Poly(Ionic Liquid) Electrolytes at an Extreme Salt Concentration for Solid-State Batteries.

Polymer-in-salt electrolytes were introduced three decades ago as an innovative solution to the challenge of low Li-ion conductivity in solvent-free solid polymer electrolytes. Despite significant progress, the approach still faces considerable challenges, ranging from a fundamental understanding to the development of suitable polymers and salts. A critical issue is maintaining both the stability and high conductivity of molten salts within a polymer matrix, which has constrained their further exploration.

A novel flame-retardant lithium fluoroborate salt for LNMO-graphite-based Li-ion batteries.

A novel lithium salt (lithium di-fluoro di-nonafluoro--butoxy borate) shows high solubility (>1 M) and flame-retardant properties in an electrolyte solution with conventional carbonate solvents as well as stable cycling in a high-voltage (4.8 V) LiNiMnO-graphite based lithium-ion battery.

Prevalence and determinants of evidence of silicosis and impaired lung function among small scale tanzanite miners and the peri-mining community in northern Tanzania.

Limited data among miners in Tanzania suggests prevalence of silicosis, obstructive lung disease and restrictive lung disease to be around 1.6%, 1.9% and 8.

Relationship between cumulative silica exposure and silicosis: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

Background: Silicosis, a chronic respiratory disease caused by crystalline silica exposure, is a persistent global lung health issue. No systematic review of the relationship between cumulative respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure and silicosis exists. UK exposure limits are currently under review.

Interfacial Modification of Lithium Metal Anode by Boron Nitride Nanosheets.

Metallic lithium (Li) is the most attractive anode for Li batteries because it holds the highest theoretical specific capacity (3860 mA h g) and the lowest redox potential (-3.040 V vs SHE). However, the poor interface stability of the Li anode, which is caused by the high reactivity and dendrite formation of metallic Li upon cycling, leads to undesired electrochemical performance and safety issues.

Understanding Polymerized Ionic Liquids as Solid Polymer Electrolytes for Sodium Batteries.

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have emerged as promising candidates for sodium-based batteries due to their cost-effectiveness and excellent flexibility. However, achieving high ionic conductivity and desirable mechanical properties in SPEs remains a challenge. In this study, we investigated an AB diblock copolymer, PS-PEA(BuImTFSI), as a potential SPE for sodium batteries.

Surface and Conductivity Characterization of Layered Organic Ionic Plastic Crystal (OIPC)-Polymer Films.

Organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) are attractive solid electrolyte materials for advanced energy storage systems owing to their inherent advantages (e.g., high plasticity, thermal stability, and moderate ionic conductivity), which can be further improved/deteriorated by the addition of polymer or metal oxide nanoparticles.

Concentrations of respirable crystalline silica and radon among tanzanite mining communities in Mererani, Tanzania.

Background: Globally, the number of small-scale miners (SSM) is estimated to be more than 25 million, but it supports the livelihoods of around 100 million individuals. In Tanzania, the number of SSM has increased from an estimated 150,000 in 1987 to ~1.5 million in 2017.

Silicosis, tuberculosis and silica exposure among artisanal and small-scale miners: A systematic review and modelling paper.

An estimated 44 million artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM), largely based in developing economies, face significant occupational risks for respiratory diseases which have not been reviewed. We therefore aimed to review studies that describe silicosis and tuberculosis prevalence and respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposures among ASM and use background evidence to better understand the relationship between exposures and disease outcomes. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase for studies published before the 24th March 2023.

Ternary Heteroatomic Doping Induced Microenvironment Engineering of Low Fe-N4-Loaded Carbon Nanofibers for Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysis.

Fabricating highly efficient and long-life redox bifunctional electrocatalysts is vital for oxygen-related renewable energy devices. To boost the bifunctional catalytic activity of Fe-N-C single-atom catalysts, it is imperative to fine-tune the coordination microenvironment of the Fe sites to optimize the adsorption/desorption energies of intermediates during oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER) and simultaneously avoid the aggregation of atomically dispersed metal sites. Herein, a strategy is developed for fabricating a free-standing electrocatalyst with atomically dispersed Fe sites (≈0.

