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During the previous decade, growth in the numbers of internationally mobile students included international high school students. Prior research on international students' career development in higher education may not account for the unique context of younger international students in secondary schools. The current study investigated career influences for international secondary students, using the Systems Theory Framework (Patton & McMahon, 2021). International students in senior years completed written, open-ended surveys and in-person interviews regarding their career aspirations, plans and key influences on their decision-making. International student coordinators and school staff also offered their perspectives about these influences. Results indicate the inter-related systemic influences of individuals, significant relationships, location and country contexts, the secondary school environment, and perceived characteristics of occupations and future career pathways. Implications for supporting international high school students in the school setting and future research directions are discussed.

With the increasing enrollment of international students in North American universities, the need to support the adjustment of international students has also increased. One factor consistently identified as essential to successful student adjustment is having a strong support network, including familial support. Previous research investigating the needs of international students' partners is limited and has suggested that partners may face greater barriers to adjustment than international students. The current study was conducted to better understand the needs of partners as well as potential barriers they face when attempting to access services. Although limited by sample size, the results suggested that partners are interested in increased support in helping their transition to local living and mainstream culture.

Sodium metal batteries have emerged as potential rivals to lithium‐ion batteries. Nevertheless, maintaining a stable sodium metal anode under harsh conditions (current density >10 mA cm−2) is extremely challenging. The primary issue is the highly reactive sodium metal continuously reacts with the electrolyte to form a thick and loose solid electrolyte film. The tip effect causes sodium ions (Na+) accumulated in the bulge resulting in uneven deposition. In this paper, a unique artificial interfacial layer (Ag nanoparticles distributed in NaClO4‐based matrix) is prepared on the surface of a metallic sodium anode using in situ displacement reaction. Ag particles arranged at the bottom of the artificial layer act as effective nucleation sites helping Na+ deposit uniformly, while the built‐in electric field formed between Ag in the middle/top of the artificial layer and the sodium accelerates the migration of Na+ in the interfacial layer during the deposition and reduce the polarization. Such important properties further allow the steady operation of modified sodium metal batteries in very harsh conditions. The symmetric battery achieves reversible stripping/plating for over 1000 h under high current density (10 mA cm−2). Moreover, the full cell coupled with a high‐loading Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode (20 mg cm−2) presents a stable cycle performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the previous decade, growth in the numbers of internationally mobile students included international high school students. Prior research on international students' career development in higher education may not account for the unique context of younger international students in secondary schools. The current study investigated career influences for international secondary students, using the Systems Theory Framework (Patton & McMahon, 2021). International students in senior years completed written, open-ended surveys and in-person interviews regarding their career aspirations, plans and key influences on their decision-making. International student coordinators and school staff also offered their perspectives about these influences. Results indicate the inter-related systemic influences of individuals, significant relationships, location and country contexts, the secondary school environment, and perceived characteristics of occupations and future career pathways. Implications for supporting international high school students in the school setting and future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite gel polymer electrolyte (CGPE), derived from ceramic fillers has emerged as one of the most promising candidates to improve the safety and cycling stability of lithium metal batteries. However, the poor interface compatibility between the ceramic phase and polymer phase in CGPE severely deteriorates lithium‐ion pathways and cell performances. In this work, a fluorescent ceramic nanowire network that can palliate the energy barrier of photoinitiators and contribute to preferential nucleation and growth of polymer monomers is developed, thus inducing polymer segment orderly arrangement and tightly combination. A proof‐of‐concept study lies on fabrications of poly(ethylene oxide) closely coating on the ceramic nanowires, thus dividing the matrix into mesh units that contribute to directional lithium‐ion flux and dendrite‐free deposition on the metallic anode. The CGPE, based on the state‐of‐the‐art self‐luminous framework, facilitates high‐performance quasi‐solid‐state Li||LiFePO4 cell, registering a high capacity of 143.3 mAh g−1 after 120 cycles at a mass loading of 12 mg cm−2. X‐ray computed tomography provides an insight into the relationship between directional