In situ visualization of interfacial processes at nanoscale in non-alkaline Zn-air batteries.

Zn-air batteries (ZABs) present high energy density and high safety but suffer from low oxygen reaction reversibility and dendrite growth at Zn electrode in alkaline electrolytes. Non-alkaline electrolytes have been considered recently for improving the interfacial processes in ZABs. However, the dynamic evolution and reaction mechanisms regulated by electrolytes at both the positive and Zn negative electrodes remain elusive.

The joint associations of physical activity and ultra-processed food consumption with depression: A cohort study in the UK Biobank.

Background: Despite substantial evidence regarding independent associations between physical activity (PA) and ultra-processed foods (UPF) consumption with depression, the joint effects of these two factors remain unknown.

Methods: This study included 99,126 participants without depression in the UK Biobank at baseline. A 24-h recall method was used to assess UPF consumption, and self-reported total physical activity (TPA), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and vigorous physical activity (VPA) were assessed by metabolic equivalent task (MET).

Replacement of sedentary behavior with various physical activities and the risk of incident depression: a prospective analysis of accelerator-measured and self-reported UK Biobank data.

Purpose: To examine the dose‒response relationships of sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activities (PAs) with depression, and to explore the effects of replacing SB with PAs on depression risk.

Methods: The study used data from UK Biobank aged 37 to 73 years. Light physical activity (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA), sleep duration, and total sedentary behavior (TSB) were measured by accelerometers.

In Situ Analysis of Interfacial Morphological and Chemical Evolution in All-Solid-State Lithium-Metal Batteries.

In situ analysis of Li plating/stripping processes and evolution of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) are critical for optimizing all-solid-state Li metal batteries (ASSLMB). However, the buried solid-solid interfaces present a challenge for detection which preclude the employment of multiple analysis techniques. Herein, by employing complementary in situ characterizations, morphological/chemical evolution, Li plating/stripping dynamics and SEI dynamics were directly detected.

Nanoscale Visualization of Lithium Plating/Stripping Tuned by On-site Formed Solid Electrolyte Interphase in All-Solid-State Lithium-Metal Batteries.

The interfacial processes, mainly the lithium (Li) plating/stripping and the evolution of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), are directly related to the performance of all-solid-state Li-metal batteries (ASSLBs). However, the complex processes at solid-solid interfaces are embedded under the solid-state electrolyte, making it challenging to analyze the dynamic processes in real time. Here, using in situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy and optical microscopy, we directly visualized the Li plating/stripping/replating behavior, and measured the morphological and mechanical properties of the on-site formed SEI at nanoscale.

High-Yield Synthesis of Colloidal Carbon Rings and Their Applications in Self-Standing Electrodes of Li-O Batteries.

The use of carbon materials in porous electrodes has impressive advantages. However, precisely tailoring the multilevel pore structure of carbon electrodes remains an unsolved challenge. Here, we report a highly efficient site-selective growth strategy to synthesize colloidal carbon rings by templating patchy droplets.

Topological Hydrogels for Long-Term Brain Signal Monitoring, Neuromodulation, and Stroke Treatment.

Stroke is the primary cause of disability without effective rehabilitation methods. Emerging brain-machine interfaces offer promise for regulating brain neural circuits and promoting the recovery of brain function disorders. Implantable probes play key roles in brain-machine interfaces, which are subject to two irreconcilable tradeoffs between conductivity and modulus match/transparency.

Revealing the CO Conversion at Electrode/Electrolyte Interfaces in Li-CO Batteries via Nanoscale Visualization Methods.

Lithium-carbon dioxide (Li-CO ) battery technology presents a promising opportunity for carbon capture and energy storage. Despite tremendous efforts in Li-CO batteries, the complex electrode/electrolyte/CO triple-phase interfacial processes remain poorly understood, in particular at the nanoscale. Here, using in situ atomic force microscopy and laser confocal microscopy-differential interference contrast microscopy, we directly observed the CO conversion processes in Li-CO batteries at the nanoscale, and further revealed a laser-tuned reaction pathway based on the real-time observations.

Numerical Simulation on Preparing Uniform and Stable Perovskite Wet Film in Slot-Die Coating Process.

Slot-die coating is regarded as a reliable and potential technology for preparing large-area perovskite solar cells with high efficiency and low cost. Therein, the formation of continuous and uniform wet film is of significance to obtain a high-quality solid perovskite film. In this work, the rheological properties of the perovskite precursor fluid are analyzed.

In Situ Insight into the Interfacial Dynamics in "Water-in-Salt" Electrolyte-Based Aqueous Zinc Batteries.

Water-in-salt (WIS) electrolyte is considered as one of most promising systems for aqueous zinc batteries (AZBs) due to its dendrite-free plating/stripping with nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency. However, the understanding of the interfacial mechanisms remains elusive, which is crucial for further improvements in battery performance. Herein, the interfacial processes of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and subsequent Zn plating/stripping are monitored by in situ atomic force microscopy and in situ optical microscopy.

Electron Conductive and Transparent Hydrogels for Recording Brain Neural Signals and Neuromodulation.

Recording brain neural signals and optogenetic neuromodulations open frontiers in decoding brain neural information and neurodegenerative disease therapeutics. Conventional implantable probes suffer from modulus mismatch with biological tissues and an irreconcilable tradeoff between transparency and electron conductivity. Herein, a strategy is proposed to address these tradeoffs, which generates conductive and transparent hydrogels with polypyrrole-decorated microgels as cross-linkers.

visualization of synergistic effects between electrolyte additives and catalytic electrodes in Li-O batteries.

