Search Results (43)

With the large-scale power batteries approaching their retirement phase, efforts are being made to advance the recycling and cascade utilization of power batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). This paper constructs a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) of power batteries led by the battery manufacturer (BM) and composed of the electric vehicle manufacturer (EVM) and third-party recycler (TPR). The study investigates the optimal pricing strategies of this CLSC with the consideration of recycling competition under the government’s reward–penalty mechanism. This paper establishes five recycling modes, namely independent recycling and cooperative recycling, under dual-channel recycling, and further discusses the effects of the government reward–penalty mechanism and recycling competition on the recycling rate, profits, and recycling pricing of the CLSC in each recycling mode. The following conclusions are found: (1) An increase in the reward–penalty intensity will increase the recycling rate, sales price of EVs, wholesale price, transfer price, recycling price, and the profit of each recycler in the CLSC. (2) An increase in the recycling competition will result in the reduction of the profit of each enterprise, and will also lead to the reduction of the recycling rate. (3) Cooperation between enterprises can inhibit the recycling volume of other enterprises to a certain extent. The cooperation between the EVM and BM can increase the recycling volume and the sales volume of EVs. (4) The leadership of the BM in the supply chain is embodied in the recycling and profit. For other members of the supply chain, it is very important to strive for cooperation with the leaders in the supply chain. These research conclusions can provide theoretical support for optimizing the power battery recycling system, formulating relevant policies, and improving the efficiency of resource recycling, thereby promoting the sustainable development of the new energy industry. Full article

To extend the spectral utilisation of In₂S₃, an In₂S₃/C₃N₄ nanocomposite was prepared. The effects of different sulphur sources, electrodes, and bias voltages on the optoelectronic performance were examined. Photoelectric properties in response to light sources with wavelengths of 405, 532, 650, 780, 808, 980, and 1064 nm were investigated using Au electrodes and the carbon electrodes with 5B pencil drawings. This study shows that the aggregation states of the In₂S₃/C₃N₄ nanocomposite possess photocurrent switching responses in the broadband region of the light spectrum. Combining two types of partially visible light-absorbing material extends utilisation to the near-infrared region. Impurities or defects embody an electron-donating effect. Since the energy levels of defects or impurities with an electron-donating effect are close to the conduction band, low-energy lights (especially NIR) can be utilised. The non-equilibrium carrier concentration (photogenerated electrons) of the nanocomposites increases significantly under NIR photoexcitation conditions. Thus, photoconductive behaviour is manifested. A good photoelectric signal was still measured when zero bias was applied. This demonstrates self-powered photoelectric response characteristics. Different sulphur sources significantly affect the photoelectric performance, suggesting that they create different defects that affect charge transport and base current noise. It is believed that interfacial interactions in the In₂S₃/C₃N₄ nanocomposite create a built-in electric field that enhances the separation and transfer of electrons and holes produced by light stimulation. The presence of the built-in electric field also leads to energy band bending, which facilitates the utilisation of the light with longer wavelengths. This study provides a reference for multidisciplinary applications. Full article

In the increasingly severe situation of global climate change, reducing CO₂ emissions has become the consensus of governments. Grounded in the principle of consumer responsibility, policymakers are increasingly focusing on the cross-regional transfer of carbon emissions to delineate responsibilities more clearly. Evaluating embodied carbon emissions ($ECs$) in goods and services and forecasting transfer pathways is essential for driving the energy transition and devising effective carbon-reduction strategies. This study summarizes the evolutionary characteristics of the global $EC$-transfer network from 2013 to 2022 and analyzes the underlying causes. Further, a link prediction model incorporating both endogenous and exogenous factors is developed to investigate potential $EC$-transfer pathways. The findings reveal the following: (1) Since 2013, China, Russia, and India have dominated net $EC$ out-strength, accounting for over 70% of total $EC$-transfer strength, primarily directed towards the European Union (EU) and the United States (USA). (2) The analysis of net $EC$ out-intensity and in-intensity indicates that countries like Russia and South Africa have more carbon-emitting export-oriented industries in their economic structure and should transfer the corresponding carbon-emission responsibility to downstream consuming countries. Countries like Mexico and Switzerland, due to their reliance on importing $EC$-intensive products, should assume the corresponding carbon-emission responsibility. (3) Economies such as Germany, China, the USA, and France, characterized by high $EC$-transfer efficiency, serve as key drivers for the implementation of global emission-reduction strategies. (4) The link prediction based on the proposed hybrid similarity indicator has the highest accuracy. The results reveal a higher probability of forming stable links between net $EC$ importers, and between net $EC$ importers and exporters. This study enhances policymakers’ understanding of international trade and $EC$ management, and facilitates the development of long-term strategies for cross-national collaborative emission reduction. Full article

