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Remarkable advances have recently been made in the thermocell array with series or parallel interconnection, however, the output power from the thermocell array is mainly limited by the electrolyte performance of an n-type element. In this work, we investigate iron (II/III) perchlorate electrolytes as a new n-type electrolyte and compared with the ferric/ferrous cyanide electrolyte at its introduction with platinum as the electrodes, which has been the benchmark for thermocells. In comparison, the perchlorate electrolyte (Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ ) exhibits a high temperature coefficient of redox potential of +1.76 mV/K, which is complementary to the cyanide electrolyte (Fe(CN) 6 3− /Fe(CN) 6 4− ) with the temperature coefficient of −1.42 mV/K. The power factor and figure of merit for the electrolyte are higher by 28% and 40%, respectively, than those for the cyanide electrolyte. In terms of device performance, the thermocell using the perchlorate electrolyte provides a power density of 687 mW/m 2 that is 45% higher compared to the same device but with the cyanide electrolyte for a small temperature difference of 20 °C. The advent of this high performance n-type electrolyte could open up new ways to achieve substantial advances in p-n thermocells as in p-n thermoelectrics, which has steered the way to the possibility of practical use of thermoelectrics.

The saponins of Bupleurum falcatum L., saikosaponins, are the major components responsible for its pharmacological and biological activities. However, the anti-cancer effects of prosaikogenin and saikogenin, which are glycoside hydrolyzed saikosaponins, are still unknown due to its rarity in plants. In this study, we applied two recombinant glycoside hydrolases that exhibit glycoside cleavage activity with saikosaponins. The two enzymes, BglPm and BglLk, were cloned from Paenibacillus mucilaginosus and Lactobacillus koreensis, and exhibited good activity between 30–37 °C and pH 6.5–7.0. Saikosaponin A and D were purified and obtained from the crude B. falcatum L. extract using preparative high performance liquid chromatography technique. Saikosaponin A and D were converted into saikogenin F via prosaikogenin F, and saikogenin G via prosaikogenin G using enzyme transformation with high β-glycosidase activity. The two saikogenin and two prosaikogenin compounds were purified using a silica column to obtain 78.1, 62.4, 8.3, and 7.5 mg of prosaikogenin F, prosaikogenin G, saikogenin F, and saikogenin G, respectively, each with 98% purity. The anti-cancer effect of the six highly purified saikosaponins was investigated in the human colon cancer cell line HCT 116. The results suggested that saikosaponins and prosaikogenins markedly inhibit the growth of the cancer cell line. Thus, this enzymatic technology could significantly improve the production of saponin metabolites of B. falcatum L.

Herein, a new ternary strategy to fabricate efficient and photostable inverted organic photovoltaics (OPVs) is introduced by combining a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) blend and a fullerene self‐assembled monolayer (C60‐SAM). Time‐of‐flight secondary‐ion mass spectrometry ‐ analysis reveals that the ternary blend is vertically phase separated with the C60‐SAM at the bottom and the BHJ on top. The average power conversion efficiency ‐ of OPVs based on the ternary system is improved from 14.9% to 15.6% by C60‐SAM addition, mostly due to increased current density (Jsc) and fill factor ‐. It is found that the C60‐SAM encourages the BHJ to make more face‐on molecular orientation because grazing incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering ‐ data show an increased face‐on/edge‐on orientation ratio in the ternary blend. Light‐intensity dependent Jsc data and charge carrier lifetime analysis indicate suppressed bimolecular recombination and a longer charge carrier lifetime in the ternary system, resulting in the enhancement of OPV performance. Moreover, it is demonstrated that device photostability in the ternary blend is enhanced due to the vertically self‐assembled C60‐SAM that successfully passivates the ZnO surface and protects BHJ layer from the UV‐induced photocatalytic reactions of the ZnO. These results suggest a new perspective to improve both performance and photostability of OPVs using a facial ternary method. A new ternary system is introduced that can form a vertically self‐assembled passivation layer on the interface between photoactive layer and ZnO layer in n‐i‐p device architecture. This system not only improves photostability against UV light but also increases in Jsc and fill factor ‐ by encouraging to make a favorable molecular orientation of photoactive materials from edge‐on to face‐on orientation.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) relies on the thermal differences between ocean surface waters and cooler waters at c. 1000 m depth. The highest and most reliable thermal differentials are in the low latitudes, 20° either side of the equator, including the Pacific Islands region. Whilst in theory OTEC can utilize an inexhaustible amount of stored energy within the oceans, in practice the industry remains in its technical infancy, but with an increasing relevance to a post-fossil-fuel, environmentally conscious world. OTEC does not only produce electricity. OTEC-seawater utilization technologies produce high demand ocean minerals, desalination, a range of waters for aquaculture and hydroponics, and have the potential to produce large quantities of green hydrogen. OTEC is a green energy and could revolutionize the energy and economic landscape of Pacific island countries, providing reliable low-C electricity and a basis for a range of industry. This paper analyses the economics of using OTEC in combination with existing and potential future industries of importance to the Pacific (and other oceanic) regions, including tuna fisheries, seabed minerals and green hydrogen. The conclusions of these analyses suggest that OTEC has the potential to minimize carbon emissions, increase efficiencies, and create new high-quality green-technology industries and livelihoods.

