Remote sensing technologies have revolutionized forestry analysis by providing valuable information about forest ecosystems on a large scale. This review article explores the latest advancements in remote sensing tools that leverage optical, thermal, RADAR, and LiDAR data, along with state-of-the-art methods of data processing and analysis. We investigate how these tools, combined with artificial intelligence (AI) techniques and cloud-computing facilities, enhance the analytical outreach and offer new insights in the fields of remote sensing and forestry disciplines. The article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these advancements, discuss their potential applications, and highlight the challenges and future directions. Through this examination, we demonstrate the immense potential of integrating remote sensing and AI to revolutionize forest management and conservation practices.

A salinity gradient solar pond (SGSP) is a large and deep artificial basin of layered brine, that collects and stores simultaneous solar energy for use in various applications. Experimental and theoretical studies have been launched to understand the thermal behavior of SGSPs, under different operating conditions. This article then traces the history of SGSPs, from their natural discovery to their current artificial applications and the progress of studies and research, according to their chronological sequence, in terms of determining their physical and dynamic aspects, their operation, management, and maintenance. It has extensively covered the theoretical and experimental studies, as well as the direct and laboratory applications of this technology, especially the most famous and influential in this field, classified according to the aspect covered by the study, with a comparison between the different results obtained. In addition, it highlighted the latest methods to improve the performance of an SGSP and facilitate its operation, such as the use of a magnetic field and the adoption of remote data acquisition, with the aim of expanding research and enhancing the benefit of this technology.

In order to understand the finishing effect of Waterborne Acrylic Paint under different painting methods and amount, bamboo-laminated lumber for furniture was coated with waterborne acrylic paint, then the effects of different painting methods and amount on the drying rate, smoothness, hardness, adhesion and wear resistance of the paint film were investigated. Further, the mechanism of film formation was described by thermal property analysis using thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimeter. The results show that different painting methods have little effect on film properties, the drying time of primer and topcoat are not affected by them, which is 8/8.5 min for primer surface/solid and 6.5/7 min for topcoats. The film surface hardness and adhesion can reach B and 0 grade, the best wear resistance of the film is 51.24 mg·100 r⁻¹ when using one-layer primer one-layer topcoat. Different coating amount has great influence on film properties, the drying speed of the film increases with the increase of the painting amount. The film properties reach the best when the painting amount is 80 g/m², while too little painting amount leads to the decrease of hardness, and too much leads to the wear resistance weaken. Thermal analysis of the primer and topcoat show that water decomposition occurs at 100 ℃ and thermal decomposition of organic components occur at 350 ℃. Topcoats have better thermal stability than primers higher than that of topcoat, the topcoat displayed better thermal stability than the primer.

Conversion of the ocean’s vertical thermal energy gradient to electricity via OTEC has been demonstrated at small scales over the past century. It represents one of the planet’s most significant (and growing) potential energy sources. As described here, all living organisms need to derive energy from their environment, which heretofore has been given scant serious consideration. A 7th Law of Thermodynamics would complete the suite of thermodynamic laws, unifying them into a universal solution for climate change. 90% of the warming heat going into the oceans is a reasonably recoverable reserve accessible with existing technology and existing economic circumstances. The stratified heat of the ocean’s tropical surface invites work production in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics with minimal environmental disruption. TG is the OTEC improvement that allows for producing two and a half times more energy. It is an endothermic energy reserve that obtains energy from the environment, thereby negating the production of waste heat. This likewise reduces the cost of energy and everything that relies on its consumption. The oceans have a wealth of dissolved minerals and metals that can be sourced for a renewable energy transition and for energy carriers that can deliver ocean-derived power to the land. At scale, 31,000 one-gigawatt (1-GW) TG plants are estimated to displace about 0.9 W/m² of average global surface heat into deep water, from where, at a depth of 1000 m, unconverted heat diffuses back to the surface and is available for recycling.