Carbon dioxide energy storage (CES) is an emerging compressed gas energy storage technology which offers high energy storage efficiency, flexibility in location, and low overall costs. This study focuses on a CES system that incorporates a high-temperature graded heat storage structure, utilizing multiple heat exchange working fluids. Unlike traditional CES systems that utilize a single thermal storage at low to medium temperatures, this system significantly optimizes the heat transfer performance of the system, thereby improving its cycle efficiency. Under typical design conditions, the round-trip efficiency of the system is found to be 76.4%, with an output power of 334 kW/(kg·s−1) per unit mass flow rate, through mathematical modeling. Performance analysis shows that increasing the total pressure ratio, reducing the heat transfer temperature difference, improving the heat exchanger efficiency, and lowering the ambient temperature can enhance cycle efficiency. Additionally, this paper proposes a universal and theoretical CES thermodynamic intrinsic cycle construction method and performance prediction evaluation method for CES systems, providing a more standardized and accurate approach for optimizing CES system design.

Electrocatalytic nitric oxide (NO) reduction reaction (NORR) is a promising and sustainable process that can simultaneously realize green ammonia (NH₃) synthesis and hazardous NO removal. However, current NORR performances are far from practical needs due to the lack of efficient electrocatalysts. Engineering the lattice of metal-based nanomaterials via phase control has emerged as an effective strategy to modulate their intrinsic electrocatalytic properties. Herein, we realize boron (B)-insertion-induced phase regulation of rhodium (Rh) nanocrystals to obtain amorphous Rh₄B nanoparticles (NPs) and hexagonal close-packed (hcp) RhB NPs through a facile wet-chemical method. A high Faradaic efficiency (92.1 ± 1.2%) and NH₃ yield rate (629.5 ± 11.0 µmol h⁻¹ cm⁻²) are achieved over hcp RhB NPs, far superior to those of most reported NORR nanocatalysts. In situ spectro-electrochemical analysis and density functional theory simulations reveal that the excellent electrocatalytic performances of hcp RhB NPs are attributed to the upshift of d-band center, enhanced NO adsorption/activation profile, and greatly reduced energy barrier of the rate-determining step. A demonstrative Zn–NO battery is assembled using hcp RhB NPs as the cathode and delivers a peak power density of 4.33 mW cm⁻², realizing simultaneous NO removal, NH₃ synthesis, and electricity output.

Using EUROSTAT data and double randomization, the co-led study improves the Benefit of the Doubt model through a novel Ensemble-DEA framework that mitigates the curse of dimensionality in SDG indicators. Published in Expert Systems with Applications, the method offers more reliable EU performance rankings and benchmarking tools for evaluating sustainability policies across member states.

In a significant stride towards cleaner water, researchers at the School of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China, have developed a novel material that effectively removes harmful pollutants from water. Professors Jianhua Qu and Ying Zhang lead the team behind the study titled "Synthesis of Polyvinyl Chloride Modified Magnetic Hydrochar for Effective Removal of Pb(II) and Bisphenol A from Aqueous Phase: Performance and Mechanism Exploration." This innovative research introduces a powerful new tool in the fight against water pollution.

The aroma of wine is shaped largely by volatile compounds originating from grape berries, among which β-damascenone is a major contributor to floral and fruity notes.