Industrial Technology Research Articles

Multi-Level Synaptic Device Having Perpendicular Magnetic-Tunnel-Junction Spin-Valve Sensor Via Skyrmion Generated By Nano-Scale Current Emitter

Recently, with the expansion of deep learning-based artificial intelligence into various fields, high integration density and recognition accuracy are essentially necessary for neuromorphic devices. In particular, skyrmion-based artificial synaptic devices have been actively researched due to complete linearity, topological stability, and small nanoscale size. This device can emulate the synaptic plasticity (i.e., long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD)) depending on the number of generated skyrmions. Magnetic skyrmions have been characterized by various methods such as perpendicular magnetic-tunnel-junction (p-MTJ) spin-valve structure, Hall bar measurements [3], and non-collinear magnetoresistance [4]: However, in the previous study using a p-MTJ spin-valve, they only measured the resistance of a single skyrmion and did not demonstrate synaptic behavior (i.e., multi-level characteristics) [5]. In addition, they essentially require an additional external magnetic field to generate skyrmions. Moreover, the reported device has low resistance margins, indicating it is extremely difficult to sense in bit-lines.In this study, for the first time, we introduced a novel multi-level synaptic device having a p-MTJ spin-valve sensor via skyrmion generated by a nano-scale current emitter. To generate skyrmion, we employed nano-scale oxygen vacancy filaments as a current emitter on the p-MTJ spin-valve sensor, and interface reducing W layer between the free layer and MgO layer, as shown in Fig.1(a). In addition, we performed a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis to measure the PMA characteristics (i.e., squareness, saturation magnetization) of the SyAF layer and the free layer, as shown in Fig.1(b). Moreover, the generation of skyrmions depending on the thickness of the interface reducing W layer was investigated using VSM and magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) analyses, as shown in Fig.1(c-f). Furthermore, MOKE analysis was conducted to analyze the mechanism of skyrmion generation in the synaptic device having the p-MTJ spin-valve sensor patterned by 5μm diameter, as shown in Fig. 1(g). Finally, we have directly observed the generation of skyrmions using a nano-scale current emitter and demonstrated synaptic plasticity via the skyrmion-based synaptic device having the p-MTJ spin-valve sensor into a 300 nm diameter cell. In our presentation, we will review in detail the synaptic behavior and generation mechanism of the skyrmions. Acknowledgements This work was supported by the Technology Innovation Program (or Industrial Strategic Technology Development Program-Public-private joint investment semiconductor R&D program(K-CHIPS) to foster high-quality human resources) ("RS-2023-00235634", Development of high speed/low power/high reliability 2-terminal field-free SOT-MRAM) funded By the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy(MOTIE, Korea)(1415187787) and Institute of Information & communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) under the artificial intelligence semiconductor support program to nurture the best talents (IITP-(2023)-RS-2023-00253914) grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT).

Operando X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Dynamic Cerium Radical Quencher Motion Perpendicular to MEA

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are required to have a durability of over 50,000 hours. One of the degradation factors is chemical degradation of perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) electrolyte membrane. The reaction of hydrogen peroxide with iron impurities produces hydroxyl radicals that break the chemical bonds in the PFSA membrane. Cerium ions are added to electrolyte membranes to absorb these radicals and act as a radical quencher, contributing to improved membrane durability.1 However, cerium ions have been shown to move in both the planar and through-plane directions under fuel cell operating conditions.2,3 The spatial scale of migration in the membrane planar direction is large, and therefore the time scale is also large, where analysis of end-of-life samples has been reported. On the other hand, the observation of the movement in the membrane direction is not easy because the thickness of the electrolyte membrane is 10 micrometers, and it is estimated to be significantly different between the post-disassembly condition and the operating condition. Therefore, it is necessary to establish operando measurement technique for cerium ion concentration with high spatial and temporal resolution in the direction perpendicular to the membrane. We developed an operando X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy technique using a combination of high-energy X-rays and a focused microbeam, and analyzed the behavior of cerium concentration change under current-applied conditions.4 The distribution behavior of cerium ions in the membrane is significantly different depending on the current and humidity. In a high-humidity environment, the ions move in the membrane in the vertical direction in about 1 second. Therefore, in this study, we developed a method to continuously measure the cerium ion concentration in the membrane on a sub-second scale and were able to estimate the effective cerium diffusion coefficient. It was also found that cerium ions migrate to the cathode layer under current-applied conditions. This behavior is accelerated in low humidity environments. This is because the diffusion coefficient of cerium ions is smaller at lower humidity and the back-diffusion flux is smaller.This work is based on results obtained from the project commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of Japan.[1] E. Endoh, ECS Trans., 16, 1229–1240 (2008).[2] Y. Lai, K. M. Rahmoeller, J. H. Hurst, R. S. Kukreja, M. Atwan, A. J. Maslyn,C. S. Gittleman, J. Electrochem. Soc., 165, F3217-F3229(2018).[3] S.M. Stewart, D. Spernjak, R. Borup, A. Datye, F. Garzon, ECS Electrochem. Lett., 3, F19-F22 (2014).[4] Y. Orikasa, A. Takezawa, K. Amemiya, Y. Tsuji, T. Asaoka, M. Ohki, O. Sekizawa, K. Nitta, ECS Trans., 109 109 (2022).

