Three-phase circuits that are Symmetrically Configured in the Narrow Sense (SCNS) have been defined in previous works as circuits which dq0 dynamic model does not depend on the transformation’s reference angle. This property leads to dynamic models that are linear and time-invariant in the dq0 reference frame, or at least suitable for low-complexity numerical analysis, which is crucial when studying large-scale power systems. The current work is an extension of two previous works on the same topic. We continue here to explore properties of SCNS circuits, and provide two crucial extensions: first we explore circuits that are not passive, such as generators and inverters, and second we extend the mathematical formulation to apply to circuits that have more then one frame of reference. Our primary objective is to further enrich and extend the theoretical and practical tools introduced in previous works. The theoretical tools presented here are followed by a detailed case-study.

Ionogels are attractive solid-state electrolytes for lithium (Li) metal batteries due to their nonflammability, favorable electrochemical properties, and broad processing compatibility. However, they typically present limited Li-ion conductivity resulting from low Li-ion transference numbers, constraining their battery performance. Here, ionogel electrolytes with high Li-ion conductivity are introduced based on liquid-phase-exfoliated talc nanosheets and an imidazolium ionic liquid. While serving as a solid matrix to confine the ionic liquid and solidify the ionogel electrolytes, the talc nanosheets reduce the formation of Li-ion complexes with the ionic liquid anions, thus improving Li-ion mobility. These effects are promoted by the large surface area of the talc nanosheets, significantly enhancing the Li-ion transference number of the ionogel electrolytes. The resulting talc nanosheet ionogel electrolytes show high Li-ion conductivity up to 0.9 mS cm^–1 at room temperature, enabling the fabrication of solid-state LiFePO₄|Li batteries with superlative rate performance and excellent cycling stability.

Black soldier fly (BSF) bioconversion presents a sustainable approach to addressing organic waste management, food security, and resource recovery. A major by-product, black soldier fly frass (BSFF), serves as a nutrient-rich fertilizer but raises concerns about pathogen contamination and chemical residues, necessitating alternative treatment methods. This study explores hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) as a novel strategy to convert BSFF into hydrochar, a carbon-rich, energy-dense material. Using subcritical water conditions (200–300°C), HTC effectively enhances hydrochar yield, carbon recovery, and thermal stability, transforming BSFF into a renewable energy source or soil amendment. With an energy return on investment (EROI) of 2.5–3.5, HTC proves to be a scalable and efficient process within the BSF industry. These findings emphasize HTC’s role in waste valorization, energy recovery, and circular economy applications, making it a promising technology for sustainable resource management.

Superhydrophobicity, a natural phenomenon commonly observed in plants and insects, imparts diverse functionalities, including self-cleaning capabilities. Nature's design of a superhydrophobic surface relies on a combination of surface chemistry and hierarchical roughness at micro- and nano-scales. The growing interest in artificial superhydrophobic surfaces is driven by their unique properties and additional functionalities, such as anti-icing, corrosion prevention, and anti-biofouling properties. While many studies show the antibacterial properties of superhydrophobic surfaces, only a handful focus on fungi. However, fungal infections are becoming increasingly prevalent, driven by global warming and the growing resistance of fungi to conventional fungicides. Notably, among novel superhydrophobic surfaces, those made with natural, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly compounds via facile manufacturing methods, offer significant advantages and align with sustainable engineering practices. In this study, we developed an easy-to-apply, sprayable bi-modal coatings. These superhydrophobic antifungal coatings, made of long-chain fatty acid, can be combined with medium-chain fatty acids to enhance the antifungal activity against the model phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea. We investigate the effect of incorporating sorbic and caprylic fatty acids in various concentrations on the structure, physical properties, stability, and applicability of stearic acid-based coatings. We show that depending on the composition, the antifungal activity of the coatings can be tuned, ranging from complete passive antibiofouling to a dominant fungicidal action against Botrytis cinerea. This is made possible by the combination of the superhydrophobic coating's hierarchical structure and the incorporation of potent medium-chain fatty acids. We believe these coatings offer a sustainable solution for protecting various surfaces from fungal infections and represent a promising alternative to conventional fungicides.

The metal organic framework (MOF) MIP-177(Ti) is under the spotlight for its robust photo-response and stability. This MOF can be synthesized in forms: MIP-177(Ti)-LT (LT: low temperature) and MIP-177(Ti)-HT (HT: high temperature). The MIP-177(Ti)-LT version comprises of Ti₁₂O₁₅ units interconnected by 3,3′,5,5′-tetracarboxydiphenylmethane (mdip) ligands and interconnecting formate groups. Upon high temperature treatment, MIP-177(Ti)-LT loses its formate groups, thus rearranging into a continuous 1-D chain of Ti₆O₉ units leading to the MIP-177(Ti)-HT. Based on this 1-D connected structure, one should expect a higher catalytic activity of MIP-177(Ti)-HT. Nevertheless, the hydrogen evolution reaction photoactivity assessment clearly indicates the opposite. Combining transient IR measurements (TRIR), TAS and DFT/TD-DFPT calculations unveils the reasons for this situation. The TRIR measurements evidence that the photoinduced electrons are located in the inorganic part, while the holes are in the mdip ligand. The longer lifetime of MIP-177(Ti)-LT is mapped onto a slower decay of the Ti–O related peaks. A reversible change in the coordination of the carboxylate groups from a bidentate to a monodentate coordination is observed only in MIP-177(Ti)-LT. Complementary DFT and TD-DFPT simulations demonstrate a higher electron delocalization on the inorganic part for MIP-177(Ti)-LT (hence, enhanced mobility and slower recombination), thus explaining its superior photocatalytic activity.

