Production Strategies Research Articles

Temperature-dependent two-stage cultivation: A strategy for lipid and fatty acids production in the terrestrial oleaginous microalga Vischeria sp. WL1

Temperature-dependent two-stage cultivation: A strategy for lipid and fatty acids production in the terrestrial oleaginous microalga Vischeria sp. WL1

Space-Confinement and in Situ Reduction of Pt with 1T-MoS2 for Exceptional Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Simulated Seawater.

Efficient catalysts for hydrogen generation from seawater are essential for advancing clean energy technologies. In this study, we present a straightforward method for producing Pt nanoparticles enclosed within metallic 1T-phase MoS2 nanosheets on graphite paper as a promising catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The resulting 14.3 wt % Pt-MoS2 nanosheets demonstrate an ultralow onset potential of 65.6 mV vs the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and a minimal Tafel slope of 64 mV/dec with remarkable stability and durability in simulated seawater, offering comparable catalytic performance to the 40 wt % Pt/C commercial catalyst at a lower cost. This exceptional hydrogen production is attributed to the robust reducing ability of 1T-phase MoS2 and the confinement of Pt nanoparticles within the MoS2 interlayers and nanosheets. Our findings highlight the significance of this approach in developing practical and sustainable electrocatalysts for seawater splitting. This research represents a crucial step toward a greener and more sustainable future, leveraging innovative catalyst design strategies for clean energy production.

Role of Albitbr bio-stimulant application on growth, yield and quality characteristics of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) cultivars under open field conditions

Climate change coupled with the indiscriminate use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides are causing tremendous challenges on the production potentials of crops and also health of the people of the world. As part of the sustainable production strategy, the current study was conducted at the experimental station Vniccok, Russia during summer of 2024 using a bio-stimulant “Albitbr on tomato crop. In the experiment, four different cultivars were treated with seven different doses of the bio-stimulant (control, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10 and 50 L/ha). The highest significant leaf area (115.23 cm2) and yield of tomato fruits (83.35 t/ha) were obtained from Fenaric and Malets cultivars, respectively. Application of the bio-stimulant also resulted in a significant effect on leaf area, total yield, titratable acidity (TA) as well as total soluble solids (TSS)/TA with the highest leaf area (119.88 cm2), total yield (78.81 t/ha) being produced from the bio-stimulant dose of 2.5 L/ha, whereas the highest values of TA (0.28 %) and TSS/TA (21.72) were obtained from 0.1 L/ha and 50 L/ha, respectively.

Retroreflective Multichrome Microdome Arrays Created by Single-Step Reflow.

Structural colors are known for their tunability, fade resistance, and eco-friendliness. Recent advancements have shown that such colors can be efficiently produced using total internal reflection (TIR) on high-refractive-index convex microstructures without the need for periodic nanostructures. However, a reproducible, fast, and programmable production strategy for these microstructures is essential for commercial applications. Here, a single-step method is reported for creating multicolor patterns by transforming photolithographically-patterned micropillars into microdomes through thermal reflow. These micropillars, uniform in height but varying in diameter, are converted into microdomes that differ in diameter and height, which display a full spectrum of structural colors, creating a versatile color palette. This process enables the production of high-resolution multicolor graphics using a rainbow color set, with high reproducibility. Additionally, by mixing distinct microdomes and adjusting their densities, a rich variety of color presentations can be achieved, enabling the recreation of arbitrary color images with microdome arrays. The variable heights of the microdomes also allow for dynamic discoloration or color changes through mechanical compression. The high reproducibility and scalability of this method hold significant commercial promise for various optical applications.

Research on the Communication Path of Domestic High-quality Variety Shows

As a gathering place for popularity and traffic in today’s society, variety shows play an important role in cultural communication. This article takes the Magnolia Award-winning domestic high-quality variety show "Sound into the Heart" as the research object. Based on the media dependence theory, it discusses from the three dimensions of communication content, communication method, and communication effect, and analyzes the path for variety shows to drive the development of the cultural industry. Analyze variety show content, production strategies, and commercial marketing, and seek new ways to spread niche culture and art.

Research on complex dynamic behavior of automakers based on complex system theory.