Detachment Suppression of NiCo Oxide Catalyst Layer for Oxygen Evolution Anode in Alkaline Medium Using Start and Stop Simulated Accelerated Degradation Test Protocol

INTRODUCTION While the alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) has the advantage of low cost and mass production, it has the issue of catalyst coated electrode degradation caused mainly by catalyst layer detachment due to reverse currents generated by the start and stop of variable renewable electricity. A previous study reported that heat treatment of a NiCo2O4 spinel catalyst-supported electrode (NiCo) on a Ni substrate suppress delamination of the catalyst layer with decrease in initial activity due to increase of electrode resistance. [1] In this study, in order to find optimize preparation for both initial activity and durability of the anode electrode catalyst, we compared and evaluated the degradation behavior of NiCo electrodes prepared various conditions. EXPERIMENTAL The accelerated durability test (ADT) was performed in a three-electrode cell with 7 M KOH aqueous solution as electrolyte at 25℃. RHE, Ni coil and 1 cm2 electrode of NiCo spinel catalyst supported on Ni mesh substrate prepared with 8 to 24 of layered thermal decomposition coating at various temperature are used as reference, counter and working electrodes, respectively. Here, the thickness of the coting was determined by Co loading measured with XRF. Constant current electrolysis at 1 A cm-2 for 2 hours was conducted as pretreatment at 80℃ before ADT. The ADT protocol consisted of three steps [2] (Fig.1): (1) constant current electrolysis at 600 mA cm-2 for 1 min, (2) potential scanning from open-circuit potential (OCP) to anodic potential E min (= 0.5 V vs. RHE) at sweep rate of -500 mV s-1, and (3) holding at constant potential of E min for 1 min. To evaluate the anode activity, CV (potential range: 0.5 to 2.0 V vs. RHE, sweep rate: 5 and 50 mV s-1, 3 cycles) and AC impedance measurements (bias potential: 1.6, 1.7 V vs. RHE, frequency range: 106-10-1 Hz, amplitude: 10 mV) were performed at every 200 ADT cycles in 2,000 cycles of ADT. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION As shown in Fig. 2 of the anode potential as a function of the ADT cycle, the potential of the 350°C prepared anode significantly increased around 800 cycles toward around 1.9 V vs. RHE, while the 450°C prepared anode showed slowly and constantly increase in potential.As shown in Fig. 3 of the redox peaks in cyclic voltammograms, the NiCo redox peaks around 1.2 V vs. RHE disappeared and the Ni redox peaks around 1.2 V vs. RHE appeared at the end of the ADT,. The NiCo redox peak of the 350°C prepared anode was significantly larger than the Ni redox peak in the initial period, whereas the Ni redox peaks became larger than the NiCo redox peak around 700 cycles. The charge of NiCo redox peak of the 450°C prepared anode gradually decreased and that of the Ni oxidation peak increased and they reversed for 8, 16, and 24 layered anodes at 1000, 1400, and 1600 cycles, respectively, but NiCo redox peak still remained. These results means that the consumption of the NiCo oxide electrocatalyst occurs during the ADT and the 450°C preparation suppress rapidly detachment of the 450°C prepared anode around 700 cycles.As shown in Fig. 4 of the polarization curves, the OER activity of the 8 layered at the 450°C prepared was almost same as that of the 350°C prepared anode at 200 cycles, and the 16 and 24 layered at 450°C prepared were higher activity than the 350°C prepared and the 8 layered at 450°C prepared. The Tafel slopes of the initial ADT (200 cycles) were almost the same for the 350°C and 450°C. The slope for the 450°C prepared anodes after 2000 cycles were almost same as the initial regardless of the number of applications, but the slope for the 350°C prepared increased. This result also suggests NiCo oxide of the 450°C prepared still remained at the end of the ADT and it dominates oxygen evolution reaction, while the 350°C prepared electrocatalyst completely consumed during the ADT. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study was based on results obtained from the Development of Technologies for Realizing a Hydrogen Society (P20003) commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). REFERENCES [1] N. Todoroki, K. Nagasawa, H. Enjoji, S. Mitsushima., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 15, 20, 24399 24407 (2023).[2] A. Abdel Haleem, K. Nagasawa, Y. Kuroda, Y. Nishiki, A. Zaenal, S. Mitsushima., Electrochem., 89, 2, 186 191 (2021). Figure 1