China, as the world’s largest energy consumer, is currently facing energy and environmental challenges. Research on embodied energy transfer along with industrial transfer is vital to achieving “dual control of energy”. Considering regional heterogeneity, this research employs the multi-regional input–output model to analyze the spatial–temporal evolution patterns of embodied energy transfer in 2012, 2015, and 2017. Furthermore, structural decomposition analysis is used to determine the key factors affecting embodied energy transfer. The results show that (1) Total embodied energy use increased from 5.14 × 10⁹ tce to 6.00 × 10⁹ tce by 2017, at an average per annum growth of 3.36%. The middle Yellow River comprehensive zone consumed the most embodied energy. The embodied energy growth rate in the northeast zone declined. (2) The overall trend of spatial–temporal evolution patterns of net embodied energy transfer in conjunction with industrial transfer was similar, with a clear “southward” trend. Embodied energy transfer was influenced by factors other than industrial transfer. (3) The vital factors affecting the embodied energy transfer were final consumption and investment, particularly pronounced in the middle Yellow River comprehensive zone with 2.72 × 10⁸ tce. Energy intensity and production structure effects in the sectors of Manufacturing and Electricity, hot water, gas, and water production and supply had a significant inhibitory impact. This research provides a reference for implementing regional differentiated energy control. Full article

From an ecological protection perspective, clarifying the spatial and temporal transfer characteristics of embodied carbon in water transport trade among BRICS countries and its driving mechanisms is of great significance for the precise formulation of emission reduction policies. This study integrates the multi-regional input–output model with the LMDI decomposition method to quantitatively analyze the bi-directional flow of embodied carbon in water transport trade among BRICS countries from 1995 to 2018, along with its spatio-temporal differentiation patterns. The driving mechanisms are decomposed across three dimensions: scale, structure, and intensity. By adopting a dual perspective of time-series and spatial correlation, the study systematically uncovers the cross-regional transfer patterns of embodied carbon emissions in water transport trade and examines the interaction pathways of various effects throughout their dynamic evolution. The study finds that (1) the embodied carbon in water transport trade among BRICS countries shows a trend of transnational transfer, with China being the largest net exporter (35.15 Mt in 2018), India and South Africa as net importers (−32.00 Mt and −1.89 Mt in 2018, respectively), and Brazil and Russia shifting from net importers to net exporters; (2) from a temporal perspective, the scale effect drives the growth of embodied carbon emissions (contribution values: 1.23~119.72 Mt for export trade; 4.88~34.36 Mt for import trade), while the intensity effect has a suppressive role (contribution values: −59.08~−1.48 Mt for export trade; −20.56~−5.31 Mt for import trade), and the structural effect is complex in its impact on emissions (contribution values: −17.72~0.45 Mt for export trade; −6.84~13.93 Mt for import trade). Optimizing the trade structure can help reduce carbon emissions; (3) from a spatial perspective, carbon emissions are higher in Southeast Asia and the Northern Hemisphere, and changes in China’s carbon emissions (total effect in 2018: 57.01 Mt in export trade and 7.98 Mt in import trade) significantly affect other BRICS countries. Based on the conclusions of the study, it is suggested that BRICS countries should strengthen cooperation to achieve regional emission reduction targets by optimizing the trade structure of water transport, promoting energy structure reforms, advancing green transport technologies and equipment, and establishing a carbon emission regulatory system. Full article

