Showing papers by "National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology published in 2013"
TL;DR: In this paper, an overview of organic electrode materials, including their fundamental knowledge, development history and perspective applications, is provided. And the authors elaborate in detail various organics with different structures, including conducting polymers, organodisulfides, thioethers, nitroxyl radical polymers and conjugated carbonyl compounds.
Abstract: As an alternative to conventional inorganic intercalation electrode materials, organic electrode materials are promising candidates for the next generation of sustainable and versatile energy storage devices. In this paper we provide an overview of organic electrode materials, including their fundamental knowledge, development history and perspective applications. Based on different organics including n-type, p-type and bipolar, we firstly analyzed their working principles, reaction mechanisms, electrochemical performances, advantages and challenges. To understand the development history and trends in organic electrode materials, we elaborate in detail various organics with different structures, including conducting polymers, organodisulfides, thioethers, nitroxyl radical polymers and conjugated carbonyl compounds. The high electrochemical performance, in addition with the unique features of organics such as flexibility, processability and structure diversity, provide them great perspective in various energy storage devices, including rechargeable Li/Na batteries, supercapacitors, thin film batteries, aqueous rechargeable batteries, redox flow batteries and even all-organic batteries. It is expected that organic electrode materials will show their talents in the “post Li-ion battery” era, towards cheap, green, sustainable and versatile energy storage devices.
1,156 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of recent and significant advances in the development of metal-organic frameworks for clean energy applications are reviewed, and special emphases are shown to the applications of MOFs as platforms for hydrogen production and storage, fuel cells, Li-ion rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors and solar cells.
Abstract: In order to void environmental pollution and an energy shortage, the application of clean and renewable energy, such as solar, instead of fossil fuel is foreseen as a prospective issue. It is urgent and important to develop and optimize various energy storage and conversion technologies and materials aimed at utilization of different clean energy sources. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a new class of porous crystalline materials, act as an outstanding candidate in this field based on their high surface areas, controllable structures and excellent electrochemical properties. Here, selected recent and significant advances in the development of MOFs for clean energy applications are reviewed, and special emphases are shown to the applications of MOFs as platforms for hydrogen production and storage, fuel cells, Li-ion rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors and solar cells.
828 citations
789 citations
TL;DR: This review of transcription factors belonging to the APETALA2/Ethylene Responsive Factor family combines the evidence collected from functional and structural studies to describe their different mechanisms of action and the regulatory pathways that affect their activity.
Abstract: Transcription factors belonging to the APETALA2/Ethylene Responsive Factor (AP2/ERF) family are conservatively widespread in the plant kingdom. These regulatory proteins are involved in the control of primary and secondary metabolism, growth and developmental programs, as well as responses to environmental stimuli. Due to their plasticity and to the specificity of individual members of this family, AP2/ERF transcription factors represent valuable targets for genetic engineering and breeding of crops. In this review, we integrate the evidence collected from functional and structural studies to describe their different mechanisms of action and the regulatory pathways that affect their activity.
696 citations
TL;DR: Theoretical modeling of the electronic structures indicates that the reduction of the effective mass at the valence band maximum (VBM) with decreasing sheet thickness enhances the carrier mobility of the GaS nanosheets, contributing to the high photocurrents.
Abstract: The first GaS nanosheet-based photodetectors are demonstrated on both mechanically rigid and flexible substrates. Highly crystalline, exfoliated GaS nanosheets are promising for optoelectronics due to strong absorption in the UV–visible wavelength region. Photocurrent measurements of GaS nanosheet photodetectors made on SiO2/Si substrates and flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates exhibit a photoresponsivity at 254 nm up to 4.2 AW–1 and 19.2 AW–1, respectively, which exceeds that of graphene, MoS2, or other 2D material-based devices. Additionally, the linear dynamic range of the devices on SiO2/Si and PET substrates are 97.7 dB and 78.73 dB, respectively. Both surpass that of currently exploited InGaAs photodetectors (66 dB). Theoretical modeling of the electronic structures indicates that the reduction of the effective mass at the valence band maximum (VBM) with decreasing sheet thickness enhances the carrier mobility of the GaS nanosheets, contributing to the high photocurrents. Double-pea...
680 citations
TL;DR: The uniform 3D distribution of the ultrafine AuNi nanoparticles encapsulated in the pores of MIL-101 was achieved, as demonstrated by TEM and electron tomographic measurements, which brings light to new opportunities in the fabrication of ultrafine non-noble metal-based NPs throughout the interior pores of MOFs.