"Prevent minor issues before they become major problems, and prepare for the future." This study utilizes complex system theory to introduce a nonlinear dynamic system for examining the production and emission reduction strategies of new energy vehicle (NEV) and gasoline vehicle (GV) manufacturers under the dual credit (DC) policy over a long-term game process. By considering production delays, we analyze dynamic behaviors within a duopoly automotive system, including stable regions, bifurcation, chaotic attractors, and the Largest Lyapunov exponent (LLE). The results show that: (1) As production and carbon emission adjustment parameters increase, the decision-making system for both automakers can slip into disorder, posing a risk of disruption within the automotive industry. (2) In stable regions, GVs' carbon emission adjustments do not affect the production of either NEVs or GVs, while NEVs demonstrate greater flexibility in production adjustments compared to GVs. (3) The industry system will likely benefit from delay production decisions that could help stabilize the automobile market. The study provides theoretical support for the smooth transformation of old and new driving forces in the automobile industry.

Increasing the Brazilian Lychee Production: A Strategy Based on the Experience of the Largest Producer Countries

In Brazil, the fruit sector, including exotic fruits such as lychee, has great potential. In 2020, it ranked third in the world, with a 5.4% share. The objective of this research was to identify, analyze, and describe the lychee value chain in Brazil in order to compare it with that of the main producers in the world. Data of lychee production and the multiple linear regression technique were used to identify the competitiveness factor of the main lychee-producing countries, India, China, and Vietnam. The lychee value chain in Brazil was developed from secondary sources in order to compare it with these producing countries. The results show that the main competitiveness factor for China is the price; for India, the quantity produced; and for Brazil, the planted area. In India, most of the lychee produced is for domestic consumption; in China, it is for export; and Vietnam exports its production to China. Given these characteristics of the global lychee market, a production strategy to insert Brazil into this market should consider increases of 20% in the planted area and 35% in production every five years, over a period of 30 years, to make Brazil the sixth largest lychee producer in the world.

Tailoring Borate Mediator Species Enables Industrial COProduction with Improved Overall Energy Efficiency by Sustainable Molten Salt CO2 Electrolysis.

The electrochemical conversion of CO2 into CO represents a promising strategy for mitigating excessive global greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, achieving industrial-scale electrochemical CO2-to-CO conversion with enhanced selectivity and reduced energy consumption presents significant challenges. In this study, a borate-enhanced molten salt process for CO2 capture and electrochemical transformation is employed, achieving over 98% selectivity for CO and over 55% energy efficiency without the necessity for complex and costly electrocatalysts. Cathodic CO2 electro-reduction (CO2ER) with the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at an overall current density of 500mAcm-2 using non-nanostructured transition-metal plate electrodes at 650°C is coupled. By regulating the electrolyte's oxo-basicity with earth-abundant borax (Na2B4O7), a borate-enhanced electrolyte is established that accelerates the overall electrochemical reaction efficiently. This system involved a series of well-designed target borate species (BO3 3-, BO2 -, and B4O7 2-) that acted as mediators shuttling between the cathode and anode, favoring CO as the primary cathodic product. Manipulating the atmosphere above the anode facilitated a spontaneous transformation of borates, further enhancing OER performance with long-term operational stability over a cumulative period of 50h, while also reducing overall energy consumption. This work presents a cost-effective strategy for the industrial-scale production of CO derived from CO2, contributing to a lower carbon footprint by establishing a sustainable borate-mediated closed loop.

Biofilm-based biocatalysis for β-cyclodextrin production by the surface-display of β-cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase in Bacillus subtilis

β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) is an important cyclic oligosaccharide, which is widely applicated in foods, environmental protection, and cosmetics, primarily prepared from enzymatic synthesis in traditional industry. However, several challenges persist, including cumbersome processes and difficulties in achieving continuous fermentation and catalysis. This research introduced a biofilm-based immobilized fermentation, integrating with enzyme catalysis system of surface display in Bacillus subtilis. The bslA gene was selected to construct the surface display system due to its ability to promote biofilm formation and serve as an anchorin. Compared to free cell catalysis, the biofilm-based immobilized catalysis expanded the temperature range to 40–70 and the pH range to 5–7.5. During the continuous catalysis process, by the 13th batch, the relative activity remained around 52%, and the conversion rate exceeded 36%, similar to the single-batch free cell catalysis. These findings provide valuable insights and effective strategies for the industrial production of β-CD and other biochemicals through continuous catalysis.

Evaluación participativa de la sustentabilidad en unidades productivas campesinas de Tinjacá, Colombia

Agriculture practiced at a family scale is a key production strategy for reproducing agroecological practices and ensuring food security and sovereignty. Often, small-scale production systems have notable strengths that deserve to be replicated but may also present multidimensional shortcomings that threaten their sustainability. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate, through a participatory approach, the sustainability of Small Farmers’ Production Units (SFPU) of Tinjacá (Boyacá), in central Colombia. The methodological strategy of the study was guided by the MESMIS Program (Spanish acronym for Indicator-based Sustainability Assessment Framework). The main results showed that the SFPUs in the municipality of Tinjacá have medium sustainability (ÍGS=3.1) with the highest rated environmental dimension (3.4) compared to the social (3.0) and economic (3.0) dimensions. In general, technical recommendations focus on building schools in small-scale farming communities, redesigning land parcels, and adopting agroecological practices. Collaborative efforts facilitated the collective development of viable technical solutions aimed at enhancing farm sustainability and improving the quality of life of farming families.

