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Abstract In the next 25 years an unprecedented number of new marine artificial structures, over 75,000 offshore wind turbines alone, are planned to meet global net zero targets. Structures are required to last for multiple decades in the hostile marine environment; where the largest cost across their whole lifecycle is on operations and maintenance dependent on accessibility in calm seas. However, the role of climate change on accessibility, and thus operational cost, has not been resolved. Here we provide the first study of future accessibility; evaluated from global climate model driven wave modelling, using the high emission scenario (RCP8.5). We found that climate change drives significant regional variation in accessibility, with the northern hemisphere benefiting from a 6% increase in operating windows whilst accessibility in parts of the southern hemisphere is reduced by 6-9%. These findings will help offshore developers and stakeholders incorporate adaptions to climate change as part of strategic planning practices.

Abstract In the next 25 years an unprecedented number of new marine artificial structures, over 75,000 offshore wind turbines alone, are planned to meet global net zero targets. Structures are required to last for multiple decades in the hostile marine environment; where the largest cost across their whole lifecycle is on operations and maintenance dependent on accessibility in calm seas. However, the role of climate change on accessibility, and thus operational cost, has not been resolved. Here we provide the first study of future accessibility; evaluated from global climate model driven wave modelling, using the high emission scenario (RCP8.5). We found that climate change drives significant regional variation in accessibility, with the northern hemisphere benefiting from a 6% increase in operating windows whilst accessibility in parts of the southern hemisphere is reduced by 6-9%. These findings will help offshore developers and stakeholders incorporate adaptions to climate change as part of strategic planning practices.

Degradation issues correlated to microstructural changes are the main obstacles to solid oxide fuel cell and electrolyser applications, making their identification and understanding fundamental steps. Coupling experimental activities with modelling, this work analyses the state-of-the-art Ni-YSZ (Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia)/YSZ/CGO (Cerium Gadolinium Oxide)/LSCF (Lanthanum Strontium Cobalt Ferrite)-CGO-based cell after 1000 h of galvanostatic electrolysis operation at fixed temperature and high steam composition in the inlet gas. Following a multiscale approach, the system behaviour is characterized through electrochemical impedance spectra and polarization curves as well as studying microstructure evolution, with a focus on Ni-cermet functional layer in view of Ni instability detected as the main degradation cause. A comparison with a cell consisting of the same initial geometrical structure and materials but aged in fuel cell mode allows to highlight the influence of operating mode and parameters on Ni-YSZ microstructure. Ni particle size and phase fraction variations experimentally observed on the electrode surface are correlated to water content and applied polarization simulated local values. Ni uneven distribution at the electrolyte interface and particle coarsening, above all, lead to an increase in polarization loss under electrolysis and fuel cell mode, respectively, since both penalise the charge transfer reaction and migration.

Degradation issues correlated to microstructural changes are the main obstacles to solid oxide fuel cell and electrolyser applications, making their identification and understanding fundamental steps. Coupling experimental activities with modelling, this work analyses the state-of-the-art Ni-YSZ (Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia)/YSZ/CGO (Cerium Gadolinium Oxide)/LSCF (Lanthanum Strontium Cobalt Ferrite)-CGO-based cell after 1000 h of galvanostatic electrolysis operation at fixed temperature and high steam composition in the inlet gas. Following a multiscale approach, the system behaviour is characterized through electrochemical impedance spectra and polarization curves as well as studying microstructure evolution, with a focus on Ni-cermet functional layer in view of Ni instability detected as the main degradation cause. A comparison with a cell consisting of the same initial geometrical structure and materials but aged in fuel cell mode allows to highlight the influence of operating mode and parameters on Ni-YSZ microstructure. Ni particle size and phase fraction variations experimentally observed on the electrode surface are correlated to water content and applied polarization simulated local values. Ni uneven distribution at the electrolyte interface and particle coarsening, above all, lead to an increase in polarization loss under electrolysis and fuel cell mode, respectively, since both penalise the charge transfer reaction and migration.

Climate change is driving many species to shift their geographical ranges poleward to maintain their environmental niche. However, for endemic species with restricted ranges, like the Critically Endangered whitefin swellshark (Cephaloscyllium albipinnum), endemic to southeastern Australia, such dispersal may be limited. Nevertheless, there is a poor understanding of how C. albipinnum might spatially adjust its distribution in response to climate change or whether suitable refugia exist for this species in the future. Therefore, to address this gap, this study utilised maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modelling to determine the potential distribution of suitable habitat for C. albipinnum under present-day (2010–2020) climate conditions and for future conditions, under six shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP1-1.9, SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, SSP4-6.0 and SSP5-8.5) for the middle (2040–2050) and end (2090–2100) of the century. Under present-day conditions (2010–2020), our model predicted a core distribution of potentially suitable habitat for C. albipinnum within the Great Australian Bight (GAB), with benthic primary productivity and surface ocean temperature identified as key distribution drivers. However, under all SSP scenarios, future projections indicated an expected range shift of at least 72 km, up to 1,087 km in an east-southeast direction towards Tasmania (TAS). In all future climate scenarios (except SSP1-1.9 by 2100), suitable habitat is expected to decline, especially in the high-emission scenario (SSP5-8.5), which anticipates a loss of over 70% of suitable habitat. Consequently, all future climate scenarios (except SSP1-1.9 by 2100) projected a decrease in suitable habitat within a currently designated marine protected area (MPA). These losses ranged from 0.6% under SSP1-1.9 by 2050 to a substantial 89.7% loss in coverage under SSP5-8.5 by 2100, leaving just 2.5% of suitable habitat remaining within MPAs. With C. albipinnum already facing a high risk of extinction, these findings underscore its vulnerability to future climate change. Our results highlight the urgency of implementing adaptive conservation measures and management strategies that consider the impacts of climate change on this species.

