Constructing a cocontinuous structure between high-content phase change materials (PCMs) and low-content polymer supporting matrices is an effective strategy to enhance the heat storage capacity and mechanical strength of shape-stabilized phase change composites (PCCs). However, the unoptimized trade-off between thermal conductivity and heat storage capacity of PCCs limits their range of applications. In this work, polyethylene (PE)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/graphite (Gt) flakes composites were prepared via melt blending to not only construct a cocontinuous structure between high-content PEO and low-content PE, but also achieve localized distribution of Gt flakes in the interface region of the cocontinuous structure due to the minimization of interfacial energy. Subsequently, the Gt flakes were further oriented along the flow direction of the PE melt under an enhanced extensional and shearing combined force field during multistage stretching extrusion. By adding 9 vol % Gt, the in-plane thermal conductivity and tensile strength of a PCC with localized distribution and orientation of Gt flakes reached 1.6 W/(m & centerdot;K) and 7.6 MPa, respectively. Finite element analysis indicated that the PCC exhibited highly efficient and directional heat conduction, which was further confirmed by thermoelectric conversion tests showing effective thermal energy utilization. Furthermore, the PCC demonstrates 91% relative enthalpy efficiency, indicating good heat storage properties. This work provides a novel method for simple and continuous fabrication of PCCs with high thermal conductivity, heat storage capacity, and mechanical strength, promoting practical, reliable, and efficient thermal energy utilization.
Sasa species (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) typically regenerate following synchronous mass flowering and die-off. However, small-scale flowering is often observed and its contribution to seedling recruitment has been overlooked. To examine the ecological significance of small-scale flowering, we investigated the regeneration process of Sasa veitchii var. tyugokuensis from small-scale flowering to seedling establishment over 11 years, and to vegetation recovery in the 12th year. Seven genets flowered over an area of 2300 m2. The flowering culms subsequently died, whereas the nonflowering culms remained in two of the flowered genets, indicating that they only partially flowered. Of the emerged seedlings, 83% died within the first 2 years and 5.8% (0.1 genets/m2) survived for 11 years. Genets with greater initial growth and higher heterozygosity exhibited higher survival rates. However, seedling cover remained low even after 12 years, and nonflowered Sasa culms from the surrounding area had expanded into the seedling cover area. The pattern of initial high mortality was similar to the regeneration process after mass flowering, while seedling growth was slower after the small-scale flowering event. Seedling regeneration may only occur in areas free from the expansion of nonflowered Sasa culms. These findings suggest that small-scale flowering contributes to the regeneration of Sasa species and reduces the risk of regeneration failure associated with monocarpy and mass flowering.
With the escalating demand for safe, sustainable, and high-performance energy storage systems, hydrogel electrolytes have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional liquid electrolytes in zinc-ion batteries. By integrating the high ionic conductivity of liquid electrolytes with the mechanical robustness of solid frameworks, hydrogel electrolytes offer distinct advantages in suppressing zinc dendrite formation, enhancing interfacial stability, and enabling reliable operation under extreme environmental conditions. This review systematically summarizes the fundamental characteristics and design criteria of hydrogel electrolytes, including mechanical flexibility, ionic transport capabilities, and environmental adaptability. It further explores various compositional design strategies involving natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and composite systems, as well as the incorporation of electrolyte salts and functional additives. In addition, recent advances in functional optimization, such as anti-freezing properties, self-healing abilities, thermal responsiveness, and biocompatibility, are comprehensively discussed. Finally, the review outlines the current challenges and proposes potential directions for future research.
In 2023, more than half of olive harvests ( Olea europaea ) across Spain, Greece, and Türkiye were lost to drought. The same year late freeze destroyed 90% of the peach crop ( Prunus persica ) on the Georgia Piedmont and the apple crop ( Malus domestica ) in central New York, Vermont, and southern Quebec. Climate extremes now rank with the costliest threats to agriculture, but their role in forest recovery from diebacks that are happening globally is unknown for lack of tree fecundity estimates in forests. Tolerance of climate extremes could depend on past exposure but constrained by phylogenetic conservatism. We report a continental scale analysis of climate extremes and forest fecundity across North America and Europe showing that responses to late freeze and drought are happening now. Species differences are not explained by the traits typically included in ecological studies and they are weakly associated with phylogeny. Late freeze, that is, freezing temperatures that follow the onset of flower development in spring, is shown to be “normal” in North America, but not Europe, potentially explaining failed seed production due to delayed onset and the resultant shorter growing period by North American transplants dating back at least to the 18th century. Drought has thus far had the greatest impacts in dry forested regions, but here too, species differences are not explained by traditional trait values. If responses have been buffered from drought and late freeze by past exposure, acclimation and local adaptation prove inadequate as extremes intensify.
This article describes a method for measuring the diameter of fruits with a near spherical shape using an RGB-D camera in order to investigate fruit enlargement at different times of the year. In general, depth-based measurement methods, when considering the diameter of an object with a near-spherical shape, the diameter can be calculated by obtaining the Euclidean distance from the coordinates of the object's sides or by using the depth at the center of the object and the size of the object on the RGB image. However, it is difficult to accurately determine the diameter of an object because of errors in the calculated results due to the perspective projection of a general camera. Therefore, this study proposes a method to measure the diameter of fruits that have a shape similar to a sphere. Although this study focuses on young apple fruits, the proposed method can be applied to other agricultural crops, as well as to objects that are similar to spheres. In addition, we have also studied a correction that takes into account the rotation of the object so that the method can be applied to objects with circular cross-sections.
