Amidst the escalating energy crisis, the quest to harness renewable energy sources has become a topic of prevalent discussion in society. Lithium-ion batteries, as a forefront contender among new energy technologies, have garnered substantial attention from the scientific community. Enhancing the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries is imperative for broadening their applications. Since its discovery in 1891, β-cyclodextrin has been employed in various fields such as pharmaceuticals, food, and textiles. Recent studies have illuminated the role of β-cyclodextrin in lithium-ion batteries, including its use as electrode binders and electrolytes, resulting in a marked improvement in battery efficiency. This paper will delve into the history of β-cyclodextrin, its chemical structure, principal reactions, and its dual applications in lithium-ion batteries and pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, it will explore how the unique structure of β-cyclodextrin influences its properties, thereby elucidating its suitability for use in lithium-ion batteries.

Groundwater resources exist in diverse forms and undergo dynamic changes through recharge, runoff, and discharge. Groundwater discharge and recharge affect groundwater mineralization, buoyant forces on soil particles, soil expansion and contraction, and structural stability. This paper employs schematic analysis, case studies, and experimental methods to explore these effects using both classical and innovative water-soil relationship theories. The findings indicate that a critical zone formed by sudden rainfall over a short period significantly weakens the bearing capacity of soil foundations. Land subsidence is not solely attributed to excessive groundwater extraction leading to insufficient groundwater volume; rather, if high-mineralization water surrounding soil particles is replaced by low-mineralization water, the compressive bearing capacity of the soil-rock mass decreases, increasing the likelihood of land subsidence.

Silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs, due to their high mobility, wide bandgap, and excellent thermal management capabilities, have become a key technology in the power electronics field of new energy vehicles. This study systematically analyzes the application of SiC MOSFETs in electric vehicle converters, demonstrating their significant advantages in improving system efficiency, reducing energy losses, and minimizing system size in electric vehicles. The paper focuses on the physical properties of SiC materials and their impact on the performance of power devices, addressing critical challenges such as doping control, interface engineering, and thermal management through advanced manufacturing processes and technological innovations. Experimental data and real-world application cases validate the superior performance of SiC MOSFETs in high-temperature and high-voltage environments. The study also proposes future research directions aimed at further enhancing device reliability and performance. Ultimately, this research provides an important reference for the widespread adoption of SiC MOSFETs in new energy vehicles and other high-efficiency applications, contributing technological support to achieving global sustainable development goals.

In the current era of rapid technological development, microchannel heat sink technology has attracted significant attention due to its remarkable advantages in fluid flow and heat transfer performance. This paper aims to explore optimization methods for the flow and heat transfer performance of microchannel heat sinks (MCHS) by reviewing and summarizing various innovative structural designs, with the goal of achieving breakthrough progress in heat transfer efficiency. First, the paper reviews the fundamental principles and the current research status of MCHS, emphasizing their potential applications in efficient heat transfer. Next, several strategies to optimize the flow and heat transfer performance of MCHS are presented in detail, including modifications to channel cross-sections and manifold design. Through a review of relevant literature, comparison of experimental data, and numerical simulation analysis, the effectiveness of these optimization strategies is validated. Finally, the main challenges currently faced in the research are summarized, and the future development direction is discussed. This paper not only provides a systematic guide for beginners but also offers new ideas and methods for further research in this field.

Since the perovskite material achieved 9.7 % energy conversion efficiency in solid-state sensitized batteries in 2012, its excellent photoelectric performance has quickly attracted global attention. In just 12 years, the efficiency of perovskite photovoltaic devices has jumped to 25.6 %, surpassing that of traditional thin film solar cells. With the development of flexible electronic technology, flexible perovskite solar cells (F-PSCs) have become a research hotspot, but their efficiency (currently up to 24.90 %) is still slightly lower than those of rigid devices, and facing many challenges. This paper reviews recent progress in enhancing the Power conversion efficiency (PCE) and flexibility (mechanical stability) of F-PSCs. It focuses on advancements in the development of flexible transparent metal oxide electrodes (TMOEs), optimization of charge transport layers, low-temperature fabrication techniques for thin film materials, grain control, and grain boundary modification. The aim is to facilitate performance improvements and promote the widespread application of F-PSCs.

As global population growth and industrialization continue to accelerate, CO2 emissions have been rising, intensifying the greenhouse effect. The latest assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates a persistent increase in global temperatures, with continuation expected. These changes may lead to land reduction, displacement, decreased food production, and heightened flood risks in coastal and low-lying areas. Reducing CO2 emissions has thus become a global priority. China, being the largest CO2 emitter, is crucial in combating climate change. Its coal-fired power plants are under pressure to transition to cleaner technologies. This study explores carbon emission reduction technologies for coal-fired power plants, analyzing key sources of emissions and proposing advanced solutions such as biomass co-firing, ammonia co-firing, and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). Emphasis is placed on their potential to enhance efficiency and sustainability in alignment with China’s carbon neutrality goals.

PEM acid water electrolysis is the most prospective hydrogen production method in the terms of water electrolysis, which has garnered widespread attention due to its advantages of high current density, low ohmic impedance and high gas purity compared with alkaline water electrolysis. However, it has the serious problem of slow kinetics and high reaction barrier, and the key to overcoming this problem lies in finding a suitable catalyst. Although the best catalysts are Ir and Ru-based noble metal catalysts, they also have serious dissolution and defect problems under acid electrolysis conditions, so the development and synthesis of efficient electrocatalysts is essential to advance the development and industrialization of acid PEM water electrolysis. In this paper, we summarize the research progress of Ir and Ru-based catalysts for acidic electrolysis with excellent performance in last ten years, discuss them from the perspectives of element, oxide and alloy, and finally put forward our own insights and views on the synthesis and design of catalysts in the future.

Using global Total Electron Content (TEC) data provided by the Madrigal database, this study investigates large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (LSTIDs) observed in the North American and European sectors during the geomagnetic storm on March 23, 2023. A second-order polynomial fitting method was applied to filter residuals, calculate ionospheric disturbance values, and create two-dimensional TEC disturbance maps showing variations across latitude and longitude. The results indicate the observation of multiple LSTIDs originating from the Arctic in both the European and North American sectors. Intense LSTIDs were found to propagate during the daytime in these sectors. In the North American sector, LSTIDs exhibited propagation speeds ranging from 512 to 610 m/s, while in the European sector, the speeds ranged from 575 to 652 m/s. The wave propagation direction in the North American sector averaged approximately 15 degrees southeast of south, whereas in the European sector, the average direction was 15 degrees southwest of south.

The cement industry is a significant source of CO2 emissions. This study begins with the fundamental processes of cement production, analyzing the CO2 generated from various stages of production. Using the most authoritative carbon emission calculation methods for cement, it assesses the proportion of CO2 produced in different processes. Furthermore, this study examines the current global research landscape on carbon emissions during cement production, proposing efficient and clean carbon reduction methods from various perspectives and pathways. The development of low-carbon cement also faces many challenges, primarily technological and economic. This research offers comprehensive recommendations and measures for decision-makers and stakeholders in cement production from the viewpoints of technological development, emerging industries, and policy.

Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry is an analytical technique based on the absorption characteristics of substances to light in the ultraviolet to visible spectrum. In the field of pharmaceutical analysis, this method is widely used due to its simplicity, high sensitivity, and low cost. This paper reviews the basic principles of UV-Vis technology and its applications in pharmaceutical analysis. By analyzing the absorption of light at specific wavelengths by drug molecules, this technique can provide important information about drug concentration, purity, and stability, which is crucial for ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs.