Abstract: Smart grids (SGs) have a central role in the development of the global power sector. Cost-benefit analyses and environmental impact assessments are used to support policy on the deployment of SG systems and technologies. However, the conflicting and widely varying estimates of costs, benefits, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction, and energy savings in literature leave policy makers struggling with how to advise regarding SG deployment. Identifying the causes for the wide variation of individual estimates in the literature is crucial if evaluations are to be used in decision-making. This paper (i) summarizes and compares the methodologies used for economic and environmental evaluation of SGs (ii) identifies the sources of variation in estimates across studies, and (iii) point to gap in research on economic and environmental analyses of SG systems. Seventeen studies (nine articles and eight reports published between 2000 and 2015) addressing the economic costs versus benefits, energy efficiency, and GHG emissions of SGs were systematically searched, located, selected, and reviewed. Their methods and data were subsequently extracted and analysed. The results show that no standardized method currently exists for assessing the economic and environmental impacts of SG systems. The costs varied between 0.03 and 1143 M/yr, while the benefits ranged from 0.04 to 804 M/yr, suggesting that SG systems do not result in cost savings The primary energy savings ranged from 0.03 to 0.95 MJ/kWh, whereas the GHG emission reduction ranged from 10 to 180 gCO2/kWh, depending on the country grid mix and the system boundary of the SG system considered. The findings demonstrate that although SG systems are energy efficient and reduce GHG emissions, investments in SG systems may not yield any benefits. Standardizing some methodologies and assumptions such as discount rates, time horizon and scrutinizing some key input data will result in more consistent estimates of costs and benefits, GHG emission reduction, and energy savings.

Abstract: Promising biomedical uses for nonthermal plasma (NTP) in the fields of regenerative medicine, cancer therapy, and vaccine delivery involve the noninvasive application of uniform nonequilibrium plasma (including dielectric barrier discharge plasma) to living skin. Whereas most investigations have focused on achieving desired therapeutic outcomes, fewer studies have examined the mechanisms and pathways by which epithelial cells respond to NTP exposure. Using a transwell apical-basolateral-chambered system to culture the human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line, in vitro experiments were performed to demonstrate the effects of nanosecond-pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (nsDBD) plasma on polarized epithelial cell viability, monolayer permeability, intracellular oxidative stress, and the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Application of nsDBD plasma at 60 Hz or below had minimal or no effect on HaCaT monolayer viability or permeability. nsDBD plasma exposure did, however, result in frequency-dependent reductions in intracellular glutathione (indicating direct induction of oxidative stress by nsDBD plasma) and increased extracellular ATP concentrations in the ba-solateral (subepithelial) media, which are indicators of cellular stress and an NTP-induced inflammatory response. These studies provide new insights into nsDBD plasma-induced inflammation and local innate immune responses initiated by polarized epithelial tissues.

Abstract: The Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect in square phosphorene quantum rings, with armchair and zigzag edges, is investigated using the tight-binding method. The energy spectra and wave functions of such rings, obtained as a function of the magnetic flux Phi threading the ring, are strongly influenced by the ringwidthW, an in-plane electric field E-p, and a side-gating potential V-g. Compared to a square dot, the ring shows an enhanced confinement due to its inner edges and an interedge coupling along the zigzag direction, both of which strongly affect the energy spectrum and the wave functions. The energy spectrum that is gapped consists of a regular part, of conduction (valence) band states, that shows the usual AB oscillations in the higher-(lower-) energy region, and of edge states, in the gap, that exhibit no AB oscillations. As the width W decreases, the AB oscillations become more distinct and regular and their period is close to Phi(0)/2, where the flux quantum Phi(0) = h/e is the period of an ideal circular ring (W -> 0). Both the electric field E-p and the side-gating potential V-g reduce the amplitude of the AB oscillations. The amplitude can be effectively tuned by E-p or V-g and exhibits an anisotropic behavior for different field directions or side-gating configurations.

