Hierarchical NiCo@NiOOH@CoMoO4 Core–Shell Heterostructure on Carbon Cloth for High-Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitors

The fabrication of low-cost, effective, and highly integrated nanostructured materials through simple and reproducible methods for high-energy-density supercapacitors is highly desirable. Herein, an activated carbon cloth (ACC) is designed as the functional scaffold for supercapacitors and treated hydrothermally to deposit NiCo nanoneedles working as internal core, followed by a dip-dry coating of NiOOH nanoflakes core–shell and uniform hydrothermal deposition of CoMoO₄ nanosheets serving as an external shell. The structured core–shell heterostructure ACC@NiCo@NiOOH@CoMoO₄ electrode resulted in exceptional specific areal capacitance of 2920 mF cm⁻² and exceptional cycling stability for 10 000 cycles. Moreover, the fabricated electrode is developed into an asymmetric supercapacitor which demonstrates excellent areal capacitance, energy density, and power density within the broad potential window of 1.7 V with a cycling life of 92.4% after 10 000 charge–discharge cycles, which reflects excellent cycle life. The distinctive core–shell structure, highly conductive substrate, and synergetic effect of coated material results in more electrochemical active sites and flanges for effective electrons and ion transportation. This unique technique provides a new perspective for cost-efficient supercapacitor applications.     

Effect of temperature on fatty acid composition in the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): A temperature dependent nutritive lipid profile

In this study, the effects of temperature on the fatty acids profile and the effects of temperature on the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids of Oreochromis niloticus were investigated. The analysis was performed by gas chromatography. The study showed that there were large temperature variations (10.0–32.0°C) during the study period (January–December). The highest crude fat content was found in January (3380 mg/100 g) and the lowest in June (2050 mg/100 g). The fatty acids profile showed significantly different diversity (p < 0.05). Total saturated fatty acid (∑SFA) content ranged from 409.54 to 1297.61 mg/100 g, monounsaturated fatty acid (∑MUFA) from 207.68 to 665.81 mg/100 g, and polyunsaturated fatty acid (∑PUFA) from 175.12 to 972.23 mg/100 g. The ∑MUFA and ∑PUFA concentrations were highest in January and lowest in June, and the ∑SFA concentration was lowest in January and highest in June. EPA and DHA contents were highest in January (198.96 mg/100 g) and lowest in June (48.76 mg/100 g). The contents of omega-3 (653.17 mg/100 g) and omega-6 fatty acids (252.54 mg/100 g) were highest in January and lowest in June (ω-3; 106.43 and ω-6; 60.91 mg/100 g). It concluded that the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids increases with decreasing temperature. In this study, the nutritional quality of the FAs profile was assessed using lipid quality indices. The indices indicating dietary quality of lipids by their values: Atherogenic index (0.47), thrombogenic index (0.38), hypocholesterolemic to hypercholesterolemic (3.00), meat fat quality (6.78), ω6/ω3 ratio (0.39), PUFA/SFA (2.37), MUFA/SFA (1.62), PUFA/MUFA (1.46), and PUFA + MUFA/SFA (3.99). These values are within the recommended range, indicating that the lipid profile of O. niloticus has high nutritional quality, which can be further improved by harvesting the fish during the winter season. Due to the nutritional importance of O. niloticus, the culture of this species could have significant interest to the people of Karachi, especially the coastal communities. To promote the nutritional diet in local population, the government should support the aquaculture of Nile tilapia.     

A data-driven controller for position tracking of a long-stroke piezoelectric actuator

Microsystem Technologies - Hysteresis and other nonlinearities exhibited by piezoelectric materials significantly limit the tracking capability of piezoelectric actuators (PAs). To eliminate these...