Artiles
Open Access
Article
15 July 2025Exploring the Sustainable Path of Rural Governance: An Empirical Study on Digital Technology Empowering the “Fengqiao Experience” Model in the New Era
Understanding digital technology and digital inclusive finance in rural governance is key to exploring the sustainable development path of rural governance in China. This study constructs a multidimensional index evaluation system for the “Fengqiao Experience” rural governance model in the new era, measures the model’s rural governance level in 30 provinces in China (2011–2022), and empirically assesses digital technology’s impact on rural governance and its mechanism. The results are as follows: (1) During the sample survey period, the rural governance level of digital technology and “Fengqiao Experience” in 30 provinces in China has improved year by year. (2) Benchmark returns to reality and digital technology significantly promotes the improvement of rural governance levels, which remains valid after using GLS, replacing core explanatory variables, excluding the impact of the epidemic, and excluding municipalities directly under the central government. (3) Digital inclusive finance plays an intermediary role in the digital technology process, enabling rural governance. (4) Digital technology’s impact on rural governance has significant spatial spillover characteristics. Such technology helps improve the level of rural governance both locally and in surrounding areas. This study contributes to the understanding of the mechanism, effect, and regional differences of digital technology-enabled rural governance.
Open Access
Article
15 July 2025Hydrogen Farms Baseline Economic Model
This paper presents a comprehensive economic assessment of hydrogen farms based on two distinct production technologies. The first technology involves the use of alkaline electrolysers, evaluated under two scenarios: integration with 600 MW and 900 MW combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) packages. The second technology focuses on proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers, also analysed under the same two CCGT capacity scenarios. Across all four scenarios, the analysis incorporates the inclusion of hydrogen storage systems and a range of critical safety equipment, such as hydrogen detectors and sensors, gas detection control panels, pressure-relief valves (PRVs), flame detectors, fire suppression systems, high-pressure rupture discs, blast-proof walls, and alarm and warning systems. Alkaline electrolysers constitute most of the capital investment in alkaline hydrogen farms. In the case of a farm utilising 600 MW of combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGTs), electrolysers account for approximately 90.48% of the total capital cost of USD 0.8156 trillion, with CCGTs contributing 4.09% and hydrogen storage and safety equipment comprising the remaining 5.43%. For a similar farm equipped with 900 MW CCGTs, the total capital cost is slightly lower at USD 0.8137 trillion, where alkaline electrolysers represent 90.70%, CCGTs 3.86%, and hydrogen storage and safety systems 5.44% of the overall investment. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers represent the largest portion of capital investment in PEM-based hydrogen farms. For a configuration incorporating 600 MW combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGTs), PEM electrolysers account for approximately 91.92% of the total capital cost of USD 1.007 trillion, with CCGTs contributing 3.31% and hydrogen storage and safety equipment comprising 4.77%. In comparison, the capital cost for a similar farm with 900 MW CCGTs is slightly lower at USD 1.005 trillion, where PEM electrolysers make up 92.10%, CCGTs account for 3.13%, and hydrogen storage and safety systems remain at 4.77% of the total investment. This study provides a foundational examination for strategic decision-makers during the transition of an economy from oil-based to non-carbon energy exports, alongside achieving zero carbon emissions. The central premise revolves around the provision of environmental performance while simultaneously avoiding economic downturns. It situates the study within Libya’s broader decarbonisation strategy and explicitly includes an additional 470 MW CCGT configuration, expanding the range of system scales assessed. The study adopts a 25-year operational lifespan, applying a cumulative cost approach that integrates both capital expenditure and long-term O&M. It presents lifetime cost figures, USD 1.2166 trillion for the alkaline 600 MW setup and USD 1.3585 trillion for the PEM counterpart, highlighting the scale of investment required. The study also explains the higher operation and maintenance (O&M) burden of PEM systems due to their sensitive components and maintenance demands, while emphasising the cost advantages of alkaline systems and stronger economies of scale when upsized. The study highlights clear differences between PEM and alkaline electrolysis technologies, especially in terms of costs and scalability. Although PEM systems are more expensive upfront—mainly due to their complex materials and shorter operational lifespan—they make better use of space and have a more compact design. On the other hand, alkaline electrolysers, which take up more land, prove to be more affordable both initially and over the system’s lifetime. Notably, scaling alkaline systems from 600 MW to 900 MW shows modest but valuable cost savings, underscoring the impact of economies of scale. These insights are particularly relevant for regions like Libya, where land is not a limiting factor and cost-efficiency is essential for project feasibility.
