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Silicon carbide/silicon rich carbide multilayers, aimed at the formation of silicon nanodots for photovoltaic applications, have been studied. The electrical properties have been investigated at the nano-scale by conductive Atomic Force Microscopy (c-AFM) and at macro-scale by temperature dependent conductivity measurements. The mixture is composed of highly conductive Si nanoclusters and moderately conductive SiC nanoclusters in a disordered matrix. The conduction mechanism takes place via band states induced by the disorder at the interface between nanodot clusters. Structural properties have been extracted by optical spectroscopy analyses. The results contribute to the understanding of the microscopical electronic mechanisms of the composite material, which is a candidate for third generation photovoltaics.

Abstract In principle, absorption chillers of the ammonia-water type could work at temperatures well below the usual air-conditioning temperatures, arriving at the range 250–260 K, which can be useful for refrigeration applications. This possibility is studied for an air-cooled machine, comparing the results with the experimental data supplied by a manufacturer that recently commercialized such a refrigerator. The prediction is fair, and the study allows an insight into the internal parameters and into the possible behaviour for more severe conditions than those studied.

Policymakers are increasingly discussing the role of nuclear and renewable energy in replacing fossil-fuelled power generation, especially coal. In this debate, one of the key focuses is about the economic competitiveness of nuclear energy when compared to wind and solar. Remarkably, despite the growing interest, there is a lack of studies comparing the economics of nuclear power plants (traditional large reactors and small modular reactors) with wind and solar power plants in different decarbonisation scenarios. Through energy systems modelling analysis, this paper benchmarks the economics of nuclear with wind and solar energy for eleven decarbonisation scenarios simulating the effects of five energy policies in five Member States (i.e. Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam) of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The findings highlight that nuclear energy is an economically competitive pathway towards net-zero if the overnight cost is comparable to recent nuclear power plants built in China and Korea. Contrariwise, if the overnight cost is comparable to recent nuclear power plants built in the UK, US, or France, a mix of wind and solar energy is more economically competitive. Furthermore, the findings provide a background for policy discussions and recommendations for ASEAN countries.

Abstract: The worldwide growing concern about climate change is leading industries to adopt measures to reduce negative externalities. New financial instruments have been developed under the umbrella of green finance aimed at meeting the financial requirements linked to significant investments for green strategies. Bulk shipping companies are increasingly aware of the environmental impacts caused by their operations. Nevertheless, the nature and intensity of funding solutions aiming at supporting green investments from bulk shipping companies are still scarcely investigated by academics. The first objective of this paper is to examine theoretical aspects associated with the green transition in the bulk shipping industry. The second objective is to empirically investigate the current state in green finance by analysing the most adopted green financial products by major international bulk companies, taking into account the most suitable solution for each green investment strategy and option available in the market. A multiple case study methodological approach is used to shed light on the current role of green finance in the bulk shipping industry. The research outcomes provide detailed insights to academics and practitioners about the range of green investment and financial solutions in the bulk industry, in terms of preferred financing methods, magnitude of financial resources gathered and other relevant profiles.

The unique properties of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have driven their pervasive use in different industrial applications, leading to substantial environmental pollution and raising critical concerns about the long-term impacts on ecosystem and human health. To tackle the global challenge of PFAS contamination, there is an urgent need for sustainable and efficient remediation strategies. Phytoremediation has emerged as a promising eco-friendly approach with the potential to mitigate the spread of these persistent contaminants. However, addressing this complex issue requires interdisciplinary cutting-edge research to develop comprehensive and scalable solutions for effective PFAS management. This review highlights recent advancements in the detection, quantification, and monitoring of PFAS uptake by plants, providing a detailed description of PFAS accumulation in several plant species. Besides, the physiological and molecular responses elicited by these pollutants are described. Leveraging omic technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, provides unprecedented insights into the plant-PFAS interaction. Novel approaches based on artificial intelligence to predict this interaction and up to date disposal and valorization methods for PFAS-contaminated plant biomass, are discussed here. This review offers an interdisciplinary approach to explore what has been discovered so far about PFAS phytoremediation, covering the entire process from contaminant uptake to sustainable disposal, providing a roadmap for future research.

Alternative Food Networks (AFNs) are challenging the traditional food system by leveraging concepts such as self-organisation and self-management aiming to shorten the food supply chain and give cu...

Abstract This paper investigates the nexus between climate-related variables, commodity price co-movements and financial stability. First, we project the commodity price time series onto a multilayer network. Centrality measures computed on the network are used to detect the existence of common trends between the series and to characterize the role of different nodes during phases of market downturns and upturns, unveiling the onset of financial instability. Then, an econometric analysis is introduced to show how climate-related variables affect financial stability by influencing co-movements of commodity prices. Overall, the paper reveals how synthetic indicators of commodity price co-movements generate valuable signals to study the nexus between climate-related conditions and the dynamics of financial systems.

Self-organizing nanopatterns can enable economically competitive, industrially applicable light-harvesting platforms for thin-film solar cells. In this work, we present transparent solar cell substrates having quasiperiodic uniaxial nanowrinkle patterns with high optical haze values. The self-organized nanowrinkle template is created by controlled heat-shrinking of metal-deposited pre-stretched polystyrene sheets. A scalable UV nanoimprinting method is used to transfer the nanopatterns to glass substrates on which single-junction hydrogenated amorphous silicon p-i-n solar cells are subsequently fabricated. The structural and optical analyses of the solar cell show that the nanowrinkle pattern is replicated throughout the solar cell structure leading to enhanced absorption of light. The efficient broadband light-trapping in the nanowrinkle solar cells results in very high 18.2 mA/cm2 short-circuit current density and 9.5% energy-conversion efficiency, which respectively are 35.8% and 39.7% higher than the values obtained in flat-substrate solar cells. The cost- and time-efficient technique introduces a promising new approach to customizable light-management strategies in thin-film solar cells.