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“Towards ductilization of high strength 7XXX aluminium alloys via microstructural modifications obtained by friction stir processing and heat treatments”. Lezaack MB, Hannard F, Zhao L, Orekhov A, Adrien J, Miettinen A, Idrissi H, Simar A, Materialia 20, 101248 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.MTLA.2021.101248
Abstract: High strength 7XXX aluminium series reach exceptional strength, higher than all other industrial aluminium alloys. However, they suffer from a lack of ductility compared to softer series. This work presents a procedure to improve the ductility of 7475 Al alloy in high strength condition, reaching a true fracture strain of 70% at full 500 MPa T6 yield strength. Using friction stir processing (FSP) and post-FSP heat treatments, 100% of industrial rolled material T6 yield stress is maintained but a 180% increase in fracture strain is measured for the processed material. This ductility improvement is studied by in-situ synchrotron X-ray tomography and is explained by the reduction of intermetallic particles size and the homogenization of their spatial distribution. Furthermore, the microstructure after FSP shows equiaxed refined grains which favour crack deviation as opposed to large cracks parallel to the elongated coarse grains in rolled plate. These results are paving the way to better formability and crashworthiness of 7XXX alloys.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
DOI: 10.1016/J.MTLA.2021.101248
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““Branched&rdquo, structural transformation of the L12-Al3Zr phase manipulated by Cu substitution/segregation in the Al-Cu-Zr alloy system”. Ding L, Zhao M, Ehlers FJH, Jia Z, Zhang Z, Weng Y, Schryvers D, Liu Q, Idrissi H, Journal of materials science &, technology 185, 186 (2024). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2023.11.015
Abstract: The effect of Cu on the evolution of the Al3Zr phase in an Al-Cu-Zr cast alloy during solution treatment at 500 °C has been thoroughly studied by combining atomic resolution high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and first-principles cal- culations. The heat treatment initially produces a pure L12-Al3Zr microstructure, allowing for about 13 % Cu to be incorporated in the dispersoid. Cu incorporation increases the energy barrier for anti-phase boundary (APB) activation, thus stabilizing the L12 structure. Additional heating leads to a Cu-induced “branched”path for the L12 structural transformation, with the latter process accelerated once the first APB has been created. Cu atoms may either (i) be repelled by the APBs, promoting the transformation to a Cu-poor D023 phase, or (ii) they may segregate at one Al-Zr layer adjacent to the APB, promoting a transformation to a new thermodynamically favored phase, Al4CuZr, formed when these segregation layers are periodically arranged. Theoretical studies suggest that the branching of the L12 transformation path is linked to the speed at which an APB is created, with Cu attraction triggered by a comparatively slow process. This unexpected transformation behavior of the L12-Al3Zr phase opens a new path to understanding, and potentially regulating the Al3Zr dispersoid evolution for high temperature applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 10.9
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2023.11.015
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“Zitterbewegung of moiré, excitons in twisted MoS₂/WSe₂, heterobilayers”. Lavor IR, da Costa DR, Covaci L, Milošević, MV, Peeters FM, Chaves A, Physical review letters 127, 106801 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.127.106801
Abstract: The moire pattern observed in stacked noncommensurate crystal lattices, such as heterobilayers of transition metal dichalcogenides, produces a periodic modulation of their band gap. Excitons subjected to this potential landscape exhibit a band structure that gives rise to a quasiparticle dubbed the moire exciton. In the case of MoS2/WSe2 heterobilayers, the moire trapping potential has honeycomb symmetry and, consequently, the moire exciton band structure is the same as that of a Dirac-Weyl fermion, whose mass can be further tuned down to zero with a perpendicularly applied field. Here we show that, analogously to other Dirac-like particles, the moire exciton exhibits a trembling motion, also known as Zitterbewegung, whose long timescales are compatible with current experimental techniques for exciton dynamics. This promotes the study of the dynamics of moire excitons in van der Waals heterostructures as an advantageous solid-state platform to probe Zitterbewegung, broadly tunable by gating and interlayer twist angle.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.127.106801
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“Oxygenate Production from Plasma-Activated Reaction of CO2and Ethane”. Biswas AN, Winter LR, Loenders B, Xie Z, Bogaerts A, Chen JG, Acs Energy Letters , 236 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.1c02355
Abstract: Upgrading ethane with CO2 as a soft oxidant represents a desirable means of obtaining oxygenated hydrocarbons. This reaction is not thermodynamically feasible under mild conditions and has not been previously achieved as a one-step process. Nonthermal plasma was implemented as an alternative means of supplying energy to overcome activation barriers, leading to the production of alcohols, aldehydes, and acids as well as C1−C5+ hydrocarbons under ambient pressure, with a maximum total oxygenate selectivity of 12%. A plasma chemical kinetic computational model was developed and found to be in good agreement with the experimental trends. Results from this study illustrate the potential to use plasma for the direct synthesis of value-added alcohols, acids, and aldehydes from ethane and CO2 under mild conditions.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
DOI: 10.1021/acsenergylett.1c02355
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“Dynamical diffraction of high-energy electrons investigated by focal series momentum-resolved scanning transmission electron microscopy at atomic resolution”. Robert Hl, Lobato I, Lyu Fj, Chen Q, Van Aert S, Van Dyck D, Müller-Caspary K, Ultramicroscopy 233, 113425 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultramic.2021.113425
Abstract: We report a study of scattering dynamics in crystals employing momentum-resolved scanning transmission
electron microscopy under varying illumination conditions. As we perform successive changes of the probe
focus, multiple real-space signals are obtained in dependence of the shape of the incident electron wave.