Abstract: AuNi alloy nanoparticles were successfully immobilized to MIL-101 with size and location control for the first time by double solvents method (DSM) combined with a liquid-phase concentration-controlled reduction strategy. When an overwhelming reduction approach was employed, the uniform 3D distribution of the ultrafine AuNi nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated in the pores of MIL-101 was achieved, as demonstrated by TEM and electron tomographic measurements, which brings light to new opportunities in the fabrication of ultrafine non-noble metal-based NPs throughout the interior pores of MOFs. The ultrafine AuNi alloy NPs inside the mesoporous MIL-101 exerted exceedingly high activity for hydrogen generation from the catalytic hydrolysis of ammonia borane.
616 citations
TL;DR: A modified protocol enabling efficient iPSC induction from CD34+ cord blood cells and from peripheral blood isolated from healthy donors using these plasmid vectors is reported, which enabled the establishment of blood‐derived iPSCs from seven healthy donors ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s.
Abstract: The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provides the opportunity to use patient-specific somatic cells, which are a valuable source for disease modeling and drug discovery. To promote research involving these cells, it is important to make iPSCs from easily accessible and less invasive tissues, like blood. We have recently reported the efficient generation of human iPSCs from adult fibroblasts using a combination of plasmids encoding OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4, L-MYC, LIN28, and shRNA for TP53. We herein report a modified protocol enabling efficient iPSC induction from CD34+ cord blood cells and from peripheral blood isolated from healthy donors using these plasmid vectors. The original plasmid mixture could induce iPSCs; however, the efficiency was low. The addition of EBNA1, an essential factor for episomal amplification of the vectors, by an extra plasmid greatly increased the efficiency of iPSC induction, especially when the induction was performed from αβT cells. This improvement enabled the establishment of blood-derived iPSCs from seven healthy donors ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s. This induction method will be useful for the derivation of patient-specific integration-free iPSCs and would also be applicable to the generation of clinical-grade iPSCs in the future.
597 citations
TL;DR: Tunable band gap can be obtained in the 2D system by alloying two materials with different band gaps (MoS2 and WS2), and density functional theory calculations have been carried out to understand the composition-dependent electronic structures of Mo(1-x)W(x)S(2) monolayer alloys.
Abstract: Band gap engineering of atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) materials is the key to their applications in nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, and photonics. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate that in the 2D system, by alloying two materials with different band gaps (MoS2 and WS2), tunable band gap can be obtained in the 2D alloys (Mo1–xWxS2 monolayers, x = 0–1). Atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy has revealed random arrangement of Mo and W atoms in the Mo1–xWxS2 monolayer alloys. Photoluminescence characterization has shown tunable band gap emission continuously tuned from 1.82 eV (reached at x = 0.20) to 1.99 eV (reached at x = 1). Further, density functional theory calculations have been carried out to understand the composition-dependent electronic structures of Mo1–xWxS2 monolayer alloys.
541 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors survey the research progress on the synergistic effect of bimetallic alloy NPs for catalytic reactions related to fuel cells, such as the electrochemical oxidation of MeOH, EtOH, and formic acid, CO oxidation, the oxygen-reduction reaction, and the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane.
Abstract: Bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as an important class of catalysts. In many cases, bimetallic alloy NPs have higher catalytic efficiencies than their monometallic counterparts, owing to strong synergy between the metals. In this Review, we survey the research progress on the synergistic effect of bimetallic alloy NPs for catalytic reactions related to fuel cells, such as the electrochemical oxidation of MeOH, EtOH, and formic acid, CO oxidation, the oxygen-reduction reaction, and the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane, formic acid, hydrous hydrazine, hydrazine borane, etc. In addition, the use of synergistic catalysis in some other important reactions has also been reviewed. Recent developments in synergistic catalysis over bimetallic alloy NPs will provide access to a variety of low-cost and high-performance catalysts for laboratory and industrial applications within the next few years.
532 citations
TL;DR: This Perspective focuses on the challenges and prospects associated with the current researching results of these lithium-rich layered cathode materials and their average/local structures, reaction mechanisms, and electrochemical properties.
