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The use of energy balance and simplified hydrodynamic models for simulating GaAs devices is investigated. The simplified hydrodynamic model predicts velocity spikes that are not present in more detailed Monte Carlo simulation results. These velocity spikes are associated with overestimation of thermal diffusion. The simplified hydrodynamic model can predict terminal currents that are significantly lower than those predicted by the energy balance model. The differences between the models are significantly greater than those observed previously for silicon devices. The main conclusion of this study is that the energy balance model is preferable to the simplified hydrodynamic model as the basis for GaAs device simulation, but the energy balance model still needs refinement to improve the agreement with more general simulation and experimental results.

Self‐consistent electrothermal simulation of modern semiconductor devices is required for the accurate and efficient design and optimization of many semiconductor devices. The need to perform this type analysis in order to predict the behavior of power devices was realized many years ago. It is now clear that nonisothermal analysis can be very important for VLSI devices as well.

A stationary 3D energy‐transport model valid for semiconductor heterostructure devices is derived from a semiclassical Boltznmann equation by the moment method. In addition to the well‐known conservation equations, we obtain original interface conditions, which are essential to have a mathematically well‐posed problem. An appropriate modelling of the physical parameters appearing in the system of equations is proposed for gallium arsenide. The model being written and its particularities mentioned, we present a novel numerical algorithm to solve it. The discretization of the equations is achieved by means of standard and mixed finite element methods. We apply the model and numerical algorithm to simulate a 2D AlGaAs/GaAs MODFET. Comparisons between expenrimental measurements and calculations are carried out. The influence of the modelling of the physical parameters, especially the electron mobility and the energy relaxation time, is noted. The results show the satisfactory behaviour of our model and numerical algorithm when applied to GaAs heterostructure devices.

An energy balance equation model coupled with drift‐diffusion transport equations are solved in heterojunction p‐i‐n diodes with embedded single quantum well to model hot electron effects. A detailed formulation of hot electron transport is presented. In the well, the carrier energy levels are estimated from the analytical expressions applied to a quantum well with finite height. Both bound and free carriers are modeled by Fermi‐Dirac statistics. Both size quantization and the two dimensional density of states in the well are considered. Thermionic emission is applied to the heterojunctions and quantum wells boundary. Energy transfer among the charge carriers and crystal lattice is modeled by an energy relaxation lifetime. Two sets of devices are simulated. First, the simulated kinetic energy and carrier density profiles were compared with published Monte Carlo results on an GaAs n⁺/n/n⁺ diode. Second, the current‐voltage characteristics of an embedded single quantum well AlGaAs/GaAs p‐i‐n structure was compared with measured data. Both comparisons are satisfactory and demonstrate the usefulness of the model for studying quantum well structures.

The automobile industry is widely recognized as a key sector with strong industrial linkages that significantly contribute to economic growth. This chapter focuses on the export of energy vehicles in BRICS countries from 2015 to 2021, evaluating export sophistication using panel data. Given that industrial upgrading is a long-term and dynamic economic process, the study employs a dynamic panel model to analyze the relationship between energy vehicle export sophistication and industrial upgrading. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between the export sophistication of energy vehicles and industrial upgrading in BRICS countries from an economic perspective. Export sophistication emerges as a critical internal factor in advancing the technological structure of export trade. Conversely, external factors such as research and development, foreign direct investment, and GDP growth show comparatively less influence. Therefore, the exportation of energy vehicles presents a valuable opportunity for driving industrial upgrading in BRICS countries.

The BRICS countries’ energy transition deserves attention not only for the domestic characteristics of these economies but also for their positioning on the current geopolitical context, marked by global challenges and conflicts. In this sense, it is essential to understand the role of the New Development Bank (NDB) in financing the transition. Since its foundation, the bank has been characterized by its focus on sustainable development. The first operations to each member carried out in 2016 were directed to clean energy sector. In addition, the institution strategy for 2017–2021 highlighted clean energy as one of the core areas for the NDB, and a new guideline for 2022–2026 shows a target of directing 40% of total approvals to projects that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, including energy transition. Thus, the research aims to assess how the NDB contributes to the energy transition process in the BRICS countries toward a low-carbon economy, based on the projects financed and through institutional strategies analysis. From this, it is possible to assume that the NDB contributes to the BRICS transition process to a low-carbon economy, but with differences between countries. On the one hand, the NDB favors more the transition in the energy sector in China, South Africa, and Brazil; on the other hand, the institution collaborates more with the decarbonization process in India, China, and Russia. Despite this, there are still limitations and challenges that hinder the NDB from becoming one of the main sources of incentives for its member countries to reach the climate targets.

