Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.202608_9696
High-penetration renewable integration in the Ningxia region induces substantial wind and photovoltaic curtailment, exposing the limitations of single-sided dispatch formulations that treat generation, demand, and storage independently. This study develops a coordinated source-load-storage interactive optimal dispatch strategy for active distribution networks, solved via a hybrid Pelican Optimization Algorithm-Grey Wolf Optimizer-Crisscross Optimization (POA-GWO-CSO) framework. A detailed building thermal dynamics model is constructed from a resistance-capacitance network, quantifying the thermal storage of envelopes and enabling air-conditioning loads to function as virtual energy storage under user comfort constraints. Source-side wind and photovoltaic output prediction models incorporate forecast-error quantification; storage-side battery life-cycle constraints dynamically match source-load temporal mismatches. A multi-objective dispatch strategy minimizes system operating cost while maximizing renewable consumption. The hybrid algorithm embeds the alpha-beta-delta leadership mechanism of GWO and the horizontal-vertical crisscross operations of CSO into the POA framework, improving local search precision and convergence efficiency. Validation on the actual Minning Town dataset demonstrates that the proposed strategy reduces operating cost and increases renewable utilization relative to conventional dispatch approaches, confirming the effectiveness of multi-side coordination for high-renewable active distribution networks.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3790-5
Near-infrared (NIR) phosphors with high quantum efficiency (QE) and thermal robustness are critical for phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (pc-LEDs). Here, a Cr3+-activated Lu2BaAl4SiO12 (LBASO) garnet phosphor is engineered via chemical unit cosubstitution of [Ba2+-Si4+] for [Lu3+-Al3+] in Lu3Al5O12 (LuAG), inducing a strong crystal field that yields NIR emission at 705 nm. The optimized LBASO:0.07Cr3+ exhibits an internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of 84.82% and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 46.02%. Notably, it demonstrates anti-thermal quenching (ATQ) with 126.03% of its initial intensity at 498 K under 442 nm excitation, attributed to a wide band gap, weak electron-phonon coupling, defect trap energy levels, high structural rigidity, and optimized electron population distribution. A NIR pc-LED fabricated with this phosphor achieves an output power of 134.99 mW and photoelectric conversion efficiency of 11.4% at 100 mA drive current. These results underscore the potential of LBASO:Cr3+ for applications in plant lighting, night vision, and nondestructive analysis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3907-0
Passive radiative cooling dissipates heat through the atmospheric transparency window (8–13 μm) into cold outer space, offering energy-free building cooling. However, its performance degrades substantially in humid environments; for instance, in Singapore, where average relative humidity is ~80%, achievable cooling power can be as low as ~20 W/m², far below the theoretical maximum of ~150 W/m² under dry conditions. Restricted sky view factor on building facades further curtails efficiency. Evaporative cooling, leveraging water's high latent heat of vaporization (~2256 J/g), provides an omnidirectional heat dissipation pathway but porous materials like hydrogels suffer from swelling, poor adhesion, and structural degradation. Here, we report a cement-based integrated cooling paint (CCP) that synergistically combines radiative and evaporative cooling. The paint utilizes a calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) porous network matrix with barium sulfate nanoparticles, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and lithium chloride (LiCl). The optimized formulation (CCP-30) achieves high solar reflectance of ~93% in the dry state and maintains ~89% reflectance when wetted. Its high emissivity (~95%) within the atmospheric window ensures efficient radiative heat dissipation. PVA and LiCl inhibit plastic shrinkage and promote continued hydration, yielding a denser, robust microstructure. The interconnected porous structure and hygroscopic components enable passive water capture from rainfall and ambient moisture, driving sustained evaporative cooling. Field tests in Singapore showed a ~5°C lower surface temperature on CCP-coated facades compared to commercial radiative cooling paint, and an ~8°C reduction on a proximate black absorber, indicating mitigation of local heat island effects. Building energy simulations indicated 30–40% more savings in air conditioning electricity consumption. The paint is prepared via a simple one-pot method compatible with standard production, indicating excellent commercialization potential.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3529-7
Thermoelectric cooling offers a fluoride-free alternative to vapor compression refrigeration, yet commercial adoption is constrained by low figures of merit (ZT) and high material costs. This study reports an economical fabrication route for conductive polyethylene/polypyrrole@constantan (PE/[email protected]) composites via a self-created extensional rheological technology. Pyrrole monomers are polymerized on Ni0.49Cu0.59 particles and subsequently dispersed within a polyethylene matrix under an extensional flow field, forming a continuous conductive network. The resulting composite exhibits an electrical conductivity of 1699.8 S cm−2, a thermal conductivity of 13.9 W m−1 K−1, and a ZT of 0.16 at 25 °C. A thermoelectric device integrating PE/Ppy@iron achieved a temperature reduction of 0.4 °C under 30 V/0.3 A direct current. Square-wave pulsed current excitation stabilized the cooling efficiency at its optimum level, while a custom thermal insulation system mitigated parasitic heat loss, collectively yielding a total temperature reduction of 1.6 °C. These results demonstrate a scalable, low-cost pathway for thermoelectric cooling materials, with potential for large-scale commercialization.