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Smaller volume/weight and higher output power/energy density are always the goals of electrochemistry energy devices. Here, a simple strategy is proposed to prepare an integrated gas diffusion electrode (GDE) with high conductivity through skin electroplating. The skin electroplating is the combination of magnetron sputtering and spatial confinement electroplating. The electroplated metal obtained by skin electroplating is uniformly, continuously, and tightly attached to the surface of carbon paper like a layer of skin. Uniform and continuous electroplating metal layer endows the integrated electrode excellent conductivity with the square resistance as low as 27 mΩ sq

The reuse of produced water generated by natural gas extraction from Marcellus Shale for hydraulic fracturing is the dominant management option in Pennsylvania (PA), USA. The advantages and disadvantages of this management approach are reviewed and discussed together with long-term concerns and technology development needs. Abandoned mine drainage is a promising alternative make-up water, but high sulfate concentrations will lead to barite precipitation once it is mixed with the produced water. Bench-scale studies were conducted to optimize barite separation from this mixture that meets the finished water quality criteria for sulfate. Conventional separation processes are very effective in removing these solids but radium (Ra) co-precipitation may be a concern for their disposal in municipal landfills. If the produced water volume exceeds the reuse capacity for hydraulic fracturing, lime–soda ash softening can be used to remove divalent cations, including radium, to enable the production of pure salts using subsequent thermal processes.

The cross compatibility within and between Yulania Spach and Michelia L. (Magnoliaceae) is relatively good and various such hybrids, obtained by conventional artificial hybridization, are available. The aim of the present study was to determine the extent of genome differentiation between the species involved in these crosses through the observation of chromosome pairing during meiosis in pollen mother cells (PMCs) of the hybrids. Chromosome pairing behavior was studied in five species (2n = 38) and two interspecific hybrids of Michelia, eight species (2n = 38, 76 and 114) and 10 interspecific hybrids of Yulania, and three intergeneric hybrids between Michelia and Yulania. The results showed that chromosome pairing was normal with bivalent formation in diploid parental species and in interspecific hybrids. In addition to bivalents, multivalents were encountered in polyploid parental species and polyploid interspecific hybrids. In the intergeneric hybrids between a tetraploid Yulania and two diploid Michelia, 19 chromosomes, most likely originating from Michelia, were unable to synapse from zygotene to metaphase I. Meiotic chromosome pairing indicated a high degree of homology between species within Michelia and Yulania and less homology between the genomes of these two genera. The differentiation of morphological characters and the distinctness of natural distribution also support the conclusion that these two genera are likely independent monophyletic groups. This suggests that the two genera were split at early evolution of Magnoliaceae and the overlapping characteristics in external morphology and internal structures of the two genera may be the result of parallel evolution or ancient common ancestry.