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A basic requirement for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is the sintering of electrolyte into a dense impermeable membrane to prevent the mixing of fuel and oxygen for a sufficiently high open-circuit voltage (OCV). However, herein, we demonstrate a different type of fuel cell, a carbonate-superstructured solid fuel cell (CSSFC), in which in situ generation of superstructured carbonate in the porous samarium-doped ceria layer creates a unique electrolyte with ultrahigh ionic conductivity of 0.17 S·cm−1 at 550 °C. The CSSFC achieves unprecedented high OCVs (1.051 V at 500 °C and 1.041 V at 550 °C) with methane fuel. Furthermore, the CSSFC exhibits a high peak power density of 215 mW·cm−2 with dry methane fuel at 550 °C, which is higher than all reported values of electrolyte-supported SOFCs. This provides a different approach for the development of efficient solid fuel cells.

To help mitigate the effects of global warming and fossil fuel depletion caused by human use of fossil fuels, solid fuel pellets were developed from a mixture of spent coffee grounds (SCG) and pine sawdust (PS). The feasibility of SCG-PS pellets as biofuel was also verified by evaluating its fuel quality. An increase in the proportion of SCG in the pellet led to an increase in its calorific value, owing to the high C, H, and oil contents, and increases in the ash and S contents, owing to the high S content in SCG. Analysis of the feedstock particle size distribution revealed that SCG particles are smaller than PS particles; thus, the durability of the pellet decreases as the proportion of SCG increases. Accordingly, the samples with higher SCG proportions (70 and 90 wt.%) did not meet the moisture content standards for biomass solid refuse fuel (bio-SRF) set by the Korea Ministry of Environment, whereas the samples with lower SCG proportions did. In particular, CP10 (10 wt.% SCG + 90 wt.% PS) satisfied the quality standards of Grade 1 wood pellets, demonstrating the feasibility of using SCG as a raw material for biofuel pellet production.

Indoor air pollution caused by solid fuel use for cooking affects 2.5 billion people worldwide and may elevate blood pressure (BP) and increase the burden of hypertension. Although the elderly are the most at risk of an elevated BP and hypertension, few studies have evaluated the effect of indoor solid fuel use for cooking on BP in persons over the age of 65. Therefore, in this study, we randomly selected 8067 elderly people over 65 years of age from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey to determine the impact of indoor solid fuel use on BP/hypertension. The results showed that, compared with those who cooked with clean fuel, those who cooked with solid fuel had a 1.87 mmHg higher systolic blood pressure, a 0.09 mmHg higher diastolic blood pressure, a 0.97 mmHg higher pulse pressure, and a 1.22 mmHg higher mean arterial pressure. However, we did not find any association between indoor solid fuel use and hypertension. We further observed that northern China residents, women, people aged over 90 years, hypertensive and heart patients, and those with natural ventilation in the kitchen that used indoor solid fuel experienced a greater BP impact. Replacing solid fuel with clean fuel may be an important way to lower BP. Regarding this, priority access to clean fuel should be given to the susceptible population, including the elderly aged ≥ 75 years, northern China residents, women, and hypertensive and heart patients.

Background Exposure to mold and solid cooking fuels represents a significant environmental health concern, contributing substantially to indoor air pollution among elderly populations. However, the association between mold exposure, household fuel use, and mental health remains poorly understood. Here we examine individual and joint associations of these exposures on depression, anxiety, and their co-occurrence in older adults. Methods We evaluated 9,243 elderly participants from the eighth survey wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) to explore the associations between mold exposure, solid fuel use, and depression, anxiety, and their co-occurrence. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to quantify these relationships, with adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) reported. Results The study identified a depression prevalence of 13.61% and an anxiety prevalence of 11.79%. Participants exposed to mold demonstrated significantly higher odds of depression (OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.93–2.63), anxiety (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.80–2.48), and their co-occurrence (OR = 2.58, 95% CI = 2.10–3.16), compared to participants without mold exposure. Moreover, the use of solid fuels for cooking, as opposed to clean fuels, was correlated with higher occurrence of depression (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.10–1.47), anxiety (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.12–1.52), and their co-occurrence (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.10–1.67). Notably, solid fuel use appeared to attenuate the association between mold exposure and anxiety (Relative excess risk due to interaction [RERI] = -0.22, 95% CI = -0.44, -0.01). Conclusions The study found that exposure to mold and use of solid fuels may be associated with higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and their co-occurrence. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate our findings.