Eco-efficiency assessment of carbon capture and hydrogen transition as decarbonisation strategies in alumina production

Studies seeking to thoroughly couple the environmental and economic performances of a process or product are becoming more prominent as the needs for decarbonisation grow. This study explores the use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) in the alumina extraction industry. Models for various thermal energy supply methods and CO2 mitigation strategies were developed to obtain an inventory for analysis and the environmental impacts and life-cycle costs of the supply chain were evaluated. Finally, economic and ecological results were integrated using eco-efficiency indices and a sensitivity analysis of the most significant variables detected was conducted. The research indicated that the integration of a calcium-looping plant to capture post-combusted CO2 could reduce 55.5% of the CO2 equivalent emissions, while also obtaining a better economic performance due to the CO2 avoided taxes. However, other environmental indicators had slightly more significant impacts because of the additional use of natural gas. The potential use of green hydrogen instead of natural gas could enable a 70.0% reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions, as well as a reduction in all other environmental indicators studied, except for water consumption. However, transitioning to green hydrogen production could incur higher costs. This study introduced an eco-efficiency ratio index, indicating that CO2 capture and storage proved to be the most eco-efficient scenario, regardless of economic fluctuations in CO2 emission taxes. The substitution of natural gas with green hydrogen also emerged as a viable eco-efficient solution, provided electricity prices remain below 0.045€/kWh.

Enhanced carbon dioxide bio-fixation and protein production of Chlorella pyrenoidosa through a highly efficient sequential heterotrophic and photoautotrophic culture strategy

Chlorella pyrenoidosa is one of the most promising microalgae for protein production with carbon dioxide (CO2) bio-fixation. However, the high production cost and low production capability under traditional photoautotrophic culture mode had severely limited its application. Here, a highly efficient sequential heterotrophic and photoautotrophic cultivation strategy was established. Firstly, the heterotrophic seeds culture conditions were optimized with glucose as the carbon source and 1 g L−1 of yeast extract was selected as a useful stimulus to boost cell growth. Then, the heterotrophic cells were transferred to photoautotrophic conditions directly and cultured under varied concentrations of CO2. Moreover, 8 % (v/v) of CO2, high light and high initial cell density were found to be beneficial for cell growth and CO2 sequestration. Finally, different initial nitrogen concentrations and nitrogen feeding strategies were evaluated to increase the protein content to 62.69 % of dry biomass. These results provide feasible strategies for efficient CO2 sequestration and protein production jointly in C. pyrenoidosa.

Self‑supporting magnetic nanoporous silver-nickel films with broadband light absorption for efficient interfacial solar steam generation

Interfacial solar steam generation (SSG) is a promising eco-friendly strategy for freshwater production to address the global water crisis, which depends upon high-efficiency and low-cost photothermal materials. Herein, a series of self-supporting magnetic nanoporous silver-nickel (NP-AgNi) films were fabricated by one-step dealloying of specially designed Al99AgxNi1-x (x = 0.3, 0.5, 0.7) precursors. Both in-situ and ex-situ characterizations were performed to unveil the phase/structure evolution during dealloying of AlAgNi. Specially, the obtained NP-AgNi films with high porosity (>89 %) and tunable magnetic properties exhibit a unique three-dimensional bicontinuous ligament-channel Ag network with embedded Ni microparticles, as well as good hydrophilicity. Combined with the synergistic light absorption of the bimetal Ag and Ni, the NP-AgNi films exhibit good broadband absorption over the 200–2500 nm wavelength. More importantly, the NP-AgNi films show excellent SSG performance (evaporation efficiency over 89 %, evaporation rate ≥ 1.42 kg·m−2·h−1 and good cycling stability) under one sun irradiation. Additionally, the NP-AgNi films show outstanding seawater desalination and dye wastewater purification capability. This work provides an inspiration for the design and fabrication of multi-functional metal-based photothermal films in solar water treatment.