lithium‐ion diffusion and lithium deposition behavior over the electrochemical processes. The results open a door to improve the electrochemical performances of composite electrolytes in various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium‐based energy storage devices (PEDS) are considered as hopeful candidates for energy storage applications because of the abundant potassium resources in nature and high mobility in the electrolyte. although carbon materials show great potential for potassium‐ion storage, poor rate performance, and unsatisfactory cycle lifespan in existing carbon‐based PIBs anode, it also cannot match the dynamics and stability of the capacitor cathode. Nitrogen doping has been proven to be a effective modification strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of carbon materials. Hence, we prepare carbon nanofibers and g‐C3N4 composites with high nitrogen contents (19.78 at%); moreover, the sum of pyrrolic N and pyridinic N is up to 59.51%. It achieves high discharge capacity (391 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1), rate capacity (141 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1), and long cycling performance (201 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 over 3000 cycles) when as an anode for PIBs. Furthermore, it can deliver promising discharge capacity of 132 mAh g−1 at 0 °C. Moreover, as battery anode for potassium‐ion hybrid capacitors (PIHC) device with an active carbon cathode, it delivers energy/power density (62 and 2102 W kg−1) as well as high reversible capacity (106 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Due to high energy density, low cost, and nontoxicity, lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are considered as the most promising candidate to satisfy the requirement from the accelerated development of electric vehicles. However, Li–S batteries are subjected to lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) shuttling due to their high dissolution in liquid electrolyte, resulting in low columbic efficiency and poor cycling performance. Moreover, the Li metal as an indispensable anode of Li–S batteries shows serious safety issues derived from the lithium dendrite formation. The replacement of liquid electrolytes with solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) has been recognized as a fundamental approach to effectively address above problems. In this review, the progress on applying various classes of SSEs including gel, solid‐state polymer, ceramic, and composite electrolytes to solve the issues of Li–S batteries is summarized. The specific capacity of Li–S batteries is effectively improved due to the suppression of LiPSs shuttling by SSEs, while the rate and cycling performance remain relatively poor owing to the limited ionic conductivity and high interfacial resistance. Designing smart electrode/electrolyte integrated architectures, enabling the high ionic transportation pathway and compatible electrode/electrolyte interface, may be an effective way to achieve high performance solid‐state Li–S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Lithium–metal fluoride batteries promise significantly higher energy density than the state‐of‐the‐art lithium‐ion batteries and lithium–sulfur batteries. Unfortunately, commercialization of metal fluoride cathodes is prevented by their high resistance, irreversible structural change, and rapid degradation. In this study, a substantial boost in metal fluoride (MF) cathode stability by designing nanostructure with two layers of protective shells—one deposited ex situ and the other in situ is demonstrated. Such methodology achieves over 90% capacity retention after 300 charge–discharge cycles, producing the first report on FeF3 as a cathode material, where a very high capacity utilization in combination with excellent stability is approaching the level needed for practical applications of FeF3. The cathode solid electrolyte interphase (CEI) containing lithium oxalate and BF bond containing anions is found to effectively protect the cathode material from direct contact with electrolytes, thus greatly suppressing the dissolution of Fe. Quantum chemistry and molecular dynamics calculations provide unique insights into the mechanisms of CEI layer formation. As a result, this work not only demonstrates unprecedented performance, but also provides the reader with a better fundamental understanding of electrochemical behavior of MF cathodes and the positive impact observed with the application of a lithium bis(oxalato)borate salt in the electrolyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The development of lithium (Li) metal anodes Li metal batteries faces huge challenges such as uncontrolled Li dendrite growth and large volume change during Li plating/stripping, resulting in severe capacity decay and high safety hazards. A 3D porous copper (Cu) current collector as a host for Li deposition can effectively settle these problems. However, constructing a uniform and compact 3D porous Cu structure is still an enormous challenge. Herein, an electrochemical etching method for Cu–Zinc (Zn) alloy is reported to precisely engrave a 3D Cu structure with uniform, smooth, and compact porous network. Such a continuous structure endows 3D Cu excellent mechanical properties and high electrical conductivity. The uniform and smooth pores with a large internal surface area ensures well dispersed current density for homogeneous Li metal deposition and accommodation. A smooth and stable solid electrolyte interphase is formed and meanwhile Li dendrites and dead Li are effectively suppressed. The Li metal anode conceived 3D Cu current collector can stably cycle for 400 h under an Li