Supercapacitors have emerged as a critical energy storage technology due to their exceptional power density, rapid charge-discharge kinetics, and long cycle life. Despite their advantages, enhancing their energy density remains a key challenge for broader applications in electric vehicles, renewable energy integration, and portable electronics. This study presents a novel electrolyte formulation comprising nickel chloride (NiCl2) in ethyl alcohol and cobalt nitrate (Co(NO3)(2)) in acetone, designed to improve the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors. The proposed electrolytes exhibit remarkable enhancements in specific capacitance, with NiCl2-based systems achieving 123 F/g with TiO2 nanoparticles and 138.5 F/g with CuO nanoparticles, while Co(NO3)(2)-based systems demonstrate 127 F/g and 131 F/g, respectively. Furthermore, the specific energy (SE) reaches 76.2 Wh/kg and 67.2 Wh/kg for NiCl2 electrolytes, and 70 Wh/kg and 72.5 Wh/kg for Co(NO3)(2) electrolytes, highlighting their potential for high-energy storage applications. These findings suggest that the integration of transition metal salts in organic solvents can significantly boost supercapacitor performance by optimizing ion transport and redox activity. The study underscores the importance of advanced electrolyte engineering in overcoming existing limitations in energy storage systems.

We introduce an eco-friendly sugar battery powered by renewable glucose and a reversible coordination complex, achieving performance that replaces noble metals on the cathode and circumvents sluggish oxygen reduction reactions. Utilizing biomass-derived fuel and carbon electrode, the battery delivers an impressive peak power density of ∼41 mW cm-2; nearly 7 times higher than conventional noble metal-based glucose-oxygen system, highlighting a prominent step toward sustainable energy technologies. The battery's non-toxic, refillable design, combined with the use of affordable materials, highlights its potential for both portable and large-scale energy applications.

The detection of heavy metal ions is critical for environmental monitoring, public health, and industrial safety due to their toxicological and bioaccumulative properties. Traditional analytical techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), offer high sensitivity and specificity but are limited by their reliance on expensive instrumentation, specialized expertise, and laboratory infrastructure, making them impractical for real-time, on-site applications. To address these limitations, this study presents a smartphone-assisted paper-based sensor strip (WFP-113 and WFP-4) for the simultaneous detection of copper (Cu(II)), chromium (Cr(VI)), zinc (Zn(II)), and manganese (Mn(II)) ions in water samples. The sensor employs chromogenic reagents that produce distinct colorimetric responses upon metal ion complexation, enabling visual and quantitative analysis via smartphone imaging and digital processing. Key analytical parameters, including linear detection range, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), reproducibility, and selectivity, were systematically optimized. The achieved LODs for WFP-113 and WFP-4 were 0.42, 0.32, 0.79, 0.30 mg L- 1 and 0.30, 0.26, 0.72, 0.28 mg L- 1 for Cu(II), Cr(VI), Zn(II), and Mn(II), respectively, meeting regulatory standards for water quality assessment. Validation using spiked water samples demonstrated high accuracy and reliability compared to AAS, confirming the sensor's applicability in field-based monitoring. The proposed system offers significant advantages, including low cost, rapid analysis, portability, and ease of fabrication, while smartphone integration bridges the gap between qualitative and quantitative analysis. This innovation holds substantial promise for environmental monitoring, point-of-care diagnostics, and resource-limited settings, providing a sustainable and scalable solution for heavy metal detection.

Three-color electrophoretic display (EPD) makes up for the limitation of traditional EPDs in color representation. However, when displaying red color, there are issues such as long response time and low red saturation. In order to improve these defects, a simulation model was constructed using COMSOL finite element simulation method to explore the movement of electro-phoretic particles. Leveraging the principles of three-color EPDs and electrophoresis theory, a novel driving scheme was proposed. This scheme employed high-frequency voltage and low-voltage differential oscillation, aiming to expedite the response time of red particles and enhance the red saturation. The final experimental results showed that the response time of the red particles was 1.76 s, a decrease of 2.42 s, the number of flickers was 1, a decrease of 8, and the maximum red saturation rose to 0.53, an increase of 0.08. The proposed driving scheme effectively improved the red display performance of three-color EPDs.

