ACbot: An IIoT platform for industrial robots

Higher Education Press

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Implementation architecture of ACbot

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Credit: Rui WANG, Xudong MOU, Tianyu WO, Mingyang ZHANG, Yuxin LIU, Tiejun WANG, Pin LIU, Jihong YAN, Xudong LIU

Operation and Maintenance (O&M) has always been the focus of Industrial Robots (IRs) research. Currently, Complex, large-scale, and multi-party industrial robot O&M pose the following challenges. On the one hand, traditional O&M methods have to be broken through to reduce downtime, improve process quality, and lower labor costs. For example, preventive maintenance may be unnecessary and costly, process optimization based on the Six Sigma strategy may be inaccurate, and knowledge sharing through documentation and expert experience is inefficient. On the other hand, parties related to IRs including manufacturers, users, and research institutions all hope to establish a multiple-tenant mechanism to strengthen collaboration while ensuring data isolation, thus achieving economies of scale.

To solve the problems, a research team led by Xudong LIU published their new research on 15 Apr 2025 in Frontiers of Computer Science co-published by Higher Education Press and Springer Nature.

The team proposed ACbot, the first IIoT platform for IR with a multitenancy-oriented information model and a three-tier cloud-edge-device architecture. Then, they realized a cloud-edge collaboration mechanism implemented by a containerized solution, microservices service, and orchestration engine. Above the architecture, they developed real-time monitoring, health management, production process optimization, and a knowledge graph as four intelligent applications for IR. Finally, the ACbot platform was applied in real-world scenarios for validation. It accessed 10 companies and academic institutions, managed 60 IRs, collected about 100 billion time series points from devices, and provided the abovementioned services for them.

Currently, the largest IR customers are automotive manufacturers with more than 1,000 IRs in a single plant, but they have doubts about accessing the ACbot platform because of issues such as vendor lock-in and data security concerns. In the future, new cooperation mechanisms and standardized architectures need to be explored with manufacturing companies and vendors to facilitate IIoT platforms to access a large number of industrial devices and deploy more intelligent applications.

DOI: 10.1007/s11704-024-3449-x

ACbot application results.

Credit

Rui WANG, Xudong MOU, Tianyu WO, Mingyang ZHANG, Yuxin LIU, Tiejun WANG, Pin LIU, Jihong YAN, Xudong LIU

Journal

Frontiers of Computer Science

DOI

10.1007/s11704-024-3449-x 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

ACbot: An IIoT Platform for Industrial Robots

Designing the future of clean energy: 

Janus heterobilayers lead the way

Rational Design 2D Heterobilayers Transition-Metal Dichalcogenide and Their Janus for Efficient Water Splitting

Tohoku University

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Designing 2D Janus heterobilayers for efficient water splitting. The unique Janus structure with an internal electric field enhances photocatalytic performance. The blue arrow indicates that the optimized conditions for water splitting (e.g., carrier mobility, catalyst surface, etc.) can be achieved by rationally designing 2D heterobilayers like LEGO bricks. 

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Credit: ©Nguyen Tuan Hung et al.

What if there was an efficient method to produce a viable, environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels using the power of sunlight? A significant discovery by researchers at Tohoku University and the University of Science, Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) could bring us one step closer. The team identified critical factors in two-dimensional (2D) Janus heterobilayers for green energy conversion. Among the investigated materials, a WS₂-SMoSe heterobilayer stood out, with an impressive solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 16.62%, surpassing many existing materials, most of which have efficiencies below 15%.

Photocatalytic water splitting harnesses sunlight to break down water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This clean hydrogen fuel can power vehicles and homes, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to combat global warming. However, traditional materials face substantial challenges in photocatalysis, including low efficiency and rapid electron-hole recombination. This innovation addresses those issues head-on, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

A team led by Nguyen Tuan Hung, an assistant professor at the Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (FRIS) at Tohoku University, and Vu Thi Hanh Thu, an associate professor at VNU-HCM, has been exploring exciting combinations of Janus and transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) materials.

They examined 20 different pairings and confirmed that Janus heterobilayers are promising candidates for water splitting. Unlike traditional 2D materials, these unique Janus TMDCs feature different chalcogenide elements on each side, which creates intrinsic dipoles and strong internal electric fields. These natural electric fields enhance the separation of electric charges generated by sunlight, resulting in a significant boost in the photocatalytic performance of these materials. By uncovering the principles of atomic arrangement, we can provide definitive guidance for selecting optimal materials for photocatalytic solar conversion.

