Impact of Glyme Ether Chain Length on the Interphasial Stability of Lithium-Electrode in High-Capacity Lithium-Metal Battery.

The realization of lithium-metal (Li) batteries faces challenges due to dendritic Li deposition causing internal short-circuit and low Coulombic efficiency. In this regard, the Li-deposition stability largely depends on the electrolyte, which reacts with Li to form a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) with diverse physico-chemical properties, and dictates the interphasial kinetics. Therefore, optimizing the electrolyte for stability and performance remains pivotal.

Data-mining unveils structure-property-activity correlation of viral infectivity enhancing self-assembling peptides.

Gene therapy via retroviral vectors holds great promise for treating a variety of serious diseases. It requires the use of additives to boost infectivity. Amyloid-like peptide nanofibers (PNFs) were shown to efficiently enhance retroviral gene transfer.

Inverse design of viral infectivity-enhancing peptide fibrils from continuous protein-vector embeddings.

Amyloid-like nanofibers from self-assembling peptides can promote viral gene transfer for therapeutic applications. Traditionally, new sequences are discovered either from screening large libraries or by creating derivatives of known active peptides. However, the discovery of peptides, which are sequence-wise not related to any known active peptides, is limited by the difficulty to rationally predict structure-activity relationships because their activities typically have multi-scale and multi-parameter dependencies.

Identification of potential selective autophagy receptors from protein-content profiling of autophagosomes.

Selective autophagy receptors (SARs) are central to cellular homeostatic and organellar recycling pathways. Over the last two decades, more than 30 SARs have been discovered and validated using a variety of experimental approaches ranging from cell biology to biochemistry, including high-throughput imaging and screening methods. Yet, the extent of selective autophagy pathways operating under various cellular contexts, for example, under basal and starvation conditions, remains unresolved.

Deciphering the Dynamic Processes at the Electrode-Electrolyte Interface for Stable Deposition of Lithium.

Realization of lithium-metal (Li) batteries is plagued by the dendritic deposition of Li leading to internal short-circuit and low Coulombic efficiency. The Li-deposition process largely depends on the liquid electrolyte that reacts with the Li metal and forms a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer with diverse chemical and physical properties. Moreover, the electrolyte possesses characteristic ion transport behaviors and directly affects the deposition kinetics at the electrode surface.

Data-driven equation for drug-membrane permeability across drugs and membranes.

Drug efficacy depends on its capacity to permeate across the cell membrane. We consider the prediction of passive drug-membrane permeability coefficients. Beyond the widely recognized correlation with hydrophobicity, we additionally consider the functional relationship between passive permeation and acidity.

Quantitative Delineation of the Low Energy Decomposition Pathway for Lithium Peroxide in Lithium-Oxygen Battery.

Identification of a low-potential decomposition pathway for lithium peroxide (LiO) in nonaqueous lithium-oxygen (Li-O) battery is urgently needed to ameliorate its poor energy efficiency. In this study, experimental data and theoretical calculations demonstrate that the recharge overpotential ( ) of Li-O battery is fundamentally dependent on the LiO crystallization pathway which is intrinsically related to the microscopic structural properties of the growing crystals during discharge. The LiO grown by concurrent surface reduction and chemical disproportionation seems to form two discrete phases that have been deconvoluted and the amount of LiO deposited by these two routes is quantitatively estimated.

Inserting Small Molecules across Membrane Mixtures: Insight from the Potential of Mean Force.

Small solutes have been shown to alter the lateral organization of cell membranes and reconstituted phospholipid bilayers; however, the mechanisms by which these changes happen are still largely unknown. Traditionally, both experiment and simulation studies have been restricted to testing only a few compounds at a time, failing to identify general molecular descriptors or chemical properties that would allow extrapolating beyond the subset of considered solutes. In this work, we probe the competing energetics of inserting a solute in different membrane environments by means of the potential of mean force.

Dendrite-Free Epitaxial Growth of Lithium Metal during Charging in Li-O Batteries.

