Journals
2026 EN
Alaryani Mouza · Solayman Abdullah · Kamal Abdallah
+4 more
Efficient materials for temperature‐resistant barriers are crucial for future energy‐conscious applications. Aerogels, with their porous structure and tunable composition, represent a promising class of materials for advanced heat barriers, achieving optimal thermal insulation and solar radiation reflection under extreme conditions. In this study, composite aerogels are fabricated using three polymer matrices polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) reinforced with exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) nanosheets. The h‐BN flakes are synthesized using a high‐pressure homogenizer (HPH) to obtain stable, homogeneous dispersions within the polymer matrix. Varying the h‐BN content from 0 to 50 wt% induces a transition from open, interconnected porous networks to densely packed structures, strongly affecting optical, thermal, and mechanical performance. The PVA‐based aerogel with 20 wt% h‐BN shows the best overall performance, achieving 95.5% solar reflectance and an ambient surface temperature reduction of ≈10 °C under 1 sun. CMC and HEC aerogels also exhibit enhanced solar reflectance and thermal stability. Compression testing reveals mechanical strengths up to 200 kPa while maintaining thermal stability to 250 °C. These results highlight HPH‐assisted h‐BN exfoliation and polymer hybridization as an effective route to lightweight, scalable, and high‐performance aerogels for next‐generation energy‐efficient barriers.
Journals
2026 EN
GoumriSaid Souraya · Abdellaoui Ghouti · Kanoun Mohammed Benali
A comprehensive first‐principles and machine learning study is conducted on 102 halide double perovskites to identify promising candidates for thermoelectric applications. The HSE06 hybrid functional within the Quantum ATK framework is used to accurately determine electronic structures, bandgaps, and total and partial densities of states. Boltzmann transport theory is applied to figure out important thermoelectric parameters, such as the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and ZT values over a wide range of temperatures. Supervised machine learning models are trained on density functional theory (DFT)‐derived descriptors to speed up the discovery of new materials. These models demonstrate high predictive accuracy for thermoelectric performance across different chemical spaces. A detailed analysis of the electronic band structures and orbital contributions is carried out for Rb 2 GeI 6 , Rb 2 PbI 6 , Cs 2 SnBr 6 , and In 2 PtCl 6 , some of the best‐performing compounds. A wide range of behaviors is observed, including metallic, degenerate, and wide‐bandgap semiconducting, which correlate with distinct transport properties. This unified method shows how using accurate DFT, transport theory, and machine learning together can help find new materials with specific functions. This will lead to the development of next‐generation thermoelectric technologies based on environmentally friendly halide perovskites.
Journals
2026 EN
Schäfer Kilian · Lutzi Mattias · Dirba Imants
+8 more
Polymer‐bonded Nd–Fe–B magnets, made from hard magnetic powder and a polymer binder, are essential in many high‐tech applications. The growing demand in energy‐conversion devices calls for a more circular and versatile approach to their production. This study presents a sustainable approach to fabricate anisotropic polymer‐bonded Nd–Fe–B magnets using recycled powder from end‐of‐life (EOL) hot‐deformed magnets. Employing laser powder bed fusion with a low CO 2 footprint polyamide 12 matrix in combination with magnetic powder enables production of complex geometries. Two methods are compared for converting EOL hot‐deformed magnets into powder and the resulting performance of printed bonded magnets with these powders. Both powders have an elongated shape with the magnetic easy axis oriented perpendicular to the particle's length. Utilizing these anisotropic powders, based on a previously studied alignment mechanism, anisotropic bonded magnets are fabricated with over 60% higher magnetic performance compared to those made from EOL sintered magnet powders in 3D printing. The fabricated magnets have a remanence of 0.34 T and coercivity of 1238 kA m −1 . The findings demonstrate a pathway toward turning parts of the magnet market into a more circular economy by reducing reliance on primary Nd–Fe–B sources and enhancing efficiency of magnetic powder use.