Climate change is driving many species to shift their geographical ranges poleward to maintain their environmental niche. However, for endemic species with restricted ranges, like the Critically Endangered whitefin swellshark (Cephaloscyllium albipinnum), endemic to southeastern Australia, such dispersal may be limited. Nevertheless, there is a poor understanding of how C. albipinnum might spatially adjust its distribution in response to climate change or whether suitable refugia exist for this species in the future. Therefore, to address this gap, this study utilised maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modelling to determine the potential distribution of suitable habitat for C. albipinnum under present-day (2010–2020) climate conditions and for future conditions, under six shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP1-1.9, SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, SSP4-6.0 and SSP5-8.5) for the middle (2040–2050) and end (2090–2100) of the century. Under present-day conditions (2010–2020), our model predicted a core distribution of potentially suitable habitat for C. albipinnum within the Great Australian Bight (GAB), with benthic primary productivity and surface ocean temperature identified as key distribution drivers. However, under all SSP scenarios, future projections indicated an expected range shift of at least 72 km, up to 1,087 km in an east-southeast direction towards Tasmania (TAS). In all future climate scenarios (except SSP1-1.9 by 2100), suitable habitat is expected to decline, especially in the high-emission scenario (SSP5-8.5), which anticipates a loss of over 70% of suitable habitat. Consequently, all future climate scenarios (except SSP1-1.9 by 2100) projected a decrease in suitable habitat within a currently designated marine protected area (MPA). These losses ranged from 0.6% under SSP1-1.9 by 2050 to a substantial 89.7% loss in coverage under SSP5-8.5 by 2100, leaving just 2.5% of suitable habitat remaining within MPAs. With C. albipinnum already facing a high risk of extinction, these findings underscore its vulnerability to future climate change. Our results highlight the urgency of implementing adaptive conservation measures and management strategies that consider the impacts of climate change on this species.

Abstract The phonon-glass electron-crystal paradigm has guided thermoelectric research in recent years. However, the inherent conflict between atomic disorder reducing phonon conduction, and the order required to maintain high electron mobility, creates a significant challenge in material design, which has driven innovation in nanostructuring and composite materials. Here, vertically aligned nanocomposites (VANs) composed of self-assembled metallic La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) nanopillars in a surrounding ZnO matrix are investigated for controllable thermal conductivity. Tuning of the crystal orientation of the substrate controls the epitaxial alignment of the LSMO and ZnO phases along the horizontal and vertical interfaces. The VAN films on (111)-oriented STO substrates exhibit an increased power factor of 0.52 μW·cm−1·K−2 at 600 °C beyond ZnO films of 0.15 μW·cm−1·K−2. Detailed characterization and modeling of the thermal conductivity demonstrates a reduction of about 75% as well as anisotropic behavior for the VAN films with out-of-plane and in-plane thermal conductivities of respectively 9.2 and 1.5 W·m−1·K−1, in strong contrast to the isotropic behavior in ZnO films with a thermal conductivity of 38 W·m−1·K−1. These results show the promising strategy of VAN thin films with a nanopillar-matrix architecture to scatter phonons and to enhance the thermoelectric performance.

Abstract The phonon-glass electron-crystal paradigm has guided thermoelectric research in recent years. However, the inherent conflict between atomic disorder reducing phonon conduction, and the order required to maintain high electron mobility, creates a significant challenge in material design, which has driven innovation in nanostructuring and composite materials. Here, vertically aligned nanocomposites (VANs) composed of self-assembled metallic La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) nanopillars in a surrounding ZnO matrix are investigated for controllable thermal conductivity. Tuning of the crystal orientation of the substrate controls the epitaxial alignment of the LSMO and ZnO phases along the horizontal and vertical interfaces. The VAN films on (111)-oriented STO substrates exhibit an increased power factor of 0.52 μW·cm−1·K−2 at 600 °C beyond ZnO films of 0.15 μW·cm−1·K−2. Detailed characterization and modeling of the thermal conductivity demonstrates a reduction of about 75% as well as anisotropic behavior for the VAN films with out-of-plane and in-plane thermal conductivities of respectively 9.2 and 1.5 W·m−1·K−1, in strong contrast to the isotropic behavior in ZnO films with a thermal conductivity of 38 W·m−1·K−1. These results show the promising strategy of VAN thin films with a nanopillar-matrix architecture to scatter phonons and to enhance the thermoelectric performance.