In a paper published in SCIENCE CHINA Chemistry, a research team led by Prof. Hao Sun at Shanghai Jiao Tong University discussed the material designs and process optimization of dry-coating electrode fabrication toward sustainable battery production. The review identifies the key challenge of uneven component dispersion in solvent-free systems and introduces emerging strategies designed to effectively address this issue, including the use of composite binders, functional additives, and thermal-assisted processing. These advances enable the fabrication of electrodes that combine structural integrity with enhanced electrochemical performance, while simultaneously reducing manufacturing costs and energy consumption. By elucidating fundamental design principles and presenting practical pathways, this review contributes to the development of more efficient and environmentally sustainable battery technologies.

Existing swirling combustion technology, which relies on faulty coal, is unable to meet deep peak shaving demands without auxiliary methods. This paper developed a deep peak regulation burner (DPRB) to achieve stable combustion at 15%–30% of the boiler’s rated load without auxiliary support. Gas-particle tests, industrial trials, and transient numerical simulations were conducted to evaluate the burner’s performance. At full rated load, the DPRB formed a central recirculation zone (RZ) with a length of 1.5d and a diameter of 0.58d (where d represents the outlet diameter). At 40%, 20%, and 15% rated loads, the RZ became annular, with diameters of 0.30d, 0.40d, and 0.39d, respectively, with a length of 1.0d. At 20% and 15% rated loads, the recirculation peak and the range of particle volume flux were comparable to those at 40% rated load. The prototype burner demonstrated that, without oil support, the gas temperature within 0 to 1.8 m from the primary air outlet remained below 609 °C, insufficient to ignite faulty coal. As the load rate increased from 20% to 30%, the prototype’s central region temperature remained low, with a maximum of 750 °C between 0 and 2.0 m. In contrast, the DPRB’s central region temperature reached 750 °C at around 0.65–0.70 m. At a 3%·min−1 load-up rate, when the load increased from 20% to 30%, the prototype burner extinguished after 30 s. However, the DPRB maintained stable combustion throughout the process.

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer (EL) is regarded as a promising technology for hydrogen generation, offering load flexibility for electric grids (EGs), especially those with a high penetration of renewable energy (RE) sources. This paper proposes a PEM-focused economic dispatch strategy for EG integrated with wind-electrolysis systems. Existing strategies commonly assume a constant efficiency coefficient to model the EL, while the proposed strategy incorporates a bottom-up PEM EL model characterized by a part-load efficiency curve, which accurately represents the nonlinear hydrogen production performance, capturing efficiency variations at different loads. To model this, it first establishes a 0D electrochemical model to derive the polarization curve. Next, it accounts for the hydrogen and oxygen crossover phenomena, represented by the Faraday efficiency, to correct the stack efficiency curve. Finally, it includes the power consumption of ancillary equipment to obtain the nonlinear part-load system efficiency. This strategy is validated using the PJM-5 bus test system with coal-fired generators (CFGs) and is compared with a simple EL model using constant efficiency under three scenarios. The results show that the EL modeling method significantly influences both the dispatch outcome and the economic performance. Sensitivity analyses on coal and hydrogen prices indicate that, for this case study, the proposed strategy is economically advantageous when the coal price is below 121.6 $/tonne. Additionally, the difference in total annual operating cost between using the efficiency curve anda constant efficiency to model becomes apparent when the hydrogen price ranges from 2.9 to 5.4 $/kg.

Grocers can grow profits and reduce food waste by strategically discounting and displaying perishable products nearing expiration, according to new research from Dr. Dorothee Honhon and her colleagues.

People living in the counties surrounding coal ash impoundments are more likely to have cancer, according to a new study that raises questions about the longterm health risks of such exposure. 

Virtual reality (VR) is emerging as a promising tool in the treatment of mental disorders, particularly as a complement to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). It enables patients to experience anxiety-provoking situations—such as public speaking or flying—in a controlled, immersive environment that feels realistic enough to trigger emotional and physical reactions.

A key application of VR is in exposure therapy, where patients gradually confront their fears. Unlike traditional settings, VR allows therapists to recreate difficult or impractical scenarios in a safe, repeatable way while monitoring and adjusting treatment in real time. This makes it especially effective for anxiety-related disorders, including phobias, social anxiety, and PTSD.

VR also helps reduce avoidance behaviors by offering a less intimidating starting point for patients who may struggle to face real-life situations. However, its effectiveness in treating other conditions, such as depression or addiction, remains less clear due to limited research.

Despite its advantages, VR has limitations, including costs, access to technology, and the need for proper therapist training. It may also cause side effects like dizziness in some users. Importantly, VR cannot replace real-life experiences; successful therapy still depends on applying learned skills in everyday situations.

Overall, VR is likely to play a significant role in the future of hybrid therapy models, combining traditional methods with digital tools to enhance treatment outcomes.

Water is an essential resource for life, yet we rarely think about its origin or the processes that shape its quality. In the Santa Rosa canton, located in El Oro Province, the Santa Rosa River is the main source of water supply for 85% of the population, making it a strategic resource for the region’s social and economic development. However, this area is also characterized by intense mining activity, along with agriculture and urban growth, raising concerns about the condition of its water resources.

This comprehensive study illuminates the extraordinary genetic richness of indigenous Ethiopian cattle and provides a roadmap for leveraging cutting-edge molecular tools to revolutionize sustainable livestock breeding in the region.  

A global collaborative study has clarified the phylogeny and generic boundaries of tribe Astragaleae, the most species-rich legume group containing the world’s largest angiosperm genus Astragalus.