University of Wollongong

About: University of Wollongong is a education organization based out in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 15674 authors who have published 46658 publications receiving 1197471 citations. The organization is also known as: UOW & Wollongong University.

Mo2C/CNT: An Efficient Catalyst for Rechargeable Li–CO2 Batteries

Abstract: The rechargeable Li–CO2 battery is a novel and promising energy storage system with the capability of CO2 capture due to the reversible reaction between lithium ions and carbon dioxide Carbon materials as the cathode, however, limit both the cycling performance and the energy efficiency of the rechargeable Li–CO2 battery, due to the insulating Li2CO3 formed in the discharge process, which is difficult to decompose in the charge process Here, a Mo2C/carbon nanotube composite material is developed as the cathode for the rechargeable Li–CO2 battery and can achieve high energy efficiency (77%) and improved cycling performance (40 cycles) A related mechanism is proposed that Mo2C can stabilize the intermediate reduction product of CO2 on discharge, thus preventing the formation of insulating Li2CO3 In contrast to insulating Li2CO3, this amorphous Li2C2O4-Mo2C discharge product can be decomposed below 35 V on charge The introduction of Mo2C provides an effective solution to the problem of low round-trip efficiency in the Li–CO2 battery

The impact of sea-level rise on mangrove shorelines:

Abstract: There are extensive mangrove forests along the tropical shorelines of the world; they are particularly well developed in, though not exclusively restricted to, areas that are sheltered and muddy. Stratigraphic studies of the sediments underlying both the mangrove forests themselves and associated wetlands indicate that there have been considerable changes in the extent of these wetlands as a result of past sea-level fluctuations. Further changes in the area covered by mangroves are to expected if the sea rises at the rates anticipated as a result of the greenhouse effect. The exact response of a mangrove coastline will depend upon shoreline topography, sources of sediment, rates of sediment supply, and the rate of sealevel rise. The stratigraphy and chronology of Holocene deposits on mangrove shorelines allow reconstruction of the way that mangrove forests have responded

X-Ray Supercavities in the Hydra A Cluster and the Outburst History of the Central Galaxy's Active Nucleus

Abstract: A 227 ks Chandra X-ray image of the hot plasma in the Hydra A cluster has revealed an extensive cavity system. The system was created by a continuous outflow or a series of bursts from the nucleus of the central galaxy over the past 200-500 Myr. The cavities have displaced 10% of the plasma within a 300 kpc radius of the central galaxy, creating a swiss-cheese-like topology in the hot gas. The surface brightness decrements are consistent with empty cavities oriented within 40° of the plane of the sky. The outflow has deposited upward of 1061 ergs into the cluster gas, most of which was propelled beyond the inner ~100 kpc cooling region. The supermassive black hole has accreted at a rate of approximately 0.1-0.25 M☉ yr-1 over this time frame, which is a small fraction of the Eddington rate of a ~109 M☉ black hole, but is dramatically larger than the Bondi rate. Given the previous evidence for a circumnuclear disk of cold gas in Hydra A, these results are consistent with the AGN being powered primarily by infalling cold gas. The cavity system is shadowed perfectly by 330 MHz radio emission. Such low-frequency synchrotron emission may be an excellent proxy for X-ray cavities and thus the total energy liberated by the supermassive black hole.

Early onset of industrial-era warming across the oceans and continents

Abstract: The evolution of industrial-era warming across the continents and oceans provides a context for future climate change and is important for determining climate sensitivity and the processes that control regional warming. Here we use post-ad 1500 palaeoclimate records to show that sustained industrial-era warming of the tropical oceans first developed during the mid-nineteenth century and was nearly synchronous with Northern Hemisphere continental warming. The early onset of sustained, significant warming in palaeoclimate records and model simulations suggests that greenhouse forcing of industrial-era warming commenced as early as the mid-nineteenth century and included an enhanced equatorial ocean response mechanism. The development of Southern Hemisphere warming is delayed in reconstructions, but this apparent delay is not reproduced in climate simulations. Our findings imply that instrumental records are too short to comprehensively assess anthropogenic climate change and that, in some regions, about 180 years of industrial-era warming has already caused surface temperatures to emerge above pre-industrial values, even when taking natural variability into account.

An Empirical Survey of Individual Consumer, Business Firm and Financial Institution Attitudes towards Islamic Methods of Finance

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the attitudes, perceptions and knowledge of Islamic financial products and services.Design/methodology/approach – A synoptic survey of empirical analyses about Islamic financial products and services and comparison with the literature on conventional financial services and products.Findings – It was found that while religious conviction is a key factor in the use of Islamic finance, consumers also identify bank reputation, service quality and pricing as being of relevance. When selecting a financial institution's products and services, business firms usually employ criteria that are more conventional, such as the cost of finance, in their decision making. There is also interest among financial institutions in supplying Islamic financial products and services, but this is mitigated by complications with firm management and a lack of familiarity with business conditions. The concept of risk sharing with borrowers serves as a substantial barrier to most financ...