A synergistic fermentation system of probiotics with low-cost and high butyric acid production: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Clostridium tyrobutyricum

Butyric acid plays a significant role in maintaining body health, and thus the research on cost-effective and efficient biological conversion strategies for butyric acid production holds great importance. This study utilized the mutual interactions between prebiotics and multiple probiotic strains to target increasing the butyric acid yield in a co-fermentation system. Briefly, xylan, an inexpensive biomass material, was used as a prebiotic to screen lactic acid bacteria that capable of being promoted for proliferation and metabolism in its presence. Subsequently, the interaction between the screened lactic acid bacteria and a butyric acid-producing strain (Clostridium tyrobutyricum) was utilized to enhance butyric acid production. The results showed that xylan significantly improved the proliferation and lactic acid metabolizing ability of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum C0502. Whole-genome analysis revealed that L. plantarum carries at least four distinct enzyme genes related to the hydrolysis and utilization of xylan. Co-cultivation of L. plantarum with C. tyrobutyricum demonstrated that the C. tyrobutyricum was able to effectively convert lactic and acetic acids into butyric acid. Furthermore, the addition of xylan into this co-culture system yielded a remarkable butyric acid production of up to 5.01 ± 0.04 g/L, which is 4.58 times higher than the yield obtained from the monoculture of C. tyrobutyricum in reinforced Clostridium medium. The results of this study suggested that the co-culture system of xylan, L. plantarum, and C. tyrobutyricum has the potential to significantly enhance butyric acid production while markedly reduce the production cost. This has immense prospects for practical applications.

High-valence molybdenum doped Ni(OH)2 nanosheets enhancing hydrogen production and glycerol oxidation to formic acid

The glycerol electrooxidation reaction (GEOR) replacing the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water splitting is an effective strategy for hydrogen production and high value-added chemicals in an energy-saving manner in recent years. The key to this technology is to design efficient electrocatalysts to enhance the GEOR activity and effectively regulate product selectivity. Herein, a high-valence metal Mo-doped Ni(OH)2 nanosheets (Mo-Ni(OH)2/NF) was in-situ grown on the nickel foam (NF) for enhancing hydrogen production and glycerol oxidation to formic acid. The Mo-Ni(OH)2/NF exhibits unique network nanosheet morphology with large specific surface area and electron conduction, which is beneficial for exposing more active sites for reactions and promoting the mass transfer of electrolytes and products. The synergistic interaction between Mo and Ni facilitates the regulation of the electronic structure of the catalyst, and accelerates the reaction kinetics. When the Mo-Ni(OH)2/NF−1 is assembled into an overall glycerol-water splitting system, a low voltage of only 1.36 V is required to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2, which is 290 mV lower than the cell voltage needed for traditional water splitting under the same conditions.

EFFECT OF GREEN AND UVA SPECTRA, AND PRE-HARVEST TREATMENTS ON BIOMASS AND METABOLITE YIELDS OF INDOOR CULTIVATED STEVIA REBAUDIANA

Stevia rebaudiana is a high-value crop due to the strong commercial demand for its metabolites (steviol glycosides, SG) as an organic low-caloric sweetener with up to 300 times the sweetness of conventional sugar. Two experiments were conducted in this study. In the first experiment, treatments with varying green (GR1 & GR2), UVA (UV1 & UV2) and treatments that had both (UVGR1, UVGR2) were used. In the second experiment, separate set of plants were grown under base red-blue (RB) and natural sunlight before being transferred to GR2, UV2, UVGR2, and monochromatic light treatments of blue, green and UVA, for 3 and 10 days before harvest. RB and sunlight were used as the control for artificial and natural light respectively. Plants grown under the UVGR1 had the highest dry leaf biomass accumulation of 4.75 g plant-1 (P<.05), 458% and 660% higher than the RB (0.98 g plant-1) and natural sunlight (0.72 g plant-1) controls. UVA had the highest metabolite (Stevioside + Rebaudioside A) concentration of 27% (P<.05) compared to the RB and sunlight controls at 17.24% and 15% respectively. The 10 day pre-harvest treatment with blue supplemented light yielded a dry biomass of 1.87 g plant-1, a 190% increase compared to the RB control. However, the 3 day pre-harvest treatment had higher metabolite yields improvements compared to 10 day treatments with the highest yield obtained of 21.10% in 3-day pre-harvest irradiation that had supplemental UVA and blue light. UVGR1 was the most productive lighting strategy, resulting in the highest overall metabolite yield per plant.

