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The imperative transition to renewable energy drives the need for innovation. Biomass, particularly wood pellets, has demonstrated poor performance in co-firing scenarios. This study employed pyrolysis to convert wood pellets into biochar with improved fuel quality. The biochar production and characterization were investigated at pyrolysis temperatures of 400°C to 500°C. The findings revealed significant improvements: the observed fixed carbon content increased from 67.2% to 78.8%, and the calorific value increased 1.2 times higher within the pyrolysis temperature increased. On the other hand, as the pyrolysis temperature increased from 400°C to 500°C, biochar yields decreased from 49% to 37%. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis revealed distinct weight loss during heating, illuminating component volatilization and residue accumulation. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy elucidated structural changes, demonstrating the evolution of cellulose and hemicellulose into aromatic structures. Ultimately, these insights into biochar characteristics informed the optimization of pyrolysis processes, contributing to the production of superior biochar for renewable energy applications. Keywords: biochar, biomass, carbon storage, pyrolysis, wood pellet

Purinergic receptors are membrane proteins that regulate numerous cellular functions by catalyzing reactions involving purine nucleotides or nucleosides. Among the three receptor families, i.e., P1, P2X, and P2Y, the P1 and P2Y receptors share common structural features of class A GPCR. Comprehensive sequence and structural analysis revealed that the P1 and P2Y receptors belong to two distinct groups. They exhibit different ligand-binding site features that can distinguish between specific activators. These specific amino acid residues in the binding cavity may be involved in the selectivity and unique pharmacological behavior of each subtype. In this study, we conducted a structure-based analysis of purinergic P1 and P2Y receptors to identify their evolutionary signature and obtain structural insights into ligand recognition and selectivity. The structural features of the P1 and P2Y receptor classes were compared based on sequence conservation and ligand interaction patterns. Orthologous protein sequences were collected for the P1 and P2Y receptors, and sequence conservation was calculated based on Shannon entropy to identify highly conserved residues. To analyze the ligand interaction patterns, we performed docking studies on the P1 and P2Y receptors using known ligand information extracted from the ChEMBL database. We analyzed how the conserved residues are related to ligand-binding sites and how the key interacting residues differ between P1 and P2Y receptors, or between agonists and antagonists. We extracted new similarities and differences between the receptor subtypes, and the results can be used for designing new ligands by predicting hotspot residues that are important for functional selectivity.

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) empty fruit bunches (EFB) have not been utilized optimally. Currently, it is considered as a resource with low economic value. This biomass can be converted into bioenergy through a torrefaction process. Torrefaction is a mild pyrolysis at temperatures ranging between 200 and 300 °C, and it is generally performed under an inert atmosphere. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of torrefaction using Counter-Flow Multi Baffle (COMB) on the properties of oil palm EFB pellets. Torrefaction was conducted at 280 °C temperature with a residence time of 4 minutes. The results showed a decrease in the equilibrium moisture content and an increase in hydrophobicity after torrefaction using the COMB reactor. The change in the hygroscopic property could make the oil palm EFB pellet more stable against chemical oxidation and microbial degradation, hence self-heating and auto-ignition during storage could be prevented. The heating value of biomass increased after torrefaction. Torrefaction with the COMB reactor resulted in a heating value of 17.90 MJ/kg, which is comparable with the results of oxidative torrefaction (with longer residence time) of 18.28 MJ/kg. The results suggested that torrefaction using the COMB reactor could provide a great improvement in the quality of the bioenergetic properties of oil palm EFB pellets. However, the high ash content of the EFB pellets implied that the EFB pellets suitable for a small-scale application, but not yet for cofiring in power plants or as a feedstock for gasification. Keywords: Counter-Flow Multi Baffle; oil palm empty fruit bunches; renewable; torrefaction A B S T R A K Tandan kosong kelapa sawit (Elaeis guineensis) belum dimanfaatkan secara optimal. Saat ini bahan tersebut masih dianggap sebagai sumber daya bernilai ekonomi rendah. Tandan kosong kelapa sawit (TKKS) dapat dikonversi menjadi bioenergi melalui proses torefaksi. Torefaksi merupakan proses pirolisis ringan pada suhu berkisar antara 200 dan 300 °C dan umumnya dilakukan di bawah kondisi inert. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh torefaksi dengan reaktor Counter-Flow Multi Baffle (COMB) terhadap sifat-sifat pelet TKKS. Torefaksi dilakukan pada suhu 280 °C dengan waktu tinggal 4 menit. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa torefaksi menyebabkan penurunan kadar air kesetimbangan dan menjadi hidrofobik setelah torefaksi dengan reaktor COMB. Perbaikan sifat higroskopis dapat membuat pelet TKKS lebih stabil terhadap oksidasi kimia dan degradasi mikroba, sehingga pemanasan sendiri dan pembakaran spontan selama penyimpanan dapat dicegah. Nilai kalor biomassa meningkat setelah torefaksi. Torefaksi dengan reaktor COMB menghasilkan nilai kalor 17,90 MJ/kg, yang sebanding dengan hasil torefaksi oksidatif dengan waktu tinggal lebih lama, sebesar 18,28 MJ/kg. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa torefaksi dengan reaktor COMB dapat meningkatkan kualitas energi pelet TKKS. Tetapi pelet TKKS masih memiliki kadar abu yang tinggi sehingga biomassa hasil torefaksi belum sesuai untuk cofiring di pembangkit listrik atau sebagai bahan baku untuk gasifikasi. Kata kunci: Counter-Flow Multi Baffle; tandan kosong kelapa sawit; terbarukan; torefaksi