Lithium (Li) dendrite formation is one of the major hurdles limiting the development of Li-metal batteries, including Li-O batteries. Herein, we report the first observation of the dendrite-free epitaxial growth of a Li metal up to 10-μm thick during charging (plating) in the LiBr-LiNO dual anion electrolyte under O atmosphere. This phenomenon is due to the formation of an ultrathin and homogeneous Li O-rich solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer in the preceding discharge (stripping) process, where the corrosive nature of Br seems to give rise to remove the original incompact passivation layer and NO oxidizes (passivates) the freshly formed Li surface to prevent further reactions with the electrolyte.

Stationary mass distribution and nonlocality in models of coalescence and shattering.

We study the asymptotic properties of the steady state mass distribution for a class of collision kernels in an aggregation-shattering model in the limit of small shattering probabilities. It is shown that the exponents characterizing the large and small mass asymptotic behavior of the mass distribution depend on whether the collision kernel is local (the aggregation mass flux is essentially generated by collisions between particles of similar masses) or nonlocal (collision between particles of widely different masses give the main contribution to the mass flux). We show that the nonlocal regime is further divided into two subregimes corresponding to weak and strong nonlocality.

Nanostructuring one-dimensional and amorphous lithium peroxide for high round-trip efficiency in lithium-oxygen batteries.

The major challenge facing lithium-oxygen batteries is the insulating and bulk lithium peroxide discharge product, which causes sluggish decomposition and increasing overpotential during recharge. Here, we demonstrate an improved round-trip efficiency of ~80% by means of a mesoporous carbon electrode, which directs the growth of one-dimensional and amorphous lithium peroxide. Morphologically, the one-dimensional nanostructures with small volume and high surface show improved charge transport and promote delithiation (lithium ion dissolution) during recharge and thus plays a critical role in the facile decomposition of lithium peroxide.

A structured three-dimensional polymer electrolyte with enlarged active reaction zone for Li-O2 batteries.

The application of conventional solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) to lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries has suffered from a limited active reaction zone due to thick SPE and subsequent lack of O2 gas diffusion route in the positive electrode. Here we present a new design for a three-dimensional (3-D) SPE structure, incorporating a carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode, adapted for a gas-based energy storage system. The void spaces in the porous CNT/SPE film allow an increased depth of diffusion of O2 gas, providing an enlarged active reaction zone where Li(+) ions, O2 gas, and electrons can interact.

Synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurural from carbohydrates using large-pore mesoporous tin phosphate.

A large-pore mesoporous tin phosphate (LPSnP-1) material has been synthesized hydrothermally by using Pluronic P123 as the structure-directing agent. The material is composed of aggregated nanoparticles of 10-15 nm in diameter and has a BET surface area of 216 m(2)  g(-1) with an average pore diameter of 10.4 nm.

Structurally stabilized organosilane-templated thermostable mesoporous titania.

Structurally thermostable mesoporous anatase TiO2 (m-TiO2) nanoparticles, uniquely decorated with atomically dispersed SiO2, is reported for the first time. The inorganic Si portion of the novel organosilane template, used as a mesopores-directing agent, is found to be incorporated in the pore walls of the titania aggregates, mainly as isolated sites. This is evident by transmission electron microscopy and high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy, combined with electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Mesoporous core–shell Fenton nanocatalyst: a mild, operationally simple approach to the synthesis of adipic acid.

Mesoporous nanoparticles composed of γ-Al2O3 cores and α-Fe2O3 shells were synthesized in aqueous medium. The surface charge of γ-Al2O3 helps to form the core–shell nanocrystals. The core–shell structure and formation mechanism have been investigated by wide-angle XRD, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and elemental mapping by ultrahigh-resolution (UHR) TEM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Template-free synthesis of a porous organic-inorganic hybrid tin(IV) phosphonate and its high catalytic activity for esterification of free fatty acids.

Here we have synthesized an organic-inorganic hybrid mesoporous tin phosphonate monolith (MLSnP-1) with crystalline pore walls by a template-free sol-gel route. N2 sorption analysis shows Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 347 m2 g(-1). Wide-angle powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) pattern shows few broad diffraction peaks indicating crystalline pore wall of the material.