Open Access
Article
14 July 2025Correlation between Adsorption and Photocatalysis in the Aqueous System Cr(VI)-TiO2
The photocatalytic removal of Cr(VI) (0.80 mM, pH 2) using various commercially available photocatalysts (P25, UV100, PC50) was revisited, with particular attention given to Cr(VI) adsorption (as a Cr(VI)-TiO2 surface complex) and the formation of a Cr(III) hydroxide layer during the photocatalytic reduction. Cr(VI) adsorption followed a quasi-Langmuir-type isotherm, and the spectra of the Cr(VI)-TiO2 surface complex were deconvoluted into two Gaussian peaks, red-shifted when a rutile phase was present. Cr(VI) photoreduction exhibited nearly pseudo first-order kinetics, with P25 showing the highest reaction rate. Adsorbed Cr(VI) was reduced by eCB−, and the formed Cr(III) was retained over the TiO2 surface under non-equilibrium conditions, acting as a new adsorption site for Cr(VI). At longer reaction times, partial dissolution of the Cr(III) layer was observed. These findings suggest that the photoreduction kinetics are primarily governed by the slow adsorption of Cr(VI) onto the Cr(III) deposition layer. As an important conclusion, three consecutive processes never mentioned before take place: (1) reduction of adsorbed Cr(VI), (2) formation of Cr(III) over the photocatalyst and (3) adsorption of Cr(VI) over the deposited Cr(III) layer, together with partial Cr(III) redissolution. This insight provides a deeper understanding of the underlying photocatalytic mechanism.
Open Access
Review
11 July 2025Feasibility of Accessing Safe Water in Developing Countries Using Photocatalytic Technology—A Review
Access to clean drinking water is a global concern. Notably, over one billion people in developing countries out of a total global population of approximately eight billion encounter challenges in accessing safe water. Photocatalytic technology is a potential solution for providing safe drinking water to these communities. However, only a few photocatalytic technologies are currently available. Although the potentialities of the photocatalytic treatment of water pollutants can be demonstrated in the laboratory, several factors hinder its effectiveness in real environmental applications. Additionally, the development of maintenance-free photocatalytic systems that can operate continuously without requiring complex maintenance is limited. Developing countries are unlikely to implement a system if it cannot be used sustainably without complex and/or frequent adjustments, regardless of the advanced technology. This principle is the fundamental premise of this review. This review in which are discusses the conditions necessary for photocatalytic water purification systems to be accepted in developing countries and explores how these systems can be successfully implemented.
Open Access
Article
11 July 2025Water Resource Potential in the Indian Central Himalaya: A Study on Its Conservation through Traditional Practices
The Himalayan region, known as the water tower of the Asian continent, boasts plenty of water. However, it faces acute water scarcity, particularly during the dry months from February to June. Traditional water sources were once the primary source of water in rural areas, but many have dried up, and some have vanished entirely. This paper examines potential of water resource and its conservation through traditional water practices in the Indian Central Himalaya. The study employs mainly a qualitative approach, collecting data from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were gathered from 34 natural springs, including Naula, Dhara, streams/rivulets, Guls, and Khal-Chals, through a case study of 10 villages in the Pindar Valley. Furthermore, the characteristics and uses of these natural springs were illustrated. A total of 120 heads of households were interviewed about the status of water and its future potential, addressing perceptions of water availability, usage patterns, and water scarcity. The perception of these heads of households on the impact of climate change was noted. The author studied toposheets of the Survey of India and described the major rivers of the 13 districts of Uttarakhand. Data were also collected from the review of literature and the state water resource department, Dehradun. The study revealed that rural areas face acute water scarcity due to the drying of natural water sources. The tap water supply is insufficient, and during the rainy season, these pipelines are often damaged by flash floods and landslides. Large-scale sedimentation in the source area of tap water further hinders the water supply. The study suggests that reviving traditional natural water sources will help sustain water availability and supply.
Open Access
Review
09 July 2025Muti-Energy Field-Assisted Grinding of Hard and Brittle Materials: Tools, Equipment and Mechanisms
Hard, brittle and difficult-to-machine materials are prone to surface cracks, subsurface damage and other defects in the traditional grinding process, accompanied by low processing efficiency and severe tool wear. As a new type of processing technology, energy field-assisted grinding provides a new approach for the efficient and high-quality processing of hard and brittle materials. This paper reviews the latest research progress of muti-energy field-assisted grinding from aspects such as the types and selection of grinding tools, processing equipment and physical-chemical coupled mechanisms. Firstly, micro-grinding tools are classified based on different surface structures and coating materials, with the aim to enhance processing efficiency, improve the surface quality and geometric accuracy of workpieces, and reduce tool wear. Secondly, the processing mechanisms, parameter selection and current difficulties faced by four energy field-assisted grinding methods, including laser-assisted grinding, electrochemical-assisted grinding, magnetic-assisted grinding and ultrasonic field-assisted grinding, are discussed under both chemical and physical effects. Thirdly, different equipment and auxiliary devices developed for energy field-assisted grinding have been introduced, providing reliable platforms for the distribution design and efficient regulation of the energy field. Finally, the cutting-edge progress, main challenges and development trends of energy field-assisted grinding are prospected, illustrating the great potential of this technology in fields such as aerospace, electronics, and optical components.
Open Access
Article
08 July 2025Repurposed Ovens for Space Heating Following Global Catastrophic Infrastructure Loss: Methods and Efficiency Calculations
Global catastrophic infrastructure loss (GCIL) would disrupt energy supply networks, prohibiting heating in houses reliant on electricity or piped natural gas. In such situations, buildings in cold climates would require alternative heating methods, as space heating is critical to survival. This work assesses the viability of converting household appliances to wood-burning stoves and the scalability of such conversions in the event of a catastrophe. A standard residential electrical oven was converted to a wood-burning stove, using tools and materials likely to be readily available following GCIL, and tested by burning a total of 9.1 kg of pine wood and kindling. The conversion was successful, with an average useful heat output of 2.6 kW, showing the viability of ovens as wood-burning stoves for space heating. It is expected that such conversions could be completed in under one day, given sufficient availability of tools, materials, and labour. Global supplies of ovens, tools, materials, and fuel are expected to be sufficient for widespread conversion of ovens to wood-burning stoves, assuming international collaboration. However, international collaboration may be limited following GCIL, so countries should develop individual response plans accounting for this limitation, and knowledge should be disseminated ahead of time, or backup communication systems put in place.
Open Access
Article
02 July 2025An Assessment of the Impact of Temporary Migration on Household Adaptive Capacity to Climate Variability (e.g., Drought) in Rural India
A policy choice between migration prevention and migration support during climate variability needs to be properly backed by empirical evidence. The paper was to assess the effects of temporary migration on household adaptive capacity to climate variability (e.g., drought) in rural India. The analysis was performed by applying the propensity score matching method to the India Human Development Survey, 2011–12 data, and the India Meteorological Department’s gridded binary files. The household adaptive capacity to climate variability was measured in terms of three variables: monthly per capita consumption expenditure, livelihood diversity and the share of non-agricultural income. The study found that temporary migration had no statistically significant effect on household expenditure levels. The effect of temporary migration on livelihood diversity was found to be positive at 10% level of significance. The results suggest that temporary migration has significantly contributed to increasing the share of non-agricultural income. Results were similar even after removing the households with long-term migrant members from both treated and control groups. A disaggregated analysis across the different expenditure quintiles and social groups highlighted that the improved benefits of temporary migration, especially in terms of the share of non-agricultural income, were concentrated in certain groups only. The above results suggest that temporary migration may contribute to the development of household adaptive capacity in the face of climate variability (e.g., drought) not through the channel of utility maximization, but rather as a risk diversification strategy.
Open Access
Article
01 July 2025Experimental and Numerical Study of Formation Mechanism of Dual-Phase (AlCoCrFeNi)X HEAs Brazed Joints by Reactive Ni/Al Nano-Multilayers
The FCC + BCC dual-phase solid solution structure was obtained in the Al0.1CoCrFeNi/304SS brazed joints using Ni/Al reactive multilayer nano-foils, which was proved by combining experiments with simulation. In this study, Finite Element Analysis was achieved to analyze the diffusion behavior across brazing joints, which were subsequently interrelated with the formation mechanism of the brazed micro-structures during the brazing process. During brazing, the joint interface is tightly bonded, and the atoms are diffused sufficiently to form the solid solution zone. The representative microstructure of the joint mainly comprised hard BCC (Al-Ni) + ductile FCC (Co-Fe-Cr) dual-phase. The successful use of nano-multilayer foils as a HEAs filler design can broaden the application range of HEAs and provide a novel procedure for brazing 304SS and Al0.1CoCrFeNi HEAs, and developing a novel field in the manufacture of HEAs-related joints.
Open Access
Review
30 June 2025The Immunopathogenesis of Autoimmune Encephalitis-Related Psychosis, A Comprehensive Review of Humoral and Cellular Mechanisms
Autoimmune encephalitis has reshaped the understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders by highlighting the role of autoantibodies in psychosis symptoms, which often mimic primary psychosis conditions. This review synthesizes recent research on autoimmune encephalitis-related psychosis, broadening the focus from humoral immunity to T cell autoimmunity and the communication between the peripheral and central nervous systems. We discuss the identification of neuronal antigen targets, particularly the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), and their involvement in disease pathogenesis. Current treatments, such as plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin, primarily target the pathogenicity of autoantibodies. However, emerging evidence suggests a crucial role for T cells, glia cell, and B cell in the immunopathogenesis of autoimmune encephalitis-related psychosis diseases. Autoimmune factors, including T and B cells, can either infiltrate the brain from the periphery or propagate via interacting with other cells, like glia, within the brain itself. This review advocates for a comprehensive approach to studying and treating these conditions, integrating both humoral and cellular mechanisms.