With great relevance of climate change, energy transition, and sustainable development in the global scenario, companies and financial institutions have increased their concern with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects. As a result of which, this agenda has gained more importance, being at the center of the international debate. While there are ESG efforts from BRICS countries' companies and institutions, this agenda needs to be addressed collectively within the group. The BRICS Business Council (BBC) and the New Development Bank (NDB) seem to be positioned as actors that could catalyze these issues in this sphere. The Council brings together companies from the five countries, being an appropriate place for discussions on corporate ESG practices. And the Bank operates with a focus on sustainable infrastructure, demonstrating the importance of ESG aspects for the institution's performance. In this sense, the research objective is to understand: in which ways can BBC and NDB expand and strengthen the ESG agenda within the BRICS grouping, particularly with regard to the activities of BRICS companies and the governance of the group's main financial institution? To this end, a detailed mapping of the aspects involving the ESG agenda in both BRICS initiatives will be carried out in order to identify – in the institutional documents and reports – the role of these two mechanisms in ESG aspects.

The US dollar (USD) has served as a global reserve currency over the past eight decades without contest. Also referred to as the Petrodollar, the US dollar has been perceived as a hegemonic currency that is detrimental to the economic aspirations of the developing world for many years. Recent efforts by developing countries to diversify their currency reserves away from the US dollar have raised serious anxieties in the Global North as much as it has raised hopes about the new dawn for the economies of the Global South away from unfettered US dollar dominance. However, a possible transition from the US dollar as a reserve currency worldwide is far more complex as the emerging economies, especially Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS), have not necessarily embraced a singular stance beyond the general acceptance that the status quo can no longer hold. The potential decline of the US dollar's role in global finance presents a conundrum that deserves dedicated scholarly inquiry. The implications of the de-dollarization for the BRICS nations at this juncture are opportune enough to deserve an academic inquiry. Therefore, this study examines the role of the BRICS banks in the rising power of de-dollarization.

Multilateral development banks (MDBs) have long played an important role in resolving of international challenges, including though research cooperation. They are believed to be less politically engaged than bilateral development assistance programs and therefore better positioned to form the global agenda. The New Development Bank (NDB), in its turn, is an especially important player among MDBs, since it is one of the few institutions with the world's largest economies as its cofounders, but without any of the G7 economies. In 2020, it showed its ability to provide well-timed and effective loans to its members during crises, approving the first NDB Emergency Assistance Program in Combating COVID-19 in March 2020.

In this chapter, we discuss changes to the global sustainable development agenda and the NDB's contribution to sustainable development goals (SDGs) in member countries, potential instruments, and priority sectors in the longer-term and implications for the global financial architecture, given the changing global economic environment. We have looked at the alignment of NDB projects with the SDGs and concluded that the NDB primarily contributes to SDG 6, SDG 7, SDG 8, and SDG 9, with the latter leading the way with its 49 projects. This is consistent with the Bank's mandate, which highlights infrastructure as a primary sector of investment.

Considering a normative conception of democracy based on the values of autonomy and inclusiveness, there are many reasons to argue that a democratic global financial governance (GFG) is necessary. However, from an empirical approach, the democratization of GFG seems to be very hard to implement. Taking that into consideration, we discuss the challenges and the feasibility of a democratic GFG. We argue that both the skeptics' negative response and the positive one based on abstract premises are unsuited. A democratic GFG will only be feasible if its institutional framework has as reference a concept of democracy which is compatible with the complexity of this field, and a flexible design suitable for facing its multilevel democratic deficit. The BRICS, on the one hand, are key actors for GFG reforms. However, on the other hand, we face a very unfavorable political scenario to the thematization of the GFG democratization by the BRICS. The literature on this topic is vast, but there is a lack of comprehensive studies. We seek to fulfill this gap and, in addition to our own theoretical contribution, provide a framework for future specific empirical-normative research.