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High-pressure torsion (HPT) is widely used as a severe plastic deformation technique to create ultrafine-grained structures with promising mechanical and functional properties. Since 2007, the method has been employed to enhance the hydrogenation kinetics in different Mg-based hydrogen storage materials. Recent studies showed that the method is effective not only for increasing the hydrogenation kinetics but also for improving the hydrogenation activity, for enhancing the air resistivity and more importantly for synthesizing new nanostructured hydrogen storage materials with high densities of lattice defects. This manuscript reviews some major findings on the impact of HPT process on the hydrogen storage performance of different titanium-based and magnesium-based materials.

Enhancing the fluxes in gas separation membranes is required for utilizing the membranes on a mass scale for CO 2 capture. Membrane thinning is one of the most promising approaches to achieve high fluxes. In addition, sophisticated molecular transport across membranes can boost gas separation performance. In this review, we attempt to summarize the current state of CO 2 separation membranes, especially from the viewpoint of thinning the selective layers and the membrane itself. The gas permeation behavior of membranes with ultimate thicknesses and their future directions are discussed.

This scientific paper discusses the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change. The proposed strategy is to reach net-zero emissions by transitioning to electric systems powered by low-carbon sources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric power, and nuclear energy. However, the paper also highlights the challenges of this transition, including high costs and lack of infrastructure. The paper emphasizes the need for continued research and investment in renewable energy technology and infrastructure to overcome these challenges and achieve a sustainable energy system. Additionally, the use of nuclear energy raises concerns, such as nuclear waste and proliferation, and should be considered with its benefits and drawbacks. The study assesses the feasibility of nuclear energy development in Latvia, a country in Northern Europe, and finds that Latvia is a suitable location for nuclear power facilities due to potential energy independence, low-carbon energy production, reliability, and economic benefits. The study also discusses methods of calculating electricity generation and consumption, such as measuring MWh produced by power plants, and balancing supply and demand within the country. Furthermore, the study assesses the safety of nuclear reactors, generated waste, and options for nuclear waste recycling. The transition to a carbon-free energy system is ongoing and complex, requiring multiple strategies to accelerate the transition. While the paper proposes that nuclear energy could be a practical means of supporting and backing up electricity generated by renewables, it should be noted that there are still challenges to be addressed. Some of the results presented in the paper are still based on studies, and the post-treatment of waste needs to be further clarified.

Renewable hydrogen production is a sustainable method for the development of next-generation energy technologies. Utilising solar energy and photocatalysts to split water is an ideal method to produce hydrogen. In this review, the fundamental principles and recent progress of hydrogen production by artificial photosynthesis are reviewed, focusing on hydrogen production from photocatalytic water splitting using organic-inorganic composite-based photocatalysts.

Despite having defects, amorphous titanium dioxide ([Formula: see text]) have attracted significant scientific attention recently. Pristine, as well as various doped [Formula: see text] catalysts, have been proposed as the potential photocatalysts for hydrogen production. Taking one step further, in this work, the author investigated the molecular and dissociative adsorption of water on the surfaces of pristine and [Formula: see text] doped [Formula: see text] catalysts by using density functional theory with Hubbard energy correction (DFT+U). The adsorption energy calculations indicate that even though there is a relatively higher spatial distance between the adsorbed water molecule and the [Formula: see text] surface, pristine [Formula: see text] surface is capable of anchoring [Formula: see text] molecule more strongly than the doped [Formula: see text] as well as the rutile (1 1 0) surface. Further, it was found that unlike water dissociation on crystalline [Formula: see text] surfaces, water on pristine [Formula: see text] catalyst experience the dissociation barrier. However, this barrier reduces significantly when [Formula: see text] is doped with [Formula: see text], providing an alternative route for the development of an inexpensive and more abundant catalyst for water splitting.

