A small-sized DSSC panel based on the Uruguayan national flower dye tested at the Antarctic Artigas Base

The construction of a small-sized panel based on anthocyanins from Erythrina crista-galli as sensitizers is reported in this work. The device, named KD12, was placed indoors at the Artigas Antarctic Scientific Base from March 2019 to December 2020. Here is released for the first time, the indoor installation of dye-sensitized solar cells based on pigments from the Uruguayan national flower at an Antarctic Base and the evaluation of their performance during nineteen months. The panel showed good stability and maintained its efficiency conversion performance over the period. The output power, voltage and conversion efficiency generated for this device mainly depended on irradiance and external factors as light reflection due to snow or artificial bulbs near the area. Additional protection was provided by the double-glass window in front of the panel, lowering lighting irradiance and changing spectral characteristics of the light incident the device. A new prospect raised here: the potential application of anthocyanins as sensitizers for indoor electricity generation in the Antarctic area with long term operability, where low temperatures are helpful considering the thermal stability of the dyes. These constitute an interesting first step of a low-cost alternative searching for clean energy generation sources, focusing on a cold region like Antarctica.

GSH/ROS Dual-Responsive Supramolecular Nanoparticles Based on Pillar[6]arene and Betulinic Acid Prodrug for Chemo–Chemodynamic Combination Therapy

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) based on intracellular Fenton reactions is attracting increasing interest in cancer treatment. A simple and novel method to regulate the tumor microenvironment for improved CDT with satisfactory effectiveness is urgently needed. Therefore, glutathione (GSH)/ROS (reactive oxygen species) dual-responsive supramolecular nanoparticles (GOx@BNPs) for chemo–chemodynamic combination therapy were constructed via host–guest complexation between water-soluble pillar[6]arene and the ferrocene-modified natural anticancer product betulinic acid (BA) prodrug, followed by encapsulation of glucose oxidase (GOx) in the nanoparticles. The novel supramolecular nanoparticles could be activated by the overexpressed GSH and ROS in the tumor microenvironment (TME), not only accelerating the dissociation of nanoparticles—and, thus, improving the BA recovery and release capability in tumors—but also showing the high-efficiency conversion of glucose into hydroxyl radicals (·OH) in succession through intracellular Fenton reactions. Investigation of antitumor activity and mechanisms revealed that the dramatic suppression of cancer cell growth induced by GOx@BNPs was derived from the elevation of ROS, decrease in ATP and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) and, finally, cell apoptosis. This work presents a novel method for the regulation of the tumor microenvironment for improved CDT, and the preparation of novel GSH/ROS dual-responsive supramolecular nanoparticles, which could exert significant cytotoxicity against cancer cells through the synergistic interaction of chemodynamic therapy, starvation therapy, and chemotherapy (CDT/ST/CT).

Modification HKUST-1 as a catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol

HKUST-1 (MOF-199), a metal-organic framework material is synthesized from Cu(OH)2 and modified by Pt. The prepared catalysts were used to reduce 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) into 4-aminophenol (4-AP). Featured results of the catalysts by XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, BET, DTA/TGA... showed that metal modified process with reduced agent ethylene glycol had high efficiency, with modified yield up to 90 %. Under our experimental conditions, the catalysts based HKUST-1, containing Pt had high efficiency; conversion was greater than 93 % in reduced reaction of 4-NP. Thus, the catalyst sample contained 2% Pt was the most suitable for the reduction with conversion gained 99,4 % after 250s.

Performance Indicators for Benchmarking Solar Thermochemical Fuel Processes and Reactors

Concentrated solar energy offers a source for renewable high-temperature process heat that can be used to efficiently drive endothermic chemical processes, converting the entire spectrum of solar radiation into chemical energy. In particular, solar-driven thermochemical processes for the production of fuels include reforming of methane and other hydrocarbons, gasification of biomass, coal, and other carbonaceous feedstock, and metal oxide redox cycles for splitting H2O and CO2. A notable issue in the development of these processes and their associated solar reactors is the lack of consistent reporting methods for experimental demonstrations and modelling studies, which complicates the benchmarking of the corresponding technologies. In this work we formulate dimensionless performance indicators based on mass and energy balances of such reacting systems, namely: energy efficiency, conversion extent, selectivity, and yield. Examples are outlined for the generic processes mention above. We then provide guidelines for reporting on such processes and reactors and suggest performance benchmarking on four key criteria: energy efficiency, conversion extent, product selectivity, and performance stability.

Studies on Nutrigenetic Traits of Silkworm, Bombyxmori L. for Determining Growth and Development for Identifying Parental Breeds for Breeding under Subtropical Region of North West India

Study was conducted during spring and autumn season (2018 & 2019) to screen and identify rich nutrigenetic breeds from the selected breed’s for their nutrigenetic traits in silkworm, BombyxmoriL.(Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) is an essential prerequisite for better understanding and development of nutritionally efficient breeds under Subtropical condition of Jammu based on the breeds which shows less food consumption with higher efficiency conversion based on leaf to cocoon and leaf to shell ratio. Highly significant variations were found among all nutrigenetic traits of bivoltine silkworm breeds in the study. The nutritionally efficient silkworm breeds were shortlisted by utilizing nutrition consumption index and efficiency for conversion of ingesta/cocoon traits as the index for selection of highly promising breeds. Furthermore, based on the average of data from both the seasons, the overall rearing nutrigenetic traits utilized as index, eight bivoltine silkworm breeds (B.con 1, B.con 4, BHR 2, ATR 16, BHR 3, CSR 50, RSJ 14 and NB4D2) were identified as havingthe potential for nutrition efficiency conversion and can be utilized for further breeding programme. The data from the present study advances our knowledge for the development of nutritionally efficient silkworm breeds/hybrids and their effective commercial utilization in the sericulture industry.