Relaxor ferroelectrics exhibit a unique competition between long-range and short-range interactions that can be tuned electrically, which prioritizes these materials in a broad range of electro-mechanical energy-conversion technologies, including biomedical imaging and electric-charge generators. Here, we demonstrate differential negative piezoresponse by utilizing the short-range interactions in relaxor ferroelectrics. The effect was observed over a broad temperature range with local piezoresponse spectroscopy in unpoled samples, while no negative piezoresponse was observed when the material was pre-poled. These measurements suggest that the effect, which is promising for power-generation applications, originates from non-ergodic behavior. Complementary macroscale impedance and dielectric constant measurements as a function of temperature and frequency supported the mesoscopic findings. Bearing in mind the direct relationship between piezoresponse and capacitance, relaxor ferroelectrics appear as an excellent platform for the emerging technology of low-power negative-capacitance transistors.

Thermodynamic gas power cycles achieving Carnot efficiency require isothermal expansion, which is associated with slow processes and results in negligible power output. This study proposes a practical method for rapid near-isothermal gas expansion, facilitating efficient heat engines without sacrificing power. The method involves bubble expansion in a heat transfer liquid, ensuring efficient and near-isothermal heat exchange. The mixture is accelerated through a converging-diverging nozzle, converting thermal energy into kinetic energy. A novel organic vapor cycle employing isothermal expansion utilizing these nozzles is suggested to harness low-grade heat sources. Nozzle experiments with air and water yielded a polytropic index <1.052, enabling up to 71% more work extraction than adiabatic expansion. Simulations on a small-scale heat engine indicate that utilizing these nozzles for thrust generation decreases heat transfer irreversibilities in the cycle, consequently resulting in up to 19% higher power output than the organic Rankine cycle using Pentane. This work paves the way for an efficient and high-power heat-to-power solution.

The 1999 discovery of one-pot corrole synthesis opened the floodgates for research on these unique macrocyclic chelating agents. The enormous impact of this discovery has been documented in numerous reviews describing advances in the synthetic chemistry of corroles and selected applications in which corroles are key components. Our silver anniversary review focuses on the structures and reactions of all well characterized corrole-chelated d- and p-block metal complexes, including discussions of their electronic excited-state physics and chemistry. Emphasis is placed on electronic structure of the trinegative N4 coordination core, which stabilizes high-valent metals and activates low-valent ones, and, importantly, profoundly influences ground- and excited-state reactivity. Our story highlights the unique properties of corroles that have made them the molecular components of choice in a plethora of applications. These include their utility for sensing gases and anions, rescue of vital biomolecules from oxidative damage, destruction of cancerous cells, and catalysis of reactions critical for organic synthesis, as well as those involved in clean energy processes such as production of hydrogen and reduction of oxygen. In our view, research on corroles will continue to grow by leaps and bounds, most especially in areas of human health research and renewable energy science and technology.

Fast pyrolysis coupled with catalysis is a promising method for recycling waste plastic into value-added fuels, chemicals, and carbon materials. In this study, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was pretreated by non-thermal plasma (NTP) in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor where the discharge zone was packed with quartz glass beads, which enables the HDPE to present a low-degree of polymerization, high crystallinity, and rough surface morphology. The fast pyrolysis of pretreated HDPE significantly increased the content of C2–C4 light olefins in the pyrolysis vapors, notably the C2H4 content increasing by 19.78 % and 27.88 % after Ar and air NTP treatment, respectively. Compared with Fe/γ-Al2O3 and Ni/γ-Al2O3, the novel 1Fe1Ni/γ-Al2O3 bimetallic catalyst, which are characterized by a higher density of strong acid sites and superior ability to cleavage C−C and C−H bonds, possessed superior activity in upgrading of pyrolysis vapors, achieving a high H2 yield equivalent to 91.65 % hydrogen in HDPE. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the C2H4 dissociation pathway prefers dehydrogenation followed by C−C bond cleavage and energetically favorable H2 evolution reaction (HER) rather than direct dissociation as indicated by lower dehydrogenation barriers on the surface of FeNi. This work provides a new insight for improving H2 yield in ex-situ catalytic fast pyrolysis of HDPE.

Charge selective ohmic contacts are crucial for optimizing the performance of organic electronic devices, particularly organic solar cells (OSC). This study investigates the modification of contacts by examining the formation of thin interlayers through metal-induced additive migration. Two types of OSCs, based on fullerene and non-fullerene systems, are utilized along with five concentration series of polyethylene glycol (PEG) oligomer additives that gradually migrate from the active layer to the contact, generating interlayers. By analyzing the trends of Voc (open circuit voltage) versus additive concentration and length, the arrangement of additives at the organic/metal interface and the origin of point-dipoles projected onto the metal surface are determined. The behavior of the additive's dipole-baring moiety in all additives is found to follow a Langmuir-like adsorption process, with a remarkably stable “effective” ∆G (Gibbs free energy) across the different OSC systems and additives. These results imply that the active organic layer can be treated as a semisolid solution where the additive undergoes adsorption/desorption at the Al contact. The diffusivity of the PEG-oligomer additive in this solution is temperature-dependent, so elevated temperatures allow fast adsorption/desorption equilibrium. Grazing-incidence wide angle X-ray scattering (GIWAX) analysis reveals that the additive's impact on device performance is solely interfacial. By establishing scientific correlations between the additive's properties, quantity, and energetic shifts at the interface, this study provides practical guidelines for implementing the spontaneous interlayer formation methodology in large-scale applications of organic electronics.