Blood and Site of Disease Inflammatory Profiles Differ in Patients With Pericardial Tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1.

Background: To better understand the pathogenesis of pericardial tuberculosis (PCTB), we sought to characterize the systemic inflammatory profile in people with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) with latent TB infection (LTBI), pulmonary TB (PTB), or PCTB.

Methods: Using Luminex, we measured the concentration of 39 analytes in pericardial fluid (PCF) and paired plasma from 18 PCTB participants, and plasma from 16 LTBI and 20 PTB participants. Follow-up plasma samples were also obtained from PTB and PCTB participants.

Corrigendum: Comparison of the frequency and phenotypic profile of -specific CD4 T cells between the site of disease and blood in pericardial tuberculosis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.

Comparison of the frequency and phenotypic profile of -specific CD4 T cells between the site of disease and blood in pericardial tuberculosis.

Studies of the immune response at the site of disease in extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) disease are scarce. In this study, we compared the cellular profile of (Mtb)-specific T cells in pericardial fluid and peripheral blood in patients with pericardial TB (PCTB). Whole blood and pericardial fluid (PCF) samples were collected at the time of diagnostic sampling, with repeat blood sampling after completion of anti-tubercular treatment (ATT) in 16 PCTB patients, most of them being HIV-1 infected (n=14).

Understanding the Capacity Decay of Si/NMC622 Li-Ion Batteries Cycled in Superconcentrated Ionic Liquid Electrolytes: A New Perspective.

Silicon-containing Li-ion batteries have been the focus of many energy storage research efforts because of the promise of high energy density. Depending on the system, silicon generally demonstrates stable performance in half-cells, which is often attributed to the unlimited lithium supply from the lithium (Li) metal counter electrode. Here, the electrochemical performance of silicon with a high voltage NMC622 cathode was investigated in superconcentrated phosphonium-based ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes.

Task-Specific Phosphonium Iongels by Fast UV-Photopolymerization for Solid-State Sodium Metal Batteries.

Sodium metal batteries are an emerging technology that shows promise in terms of materials availability with respect to lithium batteries. Solid electrolytes are needed to tackle the safety issues related to sodium metal. In this work, a simple method to prepare a mechanically robust and efficient soft solid electrolyte for sodium batteries is demonstrated.

Neurological disorders in Northern Tanzania: A 6-year prospective hospital-based case series.

Background: The burden of neurological disorders is large and altered by the HIV epidemic.

Objectives: We describe the pattern of neurological disorders and their association with HIV infection in adult patients attending a consultant hospital in Northern Tanzania.

Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, we collected data on adult neurological referrals over a 6-year period between 2007-13.

Ultra-stable all-solid-state sodium metal batteries enabled by perfluoropolyether-based electrolytes.

Rechargeable batteries paired with sodium metal anodes are considered to be one of the most promising high-energy and low-cost energy-storage systems. However, the use of highly reactive sodium metal and the formation of sodium dendrites during battery operation have caused safety concerns, especially when highly flammable liquid electrolytes are used. Here we design and develop solvent-free solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) based on a perfluoropolyether-terminated polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based block copolymer for safe and stable all-solid-state sodium metal batteries.

High-Performance Cycling of Na Metal Anodes in Phosphonium and Pyrrolidinium Fluoro(sulfonyl)imide Based Ionic Liquid Electrolytes.

We have investigated the sodium electrochemistry and the evolution and chemistry of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) upon cycling Na metal electrodes in two ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes. The effect of the IL cation chemistry was determined by examining the behavior of a phosphonium IL (PFSI) in comparison to its pyrrolidinium-based counterpart (CmpyrFSI) at near-saturated NaFSI salt concentrations (superconcentrated ILs) in their dry state and with water additive. The differences in their physical properties are reported, with the PFSI system having a lower viscosity, higher conductivity, and higher ionicity in comparison to the CmpyrFSI-based electrolyte, although the addition of 1000 ppm (0.

