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Developing anode materials with high specific capacity and cycling stability is vital for improving thin‐film lithium‐ion batteries. Thin‐film zinc oxide (ZnO) holds promise due to its high specific capacity, but it suffers from volume changes and structural stress during cycling, leading to poor battery performance. In this research, we ingeniously combined polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with ZnO using a radio frequency (RF) magnetron co‐sputtering method, ensuring a strong bond in the thin‐film composite electrode. PTFE effectively reduced stress on the active material and mitigated volume change effects during Li+ ion intercalation and deintercalation. The composite thin films are thoroughly characterized using advanced techniques such as X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy for investigating correlations between material properties and electrochemical behaviors. Notably, the ZnO/PTFE thin‐film electrode demonstrated an impressive specific capacity of 1305 mAh g−1 (=7116 mAh cm−3) at a 0.5C rate and a remarkable capacity retention of 82% from the 1st to the 100th cycle, surpassing the bare ZnO thin film (50%). This study provides valuable insights into using binders to stabilize active materials in thin‐film batteries, enhancing battery performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play important roles in tissue homeostasis by providing a supportive microenvironmental niche for the hematopoietic system. Cigarette smoking induces systemic abnormalities, including an impeded recovery process after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, the role of cigarette smoking-mediated alterations in MSC niche function have not been investigated. Methods: In the present study, we investigated whether exposure to cigarette smoking extract (CSE) disrupts the hematopoietic niche function of MSCs, and pathways impacted. To investigate the effects on bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs and support of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), mice were repeatedly infused with the CSE named 3R4F, and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) supporting function was determined. The impact of 3R4F on MSCs at cellular level were screened by bulk-RNA sequencing and subsequently validated through qRT-PCR. Specific inhibitors were treated to verify the ROS or NLRP3-specific effects, and the cells were then transplanted into the animal model or subjected to coculture with HSPCs. Results: Both direct ex vivo and systemic in vivo MSC exposure to 3R4F resulted in impaired engraftment in a humanized mouse model. Furthermore, transcriptomic profile analysis showed significantly upregulated signaling pathways related to reactive oxygen species (ROS), inflammation, and aging in 3R4F-treated MSCs. Notably, ingenuity pathway analysis revealed the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway in 3R4F-treated MSCs, and pretreatment with the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 rescued the HSPC-supporting ability of 3R4F-treated MSCs. Conclusion: In conclusion, these findings indicate that exposure to CSE reduces HSPCs supportive function of MSCs by inducing robust ROS production and subsequent NLRP3 activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinel-structured LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO), which is used as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, offers economic and eco-friendly advantages, as it operates at a high voltage of 5 V and does not require expensive cobalt. However, challenges such as low electronic conductivity and volume changes due to phase transitions during charging and discharging at 3 V or lower persist, resulting in capacity degradation. In this study, LNMO nanofibers were created using the electrospinning method to tackle the volume expansion issue and maintain structural integrity of the material. In addition, the electrode was constructed with carbon nanotubes as a conductive material to improve electronic conductivity. Electrochemical evaluations showed that LNMO nanofibers combined with carbon nanotubes exhibited a higher capacity and outstanding cyclability compared to LNMO powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The layered δ‐MnO2 (dMO) is an excellent cathode material for rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries owing to its large interlayer distance (~0.7 nm), high capacity, and low cost; however, such cathodes suffer from structural degradation during the long‐term cycling process, leading to capacity fading. In this study, a Co‐doped dMO composite with reduced graphene oxide (GC‐dMO) is developed using a simple cost‐effective hydrothermal method. The degree of disorderness increases owing to the hetero‐atom doping and graphene oxide composites. It is demonstrated that layered dMO and GC‐dMO undergo a structural transition from K‐birnessite to the Zn‐buserite phase upon the first discharge, which enhances the intercalation of Zn2+ ions, H2O molecules in the layered structure. The GC‐dMO cathode exhibits an excellent capacity of 302 mAh g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 after 100 cycles as compared with the dMO cathode (159 mAh g−1). The excellent electrochemical performance of the GC‐dMO cathode owing to Co‐doping and graphene oxide sheets enhances the interlayer gap and disorderness, and maintains structural stability, which facilitates the easy reverse intercalation and de‐intercalation of Zn2+ ions and H2O molecules. Therefore, GC‐dMO is a promising cathode material for large‐scale aqueous ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A suitable interface between the electrode and electrolyte is crucial in achieving highly stable electrochemical performance for Li‐ion batteries, as facile ionic transport is required. Intriguing research and development have recently been conducted to form a stable interface between the electrode and electrolyte. Therefore, it is essential to investigate emerging knowledge and contextualize it. The nanoengineering of the electrode‐electrolyte interface has been actively researched at the electrode/electrolyte and interphase levels. This review presents and summarizes some recent advances aimed at nanoengineering approaches to build a more stable electrode‐electrolyte interface and assess the impact of each approach adopted. Furthermore, future perspectives on the feasibility and practicality of each approach will also be reviewed in detail. Finally, this review aids in projecting a more sustainable research pathway for a nanoengineered interphase design between electrode and electrolyte, which is pivotal for high‐performance, thermally stable Li‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the microstructure of the corneal endothelial transition zone in different laboratory animals., Methods: Flat-mount corneas of rabbits, rats, and mice were stained with Alizarin Red S (ARS) and observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The progenitor cell markers p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9), leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5), telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), and proliferation marker K i -67 were examined in the flat-mounted corneas of three laboratory animals using immunofluorescence microscopy., Results: On flat mounts, proximity to the trabecular meshwork correlated with weaker ARS staining and greater polymorphism of endothelial cells in the transition zone in all animals. On SEM, distinct and smooth structures of the transition zone were negligibly detected in all animals. The endothelial cells in the transition zone had irregular shapes, with less dense, less wavy intercellular junctions, especially in murine corneas, exhibiting unique intercellular cystic spaces. In the transition zone of the rabbit cornea, progenitor cell markers p75NTR, SOX9, Lgr5, TERT, and proliferation marker K i -67 were expressed, in contrast to those in other murine corneas., Conclusions: Although the transition zone was not identified clearly, irregular cell morphology and loss of cell-cell contact were observed in all animal corneal endothelial cells. The proliferative capacity and the presence of progenitor cells were confirmed in the transition zone, especially in the rabbit cornea., (Copyright © 2024 Molecular Vision.)