Abstract

Purpose – Our study investigates how board co-option influences solvency risk in Australian and New Zealand banks. Board governance is considered one of the most critical variables impacting bank risk management practices and policies.

Design/methodology/approach – Our sample consists of commercial banks from both countries and data from 2011 to 2021. The results obtained were based on fixed-effect, 2SLS and GMM Models. Our results are robust to the other two measures of Board Co-option, Tenure-Weighted Co-Option and Residual Co-option, showing the applicability of our econometric model.

Findings – Results reveal that an increased proportion of co-opted directors on the board is associated with a notably reduced Z-Score ratio value, signifying an elevated level of solvency risk for banks. The evidence is consistent with the notion that co-opted directors bring about less effective board governance, escalating agency problems and enhancing solvency risk.

Research limitations/implications – The banks in these two countries must carefully establish a risk management framework under the Basel Accords to avoid risks like solvency risk. The regulators in the financial services industry may also devise mechanisms and regulate the banks under the second pillar of Basel-II and III, “Supervisory Review Process,” to avoid solvency risk management issues. Future researchers and scholars can extend the limits of future studies from two countries to various geographic locations, such as Europe, China and Southeast Asian regions.

Practical implications – Our study establishes the fact that banks in Australia and New Zealand are more exposed to solvency risk due to increasing board co-option phenomena at the board level.

Social implications – The unique measure of board co-option reveals the significance of board governance for bank risk management. To properly develop and implement bank risk management policies, the appointment and performance of board members must be actively monitored in Australian and New Zealand banks through a sensitive measure of board co-option.

Originality/value – Our study provides fresh insight and adds to the body of knowledge. It is a pioneering effort and a point of reference for forthcoming researchers, as there are either limited or no other such studies available in the literature to the best of our knowledge in terms of the relationship between Board co-option and solvency risk. A few previous studies are limited to US firms only.

Knowing the correct phase connectivity information plays a significant role in maintaining high-quality power and reliable electricity supply to end-consumers. However, managing the consumer-phase connectivity of a low-voltage distribution network is often costly, prone to human errors, and time-intensive, as it involves either installing expensive high-precision devices or employing field-based methods. Besides, the ever-increasing electricity demand and the proliferation of behind-the-meter resources have also increased the complexity of leveraging the phase connectivity problem. To overcome the above challenges, this paper develops a data-driven model to identify the phase connectivity of end-consumers using advanced metering infrastructure voltage and current measurements. Initially, a preprocessing method that employs linear interpolation and singular value decomposition is adopted to improve the quality of the smart meter data. Then, using Kirchoff’s current law and correlation analysis, a discrete convolution optimization model is built to uniquely identify the phase to which each end-consumer is connected. The data sets utilized are obtained by performing power flow simulations on a modified IEEE-906 test system using OpenDSS software. The robustness of the model is tested against data set size, missing smart meter data, measurement errors, and the influence of prosumers. The results show that the method proposed correctly identifies the phase connections of end-consumers with an accuracy of about 98%.

Seawater zinc-air batteries are promising energy storage devices due to their high energy density and utilization of seawater electrolytes. However, their efficiency is hindered by the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and chloride-induced degradation over conventional catalysts. In this study, we proposed a universal synthetic strategy to construct heteroatom axially coordinated Fe–N₄ single-atom seawater catalyst materials (Cl–Fe–N₄ and S–Fe–N₄). X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirmed their five-coordinated square pyramidal structure. Systematic evaluation of catalytic activities revealed that compared with S–Fe–N₄, Cl–Fe–N₄ exhibits smaller electrochemical active surface area and specific surface area, yet demonstrates higher limiting current density (5.8 mA cm⁻²). The assembled zinc-air batteries using Cl–Fe–N₄ showed superior power density (187.7 mW cm⁻² at 245.1 mA cm⁻²), indicating that Cl axial coordination more effectively enhances the intrinsic ORR activity. Moreover, Cl–Fe–N₄ demonstrates stronger Cl⁻ poisoning resistance in seawater environments. Chronoamperometry tests and zinc-air battery cycling performance evaluations confirmed its enhanced stability. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the introduction of heteroatoms in the axial direction regulates the electron center of Fe single atom, leading to more active reaction intermediates and increased electron density of Fe single sites, thereby enhancing the reduction in adsorbed intermediates and hence the overall ORR catalytic activity.

