Heterogeneous and microporous structure evolution of heated/radiated polyacrylonitrile fibers revealed by X-ray micro-computed tomography and scattering.

Heat treatment, a critical pre-oxidation process, plays an essential role in the preparation of carbon fibers. Most defects arising from this stage are likely to be transferred to the final carbon fibers. Electron beam irradiation is an effective modification method to optimize the structure of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) pre-oxidized fibers.

Heterogeneous microstructure of γ-irradiated pre-oxidized PAN fiber revealed by microfocus SR-SAXS reconstruction and molecular simulation.

The microstructure plays a crucial role in the manufacturing and application of polyacrylonitrile fibers, which serve as precursors for carbon fibers. Synchrotron radiation small angle x-ray scattering (SR-SAXS) is a non-destructive and precise technique for analyzing fiber structures. This study employed one-dimensional SR-SAXS mapping to extract key structural parameters such as periodicity, lamellae thickness, and the extent of amorphous regions, as well as the directional orientation in γ-irradiated, pre-oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers.

Synchronously Repairing Core/Surface Defects of Carbon Fibers by In Situ Growth of ZIF-8 and Uniquely Matched High-Energy Irradiation.

Currently, the actual mechanical properties of carbon fibers (CF) differ significantly from the theoretical values. This is primarily attributed to significant limitations imposed by structural defects, greatly hindering the widespread application of CF. To solve this problem, we used in situ growth of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) and γ rays to modulate the core-shell of CF in this study.

High-Strength MOF-Based Polymer Electrolytes with Uniform Ionic Flow for Lithium Dendrite Suppression.

The uneven formation of lithium dendrites during electroplating/stripping leads to a decrease in the utilization of active lithium, resulting in poor cycling stability and posing safety hazards to the battery. Herein, introducing a 3D continuously interconnected zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF808) network into a polyethylene oxide polymer matrix establishes a synergistic mechanism for lithium dendrite inhibition. The 3D MOF808 network maintains its large pore structure, facilitating increased lithium salt accommodation, and expands anion adsorption at unsaturated metal sites through its diverse large-space cage structure, thereby promoting the flow of Li.

Oxygen Vacancy and Bandgap Simultaneous Modulation to Achieve High Lithiophilicity and Mechanical Strength of Lithium Metal Anodes.

Metal oxides with conversion and alloying mechanisms are more competitive in suppressing lithium dendrites. However, it is difficult to simultaneously regulate the conversion and alloying reactions. Herein, conversion and alloying reactions are regulated by modulation of the zinc oxide bandgap and oxygen vacancies.

The impact of selective HDAC inhibitors on the transcriptome of early mouse embryos.

Background: Histone acetylation, which is regulated by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), plays a crucial role in the control of gene expression. HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) have shown potential in cancer therapy; however, the specific roles of HDACs in early embryos remain unclear. Moreover, although some pan-HDACi have been used to maintain cellular undifferentiated states in early embryos, the specific mechanisms underlying their effects remain unknown.

SAXS unveils porous anodes for potassium-ion batteries: dynamic evolution of pore structures in Fe@FeO/PCNFs composite nanofibers.

The porous structure of composite nanofibers plays a key role in improving their electrochemical performance. However, the dynamic evolution of pore structures and their action during ion intercalation/extraction processes for negative electrodes are not clear. Herein, porous carbon composite nanofibers (Fe@FeO/PCNFs) were prepared as negative electrode materials for potassium-ion batteries.

Targeted Elimination of Surface Defects in Carbon Fibers: Formation of a Hybrid Structure Combining Rigidity with Flexibility from Sonochemical-Induced Directional Growth of Nano-ZIF-8 and Subsequent Annealing.

Currently, the mechanical performance of carbon fibers (CFs) has yet to fully realize its theoretical potential. This is predominantly attributed to the significant constraints posed by surface defects, greatly impeding the widespread application of carbon fibers. In order to address this issue, we employed a sonochemical-induced approach in this study to achieve in situ growth of nanoscale zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) at the surface defects of carbon fibers.

Structural insights into the functions of Raf1 and Bsd2 in hexadecameric Rubisco assembly.

Hexadecameric form I Rubisco, which consisting consists of eight large (RbcL) and eight small (RbcS) subunits, is the most abundant enzyme on earth. Extensive efforts to engineer an improved Rubisco to speed up its catalytic efficiency and ultimately increase agricultural productivity. However, difficulties with correct folding and assembly in foreign hosts or in vitro have hampered the genetic manipulation of hexadecameric Rubisco.

FeO for stable K-ion storage: mechanism insight into dimensional construction from stress distribution and micro-tomography.

FeO is considered a potential electrode material owing to its high theoretical capacity, low cost, and non-toxic characteristics. However, the significant volume expansion and structural degradation during charging and discharging hinder its application in potassium ion batteries. The electrochemical properties of the electrode material are primarily influenced by the diffusion efficiency of ions and the mechanics of the object.

Graphene oxide membranes with a confined mass transfer effect for Li/Mg separation: a molecular dynamics study.

Membrane separation technology represented by graphene oxide (GO) membranes has been widely used in lithium extraction from salt lakes. It is extraordinary to study the extraction of Li by GO membranes from the perspective of the confined mass transfer effect. This study establishes a GO channel model with the confined mass transfer effect to closely fit the actual mass transfer process.

Totipotency of mouse zygotes extends to single blastomeres of embryos at the four-cell stage.

In multicellular organisms, oocytes and sperm undergo fusion during fertilization and the resulting zygote gives rise to a new individual. The ability of zygotes to produce a fully formed individual from a single cell when placed in a supportive environment is known as totipotency. Given that totipotent cells are the source of all multicellular organisms, a better understanding of totipotency may have a wide-ranging impact on biology.