With support from extensive simulations, each signal is shown to be characterised by an optimum focus for
which the contrast is maximum and which differs among different signals. For instance, a systematic focus
mismatch is found between images formed by high-angle scattering, being sensitive to thickness and chemical
composition, and the first moment in diffraction space, being sensitive to electric fields. It follows that a single
recording at one specific probe focus is usually insufficient to characterise materials comprehensively. Most
importantly, we demonstrate in experiment and simulation that the second moment (
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab
Impact Factor: 2.2
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2021.113425
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“Dry reforming of methane in an atmospheric pressure glow discharge: Confining the plasma to expand the performance”. Wanten B, Maerivoet S, Vantomme C, Slaets J, Trenchev G, Bogaerts A, Journal Of Co2 Utilization 56, 101869 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcou.2021.101869
Abstract: We present a confined atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma reactor, with very good performance towards dry reforming of methane, i.e., CO2 and CH4 conversion of 64 % and 94 %, respectively, at an energy cost of 3.5–4 eV/molecule (or 14–16 kJ/L). This excellent performance is among the best reported up to now for all types of plasma reactors in literature, and is due to the confinement of the plasma, which maximizes the fraction of gas passing through the active plasma region. The main product formed is syngas, with H2O and C2H2 as byproducts. We developed a quasi-1D chemical kinetics model, showing good agreement with the experimental results, which provides a thorough insight in the reaction pathways underlying the conversion of CO2 and CH4 and the formation of the different products.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 7.7
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2021.101869
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“Clogging and unclogging of hydrocarbon-contaminated nanochannels”. Javdani Z, Hassani N, Faraji F, Zhou R, Sun C, Radha B, Neyts E, Peeters FM, Neek-Amal M, The journal of physical chemistry letters 13, 11454 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.JPCLETT.2C03016
Abstract: The recent advantages of the fabrication of artificial nanochannels enabled new research on the molecular transport, permeance, and selectivity of various gases and molecules. However, the physisorption/chemisorption of the unwanted molecules (usually hydrocarbons) inside nanochannels results in the alteration of the functionality of the nanochannels. We investigated contamination due to hydrocarbon molecules, nanochannels made of graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, BC2N, and molybdenum disulfide using molecular dynamics simulations. We found that for a certain size of nanochannel (i.e., h = 0.7 nm), as a result of the anomalous hydrophilic nature of nanochannels made of graphene, the hydrocarbons are fully adsorbed in the nanochannel, giving rise to full uptake. An increasing temperature plays an important role in unclogging, while pressure does not have a significant role. The results of our pioneering work contribute to a better understanding and highlight the important factors in alleviating the contamination and unclogging of nanochannels, which are in good agreement with the results of recent experiments.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 5.7
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.JPCLETT.2C03016
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“Direct Solar Energy-Mediated Synthesis of Tertiary Benzylic Alcohols Using a Metal-Free Heterogeneous Photocatalyst”. Zhang Y, Qin S, Claes N, Schilling W, Sahoo PK, Ching HYV, Jaworski A, Lemière F, Slabon A, Van Doorslaer S, Bals S, Das S, ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering 10, 530 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c07026
Abstract: Direct hydroxylation via the functionalization of tertiary benzylic C(sp3)-H bond is of great significance for obtaining tertiary alcohols which find wide applications in pharmaceuticals as well as in fine chemical industries. However, current synthetic procedures use toxic reagents and therefore, the development of a sustainable strategy for the synthesis of tertiary benzyl alcohols is highly desirable. To solve this problem, herein, we report a metal-free
heterogeneous photocatalyst to synthesize the hydroxylated products using oxygen as the key reagent. Various benzylic substrates were employed into our mild reaction conditions to afford the desirable products in good to excellent yields. More importantly, gram-scale reaction was achieved via harvesting direct solar energy and exhibited high quantity of the product. The high stability of the catalyst was proved via recycling the catalyst and spectroscopic analyses. Finally, a possible mechanism was proposed based on the EPR and other experimental
evidence.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Organic synthesis (ORSY)
Impact Factor: 8.4
Times cited: 24
DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c07026
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“Asymmetric Interfacial Intermixing Associated Magnetic Coupling in LaMnO3/LaFeO3 Heterostructures”. Chen B, Gauquelin N, Green RJ, Verbeeck J, Rijnders G, Koster G, Frontiers in physics 9 (2021). http://doi.org/10.3389/fphy.2021.698154
Abstract: The structural and magnetic properties of LaMnO<sub>3</sub>/LaFeO<sub>3</sub>(LMO/LFO) heterostructures are characterized using a combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, bulk magnetometry, and resonant x-ray reflectivity. Unlike the relatively abrupt interface when LMO is deposited on top of LFO, the interface with reversed growth order shows significant cation intermixing of Mn<sup>3+</sup>and Fe<sup>3+</sup>, spreading ∼8 unit cells across the interface. The asymmetric interfacial chemical profiles result in distinct magnetic properties. The bilayer with abrupt interface shows a single magnetic hysteresis loop with strongly enhanced coercivity, as compared to the LMO plain film. However, the bilayer with intermixed interface shows a step-like hysteresis loop, associated with the separate switching of the “clean” and intermixed LMO sublayers. Our study illustrates the key role of interfacial chemical profile in determining the functional properties of oxide heterostructures.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.3389/fphy.2021.698154