MXene derivatives are notable two-dimensional nanomaterials with numerous prospective applications in the domains of energy development. MXene derivative, MBene, diversifies its focus on energy storage and harvesting due to its exceptional electrical conductivity, structural flexibility, and mechanical properties. This comprehensive review describes the sandwich-like structure of the synthesized MBene, derived from its multilayered parent material and its distinct chemical framework to date. The fields of focus encompass the investigation of novel MBenes, the study of phase-changing mechanisms, and the examination of hex-MBenes, ortho-MBenes, tetra-MBenes, tri-MBenes, and MXenes with identical transition metal components. A critical analysis is also provided on the electrochemical mechanism and performance of MBene in energy storage (Li/Na/Mg/Ca/Li–S batteries and supercapacitors), as well as conversion and harvesting (CO₂ reduction, and nitrogen reduction reactions). The persistent difficulties associated with conducting experimental synthesis and establishing artificial intelligence-based forecasts are extensively deliberated alongside the potential and forthcoming prospects of MBenes. This review provides a single platform for an overview of the MBene’s potential in energy storage and harvesting.

Space exploration is significant for scientific innovation, resource utilization, and planetary security. Space exploration involves several systems including satellites, space suits, communication systems, and robotics, which have to function under harsh space conditions such as extreme temperatures (− 270 to 1650 °C), microgravity (10^-6 g), unhealthy humidity (< 20% RH or > 60% RH), high atmospheric pressure (~ 1450 psi), and radiation (4000–5000 mSv). Conventional energy-harvesting technologies (solar cells, fuel cells, and nuclear energy), that are normally used to power these space systems have certain limitations (e.g., sunlight dependence, weight, degradation, big size, high cost, low capacity, radioactivity, complexity, and low efficiency). The constraints in conventional energy resources have made it imperative to look for non-conventional yet efficient alternatives. A great potential for enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and mission duration in space exploration can be offered by integrating triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) with existing energy sources. Recently, the potential of TENG including energy harvesting (from vibrations/movements in satellites and spacecraft), self-powered sensing, and microgravity, for multiple applications in different space missions has been discussed. This review comprehensively covers the use of TENGs for various space applications, such as planetary exploration missions (Mars environment monitoring), manned space equipment, In-orbit robotic operations /collision monitoring, spacecraft's design and structural health monitoring, Aeronautical systems, and conventional energy harvesting (solar and nuclear). This review also discusses the use of self-powered TENG sensors for deep space object perception. At the same time, this review compares TENGs with conventional energy harvesting technologies for space systems. Lastly, this review talks about energy harvesting in satellites, TENG-based satellite communication systems, and future practical implementation challenges (with possible solutions).

Achieving high-energy density remains a key objective for advanced energy storage systems. However, challenges, such as poor cathode conductivity, anode dendrite formation, polysulfide shuttling, and electrolyte degradation, continue to limit performance and stability. Molecular and ionic dipole interactions have emerged as an effective strategy to address these issues by regulating ionic transport, modulating solvation structures, optimizing interfacial chemistry, and enhancing charge transfer kinetics. These interactions also stabilize electrode interfaces, suppress side reactions, and mitigate anode corrosion, collectively improving the durability of high-energy batteries. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms is essential to guide the design of next-generation battery materials. Herein, this review summarizes the development, classification, and advantages of dipole interactions in high-energy batteries. The roles of dipoles, including facilitating ion transport, controlling solvation dynamics, stabilizing the electric double layer, optimizing solid electrolyte interphase and cathode–electrolyte interface layers, and inhibiting parasitic reactions—are comprehensively discussed. Finally, perspectives on future research directions are proposed to advance dipole-enabled strategies for high-performance energy storage. This review aims to provide insights into the rational design of dipole-interactive systems and promote the progress of electrochemical energy storage technologies.

This paper presents the synthesis of Co-doped nano-dendritic Cu₂O/Cu heterojunctions via a facile, green chemical replacement method. Atomic Co enhances nitrate adsorption, while metallic Co boosts active hydrogen (*H) generation. By tuning the Co doping concentration and form, *H levels on the catalyst surface are precisely controlled, optimizing ammonia selectivity in nitrate reduction by balancing *H availability and suppressing competing hydrogen evolution. This strategy effectively improves electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis performance.

Recycled rubber made from used car tires is widely promoted as a sustainable solution for playground surfaces, sports fields, and running tracks. However, new research suggests that this popular material may release harmful chemicals into the environment, particularly when the rubber is broken into fine particles.

A new study reveals that urban tributaries flowing through Wuhan are significant sources of phthalate esters, a widely used class of plastic chemicals, to the Yangtze River, highlighting previously underestimated risks to aquatic ecosystems in one of the world’s largest river systems.