"Combining TMDCs with Janus layers is akin to building with LEGO - there are almost countless configurations to try. Our methodology allows us to efficiently and precisely identify the most promising material combinations for water splitting, dramatically speeding up the discovery process," asserted first author Nguyen Tran Gia Bao (VNU-HCM).

"Our findings offer a fresh perspective on sustainable hydrogen production, supporting both environmental protection and energy independence," stated Nguyen Tuan Hung. "The team is committed to exploring further combinations of materials in future research to discover the most sustainable option out there."

Lead author Nguyen and his colleagues published their findings on April 10, 2025 in ACS Applied Energy Materials.

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Journal

ACS Applied Energy Materials

DOI

10.1021/acsaem.5c00175 

 

Can the pyrolysis of lignocellulose unlock efficient production of biochar?

Higher Education Press

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Graphical Abstract

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Credit: Nguyen Xuan LOC , Do Thi My PHUONG

Biochar is a carbon-containing material formed by the pyrolysis of biomass under anoxic conditions. It features a well-developed pore structure and excellent adsorption performance, and holds significant value in aspects such as soil remediation, carbon sequestration, and environmental restoration. According to statistics, if 0.4% of biochar is added to the global agricultural soil every year, it can sequester an amount of carbon equivalent to 12 billion tons of carbon dioxide. However, the current high production cost of biochar restricts its large-scale application. Among them, although lignocellulosic biomass (such as straw and forestry waste) has a wide range of sources, the traditional pyrolysis process has problems such as uncontrollable product distribution and low energy conversion efficiency. So, can the efficient preparation of biochar be achieved by systematically optimizing the parameters of the pyrolysis process?

Nguyen Xuan Loc and Do Thi My Phuong from Can Tho University in Vietnam have conducted an in-depth discussion on this issue, and the relevant research has been published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2024597).

The pyrolysis technologies of lignocellulose include traditional methods and emerging methods. The traditional slow, fast, and flash pyrolysis each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Slow pyrolysis has a slow heating rate and takes a long time, but it can produce biochar with high yield and good quality. Fast and flash pyrolysis focus more on the production of bio-oil. In contrast, emerging technologies have obvious advantages. Microwave-assisted pyrolysis can utilize the rapid heating characteristics of microwaves to greatly improve the reaction efficiency; co-pyrolysis can exert a synergistic effect by mixing multiple raw materials to optimize product performance; hydrothermal carbonization can be carried out at a relatively low temperature, especially suitable for high-moisture biomass, which greatly expands the applicable range of raw materials; auto-pyrolysis can use the heat generated by its own reaction to significantly reduce energy consumption, achieving efficient utilization of energy. These new technologies provide more possibilities for optimizing the pyrolysis process.

Pyrolysis conditions and biochar modification technologies play a crucial role in shaping the properties of biochar. The pyrolysis temperature has a significant impact on the properties of biochar. Increasing the temperature can increase the fixed carbon content, enhance the aromaticity, and expand the surface area, but the yield will decrease accordingly. At the same time, changes in the residence time and heating rate will also change the characteristics of biochar. By optimizing the pyrolysis parameters and precisely controlling these factors, the yield and quality of biochar can be balanced. In addition, chemical and physical modification technologies can effectively improve the surface properties of biochar, enhance its effects in specific applications such as soil remediation and environmental purification, and expand the application range of biochar.

In conclusion, it is expected to achieve the efficient production of biochar by optimizing pyrolysis parameters and applying modification technologies.

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Journal

Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering

DOI

10.15302/J-FASE-2024597 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Optimizing biochar production: a review of recent progress in lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis

 

Can BNCs achieve both water purification and energy production simultaneously?

Biochar-based nanocomposites from waste biomass: a sustainable approach for wastewater treatment and renewable bioenergy

Higher Education Press

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Graphical Abstract

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Credit: Gasim HAYDER, Rosli Muhammad NAIM

As global population growth and urbanization accelerate, challenges such as waste management, agricultural pollution, and climate change have become increasingly severe. Traditional wastewater treatment technologies struggle to address emerging contaminants like heavy metals and pharmaceutical residues, while conventional industrial and agricultural practices exacerbate soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. There is an urgent need for sustainable technologies that can enhance agricultural productivity while simultaneously addressing pollution control, carbon sequestration, and waste valorization. Can a novel material fulfill the dual demands of efficient wastewater purification and renewable energy generation?

