered significant attention. However, scalable wafer-level deposition methods that enable uniform layer-controlled synthesis remain a critical challenge. In this paper, a novel fabrication approach-isolated plasma soft deposition (IPSD) followed by sulfurization-for the scalable production of 2D MoS2 with precise layer control is introduced. The IPSD system employs a scanning-based deposition method combined with plasma surface pretreatment, achieving large-area, high-quality 2D MoS2 layers. Comprehensive characterizations using Raman, UV-vis, and photoluminescence spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the successful synthesis of crystalline mono- to tetralayer 2D MoS2 on 6-inch SiO2/Si substrates. Furthermore, respiration sensors fabricated using the IPSD-grown 2D MoS2 layers demonstrated fast response times (≈1 s) and high response to relative humidity levels between 30% and 60%. This study offers significant advancements in the scalable synthesis of 2D MoS2 and opens new avenues for its application in advanced sensing and electronic devices.

Flexible Silk Fibroin-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators with Thermal Management Capabilities for Temperature Regulation and Self-Powered Monitoring.

Flexible triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are highly advantageous for human-centered monitoring due to their self-sustaining energy and high output performance. However, temperature fluctuations that limit thermal comfort have hindered their practical advancement. In this study, flexible titanium dioxide-silk fibroin@phase change microcapsule nanofiber films (TiO2-SF@PCM NFs) were successfully developed using an efficient electro-blown spinning (EBS) technique, with exceptional triboelectric output and superior temperature regulation capabilities. Our design achieved cooling effects of approximately 10 °C and provided thermal insulation of about 2.2 °C. Notably, applying the TiO2-SF@PCM NFs to a model car produced an impressive cooling effect of 22 °C. Furthermore, a single-electrode triboelectric sensor based on TiO2-SF@PCM NFs achieved a peak output power of ∼272 μW/m2 and exceptional stability over 1000 output cycles. This study presents a promising strategy for the scalable production of flexible composite nanofiber films, effective in both temperature regulation and self-powered monitoring, highlighting their potential for use as thermal comfort sensors.

Scalable fabrication of freely shapable 3D hierarchical Cu-doped hydroxyapatite scaffolds via rapid gelation for enhanced bone repair

Critical-sized bone defects present a formidable challenge in tissue engineering, necessitating innovative approaches that integrate osteogenesis and angiogenesis for effective repair. Inspired by the hierarchical porous structure of natural bone, this study introduces a novel method for the scalable production of ultra-long, copper-doped hydroxyapatite (Cu-HAp) fibers, utilizing the rapid gelation properties of guar gum (GG) under controlled conditions. These fibers serve as foundational units to fabricate three-dimensional porous scaffolds with a biomimetic hierarchical architecture. The scaffolds exhibit a broad pore size distribution (1–500 μm) and abundant nanoporous features, mimicking the native bone extracellular matrix. Physicochemical characterization and in vitro assays demonstrated that the copper doping significantly enhanced osteogenic and angiogenic activities, with optimized concentrations (0.8 % and 1.2 % Cu) facilitating the upregulation of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins, as well as promoting endothelial cell proliferation. In vivo studies further confirmed the scaffolds' efficacy, with the 1.2Cu-HAp group showing a remarkable increase in bone regeneration (bone volume/total volume ratio: 35.7 ± 1.87 %) within the defect site. This research offers a promising strategy for the rapid fabrication of multifunctional scaffolds that not only support bone tissue repair but also actively accelerate the healing process through enhanced vascularization.

SUSTAINABLE AND SCALABLE ENZYMATIC PRODUCTION, STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION, AND BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF NOVEL PHLORIZIN ANALOGUES.