Land use supports production and living activities and provides ecosystem services for people. With the flow of capital, goods, and services among regions, trade leads to the transfer of carbon emissions from importing regions to exporting regions, and this is telecoupled with land systems in different regions. Although significant progress has been made in quantifying embodied carbon emissions induced by interprovincial and international trade, the telecoupling relationship between carbon emissions and land systems has not been sufficiently investigated. Here we followed the telecoupling theoretical framework and used the multi-region input–output (MRIO) model to examine the spatial pattern of embodied carbon emissions by land use in China due to interprovincial trade. The results show that the spatial patterns of embodied carbon emissions from the production end and from the consumption end are different based on land use type. The provinces with rich energy resources and favorable conditions such as Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Heilongjiang undertake carbon emissions from the agricultural and industrial land use of other provinces. In contrast, the provinces with large economies but scarce resources such as Zhejiang and Guangdong export larger portions of their carbon emissions to the land use of other provinces. Across China, developed regions generally exported more carbon emissions from land use than they undertake from other developing regions. The carbon transfer in agricultural land was prominent between the eastern and western regions. The carbon emissions of industrial land were generally transferred from southern regions to northern and western areas. Our research reveals different patterns of embodied carbon emissions for different land use types, and these findings could provide more detailed information for policy-making processes to achieve fair carbon emissions and sustainable land use. Full article

This paper uses the multi-regional input–output model to measure China’s interprovincial embodied carbon transfer and constructs an interprovincial network; then, the temporal exponential random graph model is applied to analyze the spatial correlation characteristics and endogenous evolutionary mechanism of the network. The results show that interprovincial embodied carbon transfer relationships are increasingly close in China, but the weak symmetric accessibility between the eastern and central regions leads to less reciprocity in the embodied carbon network, and carbon emission inequality still exists. Based on the identification of networks, it is shown that the global network structures are stable, with obvious small-world characteristics and a core–periphery structure. And a structure-dependent effect and time-dependent effect also exist in the formation and evolution of the interprovincial embodied carbon transfer network in China. The popularity, multi-connectivity, and path-dependent effects among the provinces are significant, but the imperfection of interprovincial communication and the cooperation mechanism leads to the failure to form stable structures of ternary closed loops. Interprovincial embodied carbon transfer relationships tend to occur between provinces, with large differences in energy consumption structures, while geographical distance can hinder the formation of embodied carbon transfer relationships. Consequently, considering the spatial network correlation and its endogenous dynamic evolutionary mechanism, it is important to implement policies to guide coordinated carbon reduction among the provinces and to improve the fairness in embodied carbon transferring, in order to promote the fine governance of all links in the transferring process of embodied carbon. Full article

Inter-provincial trade is accompanied by the transfer of embodied pollution emissions, leading to emissions leakage, thereby hindering the sustainable development of society. Therefore, it is imperative to analyze the characteristics of embodied pollutant emission and spatial transfer driven by inter-provincial trade. In this study, the quantitative and spatial characteristics of the six main embodied pollutants (i.e., SO₂, NO_X, CO, VOC, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀) were analyzed by a hypothetical extraction method (HEM) and complex network analysis (CNA) under an input–output analysis (IOA) framework. Then, the row arrange series (RAS) method was employed to simulate the impacts of varying levels of trade intensity, economic growth rate, and technological progress on embodied pollutants and spatial-transfer characteristics. The major findings are as follows: (i) the increase in inter-provincial trade led to a corresponding rise in embodied pollutant emissions due to the relocation of production activities towards provinces with higher emission intensity. Excessive responsibility was assumed by provinces such as Shanxi and Hebei, engaging in production outsourcing for reducing pollutants. (ii) The macro direction of pollutant transfer paths was from the resource-rich northern and central provinces towards the trade-developed southern provinces. Sectors in the transfer path, such as the industry sectors of Shanxi, Guangdong, Henan, and the transport sector of Henan, exhibited high centrality and dominated pollutant transfer activities in the network. (iii) The industry sector, characterized by substantial energy consumption, was the predominant emitter of all pollutant production-based emissions, accounting for more than 40% of total emissions. This study is conducive to analyzing the impacts of inter-provincial trade on embodied pollutant emissions and developing emissions reduction policies considering equitable allocation of emissions responsibilities from both production and consumption perspectives. Full article