Abstract: Lithium-rich layered oxide materials xLi2MnO3·(1-x)LiMO2 (M = Mn, Ni, Co, Fe, Cr, etc.) have attracted much attention for the use of cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries in recent years. However, there are many issues still unclear (the structure and reaction mechanism are ambiguous until now), and numerous scientific challenges (low initial Coulombic efficiency, poor rate capability, and voltage degradation during cycling) of these materials that must be overcome to realize their utilization in commercial lithium-ion batteries. This Perspective focuses on the challenges and prospects associated with the current researching results of these lithium-rich layered cathode materials. Specifically, their average/local structures, reaction mechanisms, and electrochemical properties are discussed.
524 citations
TL;DR: The work flow achieved by the seamless link between aLeaves and MAFFT provides a convenient online platform to address various questions in zoology and evolutionary biology, and minimizes redundancy for better visibility and handling in phylogenetic inference while covering relevant taxa.
Abstract: We report a new web server, aLeaves (http://aleaves.cdb.riken.jp/), for homologue collection from diverse animal genomes. In molecular comparative studies involving multiple species, orthology identification is the basis on which most subsequent biological analyses rely. It can be achieved most accurately by explicit phylogenetic inference. More and more species are subjected to large-scale sequencing, but the resultant resources are scattered in independent project-based, and multi-species, but separate, web sites. This complicates data access and is becoming a serious barrier to the comprehensiveness of molecular phylogenetic analysis. aLeaves, launched to overcome this difficulty, collects sequences similar to an input query sequence from various data sources. The collected sequences can be passed on to the MAFFT sequence alignment server (http://mafft.cbrc.jp/alignment/server/), which has been significantly improved in interactivity. This update enables to switch between (i) sequence selection using the Archaeopteryx tree viewer, (ii) multiple sequence alignment and (iii) tree inference. This can be performed as a loop until one reaches a sensible data set, which minimizes redundancy for better visibility and handling in phylogenetic inference while covering relevant taxa. The work flow achieved by the seamless link between aLeaves and MAFFT provides a convenient online platform to address various questions in zoology and evolutionary biology.
TL;DR: Consolidated tables showing an extensive listing of the highest independently measured photovoltaic cell and moduleencies for solar cells and modules are presented.
Abstract: Consolidated tables showing an extensive listing of the highest independently confirmed efficiencies for solar cells andmodules are presented. Guidelines for inclusion of results into these tables are outlined, and new entries since January2013 are reviewed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. KEYWORDSsolar cell efficiency; photovoltaic efficiency; energy conversion efficiency*CorrespondenceMartin A. Green, Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia.E-mail: m.green@unsw.edu.auReceived 6 June 2013; Accepted 6 June 2013 1. INTRODUCTION Since January 1993, ‘Progress in Photovoltaics’ haspublished six monthly listings of the highest confirmedefficiencies for a range of photovoltaic cell and moduletechnologies [1–3]. By providing guidelines for theinclusion of results into these tables, this not only allowsan authoritative summary of the current state of the artbut alsoencourages researchers to seek independent confir-mation of results and to report results on a standardisedbasis. In version 33 of these tables [2], results wereupdated to the new internationally accepted reference spec-trum (IEC 60904-3, Ed. 2, 2008), where this was possible.Themostimportantcriterionforinclusionofresultsintothe tables is that they must have been independentlymeasured by a recognised test centre listed elsewhere [1].A distinction is made between three different eligibledefinitions of cell area: total area, aperture area anddesignated illumination area, as also defined elsewhere[1]. ‘Active area’ efficiencies are not included. There arealso certain minimum values of the area sought for thedifferent device types (above 0.05cm
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a specific perspective on the development of non-aqueous Li-O2 batteries excluding those with aqueous, ionic liquid, hybrid, and solid-state electrolytes.
Abstract: A lot of attention has been paid to Li–O2 batteries in recent years, due to the huge potential specific energy and energy density, and they are extensively studied around the world. Much advance has been achieved, however, the fundamental understanding is still insufficient and challenges remain. Here, we provide a specific perspective on the development of non-aqueous Li–O2 batteries excluding those with aqueous, ionic liquid, hybrid, and solid-state electrolytes, because non-aqueous Li–O2 batteries possess a relatively simple configuration and the research on non-aqueous Li–O2 batteries is the most active of all Li–O2 batteries. The discussion will be focused on non-aqueous electrolytes, cathode catalysts, and anodes, and corresponding perspectives are provided at the end.