Morphological Evolution and Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Formation on LiNiMnCoO Cathodes Using Highly Concentrated Ionic Liquid Electrolytes.

Employing high-voltage Ni-rich cathodes in Li metal batteries (LMBs) requires stabilization of the electrode/electrolyte interfaces at both electrodes. A stable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) and suppression of active material pulverization remain the greatest challenges to achieving efficient long-term cycling. Herein, studies of NMC622 (1 mAh cm) cathodes were performed using highly concentrated -methyl--propylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (CmpyrFSI) 50 mol % lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) ionic liquid electrolyte (ILE).

Unveiling the Impact of the Cations and Anions in Ionic Liquid/Glyme Hybrid Electrolytes for Na-O Batteries.

A series of hybrid electrolytes composed of diglyme and ionic liquids (ILs) have been investigated for Na-O batteries, as a strategy to control the growth and purity of the discharge products during battery operation. The dependence of chemical composition of the ILs on the size, purity, and distribution of the discharge products has been evaluated using a wide range of experimental and spectroscopic techniques. The morphology and composition of the discharge products found in the Na-O cells have a complex dependence on the physicochemical properties of the electrolyte as well as the speciation of the Na and superoxide radical anion.

Retrospective Diagnostic Accuracy Study of Abbott RealTie MTB against Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and Xpert MTB/RIF for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Susceptibility to Rifampin and Isoniazid Treatment.

High-throughput centralized testing for tuberculosis (TB) and drug resistance is important, but comparative data are limited. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, participants were recruited from Johannesburg, South Africa, and Tbilisi, Georgia. The index tests, Abbott RealTie MTB (RT-MTB) and RealTie MTB RIF/INH (RT-MTB RIF/INH), were performed on specimens stored frozen for an extended period of time (beyond manufacturer-validated specifications) and compared to paired Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra) and Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) results obtained with fresh specimens.

Tuning the Formation and Structure of the Silicon Electrode/Ionic Liquid Electrolyte Interphase in Superconcentrated Ionic Liquids.

The latest advances in the stabilization of Li/Na metal battery and Li-ion battery cycling have highlighted the importance of electrode/electrolyte interface [solid electrolyte interphase (SEI)] and its direct link to cycling behavior. To understand the structure and properties of the SEI, we used combined experimental and computational studies to unveil how the ionic liquid (IL) cation nature and salt concentration impact the silicon/IL electrolyte interfacial structure and the formed SEI. The nature of the IL cation is found to be important to control the electrolyte reductive decomposition that influences the SEI composition and properties and the reversibility of the Li-Si alloying process.

SEI Formation on Sodium Metal Electrodes in Superconcentrated Ionic Liquid Electrolytes and the Effect of Additive Water.

We have previously reported that water addition (∼1000 ppm) to an -methyl--propylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (CmpyrFSI) superconcentrated ionic liquid electrolyte (50 mol % NaFSI) promoted the formation of a favorable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and resulted in enhanced cycling stability. This study reports the characterization of Na-metal anode surfaces cycled with these electrolytes containing different water concentrations (up to 5000 ppm). Morphological and spectroscopic characterization showed that water addition greatly influences the formation of the SEI and that ∼1000 ppm of water promoted the formation of an active and more uniform deposit, with larger quantities of SEI species (S, O, F, and N) present.

High Current Cycling in a Superconcentrated Ionic Liquid Electrolyte to Promote Uniform Li Morphology and a Uniform LiF-Rich Solid Electrolyte Interphase.

High-energy-density systems with fast charging rates and suppressed dendrite growth are critical for the implementation of efficient and safe next-generation advanced battery technologies such as those based on Li metal. However, there are few studies that investigate reliable cycling of Li metal electrodes under high-rate conditions. Here, by employing a superconcentrated ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte, we highlight the effect of Li salt concentration and applied current density on the resulting Li deposit morphology and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) characteristics, demonstrating exceptional deposition/dissolution rates and efficiency in these systems.