plating/stripping capacity of 1 mA h cm−2 and a current density of 1 mA cm−2. The Li@3D Cu||LiFePO4 full cells present excellent cycling and rate performances. The electrochemical dealloying is a robust method to construct 3D Cu current collectors for dendrite‐free Li metal anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 and graphite–SiOx composites have been considered as potential cathode and anode materials for next-generation batteries due to their high specific capacity. It is significant to illustrate the degradation mechanism of NCA/graphite–SiOx power batteries under various conditions for their wide application. In this study, 10 A h NCA/graphite–SiOx power batteries were prepared and their deterioration mechanism at different temperatures (25 °C, 45 °C, and 65 °C) and discharge rates (1C and 3C) was systematically investigated. The results show that the batteries experienced 15.02% and 52.17% capacity loss after 400 cycles at 25 °C and 45 °C at 1C, respectively, and 21.94% after 400 cycles at a discharge rate of 3C. The capacity loss is as high as 79.93% after only 150 cycles at 65 °C and 1C. The long-term cycling behavior of the batteries is strongly affected by temperature, whereas it is negligibly affected by the discharge rate. The reversible lithium loss from the NCA cathode and structure decay of graphite–SiOx are responsible for the capacity loss of the battery. Many lithium alkyl carbonate (Li2CO3 and ROCO2Li), fluorophosphate (LixPOyFz and LixPFy), LiF, and oxygenated species are observed on the surface of graphite–SiOx due to the decomposition of the electrolyte at high temperatures. These species are deposited on the separator and thus block the pores and hinder ion transport; this results in a great increase of battery resistance and sudden loss of battery capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Stable binder network of anode is essential for the enhanced cycling performance of lithium ion battery electrode especially for SnO2 anode, which has a big volume expansion/shrink during cycling. Here, we designed a cross‐linked polymer adhesive networks for SnO2 anode of sodium‐ion battery by utilizing esterification reaction of PAA (Polyacrylic acid) and SS (soluble starch). The cross‐linked adhesive networks can effectively enhance the contact between conductive agent and SnO2 particles, meanwhile serve as a buffer matrix of the expansion of SnO2 during cycling and a protecting layer to reduce the contact of SnO2 anode and electrolyte. As a result, a stable specific capacity of 370 mA h g−1 of the PAA‐SS@SnO2 anode was obtained at a current density of 0.1 A g−1 after 150 cycles, while the specific capacity of PVDF@SnO2 anode is only 200 mA h g−1 after 50 cycles. This cross‐linked adhesive networks present an effective and universal approach for application of pure SnO2 as high performance anode of sodium ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) mesocrystals consist of a large number of subunits possessing distinct characteristics of large surface area, high crystallinity and large density and are considered as promising potential materials for energy storage and conversion, sensing, and photocatalysis. Therefore, it is significant to develop a robust and universal method to synthesize and precisely tune the TiO2 mesocrystals at low temperatures. However, this is still a big challenge and has not been largely achieved. In this context, we develop a robust method of synthesizing TiO2 mesocrystals by a facile hydrolysis and evolution process induced by acetic acid (HAc) solution at 80 °C using TiN as a starting material. The size and crystallinity of the TiO2 mesocrystals can be easily tuned by adjusting the HAc content and reaction time. The HAc governs the transformation of TiO2 from the amorphous state to the anatase phase at a low temperature (80 °C). The average size of the TiO2 mesocrystals can be tuned from ∼100 nm to 20 nm by changing the HAc content. TiO2 mesocrystals with a spindle-like morphology were formed and the tiny anatase TiO2 grains were grown along the same orientation [001] plane, which exhibits excellent electrochemical performance for lithium-ion storage. The specific capacity at 1C is 180 mA h g−1 and the retention is 92.9% after 100 cycles. Thereby, this study presents a universal method of crafting anatase TiO2 mesocrystals at low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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With the increasing enrollment of international students in North American universities, the need to support the adjustment of international students has also increased. One factor consistently identified as essential to successful student adjustment is having a strong support network, including familial support. Previous research investigating the needs of international students' partners is limited and has suggested that partners may face greater barriers to adjustment than international students. The current study was conducted to better understand the needs of partners as well as potential barriers they face when attempting to access services. Although limited by sample size, the results suggested that partners are interested in increased support in helping their transition to local living and mainstream culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ni foam suppported-SnO2 nanorod arrays with controllable diameter were prepared via a template-free growth method, which was a convenient route for the large-scale growth of pure-phase metal oxide nanorod arrays on metal substrates. The relationship between electrochemical behavior and the shape of SnO2 nanorod arrays has been investigated in detail. SnO2 nanorod arrays with diameter of about 25nm, as anode materials for Li-ion batteries revealed a capacity of 607mAh g−1 (at 0.2 C) up to 50 cycles. The superior performance of the SnO2 nanorods can be mainly attributed to small size of nanorods which reduce volume expansion and lithium diffusion length. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In article number 1805301, Yan‐Bing He and co‐workers report a low resistance integrated all‐solid‐state Li metal battery with excellent electrochemical performance. The battery structure applies polyethylene oxide with lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulphonyl)imide as both the binder of the cathode and matrix of the composite electrolyte embedded with Li7La3Zr2O12 nanowires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, we constructed 3D flower-like MoS2 spheres with nanosheets (less than 10nm) by a simple alcohol-assisted solvothermal route. It was found that the presence of alcohol enhanced the dispersity of MoS2 samples, and the distilled water facilitated the formation of nanosheets through varying the volume ratio of alcohol and distilled water. The prepared MoS2 samples delivered high initial discharge capacity (1346mAhg−1 at a current density of 100mAg−1), good coulombic efficiency (77.49% retention for the first cycle and ∼100% for the subsequent cycles), excellent cycling performance (947mAhg−1 at 100mAg−1 after 50 cycles) and remarkable rate behavior as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. The superior behavior of MoS2 samples for lithium ion batteries can be ascribed to the thin nanosheets, high specific surface area and their unique layered structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this work, three-dimensional mesoporous NiO nanostructures have been synthesized by a simple ethylene glycol (EG)-mediated self-assembly route and subsequent calcination process. The synthesized nickel alkoxide precursors annealed at 300 and 500°C exhibit different surface area, crystallinity and pore distribution, which have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. The electrochemical properties of these NiO mesoporous nanostructures are investigated including the cycling and rate performance as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. It is indicated that mesoporous NiO nanospheres synthesized at 500°C exhibit better electrochemical performance than that obtained at 300°C. The NiO nanospheres annealed at 500°C present a reversible specific capacity of 518mAhg−1 at a current density of 0.1Ag−1 after 60 cycles. With varying the rate from 0.1 to 8.0Ag−1, the capacity remains at 535mAhg−1 at 2Ag−1 after 30 cycles and resumes to 582mAhg−1 at 0.1Ag−1 after 60 cycles. The results indicate that our mesoporous NiO nanospheres are promising anode materials for lithium ion batteries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

At present, graphite is a widely used anode material in commercial lithium-ion batteries for its low cost, but the large volume expansion (about 10%) after fully lithiated makes the material prone to cracking and even surface stripping in the cycle. Therefore, the development of zero-strain anode materials (volume change <1%) is of great significance. LiAl 5 O 8 is a zero-strain insertion anode material with a high theoretical specific capacity. However, the Li + storage mechanism remains unclear, and the cycle life as well as fast-charging capability need to be greatly improved to meet the practical requirements. In this study, LiAl 5 O 8 nanorods are prepared by utilizing aluminum ethoxide nanowires as a soft template and doped with the Zr element to further improve the Li + diffusion coefficient and electronic conductivity, which in turn improves cycle and rate performances. The Zr-doped LiAl 5 O 8 presents a high reversible capacity of 227.2 mAh g -1 after 20,000 cycles under 5 A g -1 , which significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art anode materials. In addition, the Li + storage mechanisms of LiAl 5 O 8 and Zr-doped LiAl 5 O 8 are clearly clarified with a variety of characterization techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance. This work greatly promotes the practical process of zero-strain insertion anode materials.

Designing composite structures of active materials is critical for high-performance lithium-ion batteries, as it determines the reversibility of lithium-ion insertion and extraction of the electrodes. The V 2 O 3 anode has a high specific capacity but presents poor cycling stability due to a large volume change. Herein, a novel C@V 2 O 3 -Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 composite with ultrastable cycling stability is constructed. In this composite structure, the interconnected ultrasmall V 2 O 3 and Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 nanoparticles (5-10 nm) construct robust interfaces in the carbon matrix. The Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 nanoparticles with excellent cycling stability and a minor volume change act as fixtures that effectively restrict the volume change of V 2 O 3 nanoparticles and improve the cycling stability of the C@V 2 O 3 -Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 composite. The C@V 2 O 3 -Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 composite maintains no degradation during 500 cycles under a current density of 100 mA g -1 . The results demonstrate that constructing a highly stable interface between the active nanoparticles with smaller and larger volume changes is of great significance to suppress their pulverization and achieve high reversibility. This work contributes to a new strategy to design the structure of long-cycling anode materials for highly stable lithium-ion batteries.