A new electrocatalyst combining iron phthalocyanine (FePc) with mesoporous Ti₃C₂ MXene significantly enhances oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance under alkaline conditions, achieving higher activity and stability than commercial platinum-based catalysts, and demonstrating great potential for application in zinc-air batteries.  

A research paper by scientists from Tianjin University proposed a novel solution for high-speed steady-state visually evoked potential (SSVEP)-based brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), featuring a neural principle-based data augmentation technique (BGMix) and a Transformer-based model (AETF) to enhance EEG decoding efficiency.

In this paper, the existing AD methods for the PMSM drive system with LC sine wave filter are reviewed, including the modified AD methods based on inherent damping, conventional AD methods based on state variable feedback, modified AD methods with LPF and HPF based on state variable feedback and AD methods based on digital filter. A new expansion of AD method based on HPF-CCF is studied to ensure the effectiveness when the resonant frequency is around sixth of the sampling frequency. The stability, dynamic performance, robustness, and algorithm complexity of the AD methods are compared in detail and the suggestion of selecting the AD method in different industrial scenarios is summed as below.

1) When evaluating the stability of control system in terms of PM and GM, CCF, LPF-CCF, and the proposed HPF-CCF are comparatively more recommended.

2) In terms of the open-loop cutoff frequency, the proposed HPF-CCF is more recommended for realizing a better dynamic performance.

3) In terms of the Bode diagrams analysis and experimental results, LPF-CCF, HPF-MCF, and the proposed HPF-CCF are more recommended for ensuring control system robustness.

4) When considering the algorithmic complexity of the AD methods, only one parameter needs to be designed for CCF and ICF-SOGI.

Scientists show that molybdenum nanoparticles sprayed on leaves can suppress toxic cadmium uptake and harmful oxidative stress in rice Cadmium-contaminated soils threaten food safety worldwide, particularly rice safety in Asia. Researchers at Foshan University have discovered that foliar application of molybdenum nanoparticles (MoNPs) can reduce cadmium accumulation in rice roots while limiting oxidative damage. The findings demonstrate how targeted nanoparticle treatment modulates key molecular and biochemical pathways to improve plant resilience against metal stress, offering a promising strategy for safer food production in contaminated farmlands.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have attracted significant attention as sustainable energy technologies due to their efficient energy conversion and fuel flexibility. However, several challenges remain, such as low catalytic activity of fuel cell membrane electrode assembly (MEA), insufficient mass transfer performance, and performance degradation caused by catalyst deactivation over long period of operation. These issues are especially significant at high current densities, limiting both efficiency and operational lifespan. Mesoporous carbon materials, characterized by a high specific surface area, tunable pore structure, and excellent electrical conductivity, are emerging as crucial components for enhancing power density, mass transfer efficiency, and durability of PEMFCs. This review first discusses the properties and advantages of mesoporous carbon and outlines various synthetic strategies, including hard template, soft template, and template-free approaches. It then comprehensively examines the applications of mesoporous carbon in PEMFCs, focusing on their effects on the catalyst and gas diffusion layer. Finally, it concludes with future perspectives, emphasizing the need for further research to fully exploit the potential of mesoporous carbon in PEMFCs.

Perovskite-based photovoltaic devices have garnered significant interest owing to their remarkable performance in converting light into electricity. Recently, the focus in the field of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has shifted towards enhancing their durability over extended periods. One promising strategy is the incorporation of two-dimensional (2D) perovskites, known for their ability to enhance stability due to the large organic cations that act as a barrier against moisture. However, the broad optical bandgap and limited charge transport properties of 2D perovskites hinder their efficiency, making them less suitable as the sole light-absorbing material when compared to their three-dimensional (3D) counterparts. An innovative approach involves using 2D perovskite structures to modify the surface properties of 3D perovskite. This hybrid approach, known as 2D/3D perovskites, while enhancing their performance. Beyond solar energy applications, 2D perovskites offer a flexible platform for chemical engineering, allowing for significant adjustments to crystal and thin-film configurations, bandgaps, and charge transport properties through the different organic ligands and halide mixtures. Despite these advantages, challenges remain in integration of 2D perovskites into solar cells without compromising device stability. This review encapsulates the latest developments in 2D perovskite research, focusing on their structural, optoelectronic, and stability attributes, while delving into the challenges and future potential of these materials.

Hydrogen is a promising energy carrier that is expected to play a crucial role in helping Canada achieve its net-zero target by 2050. However, reducing the ambiguity in regulatory frameworks is essential to incentivize and facilitate international trade in hydrogen. To this end, regulators must agree on quantification methodologies that consider life cycle boundaries, process descriptions, co-product allocation, conversion constants, and certification units. Several studies have highlighted the importance of life cycle assessment (LCA) as a standardized, relevant method for estimating the carbon footprint associated with hydrogen production and evaluating its environmental sustainability. As such, LCA-based certification schemes could help create a transparent hydrogen market. The aim of this study is to validate the proposed harmonized LCA-based methodology for quantifying hydrogen production’s carbon intensity. This methodology follows a consistent scope and life cycle inventory (LCI) development criteria, alongside a rigorous data quality assessment. The well-to-gate carbon intensities of six hydrogen production pathways are compared, which range from 0.26 to 10.07 kg CO_2e per kg of hydrogen (kg CO_2e/kg H₂), against the hydrogen carbon intensity thresholds established by the Canadian Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credit (CHITC). For example, the biomass gasification with carbon capture (CC) pathway demonstrates the lowest carbon intensity, while thermochemical pathways, such as steam methane reforming of natural gas without CC, poses challenges to meeting the maximum CHTIC threshold of 4 kg CO_2e/kg H₂.

The pursuit of high energy density and sustainable energy storage devices has been the target of many researchers. However, safety issues such as the susceptibility of conventional liquid electrolytes to leakage and flammability, as well as performance degradation due to uncontrollable dendrite growth in liquid electrolytes, have been limiting the further development of energy storage devices. In this regard, gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) based on lignocellulosic (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin) have attracted great interest due to their high thermal stability, excellent electrolyte wettability, and natural abundance. Therefore, in this critical review, a comprehensive overview of the current challenges faced by GPEs is presented, followed by a detailed description of the opportunities and advantages of lignocellulosic materials for the fabrication of GPEs for energy storage devices. Notably, the key properties and corresponding construction strategies of GPEs for energy storage are analyzed and discussed from the perspective of lignocellulose for the first time. Moreover, the future challenges and prospects of lignocellulose-mediated GPEs in energy storage applications are also critically reviewed and discussed. We sincerely hope this review will stimulate further research on lignocellulose-mediated GPEs in energy storage and provide meaningful directions for the strategy of designing advanced GPEs.