Carbon nanotube-carbon black hybrid counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells and the effect on charge transfer kinetics

In this work, the catalytic activity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon black (CB), and CNT-CB counter electrodes in the I⁻/I₃⁻ reduction reaction is reported and compared with the Pt counter electrode. The fabricated counter electrodes were evaluated in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The results indicate that the best cathodes were made from CNT₁₀ (240 μm) and CB with a charge transfer resistance (R_CT) of 2.70 Ω, and when the complete device shows 19.83 Ω of internal series resistance (R_S), the photovoltaic parameters of these cells were J_SC = 10.47 mA cm⁻²; V_OC = 0.70 V; and FF = 57.90, with an efficiency of 4.29%, indicating a better interaction between the CNT₁₀ in the 3D network of the counter electrode, generating a good charge transfer kinetics, in comparison with only CNT₁₀ or CB.

     

Bioprinting of Collagen: Considerations,Potentials, and Applications

Collagen is the most abundant extracellular matrix protein that is widely used in tissue engineering (TE). There is little research done on printing pure collagen. To understand the bottlenecks in printing pure collagen, it is imperative to understand collagen from a bottom‐up approach. Here it is aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of collagen printing, where collagen assembly in vivo and the various sources of collagen available for TE application are first understood. Next, the current printing technologies and strategy for printing collagen‐based materials are highlighted. Considerations and key challenges faced in collagen printing are identified. Finally, the key research areas that would enhance the functionality of printed collagen are presented.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Spiroindenes by Enol‐Directed Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed C?H Functionalization and Spiroannulation

Chiral cyclopentadienyl rhodium complexes promote highly enantioselective enol‐directed C(sp²)‐H functionalization and oxidative annulation with alkynes to give spiroindenes containing all‐carbon quaternary stereocenters. High selectivity between two possible directing groups, as well as control of the direction of rotation in the isomerization of an O‐bound rhodium enolate into the C‐bound isomer, appear to be critical for high enantiomeric excesses.     

Cleavage of a PN Bond in a Urea‐Containing (Ph2P(R)PPh2)‐Bridged Dinuclear Gold(I) Thiolate Complex by Fluoride and a Mechanistic Insight

A urea‐containing, (Ph₂P(R)PPh₂)‐bridged, dinuclear, gold(I) thiolate complex, [Au₂{Ph₂PN(C₆H₄OMe‐4)PPh₂}(SC₆H₄NHCONHC₆H₅)₂] ( 1 ) was designed and synthesized and its photophysical and anion recognition properties studied. The results show that 1 has a high selectivity toward F^?. Upon addition of F^?, the yellow solution was decolorized, and drastic changes of emission and ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR signals were observed. Interestingly, these changes are attributed to fluoride‐assisted P?N bond hydrolysis, instead of the expected hydrogen‐bonding interactions with the urea receptor. Similar changes were observed for two other basic anions, AcO^? and H₂PO₄^?, but to a much lesser extent; and these anions were found to bind to the urea receptor at the same time. On the other hand, Cl^? was found to only bind to the urea moiety through hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Further studies with the control complex [Au₂{Ph₂PN(C₆H₄OMe‐4)PPh₂}Cl₂] ( 2 ) indicate that F^? assists the hydrolysis process via cleavage of the P?N bond. DFT calculations were performed to study the reaction mechanism for the fluoride‐assisted P?N bond hydrolysis of 2 ; these provide a better insight into the role of fluoride in the hydrolysis.     

Time-dependent discrete road network design with both tactical and strategic decisions

This paper aims to model and investigate the discrete urban road network design problem, using a multi-objective time-dependent decision-making approach. Given a base network made up with two-way links, candidate link expansion projects, and candidate link construction projects, the problem determines the optimal combination of one-way and two-way links, the optimal selection of capacity expansion projects, and the optimal lane allocations on two-way links over a dual time scale. The problem considers both the total travel time and the total CO emissions as the two objective function measures. The problem is modelled using a time-dependent approach that considers a planning horizon of multiple years and both morning and evening peaks. Under this approach, the model allows determining the sequence of link construction, the expansion projects over a predetermined planning horizon, the configuration of street orientations, and the lane allocations for morning and evening peaks in each year of the planning horizon. This model is formulated as a mixed-integer programming problem with mathematical equilibrium constraints. In this regard, two multi-objective metaheuristics, including a modified non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and a multi-objective B-cell algorithm, are proposed to solve the above-mentioned problem. Computational results for various test networks are also presented in this paper.     

香港花岗岩风化分级化学指标体系与风化壳分带

火成岩的化学风化过程实质上就是碱、碱土金属组分水解淋失与脱硅富铁铝化的地球化学过程。不同风化程度的岩石处于整个化学风化过程的不同阶段,因而具有不同的化学成分和风化度指标。笔者在对香港九龙两个地方5个钻孔共计150件不同深度、不同风化程度的样品化学全分析结果与岩土风化程度宏观判别结果的相互对比、选择和确认的基础上,建立了香港地区花岗岩风化岩土风化程度工程分级的化学指标体系。这一研究成果的提出不仅有利于提高花岗岩风化岩土工程分类的科。学性、可靠性和实用性,而且可以为风化岩土工程特性与风化作用关系研究提供理论依据。     

Integral equation formulation for buoyancy-driven convection problems

An integral equation formulation for buoyancy-driven convection problems is developed and illustrated. Buoyancy-driven convection in a bounded cylindrical geometry with a free surface is studied for a range of aspect ratios and Nusselt numbers. The critical Rayleigh number, the nature of the cellular motion, and the heat transfer enhancement are computed using linear theory. Green's functions are used to convert the linear problem into linear Fredholm integral equations. Theorems are proved which establish the properties of the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the linear integral operator which appears in these equations.     

Hybrid Plasma – Prospects for Application in Medicine and Biology

Russian Physics Journal - Different schemes and designs of generators of low-temperature hybrid plasma produced by simultaneous ionization of plasma-generating medium by an electron beam with...