Lucid Technologies (United States)

ABSTRACT Expanding near‐infrared (NIR) spectral response and utilizing ultraviolet (UV) photons are effective strategies for enhancing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the range of NIR spectral response extension and the utilization of UV light for devices are not enough, and the loss of photovoltaic performance caused by UV light‐induced degradation is still unavoidable. Herein, we develop a novel strategy by integrating a PTB7‐Th:COi8DFIC bulk heterojunction (BHJ) with perovskite layers to broaden the NIR spectral absorption range to 1050 nm. Meanwhile, the BHJ layer with a suitable energy level can effectively passivate defects, improve charge transport, and resist the erosion of moisture. The mechanism of UV light‐induced degradation in PSCs demonstrates that the evolution of microstructure results in a drastic decrease in photovoltaic parameters. For increasing UV utilization, a Y 2 O 3 :Bi 3+ , Yb 3+ film is introduced into the device to convert high‐energy photons in the UV region into lower‐energy photons in the visible and NIR regions by the quantum‐cutting effect. After synchronously broadening the NIR spectral absorption and improving the UV spectral response of the PSCs, the efficiency is considerably improved to 23.47%, and the short‐circuit current density is enhanced from 21.33 to 24.62 mA cm −2 . Upgraded devices exhibit excellent UV, humidity, and long‐term stability. This study explores a comprehensive strategy for obtaining high‐performance and stable broad‐spectral response PSCs.

Anxiety is one of the most frequently reported mental health conditions worldwide, yet access to effective treatments such as medication and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) remains limited due to cost, time, and potential side effects. Music-based digital therapeutics, particularly when combined with auditory beat stimulation (ABS), may offer a complementary approach to mainline anxiety treatment by offering acute relief of anxiety symptoms. Prior research suggests that music combined with ABS provides greater anxiety relief than music alone or a pink noise control. This study examined whether this advantage over pink noise could be replicated, as well as whether music with ABS demonstrated a dose-response relationship-operationalized as time spent listening-in the acute relief of anxiety among individuals with moderate trait anxiety who are taking medication to manage their symptoms. We also assessed changes in affect as a secondary outcome. A total of 1,310 participants were recruited via Prolific and completed a pre-screening survey. Of these, 144 eligible participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: 24-minute pink noise (control group), 12-minute music with ABS, 24-minute music with ABS, or 36-minute music with ABS. Anxiety and affect were measured before and after the intervention using the STICSA and PANAS, respectively. All music with ABS conditions resulted in greater reductions in anxiety and negative affect compared to the control, replicating earlier findings. The largest reduction in negative affect was observed in the 36-minute condition, which was significantly greater than reduction in the 12-minute condition, suggesting a dose-response effect. These findings support music with ABS as a possible addition to existing anxiety treatments, especially when access to common behavioral health interventions is limited. Future studies should aim to increase the generalizability of the findings and further investigate the dose-effect of music on anxiety reduction. This study was retrospectively registered on ISRCTN (ISRCTN47181782).

Abstract Climate change remains one of the most urgent global challenges, and rapid reductions in carbon emissions are essential to achieving effective mitigation. Energy systems sit at the core of economic and societal development, yet many existing clean‑energy technologies continue to face constraints in sustainability, resource availability, affordability, and operational stability. These limitations hinder progress toward a just and accelerated transition to low‑carbon energy solutions. This study introduces a novel, combustion‑free mechanical energy‑generation pathway based on the controlled interaction of three universally abundant natural elements air, sand, and water (ASW). Revisiting these fundamental materials as non‑combustible, carbon‑free working media, the research investigates their capacity to support continuous mechanical energy production without reliance on chemical reactions, atmospheric conditions, or weather‑dependent intermittency. Using the SECE® ENERGY Technology, developed under the SOYOS PROGRAM by IRIDCCS TECHNOLOGIES, we experimentally evaluate a new class of ASW‑driven internal mechanical exchange systems. The SOYOS DROP PISTON (SDP) apparatus served as the primary test platform across 43 independent studies, conducted in multiple seasons and geographic locations. Results consistently demonstrate that the SDP system generates stable, repeatable, and affordable mechanical energy using only ASW inputs, confirming the feasibility of this approach as a carbon‑free, renewable energy mechanism. The findings establish ASW-based mechanical systems as a scientifically grounded alternative to combustion‑dependent technologies and a scalable framework for future clean-energy infrastructures. By leveraging globally accessible natural resources, this work provides a promising pathway for sustainable power generation capable of supporting climate‑change mitigation, energy equity, and long‑term environmental resilience. The schematic illustrates the SECE® ENERGY system using AIR, SAND, and WATER as natural inputs driving a non‑combustive mechanical cycle. It highlights the ASW pathway, piston‑based conversion chamber, and resulting clean‑energy output, emphasizing renewable, affordable performance validated across diverse locations and seasonal conditions.

