Facile preparation of highly stretchable hydrogels with low Young's modulus and good fatigue resistance as strain sensors.

Flexible solid-state rechargeable batteries have attracted extensive attention for their potential to accommodate the deep integration of humans and flexible electronics. To achieve a wide operating temperature range of −20 to 70 °C as well as good flexibility and safety, a novel flexible and rechargeable solid-state aqueous Zn−air battery was developed and is reported herein. This battery possessed temperature-resistance, long-term stability, excellent flexibility and mechanical properties, low interfacial resistance, and good safety. The Zn−air battery exhibited a power density of 11.8 mW cm −2 , a specific capacity of 663.25 mA h g −1 , and a gravimetric energy density of 769.37 W h kg −1 at 1 mA cm −2 and 25 °C. During operation at 0 and −20 °C, the maximum output power density retentions of the battery were 80.13% and 67.87%, respectively, compared with that at 25 °C. Furthermore, the battery could consistently power a timer under various conditions, including temperatures of −30 and 70 °C as well as exposure to the flame of an alcohol burner and being subjected to impacts, cutting, or bending. Notably, the battery was able to operate in these scenarios without developing smoke and blast phenomena, thus demonstrating that this battery has significant potential for future applications in safely wearable and flexible electronics that could be employed in harsh temperature environments. These applications would have relevance in a wide variety of fields, such as electric vehicles, aerospace technology, and the military.

No abstract

In recent years, plastic greenhouse vegetable cultivation (PGVC) has expanded worldwide, particularly in China, where it accounts for more than 90% of all global PGVC operations. As compared with conventional agricultural methods, PGVC has doubled crop yields by extending growing seasons and intensifying agriculture. PGVC also offers more ecosystem services relative to conventional approaches, including greater soil carbon sequestration, lower water consumption, and improved soil protection at regional scales. The economic benefits of this easily implemented agricultural method are attractive to small‐holder farmers. However, greater environmental impacts (eg greenhouse‐gas emissions, generation of large amounts of plastic waste) are associated with PGVC than with conventional approaches. Here, we review what is currently known about PGVC and identify future research priorities that will comprehensively assess the ecosystem services offered by this method of cultivation, as well as its environmental impacts and socioeconomic benefits.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Rising demand for ruminant meat and dairy products in developing countries is expected to double anthropogenic greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from livestock by 2050. Mitigation strategies are urgently needed to meet demand while minimizing environmental impacts. Here, we develop scenarios for mitigating emissions under local vs global supply policies using data from 308 livestock farms across mainland China, where emissions intensities are ~50% higher than those in developed nations. Intensification of domestic production and globalized expansion through increased trade result in reductions in global emissions by nearly 30% over a business-as-usual scenario, but at the expense of trading partners absorbing the associated negative externalities of environmental degradation. Only adoption of a mixed strategy combining global best-practice in sustainable intensification of domestic production, with increased green-source trading as a short-term coping strategy, can meet 2050 demand while minimizing the local and global environmental footprint of China’s ruminant consumption boom.