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“Signatures of enhanced out-of-plane polarization in asymmetric BaTiO3 superlattices integrated on silicon”. Chen B, Gauquelin N, Strkalj N, Huang S, Halisdemir U, Nguyen MD, Jannis D, Sarott MF, Eltes F, Abel S, Spreitzer M, Fiebig M, Trassin M, Fompeyrine J, Verbeeck J, Huijben M, Rijnders G, Koster G, Nature communications 13, 265 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27898-x
Abstract: In order to bring the diverse functionalities of transition metal oxides into modern electronics, it is imperative to integrate oxide films with controllable properties onto the silicon platform. Here, we present asymmetric LaMnO<sub>3</sub>/BaTiO<sub>3</sub>/SrTiO<sub>3</sub>superlattices fabricated on silicon with layer thickness control at the unit-cell level. By harnessing the coherent strain between the constituent layers, we overcome the biaxial thermal tension from silicon and stabilize<italic>c</italic>-axis oriented BaTiO<sub>3</sub>layers with substantially enhanced tetragonality, as revealed by atomically resolved scanning transmission electron microscopy. Optical second harmonic generation measurements signify a predominant out-of-plane polarized state with strongly enhanced net polarization in the tricolor superlattices, as compared to the BaTiO<sub>3</sub>single film and conventional BaTiO<sub>3</sub>/SrTiO<sub>3</sub>superlattice grown on silicon. Meanwhile, this coherent strain in turn suppresses the magnetism of LaMnO<sub>3</sub>as the thickness of BaTiO<sub>3</sub>increases. Our study raises the prospect of designing artificial oxide superlattices on silicon with tailored functionalities.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 16.6
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27898-x
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“Monitoring oxygen production on mass-selected iridium–tantalum oxide electrocatalysts”. Zheng Y-R, Vernieres J, Wang Z, Zhang K, Hochfilzer D, Krempl K, Liao T-W, Presel F, Altantzis T, Fatermans J, Scott SB, Secher NM, Moon C, Liu P, Bals S, Van Aert S, Cao A, Anand M, Nørskov JK, Kibsgaard J, Chorkendorff I, Nature Energy (2021). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-021-00948-w
Abstract: Development of low-cost and high-performance oxygen evolution reaction catalysts is key to implementing polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers for hydrogen production. Iridium-based oxides are the state-of-the-art acidic oxygen evolution reactio catalysts but still suffer from inadequate activity and stability, and iridium's scarcity motivates the discovery of catalysts with lower iridium loadings. Here we report a mass-selected iridium-tantalum oxide catalyst prepared by a magnetron-based cluster source with considerably reduced noble-metal loadings beyond a commercial IrO2 catalyst. A sensitive electrochemistry/mass-spectrometry instrument coupled with isotope labelling was employed to investigate the oxygen production rate under dynamic operating conditions to account for the occurrence of side reactions and quantify the number of surface active sites. Iridium-tantalum oxide nanoparticles smaller than 2 nm exhibit a mass activity of 1.2 ± 0.5 kA “g” _“Ir” ^“-1” and a turnover frequency of 2.3 ± 0.9 s-1 at 320 mV overpotential, which are two and four times higher than those of mass-selected IrO2, respectively. Density functional theory calculations reveal that special iridium coordinations and the lowered aqueous decomposition free energy might be responsible for the enhanced performance.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)
Times cited: 95
DOI: 10.1038/s41560-021-00948-w
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“Optimized 3D Reconstruction of Large, Compact Assemblies of Metallic Nanoparticles”. Altantzis T, Wang D, Kadu A, van Blaaderen A, Bals S, Journal Of Physical Chemistry C 125, 26240 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.1c08478
Abstract: 3D characterization of assemblies of nanoparticles is of great importance to determine their structure-property connection. Such investigations become increasingly more challenging when the assemblies become larger and more compact. In this paper, we propose an optimized approach for electron tomography to minimize artefacts related to beam broadening in High Angle Annular Dark-Field Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy mode. These artefacts are typically present at one side of the reconstructed 3D data set for thick nanoparticle assemblies. To overcome this problem, we propose a procedure in which two tomographic tilt series of the same sample are acquired. After acquiring the first series, the sample is flipped over 180o, and a second tilt series is acquired. By merging the two reconstructions, blurring in the reconstructed volume is minimized. Next, this approach is combined with an advanced three-dimensional reconstruction algorithm yielding quantitative structural information. Here, the approach is applied to a thick and compact assembly of spherical Au nanoparticles, but the methodology can we used to investigate a broad range of samples.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)
Impact Factor: 4.536
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.1c08478
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“Distribution of lipid aldehydes in phase-separated membranes: A molecular dynamics study”. Oliveira MC, Yusupov M, Bogaerts A, Cordeiro RM, Archives Of Biochemistry And Biophysics 717, 109136 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2022.109136