New Electrocatalyst with the Content of Ir

Introduction Proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis (WE) is a promising technology for hydrogen production. However, the local environment of the anode in PEMWE is highly acidic and high potential due to the oxygen evolution reaction (OER; 2H2O → O2 + 4H+ + 4e-), and the available anode materials are limited to precious metal elements such as Pt, Ru and Ir. In the current technology, Ir-based materials are the mainstream anode catalysts, and Ir loading of 1-2 mg/cm2 is necessary to achieve both activity and durability. On the other hand, the annual production of Ir is said to be only 5-7 tons. The demand for hydrogen is expected to increase to the GW scale in the future. For example, if water electrolysis is operated at 2 A/cm2 and 2 V with Ir loading of 2 mg/cm2 (0.5 mgIr/W), it is difficult to meet the demand with the existing Ir resources. Tosoh have been engaged in the electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) business. EMD is synthesized thorough anodic oxidation of Mn2+ ion (Mn2+ + 2H2O → MnO2 + 4H+ + 2e-) under acidic conditions, therefore it is potentially suitable for the anode environment of PEMWE. In this study, a very small amount of Ir (<0.1 mg/cm2) was successfully composited with EMD. The resulting composite consisting of Ir and EMD showed more active than commercial Ir oxide with the same Ir content, and operated stably for at least 1000 h. Experiment EMD thin film was electrodeposited anodically on Pt-coated Ti fibers (Pt/Ti) thorough electrolyzing a mixed solution of MnSO4 and H2SO4. The obtained EMD-coated Pt/Ti were immersed in an Ir-containing solution, and then annealed to obtain Ir-containing EMD (hereinafter referred to as "Ir-EMD"). The Pt-coated Ti fibers are used as a porous transport layer (PTL) in PEMWE cells, and our developed material serves as both an OER catalyst and a PTL. OER property was evaluated using a PEMWE cell at 80°C in a two-electrode system. Pt-supported carbon was used as the cathode catalyst and Nafion®-115 as the PEM. See Fig. 1 for PEMWE cell construction flow. Result and discussion The Ir content in Ir-EMD was determined to be 0.1 mg/cm2 by ICP-AES. This Ir content is 10-20 times lower than that used in current PEMWE electrolyzers. The OER activity of Ir-EMD was evaluated by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) (Fig. 2). For comparison, EMD (with no Ir) and Ir oxide (commercial product) with an Ir content of 0.1 mg/cm2 were evaluated in the same way. The slow OER property of EMD was improved dramatically by introducing Ir into EMD. Also, at the same amount of Ir, Ir-EMD exhibited higher OER activity than that of Ir oxide. The inset in Fig. 2 shows Tafel plots corresponding to LSVs, and the slope of the linear region (Tafel slope) can be used to predict which elementary reaction is the rate-limiting step in the OER. The Tafel slope of Ir-EMD is 58 mV/dec., which is close to the Tafel slope of Ir oxide, 50 mV/dec. This suggests that OER on Ir-EMD proceeds by the same mechanism as Ir oxide. The durability of Ir-EMD and Ir oxide was tested at a current density of 2 A/cm2 (Fig. 3). Ir oxide was deactivated within only 8 days, and it is confirmed that Ir have disappeared after electrolysis. On the other hand, Ir-EMD has operated stably for more than 42 days (≈1000 h), with a degradation rate of only 13 μV/h. In other words, Ir-EMD has practical durability while reducing the amount of Ir by more than 10 times compared to current technology.Acknowledgements : This presentation is based on results obtained from a project, JPNP20003, subsidized by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Figure 1

(Invited) Highly Water-Soluble Fullerene Derivatives for Durable Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Recently, the focus of proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications has shifted from fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) to heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), necessitating enhanced fuel cell durability. The degradation of carbon-supported metal nanoparticle catalysts and electrolyte membranes are the primary factors responsible for fuel cell durability. Particularly in the context of HDVs, augmenting the chemical stability of electrolyte membranes, such as Nafion, stands as a crucial factor in improving fuel cell lifetime. The degradation mechanism of Nafion is believed to involve the cleavage of polymer chains by OH∙ radicals, formed by crossover hydrogen and crossover oxygen in the presence of trace transition metal ions. A common strategy to mitigate Nafion's chemical degradation involves adding radical quenchers like cerium ion (Ce+) to Nafion. However, Ce+ may migrate out of Nafion during fuel cell operation, leading to a decline in its highly efficient radical quenching ability over extended operational periods.In this study, we demonstrate that a fullerene-derived radical quencher with multiple hydroxy groups significantly contributes to enhancing the durability of Nafion. Our approach involves synthesizing fullerene derivatives with various kind of hydroxy and functional groups for remarkable water solubility to realize their homogeneous dispersion within the Nafion membrane. The abundant functional groups also aid in improving proton conductivity. Moreover, the chelating effect of the spherically distributed functional groups immobilizes themselves, preventing any observed leakage from the Nafion membrane. These fullerene-derivative radical quenchers effectively enhance fuel cell durability and hold promise for future applications in HDVs.This study was supported by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Japan (JPNP20003).

Electronic Structure Investigation of BSCF Catalysts during Electrochemical Water Electrolysis by Using Time Zero Analysis and Advanced Operando X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy

The rapid increase in global energy demands and environmental awareness regarding the excessive use of fossil fuel has spurred significant academic interest in the development of alternative energy conversion and storage technologies that prioritize both efficiency and environmental sustainability. Among all kinds of renewable energy, hydrogen energy holds the potential to create a carbon free clean society, and a possible solution to the environmental issues.1 Electrochemical water splitting is considered as a greener approach for pure H2, which involved cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The anodic OER is kinetically sluggish and considered as a rate determining step of the water splitting reaction. Therefore, it is necessary to develop OER catalysts with high activities.Perovskite oxides knows as a promising oxygen electrode catalyst due to their low cost, flexibility, and tailorable properties. However, most perovskite oxides possess poor electrical conductivity at room temperatures, and this limits their oxygen catalytic activity. In our work Ba0.5Sr0.5CoxFe1-xO3-δ (BSCF) catalysts with different cobalt and iron amounts where X=0, 0.2, 0.8, 1 were synthesized and investigated by time zero analysis and flow rate infinitization analysis which are electrochemical testing method that uses pressure to remove generated oxygen gas bubbles and provides accurate activity of the catalyst.2We find the volcano plot of the Fe amount and the OER activities, showing samples with X=0.8 have the best OER activities as Figure 1. Electronic structure of B-Site transition metal elements, oxygen vacancies, crystal structures and electrical conductivity are the key factors for determining the activities of Perovskite catalysts in OER.3Also it is quite important to determine the real active sites during the OER process by using advance operando techniques.Therefore, in order to investigate the in-depth mechanism of OER activities of Perovskite catalysts, the newly designed operando soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) cells was utilized to analyze the subtle change as shown in Figure 2 on the oxygen K-edge (531 eV - 532 eV). Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ has the most obvious changes in integral surface area at the O K-edge pre-edge region, which leads to the best activity among other BSCF samples. According to the Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and Lattice Oxygen Evolution Mechanism, ions on the A sites (Ba2+,Sr2+) tend to dissolve and ions on the B sites (Co, Fe) are forming hydroxides (BOOH).Keywords: oxygen evolution reaction, BSCF catalysts, Time zero analysis, operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy Acknowledgements This work is based on results obtained from a project (JPNP14021) commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of Japan. Reference: (1) Rose, P. K.; Neumann, F. Hydrogen refueling station networks for heavy-duty vehicles in future power systems. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment 2020, 83, 102358.(2) Nagasawa, K.; Matsuura, I.; Kuroda, Y.; Mitsushima, S. A Novel Evaluation Method of Powder Electrocatalyst for Gas Evolution Reaction. Electrochemistry 2022, 90 (1), 017012-017012.(3) Zhu, Y.; Zhou, W.; Shao, Z. Perovskite/carbon composites: applications in oxygen electrocatalysis. Small 2017, 13 (12), 1603793. Figure 1

Exploring the Performance of Alkaline Water Electrolyzers Under Dynamic Operational Conditions

Green hydrogen, produced through water electrolysis driven by Renewable Energy Sources (RES), is a compelling solution for storing renewable energy. Directly coupling RES with water electrolyzers enhances system efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Alkaline water electrolysis, a mature and cost-effective technology, faces challenges operating under fluctuating RES conditions using AC/DC convertor , which supply rippled DC. A comprehensive understanding of electrolyzer performance in dynamic conditions is crucial for developing durable, efficient systems.In the present experimental study, we extensively explored the performance of alkaline water electrolyzers and the key factors influencing it under dynamic operational conditions. The electrolytic cell was constructed using a zero-gap configuration, comprising a NiCoOx-based anode deposited on a Ni-mesh and an Ln-doped RuOx cathode deposited on a fine mesh of Ni metal. The Zirfon Perl UTP500 membrane served as a separator between the two cell compartments [1]. A 7.0 Molar KOH electrolyte at a room temperature of approximately 30°C was employed. The cell underwent dynamic operational mode through the application of a square wave cell voltage, shown in Fig.1 (a), utilizing the NF BP4620 power supply. Square waves with different frequencies, specifically 1, 100, 1000, and 3000 Hz, were employed. Steady-state operations were conducted while applying various DC voltages, serving as a reference study. The resulting current and the actual cell voltage waveforms were monitored and recorded using a high-resolution oscilloscope (YOKOGAWA DL850E). The flow of H2 gas was measured using a film flow meter (HORIBA STEC, SF series VP-3). The apparent power, real power, and reactive power components were calculated using formulas from a previously published report [2]. Subsequently, the specific energy consumption was determined for each condition.The applied cell voltages were categorized into two groups. In the first category, the maximum cell voltage (Vmax) was set at 2.0 V, a value sufficiently high and suitable for industrial cell operation when applied in a DC mode. Within this category, the minimum cell voltage (Vmin) took various values, namely 1.8, 1.6, and 1.4 V. In the second category, the average cell voltage was maintained at a constant 2.0 V, while the amplitude of the waveform was adjusted to 0.2 and 0.4 V by modifying both Vmax and Vmin. Figure 1(b) depicts the resulting current of the voltage waveform at 100 Hz, illustrating three different Vmin values. The figure reveals that at a high Vmin of 1.8V, the current consistently maintained positive values during the voltage cycle, indicating that the double-layer capacitance remained charged throughout the operational period. However, with Vmin set at 1.6V, a relatively small capacitive current emerged, suggesting partial discharge of the double-layer capacitance. Moreover, at a lower Vmin of 1.4V, the cell voltage became insufficient to drive water electrolysis in the current cell. Consequently, a relatively large negative (capacitive) current manifested during the Vmin period, denoting a deep discharge of the double-layer capacitance.The obtained results revealed a profound influence of the charge and discharge status of the double-layer capacitance on the AWE cell's performance throughout the voltage cycles. Notably, when the double-layer capacitor remained fully charged during the voltage cycles, minimal impact of the frequency was observed on key performance parameters, including H2 flow rate that shown in figure 1 (c), specific energy consumption that shown in figure 1 (d), and power factor. However, under conditions of partial discharge within the cell voltage cycles, a noticeable correlation between the size and frequency of the voltage waveform and the AWE cell's performance emerged. Deep discharge of the double-layer capacitance led to a frequency-dependent reduction in H2 flow rate, attributed to incomplete charge/discharge cycles. Hence, the critical factor influencing the performance of the electrolytic cell during dynamic operation is the condition (charging/discharging) of the double-layer capacitance. These findings offer valuable insights into optimizing the dynamic operation of AWE cells for enhanced efficiency and performance. Acknowledgments: This research was partially supported by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