Background/Objectives: Plain radiography is the primary diagnostic tool for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Several qualitative grading methods have been proposed to represent the pathophysiologic phase and guide treatment decisions. However, these methods have demonstrated low reliability, complicating their effectiveness for such purposes. This study aims to perform the first quantitative analysis of calcific lesions using radiographic imaging and explore their correlation with ultrasonographic parameters to enhance their diagnostic utility. Methods: A total of 57 shoulders presenting with painful calcific tendinitis in either the supraspinatus or subscapularis tendon were reviewed. The calcific deposits and tendon regions of interest were meticulously identified and annotated. Image brightness was reduced to 256 grayscale levels, and descriptive and heterogeneity parameters, including skewness, kurtosis, complexity, and entropy, were quantified and analyzed. Results: In the region of calcification, the average grayscale values were 21.69 units higher than those of tendon tissue. All spatial heterogeneity parameters, except for skewness, demonstrated statistically significant differences when compared with the adjacent tendon. Notably, entropy and complexity were the most distinctive features, with an area under the curve of 0.93 and cut-off values of 4.62 and 4.18, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between the heterogeneity parameters and ultrasonographic findings, such as bursal contact and peri-calcific hypoattenuation. Conclusions: Calcific deposits demonstrated not only increased brightness in grayscale levels but also distinct spatial heterogeneity. The correlation with ultrasonographic findings indicates that these heterogeneity parameters may reflect underlying pathophysiological characteristics. Future prospective research could explore the whole temporal changes of calcifications more thoroughly.

Herein, we design and characterize 9-heterocyclic ring non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) with the extended backbone of indacenodithiophene by cyclopenta [2,1-b:3,4-b’] dithiophene (CPDT). The planar conjugated CPDT donor enhances absorption by reducing vibronic transition and charge transport. Developed NFAs with different end groups shows maximum absorption at approximately 790–850 nm in film. Because of the electronegative nature of the end-group, the corresponding acceptors showed deeper LUMO energy levels and red-shifted ultraviolet absorption. We investigate the crystallinity, film morphology, surface energy, and electronic as well as photovoltaic performance. The organic photovoltaic cells using novel NFAs with the halogen end groups fluorine or chlorine demonstrate better charge collection and faster exciton dissociation than photovoltaic cells using NFAs with methyl or lacking a substituent. Photovoltaic devices constructed from m-Me-ITIC with various end groups deliver power conversion efficiencies of 3.6–11.8%.