It is not unusual for naturally occurring compounds to be limited for their use in cosmetics due to their low water solubility. Recently, aiming at accessing novel phlorizin analogues, we reported the synthesis of very promising - but low water-soluble - biomass-derived chalcones (CHs) and dihydrochalcones (DHCs) exhibiting antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities. Glycosylating bioactive compounds being one of the most common strategies to increase water solubility, herein we report the enzymatic glycosylation of the aforementioned CHs, as well as DHC, using cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases (CGTase), enzymes well-known for catalyzing the selective ⍺(1→4)transglycosylation. Indeed,while most natural glycosides areβ-glycosides (such as phlorizin), the selected enzyme produces selectively newα-glycosides, thus expanding their structural diversity. A first separation using Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) led to mono-, di- or triglycosides-enriched fractions, which were then submitted to a comprehensive purification strategy for an in-depth chemical profiling of the synthesizedα-glycosides, revealingas major compounds. Surprisingly, among the diglycosides characterized, besides the expected maltoside compounds, nigeroside derivatives were also identified in significant amounts, depending on the starting compound structure. Finally, evaluating the antiradical, anti-tyrosinase and antimicrobial activities of the major glycosides revealed them as potential sustainable alternatives to current petro-sourced cosmetic ingredients.

High-Sensitivity, High-Resolution Miniaturized Spectrometers for Ultraviolet to Near-Infrared Using Guided-Mode Resonance Filters

Miniaturized spectrometers have significantly advanced real-time analytical capabilities in fields such as environmental monitoring, healthcare diagnostics, and industrial quality control by enabling precise on-site spectral analysis. However, achieving high sensitivity and spectral resolution within compact devices remains a significant challenge, particularly when detecting low-concentration analytes or subtle spectral variations critical for chemical and molecular analysis. This study introduces an innovative approach employing guided-mode resonance filters (GMRFs) to address these limitations. Functioning similarly to notch filters, GMRFs selectively block specific spectral bands while allowing others to pass, maximizing energy extraction from incident light and enhancing spectral encoding. Our design incorporates narrow band-stop filters, which are essential for accurate spectrum reconstruction, resulting in improved resolution and sensitivity. Our spectrometer delivers a spectral resolution of 0.8 nm over a range of 370–810 nm. It achieves sensitivity values that are more than ten times greater than those of conventional grating spectrometers during fluorescence spectroscopy of mouse jejunum. This enhanced sensitivity and resolution are particularly beneficial for chemical and biological applications, facilitating the detection of trace analytes in complex matrices. Furthermore, the spectrometer’s compatibility with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology enables scalable and cost-effective production, fostering broader adoption in chemical analysis, materials science, and biomedical research. This study underscores the transformative potential of the GMRF-based spectrometer as an innovative tool for advancing chemical and interdisciplinary analytical applications.

Facile hydrothermal synthesis of Cu doped MoS2 nanoparticles for enhanced dye-sensitized solar cell performance

This study presents a facile, scalable, and cost-effective hydrothermal method for synthesizing Cu doped MoS2 nanoparticles as efficient counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). MoS2 nanoparticles were doped with Cu at 5 and 10 mol% concentrations. The structural, morphological, and optoelectronic properties of the synthesized MoS2:Cu nanoparticles were systematically characterized using a suite of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. DSSCs were fabricated using pure MoS2, MoS2@Cu 5 mol%, and MoS2@Cu 10 mol% as counter electrodes, and their photovoltaic performance was evaluated. The DSSC with pure MoS2 counter electrode exhibited a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 11.02 mA/cm2, an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.70 V, a fill factor (FF) of 70 %, and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.39 %. The MoS2@Cu 5 mol% electrode demonstrated enhanced performance with Jsc = 13.04 mA/cm2, Voc = 0.71 V, FF = 72 %, and PCE = 6.55 %. Notably, the MoS2@Cu 10 mol% electrode exhibited superior performance, achieving Jsc = 14.09 mA/cm2, Voc = 0.73 V, FF = 81 %, and a remarkable PCE of 8.12 %. This significant enhancement in photovoltaic parameters is attributed to the improved photovoltaic performance and charge transport properties of the Cu doped MoS2 nanoparticles. Our findings demonstrate the potential of Cu-doped MoS2 as an effective and low-cost alternative to conventional counter electrode materials in DSSCs, paving the way for further optimization and scalable production of high-efficiency solar cells.