TL;DR: A multiple time window inversion of 53 high-sampling tsunami waveforms on ocean bottom pressure, Global Positioning System, coastal wave, and tide gauges shows a temporal and spatial slip distribution during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A multiple time window inversion of 53 high‐sampling tsunami waveforms on ocean‐bottom pressure, Global Positioning System, coastal wave, and tide gauges shows a temporal and spatial slip distribution during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. The fault rupture started near the hypocenter and propagated into both deep and shallow parts of the plate interface. A very large slip (approximately 25 m) in the deep part off Miyagi at a location similar to the previous 869 Jogan earthquake model was responsible for the initial rise of tsunami waveforms and the recorded tsunami inundation in the Sendai and Ishinomaki plains. A huge slip, up to 69 m, occurred in the shallow part near the trench axis 3 min after the rupture initiation. This delayed shallow rupture extended for 400 km with more than a 10‐m slip, at a location similar to the 1896 Sanriku tsunami earthquake, and was responsible for the peak amplitudes of the tsunami waveforms and the maximum tsunami heights measured on the northern Sanriku coast, 100 km north of the largest slip. The average slip on the entire fault was 9.5 m, and the total seismic moment was 4.2×1022 N·m ( M w 9.0). The large horizontal displacement of seafloor slope was responsible for 20%–40% of tsunami amplitudes. The 2011 deep slip alone could reproduce the distribution of the 869 tsunami deposits, indicating that the 869 Jogan earthquake source could be similar to the 2011 earthquake, at least in the deep‐plate interface. The large tsunami at the Fukushima nuclear power station is due to either the combination of a deep and shallow slip or a triggering of a shallow slip by a deep slip, which was not accounted for in the previous tsunami‐hazard assessments.
Online Material: Table of estimated slip for all subfaults at 0.5 min invervals.
TL;DR: Carbon nanotube–copper composite is reported, the only material with both high conductivity and high ampacity, making it uniquely suited for applications in microscale electronics and inverters.
Abstract: High electrical conductivity and ampacity are usually mutually exclusive properties. Here, in a carbon nanotube–copper composite, Subramaniam et al. achieve a similar conductivity to copper, but with a hundred fold increase in current carrying capacity.
TL;DR: The distinct luminescent responses of a new organic fluorophore, tetrathiazolylthiophene, to these stresses are reported, which include a high-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and the different mechanisms of a blue shift by grinding crystals and of a red shift under hydrostatic pressure.
Abstract: Luminescent mechanochromism has been intensively studied in the past few years. However, the difference in the anisotropic grinding and the isotropic compression is not clearly distinguished in many cases, in spite of the importance of this discrimination for the application of such mechanochromic materials. We now report the distinct luminescent responses of a new organic fluorophore, tetrathiazolylthiophene, to these stresses. The multichromism is achieved over the entire visible region using the single fluorophore. The different mechanisms of a blue shift by grinding crystals and of a red shift under hydrostatic pressure are fully investigated, which includes a high-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The anisotropic and isotropic modes of mechanical loading suppress and enhance the excimer formation, respectively, in the 3D hydrogen-bond network.
TL;DR: Adding ethylene glycol to a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) solution improves the crystallinity of the PEDOT and the ordering of the H2O nanocrystals in solid films.
Abstract: Adding ethylene glycol (EG) to a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) solution improves the crystallinity of the PEDOT and the ordering of the PEDOT nanocrystals in solid films. The carrier-mobility enhancement is confirmed by using ion-gel transistors combined with in situ UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy.
TL;DR: A hybrid for the visible-light-driven photocatalytic reduction of CO2 using methanol as a reducing agent was developed by combining two different types of photocatalyst, similar to the photosynthesis Z-scheme.
Abstract: A hybrid for the visible-light-driven photocatalytic reduction of CO2 using methanol as a reducing agent was developed by combining two different types of photocatalysts: a Ru(II) dinuclear complex (RuBLRu′) used for CO2 reduction is adsorbed onto Ag-loaded TaON (Ag/TaON) for methanol oxidation. Isotope experiments clearly showed that this hybrid photocatalyst mainly produced HCOOH (TN = 41 for 9 h irradiation) from CO2 and HCHO from methanol. Therefore, it converted light energy into chemical energy (ΔG° = +83.0 kJ/mol). Photocatalytic reaction proceeds by the stepwise excitation of Ag/TaON and the Ru dinuclear complex on Ag/TaON, similar to the photosynthesis Z-scheme.