The utilization of solid fuels remains a significant contributor to air pollution, with well-documented adverse health consequences. In rural regions, the prevalence of solid fuel use for heating and cooking plays a pivotal role in shaping local air quality. This study focuses on evaluating personal exposure to gaseous pollutants originating from restaurants situated in Karunya Nagar, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. The study design considers establishments that use distinct energy sources, with a particular emphasis on those employing wood and liquefied petroleum gas. We measure the concentration of various pollutants, including particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10), carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and total volatile organic carbon, utilizing advanced sensor technology. The levels of these pollutants are influenced by various factors, such as ventilation, chimney placement, stove type, fuel selection, time of exposure, frequency of exposure, and toxicity. Notably, our findings reveal that restaurants using wood as a cooking fuel tend to release higher quantities of gaseous pollutants compared to those employing liquefied petroleum gas. In addition to quantitative measurements, we employ comprehensive chemical characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, to delineate the morphology, chemical composition, and other essential properties of the emitted particulate matter. Our study sheds light on the potential health repercussions faced by rural residents who heavily rely on solid domestic fuels. The insights derived from this research not only contribute to the reduction of air pollution exposure but also facilitate the development of exposure assessment models for forthcoming epidemiological investigations. This aligns with the broader objectives of Sustainable Development Goals and seeks to enhance the well-being of women in rural Southern India.

Background Household air pollution (HAP) from cooking with solid fuels has become a leading cause of death and disability in many developing countries including Bangladesh. We assess the association between HAP and risk of selected adverse birth and maternal health outcomes. Methods Data for this study were extracted from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey conducted during 2007–2014. Selected adverse birth outcomes were acute respiratory infection (ARI) among children, stillbirth, low birth weight (LBW), under-five mortality, neonatal mortality and infant mortality. Maternal pregnancy complications and cesarean delivery were considered as the adverse maternal health outcomes. Place of cooking, use of solid fuel within the house boundary and in living room were the exposure variables. To examine the association between exposure and outcome variables, we used a series of multiple logistic regression models accounted for complex survey design. Results Around 90% of the respondents used solid fuel within the house boundary, 11% of them used solid fuel within the living room. Results of multiple regression indicated that cooking inside the house increased the risk of neonatal mortality (aOR,1.25; 95% CI, 1.02–1.52), infant mortality (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.00–1.40), ARI (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.08–1.33), LBW (aOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10–1.43), and cesarean delivery (aOR,1.18; 95% CI, 1.01–1.29). Use of solid fuel, irrespective of cooking places, increased the risk of pregnancy complications (aOR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.19–1.55). Compared to participants who reported cooking outside the house, the risk of ARI, LBW were significantly high among those who performed cooking within the house, irrespective of type of cooking fuel. Conclusion Indoor cooking and use of solid fuel in household increase the risk of ARI, LBW, cesarean delivery, and pregnancy complication. These relationships need further investigation using more direct measures of smoke exposure and clinical measures of health outcomes. The use of clean fuels and structural improvement in household design such as provision of stove ventilation should be encouraged to reduce such adverse health consequences. Trail registration Data related to health were collected by following the guidelines of ICF international and Bangladesh Medical Research Council. The registration number of data collection was 132,989.0.000, and the data-request was registered on March 11, 2015.

Background In low- and middle-income countries, households mainly use solid fuels like wood, charcoal, dung, agricultural residues, and coal for cooking. This poses significant public health concerns due to the emission of harmful particles and gases. To address these issues and support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopting cleaner cooking fuels like electricity and gas are acknowledged as a viable solution. However, access to these cleaner fuels is limited, especially in rural areas. Methods This study conducted a face-to-face survey with 1240 individuals in rural Bangladesh to explore the link between health issues and cooking fuel type, as well as barriers to transitioning to clean cooking. Using a convenient sampling technique across four divisions/regions, the survey gathered socio-demographic and health data, along with information on clean cooking barriers through a semi-structured questionnaire. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were then employed to identify significant associations between cooking fuel type and health problems. Results The study revealed that a majority of participants (73.3%) relied on solid fuel for cooking. The use of solid fuel was significantly correlated with factors such as lower education levels, reduced family income, location of residence, and the experience of health issues such as cough, chest pressure while breathing, eye discomfort, diabetes, asthma, and allergies. Economic challenges emerged as the foremost obstacle to the adoption of clean cooking, accompanied by other contributing factors. Conclusion The use of solid fuel in rural Bangladeshi households poses substantial health risks, correlating with respiratory, eye, cardiovascular, and metabolic issues. Lower education and income levels, along with specific residential locations, were associated with higher solid fuel usage. Economic challenges emerged as the primary obstacle to adopting clean cooking practices. These findings emphasize the need for implementing strategies to promote clean cooking, address barriers, and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal targets for health and sustainable energy access in Bangladesh.

