A Biomimetic Water-Resistant Adhesive Based on ε‑Polylysine/Tannic Acid Complexation

This study investigates the potential of combining ε-polylysine and tannic acid to develop bio-based adhesives with enhanced water resistance. The two biomolecules exhibited complexation/precipitation in aqueous solutions in the pH range of 5–9. Water-based adhesives were prepared using complexes formed at pH 5, 7, and 9, followed by evaluation of their adhesion properties in both dry and wet lap shear tests. The complexes prepared at higher pH values showed a larger adhesion strength and improved water resistance. To further enhance the adhesive properties, an epoxide-based reagent was utilized to double-cross-link the complexes, resulting in a lap shear strength of ∼2 MPa after being submerged in water for 7 days

DataSheet1_Transition to a zero-carbon energy system in the Ningxia area: integrated CO2 reduction measures from the multi-level perspective.docx

China’s commitment to decarbonization has become a foundational principle guiding policymaking at national, provincial, and local levels across diverse sectors. This commitment is especially evident in the active promotion of low-carbon energy transitions by all provinces, aligning with the national goal of carbon neutrality. This paper focuses on Ningxia Province and constructs five scenarios for low-carbon energy transition, adopting the multi-level perspective. These scenarios include the business-as-usual scenario (BAU), high electrification scenario (HES), high outward electricity scenario (HOS), low carbon scenario (LCS), and energy saving scenario (ESS). Utilizing the LEAP-Ningxia model, we simulate energy demand across various sectors until 2060. The quantitative analysis covers primary energy production, secondary energy conversion, final energy consumption, and CO2 emissions. Notably, under scenarios incorporating carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon credits, the total CO2 emissions in Ningxia are projected to decrease to 17∼23 Mt CO2 until 2060 under BAU, HES, and HOS. In LCS and ESS, a remarkable achievement is forecasted with 6∼93 Mt CO2 of negative emissions from the energy sector in Ningxia until 2060. The findings underscore the importance of diverse CO2 reduction measures and their impacts on achieving a zero-carbon energy transition in Ningxia. The implications of scenarios with CCS and carbon credits showcase significant reductions in CO2 emissions, aligning with China’s broader decarbonization goals. The results provide valuable scientific support and insights for policymakers and stakeholders involved in steering Ningxia towards a sustainable and low-carbon future. </p

Breaking the Transverse Magnetic-Polarized Light Extraction Bottleneck of Ultraviolet‑C Light-Emitting Diodes Using Nanopatterned Substrates and an Inclined Reflector

AlGaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) operating in the deep-ultraviolet (UV-C) spectral range (210–280 nm) exhibit extremely low external quantum efficiency, primarily due to the presence of large threading dislocations and extremely low transverse magnetic (TM) light extraction efficiency. Here, we have demonstrated that such critical issues can be potentially addressed by using AlGaN quantum-well heterostructures grown on a hexagonal nanopatterned sapphire substrate (NPSS) and a flip-chip-bonded inclined Al mirror. Our finite-difference time domain-based numerical analysis confirms that the maximum achievable efficiency is limited by the poor light extraction efficiency due to the extremely low TM-polarized emission. In our experiment, with the usage of a meticulously designed hexagonal NPSS and an inclined Al side wall mirror (>90% reflective in the UV-C wavelength), the AlGaN quantum-well UV-C LEDs showed nearly 20% improvement in the light output power and efficiency compared to the conventional flat flip-chip LEDs. The UV-C LEDs operating at ∼275 nm exhibit a maximum output power of ∼25 mW at 150 mA, a peak external quantum efficiency of ∼4.7%, and a wall plug efficiency of ∼3.25% at 15 mA under continuous wave (CW) conditions. The presented approach opens up new opportunities to increase the extraction of UV light in the challenging spectral range by using properly designed patterned substrates and an engineered Al reflector

Breaking the Transverse Magnetic-Polarized Light Extraction Bottleneck of Ultraviolet‑C Light-Emitting Diodes Using Nanopatterned Substrates and an Inclined Reflector

AlGaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) operating in the deep-ultraviolet (UV-C) spectral range (210–280 nm) exhibit extremely low external quantum efficiency, primarily due to the presence of large threading dislocations and extremely low transverse magnetic (TM) light extraction efficiency. Here, we have demonstrated that such critical issues can be potentially addressed by using AlGaN quantum-well heterostructures grown on a hexagonal nanopatterned sapphire substrate (NPSS) and a flip-chip-bonded inclined Al mirror. Our finite-difference time domain-based numerical analysis confirms that the maximum achievable efficiency is limited by the poor light extraction efficiency due to the extremely low TM-polarized emission. In our experiment, with the usage of a meticulously designed hexagonal NPSS and an inclined Al side wall mirror (>90% reflective in the UV-C wavelength), the AlGaN quantum-well UV-C LEDs showed nearly 20% improvement in the light output power and efficiency compared to the conventional flat flip-chip LEDs. The UV-C LEDs operating at ∼275 nm exhibit a maximum output power of ∼25 mW at 150 mA, a peak external quantum efficiency of ∼4.7%, and a wall plug efficiency of ∼3.25% at 15 mA under continuous wave (CW) conditions. The presented approach opens up new opportunities to increase the extraction of UV light in the challenging spectral range by using properly designed patterned substrates and an engineered Al reflector