Reviving Resources: Harnessing Soap Nut Greywater for Sustainable Plant Growth
Due to widespread water shortages, there is an increasing need for innovative water conservation strategies, such as reusing greywater from laundry. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes greywater as suitable for plant irrigation, but commercial laundry detergents contain synthetic chemicals that can harm both the environment and plant health. Soap nuts, derived from the Sapindus mukorossi tree, offer a natural alternative. Their pericarp is rich in triterpenoid saponins, amphiphilic compounds, composed of hydrophilic sugar group and hydrophobic triterpenoid sapogenins. These saponins mimic the chemical structure of surfactants in detergents, allowing soap nuts to act as natural foaming and surface-active agents in water. As a result, soap nuts have long been used as a sustainable option for shampoo and laundry detergent in many Asian countries (Sochacki & Vogt, 2022). Greywater, an often overlooked resource, is generated from household activities like laundry, showers, and basins. Unlike blackwater, it contains lower levels of pathogens and bacteria. However, due to a lack of awareness, greywater is frequently mixed with blackwater and directed to the same sewage treatment systems (Greywater Systems: From Recycling to Filtration, n.d.). Greywater accounts for 50-80% of a household’s daily wastewater (Wong, 2011). Repurposing greywater offers a promising and sustainable solution to address water conservation challenges.
Fabrication of Tandem Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells to Enhance Photovoltaic Performance
Energy has had an enormous impact on the development of technology and is a main factor in humans’ advancement towards an evolved society. Nevertheless, nonrenewable energy resources – which are the most effective in everyday application - have led to changes in the climate, environment, human health, and the world in general [1], which has encouraged researchers to switch to the use of renewable energy sources. Solar Cells are one of the most effective resources that rely on renewable energy. They come in a variety of types, operation methods, and efficiency as shown in Figure 1, including Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC), which, inspired by photosynthesis in plants, uses photo-sensitive dye to capture sunlight and generate electricity. DSSCs were proved to have generated a great deal of interest and are one of the most promising solar cells among third-generation PV technologies, due to their low cost, simple preparation, good performance, and environmental friendliness compared to conventional photovoltaic devices [3]. However, their efficiency is quite insufficient for everyday use. Previous studies proved that Tandem DSSCs – which are two dye-sensitized cells stacked on top of each other – are able to enhance cell performance. The light absorption range of a tandem cell is increased because the bottom cell behind the top one absorbs and uses the incident light that was not absorbed by it [4]. It operates as shown in Figure 2, where the light photons excite the electrons of the dye molecules. The electrons are then transported to the FTO (conductive glass) by the semiconductor, which is used in the figure as TiO2 nanoparticles. The electrons pass through the circuit to perform the work, then move to the counter electrode (shown as Platinum). They are then transported by the electrolyte (I-/I3-) back to the dye molecules, and the process is repeated.
Evaluating the Impact of the AI-Powered Interactive Journal “I Am Great Because of Me” on Reducing Impostor Syndrome Among High Performing Students
Impostor Syndrome, a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their abilities despite evident achievements, can hinder personal and academic development. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the interactive journal “I am Great Because of Me”, integrated with artificial intelligence (AI), in addressing Impostor Syndrome among high-performing students. The journal features innovative tools such as the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) test accessible via QR code, self-acknowledgement pages, and virtual consultations powered by AI chatbots. These elements aim to support self-reflection, provide real-time diagnostics, and deliver actionable recommendations for users. The ADDIE model was employed for the journal's development, incorporating feedback from experts and users. Likert scales and Cohen’s D analysis were used to evaluate satisfaction, usability, and impact. Results showed that 90.1% of students expressed high satisfaction with the journal’s accessibility, interactivity, and capacity to enhance self-awareness and motivation. A pre-test and post-test conducted on the intervention group revealed a significant reduction in Impostor Syndrome by 42.5%, with an effect size of 2.84, categorized as "very large." Features such as the self-acknowledgement worksheets helped students recognize their strengths, while AI consultations offered additional psychological support. Expert validation emphasized the journal’s clarity, relevance, and objectivity, noting the absence of bias in AI-driven suggestions. The journal was praised for its accurate content, ease of use, interactivity, and the protection of user data, ensuring a safe and private environment for self-development. Students found the journal beneficial not only for addressing Impostor Syndrome but also for fostering personal growth and self-confidence. This research demonstrates the potential of combining psychological theories with AI-driven tools in education. The journal “I am Great Because of Me” effectively aids students in overcoming Impostor Syndrome and improving self-perception. It serves as a scalable solution for schools and individuals aiming to tackle similar psychological challenges. Future studies are encouraged to explore its application in broader contexts to maximize its impact.
製備藻類衍生物碳點與 Mxene複合材料並應用高效超級電容
本研究運用綠藻、螺旋藻、卡拉膠(k,i,λ)進行製備碳點並應用高效超級電容。本實驗已完成綠藻、螺旋藻、卡拉膠( k,i,λ)在不同的pH值中的溶解度測試,並找出綠藻、螺旋藻、卡拉膠(k,i,λ)各自適合溶解的溫度及溶液。此外,中途也已透過文獻中的實驗證實我們實驗中所運用的電化學實驗設計及裝置可以成功製備出碳點。而在電化學製備碳點的部分目前完成單獨藻類、藻類加histidne的電擊實驗以及測其吸收光譜,也運用先前製備出較穩定的碳點加入MXene進行電化學分析,透過碳點擴大MXene分層,以達到增加MXene電化學效能的效果。最後,預計之後將進行更多的電化學分析,進一步地確認碳點結合MXene能在超級電容的應用。
Wetting Tracing Paper—Fiber Porous Media Curling Behavior and Mechanisms
This research presents a novel approach to understanding the curling and uncurling behavior of tracing paper when exposed to water, identifying limitations in traditional diffusion-based models like Fick’s second law. While Fick's model adequately represents the uncurling phase, where water content is stable, it falls short during the curling phase due to its inability to account for dynamic changes in diffusivity. Our study identifies capillary action, modeled through Richards' equation, as the primary mechanism in the curling phase, where diffusivity varies with water content due to capillary-driven water movement through the paper's porous structure. Experimental data align well with the Richards' equation model, highlighting a saturation point where curvature peaks, governed by evaporation's impact on moisture balance. To simulate this phenomenon, we developed a finite difference approximation scheme based on Richards' equation, discretizing the spatial domain for detailed control over moisture dynamics and incorporating the Robin boundary condition with virtual points. This approach, combined with evaporation considerations, produces simulation results consistent with observed data, emphasizing evaporation’s role in steady-state moisture gradients and the subsequent deformation mechanics. Our findings further reveal that factors like paper thickness, temperature, and salt concentration significantly influence curling behavior. We established linear correlations between peak time and thickness reciprocal, as well as between peak curvature and thickness squared, supporting theoretical models. Temperature affects both peak curvature and curling rate due to changes in viscosity and surface tension, and higher temperatures prevent full uncurling due to sustained evaporation effects. Increased salt concentration heightens peak curvature without altering expansion ratio, suggesting additional variables in play.