Climate change has had a significant impact on apple phenology and fruit quality worldwide. Similarly, a decline in fruit quality has been observed in major apple-producing areas of Korea. It is predicted that the ideal cultivation areas for apples would need to shift toward higher latitudes due to these changes. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the influence of climate change on apple cultivated in a higher-latitude region. To achieve this goal, we investigated the flowering and harvest times of apples. Additionally, we measured fruit weight, soluble solid content, and titratable acidity over a period of 20 years in a higher-latitude region in Korea. Subsequently, we examined the relationship between temperature, phenology, and fruit quality through the use of linear regression and correlation analysis methods. The 20-year meteorological data revealed a consistent rise in temperatures. Consistent with this trend, we found a significant advancement in budbreak and flowering dates for the two major apple cultivars grown in a higher latitude in Korea. Furthermore, the increase in temperatures has positively influenced fruit quality, indicating that climate change has an impact not only on phenology, but also on the quality of apples in Korea. Considering the projected gradual increase in temperature, our findings strongly support that higher-latitude regions in Korea have the potential to become optimal locations for apple cultivation.

In order to supply high-purity process gas in the semiconductor manufacturing process, a gas filter is used to remove particles that may be contained in the gas. However, because the gas filters currently in use have simple pore structures, there is a need to increase filtration efficiency through the development of filters with complex pore structures. In this study, a metal powder filter with double-layered pores was manufactured using a Wet Powder Spraying process (WPS) to increase the filtering efficiency of gas filters used in semiconductor manufacturing. The effects of the mixing ratio of spherical-shape and flake-shape powders and the rolling process on the filter’s characteristics were investigated. The filter’s performance, microstructure, and surface roughness were evaluated by measuring porosity and gas permeability. The results showed that as the ratio of flake-shaped powder decreased, the thickness of the coating layer and the porosity of the filter decreased. Additionally, it was observed that as the rolling process progressed, the non-uniform pore structure was oriented parallel to the cross-section of the filter regardless of the mixing ratio. Measurements found that the gas permeability of the uncoated filter support was the highest, and that gas permeability decreased as the proportion of spherical powder increased regardless of the average particle size of the mixed powder. Lower gas permeability was observed in rolled samples. A filtration efficiency of LRV 3 or higher was confirmed.

When fabricating a metal powder filter with a double-layered pore structure, which includes a microporous layer, by coating flake-shaped powder using the Wet Powder Spray (WPS) process, it is crucial to ensure that the coating is applied parallel to the surface of the metal powder filter. Failure to do so can result in a non-uniform pore structure, leading to a rapid decline in particle filtration efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the alignment of the coated flake-shaped powder on the filter surface. In this study, a metal powder filter with a double-layered pore structure was fabricated by applying a flake-shaped metal powder coating to a tube-shaped SUS316L powder filter using the WPS process. In order to improve the flake-shaped powder orientation of coating layer, the impact of the rolling process was investigated. The characteristics of the pores were analyzed based on the powder size and the rolling time. The microstructure of the fabricated metal powder filter was observed using an optical microscope, surface roughness, variations in thickness, and air permeability were analysed.

Novel sensing and actuation technologies have notably advanced haptic interfaces, paving the way for more immersive user experiences. We introduce a haptic system that transcends traditional pressure-based interfaces by delivering more comprehensive tactile sensations. This system provides an interactive combination of a robotic hand and haptic glove to operate devices within the wireless communication range. Each component is equipped with independent sensors and actuators, enabling real-time mirroring of user’s hand movements and the effective transmission of tactile information. Remarkably, the proposed system has a multimodal feedback mechanism based on both vibration motors and Peltier elements. This mechanism ensures a varied tactile experience encompassing pressure and temperature sensations. The accuracy of tactile feedback is meticulously calibrated according to experimental data, thereby enhancing the reliability of the system and user experience. The Peltier element for temperature feedback allows users to safely experience temperatures similar to those detected by the robotic hand. Potential applications of this system are wide ranging and include operations in hazardous environments and medical interventions. By providing realistic tactile sensations, our haptic system aims to improve both the performance and safety of workers in such critical sectors, thereby highlighting the great potential of advanced haptic technologies.