Thermoelectric properties and transport mechanism of Cu0.5In0.5Cr2Se4 and its Zn-doped samples

The thermoelectric properties and transport mechanism of Cu0.5In0.5Cr2Se4 and its Zn-doped samples were studied. In the middle and low temperature range, the electrical resistivity of Cu0.5In0.5Cr2Se4 decreases and Seebeck coefficient increases with the increase of temperature, indicating the fixed range hopping behavior of Anderson's localization. Two abnormal declines emerge simultaneously in resistivity and Seebeck coefficient at high temperatures, indicating a band regulation by temperature. After slight Zn-doping, the carrier concentration decreases slightly and the carrier mobility increases obviously, realizing electron delocalization. Both of resistivity and Seebeck coefficient decrease with further increasing Zn doping content due to the enhanced carrier concentration, resulting in the improved power factor. The thermal conductivity is extremely low in the pristine Cu0.5In0.5Cr2Se4 and increases with increasing Zn-doping. Due to the significant enlargement of power factor and relatively weak increase of thermal conductivity, the ZT value is enhanced by Zn doping from 0.30 of the pristine sample to 0.40 for the sample with 3.5% Zn doping at 773 K. Moreover, a factor of about 60% improvement of the average ZT is reported on the Zn-doped Cu0.5In0.5Cr2Se4 sample, reaching 0.26 over the temperature range between 323 K and 773 K

Electret Film-Enhanced Triboelectric Nanogenerator Matrix for Self-Powered Instantaneous Tactile Imaging

We report the first self-powered electronic skin that consists of light-emitting diode (LED) and triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) arrays that can be utilized for spatially mapping applied instantaneous-touch events and tracking the movement location of the target object by recording the electroluminescent signals of the LEDs without external power sources. The electret film-based TENG can deliver an open-circuit voltage of about −1070 V, a short-circuit current density of 10 mA/m2, and a power density of 288 mW/m2 on an external load of 100 MΩ. The LEDs can be turned on locally when the back surface of the active matrix is touched, and the intensity of the emitted light depends on the magnitude of the applied local pressure on the device. A constructed active matrix of the LED-TENG array (8 × 7 pixels) can achieve self-powered, visual, and high-resolution tactile sensing by recording the electroluminescent signals from all of the pixels, where the active size of each pixel can be decreased to 10 mm2. This work is a significant step forward in self-powered tactile-mapping visualization technology, with a wide range of potential applications in touchpad technology, personal signatures, smart wallpapers, robotics, and safety-monitoring devices

Electret Film-Enhanced Triboelectric Nanogenerator Matrix for Self-Powered Instantaneous Tactile Imaging

We report the first self-powered electronic skin that consists of light-emitting diode (LED) and triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) arrays that can be utilized for spatially mapping applied instantaneous-touch events and tracking the movement location of the target object by recording the electroluminescent signals of the LEDs without external power sources. The electret film-based TENG can deliver an open-circuit voltage of about −1070 V, a short-circuit current density of 10 mA/m², and a power density of 288 mW/m² on an external load of 100 MΩ. The LEDs can be turned on locally when the back surface of the active matrix is touched, and the intensity of the emitted light depends on the magnitude of the applied local pressure on the device. A constructed active matrix of the LED-TENG array (8 × 7 pixels) can achieve self-powered, visual, and high-resolution tactile sensing by recording the electroluminescent signals from all of the pixels, where the active size of each pixel can be decreased to 10 mm². This work is a significant step forward in self-powered tactile-mapping visualization technology, with a wide range of potential applications in touchpad technology, personal signatures, smart wallpapers, robotics, and safety-monitoring devices

Degradation strategies of pesticide residue: From chemicals to synthetic biology

The past 50 years have witnessed a massive expansion in the demand and application of pesticides. However, pesticides are difficult to be completely degraded without intervention hence the pesticide residue could pose a persistent threat to non-target organisms in many aspects. To aim at the problem of the abuse of pesticide products and excessive pesticide residues in the environment, chemical and biological degradation methods are widely developed but are scaled and insufficient to solve such a pollution. In recent years, bio-degradative tools instructed by synthetic biological principles have been further studied and have paved a way for pesticide degradation. Combining the customized design strategy and standardized assembly mode, the engineering bacteria for multi-dimensional degradation has become an effective tool for pesticide residue degradation. This review introduces the mechanisms and hazards of different pesticides, summarizes the methods applied in the degradation of pesticide residues, and discusses the advantages, applications, and prospects of synthetic biology in degrading pesticide residues

Views of Pharmacists and Government Representatives Toward the Pilot Chief Pharmacist System in Chinese Hospitals: A Multicenter Exploratory Qualitative Study

BackgroundIn China, the pharmacy departments of most hospitals have changed their main focus from drug procurement and distribution to providing pharmaceutical care services. Various regions of China have successively implemented the pilot Chief Pharmacist System (CPS) to help improve pharmaceutical care services and rational drug use in hospitals. This study was designed to explore the perspectives of pharmacists and government officials on CPS, including the advantages and barriers to the successful implementation of CPS.MethodsA qualitative study, based on semi-structured interviews, was conducted from October 1, 2018 to March 1, 2019. The interview data were gathered from 18 pharmacy staff and government representatives working in five distinct regions of China using purposive sampling. A thematic analysis approach and NVivo version 12 Plus was utilized to code and analysis of all interviews.ResultsFive broad themes were identified: the role of the chief pharmacist; their attitudes toward the CPS; the advantages and results of the CPS; the barriers toward CPS; and their suggestions toward CPS. Most of the participants believed that the chief pharmacist played a vital role in a hospital. Under CPS, the hospital pharmacy department pays more attention to prescription review, medication monitoring, and pharmaceutical consultation. However, an insufficient number of pharmacy personnel, unclear authority, and inadequate salaries were the main barriers to the implementation of the CPS.ConclusionThe attitudes of most of the participants were found to be positive toward CPS in China. The CPS can enhance the prestige of the hospital pharmacy department, improve the quality of hospital pharmaceutical care services, and promote rational drug use. Nevertheless, certain barriers highlighted in this study should be addressed promptly.</jats:sec