In an article has published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2024592), Gasim Hayder, Associate Professor at the University of Nizwa in Oman, and Dr. Rosli Muhammad Naim from the National Energy University of Malaysia propose that biochar-based nanocomposites (BNCs)—created by integrating nanotechnology with biomass pyrolysis—offer an innovative solution to this challenge.

BNCs are synthesized from waste biomass such as rice husks, straw, and livestock manure. The raw materials undergo pyrolysis at 350–800 °C under oxygen-limited conditions to produce biochar, which is then loaded with nanomaterials through metal salt impregnation or plasma treatment. Research demonstrates the material’s exceptional performance in wastewater treatment: surface hydroxyl and carboxyl groups adsorb lead and cadmium via complexation, achieving removal rates of 98.6% and 99.2%, respectively; nano-pores capture dyes and antibiotics through π–π interactions; TiO2-modified BNCs catalyze the degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants under UV light.

For renewable energy generation, pyrolysis byproducts like syngas can directly generate electricity or synthesize biofuels, with biochar boasting a calorific value of 25–30 MJ/kg. BNCs’ high conductivity and porous structure make them suitable for supercapacitor electrodes and microbial fuel cells, enabling simultaneous wastewater treatment and power generation. Economically, BNCs cost approximately $150 per ton—only 15%–30% of commercial activated carbon—and each ton of converted waste biomass sequesters 0.8 tons of CO2. After 5–8 reuse cycles, BNCs retain 80% adsorption capacity, directly supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 6 (clean water), SDG 7 (clean energy), and SDG 13 (climate action).

With technological advancements and policy support, BNCs are poised to become mainstream in wastewater treatment and renewable energy sectors within five years, driving the global transition to a circular economy—transforming environmental crises into resource opportunities.

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Journal

Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering

DOI

10.15302/J-FASE-2024592 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Biochar-based nanocomposites from waste biomass: a sustainable approach for wastewater treatment and renewable bioenergy

 

Making real-time data processing possible anywhere on Earth

Singapore University of Technology and Design

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The scenario of real-time edge computing and transmission application in satellite networks (SNs). The blue satellites serve as communication satellite for data relay, while the yellow ones are computing satellites which have available computing resources for data processing. The circled computing satellites represent selected nodes engaged in data processing for ground applications. The ground terminals (GTs) are sensor nodes, vehicle terminals, or other mobile devices with satellite access but limited computing capability.

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Credit: SUTD

In recent years, the expansion of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations has made satellite communications cool again. From providing internet access in remote regions to enabling near-instant data delivery across oceans, these networks are set to play an even greater role in the years ahead. However, as constellations such as SpaceX’s Starlink grow to tens of thousands of satellites, they are evolving beyond their original role as passive relays. Increasingly, satellites are being equipped with onboard computing hardware, capable of processing and analysing data directly in orbit.

This unlocks transformative capabilities, such as real-time environmental monitoring, object tracking and smart agriculture. But it also introduces a major challenge: how to efficiently schedule and manage computing and communication resources across a vast and constantly shifting network. Traditional methods, typically designed for small-scale systems or delay-tolerant tasks, struggle to keep pace with the dynamism and immediacy now required.

“LEO satellite networks move at high speeds and experience constant changes in connectivity,” explained Dr Xiong Zehui, Assistant Professor at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). “Scheduling strategies must not only deal with these changes in real time but also jointly balance computing and communication resources. It’s a far more complex problem than traditional satellite management.”

In their research paper “Enabling real-time computing and transmission services in large-scale LEO satellite networks”, Assistant Prof Xiong and his team developed two graph-based algorithms that dramatically improve the ability to deliver real-time computing services in space. Built on a temporal graph model that captures the ever-changing nature of satellite networks, the two methods offer complementary approaches for scheduling tasks.

The first, known as the k-shortest path-based (KSP) method, prioritises communication. It quickly searches for loop-free paths that meet data transmission needs and then verifies if sufficient computing resources are available along these routes. The second, called the computing-aware shortest path (CASP) method, takes a different approach. It first identifies satellites with the required computing resources, then finds the most efficient communication paths to and from them—even allowing for non-simple routes when needed.