Sewanee: The University of the South1, The Open University of Japan2, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology3, University of Oxford4, University of Miami5, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology6, University of California, Berkeley7, Utah State University8, University of Montana9
TL;DR: Genome and transcriptome sequencing reveals that the extreme genomic degeneracy of Tremblaya PCIT likely resulted from acquiring Moranella as an endosymbiont, and indicates that the functioning of this three-way symbiosis is dependent on genes from at least six lineages of organisms.
TL;DR: A comprehensive review of ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) actuators is presented in this article, where a thorough comparison of different state-of-the-art ion exchange membranes is presented along with the recent trends in modeling and control approaches of IPMC actuators.
TL;DR: This work replaces easily decomposable liquid electrolytes with a solid Li-ion conductor, which acts as both a catholyte and a Li protector, and replaces conventional solid air cathodes with a gel cathode, which contacts directly with the solid catholytes to form a closed and sustainable gel/solid interface.
Abstract: Electrolyte degradation, Li dendrite formation and parasitic reactions with H₂O and CO₂ are all directly correlated to reversibility and cycleability of Li-air batteries when operated in ambient air. Here we replace easily decomposable liquid electrolytes with a solid Li-ion conductor, which acts as both a catholyte and a Li protector. Meanwhile, the conventional solid air cathodes are replaced with a gel cathode, which contacts directly with the solid catholyte to form a closed and sustainable gel/solid interface. The proposed Li-air cell has sustained repeated cycling in ambient air for 100 cycles (~78 days), with discharge capacity of 2,000 mAh g(-1). The recharging is based largely on the reversible reactions of Li₂CO₃ product, originating from the initial discharge product of Li₂O₂ instead of electrolyte degradation. Our results demonstrate that a reversible long-life Li-air battery is attainable by coordinated approaches towards the focal issues of electrolytes and Li metal.
TL;DR: The surface area of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) obtained by heating melamine at 550 °C was only 7.7 m2 g−1, which was too small for it to be utilized as a catalyst for air purification.
Abstract: Photocatalytic activity of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was significantly improved by an alkaline hydrothermal treatment. The specific surface area of g-C3N4 obtained by heating melamine at 550 °C was only 7.7 m2 g−1, which was too small for it to be utilized as a catalyst for air purification. By the hydrothermal treatment with NaOH solution at 90–150 °C, the surface area was increased up to 65 m2 g−1, and the oxidation rate of nitrogen oxide (NO) under visible light (380 < λ < 480 nm) was increased by 8.6 times. XRD, ESR, elemental analysis and electron microscopy showed that unstable domains of not-well-ordered carbon nitride were removed by hydrolysis to form a mesoporous structure with a higher surface area. Deactivation of g-C3N4 was not observed during the experimental period, although a small part of carbon nitride was decomposed by self-oxidation.
TL;DR: A read simulator, PBSIM, is developed that captures characteristic features of PacBio reads using either a model-based or sampling-based method, suggesting that a continuous long reads coverage depth of at least 15 in combination with a circular consensus sequencing coveragedepth of at at least 30 achieved extensive assembly results.
Abstract: Motivation: PacBio sequencers produce two types of characteristic reads (continuous long reads: long and high error rate and circular consensus sequencing: short and low error rate), both of which could be useful for de novo assembly of genomes. Currently, there is no available simulator that targets the specific generation of PacBio libraries. Results: Our analysis of 13 PacBio datasets showed characteristic features of PacBio reads (e.g. the read length of PacBio reads follows a log-normal distribution). We have developed a read simulator, PBSIM, that captures these features using either a model-based or sampling-based method. Using PBSIM, we conducted several hybrid error correction and assembly tests for PacBio reads, suggesting that a continuous long reads coverage depth of at least 15 in combination with a circular consensus sequencing coverage depth of at least 30 achieved extensive assembly results. Availability: PBSIM is freely available from the web under the GNU GPL v2 license (http://code.google.com/p/pbsim/). Contact: mhamada@k.u-tokyo.ac.jp Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
TL;DR: This work reprogrammed clonally expanded antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells from an HIV-1-infected patient to pluripotency and found that this method can be effective for generating specific T-cells for other pathology-associated antigens.
TL;DR: In this article, different theranostic formulations of nanomaterials based on gold, silver, silica, semiconductor quantum dots, upconversion lanthanides, oxide magnets, polymers, liposomes, carbon nanotubes, graphene and carbon nanohorns, and their applications in photothermal and photodynamic therapy of cancer were reviewed.
