All‐Cellulose‐Based Quasi‐Solid‐State Sodium‐Ion Hybrid Capacitors Enabled by Structural Hierarchy

Na‐ion hybrid capacitors consisting of battery‐type anodes and capacitor‐style cathodes are attracting increasing attention on account of the abundance of sodium‐based resources as well as the potential to bridge the gap between batteries (high energy) and supercapacitors (high power). Herein, hierarchically structured carbon materials inspired by multiscale building units of cellulose from nature are assembled with cellulose‐based gel electrolytes into Na‐ion capacitors. Nonporous hard carbon anodes are obtained through the direct thermal pyrolysis of cellulose nanocrystals. Nitrogen‐doped carbon cathodes with a coral‐like hierarchically porous architecture are prepared via hydrothermal carbonization and activation of cellulose microfibrils. The reversible charge capacity of the anode is 256.9 mAh g^?1 when operating at 0.1 A g^?1 from 0 to 1.5 V versus Na⁺/Na, and the discharge capacitance of cathodes tested within 1.5 to 4.2 V versus Na⁺/Na is 212.4 F g^?1 at 0.1 A g^?1. Utilizing Na⁺ and ClO₄^? as charge carriers, the energy density of the full Na‐ion capacitor with two asymmetric carbon electrodes can reach 181 Wh kg^?1 at 250 W kg^?1, which is one of the highest energy devices reported until now. Combined with macrocellulose‐based gel electrolytes, all‐cellulose‐based quasi‐solid‐state devices are demonstrated possessing additional advantages in terms of overall sustainability.     

Carbon‐Based Metal‐Free Catalysts for Energy Storage and Environmental Remediation

Owing to their high earth‐abundance, eco‐friendliness, high electrical conductivity, large surface area, structure tunability at the atomic/morphological levels, and excellent stability in harsh conditions, carbon‐based metal‐free materials have become promising advanced electrode materials for high‐performance pseudocapacitors and metal–air batteries. Furthermore, carbon‐based nanomaterials with well‐defined structures can function as green catalysts because of their efficiency in advanced oxidation processes to remove organics in air or from water, which reduces the cost for air/water purification and avoids cross‐contamination by eliminating the release of heavy metals/metal ions. Here, the research and development of carbon‐based catalysts in supercapacitors and batteries for clean energy storage as well as in air/water treatments for environmental remediation are reviewed. The related mechanistic understanding and design principles of carbon‐based metal‐free catalysts are illustrated, along with the challenges and perspectives in this emerging field.     

Poly(hydromethylsiloxane)-derived high internal phase emulsion-templated materials (polyHIPEs) containing palladium for catalytic applications

Journal of Materials Science - Cross-linking of poly(hydromethylsiloxane) (PHMS) with 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-1,3,5,7-tetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4Vi) in water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion...     

Methodology to Optimize Rainwater Tank-sizing and Cluster Configuration for a Group of Buildings

Water Resources Management - The behavior of a rainwater harvesting system depends on some variables that cannot be controlled, such as rainfall, building roof size and water consumption. The...     

Strength properties of polyimideamide nanocomposite fibers in terms of their porous and supermolecular structure

The strength properties of fibers made from polyimideamide (PIA) nanocomposite were investigated and the effect of the presence of MMT in the fiber‐forming polymer on the porous structure and supermolecular structure of fibers was analyzed. It was found that lower strength properties (tenacity, elongation at break) of PIA nanocomposite fibers, as compared with those ones of fibers without montmorillonite (MMT), are connected with a lower deformability of the polymer during drawing stage and the collapse of MMT galleries, confirmed by WAXS investigations. This results in the formation of agglomerates that are weakly connected with the fiber‐forming polymer. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 339–344, 2007     

Epoxy resin modified with soybean oil containing cyclic carbonate groups

Carbonated soybean oil (CSO) containing five‐membered cyclic carbonate groups has been obtained in the reaction of epoxidized soybean oil with carbon dioxide in the presence of KI activated by 18‐crown‐6 under 6 MPa CO₂ pressure at 130°C. The CSO was used for modification of bisphenol‐A based epoxy resin. The composition epoxide‐cyclic carbonate was cured using polyamine hardeners by one‐step and two‐step procedures. All cured compositions were characterized for their thermal and mechanical properties and compared with the parent epoxy network. The optimal properties were obtained for compositions containing CSO and cured by one‐step method when phase separation takes place. The mechanical properties were discussed in terms of morphology observed by SEM. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 2904‐2914, 2006     

Housing performance evaluation: challenges for international knowledge exchange

ABSTRACT

Developing effective building performance evaluation and feedback processes is a vital part of global efforts to reduce building energy use and gain insight into the actual performance of buildings and technologies. Although attempts have been made to introduce internationally agreed models for these processes, it is clear that various countries are producing different approaches according to their cultural, institutional and policy differences. Knowledge exchange is potentially a key means of developing a shared understanding of values, meanings and practices in relation to building performance evaluation. This paper identifies cultural and institutional barriers in the European Union for international building performance communities of practice utilizing knowledge exchange, from an experiential ‘real-world’ perspective. The preparation of a 30-month research project to help develop building performance evaluation in Poland and an associated bilateral symposium is closely evaluated through an action research case study in terms of the stakeholders, the national contexts in which they operated and the key challenges they faced. Recommendations are then made in terms of the support needed to develop more responsive research programmes in relation to developing international knowledge exchange, and the capacity-building elements required for these international communities of practice.     

Isotactic polypropylene–vapor grown carbon nanofibers composites: Electrical properties

Nanocomposites have been obtained by dispersing various amounts of vapor grown carbon nanofibers within isotactic polypropylene. Thermal investigations done by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis revealed the effect of the vapor grown carbon nanofibers on the melting, crystallization, α, and β relaxations. Direct current electrical features of these nanocomposites have been investigated and related to the thermal features of these nanocomposites. The effect of the loading with carbon nanofibers on the electrical properties of these nanocomposites is discussed within the percolation theory. The percolation threshold was estimated at about 5.5% wt carbon nanofibers. The temperature dependence of the direct current conductivity is analyzed in detail and it is concluded that the electronic hopping is the dominant transport mechanism. A transition from one‐dimensional hopping towards a three‐dimensional hopping was noticed as the concentration of carbon nanofibers was increased from 10% wt to 20% wt carbon nanofiber. The possibility of a differential negative resistivity is suggested. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45297.     

Oxidative and microbial stability of poultry meatballs added with coriander extracts and packed in cold modified atmosphere

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of adding of coriander extracts to turkey meatballs. Meat samples were stored in modified atmosphere at 4°C ± 1°C for 9 days. The addition of coriander extract at 500 ppm level delayed the process of lipid oxidation for the period of 6 days of storage and growth inhibition of aerobic microorganisms for the period of 9 days of storage. The usage of a dose of 500 ppm as well as a dose of 200 ppm had no significant effect on the sensory features, but had an impact on colour parameters of the meatballs. In the groups with coriander extract, volatile terpenes were identified.