BEIJING -- Chinese scientists have developed a new device of 3D hollow-cone structure that can greatly increase the solar-thermal conversion efficiency. The device, named artificial transpiration by Zhu Jia and his team from Nanjing University, is inspired by the transpiration processes of trees, according to an article published online recently by National Science Review, a English journal affiliated with Chinese Academy of Sciences. It has a special 1D water path within it, which can reduce the energy loss in conduction, the article said. The cone structure, based on graphene oxide film, can collect more sunlight throughout the day compared with a flat device, as about 10 percent to 50 percent of sunlight is diffusive. Thus it performs even better in the real world than in the laboratory, it said. As a result, the device can enhance the solar-thermal conversion rate to 85 percent, much higher than the 40 percent of common devices, it said. Solar power has been refrained from being applied in many sectors due to its low conversion rate caused by losses in radiation, convection and conduction. The device will open new possibilities to utilize solar energy. Zhu's team first applied this structure to solar waste-water treatment, and the test showed that it could not only retrieve clean water but also recycle heavy metals such as copper and cadmium. In the future, the structure can be further optimized to have a longer life time and recycle more heavy metals, the article said. silicone wristbandsdebossed wristbandsilicon braceletsdesign rubber braceletsblank wristbands
China's first fixed-wing aircraft for polar flight Snow Eagle 601 is in Antarctica, Jan 18, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua] ANTARCTICA -- China's first fixed-wing aircraft for polar flight Snow Eagle 601 has completed its mission to explore key areas above the East Antarctica Ice Sheet, during China's 35th scientific expedition to the region. The Chinese researchers with the help of Snow Eagle 601 conducted large-scale air-borne radar, gravity and magnetic observations at the Ice Divide of East Antarctica, the icy Princess Elizabeth Land, the Amery Ice Shelf and other areas. The expedition is of great scientific significance for figuring out the geological and environmental problems of these areas. It is also of major scientific value for finding the oldest ice core on Earth and making discoveries including the geological evolution of the suture zone within East Antarctica, said Sun Bo, deputy director of the Polar Research Institute of China and deputy head of the team. Snow Eagle 601 has completed, for the first time in history, an aerial exploration mission at key areas above the East Antarctica Ice Sheet, which will contribute to studying the evolution and stabilizing mechanism of the ice sheet, and uncovering the 'source code' of paleoclimatic environmental change on Earth, Sun added. The aircraft also served as a logistics support between Zhongshan, Taishan and Kunlun stations, and provided supplies for the latter two inland research stations.