Abstract: Nanomaterials with well-defined size, shape, composition, and surface functionalities offer multimodal and multifunctional platforms for various bioanalytical, bioimaging, and therapeutic applications. In this review, we focus on the different theranostic formulations of nanomaterials based on gold, silver, silica, semiconductor quantum dots, upconversion lanthanides, oxide magnets, polymers, liposomes, carbon nanotubes, graphene and carbon nanohorns, and their applications in photothermal and photodynamic therapy of cancer.
TL;DR: Air-stable n-type single walled carbon nanotubes with a variety of weak electron donors in the range of HOMO level between ca.
Abstract: Systematic Conversion of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes into n-type Thermoelectric Materials by Molecular Dopants
Qantas1, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne2, École Polytechnique3, Technical University of Berlin4, ETH Zurich5, PE International6, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology7, Institut national de la recherche agronomique8, Chalmers University of Technology9, University of California, Santa Barbara10, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation11, Radboud University Nijmegen12
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed a multitude of methods and indicators for freshwater use potentially applicable in life cycle assessment and identified the key elements to build a scientific consensus for operational characterization methods for LCA.
Abstract: In recent years, several methods have been developed which propose different freshwater use inventory schemes and impact assessment characterization models considering various cause–effect chain relationships. This work reviewed a multitude of methods and indicators for freshwater use potentially applicable in life cycle assessment (LCA). This review is used as a basis to identify the key elements to build a scientific consensus for operational characterization methods for LCA. This evaluation builds on the criteria and procedure developed within the International Reference Life Cycle Data System Handbook and has been adapted for the purpose of this project. It therefore includes (1) description of relevant cause–effect chains, (2) definition of criteria to evaluate the existing methods, (3) development of sub-criteria specific to freshwater use, and (4) description and review of existing methods addressing freshwater in LCA. No single method is available which comprehensively describes all potential impacts derived from freshwater use. However, this review highlights several key findings to design a characterization method encompassing all the impact pathways of the assessment of freshwater use and consumption in life cycle assessment framework as the following: (1) in most of databases and methods, consistent freshwater balances are not reported either because output is not considered or because polluted freshwater is recalculated based on a critical dilution approach; (2) at the midpoint level, most methods are related to water scarcity index and correspond to the methodological choice of an indicator simplified in terms of the number of parameters (scarcity) and freshwater uses (freshwater consumption or freshwater withdrawal) considered. More comprehensive scarcity indices distinguish different freshwater types and functionalities. (3) At the endpoint level, several methods already exist which report results in units compatible with traditional human health and ecosystem quality damage and cover various cause–effect chains, e.g., the decrease of terrestrial biodiversity due to freshwater consumption. (4) Midpoint and endpoint indicators have various levels of spatial differentiation, i.e., generic factors with no differentiation at all, or country, watershed, and grid cell differentiation. Existing databases should be (1) completed with input and output freshwater flow differentiated according to water types based on its origin (surface water, groundwater, and precipitation water stored as soil moisture), (2) regionalized, and (3) if possible, characterized with a set of quality parameters. The assessment of impacts related to freshwater use is possible by assembling methods in a comprehensive methodology to characterize each use adequately.
TL;DR: It is suggested that bipolar porous organic electrode provides a new material platform for the development of a rechargeable energy storage technology and would significantly enhance cost-effectiveness, and reduce the dependency on limited natural resources.
Abstract: A huge demand for lithium batteries necessitates more affordable alternatives. Sakaushi et al. describe rechargeable sodium batteries containing organic electrodes with a porous-honeycomb structure that are comparable to lithium batteries and capable of over 7,000 cycles.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review previous studies in the field of thermoelectric materials development and make recommendations for each material regarding future research, and demonstrate the potential of TE modules composed of metal oxide materials and the prospect of their commercialization for energy harvesting.
Abstract: Metal oxides (Ca3Co4O9, CaMnO3, SrTiO3, In2O3), Ti sulfides, and Mn silicides are promising thermoelectric (TE) material candidates for cascade-type modules that are usable in a temperature range of 300–1200 K in air. In this paper, we review previous studies in the field of TE materials development and make recommendations for each material regarding future research. Furthermore, the R&D of TE modules composed of metal oxide materials and the prospect of their commercialization for energy harvesting is demonstrated.
TL;DR: A series of triaxial tests has been carried out on the mechanical properties and dissociation characteristics of sands containing methane hydrate using an innovative high pressure apparatus which has been developed to reproduce the in-situ conditions expected during proposed methane extraction methods as mentioned in this paper.