Abstract: It is well established that lipid aldehydes (LAs) are able to increase the permeability of cell membranes and induce their rupture. However, it is not yet clear how LAs are distributed in phase-separated membranes (PSMs), which are responsible for the transport of selected molecules and intracellular signaling. Thus, we investigate here the distribution of LAs in a PSM by coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. Our results reveal that LAs derived from mono-unsaturated lipids tend to accumulate at the interface between the liquid-ordered/liquiddisordered domains, whereas those derived from poly-unsaturated lipids remain in the liquid-disordered domain. These results are important for understanding the effects caused by oxidized lipids in membrane structure, properties and organization.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.9
DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2022.109136
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“Sustainable NOxproduction from air in pulsed plasma: elucidating the chemistry behind the low energy consumption”. Vervloessem E, Gorbanev Y, Nikiforov A, De Geyter N, Bogaerts A, Green Chemistry 24, 916 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1039/D1GC02762J
Abstract: N-Based fertilisers are paramount to support our still-growing world population. Current industrial N<sub>2</sub>fixation is heavily fossil fuel-dependent, therefore, a lot of work is put into the development of fossil-free pathways. Plasma technology offers a fossil-free and flexible method for N<sub>2</sub>fixation that is compatible with renewable energy sources. We present here a pulsed plasma jet for direct NO<sub><italic>x</italic></sub>production from air. The pulsed power allows for a record-low energy consumption (EC) of 0.42 MJ (mol N)<sup>−1</sup>. This is the lowest reported EC in plasma-based N<sub>2</sub>fixation at atmospheric pressure thus far. We compare our experimental data with plasma chemistry modelling, and obtain very good agreement. Hence, we can use our model to explain the underlying mechanisms responsible for this low EC. The pulsed power and the corresponding pulsed gas temperature are the reason for the very low EC: they provide a strong vibrational–translational non-equilibrium and promote the non-thermal Zeldovich mechanism. This insight is important for the development of the next generation of plasma sources for energy-efficient NO<sub><italic>x</italic></sub>production.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 9.8
DOI: 10.1039/D1GC02762J
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“Low-Temperature Plasma for Biology, Hygiene, and Medicine: Perspective and Roadmap”. Laroussi M, Bekeschus S, Keidar M, Bogaerts A, Fridman A, Lu X, Ostrikov K, Hori M, Stapelmann K, Miller V, Reuter S, Laux C, Mesbah A, Walsh J, Jiang C, Thagard SM, Tanaka H, Liu D, Yan D, Yusupov M, IEEE transactions on radiation and plasma medical sciences 6, 127 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1109/TRPMS.2021.3135118
Abstract: Plasma, the fourth and most pervasive state of matter in the visible universe, is a fascinating medium that is connected to the beginning of our universe itself. Man-made plasmas are at the core of many technological advances that include the fabrication of semiconductor devices, which enabled the modern computer and communication revolutions. The introduction of low temperature, atmospheric pressure plasmas to the biomedical field has ushered a new revolution in the healthcare arena that promises to introduce plasma-based therapies to combat some thorny and long-standing medical challenges. This article presents an overview of where research is at today and discusses innovative concepts and approaches to overcome present challenges and take the field to the next level. It is written by a team of experts who took an in-depth look at the various applications of plasma in hygiene, decontamination, and medicine, made critical analysis, and proposed ideas and concepts that should help the research community focus their efforts on clear and practical steps necessary to keep the field advancing for decades to come.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
DOI: 10.1109/TRPMS.2021.3135118
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“Effect of size distribution, skewness and roughness on the optical properties of colloidal plasmonic nanoparticles”. Borah R, Verbruggen SW, Colloids and surfaces: A: physicochemical and engineering aspects 640, 128521 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.128521
Abstract: It is a generally accepted idea that the particle size distribution strongly affects the optical spectra of colloidal plasmonic nanoparticles. It is often quoted as one of the main reasons while explaining the mismatch between the theoretical and experimental optical spectra of such nanoparticles. In this work, these aspects are critically analyzed by means of a bottom up statistical approach that considers variables such as mean, standard deviation and skewness of the nanoparticle size distribution independently from one another. By assuming normal and log-normal distributions of the particle size, the effect of the statistical parameters on the Mie analytical optical spectra of colloidal nanoparticles was studied. The effect of morphology was also studied numerically in order to understand to what extent it can play a role. It is our finding that the particle polydispersity, skewness and surface morphology in fact only weakly impact the optical spectra. While, the selection of suitable optical constants with regard to the crystallinity of the nanoparticles is a far more influential factor for correctly predicting both the plasmon band position and the plasmon bandwidth in theoretical simulations of the optical spectra. It is shown that the mean particle size can be correctly estimated directly from the plasmon band position, as it is the mean that determines the resonance wavelength. The standard deviation can on the other hand be estimated from the intensity distribution data obtained from dynamic light scattering experiments. The results reported herein clear the ambiguity around particle size distribution and optical response of colloidal plasmonic nanoparticles.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 5.2
DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.128521
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“Induced giant piezoelectricity in centrosymmetric oxides”. Park D-s, Hadad M, Riemer LM, Ignatans R, Spirito D, Esposito V, Tileli V, Gauquelin N, Chezganov D, Jannis D, Verbeeck J, Gorfman S, Pryds N, Muralt P, Damjanovic D, Science 375, 653 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1126/science.abm7497
Abstract: Giant piezoelectricity can be induced in centrosymmetric oxides by controlling the long-range motion of oxygen vacancies.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 56.9
Times cited: 51
DOI: 10.1126/science.abm7497
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“A cross-European analysis of the impact of electricity pricing on battery uptake in residential microgrids with photovoltaic units”. Saviuc I, Milis K, Peremans H, Van Passel S, Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems 9, 1080368 (2021). http://doi.org/10.13044/J.SDEWES.D8.0368
Abstract: As decentralized electricity generation is supporting grid development into the prosumer era, this paper investigates the economic viability of adding batteries to residential microgrids powered by photovoltaic units, under various electricity pricing schemes. Batteries bring the benefits of grid-stabilization and congestion relief, and they are also becoming cheaper. The problem identified is that the main grid effectively acts as a lossless storage system, especially under the net-metering scheme, whereas using a battery involves investment costs and energy losses. This mismatch is addressed by analysing residential microgrid projects under seven tariff designs, each in seven countries of the European Union, and compare the economic viability of photovoltaic systems with and without batteries. The findings show that the conditions most favourable to batteries are given by a capacity tariff scheme allowing price arbitrage. Based on these findings, the paper discusses possibilities for further support in order to bring the economic viability of microgrids with batteries on par with that of microgrids without batteries.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)
DOI: 10.13044/J.SDEWES.D8.0368
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“Accounting for externalities in cross-sectional economic models of climate change impacts”. Moretti M, Vanschoenwinkel J, Van Passel S, Ecological Economics 185, 107058 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.ECOLECON.2021.107058
Abstract: Environmental effects and natural resources depletion associated with agriculture production affect the agriculture response to climate change. Traditional cross-sectional climate response models ignore this requirement. This research estimates the impact of climate on European agriculture using a continental scale Ricardian analysis. We correct farm income by accounting for resources (energy, fertilisers, pesticides, and water) use intensity and calculate the sustainable value for a sample of 9497 specialized field crop farms. Compared with the traditional Ricardian method, the marginal effects of temperature remain positive (but less positive) in Northern countries, while it leads to less damages in Southern countries when net revenue and farms? sustainable values are used as dependent variables. Accounting for the environmental effects and depletion of natural capital improves the ability of the Ricardian method to estimate agriculture climate response functions in the long run.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)
Impact Factor: 2.965
DOI: 10.1016/J.ECOLECON.2021.107058
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“Agricultural technical efficiency of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia : a stochastic frontier approach”. Chekol Zewdie M, Moretti M, Tenessa DB, Ayele ZA, Nyssen J, Tsegaye EA, Minale AS, Van Passel S, Land 10, 246 (2021). http://doi.org/10.3390/LAND10030246
Abstract: In the past decade, to improve crop production and productivity, Ethiopia has embarked on an ambitious irrigation farming expansion program and has introduced new large- and small-scale irrigation initiatives. However, in Ethiopia, poverty remains a challenge, and crop productivity per unit area of land is very low. Literature on the technical efficiency (TE) of large-scale and small-scale irrigation user farmers as compared to the non-user farmers in Ethiopia is also limited. Investigating smallholder farmers' TE level and its principal determinants is very important to increase crop production and productivity and to improve smallholder farmers' livelihood and food security. Using 1026 household-level cross-section data, this study adopts a technology flexible stochastic frontier approach to examine agricultural TE of large-scale irrigation users, small-scale irrigation users and non-user farmers in Ethiopia. The results indicate that, due to poor extension services and old-style agronomic practices, the mean TE of farmers is very low (44.33%), implying that there is a wider room for increasing crop production in the study areas through increasing the TE of smallholder farmers without additional investment in novel agricultural technologies. Results also show that large-scale irrigation user farmers (21.05%) are less technically efficient than small-scale irrigation user farmers (60.29%). However, improving irrigation infrastructure shifts the frontier up and has a positive impact on smallholder farmers' output.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)
DOI: 10.3390/LAND10030246
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“An attempt to develop ecotourism in an unknown area : the case of Nehbandan County, South Khorasan Province, Iran”. Ghorbani A, Mousazadeh H, Taheri F, Ehteshammajd S, Azadi H, Yazdanpanah M, Khajehshahkohi A, Tanaskovik V, Van Passel S, Environment, development and sustainability 23, 11792 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1007/S10668-020-01142-W