Martensitic stainless steel has corrosion and wear resistance, making it a difficult-to-machine material. As a result, the surface roughness Sa of martensitic stainless steel is usually more than 0.5 nm after chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). To solve this challenge, a novel green CMP method was developed using a custom-made polisher, and the new environmentally friendly slurry includes lanthana and silica abrasives, hydrogen peroxide, citric acid and disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. After CMP, the surface roughness (Sa) of martensitic stainless steel is 0.183 nm. To the best of our knowledge, Sa is the lowest on martensitic stainless steel compared with those published previously. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that when the nanoscratching depth is 7 Å, the thickness of the damage layer is 2.002 nm, which is in good agreement with that (2.01 nm) measured by transmission electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy reveal that hydrogen peroxide oxidized the surface of martensitic stainless steel, forming iron and chromium oxides, etc. Citric acid dissolved the oxides through coordination between carboxyl groups and metal ions. Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid chelated with trivalent iron ions and chromium hydroxides. Our outcomes pave a new way to fabricate an atomic level surface on martensitic stainless steel, using a new environmentally friendly slurry and CMP.

Data sharing is necessary to advance understanding of the etiology and biology of cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults; drive therapeutic discoveries; and improve treatment outcomes. To meet this critical need, the National Cancer Institute's Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI) provides innovative, user-friendly tools and resources that enable researchers and pediatric oncologists to access and analyze the large volume of diverse childhood cancer data (over 1 million files) that has been collected and harmonized from multiple studies, including CCDI's Molecular Characterization Initiative, Pediatric MATCH, Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, etc. This article outlines how to find, request, access, download, and analyze data indexed in the CCDI Hub Explore Dashboard and Childhood Cancer Clinical Data Commons (C3DC), key components of the CCDI Data Ecosystem, to accelerate progress in pediatric cancer research. Both CCDI resources support cohort-based analysis and use data models that include study, participant, sample, diagnosis, and treatment data. These models are updated in collaboration with field experts. Additionally, CCDI drafted a Pediatric Cancer Core common data elements list, which serves as a standard reference for researchers. The CCDI Hub is the primary access point for finding data, tools, and applications managed by CCDI. The C3DC provides harmonized, participant-level clinical data and the CCDI Hub Explore Dashboard catalogs data at the file level. These resources enable users to search for and download manifests of harmonized, de-identified participant data and build cohorts. CCDI prioritizes data accessibility and interoperability and, with its resources and data, continues to aid in pediatric cancer research discovery, data-driven insights, and collaboration across the pediatric cancer community.

This study aimed to determine the Fatty Acid (FA) composition in human mature milk and the relationship between essential FA levels in breast milk and maternal dietary intake during postpartum period. This study enrolled seventeen exclusively breastfeeding women with full-term, disease-free babies (26‒64 days). Milk samples were collected using Absorbent Spot Cards. Subsequently, gas chromatography was performed to analyze FA composition. The total FA constituted saturated fatty acids (40.56±2.62%), monounsaturated fatty acids (43.54±2.60%), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (14.01±1.34%). No relationship was observed between maternal dietary omega-3 FA intake and human milk omega-3 content. These findings suggest that humans have a reservoir to store FA for babies during pregnancy and that omega-3 content in human milk was not influenced by postpartum maternal diet. It highlights the importance of maternal diet during pregnancy for optimal fatty acid levels in breast milk.