Polyurethane is a multipurpose polymer with valuable mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability, and countless other physical features. Polyurethanes can be processed as foam, elastomer, or fibers. This innovative overview is designed to uncover the present state and opportunities in the field of polyurethanes and their nanocomposite sponges. Special emphasis has been given to fundamentals of polyurethanes and foam materials, related nanocomposite categories, and associated properties and applications. According to literature so far, adding carbon nanoparticles such as graphene and carbon nanotube influenced cell structure, overall microstructure, electrical/thermal conductivity, mechanical/heat stability, of the resulting polyurethane nanocomposite foams. Such progressions enabled high tech applications in the fields such as electromagnetic interference shielding, shape memory, and biomedical materials, underscoring the need of integrating these macromolecular sponges on industrial level environmentally friendly designs. Future research must be intended to resolve key challenges related to manufacturing and applicability of polyurethane nanocomposite foams. In particular, material design optimization, invention of low price processing methods, appropriate choice of nanofiller type/contents, understanding and control of interfacial and structure-property interplay must be determined.  

Static atomic charges affect key ground-state parameters of boron quasi-planar clusters Bn, n ≤ 20, which serve as building blocks of borophenes and other two-dimensional boron-based materials promising for various advanced applications. Assuming that the outer valence shells partial electron density of the constituent B atoms are shared between them proportionally to their coordination numbers, the static atomic charges in small boron planar clusters in the electrically neutral and positively and negatively singly charged states are estimated to be in the ranges of –0.750e (B70) to +0.535e (B200), –0.500e (B7+, B8+, and B9+) to +0.556e (B17+), and –1.000e (B7–) to +0.512e (B20–), respectively.

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.

The effects of aid dependency on preventing the achievement of sustainable development in Africa has not been given appropriate academic attention. Aid dependency in Africa is undoubtedly among the most factors that have promoted poverty and underdevelopment. Aid dependency which hindered the growth of local innovation, promoted divisions that has affected good governance for sustainable development. Aid dependency has promoted chronic poverty, mental laziness and unstable health and well-being. It has ignited unhealthy condition that has created a perpetual vicious cycle of poverty that prevents the achievement of sustainable development. The study found that planning diplomacy can serve as a solution to aid diplomacy and address its effects thus promoting the achievement of sustainable development. Planning diplomacy was found to have critical links with Africa’s communalism theory, thus making it an ideal approach to addressing the effects of aid dependency in Africa. Planning diplomacy was found to promote local and business in collective manner. It is through this collective approach that sustainable development can be achieved in Africa. Planning diplomacy was found a key for sustainable development because it makes good use of foreign aids, promotes local ownership thus strengthens sustainable economic growth and development that makes sustainable development achievable. Planning diplomacy was equally found a remedy to aid dependency because it enhances knowledge and skills transfer. Knowledge and skills transfer promotes sustainable development because it facilitates sharing of skills that brings innovation and technologies to local citizens in a collective manner. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology with the use of secondary data collected from existing literature published in the public domain. Collected data was analysed and interpreted through document analysis technique.