Journals
2026 EN
Rameshkumar Ruthran · Chandrasekhar Arunkumar · Selvaprabhu Poongundran
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have a vital role in sustainable energy sources for future technologies such as wearable applications, implantable electronics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), medical technologies, sensors, and waste management systems. The main focus of this review article is to identify the energy output and stability of the TENG and neuromorphic devices in order to identify ongoing challenges such as power, device compatibility, scaling, and cost efficiency. The integration of TENG with ML leads to opportunities to process data for signal processing and sensor applications in order to learn complex structures in device functioning through the utilization of different databases. In addition, this review mainly summarizes the ML and TENG integration, another major research focus is on neuromorphic applications for the understanding of materials and their nature toward their application, such as memory devices, synaptical behavior artificial synaptic devices, electrolyte‐gated transistors, gated transistors, and artificial neural networks for AI and Internet of Things devices. The TENG is mainly focused on self‐powered devices with more energy output and reliability for the given application.
Journals
2026 EN
Huber Linus F. · Vagias Apostolos · Tu Suo
+7 more
Thermoelectric titania thin films are of interest for energy generation and sensor applications. To be usable in practice, they need to be stable against atmospheric conditions. Nanostructured titania:carbon black hybrid thin films are investigated for their stability against increased relative humidity and light irradiation. These thin films are created using water‐based, environmentally friendly production and further emphasize scalability by using slot‐die coating as a deposition technique. The thermoelectric performance during operation is correlated with morphological changes, by simultaneously measuring operando grazing incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering and Seebeck coefficient. The thin films are stable against light degradation. There are neither morphological changes nor changes in the Seebeck coefficient during five hours of operation. However, they show a significant decrease in performance due to elevated moisture. This humidity degradation is also visible in the morphology of the samples and corresponds well with decreases in the Seebeck coefficient. Using the ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium dicyanamide post‐treatment is found to both increase the Seebeck coefficient and the stability against elevated relative humidities. Therefore, the moisture sensitivity of titania:carbon black thin hybrid films can be overcome with such a simple treatment, which renders our approach a promising first step toward sustainable thermoelectric thin films.
Journals
2026 EN
Ansari Sumayya M. · Alashkhari Hessa · Alabdouli Meira
+6 more
Cobalt‐doped nickel oxide (CNO) nanostructures are synthesized using an eco‐friendly Phoenix dactylifera leaf extract route for sustainable, multifunctional solar applications. Systematic Co doping (5–20 wt%) modulates structural, electronic, and optical properties, enhancing photocatalytic dye degradation, photothermal conversion, and hydrogen evolution. Rietveld‐refined X‐ray diffraction confirms phase purity with lattice expansion ( a = 4.1763–4.1859 Å), increased crystallite size, and reduced microstrain. Fourier‐transform infrared and Raman spectra reveal blueshifted M‐O vibrations, indicating oxygen sublattice distortion and defect‐induced stiffening. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and photoluminescence analyses corroborate the formation of Ni 3+ /Ni 2+ , Co 3+ +/Co 2+ mixed‐valence redox pairs, and suppressed radiative recombination, indicating effective tuning of surface chemistry and charge‐carrier dynamics. Optical studies demonstrate bandgap narrowing from 3.14 eV (undoped) to 2.58 eV (20 wt% Co), enhancing visible‐light absorption. Density functional theory calculations validate these trends, predicting a reduced bandgap and preferential Co 2+ substitution at Ni 2+ sites, with energetically favorable defect complexes (V Ni + O i ) promoting charge separation. 15 wt% Co‐doped sample (15CNO) exhibits optimal performance: ≈95% dye degradation, ≈52 °C photothermal heating, and ≈1600 µmol·h −1 ·g −1 . This synergistic enhancement is attributed to bandgap tuning, lattice strain, and defect‐assisted transport, validating a novel defect‐engineering strategy for NiO‐based materials in sustainable applications.
