In an era characterized by the pervasive dissemination of information, the rampant spread of pseudoscientific misinformation poses a formidable threat to public scientific literacy. Equipping students with the critical competencies to discern and evaluate pseudoscience in everyday contexts is therefore imperative. This study examines a design-based learning intervention involving 55 Chinese university students, organized into ten collaborative teams, each tasked with producing a 4-to-7 min educational animation aimed at debunking widespread pseudoscientific claims. Quantitative analysis revealed statistically significant gains in students’ science attitudes, cooperative competencies, and ICT (Information and Communications Technology) self-efficacy, with particularly pronounced improvements in digital confidence. Qualitative findings further suggest that the animation production process fostered critical engagement with misconceptions, deepened understanding of scientific principles, enhanced communicative and technical skills, and promoted sustained motivation to convey scientific reasoning. These outcomes highlight the pedagogical efficacy of student-generated animation as a transformative vehicle for fostering pseudoscientific discernment, advancing conceptual change, and cultivating 21st-century competencies within a constructivist, media-literacy framework.
Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cells are a leading technology for next-generation photovoltaics due to their high absorption coefficients and tunable electronic properties. However, achieving optimal device performance via scalable methods like magnetron sputtering is critically dependent on precise stoichiometric control of the quaternary absorber layer, which remains a significant challenge. We fabricated CIGS thin films by sputtering from two distinct targets, one slightly Cu-poor and one Cu-rich, followed by a rapid thermal selenization process. We found that annealing at 500 °C for 30 minutes is optimal for producing highly crystalline films with minimal secondary phases. Devices fabricated using the Cu-poor target achieved a power conversion efficiency of 4.6
Physiological storage issues in fruits often result from inadequate post-harvest handling. Diphenylamine (DPA), commonly used to prevent surface scald, may leave toxic residues, necessitating precise detection. In this study, cerium orthovanadate (CeVO4) was synthesized via a hydrothermal route and characterized using XRD, FTIR, HRTEM, and XPS. A CeVO4@g-C3N4 nanocomposite was fabricated and drop-cast onto a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) for electrochemical sensing of DPA. Sensor performance was evaluated using EIS, CV, and DPV, along with optimization of catalyst loading, scan rate, pH, and stability. The CeVO4@g-C3N4-modified SPCE showed a wide linear detection range (0.01-792.0 mu M), low detection limit (1.1 nM), and high sensitivity. Real fruit sample analysis demonstrated high recovery and reliability. The study's novelty lies in the use of CeVO4@g-C3N4 as a sensitive and reproducible sensing interface, offering a practical platform for DPA detection in food safety monitoring.
The necessity for sensitive detection of roxarsone (RXS) stems from its metabolic transformation into carcinogenic inorganic arsenic, despite its benefits in livestock production. Electrochemical sensing, known for its inherent sensitivity and rapid analysis, offers a promising approach where the choice of electrode material plays a pivotal role. This study investigates copper tungstate (CuWO4), a mixed-metal oxide that combines the electrochemical activity of copper with the structural stability and electronic conductivity of tungsten, as a novel electrode modifier for RXS quantification. The research emphasizes elucidating the underlying electrochemical mechanisms, optimizing sensor parameters for accurate detection in complex matrices, and evaluating analytical performance in terms of linear dynamic range (0.01-213.6 mu M), low detection limit (1.89 nM), sensitivity, selectivity, and operational stability. By leveraging the synergistic properties of CuWO4, this work aims to establish a high-performance electrochemical sensing platform for effective RXS monitoring, contributing to public health protection and environmental safety from arsenic contamination.
Carbendazim (CBZ) is a chemical frequently employed as a fungicide to mitigate diseases and enhance yield. Nonetheless, CBZ residues present a considerable environmental and health risk, necessitating the advancement of effective detection techniques. This research details the synthesis of a neodymium tungstate integrated with MXene (Nd2WO6/MXene) nanocomposite for CBZ sensing, with confirmation of the obtained Nd2WO6/MXene achieved by XRD, XPS, FE-SEM, and EDX techniques. The electrochemical results indicate that the Nd2WO6/ MXene-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) exhibits superior electron transport, increased active surface area, and enhanced electrooxidation reaction to CBZ compared to the unmodified electrodes. The Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) analysis demonstrates a broad linear detection range of 0.01-166.3 mu M, with a detection limit of 2.8 nM. The sensor demonstrated exceptional selectivity, repeatability, and storage stability. The CBZ sensing in diverse water and fruit samples with Nd2WO6/MXene shown exceptional recovery, indicating its potential for environmental monitoring and food safety.