This study explores the optimization of Indium Gallium Phosphide (InGaP) solar cells through detailed simulations using PC1D software. The research focuses on the impact of active layer thickness and dopant concentration on the overall efficiency of solar cells. The maximum efficiency of 17.45

The research explores hydrothermally synthesized NiO nanostructures, including NiO-NA, NiO-HMDA, and NiO-HMTA, for formaldehyde gas sensing applications. XRD analysis confirmed a cubic crystal structure with space group Fm-3m, exhibiting well-defined and consistent arrangements. The Debye Scherer equation determined average crystallite sizes of 8.49 nm, 9.21 nm, and 8.42 nm for NiO-NA, NiO-HMDA, and NiO-HMTA, respectively. Distinct morphologies emerged, such as net-like structures for NiO-NA, altered nanosheets for NiO-HMDA, and feather-flower patterns for NiO-HMTA. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy affirmed the uniform distribution of Ni and O elements in all samples. UV-vis. spectra revealed absorption characteristics in the 370-390 nm range, with band gap values of 3.333 eV, 3.234 eV, and 3.243 eV for NiO-NA, NiO-HMDA, and NiO-HMTA, respectively. Gas sensing assessments demonstrated superior performance for NiO-HMTA at 350 degrees C, attributed to its smaller size and intricate morphology. Linear relationships between gas response and concentration were established, with NiO-HMTA exhibiting the highest precision. Further, rapid response (79 s) and recovery (84 s) times at 350 degrees C. The proposed mechanism highlights chemisorption-driven redox reactions, elucidating the intricate gas-sensing behavior of NiO-HMTA. The investigation into the interaction dynamics between formaldehyde (HCHO) and NiO was conducted through Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations, employing the B3LYP/LanL2dz level of theory. The study discerned that the improved sensitivity of the NiO-based sensor to the HCHO molecule likely stems from the deposition of an oxygen atom from the surrounding medium onto the surface of NiO.

The growing presence of pharmaceutical contaminants such as levofloxacin (LVX) in aquatic environments demands innovative remediation strategies. Conventional photocatalysts, while effective, are limited to light-driven reactions, leaving a critical gap in round-the-clock water treatment. Here, we address this challenge by developing a WO₃/Bi₂MoO₆ (WB) composite via a facile hydrothermal method, designed to sustain photocatalytic activity even in the absence of light. The developed composite exhibits a 74.01% LVX degradation under daylight and 36.11% under dark conditions, attributed to the synergistic interplay between the two semiconductors that narrows the band gap, enhances visible-light absorption, and facilitates charge separation. Crucially, WO₃ functions as an electron reservoir, storing photogenerated electrons during illumination and releasing them under dark conditions to continue the degradation process. Under optimized parameters (pH 8, 0.25 g/L catalyst, 10 mg/L LVX), the WB composite demonstrates remarkable stability and reusability over five cycles. This work introduces a dual-phase photocatalyst that extends the utility of solar energy beyond daylight hours, offering a practical solution for continuous environmental remediation.

