Ensuring access to quality education and career training is a crucial challenge, especially in developing nations. Vocational, scientific, technological, and engineering education are essential for active participation in any community and play a significant role in shaping life perspectives. The ability to sustain competitiveness depends on receiving high-quality vocational, scientific, technological, or engineering education and professional growth. These factors are vital for the long-term growth of prosperous economies and nation-building. Hence, this perspective review attempts to provide information on some contemporary pedagogies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) vis-à-vis scientific and engineering education in Nigeria. The study zooms into the challenges and possible solutions that will promote and enhance pedagogies in scientific and engineering education in Nigeria. The study adopted a perspective review approach in overviewing prior accessible studies (literatures) as well as a methodological framework. It is believed that this perspective review study will serve as a way forward for other developing nations.
The rapid growth of portable electronics and electric vehicles has intensified the global demand for high-performance energy storage devices with superior power density, energy density, and long cycle life. Among transition metal oxide-based electrode materials with potential for energy storage, we report the development of MnO2–V2O5 nanocomposite electrodes for supercapacitor applications. Pure MnO2 and V2O5 were successfully fabricated via a simple and economical sol–gel method, while (MnO2)x–(V2O5)1−x (x = 1, 0.75, 0.50, and 0) nanocomposites were fabricated through an ex situ method. Analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV-visible spectroscopy, were employed to investigate the structural, morphological, and optical properties of the electrodes. Furthermore, the electrochemical properties were systematically analysed using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The (MnO2)0.75–(V2O5)0.25 nanocomposite demonstrated a remarkable specific capacitance of 666 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g in 1 M KOH electrolyte. Additionally, the electrode material exhibited an energy density of 23 Wh/kg and a power density of 450 W/kg, while maintaining a capacitance retention of 95% after 1,500 cycles. The incorporation of V2O5 boosted the conductivity and significantly optimised the number of lattice defects. This work substantially reinforces the importance of metal oxide-based nanocomposites for future energy storage devices.
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