By using atomic force microscopy, Li-O interfacial reactions promoted synergistically by the electrolyte additive K and Pt nanoparticles electrode are visualized. The Pt nanoparticles electrode promotes the formation of the intermediate lithium superoxide (LiO) and K assists its diffusion into the electrolyte, thereby promoting the formation of large-sized discharge products during discharging and increasing the discharge capacity of the Li-O battery. These results provide direct evidence for clarifying the interfacial synergy mechanism of electrolyte additives and solid catalysts.

Revealing the High Salt Concentration Manipulated Evolution Mechanism on the Lithium Anode in Quasi-Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur batteries are promising candidates of energy storage devices. Both adjusting salt/solvent ratio and applying quasi-solid-state electrolytes are regarded as effective strategies to improve the lithium (Li) anode performance. However, reaction mechanisms and interfacial properties in quasi-solid-state lithium-sulfur (QSSLS) batteries with high salt concentration are not clear.

Highly Tunable, Broadband, and Negative Photoresponse MoS Photodetector Driven by Ion-Gel Gate Dielectrics.

Revealing the light-matter interaction of molybdenum disulfide (MoS) and further improving its tunability facilitate the construction of highly integrated optoelectronics in communication and wearable healthcare, but it still remains a significant challenge. Herein, polyvinylidene fluoride and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (PVDF-EMIM-TFSI) ion-gel are employed to replace the oxide to fabricate a MoS-based phototransistor. The high capacitance enables a large tunability of the carrier concentration that results in ambipolar transport of MoS.

Interfacial Evolution of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase and Lithium Deposition in Graphdiyne-Based Lithium-Ion Batteries.

All-carbon graphdiyne (GDY)-based materials have attracted extensive attention owing to their extraordinary structures and outstanding performance in electrochemical energy storage. Straightforward insights into the interfacial evolution at GDY electrode/electrolyte interface could crucially enrich the fundamental comprehensions and inspire targeted regulations. Herein, optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy monitoring of the GDY and N-doped GDY electrodes reveal the interplay between the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and Li deposition.

Direct Visualization of Dynamic Mobility of LiO in Li-O Batteries: A Differential Interference Microscopy Study.

The reversibility and the discharge/charge performance in nonaqueous lithium-oxygen (Li-O) batteries are critically dependent on the kinetics of interfacial reactions. However, the interfacial reaction dynamic behaviors, especially the quantitative analysis, are still far from deep understanding. Using the method of laser confocal microscopy combined with differential interference contrast microscopy (LCM-DIM), we monitored the Li-O interfacial reaction and in situ traced the LiO migration processes promoted by the solution catalyst.

Revealing the Correlations between Morphological Evolution and Surface Reactivity of Catalytic Cathodes in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries.

Lithium-oxygen batteries suffer from the degradation of the catalytic cathode during long-term operation, which limits their practical use. Understanding the direct correlations between the surface morphological evolution of catalytic cathodes at nanoscale and their catalytic activity during cycling has proved challenging. Here, using electrochemical atomic force microscopy, the dynamic evolution of the Pt nanoparticles electrode in a working Li-O battery and its effects on the Li-O interfacial reactions are visualized.

Cooperative Shielding of Bi-Electrodes via In Situ Amorphous Electrode-Electrolyte Interphases for Practical High-Energy Lithium-Metal Batteries.

Solid-state Li-metal batteries offer a great opportunity for high-security and high-energy-density energy storage systems. However, redundant interfacial modification layers, intended to lead to an overall satisfactory interfacial stability, dramatically debase the actual energy density. Herein, a dual-interface amorphous cathode electrolyte interphase/solid electrolyte interphase CEI/SEI protection (DACP) strategy is proposed to conquer the main challenges of electrochemical side reactions and Li dendrites in hybrid solid-liquid batteries without sacrificing energy density via LiDFOB and LiBF in situ synergistic conversion.

Keystone species determine the "selection mechanism" of multispecies biofilms for bacteria from soil aggregates.

Soil aggregates are integral parts of soil structure and play paramount roles in supporting microbial diversity, nutrient cycling and water retention. The formation of multispecies biofilms is a survival strategy for bacterial adaptation to the environment and help microorganisms access more complex nutrient sources via labor sharing, especially in soil aggregates. However, very little is known about the effect of species richness and composition on bacterial multispecies biofilms formation in different size soil aggregates.

Surface Mechanism of Catalytic Electrodes in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries: How Nanostructures Mediate the Interfacial Reactions.

The use of catalysts is the key to boost electrode reactions in lithium-oxygen (Li-O) batteries. In-depth understanding of the nanoscale catalytic effect at electrode/electrolyte interfaces is of great significance for guiding a design of functionally optimized catalyst. Here, using electrochemical atomic force microscopy, we present the real-time imaging of interfacial evolution on nanostructured Au electrodes in a working battery, revealing that the nanostructure of Au is directly related to the catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)/oxygen evolution reaction (OER).

Nitriding-Interface-Regulated Lithium Plating Enables Flame-Retardant Electrolytes for High-Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries.

Safety concerns are impeding the applications of lithium metal batteries. Flame-retardant electrolytes, such as organic phosphates electrolytes (OPEs), could intrinsically eliminate fire hazards and improve battery safety. However, OPEs show poor compatibility with Li metal though the exact reason has yet to be identified.

Revealing the Surface Effect of the Soluble Catalyst on Oxygen Reduction/Evolution in Li-O Batteries.

Understanding catalytic mechanisms at the nanoscale is essential for the advancement of lithium-oxygen (Li-O) batteries. Using in situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy, we explored the interfacial evolution during the Li-O electrochemical reactions in dimethyl sulfoxide-based electrolyte, further revealing the surface catalytic mechanism of the soluble catalyst 2,5-di- tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DBBQ). The real-time views showed that during discharge flower-like LiO formed in the electrolyte with DBBQ but small toroid without DBBQ.