The objective of this study was to improve the quality of jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) wood pellets through torrefaction with Counter-Flow Multi-Baffle (COMB) reactor and electric furnace (EF). COMB is a reactor that can conduct torrefaction with a short residence time, approximately around 3 to 5 min. The torrefaction with COMB reactor was conducted at 260°C and 280°C C, with a residence time of 3 min. The torrefaction with EF used the temperature of 260°C and 280°C with a duration of 20 min. The pellet properties evaluated include the color changes, physical characteristics, and heating values. The result showed that the color of Jabon wood pellet was totally changed after torrefaction with COMB reactor reaching the highest overall color-change (∆E *) of 21,9 in the long pellets and 21,7 in the short pellets, while torrefaction with EF resulted in the highest ∆E* of 28,6 and 23,2, in the long and short pellets, respectively. The initial moisture content of the long and short pellets of Jabon wood were 12,41% and 12,33%. After torrefaction with COMB the moisture content decreased to 2,85% and 2,61%, while after torrefaction with EF the values decreased to 2,77% and 2,58%. The initial density of the long and short pellets were 1,05 g/cm3 and 0,97 g/cm3. The density decreased to 0,91 g/cm3 and 0,76 g/cm3 after torrefaction with COMB reactor, and decreased to 0,87 g/cm3 and 0,75 g/cm3 after torrefaction with EF. The research result also showed that the initial heating value of long and short pellets of 17,69 MJ/kg increased to 31,79 MJ/kg (long pellets) and 32.02 MJ/kg (short pellets) after torrefaction with COMB reactor, and increased to 19.74 MJ/kg (long pellets) and 19.99 MJ/kg (short pellets) after torrefaction with EF. Torrefaction with COMB reactor with shorter residence time resulted in a higher improvement in bioenergetic properties of jabon wood pellets in comparison to torrefaction with EF. Keywords: Anthocephalus cadamba, Counter-Flow Multi Baffle, torrefaction

Abstract With the advancements in deep learning, deep generative models combined with graph neural networks have been successfully employed for data-driven molecular graph generation. Early methods based on the non-autoregressive approach have been effective in generating molecular graphs quickly and efficiently but have suffered from low performance. In this paper, we present an improved learning method involving a graph variational autoencoder for efficient molecular graph generation in a non-autoregressive manner. We introduce three additional learning objectives and incorporate them into the training of the model: approximate graph matching, reinforcement learning, and auxiliary property prediction. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method by evaluating it for molecular graph generation tasks using QM9 and ZINC datasets. The model generates molecular graphs with high chemical validity and diversity compared with existing non-autoregressive methods. It can also conditionally generate molecular graphs satisfying various target conditions.

Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient mined from non-renewable sources. P is needed to stimulate trees growth in a forest plantation. P-fertilizer addition in the tropical forest field causes P-leaching flux to watershed and induces eutrophication. The high C contained in meranti (Shorea sp.) biochar can avoid the P-leaching process in the soil with a strategic application method. However, the biochar application method is poorly examined. This research aimed to develop a biochar application method to sequestrate P from the environment and examine its effect on the growth of sengon (Falcataria moluccana). Shorea sp. biochar pyrolyzed at 400 °C and 600 °C were added at a dosage of 0 t ha−1, 25 t ha−1, and 50 t ha−1 for six months in the field. The biochar was placed 20 cm under topsoil without soil mixing. This application method significantly increased total P in the soil without any P-fertilizer addition. The results showed that biochar pyrolyzed at 600 °C and a dosage of 25 t ha−1 increased the total P in the soil and CEC by 192.2 mg kg−1 and 25.98 me 100 g−1, respectively. Biochar with a higher pyrolysis temperature increased higher soil pH. In contrast, the higher dosage increased organic-C higher than the lower dosage application. The most significant P-uptake, height, and diameter increments on F.moluccana were achieved using Shorea sp. biochar pyrolyzed at 600 °C with a dosage of 25 t ha−1 by 0.42 mg kg−1, 222 cm, and 2.75 cm, respectively. The total P in the soil positively correlated with the P-uptake of F. moluccana. Furthermore, using the biochar application method P could be absorbed to the biochar layer and desorbed to the topsoil. Consequently, the biochar application method together with P-fertilizer addition could increase the availability of P in the soil and decrease P-leaching to the environment.

As renewable energy source integration increases, P2G technology that can store surplus renewable power as methane is expected to expand. The development of a CO2 methanation catalyst, one of the core processes of the P2G concept, is being actively conducted. In this work, low-rank coal (LRC) was used as a catalyst support for CO2 methanation, as it can potentially enhance the diffusion and adsorption behavior by easily controlling the pore structure and composition. It can also improve the process efficiency owing to its simplicity (no pre-reduction step) and high thermal conductivity, compared to conventional metal oxide-supported catalysts. A screening of single metals (Ni, Co, Ru, Rh, and Pd) on LRC was performed, which showed that Ni was the most active. When Ni on the LRC catalyst was doped with a promoter (Ce and Mg), the CO2 conversion percentage increased by >10% compared to that of the single Ni catalyst. When the CO2 methanation activity was compared at 250–500 °C, the Ce-doped Ni/Eco and Mg-doped Ni/Eco catalysts showed similar or better activity than the commercial metal oxide-supported catalyst. In addition, the catalytic performance remained stable even after the test for an extended time (~200 h). The results of XRD, TEM, and TPR showed that highly efficient LRC-based CO2 methanation catalysts can be made when the metal dispersion and composition are modified.

The wood processing industry produces a significant amount of wood waste. Biomass valorization through pyrolysis has the potential to increase the added value of wood wastes. Pyrolysis is an important thermochemical process that can produce solid, liquid, and gas products. This paper aims to review the pyrolysis of wood wastes from Indonesia, including teak wood (Tectona grandis), meranti (Shorea sp.), sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria (L) Nielsen), and rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis). The review is based on an in-depth study of reliable literatures, statistical data from government agencies, and direct field observations. The results showed that pyrolysis could be a suitable process to increase the added value of wood waste. Currently, slow pyrolysis is the most feasible for Indonesia, with the main product of charcoal. The efficiency of the slow pyrolysis process can be increased by harvesting also liquid and gaseous products. The use of the main product of pyrolysis in the form of charcoal needs to be developed and diversified. Charcoal is not only used for fuel purposes but also as a potential soil improvement agent.

The purpose of this study was to enhance the scratch resistance of polycarbonate copolymer by using 3,3′-dibenzoyl-4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl (DBHP) monomer, containing benzoyl moieties on the ortho positions. DBHP monomer was synthesized from 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl and benzoyl chloride, followed by the Friedel-Craft rearrangement reaction with AlCl3. The polymerizations were conducted following the low-temperature procedure, which is carried out in methylene chloride by using triphosgene, triethylamine, bisphenol-A, and DBHP. The chemical structures of the polycarbonate copolymers were confirmed by 1H-NMR. The thermal properties of copolymers were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, and also surface morphologies were assessed by atomic force microscopy. The scratch resistance of homopolymer film (100 μm) changed from 6B to 1B, and the contact angle of a sessile water drop onto the homopolymer film also increased.