This research investigates the environmental sustainability and biomedical applications of shape memory polymers (SMPs), focusing on their integration into 4D printing technologies. The objectives include comparing the carbon footprint, embodied energy, and water consumption of SMPs with traditional materials such as metals and conventional polymers and evaluating their potential in medical implants, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering. The methodology involves a comprehensive literature review and AI-driven data analysis to provide robust, scalable insights into the environmental and functional performance of SMPs. Thermomechanical modeling, phase transformation kinetics, and heat transfer analyses are employed to understand the behavior of SMPs under various conditions. Significant findings reveal that SMPs exhibit considerably lower environmental impacts than traditional materials, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40%, water consumption by 30%, and embodied energy by 25%. These polymers also demonstrate superior functionality and adaptability in biomedical applications due to their ability to change shape in response to external stimuli. The study concludes that SMPs are promising sustainable alternatives for biomedical applications, offering enhanced patient outcomes and reduced environmental footprints. Integrating SMPs into 4D printing technologies is poised to revolutionize healthcare manufacturing processes and product life cycles, promoting sustainable and efficient medical practices. Full article

Inter-provincial trade leads to changes in CO₂ and air pollutant emissions. However, there is a research gap regarding the coordinated effects (co-effects) between embodied CO₂ and air pollutant emissions in trade. Understanding co-effects in inter-provincial trade is a prerequisite for driving the green transformation of trade and achieving coordination between pollution and carbon reduction. Here, we calculated provincial-level CO₂ and air pollutant emission leakage in 2012 and 2017 based on a modified input–output model and, for the first time, investigated the co-effects between CO₂ and air pollutant emission leakage caused by emissions transfers in China. Three types of co-effects, categorized as co-benefits, trade-offs, and co-damage, were discovered and defined to reveal the provincial differences. Furthermore, combined with structural decomposition analysis (SDA), we calculated the interannual variation in trade-induced emissions and identified the key driving factors of provincial-level co-effects from 2012 to 2017. Optimizing the energy structure has led to the greatest co-benefits, while changes in the industrial structure and emission coefficients have led to limited co-benefits in specific provinces. Variations in trade volume have led to co-damages across all provinces, and changes in emission coefficients have led to trade-offs in the majority of provinces. The case analysis confirmed that identifying and adjusting the key driving factors of co-effects can promote the transformation from co-damage and trade-offs to co-benefits. The findings implied a new approach for the reduction in pollution and carbon through inter-provincial trade. Full article

In order to realize the coordinated development of digitalization and low-carbon emissions, it is important to understand the carbon implications of the digitization of the high-carbon manufacturing (HCM) industry; therefore, this paper focuses on studying the formation and change mechanism of China’s HCM carbon emissions in the digital process. Specifically, based on input–output and energy data, we not only compute the carbon emissions embodied in the digital process of various HCM subsectors and analyze their temporal changes but also reveal the change mechanism by identifying their supply chain tiers and crucial transfer paths. The results show that (1) the digital process of HCM can reduce carbon emissions; (2) the carbon emissions embodied in the digital process of HCM are increasing with time and shifting from low-supply chain tiers to high-supply chain tiers; and (3) the embodied emissions, supply chain tiers, and crucial paths in the digital process of HCM show spatial heterogeneity. We suggest that attention should be paid to increasing embodied emissions in the supply chain tiers and regional differences during the acceleration of HCM digitization, followed by the implementation of appropriate digital carbon neutral policies. Full article

Accelerating economic globalization is a major driver of the transfer of embodied pollutant emissions from trade. China and the United States are currently the largest importers and exporters of agricultural products, respectively, and are also major producers and consumers of these products. This paper aims to analyze and compare the patterns of embodied agricultural carbon emissions (ACE) in the two countries, which is crucial for understanding how trade influences the transfer of such emissions. In this study, we calculated the embodied ACE of China and the United States from the perspectives of production and consumption for the years 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2016 by establishing a multi-regional input–output (MRIO) model. Additionally, we employed the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition method to analyze the driving factors behind the changes in embodied ACE over time. The findings indicated that the embodied ACE associated with imports and exports in China and the United States followed a pattern of increase and subsequent decrease during the period 1970–2016, with net imports escalating from −18.79 million tons and −3.62 million tons to 40.35 million tons and 51.22 million tons, respectively. This study identified two main factors contributing to the reduction in embodied ACE in both countries: the declining intensity of embodied ACE per unit of traded products and the diminishing proportion of the primary industry. The growth in GDP per capita, population expansion, and an increase in the proportion of agricultural products in international trade are predicted to promote an increase in embodied ACE imports and exports in both countries. This paper advocates for the reduction of embodied ACE through the continuous promotion of research and application of energy-saving and emission-reduction technologies, an optimized industrial structure, and the implementation of relevant energy-saving and emission-reduction policies. Full article