Effect of Silicate Addition on ZnO Formation during Zn Discharging Process

Rechargeable zinc batteries have been attracting extensive attention as promising candidates for next-generation energy storage, owing to their intrinsic safety, mature recycling processes, low material cost and high theoretical energy density.[1] Nevertheless, there are still several issues holding back the development of zinc batteries, such as the capacity loss due to Zn passivation and poor cyclability caused by Zn dendrite formation. [2] In the past few years, efforts have been made to improve the performance of zinc batteries, among which electrolyte modification with additives is the most widely used. [3] For further development of zinc batteries towards practical application, it is also essential to deepen the understanding of chemical state changes in a working Zn electrode. In our previous work, Zn dissolution−passivation behavior with ZnO formation during Zn discharging process has been systematically elucidated via in-situ analysis. [4] Herein this work, through comparative studies with silicate addition in the electrolyte, the correlation between ZnO formation and the discharging performance of Zn anodes is further clarified, shedding new insights into further optimization of zinc batteries.Firstly, various electrolyte additives were evaluated during Zn discharging at a current density of 40 mA/cm2. As a result, potassium silicate addition with an optimum concentration of 100 mM effectively enhanced the discharge capacity of Zn anode. Effects of silicate addition on Zn discharging process were then further investigated. After 500 s of discharging, ZnO layer with a thickness around 7 um is formed on Zn anodes, which is attributed to the dehydration of supersaturated zincate ions. [4] It is observed that as-formed ZnO petals turned from sharp to round with silicate addition. Moreover, a porous ZnO layer was formed with silicate addition, while a compact one was obtained without any additives. Accordingly, it is assumed that silicate may form adsorption or coordination with ZnO particles, leading to morphology and porosity changes in ZnO.Further analyses were carried out to verify whether the chemical state of ZnO changes with silicate addition. The TEM-EDS mapping result and XPS depth profile indicate that Si is uniformly distributed within the ZnO layer. Moreover, the presence of Si-O bond is confirmed, along with both Zn 2p 2/3 and O 1s peak shifts towards higher binding energy side. Accordingly, the coordination between silicate and ZnO via the formation of Si-O-Zn bridge is suggested, which is also supported by the DFT calculation result, as a stable existence of silicate on ZnO can be achieved.On the other hand, it is noticed via XRD and HRTEM characterization that the crystallite size of ZnO became smaller with silicate addition. Moreover, ZnO formed with silicate addition presented lower crystallinity with higher defect contents, as evidenced by Raman spectra. Given the above, it is considered that silicate modulates the electronic structure of ZnO molecules via the Si-O-Zn bonding, thereby suppresses ZnO crystal growth and particle aggregation, which eventually contributes to a loose ZnO structure that can maintain the activity of Zn anodes. With the discussion of ZnO formation herein, we hope this work may open a new avenue for developing high-performance zinc batteries.AcknowledgementsThis study was supported by the Research and Development Initiative for Scientific Innovation of New Generation Batteries (RISING) Projects, RISING3 [JPNP21006], commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Japan.[1] P. Ruan et al., Angew. Chem., 2022, 134, e202200598[2] W. Shang et al., Energy Storage Mater., 2020, 31, 44–57[3] S. Guo et al., Energy Storage Mater., 2021, 34, 545–562[4] T. Wang et al., Energy Environ. Mater., 2023, 0, e12481

Immunogenicity of a pentavalent recombinant Escherichiacoli bacterin against enterotoxemia and botulism in sheep

IntroductionProducing commercial bacterins/toxoids against Clostridium spp. is laborious and hazardous. Conversely, developing prototype vaccines using purified recombinant toxoids, though safe and effective, is both laborious and costly for application in production animals. ObjectiveConsidering that inactivated recombinant Escherichiacoli (bacterin) is a simple, cost-effective, and to be safe solution, we evaluated, for the first time, a pentavalent formulation of recombinant bacterins containing the alpha, beta, and epsilon toxins of Clostridiumperfringens and C and D neurotoxins of Clostridiumbotulinum in sheep. MethodsSubcutaneously, 18 Texel sheep received two doses (200 μg of each antigen) of recombinant bacterin (n = 7) or purified recombinant antigens (n = 6) on days 0 and 28, while the control group (n = 5) did not receive an immunization. Sera samples from days 0 (before the 1st dose), 28 (before the 2nd dose), and 56, 84, and 112 were used for measuring IgG (indirect ELISA) and neutralizing antibodies (mouse serum neutralization). ResultsBoth formulations induced significant levels of IgG against all five toxins (p < 0.05) up to day 112, with peaks at days 28 and 56 post-immunization. The expected booster effect occurred only for the botulinum toxins. The neutralizing antibody titers were satisfactory against ETX (≥2 IU/ml for both formulations) and BoNT-D [5 IU/ml (bacterin) and 10 IU/ml (purified)]. ConclusionWhile adjustments are required, the recombinant bacterin platform holds great potential for polyvalent vaccines due to its straightforward, safe, and cost-effective production, establishing it as a user-friendly technology for the veterinary immunobiological industry.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF RABBITS USING DIFFERENT GROWING TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CHERKASSY REGION