Global annual plastic production is >410 × 106 tonnes with an annual rate increase of 4%; most of this plastic is non-biodegradable. Bio-based plastics (also known as bioplastics) are formed from polymers created from renewable or recycled raw materials, making them part of a sustainable plastic life cycle and part of a circular economy. Their production uses carbon-neutral energy and products are recycled at their end of life (EOL). Thus, they stand as an alternative to the current global plastic waste problem (>80% goes to landfill). Bio-based plastics can have a lower carbon footprint than conventional plastics, their materials properties can be advantageous, they are compatible with current recycling streams and biodegradation as EOL is also an option for some. Some challenges include having a larger production of bio-based plastics by gene-edited microorganisms and an improvement in the chemical and biological methods of recycling (upcycling) to process larger volumes and create higher-quality materials. Also, policy is important for the clear identification of bio-based plastics and their acceptance by creating financial incentives for their upscaling.

The effect of thickness in multilayer thin-film composite membranes on gas permeation has received little attention to date, and the gas permeances of the organic polymer membranes are believed to increase by membrane thinning. Moreover, the performance of defect-free layers with known gas permeability can be effectively described using the classical resistance in series models to predict both permeance and selectivity of the composite membrane. In this work, we have investigated the Pebax®-MH1657/PDMS double layer membrane as a selective/gutter layer combination that has the potential to achieve sufficient CO2/N2 selectivity and permeance for efficient CO2 and N2 separation. CO2 and N2 transport through membranes with different thicknesses of two layers has been investigated both experimentally and with the utilization of resistance in series models. Model prediction for permeance/selectivity corresponded perfectly with experimental data for the thicker membranes. Surprisingly, a significant decrease from model predictions was observed when the thickness of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) (gutter layer) became relatively small (below 2 µm thickness). Material properties changed at low thicknesses—surface treatments and influence of porous support are discussed as possible reasons for observed deviations.

18 O and 2 H diffusion has been investigated at a temperature of 300 °C in the double perovskite material PrBaCo 2 O 5+δ (PBCO) in flowing air containing 200 mbar of 2 H 2 16 O. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) depth profiling of exchanged ceramics has shown PBCO still retains significant oxygen diffusivity (~1.3 × 10 −11 cm 2 s −1 ) at this temperature and that the presence of water ( 2 H 2 16 O), gives rise to an enhancement of the surface exchange rate over that in pure oxygen by a factor of ~3. The 2 H distribution, as inferred from the 2 H 2 16 O − SIMS signal, shows an apparent depth profile which could be interpreted as 2 H diffusion. However, examination of the 3-D distribution of the signal shows it to be nonhomogeneous and probably related to the presence of hydrated layers in the interior walls of pores and is not due to proton diffusion. This suggests that PBCO acts mainly as an oxygen ion mixed conductor when used in PCFC devices, although the presence of a small amount of protonic conductivity cannot be discounted in these materials.

We demonstrated carbon-neutral (CN) energy circulation using glycolic acid ( )/oxalic acid ( ) redox couple. Here, we report fundamental studies on both catalyst search for power generation process, i.e. oxidation, and elemental steps for fuel generation process, i.e. reduction, in CN cycle. The catalytic activity test on various transition metals revealed that Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt have preferable features as a catalyst for electrochemical oxidation of . A carbon-supported Pt catalyst in alkaline conditions exhibited higher activity, durability, and product selectivity for electrooxidation of rather than those in acidic media. The kinetic study on reduction clearly indicated that reduction undergoes successive two-electron reductions to form . Furthermore, application of TiO catalysts with large specific area for electrochemical reduction of facilitates the selective formation of .

The TIMES Latvia optimization model was developed to evaluate cost-effective pathways for reaching energy efficiency targets in 2030 and carbon neutrality in the Latvian economy by 2050. The model includes both the end-use sectors such as transport, buildings, industry and agriculture and the energy sector, with a well-developed database of existing and future RES and storage technologies. The modelling framework allows to identify the cost-optimal future energy mix by considering the electrification potential of each sector. Therefore, it allows the analysing of the impact of different policy strategies on sectoral integration levels and the necessity for additional energy storage capacities. The results show that one of the optimal solutions for reaching the energy efficiency targets in 2030 is the wide expansion of heat pump utilization merged with ambitious building renovation policy to increase energy efficiency. The building heat supply transformation also brings higher power consumption and interacts with the wider utilization of wind power. Alternative pathway could rely on increased solar power installation for self-consumption coverage which shows lower costs than building energy efficiency increase.