This paper examined the opportunities of composite double-layer grid superstructures in short-to-medium span bridge decks. It was empirically shown here that a double-layer grid deck system in composite action with a thin layer of two−way reinforced concrete slab introduced several structural advantages over the conventional composite plate-girder superstructure system. These advantages included improved seismic performance, increased structural rigidity, reduced deck vibration, increased failure capacity, and so on. Optimally proportioned space grid superstructures were found to be less prone to progressive collapse, increasing structural reliability and resilience, while reducing the risk of sudden failure. Through a set of dynamic time-series experiments, considerable enhancement in load transfer efficiency in the transverse direction under dynamic truck loading was gained. Furthermore, the multi-objective generative optimization of the proposed spatial grid bridge (with integral variable depth) using evolutionary optimization methods was examined. Finally, comprehensive discussions were given on: (i) mechanical properties, such as fatigue behavior, corrosion, durability, and behavior in cold environments; (ii) health monitoring aspects, such as ease of inspection, maintenance, and access for the installation of remote monitoring devices; (iii) sustainability considerations, such as reduction of embodied Carbon and energy due to reduced material waste, along with ease of demolition, deconstruction and reuse after lifecycle design; and (iv) lean management aspects, such as support for industrialized construction and mass customization. It was concluded that the proposed spatial grid system shows promise for building essential and sustainable infrastructures of the future. Full article

National or regional carbon emissions are generally accounted for by the principle of “producer responsibility”, which ignores the embodied carbon emissions implied in product consumption via inter-regional trade. Therefore, it is necessary to include the embodied carbon emissions into the product consumption regions for overall calculation. As an example, this paper analyzes the characteristics of China’s domestic regional carbon flow network based on a multiregional input–output table and carbon emission data, identifying three clusters of carbon emission characteristic regions by k-means—the clustering algorithm of machine learning. The research results show that some provinces—such as Beijing, Zhejiang, and Guangdong—are the net input areas of embodied carbon emissions (“consumers”), consuming products and services produced by “producers” such as Hebei, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia through trade, implicitly transferring the responsibility for carbon emissions. Accounting for carbon emissions worldwide/countrywide should consider both production responsibility and trade income. Our findings provide a novel national or regional classification approach based on embodied carbon emissions, which calls for an equitable regional distribution system of carbon emission rights. Meantime, inter-regional cooperation is of great significance in achieving carbon neutrality. In particular, the economically developed regions need to offer assistance to improve the energy efficiency or optimize the energy structure in less developed regions, by means of capital investment and technology transformation. Full article

To understand the embodied carbon transfer in China’s domestic trade from 2007 to 2017 and its driving forces, we quantitatively measured the embodied carbon transfer among 30 provinces by using the Multi-regional input-output (MRIO) model, explored the temporal and spatial evolutionary features of the interprovincial embodied carbon emission transfer by using spatial autocorrelation, and further revealed its drivers using the Geographical Detector Model for the first time. We find that: (1) Based on the producer and consumer accounting principles, the amount of embodied carbon emissions of each province has increased, and there are huge differences. (2) The number of provinces with net embodied carbon emissions transfer is increasing, to 18 in 2017 and the target provinces are mostly energy-rich regions, such as Shanxi, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia, which have a severe “carbon leakage” phenomenon with developed coastal provinces. (3) The scale and spatial distribution of net carbon transfer out shows a characteristic of “high in the north and low in the south”, and the tendency of net transfer from the less developed provinces to the developed regions is becoming more and more obvious. (4) The global differences in the promoting factors of the net embodied carbon transfer are not prominent, but the differences at the local scale are significant, with energy intensity and environmental regulation playing an increasingly significant role. Therefore, it is recommended to strengthen low-carbon technology innovation and environmental regulation, increase the percentage of renewable energy consumption, accelerate the mobility of various resource factors, and improve energy utilization efficiency. Full article