Abstract: The creation and ordering of A-cation vacancies and the effect of cation substitutions in the scheelite-type framework are investigated as a factor for controlling the scheelite-type structure and luminescence properties. AgxEu3+(2−x)/3□(1−2x)/3WO4 and AgxGd(2−x)/3−0.3Eu3+0.3□(1−2x)/3WO4 (x = 0.5−0) scheelite-type phases were synthesized by a solid state method, and their structures were investigated using a combination of transmission electron microscopy techniques and powder synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Transmission electron microscopy also revealed the (3 + 1)D incommensurately modulated character of AgxEu3+(2−x)/3□(1−2x)/3WO4 (x = 0.286, 0.2) phases. The crystal structures of the scheelite-based AgxEu3+(2−x)/3□(1−2x)/3WO4 (x = 0.5, 0.286, 0.2) red phosphors have been refined from high resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data. The luminescence properties of all phases under near-ultraviolet (n-UV) light have been investigated. The excitation spectra of AgxEu3+(2−x)/3□(1−2x)/3WO4 (x = 0.5, 0.286,0.2) phosphors show the strongest absorption at 395 nm, which matches well with the commercially available n-UV-emitting GaN-based LED chip. The excitation spectra of the Eu2/3□1/3WO4 and Gd0.367Eu0.30□1/3WO4 phases exhibit the highest contribution of the charge transfer band at 250 nm and thus the most efficient energy transfer mechanism between the host and the luminescent ion as compared to direct excitation. The emission spectra of all samples indicate an intense red emission due to the 5D0 → 7F2 transition of Eu3+. Concentration dependence of the 5D0 → 7F2 emission for AgxEu(2−x)/3□(1−2x)/3WO4 samples differs from the same dependence for the earlier studied NaxEu3+(2−x)/3□(1−2x)/3MoO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) phases. The intensity of the 5D0 → 7F2 emission is reduced almost 7 times with decreasing x from 0.5 to 0, but it practically does not change in the range from x = 0.286 to x = 0.200. The emission spectra of Gd-containing samples show a completely different trend as compared to only Eu-containing samples. The Eu3+ emission under excitation of Eu3+(5L6) level (λex = 395 nm) increases more than 2.5 times with the increasing Gd3+ concentration from 0.2 (x = 0.5) to 0.3 (x = 0.2) in the AgxGd(2−x)/3−0.3Eu3+0.3□(1−2x)/3WO4, after which it remains almost constant for higher Gd3+ concentrations.

Abstract: Affordable silver-polymer core-shell nanoparticles are prepared using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. The metallic silver core is encapsulated with an ultra-thin protective shell that prevents oxidation and clustering without compromising the plasmonic properties. The core-shell nanoparticles retain their plasmonic near field enhancement effect, as studied from finite element numerical simulations. Control over the shell thickness up to the sub-nanometer level is there for key. The particles are used to prepare a plasmonic Ag-TiO2 photocatalyst of which the gas phase photocatalytic activity is monitored over a period of four months. The described system outperforms pristine TiO2 and retains its plasmonic enhancement in contrast to TiO2 modified with bare silver nanoparticles. With this an important step is made toward the development of long-term stable plasmonic (photocatalytic) applications.

Abstract: A series of BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites have been synthesized and their photocatalytic activity was investigated under visible light irradiation using the RhB dye as model pollutant molecule in an aqueous solution. The effect of the amount of BiVO4 as visible light sensitizer on the photocatalytic activity of BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites was highlighted. The heterostructured composite system leads to much higher photocatalytic efficiencies than bare 3DOM TiO2 and BiVO4 nanoparticles. As the proportion of BiVO4 in BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites increases from 0.04 to 0.6, the photocatalytic performance of the BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites increases and then decreases after reaching a maximum at 0.2. This improvement in photocatalytic perfomance is related to 1) the interfacial electron transfer efficiency between the coupled materials, 2) the 3DOM TiO2 inverse opal structure with interconnected pores providing an easy mass transfer of the reactant molecules and high accessibility to the active sites and large surface area and 3) the effect of light sensitizer of BiVO4. Intensive studies on structural, textural, optical and surface properties reveal that the electronic interactions between BiVO4 and TiO2 lead to an improved charge separation of the coupled BiVO4/TiO2 system. The photogenerated charge carrier densities increase with increasing the BiVO4 content, which acts as visible light sensitizer to the TiO2 and is responsible for the enhancement in the rate of photocatalytic degradation. However, the photocatalytic activity is reduced when the BiVO4 amount is much higher than that of 3DOM TiO2. Two reasons could account for this behavior. First, with increasing BiVO4 content, the photogenerated electron/hole pairs are accumulated at the surface of the BiVO4 nanoparticles and the recombination rate increases as shown by the PL results. Second, decreasing the amount of 3DOM TiO2 in the nanocomposite decreases the surface area as shown by the BET results. Moreover, the poor adsorptive properties of the BiVO4 photocatalyst also affect the photocatalytic performance, in particular at higher BiVO4 content. The present work demonstrates that BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 is a very promising heterojunction system for visible light photocatalytic applications.