This study demonstrates the precise tuning of optoelectronic properties in selenium-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Se) nanostructured films synthesized via a sol-gel spin-coating technique. We systematically investigate the impact of Se doping (1-5at.%) on the structural, optical, and electrical properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the hexagonal wurtzite structure, with a dominant (002) orientation and lattice expansion evidenced by a peak shift from 34.45 degrees to 34.12 degrees. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) shows homogeneous nanoparticles with sizes of 18-24nm. Optically, the films exhibit high transparency (>90%) and a controlled blue shift in the optical bandgap from 3.156eV to 3.184eV. This shift is correlated with a systematic decrease in electrical resistivity from 1463 Omega & sdot;cm to 1091 Omega & sdot;cm, supporting a Burstein-Moss effect driven by increased charge carriers. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra show that the defect-mediated luminescence can be modulated by doping concentration. The direct correlation established between Se-induced structural modifications and functional optoelectronic properties represents a significant advancement over prior studies. These results, achieved with a low-cost, scalable technique, highlight the strong potential of ZnO:Se nanostructures for application-specific devices such as transparent conducting oxides and ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors.

In this study, we synthesized erbium-doped ZnO nanorods via a hydrothermal method and evaluated their NO2 gas sensing performance. The incorporation of Er and formation of well-defined nanorods were confirmed by XRD, FESEM, EDS, FTIR, Raman, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The sensor exhibited optimal response at 200 degrees C with a response value of 6.3 to 100 ppm NO2, a rapid response time of 30 s, and excellent repeatability and selectivity. The enhanced performance is attributed to Er3+/Er2+ redox cycling, which generates reactive oxygen species and promotes charge transfer, as confirmed by DFT calculations. Theoretical analysis revealed that Er doping introduces defect states within the ZnO band gap and significantly enhances NO2 adsorption energy (-3.51 eV) and charge transfer (0.87 |e|), corroborating the experimental selectivity pattern. This work provides a novel integration of experimental and theoretical approaches, offering new mechanistic insights into lanthanide-enhanced gas sensing and establishing Er-doped ZnO nanorods as promising candidates for advanced NO2 sensors.

Electrowetting displays (EWDs) have shown great success owing to their advantages of quick response, wide color gamut, low power consumption, and high contrast. However, the presence of charge trapping effect in EWDs' hydrophobic insulating layer can give rise to phenomena such as oil backflow and contact angle saturation. The maximum aperture ratio of the pixel and the grayscale stability are limited by these phenomena. Therefore, the charge trapping behavior in a pixel was investigated. Firstly, an equivalent model of the pixel was constructed based on the principle of electrowetting-on-dielectric, and the quantitative correlation between the aperture of the pixel and the potential of trapped charges was investigated. Secondly, a method was developed to calculate the potential of trapped charges, the surface charge density in water phase, and the electrowetting force by measuring the aperture ratio of the pixel. Finally, the influence of trapped charges on the surface charge density and electrowetting force was analyzed to investigate the mechanism of oil backflow phenomenon. The experimental results indicated that the potential of trapped charges could be approximated as a linear function of the driving time during 120-second direct current (DC) driving. When a higher driving voltage was applied, the average growth rate of the potential of trapped charges was greater. As the driving voltage increased to 30 V, the average growth rate of the potential of trapped charges could reach 0.053 V/s.

A highly sensitive electrochemical aptasensor is presented for the detection of Mucin-1 (MUC1) based on a novel poly(3-thiophenecarboxylic acid)-ferric oxide-reduced graphene oxide (P3TCA-Fe2O3-rGO) ternary nanocomposite. The Fe2O3-rGO binary nanocomposite was synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method, which demonstrated exceptional catalytic activity towards the electrochemical reaction of potassium ferricyanide. To introduce carboxyl groups necessary for covalent binding with NH2-modified aptamers, 3-thiophenecarboxylic acid underwent in-situ oxidative polymerization on the Fe2O3-rGO surface. The resultant P3TCA-Fe2O3-rGO ternary nanocomposite was then immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), effectively enhancing signal amplification. The Fe₂O₃–rGO substrate provides catalytic signal amplification for the [Fe(CN)₆]3⁻/4⁻ redox reaction, while the P3TCA coating offers carboxyl groups for covalent aptamer immobilization. Target binding impedes electron transfer, causing a measurable decrease in differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) current proportional to MUC1 concentration. This novel aptasensor exhibited a wide dynamic detection range from 100 pM to 100 μM and an impressively low detection limit of 72 pM. It also showed excellent reproducibility, stability, and high specificity in the presence of interfering proteins, making it highly suitable for detecting MUC1 in complex biological samples. The practical utility was validated by detecting MUC1 in artificial human serum, achieving recoveries from 94.8