According to the results of the study of the process of forming indicators of meat productivity of rabbits of the California and silver breeds (n = 200 heads), which were raised on the farm using retro-keeping technologies (the rabbit farm of the "Rokitchenkov A. P." Cherkassy region) and in the conditions of the industrial type rabbit farm (the rabbit farm of the Cherkassy experimental Station of Bioresources of the NAAS, Cherkassy), a different level of realization of the potential of meat productivity by rabbits was established, both according to the breed and depending on the cultivation technology. It was established that during the entire period of the study, and in particular before slaughter, a probable predominance was noted in young animals, which were raised according to industrial technology, regardless of the breed, the difference when comparing the average values was 165–222 g (р &lt; 0.01). In terms of breed affiliation, animals of the California breed had higher live weight indicators at this age. It was established that the maximum indicators of animal growth were registered for rabbits of the California breed at the age of 60–90 days; for animals of the silver breed, the process of forming the live weight indicator continued until the age of 120 days. The obtained results indicate that rabbits of the meat direction of productivity have higher values of the index of body fatness (63.8–65.5%), which is typical for rabbits of this breed. This indicator is determined by the ratio of chest girth (27.0–27.2 cm) to the length of the trunk (41.5–42.3 cm) and has the following pattern: the larger the length of the trunk, the smaller the index of the whiplash. Among the analog groups, no significant difference was found in terms of the knockdown index in California rabbits. For rabbits of the silver breed, given the higher body length index (45.2–45.2 cm) with a slight difference in the chest girth index (24.7–25.0 cm), the body leanness index was 54.4–55.3%. Based on the results of the study, it was established that the cultivation of rabbits using industrial technology, in our opinion, to a certain extent, neutralizes the effect of negative factors in the surrounding environment and makes it possible to effectively realize the potential of meat productivity.

Study on Thermal Reflection Characteristics of Composite Inorganic Coatings

This study examined the thermal reflective properties of composite inorganic coatings applied to various wall types. It evaluated the influence of these coatings on the thermal insulation and reflectivity of the walls. The findings indicate that coating application markedly enhances a wall’s thermal insulation capabilities and increases its heat flux reflection ratio. These results offer crucial theoretical backing and practical guidance for the future use of coating technologies in construction. By refining the coating formulations and application processes, the thermal insulation properties of walls can be further enhanced, thus making a significant contribution to building energy efficiency and environmental protection. Consequently, this research provides essential references and insights for advancing coating technology in the construction industry.

Visible Light-Driven Hypochlorous Acid Synthesis Using a Sustainable and Cost-Effective WO3/CdS Photocatalyst without Precious Metals.

Compared with traditional electrolytic technology, directly using photocatalytic materials to produce hypochlorous acid from chlorine-containing water undoubtedly has stronger low-carbon and environmentally-friendly characteristics. However, currently reported materials with photocatalytic chlorine production performance require precious metal Pt for catalysis, which undoubtedly greatly increases production costs. Therefore, developing new types of non-precious metal-based photocatalytic materials for efficient hypochlorous acid synthesis has significant implications. In this study, we demonstrate a novel breakthrough by showing that the WO3/CdS with a Z-scheme structure effectively generated 3.54 mg/L of free chlorine in a 0.5 M NaCl solution, while also exhibiting spectral bactericidal and algal inhibition properties. The Z-scheme structure can effectively prevent carrier recombination and improve photocatalytic efficiency. Therefore, this research provides a novel approach to photocatalytic antifouling and holds significant implications for the application of photocatalytic technology in the marine antifouling industry.

A Diagnostic Case Study for Manufacturing Gas-Phase Chemical Sensors

In this work, we describe the design, manufacturing development, and refinement of a chemical detection platform designed to identify specific odorants in the natural gas industry. As the demand for reliable and sensitive volatile organic compound (VOC) detection systems is growing, our project aimed to construct multiple prototypes to enhance our detection capabilities and provide portable detection platforms. Throughout the development process across nominally identical and duplicated instruments, various failure modes were encountered, which provided insight into the design and manufacturing challenges present when designing such platforms. We conducted a post hoc root cause analysis for each failure mode, leading to a series of design modifications and solutions. This paper details these design and manufacturing challenges, the analytical methods used to diagnose and address them, and the resulting improvements in system performance. In the end, a debugging flow chart is presented to aid future researchers in solving the possible issues that could be encountered. Our findings show the complexities of bespoke chemical sensor design for unique applications and highlight the critical importance of iterative testing and problem-solving in the development of industrial detection technologies. Achieving consistency across devices is essential for optimizing device-to-device efficiency. The work presented is the first step towards ensuring uniform performance across a production run of chemically sensitive devices. In the future, a universal device calibration model will be implemented, eliminating the need to collect data from each individual device.