Journals
2026 EN
Olabi Abdul Ghani · Alashkar Adnan · Mahmoud Montaser
+5 more
Concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) systems offer a promising approach to enhancing solar energy conversion efficiency by utilizing optical concentrators and advanced solar cell technologies. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the history, evolution, and fundamental characteristics of CPV systems. The paper also explores the strengths and limitations of CPV technologies, with particular attention to the materials used in the optical and solar cell components, as well as the manufacturing challenges that affect scalability and performance. A detailed analysis of cooling techniques, such as radiative, phase change material, liquid immersion, microchannel, and jet impingement, is presented to address thermal management in high‐concentration environments. Accordingly, the differences among these cooling techniques in terms of energy consumption, reliability, and adaptability have been investigated. Furthermore, the paper examines the integration of CPV systems into advanced applications, including solar‐powered desalination, thermoelectric generators, light‐splitting configurations, and building‐integrated structures. Moreover, digital integration in CPVs has recently been considered a promising approach to maximizing the electrical output of these systems, mainly through the enhancement of solar tracking systems and input/output predictions. Through this multidimensional review, the study highlights the potential of CPV technologies to contribute significantly to sustainable energy solutions, while also addressing the technical and practical challenges that remain.
Journals
2026 EN
Wang Yunke · Yuan Yuzhu · Alam Javed
+4 more
Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) power electric vehicles, portable electronics, and grid‐scale storage, yet their safety, performance, and lifetime are constrained by thermal effects. The mechanisms of heat generation and its spatial distribution within single cells remain insufficiently resolved, limiting effective monitoring. Thermal heterogeneity accelerates capacity fade, drives localized degradation, and elevates the risk of thermal runaway (TR), particularly in high‐energy‐density and fast‐charging systems. This perspective reviews recent advances in elucidating heat generation in LIBs and the manifestation of in‐plane and through‐thickness temperature gradients, emphasizing their influence on electrochemical behavior and safety. Approaches to temperature monitoring are critically assessed, including surface‐mounted and embedded sensors, indirect diagnostic methods, and data‐driven prediction techniques. Future directions are outlined for intelligent, multiscale thermal sensing that integrates advanced sensor technologies with predictive modeling to enable proactive thermal management, thereby enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of next‐generation LIBs across automotive, aerospace, and stationary applications.
Journals
2026 EN
Lakhani Pratikkumar · Srifa Atthapon
The transition toward a circular and sustainable bioeconomy requires new catalytic technology to transform renewable biomass into high‐value chemicals and fuels. Heterogeneous catalysts have demonstrated themselves to be key devices in this regard, providing operational resilience, recoverability, and compatibility with industrially continuous‐flow operation. This review provides an overview of the promise of heterogeneous catalysts, described as the selective upgrading of four important biomass‐derived platform molecules furfural, 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), levulinic acid (LA), and glycerol. Importantly, the catalyst families including metal oxides, supported metals, zeolites, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), porous organic polymers (POPs), and carbon‐based materials have been extensively studied in structural features, active sites, and reaction mechanisms in processes such as hydrogenation, etherification, dehydration, and hydrodeoxygenation. Particular focus is given to the synergy of acid–base and redox functionalities, metal–support interactions, and multifunctional architectures that facilitate tandem and cascade reactions. The review closes by summarizing current limitations and providing insights for next‐generation catalytic systems designed for scalable, selective, and green biorefinery purposes.
Journals
2026 EN
Ding Can · Feng Ziheng · Yin Tao
+9 more
In recent years, approximately two‐thirds of the global population has faced freshwater shortages. Due to its abundant resources, atmospheric water is considered an alternative water source. Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) is emerging as a highly effective approach for freshwater collection to address the urgent global water shortage. Hydrogel‐based AWH technologies have attracted considerable attention in recent years, attributed to their unique three‐dimensional hydrophilic network structure and excellent water absorption properties. In this review, the adsorption and desorption mechanisms and adsorption kinetics of hydrogel materials are first explored extensively. Next, we highlight recent advances in state‐of‐the‐art biopolymer hydrogels (such as cellulose, chitosan, alginate, starch and their derivatives) and synthetic hydrogels for AWH. Thereafter, the potential applications of hydrogel‐based AWH in agricultural irrigation, electricity generation, and dehumidification are comprehensively discussed. Finally, this study further highlights the challenges and future research directions of hydrogel‐based AWH for sustainable and practical applications.