Abstract: This study is an attempt to develop ecotourism in Nehbandan County, in the South Khorasan Province, Iran, by representing unknown areas that have tourism potential. The most important obstacle in the development of tourism industry is the lack of strong marketing plans, tourism management, accommodations for overnight and long stays, and medical and health clinic in the desert. This is a qualitative, exploratory case study investigating the status of environmental, sociocultural, and economic impacts of ecotourism development on the native people's livelihood in Nehbandan County in Iran. The methodology is based on field observations, secondary data sources, and field survey. It is an interpretive approach that avoids numbers but focuses on issues linked to culture and nature. In the present study, the grounded theory was used to perform data analysis. Based on the findings, ecotourism has undoubtedly proven to be an effective environmental conservation tool in the study site and enables local people to increase their livelihood security through employment in activities relating to ecotourism and the development of rural livelihood.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)
DOI: 10.1007/S10668-020-01142-W
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“Beyond focus : exploring variability of service provision of agricultural cooperatives”. Sebhatu KT, Taheri F, Berhanu T, Maertens M, Van Passel S, D'Haese M, Annals of public and cooperative economics 92, 207 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1111/APCE.12301
Abstract: The wide array of services provided by agricultural cooperatives for their members is often not considered in academic studies. Addressing this gap in the literature, our paper explores the wide array of services provided by agricultural cooperatives and how these extend beyond those they were initially intended to provide. We study the extent and characteristics of service portfolios from 511 agricultural cooperatives in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Results from two-limit Tobit models confirm that government and NGO-initiated cooperatives have a wide service portfolio compared to member-initiated cooperatives. In many of the studied cooperatives, the services they provide and their portfolios are more diverse than expected. Cooperatives seem to go beyond their focal areas of intervention. Also, those cooperatives that are more outward-oriented and where the chair has contact with other cooperatives or businesses, have a wider service portfolio. These results may help to explain the mixed findings on the impact of cooperative membership.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)
DOI: 10.1111/APCE.12301
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“Climate variability and macroeconomic output in Ethiopia : the analysis of nexus and impact via asymmetric autoregressive distributive lag cointegration method”. Berihun D, Van Passel S, Environment, development and sustainability (2021). http://doi.org/10.1007/S10668-021-01604-9
Abstract: Ethiopia showed a rapid, yet, a none resilient economic growth much threatened by climate variability. In Ethiopia, the adverse effects of climate variability are stipulated among the significant factors constraining its economic development. There are relatively few studies about the adverse effects of climate variability on the Ethiopian macroeconomy. In this context, little is known about the exact effects of the ongoing climate variability on Ethiopian macroeconomic growth. This study intends to examine whether climate variability factors, for instance rainfall and temperature, have an effect on the macroeconomic output of Ethiopia. An asymmetric autoregressive distributive lag cointegration method is used to investigate time-series data for the years 1950-2014. Diagnostic tests show the relevance of the applied method and robustness of our results. The study finds climate variability affects Ethiopia's economic growth in the long run. Rainfall and temperature fluctuation induce significant negative impacts. A percentage annual temperature variability for instance decreases the Ethiopian annual gross domestic yield (GDP) up to 4.5 percent. In the short run, climate variability particularly rainfall and temperature changes also have a profound effect on Ethiopia's economic output. Within such confirmed climate change impacts, Ethiopia should carry out more on adapting and mitigating the impacts as it is presented on its climate-resilient economic growth policies and strategies. In spite of the policy contribution of the results, the study will motivate further research and will also serve as a benchmark for the coming Ethiopian studies.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)
DOI: 10.1007/S10668-021-01604-9
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“The conceptualization of societal impacts of landfill mining : a system dynamics approach”. Einhäupl P, Van Acker K, Peremans H, Van Passel S, Journal Of Cleaner Production 296, 126351 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2021.126351
Abstract: Landfill mining (LFM) refers to the excavation and processing of formerly buried waste streams. It offers significant environmental and societal benefits through the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions or the reduction of long-term waste management costs. LFM’s profitability, however, is still in question and public investment support might be necessary to fully exploit its potential. To enable decision-makers to identify the best solutions for a landfill site, societal impacts of LFM still have to be investigated. Throughout relevant literature, societal impacts of LFM projects have only selectively been studied and it remains unclear if and which benefits justify policy interventions. This paper firstly provides a comprehensive conceptualization of the societal impact of an LFM project and dives into the underlying societal context of this emerging industry. It disentangles formerly identified burdens and benefits by applying a system dynamics approach to LFM research. Based on this approach, four causal loop diagrams are presented showing how LFM is embedded into its societal context, analyzing the composition of the net societal impact of an LFM project, the mechanisms influencing LFM’s public acceptance, and the dynamics of the market acceptance of LFM products. Key variables and leverage points have been identified, such as (i) technology choices influencing avoided impacts from the mitigations of primary resource consumption, since many societal impacts are closely related to environmental impacts, (ii) a timely and broad stakeholder involvement to prevent project opposition, and (iii) the after-use of the mined landfill, generating a major part of the local and regional societal benefits but also creating potential conflicts between stakeholder interests. Key intradimensional trade-offs and potential conflicts were identified in (i) spatial and (ii) temporal risk distribution, (iii) conflicting societal goals of the after-use such as job creations and recreation, as well as (iv) material and energy recuperation. These findings provide important insights for LFM decision-makers and can help to implement this emerging industry in a sustainable way.