The impact of innovative leadership and total quality management in 21st-century banking: an empirical insight and foresight

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how innovative leadership (INL) drives innovation performance (INP) in banks. Design/methodology/approach This study develops and investigates a research model by assessing the viewpoints of 260 chief executive officers (CEOs) from the branches of 21 quality-certified banks, leveraging the Smart partial least squares technique. Findings INL had a positive and significant impact on INP. Total quality management (TQM) partially and significantly mediated the association between INL and INP. Technological turbulence, government regulation (GOV), market dynamism (MKD) and industry competitiveness (CMP) positively and significantly moderated the INL–TQM association. Research limitations/implications INP causal linkages and variations may be better understood with longitudinal investigations, hence the need for further studies in this area. External influences may affect industries or contexts differently, requiring further research into various industries. Practical implications In an industry with fast-paced and ever-changing industrial technology, strict government laws, a higher level of MKD and increased competition, firms must hire or groom innovative CEOs to promote the adoption of new and creative quality enhancement strategies that meet clients’ short- and long-term needs. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to show how TQM can serve as a pathway for innovative leaders to follow. It is an inaugural attempt to explain the specific environmental dynamics that are necessary for the INL–TQM association to thrive.

Fusing Science with Industry: Perovskite Photovoltaics Moving Rapidly into Industrialization.

The organic-inorganic lead halide per materials have emerged as highly promising contenders in the field of photovoltaic technology, offering exceptional efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The commercialization of perovskite photovoltaics hinges on successfully transitioning from lab-scale perovskite solar cells to large-scale perovskite solar modules (PSMs). However, the efficiency of PSMs significantly diminishes with increasing device area, impeding commercial viability. Central to achieving high-efficiency PSMs is fabricating uniform functional films and optimizing interfaces to minimize energy loss. This review sheds light on the path toward large-scale PSMs, emphasizing the pivotal role of integrating cutting-edge scientific research with industrial technology. By exploring scalable deposition techniques and optimization strategies, the advancements and challenges in fabricating large-area perovskite films are revealed. Subsequently, the architecture and contact materials of PSMs are delved while addressing pertinent interface issues. Crucially, efficiency loss during scale-up and stability risks encountered by PSMs is analyzed. Furthermore, the advancements in industrial efforts toward perovskite commercialization are highlighted, emphasizing the perspective of PSMs in revolutionizing renewable energy. By highlighting the scientific and technical challenges in developing PSMs, the importance of combining science and industry to drive their industrialization and pave the way for future advancements is stressed.

Research progress on the effects of postharvest storage methods on melon quality

Background As an important global agricultural cash crop, melon has a long history of cultivation and a wide planting area. The physiological metabolism of melon after harvest is relatively strong; if not properly stored, melon is easily invaded by external pathogens during transportation, resulting in economic losses and greatly limiting its production, development and market supply. Therefore, the storage and freshness of melon are the main challenges in realizing the annual supply of melon, so postharvest storage has received increasing amounts of attention from researchers. Methods This study used academic, PubMed, and Web of Science resources to retrieve keywords related to postharvest storage and melon quality; read, refined, classified, and sorted the retrieved literature; sorted and summarized the relevant research results; and finally completed this article. Results This article reviews the mechanism and effects of physical, chemical and biological preservation techniques on the sensory quality, compound contents and respiratory physiological activities of different varieties of melon fruits. When maintaining normal metabolism and not producing physiological disorders, melon inhibits cell wall metabolism, reactive oxygen species metabolism and the ethylene biosynthesis pathway, etc., to the greatest extent during postharvest storage, thereby reducing the material consumption of fruits, delaying the ripening and senescence process, and prolonging the postharvest life and shelf life. Conclusion The literature provides a theoretical basis for postharvest preservation technology in the melon industry in the future and provides corresponding guidance for the development of the melon industry.

Эффективность применения кормовой добавки на курах-несушках

Purpose. Efficiency assessment of the use of feed additive with including in the diet of poultry. Materials and Methods. The conditions of keeping poultry corresponded to the sanitary and hygienic standards adopted in the farm on the basis of which the experiment was conducted, and the requirements of industrial cultivation technology. For the poultry, the planting density, microclimate parameters and lighting mode corresponded to the requirements of the cross. Feeding and watering were carried out in accordance with the rations and norms adopted in the farms. Compound feeds intended for poultry of the experimental groups were prepared separately, in accordance with the draft instructions for the feed additive Acidopul L. Results. When weighed on day 60, the average egg weight of the experimental group 1 exceeded the control analogues by 0.38 g or 0.6%, of the experimental group 2 – by 0.50 g or 0.8%. In terms of egg productivity, laying hens of the experimental group 1 exceeded control analogues by 0.38 eggs/head or 2.9%, of the experimental group 2 – by 0.70 eggs/head or 5.4%. According to the results of a biochemical study of the blood serum of laying hens, the control and experimental groups differed in total protein content: in the experimental group 1, the excess was by 4.15 g / l, or 11.5%, in the experimental group 2 – by 2.50 g / l or 6.0%. Over the entire observation period, the safety of livestock in experimental group 1 was 2.7% higher, in experimental group 2 – 3.6%. According to the intensity of pecking, the poultry of the experimental group 1 was inferior to the control analogues by 0.9%, the experimental group 2 – by 1.8%. Conclusion. The results of the conducted studies indicate that the feed additive Acidopul L in the recommended dosage regimen of 1 liter per ton of compound feed (experimental group 1), 2 liters per ton of compound feed (experimental group 2) is able to have a beneficial effect on poultry products in the form of improved livestock safety.