“Both methods are designed to be practical and adaptable to real-world satellite constellations,” added Assistant Prof Xiong. “KSP tends to excel when computing resources are abundant but communication links are tight. Meanwhile, CASP is best used when onboard computing resources are scarce. Satellite operators are free to choose between them depending on their network conditions.”

Extensive simulations based on the Starlink network, the world’s largest operating satellite system, showed that the algorithms can support real-time applications even in highly dynamic and resource-constrained environments. By optimising how satellites share and allocate their resources, the team’s methods help reduce end-to-end delays, improve network resilience and maximise the number of real-time tasks the network can handle.

Excitingly, the team’s research could make a range of critical applications more accessible, whether it is faster disaster monitoring or real-time global logistics tracking.

“Many emerging services, such as remote sensing or smart farming, require satellites to collect data, process it and deliver actionable information within seconds,” said Assistant Prof Xiong. “The services are pretty demanding, but our methods can help turn that vision into reality, which could in turn benefit industries, governments and communities around the world.”

Looking ahead, the team is working on extending their algorithms to support collaborative multi-satellite computing and exploring the use of machine learning to give resource management a further boost. They are also looking forward to contributing to emerging standards in satellite communications for future 6G networks.

As communities all over the world strive for better connectivity, satellite networks will be critical in bridging the digital divide.

“More than 70% of the Earth’s surface still lacks reliable terrestrial network coverage,” Assistant Prof Xiong added. “Satellite networks, if properly managed, can fill that gap, enabling communication with anyone, anywhere, at any time. Our goal is to help build the technologies that will make this global vision possible.”

 

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Journal

IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology

DOI

10.1109/TVT.2025.3550806 

 

Scientists identify synthetic chemicals in food as a major blind spot in public health

Food Packaging Forum Foundation

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All migrating food contact chemicals are relevant for human exposure as they are likely to be ingested with food and beverages. Sources are packaging but also (industrial) processing equipment, tableware and kitchenware and storage containers.

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Credit: Food Packaging Forum Foundation

Scientists highlight the evidence of increasing public health impacts from exposure to synthetic chemicals in food. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Medicine, the article discusses the types and sources of synthetic food contaminants focusing on food contact chemicals from food packaging and food processing, and their increased presence in ultra-processed foods. Considering a wide range of scientific studies and regulatory initiatives, the article provides an overarching look at the issue, outlines future research needs, and shares existing options and novel approaches to aid the sustainable transition to a safer food system.

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Key points made in the publication: 

• Food contact chemicals (FCCs) and (over-)consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are an overlooked contributor to public health concerns, despite links to various non-communicable diseases like cancers, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, brain-related and immune system relevant diseases, and reproductive disorders. 

• Contamination by FCCs occurs through four key routes: transportation, food processing, packaging, and food preparation, allowing harmful substances like bisphenols, phthalates, and PFAS to migrate into foods. 

• The rise in consumption of ultra-processed foods - often containing or in contact with synthetic chemicals - further increases health risks. 

• Future research priorities include better identification of hazardous chemicals, development of safer food contact materials, and redesigning food systems for safety and sustainability. 

• Policies should focus on reforming chemical regulations, incentivizing safe packaging, reducing packaging waste, and curbing UPF consumption. 

“The evidence is becoming more and more clear that today’s packaged ultra-processed foods are convenient and hyperpalatable, but they contain many synthetic chemicals and microplastics from various sources,” explains Jane Muncke, lead author of the new publication.  

“We see that the health impacts of this type of food contamination are currently under-appreciated and under-studied. The scientific evidence shows a need for adopting a holistic approach to policymaking, that integrates considerations of planetary and human health, including hazardous FCCs and their impacts on health. All food packaging, processing equipment, and other food contact materials need to be adequately tested for their safety with regard to migrating food contact chemicals and microplastics using modern testing methods. New approaches to test for microplastics migration also need to be developed,” she says.

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Journal

Nature Medicine

DOI

10.1038/s41591-025-03697-5 

Method of Research

Literature review

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Health impacts of exposure to synthetic chemicals in food

Article Publication Date

16-May-2025