What is the best number of gear steps for parallel type hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and what are the pros and cons of the power split type HEV compared to the parallel type have been interesting issues in the development of HEVs. In this study, a comparative analysis was performed to evaluate the fuel economy potential of a parallel HEV and a power split type HEV. First, the fuel economy potential of the parallel HEV was investigated for the number of gear steps. Four-speed, six-speed, and eight-speed automatic transmissions (ATs) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) were selected, and their drivetrain losses were considered in the dynamic programming (DP). It was found from DP results that the power electronics system (PE) loss decreased because the magnitude of the motor load leveling power decreased as the number of gear steps increased. On the other hand, the drivetrain losses including the electric oil pump (EOP) loss increased with increasing gear step. The improvement rate from the 4-speed to the 6-speed was the greatest, while it decreased for the higher gear step. The fuel economy of the CVT HEV was rather low due to the large EOP loss in spite of the reduced PE loss. In addition, the powertrain characteristics of the parallel HEV were compared with the power split type HEV. In the power split type HEV, the PE loss was almost double compared to that of the parallel HEV because two large capacity motor-generators were used. However, the drivetrain loss and EOP loss of the power split type HEV were found to be much smaller due to its relatively simple architecture. It is expected that the power characteristics of the parallel and power split type HEVs obtained from the DP results can be used in the development of HEV systems.

We developed a process to produce novel interactions between two previously unrelated proteins. This process selects protein scaffolds and designs protein interfaces that bind to a surface patch of interest on a target protein. Scaffolds with shapes complementary to the target surface patch were screened using an exhaustive computational search of the human proteome and optimized by directed evolution using phage display. This method was applied to successfully design scaffolds that bind to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) domain II, the interface of EGFR dimerization, with high reactivity toward the target surface patch of EGFR domain II. One potential application of these tailor-made protein interactions is the development of therapeutic agents against specific protein targets.

Spiro poly(isatin-ethersulfone) polymers were prepared from isatin and bis-2,6-dimethylphenoxyphenylsulfone by super acid catalyzed polyhydroxyalkylation reactions. We designed and synthesized bis-2,6-dimethylphenoxyphenylsulfone, which is structured at the meta position steric hindrance by two methyl groups, because this structure minimized crosslinking reaction during super acid catalyzed polymerization. In addition, sulfonic acid groups were structured in both side chains and main chains to form better polymer chain morphology and improve proton conductivity. The sulfonation reactions were performed in two steps which are: in 3-bromo-1-propanesulfonic acid potassium salt and in con. sulfuric acid. The membrane morphology was studied by tapping mode atomic force microscope (AFM). The phase difference between the hydrophobic polymer main chain and hydrophilic sulfonated units of the polymer was shown to be the reasonable result of the well phase separated structure. The correlations of proton conductivity, ion exchange capacity (IEC) and single cell performance were clearly described with the membrane morphology.

Polymers for application as sulfonated polyphenylene membranes were prepared by nickel-catalyzed carbon-carbon coupling reaction of bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,2-diphenylethylene (BCD) and 1,4-dichloro-2,5-dibenzoylbenzene (DCBP). Conjugated cis/trans isomer (BCD) had a non-planar conformation containing four peripheral aromatic rings that facilitate the formation of π–π interactions. 1,4-Dichloro-2,5-dibenzoylbenzene was synthesized from the oxidation reaction of 2,5-dichloro-p-xylene, followed by Friedel-Crafts reaction with benzene. DCBP monomer had good reactivity in polymerization affecting the activity of benzophenone as an electron-withdrawing group. The polyphenylene was sulfonated using concentrated sulfuric acid. These polymers without any ether linkages on the polymer backbone were protected from nucleophilic attack by hydrogen peroxide, hydroxide anion, and radicals generated by polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) operation systems. The mole fraction of the sulfonic acid groups was controlled by varying the mole ratio of bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,2-diphenylethylene in the copolymer. In comparison with Nafion 211® membrane, these SBCDCBP membranes showed ion exchange capacity (IEC) ranging from 1.04 to 2.07 meq./g, water uptake from 36.5% to 69.4%, proton conductivity from 58.7 to 101.9 mS/cm, and high thermal stability.