Abstract: There is provided a hybrid system for electricity and water generation, that includes a thermoelectric generator (TEG) layer for converting heat to electricity, an absorber layer arranged on one side of the TEG layer for converting solar energy to heat, a cooling structure arranged on the other side of the TEG layer for dissipating a waste heat from the TEG layer, and an evaporator configured to form an interfacial cooling region with the cooling structure for water generation.

Abstract: An evaporator for solar desalination and a preparation method thereof and use thereof are provided. The evaporator has a porous skeleton, interconnected channels, and a hydrophobic decoration. The interconnected channels are formed from gaps of the porous skeleton, and the hydrophobic decoration is positioned on the surface of the porous skeleton. The evaporator is for sustainable solar water evaporation even in highly salty water. Specifically, the continuous evaporation for 24 h without salt precipitation in 20 wt % NaCl solution can be realized.

Abstract: A method for forming a complex shape three-dimensional ceramic article by printing a first layer of a first material having a first fraction of first ceramic particles and a first fraction of a first polymeric ceramic precursor. A second layer is printed such that it is at least partially disposed on the first layer of a second material having a second fraction of second ceramic particles and a second fraction of a second polymeric ceramic precursor. A composite of the first layer and the second layer is heated at a temperature sufficient to decompose the first and second polymeric ceramic precursors and sinter the article. During the sintering process, the first and second layers with different fractions of ceramic particles undergo different degrees of shrinkage, resulting in a tuneable mismatch of the bilayer structure and accurately achieving a targeted geometry.

Abstract: An evaporator for solar desalination and a preparation method thereof and use thereof are provided. The evaporator has a porous skeleton, interconnected channels, and a hydrophobic decoration. The interconnected channels are formed from gaps of the porous skeleton, and the hydrophobic decoration is positioned on the surface of the porous skeleton. The evaporator is for sustainable solar water evaporation even in highly salty water. Specifically, the continuous evaporation for 24 h without salt precipitation in 20 wt % NaCl solution can be realized.

Abstract: An adsorbent, a preparation method therefor and use thereof are provided. The adsorbent has a liquid channel, and the liquid channel has a low-tortuous porous structure. The adsorbent can realize fast and large-scale absorption of various liquids without consuming external energy and not requiring additional apparatuses when in use. The adsorbent can be used for efficient, safe and comfortable medical sampling and can also be used for recovery of various liquids.

Abstract: A method for forming a complex shape three-dimensional ceramic article by printing a first layer of a first material having a first fraction of first ceramic particles and a first fraction of a first polymeric ceramic precursor. A second layer is printed such that it is at least partially disposed on the first layer of a second material having a second fraction of second ceramic particles and a second fraction of a second polymeric ceramic precursor. A composite of the first layer and the second layer is heated at a temperature sufficient to decompose the first and second polymeric ceramic precursors and sinter the article. During the sintering process, the first and second layers with different fractions of ceramic particles undergo different degrees of shrinkage, resulting in a tuneable mismatch of the bilayer structure and accurately achieving a targeted geometry.