Natural pigments, derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms, offer numerous health benefits, including antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. Microbial sources, in particular, provide scalable, eco-friendly alternatives. However, production faces challenges such as low yield, high cultivation costs, and limited color diversity. Recent biotechnological advances-such as metabolic engineering, omics technologies, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and synthetic biology-are addressing these hurdles by enhancing pigment biosynthesis and expanding pigment varieties. These innovations facilitate industrial-scale production while reducing environmental impact. Natural pigments now find applications in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, often replacing synthetic dyes. Continued interdisciplinary research and industrial collaboration are essential to overcome production constraints and meet market demand. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and critical synthesis of natural pigments derived from plant, animal, and microbial sources, with a particular focus on recent advances in sustainable extraction technologies and biotechnological innovations such as metabolic engineering, CRISPR/Cas9, and synthetic biology. It systematically compares the advantages and limitations of pigments from different biological origins and evaluates their expanding applications in the food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and biomedical sectors. Furthermore, the review identifies key challenges in scaling production and proposes future research directions to facilitate the transition from laboratory-scale discoveries to industrial applications.

Photocatalysis presents a promising advanced oxidation process for the degradation of organic pollutants, including synthetic dyes and hazardous chemicals, in wastewater. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the photocatalytic efficiency of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) when integrated with metal sulfides and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to form hybrid nanocomposites. These composites exhibit exceptional properties such as high specific surface area, abundant oxygen functionalities, and tailored adsorption sites, which collectively enhance their photocatalytic performance. The integration of metal sulfides with GO/rGO matrices leads to the development of advanced nanocomposites that effectively suppress electron-hole pair recombination and reduce composite band gaps, thereby significantly improving photodegradation efficiency under visible light. Furthermore, the incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles introduces the critical advantage of facile catalyst recovery using an external magnetic field, eliminating the need for energy-intensive filtration and enabling catalyst reusability. This review systematically examines the structural properties, synthesis methodologies, and fundamental photocatalytic mechanisms of these ternary systems. Recent advancements are highlighted, demonstrating their potential to overcome persistent challenges such as high charge recombination rates and limited utilization of the solar spectrum. The synergistic integration of GO/rGO with metal sulfides and MNPs enhances not only charge carrier separation but also the operational stability and recyclability of the photocatalysts, positioning them as ideal candidates for scalable environmental remediation. These multifunctional hybrid materials are pivotal for the development of sustainable wastewater treatment technologies and show considerable promise for future industrial applications.

Electrochemical supercapacitors (SCs) are increasingly recognized as pivotal in the field of energy storage, distinguished by their substantial specific capacitance, robust cyclic stability, and remarkable power density. These devices are not only environmentally friendly but also cost‐effective, which enhances their appeal in sustainable technological applications. One material that has gained significant interest lately is nickel sulfide (NiS). This compound is being explored for its potential in pseudocapacitors due to its unique chemical and physical traits that elevate electrochemical performance. This review focuses on the latest developments in SC electrodes based on NiS. It presents an in‐depth analysis of the energy storage mechanisms employed by NiS, along with a comprehensive examination of the different methods used for its synthesis. The versatility of NiS allows for various nanostructural morphologies, which are crucial in optimizing its functionality and efficiency. Additionally, the integration of NiS with other materials is discussed extensively. This includes combinations with carbon, oxides, and other sulfides, forming innovative nanocomposites. These composites are crucial for enhancing the electrochemical properties and performance of SCs. The review also explores how these material integrations influence the overall energy storage capacity and efficiency, presenting a forward‐looking perspective on the potential advancements in SC technology.