Catatonia and parkinsonism as a sequelae of typhoid fever: a rare experience.

Although neurological manifestations of typhoid fever was thought to be obsolete from modern world, emergence of multidrug resistant typhoid bacilli and reporting of outbreak of typhoid fever with a range of early neuropsychiatric manifestations from various parts of world has led clinicians and investigators to re-evaluate the clinical spectrum of this endemic sinister disease. An 18-year-old male student was admitted in psychiatry ward with mutism, staring look, posturing and rigidity. There was history of typhoid fever 1 week before for which he was prescribed cefuroxime.

Fine dispersion of BiFeO3 nanocrystallites over highly ordered mesoporous silica material and its photocatalytic property.

Highly crystalline pure phase multi-ferroic bismuth ferrite nanoparticles have been integrated into the ordered mesoporous silica material through one pot synthesis protocol. Here, amphiphilic tri-block copolymer Pluronic P123 is being used as structure-directing agent. High temperature heating during calcination and acid treatment eliminates the presence of probable impurity phases.

Nanopores in semiconducting oxides: optoelectronic and solar cell applications.

Optoelectronic property of the semiconducting oxides has huge technological importance because high performance dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) can be designed based on the loading of organic dyes (photosensitizers) inside the nanoscale pores, which could be an environment friendly alternative to fossil fuels as energy source. In a DSSC the dye molecule absorbs photon and injects electron to the conduction band of a semiconducting material. The electron is carried through the semiconductor matrix and flows to the counter electrode to give an electrical response.

Iloperidone-induced Galactorrhea in a Middle-aged Female.

Iloperidone, a piperidinyl-benzisoxazole derivative, is structurally related to risperidone and approved for treatment in acute stage of schizophrenia. Iloperidone is usually considered as a prolactin sparing atypical antipsychotic thereby offering treatment advantage. We aim to present the first reported case of iloperidone-induced hyperprolactinemic galactorrhea in a middle-aged female.

Synthesis and temperature-induced morphological control in a hybrid porous iron-phosphonate nanomaterial and its excellent catalytic activity in the synthesis of benzimidazoles.

A new organic-inorganic hybrid porous iron-phosphonate material, HPFP-1, has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions by using hexamethylenediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetrakis-(methylphosphonic acid) (HDTMP) as the organophosphorus precursor. The morphology of this material was found to be different at three different temperatures. The material that was synthesized at 453 K showed a flake-like particle morphology and the material was highly crystalline.

Highly ordered mesoporous TiO2-Fe2O3 mixed oxide synthesized by sol-gel pathway: an efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for dehalogenation reaction.

Highly ordered two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal TiO(2)-Fe(2)O(3) mixed-oxide material MFT-1, which is composed of very tiny nanoparticles, is synthesized using sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) as a structure-directing agent. Interestingly, synthesis of an ordered mesophase was not possible using SDS as a template for mesoporous pure Fe(2)O(3) or TiO(2) phases. This mesoporous iron-titanium mixed-oxide material has been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), N(2) sorption, ultraviolet-visible light diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS) studies.

Unprecedented CO2 uptake over highly porous N-doped activated carbon monoliths prepared by physical activation.

Highly porous N-doped activated carbon monoliths (ACMs) are fabricated by carbonization and physical activation of mesoporous polyacrylonitrile (PAN) monoliths in the presence of CO(2). The monoliths exhibit exceptionally high CO(2) uptake; 5.14 mmol g(-1) at ambient pressure and temperature and 11.

One-pot thioetherification of aryl halides with thiourea and benzyl bromide in water catalyzed by Cu-grafted furfural imine-functionalized mesoporous SBA-15.

Surface functionalization of SBA-15 followed by its reaction with Cu(OAc)(2) has been carried out to develop a new Cu-grafted functionalized mesoporous material, which catalyzes one-pot three component coupling of different aryl halides with thiourea and benzyl bromide in aqueous medium to produce aryl thioethers in very good yields (80-88%).