Abstract: <script type='text/javascript'>document.write(unpmarked('Magnetic skyrmions are nanoscale windings of the spin structure that can be observed in chiral magnets and hold promise for potential applications in storing or processing information. Pinning due to ever-present material imperfections crucially affects the mobility of skyrmions. Therefore, a proper understanding of how magnetic skyrmions pin to defects is necessary for the development and performance of spintronic devices. Here we present a fundamental analysis on the interactions of single skyrmions with atomic defects of distinctly different origins, in a Co monolayer on Pt, based on minimum-energy paths considerations and atomic-spin simulations. We first report the preferred pinning loci of the skyrmion as a function of its nominal size and the type of defect being considered, to further reveal the manipulation and \u0022breathing\u0022 of skyrmion core in the vicinity of a defect. We also show the behavior of skyrmions in the presence of an extended defect of particular geometry, that can lead to ratcheted skyrmion motion or a facilitated guidance on a defect \u0022trail.\u0022 We close the study with reflections on the expected thermal stability of the skyrmion against collapse on itself for a given nature of the defect, and discuss the applications where control of skyrmions by defects is of particular interest.'));

Abstract: Despite the numerous studies on the adsorption of different proteins onto mesoporous titanium dioxide and indications on the important role of buffer solutions in bioactivity, a systematic study on the impact of the buffer on the protein incorporation into porous substrates is still lacking. We here studied the interaction between a commercial mesoporous TiO2 and three of the most used buffers for protein incorporation, i.e. HEPES, Tris and phosphate buffer. In addition, this paper analyzes the adsorption of horse heart myoglobin (hhMb) onto commercial mesoporous TiO2 as a model system to test the influence of buffers on the protein incorporation behavior in mesoporous TiO2. N2 sorption analysis, FT-IR and TGA/DTG measurements were used to evaluate the interaction between the buffers and the TiO2 surface, and the effect of such an interaction on hhMb adsorption. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) were used to detect changes in the microenvironment surrounding the heme. The three buffers show a completely different interaction with the TiO2 surface, which drastically affects the adsorption of myoglobin as well as its structure and electrochemical activity. Therefore, special attention is required while choosing the buffer medium to avoid misguided evaluation of protein adsorption on mesoporous TiO2.

Abstract: <script type='text/javascript'>document.write(unpmarked('Spin-triplet chiral p-wave superconductivity is typically described by a two-component order parameter, and as such is prone to unique emergent effects when compared to the standard single-component superconductors. Here we present the equilibrium phase diagram for small mesoscopic chiral p-wave superconducting disks in the presence of magnetic field, obtained by solving the microscopic Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations self-consistently. In the ultrasmall limit, the cylindrically symmetric giant-vortex states form the ground state of the system. However, with increasing sample size, the cylindrical symmetry is broken as the two components of the order parameter segregate into domains, and the number of fragmented domain walls between them characterizes the resulting states. Such domain walls are topological defects unique for the p-wave order, and constitute a dominant phase in the mesoscopic regime. Moreover, we find two possible types of domain walls, identified by their chirality-dependent interaction with the edge states.'));

Abstract: <script type='text/javascript'>document.write(unpmarked('A new synthetic approach based on chemical transport reactions has been introduced to obtain the Nowotny chimney ladder phase Fe2Ge3 in the form of single crystals and polycrystalline powders. The single crystals possess the stoichiometric composition and the commensurate chimney ladder structure of the Ru2Sn3 type in contrast to the polycrystalline samples that are characterized by a complex microstructure. In compliance with the 18-n electron counting rule formulated for T-E intermetallics, electronic structure calculations reveal a narrow-gap semiconducting behavior of Fe2Ge3 favorable for high thermoelectric performance. Measurements of transport and thermoelectric properties performed on the polycrystalline samples confirm the formation of a narrow band gap of similar to 30 meV and reveal high absolute values of the Seebeck coefficient at elevated temperatures. Low glass-like thermal conductivity is observed in a wide temperature range that might be caused by the underlying complex microstructure.'));