The study systematically evaluates various forms of carbon, including ACs, graphene, CNTs, CA, xerogels, template-derived carbons, heteroatom-doped carbons, and waste-derived carbons, highlighting their critical roles in improving the functionality of supercapacitors. ACs are explored for their high surface areas and porosity, detailing their production methods and impacts on enhancing electrochemical performance. The review further highlights graphene for its outstanding electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, discussing its synthesis techniques and contributions towards boosting the energy and power densities. Additionally, the work categorizes CNTs into SWCNTs and MWCNTs types, analyzing their synthesis methods and their influence on the conductivity and mechanical strength. Carbon aerogels and xerogels are examined for their production processes and key characteristics that translate into superior performance metrics within supercapacitors. Template-derived carbons are investigated through various templating methods, including hard, soft, and self-templating, assessing the resultant structural distinctions and performance improvements. The role of heteroatom doping in enhancing the electrochemical properties of carbons is also thoroughly discussed. Finally, the review concludes with an analysis of waste-derived carbons, utilizing various biomass precursors and conversion methods to highlight the environmental and cost benefits of these materials, alongside their performance in supercapacitor applications.

Heavy metal contamination, particularly hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), poses severe environmental and health risks due to its high toxicity, mobility, and solubility in water. Conventional remediation methods such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and chemical precipitation are often costly, energy-intensive, and generate hazardous by-products. In contrast, microbial bioremediation offers a sustainable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative for Cr(VI) detoxification. This review comprehensively examines recent advancements in microbial strategies for Cr(VI) removal, focusing on biosorption, bioaccumulation, and enzymatic reduction mechanisms employed by bacteria, fungi, and algae. Key operational parameters—including pH, temperature, contact time, biomass concentration, and the presence of co-contaminants—are critically analyzed to optimize biosorption efficiency. Microbial strains such as Bacillus spp., Aspergillus niger, and Chlorella vulgaris demonstrate high Cr(VI) removal efficiency through surface binding, intracellular uptake, and enzymatic reduction to the less toxic Cr(III) form. Despite promising laboratory results, challenges remain in scaling these processes for industrial applications, including variability in real wastewater matrices and long-term stability of microbial consortia. The review underscores the need for integrated approaches combining microbial remediation with physicochemical methods and highlights the importance of pilot-scale studies to bridge the gap between experimental findings and practical implementation. Future research should focus on genetic engineering, hybrid treatment systems, and economic feasibility assessments to enhance the scalability and sustainability of microbial Cr(VI) remediation technologies.

We developed selenium nanoparticle (Se-NP)-embedded poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) hybrid microgel (nano-SeHMG) for the photodegradation of victoria blue (VB) dye in an aqueous medium. PNIPAM microgels were prepared by free radical precipitation polymerization, and Se-NPs were formed inside the polymer network using in situ reduction of selenous acid with NaBH4. Surface characterization of bare Se-NPs, pure PNIPAM, and nano-SeHMG was conducted. Controlled-size Se-NPs, averaging 31 +/- 4.8 nm, were embedded within the microgels, providing stability against agglomeration and resulting in a large surface area. Nano-SeHMG achieved 98 % degradation of VB dye in 80 min, compared to 23 % and 68 % degradation with pure PNIPAM and bare Se-NPs, respectively, under the same conditions. The photocatalytic reduction of VB followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with an apparent rate constant of 7.33 x 10-3 min-1 . Factors such as contact time, catalyst dosage, initial dye concentration, temperature, and pH significantly influenced the catalytic performance of nano-SeHMG. The thermo-responsive behavior of microgels allowed tunable catalytic activity by adjusting the system temperature. The photocatalyst demonstrated excellent recyclability, making it a cost-effective material for dye degradation. Hybrid microgel-based photocatalysts offer a novel approach in designing smart materials for wastewater treatment. (c) 2024 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier BV and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.