Industrial and Laboratory Technologies for the Chemical Recycling of Plastic Waste.

Synthetic polymers play an indispensable role in modern society, finding applications across various sectors ranging from packaging, textiles, and consumer products to construction, electronics, and industrial machinery. Commodity plastics are cheap to produce, widely available, and versatile to meet diverse application needs. As a result, millions of metric tons of plastics are manufactured annually. However, current approaches for the chemical recycling of postconsumer plastic waste, primarily based on pyrolysis, lag in efficiency compared to their production methods. In recent years, significant research has focused on developing milder, economically viable methods for the chemical recycling of commodity plastics, which involves converting plastic waste back into monomers or transforming it into other valuable chemicals. This Perspective examines both industrial and cutting-edge laboratory-scale methods contributing to recent advancements in the field of chemical recycling.

Real Estate Insights: The current state and the new future of tokenization in real estate

PurposeThis real estate insight provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state and future potential of tokenization in the real estate industry mentioning several challenges to overcome to take advantage of this technology. We highlight potential benefits, including enhanced liquidity, increased security and improved accessibility. Additionally, the real estate insight critically discusses potential drawbacks, such as regulatory challenges and technological risks, and explores the impact of tokenization on real estate prices.Design/methodology/approachThis real estate insight employs a comprehensive literature review alongside a qualitative analysis of various case studies to explore current implementations of tokenization within the real estate industry. Multiple applications of tokenization in the real estate industry are examined, including fractional ownership, property management and transaction processes. The study investigates the optimization potential of tokenization for asset liquidity in the real estate area, transaction transparency and security. It also critically discusses potential challenges, such as regulatory compliance, security vulnerabilities and market adoption.FindingsThe future of real estate tokenization, driven by blockchain technology and smart contracts, offers significant potential for growth, enhancing liquidity and accessibility through fractional ownership. Smart contracts automate and secure transactions, while evolving standards and regulatory frameworks in regions like North America, Europe and Asia support market expansion. Since its initial implementation with the St. Regis Aspen Resort STO, a stream of successful projects has highlighted the viability of tokenization. However, challenges remain, including the need for regulatory clarity, industry and customer education, displacements of market participants and jobs and environmental impacts. Integrating advanced technologies like AI and IoT can further streamline property management and investment decisions.Practical implicationsThe real estate insight’s practical implications extend to industry professionals, policymakers and technology developers. Professionals gain insights into how tokenization can enhance liquidity and security in the real estate sector, guiding strategic decision-making. For policymakers, understanding potential challenges like regulatory compliance and technological risks informs the development of supportive regulations. Technology developers can also benefit from understanding the sector-specific applications and concerns raised. Highlighting the need for robust security measures and regulatory compliance in tokenization systems may foster better design practices. Therefore, the real estate insight’s findings could significantly shape the future development of tokenization integration in the real estate industry.Originality/valueThis real estate insight offers original value through a comprehensive analysis of the current and future impacts of tokenization in the real estate industry. It examines various applications of tokenization and critically discusses the potential challenges. The focus on informing strategic decisions for professionals and policymakers enhances its utility as a resource. Additionally, by addressing both the benefits and drawbacks, this study contributes to the broader discourse on the societal implications of tokenization. In the context of rapid technological advancement, such thorough studies are rare, further underscoring the real estate insight’s originality.

Estimating the vulnerability of industrial network infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe

Industrial infrastructure has suffered an unprecedented number of attacks in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). This situation can be attributed to many geopolitical factors, including hybrid military conflicts and criminal activity. Industrial networks belonging to the countries that were once under Soviet influence suffer from an elevated risk of cyberattacks. The goal of this work is to propose an easy way to estimate the vulnerabilities of industrial networks to cyber threats on a national level. Since analysis of the industrial vulnerability landscape is difficult, this study proposes an assessment based on the popularity of vulnerable technologies—VPc. This metric is composed of search volume data on keywords related to industrial network technologies and reported security vulnerabilities associated with these words. Data on 116 keywords was analysed and a country-specific VPc index was calculated for twenty states in CEE. The analysis of the popularity of industrial technologies and vendors in CEE reveals interesting information about the industrial security and vulnerability landscape. The results show that some countries (e.g. Estonia) have more resilient industrial infrastructure than others (e.g. Belarus). The results presented in this study are not in conflict with other data and estimation attempts, including the National Cyber Security Index (NCSI). As new vulnerabilities are noted every day, the industrial security landscape changes rapidly. Therefore, a new easy-to-use metric (VPc) can be successfully used for general estimations. This work shows that the VPc score agrees with other estimates and analyses, but as with any other general estimation tool, it must be used with caution.