Abstract: <script type='text/javascript'>document.write(unpmarked('Li-rich NMC are considered nowadays as one of the most promising candidates for high energy density cathodes. One significant challenge is nested in adjusting their synthesis conditions to reach optimum electrochemical performance, but no consensus has been reached yet on the ideal synthesis protocol. Herein, we revisited the elaboration of Li-rich NMC electrodes by focusing on the science involved through each synthesis steps using carbonate Ni0.1625Mn0.675Co0.1625CO3 precursor coprecipitation combined with solid state synthesis. We demonstrated the effect of precursors concentration on the kinetics of the precipitation reaction and provided clues to obtain spherically agglomerated NMC carbonates of different sizes. Moreover, we highlighted the strong impact of the Li2CO3/NMC carbonate ratio on the morphology and particles size of Li-rich NMC and subsequently on their electrochemical performance. Ratio of 1.35 was found to reproducibly give the best performance with namely a first discharge capacity of 269 mAh g(-1) and capacity retention of 89.6% after 100 cycles. We hope that our results, which reveal how particle size, morphology, and phase composition affect the materials electrochemical performance, will help in reconciling literature data while providing valuable fundamental information for up scaling approaches.'));

Abstract: In this paper, we show that the apparent delocalization of the conduction band reported from first-principles simulations for the high-mobility amorphous oxide semiconductor InGaZnO4 (a-IGZO) is an artifact induced by the periodic conditions imposed to the model. Given a sufficiently large unit-cell dimension (over 40 angstrom), the conduction band becomes localized. Such a model size is up to four times the size of commonly used models for the study of a-IGZO. This finding challenges the analyses done so far on the nature of the defects and on the interpretation of numerous electrical measurements. In particular, we re-interpret the meaning of the computed effective mass reported so far in literature. Our finding also applies to materials such as SiZnSnO, ZnSnO, InZnSnO, In2O3 or InAlZnO4 whose models have been reported to display a fully delocalized conduction band in the amorphous phase.

Abstract: <script type='text/javascript'>document.write(unpmarked('We investigate the thickness-dependent electronic properties of ultrathin SrIrO3 and discover a transition from a semimetallic to a correlated insulating state below 4 unit cells. Low-temperature magnetoconductance measurements show that spin fluctuations in the semimetallic state are significantly enhanced while approaching the transition point. The electronic properties are further studied by scanning tunneling spectroscopy, showing that 4 unit cell SrIrO(3)d is on the verge of a gap opening. Our density functional theory calculations reproduce the critical thickness of the transition and show that the opening of a gap in ultrathin SrIrO3 requires antiferromagnetic order.'));

Abstract: Quantum electron transport in side-gated graphene Hall bars is investigated in the presence of quantizing external magnetic fields. The asymmetric potential of four side-gates distorts the otherwise flat bands of the relativistic Landau levels, and creates new propagating states in the Landau spectrum (i.e. snake states). The existence of these new states leads to an interesting modification of the bend and Hall resistances, with new quantizing plateaus appearing in close proximity of the Landau levels. The electron guiding in this system can be understood by studying the current density profiles of the incoming and outgoing modes. From the fact that guided electrons fully transmit without any backscattering (similarly to edge states), we are able to analytically predict the values of the quantized resistances, and they match the resistance data we obtain with our numerical (tight-binding) method. These insights in the electron guiding will be useful in predicting the resistances for other side-gate configurations, and possibly in other system geometries, as long as there is no backscattering of the guided states.

Abstract: In this study, we present a computational model of a cylindrical electric probe in atmospheric pressure argon plasma. The plasma properties are varied in terms of density and electron temperature. Furthermore, results for plasmas with Maxwellian and non-Maxwellian electron energy distribution functions are also obtained and compared. The model is based on the fluid description of plasma within the COMSOL software package. The results for the ion saturation current are compared and show good agreement with existing analytical Langmuir probe theories. A strong dependence between the ion saturation current and electron transport properties was observed, and attributed to the effects of ambipolar diffusion.