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The genus Tuponia Reuter, 1875 belongs to the subfamily Phylinae and comprises 91 species worldwide. Before this study, only T. koreana Kim & Jung had been recorded from the Korean Peninsula.Two species of Tuponia Reuter, 1910 are recognised from the Korean Peninsula including the first record of T. mongolica Drapolyuk, 1980. T. koreana Kim & Jung, 2021 is proposed as a junior synonym of T. chinensis Zheng & Li, 1992. The species is identified, based on the dorsal habitus and male and female genitalic structures. A brief discussion of the distribution of Korean Tuponia species also is presented.

Alloy coatings protect steel from corrosion in various applications. We investigated the effects of Si addition on the microstructure, electrochemical behavior, and corrosion resistance of steel sheets coated with a hot-dip Zn–Mg–Al–Si alloy using a batch-type galvanization process. Microstructural analysis revealed that the Zn–Al–Mg alloy coating layer contained a significant amount of Fe that diffused from the substrate, leading to delamination due to the formation of brittle Fe–Zn intermetallic compounds. However, the introduction of Si resulted in the formation of a stable Fe2Al3Si inhibition layer at the substrate–coating interface; this layer prevented interdiffusion of Fe as well as enhanced the coating adhesion. Additionally, the formation of acicular Mg2Si phases on the coating surface improved the surface roughness. As the Si content increased, the corrosion resistance of the coating improved. Specifically, the Zn–Al–Mg coating layer with 0.5 wt.% Si exhibited excellent anti-corrosion performance, without red rust formation on its surface even after 2600 h, during a salt spray test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) have the potential to serve as energy-harvesting windows in buildings. Although recent advances in nanotechnology have led to the emergence of novel fluorophores such as quantum dots, perovskites and others, the commercialization of such functional glass remains immature due to an insufficient power conversion efficiency. In other words, improvements in fluorophores alone cannot fully maximize the potential of LSCs. Here we introduce a new laminated type of LSC structure where a patterned low-refractive-index medium acts as an optical 'guard rail', providing a practically non-decaying path for guiding photons. We also propose the design rules regarding the dimensions of LSCs and the spectral characteristics of fluorophores. Once these rules were applied, we achieved record-high LSC performance. The measured external quantum efficiencies at 450 nm are 45% for a 100 cm2 area and 32% for the LSC with an edge aspect ratio of 71. The device efficiency is 7.6%, the highest value ever reported, to the best of our knowledge. These findings may have industrial implications and could accelerate the commercialization of LSCs. Luminescence solar concentrators are improved by using a laminated structure that creates a practically non-decaying optical 'guard rail' for light. Design rules enabled external quantum efficiencies as high as 45% for 450 nm light, yielding a device efficiency of 7.6%, probably useful for energy-harvesting windows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applicability of galvanized products in various industries has increased the demand for highly corrosion-resistant coatings to counter harsh environments. Among these, Zn–Mg–Al ternary alloy coatings have excellent corrosion resistance, resulting in their commercialization and industrial demand. To increase the diversification of their products, the ideal flux composition in these coatings should be optimized. In this study, we investigated the effects of conventional flux (ZnCl2:NH4Cl) in the hot-dip galvanization of Zn–Mg–Al ternary alloy coatings. Additionally, we developed a new flux to improve the coating properties of Zn–Mg–Al ternary alloy coatings on steel sheets. During hot dipping, SnCl2 on the steel substrate decomposed faster than conventional flux, thereby eliminating the AlCl3 residues in the coating and surface defects. The thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis studies unveiled the mechanisms for improved coatings. The thermodynamic calculations confirmed the spontaneous substitution owing to the presence of SnCl2 in the flux. Therefore, the developed and optimized flux enhanced the adhesion of the alloy coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]