Compiled by: Weivi Feng
Welcome to the latest edition of Science, where we highlight the most compelling research findings from the world of science. In this week's issue:
Unveiling the Mysteries of Dark Matter Researchers delve deeper into the enigmatic realm of dark matter, uncovering new insights into its nature and potential implications for our understanding of the universe.
Revolutionizing Energy Storage with Nanotechnology A groundbreaking study explores the promising applications of nanotechnology in revolutionizing energy storage systems, offering a glimpse into a more sustainable future.
Deciphering the Neural Basis of Consciousness Scientists make strides in unraveling the complex neural mechanisms underlying consciousness, shedding light on one of the most profound mysteries of the human mind.
Unlocking the Secrets of Quantum Computing Advancements in quantum computing continue to accelerate, as researchers achieve significant breakthroughs in overcoming key technical challenges, paving the way for unprecedented computational power.
Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity A comprehensive analysis investigates the multifaceted impact of climate change on global biodiversity, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated efforts to mitigate its far-reaching consequences.
Stay tuned for more groundbreaking discoveries in the next issue of Science.
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Title: Enhanced Self-Assembly and Defect Passivation in Perovskite Solar Cells
Reinforcing self-assembly of hole transport molecules for stable inverted perovskite solar cells
Authors: HONGCAI TANG, ZHICHAO SHEN, YANGZI SHEN, GE YAN, YANBO, QIFENG HAN, AND LIYUAN HAN
Link: Read more
Abstract: Researchers utilized atomic-layer deposition to stabilize self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) acting as hole-transport layers in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). They observed enhanced anchoring strength of SAMs on the transparent indium tin oxide electrode after additional deposition of indium oxide by atomic-layer deposition. These films exhibited a high coverage of strongly chemisorbed hydroxyl groups that bound the SAM via trimethoxysilane groups. Inverted PSCs maintained 98% of their power conversion efficiency after operating at maximum power point tracking at 85°C for 1200 hours.
Electron injection and defect passivation for high-efficiency mesoporous perovskite solar cells
Authors: JIALE LIU, XIAYAN CHEN, KAIZHONG CHEN, WENMING TIAN, YUSONG SHENG, BIN SHE, YOUYU JIANG, DEYI ZHANG, YANG LIU, etc.
Link: Read more
Abstract: Enhanced electron injection through passivation of defects at the titanium oxide interface has led to increased efficiency of mesoporous perovskite solar cells. In these devices, a layered mesoporous scaffold composed of carbon, titanium dioxide, and zirconium dioxide filled with perovskite exhibits band alignment that facilitates charge separation without a hole-transporter layer. Researchers passivated defects on titanium dioxide with ammonium phosphate to improve electron injection. This resulted in a reduction in charge recombination and a subsequent boost in power conversion efficiency to approximately 22%. Devices maintained 97% of their initial efficiency after 750 hours of maximum power point tracking at 55°C. A commercially viable solution process to control long-chain branching in polyethylene
Authors: Robert D. Froese, Daniel J. Arriola, Jaap den Doelder, Jianbo Hou, Teresita Kashyap, Keran Lu, Luca Martinetti, and Bryan D. Stubbert
Link: Read more
Abstract:
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) finds wide application in plastic films and other flexible products, deriving its properties from a branched molecular structure rather than a linear one, necessitating an energy-intensive high-pressure synthesis technique. Researchers report a unique method to achieve long-chain branching under mild solution conditions.
Their catalyst can simultaneously link two chains by using a small amount of diene mixed with ethylene, forming a ladder-like geometric structure. The resulting plastic exhibits properties comparable to LDPE.
Two-dimensional materials by large-scale computations and chemical exfoliation of layered solids
Authors: Jonas Bj?rk, Jie Zhou, Per O. ?. Persson, and Johanna Rosen
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Abstract:
MXenes are a class of layered inorganic compounds composed of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides, typically obtained through selective etching of three-dimensional (3D) parent materials under acidic conditions. An outstanding question is whether other layered materials can be obtained using existing chemical processes.
Researchers describe a method utilizing computation for high-throughput screening to determine which 3D materials might undergo successful chemical exfoliation. They identified 119 potential candidates and experimentally synthesized Ru2SixOy nanosheets from a parent YRu2Si2 compound, a material distinct from standard MXenes families. Grid-plainification enables medium-temperature PbSe thermoelectrics to cool better than Bi2Te3
Authors: Yongxin Qin, Bingchao Qin, Tao Hong, Xiao Zhang, Dongyang Wang, Dongrui Liu, Zi-Yuan Wang, Lizhong Su, Sining Wang, and Li-Dong Zhao
Link: Read more
Abstract: Thermoelectric cooling presents an appealing solid-state approach, yet its reliance on telluride-based materials poses resource limitations. Researchers have uncovered a relatively straightforward lead selenide–based material boasting enticing cooling capabilities. They've identified compositions where the addition of extra lead enhances system vacancies, thus elevating thermoelectric efficiency. By pairing this material with tin selenide, they've engineered a cooling apparatus exhibiting relatively attractive performance, showcasing the potential for tellurium-free cooling.
Ecology
Diversity begets stability: Sublinear growth and competitive coexistence across ecosystems
Authors: Ian A. Hatton, Onofrio Mazzarisi, Ada Altieri, and Matteo Smerlak
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Abstract: Some of Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystems exhibit remarkable stability over time, contradicting ecological theories predicting decreased stability with increased species coexistence. Common species coexistence models, derived from the Lotka-Volterra model, assume populations follow logistic growth patterns and necessitate self-regulation for stable coexistence. However, researchers demonstrate that an alternative model with sublinear population growth offers nearly identical predictions to generalized Lotka-Volterra models at the population level but divergent community predictions. Under this sublinear model, diversity fosters stability, aligning with published population time series and macroecological scaling relationships.