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)
Impact Factor: 5.715
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2021.126351
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“Determinants of commercial bank loan and advance disbursement : the case of private Ethiopian commercial banks”. Birhanu T, Deressa SB, Azadi H, Viira A-H, Van Passel S, Witlox F, International journal of bank marketing 39, 1227 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1108/IJBM-05-2021-0166
Abstract: Purpose This paper aimed to investigate the determinants of loans and advances from commercial banks in the case of Ethiopian private commercial banks. Design/methodology/approach The study randomly selected seven commercial banks to represent the population stratified on their asset, deposit and paid-up capital amounts. The study utilized an unbalanced panel data model as each bank started operation at a different period of time and considered the period 1995-2016 for secondary details. Findings The findings showed that the deposit size, credit risk, portfolio investment, average lending rate, real gross domestic product (GDP) and inflation rate had significant and optimistic effects on the lending and advancement of private commercial banks. On the contrary, liquidity ratio had significant and negative effects on private commercial bank loans and advances. Finally, the study forwarded a feasible recommendation for concerned organs to focus on deposit size, credit risk, portfolio investment, average lending rate, real GDP, inflation rate and liquidity ratio. The results of this study will help banking industry policymakers and planners understand how to minimize inflation and unemployment by improving development and sustainable economic growth. Originality/value The findings of this study can also affect the general attitudes of a society by increasing knowledge and improve the quality of life for the general public.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)
DOI: 10.1108/IJBM-05-2021-0166
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“Eliciting farmers' preferences and willingness to pay for land use attributes in Northwest Ethiopia : a discrete choice experiment study”. Admasu WF, Van Passel S, Nyssen J, Minale AS, Tsegaye EA, Land Use Policy 109 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.LANDUSEPOL.2021.105634
Abstract: This study investigates farmers' preferences and willingness to pay for cropland attributes in Bahir Dar, north-west Ethiopia. A choice experiment is used to elicit farmers' preferences between different land use attributes, including a monetary attribute. The study was conducted in the croplands that are threatened by land expro-priation for urban expansion. A survey was undertaken with 144 farmers in four rural kebeles surrounding the city (Addis Alem, Weramit, Wereb and Zenzelima). In the survey, respondents were provided with hypothetical land purchasing decisions, with three alternatives (i.e., two hypothetical parcels and an opt-out option). A choice experiment was undertaken to measure farmers' interest in different types of croplands, which varies with respect to irrigability, number of trees per ha, soil erosion resistance and water holding capacity of the cropland. Estimation of two mixed logit models was carried out. The estimation results show that, although the farmers did not show strong preferences for each attribute of the cropland, many farmers in the area showed interest in the proposed alternative croplands. Farmers show more interest for the land that is irrigable, gentle slope and with medium water holding capacity. The results also indicate that farmers assign highest marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) (79.01 ETB per square meter) for irrigated land, followed by medium water holding capacity with MWTP of 52.13 ETB per square meter. We believe that the results of this study would help land use policy and decision makers in the study area to consider the various attributes of cropland in land use planning, including land expropriation programs, which assures the sustainability of ecosystem services.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)
Impact Factor: 3.089
DOI: 10.1016/J.LANDUSEPOL.2021.105634
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“Ex-ante LCA of emerging carbon steel slag treatment technologies : fast forwarding lab observations to industrial-scale production”. Buyle M, Maes B, Van Passel S, Boonen K, Vercalsteren A, Audenaert A, Journal Of Cleaner Production 313, 127921 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2021.127921
