A Fast Na-Ion Conduction Polymer Electrolyte via Triangular Synergy Strategy for Quasi-Solid-State Batteries.

Polymer electrolytes provide a visible pathway for the construction of high-safety quasi-solid-state batteries due to their high interface compatibility and processability. Nevertheless, sluggish ion transfer at room temperature seriously limits their applications. Herein, a triangular synergy strategy is proposed to accelerate Na-ion conduction via the cooperation of polymer-salt, ionic liquid, and electron-rich additive.

Reductive Competition Effect-Derived Solid Electrolyte Interphase with Evenly Scattered Inorganics Enabling Ultrahigh Rate and Long-Life Span Sodium Metal Batteries.

Constructing an inorganic-rich and robust solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is one of the crucial approaches to improving the electrochemical performance of sodium metal batteries (SMBs). However, the low conductivity and distribution of common inorganics in SEI disturb Na diffusion and induce nonuniform sodium deposition. Here, we construct a unique SEI with evenly scattered high-conductivity inorganics by introducing a self-sacrifice LiTFSI into the sodium salt-base carbonate electrolyte.

Interface Regulation via Electric Double Layer for Rechargeable Batteries.

Interphases, especially the electrochemically formed solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), are significantly important for cycling stability, reaction kinetics and safety of rechargeable batteries. The structure and composition of the electric double layer (EDL) greatly affect the formation of the SEI and the performance of electrodes. However, as far as we know, there is no review discussing the theme specifically.

An Ultrathin Nonporous Polymer Separator Regulates Na Transfer Toward Dendrite-Free Sodium Storage Batteries.

Sodium storage batteries are one of the ever-increasing next-generation large-scale energy storage systems owing to the abundant resources and low cost. However, their viability is severely hampered by dendrite-related hazards on anodes. Herein, a novel ultrathin (8 µm) exterior-nonporous separator composed of honeycomb-structured fibers is prepared for homogeneous Na deposition and suppressed dendrite penetration.

Ultrathin CuF -Rich Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Induced by Cation-Tailored Double Electrical Layer toward Durable Sodium Storage.

Solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) seriously affects battery's cycling life, especially for high-capacity anode due to excessive electrolyte decomposition from particle fracture. Herein, we report an ultrathin SEI (3-4 nm) induced by Cu -tailored double electrical layer (EDL) to suppress electrolyte consumption and enhance cycling stability of CuS anode in sodium-ion batteries. Unique EDL with SO CF -Cu complex absorbing on CuS in NaSO CF /diglyme electrolyte is demonstrated by in situ surface-enhanced Raman, Cyro-TEM and theoretical calculation, in which SO CF -Cu could be reduced to CuF -rich SEI.

Ultra-High Initial Coulombic Efficiency Induced by Interface Engineering Enables Rapid, Stable Sodium Storage.

High initial coulombic efficiency is highly desired because it implies effective interface construction and few electrolyte consumption, indicating enhanced batteries' life and power output. In this work, a high-capacity sodium storage material with FeS nanoclusters (≈1-2 nm) embedded in N, S-doped carbon matrix (FeS /N,S-C) was synthesized, the surface of which displays defects-repaired characteristic and detectable dot-matrix distributed Fe-N-C/Fe-S-C bonds. After the initial discharging process, the uniform ultra-thin NaF-rich (≈6.

Bimetal Synergistic Effect Induced High Reversibility of Conversion-Type Ni@NiCoS as a Free-Standing Anode for Sodium Ion Batteries.

Conversion-type anode materials for sodium ion batteries have received extensive attention because of their relatively high theoretical capacity. However, multiple challenging obstacles stand in the way of their commercial application, especially their poor cycling stability resulting from the bad reversibility of the conversion reaction. Herein, Ni-Co bimetal sulfide was selected and investigated with the goal of improving the reversibility of the conversion reaction owing to the similarity of Ni and Co.

Recent Progress on the Alloy-Based Anode for Sodium-Ion Batteries and Potassium-Ion Batteries.

High-energy batteries with low cost are urgently needed in the field of large-scale energy storage, such as grid systems and renewable energy sources. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) with alloy-based anodes provide huge potential due to their earth abundance, high capacity, and suitable working potential, and are recognized as attractive alternatives for next-generation batteries system. Although some important breakthroughs have been reported, more significant improvements are still required for long lifetime and high energy density.

Conversion of fibroblasts to neural cells by p53 depletion.

Conversion from fibroblasts to neurons has recently been successfully induced. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we find that depletion of p53 alone converts fibroblasts into all three major neural lineages.

Domain-based biosensor assay to screen for epidermal growth factor receptor modulators in live cells.

Traditional drug discovery efforts have resulted in the approval of a handful of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitors; however, their discovery relied solely on screening recombinant kinases, often with poor cellular activity outcome. The ability to screen RTKs in their natural environment is sought as an alternative approach. We have adapted a novel strategy utilizing a green fluorescent protein-labeled SRC homology 2 domain-based biosensor as a surrogate reporter of endogenous epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activity in A549 cells.

Gateway-compatible vectors for plant functional genomics and proteomics.

Gateway cloning technology facilitates high-throughput cloning of target sequences by making use of the bacteriophage lambda site-specific recombination system. Target sequences are first captured in a commercially available "entry vector" and are then recombined into various "destination vectors" for expression in different experimental organisms. Gateway technology has been embraced by a number of plant laboratories that have engineered destination vectors for promoter specificity analyses, protein localization studies, protein/protein interaction studies, constitutive or inducible protein expression studies, gene knockdown by RNA interference, or affinity purification experiments.

Multiple major increases and decreases in mitochondrial substitution rates in the plant family Geraniaceae.

Background: Rates of synonymous nucleotide substitutions are, in general, exceptionally low in plant mitochondrial genomes, several times lower than in chloroplast genomes, 10-20 times lower than in plant nuclear genomes, and 50-100 times lower than in many animal mitochondrial genomes. Several cases of moderate variation in mitochondrial substitution rates have been reported in plants, but these mostly involve correlated changes in chloroplast and/or nuclear substitution rates and are therefore thought to reflect whole-organism forces rather than ones impinging directly on the mitochondrial mutation rate. Only a single case of extensive, mitochondrial-specific rate changes has been described, in the angiosperm genus Plantago.