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a leading contributor to the disease burden in India, largely due to widespread household solid fuel use. The transition from solid to clean fuels in households has the potential to substantially improve public health. India has implemented large initiatives to promote clean fuel access, but how these initiatives will reduce PM2.5 exposure and the associated health benefits have not yet been established. We quantified the impacts of a transition of household energy from solid fuel use to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) on public health in India from ambient and household PM2.5 exposure. We estimate that the transition to LPG would reduce ambient PM2.5 concentrations by 25%. Reduced exposure to total PM2.5 results in a 29% reduction in the loss of healthy life, preventing 348 000 (95% uncertainty interval, UI: 284 000-373 000) premature mortalities every year. Achieving these benefits requires a complete transition to LPG. If access to LPG is restricted to within 15 km of urban centres, then the health benefits of the clean fuel transition are reduced by 50%. If half of original solid fuel users continue to use solid fuels in addition to LPG, then the health benefits of the clean fuel transition are reduced by 75%. As the exposure-outcome associations are non-linear, it is critical for air pollution studies to consider the disease burden attributed to total PM2.5 exposure, and not only the portion attributed to either ambient or household PM2.5 exposure. Our work shows that a transition to clean household energy can substantially improve public health in India, however, these large public health benefits are dependent on the complete transition to clean fuels for all.

In light of the anticipated 50% increase in global energy demand by 2050, the demand for innovative, environmentally conscious, efficient, and dependable energy technologies is paramount. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer a promising solution for sustainable energy production. This comprehensive review provides a detailed analysis of SOFCs, covering their fundamentals, materials, performance, and diverse applications, while also addressing technological challenges and future prospects. The review emphasizes the key advantages of SOFCs, including their high efficiency of up to 60% and minimal environmental impact. It explores the significance of impurity resistance and durability in materials and manufacturing processes for SOFC components. Comparative evaluations demonstrate the superior energy efficiency and ecological effects of SOFCs compared to other fuel cell technologies. SOFCs’ versatility and potential are showcased through their applications in transportation, power generation and storage, portable devices, and residential usage. However, challenges such as cost, longevity, reliability, and integration with other energy systems are identified, emphasizing the need for supportive policies and regulations. This study offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology. It showcases the structure of an SOFC, outlining its benefits, challenges, and the techniques used in its fabrication. The review also discusses key performance and efficiency metrics and highlights the versatile applications of SOFC in transportation, power generation, small devices, and residence .

Background Solid fuels are still widely used for cooking in rural China, leading to various health implications. Yet, studies on household air pollution and its impact on depression remain scarce. Using baseline data from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between solid fuel use for cooking and depression among adults in rural China. Methods Data on exposure to household air pollution from cooking with solid fuels were collected and the Chinese version of the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview short-form (CIDI-SF) was used to evaluate the status of major depressive episode. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between solid fuel use for cooking and depression. Results Amongst 283,170 participants, 68% of them used solid fuels for cooking. A total of 2,171 (0.8%) participants reported of having a major depressive episode in the past 12 months. Adjusted analysis showed that participants who had exposure to solid fuels used for cooking for up to 20 years, more than 20 to 35 years, and more than 35 years were 1.09 (95% CI: 0.94–1.27), 1.18 (95% CI: 1.01–1.38), and 1.19 (95% CI: 1.01–1.40) times greater odds of having a major depressive episode, respectively, compared with those who had no previous exposure to solid fuels used for cooking. Conclusion The findings highlight that longer exposure to solid fuels used for cooking would be associated with increased odds of major depressive episode. In spite of the uncertainty of causal relationship between them, using solid fuels for cooking can lead to undesirable household air pollution. Reducing the use of solid fuels for cooking by promoting the use of clean energy should be encouraged.