Abstract: The valuable properties of carbon steel slag are currently underexploited. To date, research mainly focusses on valorising a single property of the slag. In this study an ex-ante life cycle assessment (LCA) was applied to evaluate the environmental profile of a novel technological pathway aimed at the extraction of chromium from carbon steel slag in combination with high quality valorisation of the residual matrix material. A comparison with current practice was made, not only by calculating the environmental impact of the lab scale observations, but more importantly by estimating the impact on an industrial scale. Practical guidance on ex-ante LCA is limited, so this study contributes by incorporating simulations on thermodynamic behaviour, complemented with empirical calculation rules and including information derived from similar technologies to perform the upscaling. These principles of ex-ante LCA were applied to the lab results of two consecutive research iterations. Substantial improvements of the environmental profile were observed: ex-ante results turned out to be a factor 20 lower compared to the results from the lab observations after the first iteration and had decreased by a factor 2 compared to the small pilot scale of the second iteration. All upscaled results are better than those from the worst case reference scenario (landfill). Based on the experience gained after this iterative research cycle, a practical recommendation is that at a low technology readiness level using more simple calculation rules in combination with a flowsheet based on elementary design principles for processes at an industrial scale is a more efficient way of modelling compared to a fully-fledged process design from the start.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Energy and Materials in Infrastructure and Buildings (EMIB)
Impact Factor: 5.715
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2021.127921
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“Exploring variability across cooperatives : economic performance of agricultural cooperatives in northern Ethiopia”. Sebhatu KT, Gezahegn TW, Berhanu T, Maertens M, Van Passel S, D'Haese M, The international food and agribusiness management review 24, 397 (2021). http://doi.org/10.22434/IFAMR2019.0215
Abstract: The number of agricultural cooperatives increased quickly in Ethiopia since the 1990s. While many papers studied the impact of membership of Ethiopian cooperatives, not much is known on their performance. This study takes a cooperative-level perspective which is unique in an African context. It compares the economic performance proxied by sales revenue and profit of a wide range of agricultural cooperatives in northern Ethiopia. Data were collected from 511 agricultural cooperatives in 12 districts of Tigray. The contributing factors of the performance are analyzed with Ordinary Least Squares regression (OLS) and Heckman selection models. Our results underscore the importance of membership size, total assets, presence of conflict among members, and union membership. Chairperson characteristics and the internal organization of a cooperative seem to be less correlated to performance.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)
DOI: 10.22434/IFAMR2019.0215
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“Farmers' decision to use drought early warning system in developing countries”. Sharafi L, Zarafshani K, Keshavarz M, Azadi H, Van Passel S, Science Of The Total Environment 758, 142761 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2020.142761
Abstract: Drought is a persistent, sluggish natural disaster in developing countries that has generated a financial burden and an unstable climate. Farmers should adopt early warning systems (EWS) in their strategies for monitoring drought to reduce its serious consequences. However, farmers in developing countries are reluctant to use EWS as their management strategies. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the decision of farmers to use climate knowledge through the model of farming activity in Kermanshah Township, Iran. A surveyor questionnaire was used to gather data from 370 wheat farmers using random sampling methods inmulti-stage clusters. Results revealed that the decision to use climate information is affected by personal factors, attitude towards climate information, objectives of using climate information, and external/physical farming factors. The result of this study has implications for drought management practitioners. To be specific, the results can aid policymakers to design early alert programs to minimize the risk of drought and thus move from conventional to climate smart agriculture. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)
Impact Factor: 4.9
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2020.142761
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“Farmers' preferences towards water hyacinth control : a contingent valuation study”. Van Oijstaeijen W, Van Passel S, Cools J, Janssens de Bisthoven L, Huge J, Berihun D, Ejigu N, Nyssen J, Journal Of Great Lakes Research 46, 1459 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.JGLR.2020.06.009
Abstract: Lake Tana is the most important freshwater lake in Ethiopia. Besides pressures on water quality resulting from urbanization and deforestation, the invasion of the exotic water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) poses new threats to the ecosystem. Water hyacinth, endemic to South America, is widely considered as the world's worst aquatic invasive weed. In 2011, the weed appeared on the northern shores of Lake Tana, expanding in south-eastern direction. The lake area affected by water hyacinth was last estimated in 2015 at 34,500 ha, which equals 16% of the total lake surface. In this research, the benefits of water hyacinth control and eradication for the rural population inhabiting the northern and northeastern villages bordering Lake Tana, are investigated. In the area, the population largely depends on farming and fishing. An assessment of the total economic benefit of eradication was conducted. The stakeholder-centered approach led to measuring the willingness to contribute in labor and cash terms. Results showed smallholders in the study are willing to contribute over half-a-million euros annually. Costs of management actions can be weighed to the benefits, where further research is needed on the impact on other stakeholder groups. Moreover, wetland management should advance to explore multiple pathways in an integrated approach: water hyacinth control, water hyacinth utilization and sustainable waste water management. (C) 2020 International Association for Great Lakes Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)
Impact Factor: 2.2
DOI: 10.1016/J.JGLR.2020.06.009
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