This article presents a convenient method for fabricating hybrid heterojunctions using poly (N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) and a 1-D zinc oxide nanorod (ZnO NR) array for photodetector (PD) development. In this context, PVK and ZnO NRs were employed as electron donor and acceptor, respectively. First, ZnO NRs were hydrothermally synthesized through a two-step procedure at low temperatures on an n-type silicon substrate. Ohmic contacts were integrated by incorporating graphite and eutectic In-Ga (eGaIn) in to the PVK film and Si substrate, respectively. The eGaIn/Si/ZnO NRs/PVK/graphite PD structures’ fundamental electrical parameters were extracted from the I–V response in dark and under illumination conditions. It was found that the device displayed remarkable sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, owing to a responsivity of 35 mA $\cdot $ W $^{-{1}}$ , with notable reproducibility. What is more, the structure demonstrates an open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, and ideality factor of 0.28 V, $237.2~\mu $ A $\cdot $ cm $^{-{2}}$ , and 2.3, respectively. The origin of the ZnO/PVK photoconductive properties is explained using the carrier transport mechanism at the interfaces. Moreover, the photoelectrical parameters of the PVK/ZnO NR structure were precisely evaluated through a combined physical-mathematical–numerical approach to unravel the physical mechanisms governing the operation of such PDs. The results of this research reveal promising avenues for flexible and highly sensitive PDs, opening wide potential applications in advanced communication systems, and/or environmental monitoring.

With the rapid and exponential expansion of the lithium-ion battery (LIB) market, a new regulatory framework has been introduced, centered on the implementation of a Battery Passport (BP) to enhance transparency, traceability, and sustainability across the battery value chain. This review aims to provide the context in which the BP is being implemented by discussing the reliance of LIBs on critical raw materials (CRMs), as well as the related economic and regulatory aspects of the BP system. Furthermore, it examines ongoing BP initiatives and pilot projects and discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with this tool, highlighting its central role in enabling a circular LIB economy in Europe. A critical analysis from a research-oriented perspective is also provided.

This work proposes a combined mathematical-numerical approach based on modeling, simulation, and optimization procedures to numerically evaluate the photoelectrical performances of innovative nanomaterials based UV-photodetectors (PDs). The improved platform is based on the Lambert W function combined with the enhanced Nelder–Mead (NM) algorithm and the root mean squares error (RMSE) function. The novelty of the proposed platform lies primary in the improvement of the classical principles of the NM algorithm search direction: 1) optimization of the initial guess choice by integrating two different choice strategies; 2) incorporating of complementary conditions to prevent obtaining unacceptable negative values of resistances; and 3) this combination reflects the simplicity and the efficiency of the technique more specifically, for complex and multidimensional problems. It is also relevant for incomplete and undefined curves but requires in return a good choice of initial parameters. The proposed algorithm was applied for several zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) based hybrid structures such as Poly(3, 4ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS/ZnO NRs) and Poly(1,4-phenylenevinylene) (PPV-C $_{\text{6}}$ ) derivative (PPV-C $_{\text{6}}$ /ZnO NRs) based devices. More importantly, high accuracy ( $\text{RMSE}~\sim~\text{10}^{-\text{6}}$ ) in terms of extracted electrical parameters was obtained thanks to the proposed improvements at the numerical level of the platform, which translates a better fitting quality between the theoretical and experimental $\textit{I}$ – $\textit{V}$ curves in both operating range (forward and reverse bias). Therefore, the algorithm seems to be quite promising for providing accurate simulations of PDs characteristics.

Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs), for their high energy density, are considered key drivers in the transition of our society toward a sustainable energy future. In parallel with the exponential growth of the LIB market, a new regulatory framework that involves the implementation of a Battery Passport (BP) has been launched. This review aims to provide the context in which the BP is being implemented by discussing the reliance of LIBs on critical raw materials, as well as the related economic and regulatory aspects of the BP system. The BP is presented as a strategic tool for data tracking and transparency and for promoting sustainability across the LIB supply chain. We present ongoing BP initiatives and pilot projects and discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with this tool, which plays an important role in enabling a circular LIB economy in Europe.