Demand Forecasting for Aqua Tech Technical Textiles

Demand forecasting plays a significant role in the Aquatech industry, where innovation integration with aquacultural practices drives efficiency and effectiveness. This abstract outline the importance, challenges, techniques, and implications of demand forecasting in the sector. Demand forecasting is essential for businesses to anticipate trends, optimize resource allocation, and enhance operational efficiency. By accurately predicting future demand for aquacultural products, services, and technological outcomes, companies can make informed decisions regarding production, operations, and marketing strategies. However, demand forecasting in this industry faces several challenges, including seasonal variations, data availability, technological complexity, and uncertainties. Aquaculture demand is influenced by factors such as precipitation patterns, regulatory policies, and consumer preferences, making it difficult to develop precise forecasting models. Various techniques are used for demand forecasting, including statistical methods, data analytics, and machine learning algorithms. Time series analysis, regression analysis, and hybrid forecasting approaches are commonly employed to analyze historical data and predict future demand patterns. Accurate demand forecasting has significant implications for businesses, including improved resource planning, supply chain management, and customer satisfaction. By aligning production capacities with anticipated demand and optimizing supply levels, companies can minimize costs, reduce waste, and enhance competitiveness in the market. Demand forecasting is a critical aspect of strategic planning and decision-making in the specialized industry. By utilizing advanced techniques and effectively addressing challenges, businesses can enhance their ability to anticipate trends, meet customer demands, and drive sustainable growth in an increasingly dynamic and competitive environment

MXene-supported 2D bimetallic chalcogenide electrocatalyst: Enhanced electrochemical seawater splitting

Hydrogen energy holds immense potential for revolutionizing modern energy technologies. Seawater electrolysis is a promising strategy for hydrogen production; however, the lack of effective electrodes limits its widespread application. Therefore, developing high-performance, cost-effective catalysts for water splitting is essential for sustainable energy conversion. In this context, we report a novel hybrid bimetallic selenide (CoMoSe2) and MXene (Ti3C2Tx) electrocatalyst, which exhibits remarkable catalytic performance for seawater electrolysis. The CoMoSe2@Ti3C2Tx electrocatalyst demonstrates outstanding catalytic capabilities, achieving overpotentials of 82 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and 329 mV for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻2 in alkaline conditions. The Tafel slope values are 124 mV dec⁻1 for hydrogen evolution and 69 mV dec⁻1 for oxygen evolution, outperforming their individual components. The enhanced bifunctional catalytic performance of the hybrid catalyst is attributed to the synergistic effect of Mo atoms within the CoSe2 crystal structure, which modifies the electronic structure and lowers the chemisorption energies of hydrogen and oxygen intermediates. The abundance of oxygen vacancies provides more reactive active sites and improves electrical conductivity. Additionally, the CoMoSe2@Ti3C2Tx composite has demonstrated remarkable bifunctional electrocatalytic performance for seawater splitting, achieving 10 mA cm⁻2 at overpotentials of 161 mV for HER and 354 mV for OER in alkaline seawater. The Volmer-Heyrovsky mechanism drives the remarkable long-term stability of the catalyst. This novel approach contributes to sustainable energy solutions by providing a fresh avenue for the development of effective catalysts to produce hydrogen from seawater.

Benefits of Using Pomace from Sea Buckthorn Fruit (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) in the Production of Rye Bread for a Strategy of Sustainable Production and Consumption

Benefits of Using Pomace from Sea Buckthorn Fruit (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) in the Production of Rye Bread for a Strategy of Sustainable Production and Consumption

Co-production of sustainability indicators in a vulnerable South American agricultural frontier

Deforestation linked to agricultural activities is a major sustainability concern. Planning towards sustainable agricultural landscapes in the (sub-)tropics requires indicators that capture the many aspects of social-ecological cost and benefit of agriculture. Agricultural production strategies are developed using the best available data and knowledge such as high-yield locations, distance to storage facilities, or certification bonuses. However, there is often a divide between sustainable production data generated by the scientific community and current data that are of interest to actors, such as those in the agribusiness sector. Here, we describe how the harmonization of crop production, conservation, and social data used by scientists and agribusiness is possible using a participatory exercise based on knowledge co-production (i.e., generation of knowledge in a collaborative way) of socio-economic and environmental indicators (such as agricultural production, logistics, or the location of indigenous communities). This was made available through an online decision support platform that facilitated the generation of sustainable entrepreneurial strategies. We tested this exercise for the social-environmentally vulnerable Argentine Chaco dry forest, subject to some of the highest rates of deforestation globally, mainly due to soybean production. The cooperation between participants of this exercise built a knowledge exchange network that was key for informing decision-makers and highlighted information gaps including agricultural productivity, accessibility of regions, and the vulnerability of rural communities. Our exercise may be applicable to other agricultural commodity frontiers and showcases the value of including actors’ priorities in the design of indicators to ensure their policy impact and to achieve food systems’ sustainability.