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Ionogel polymer electrolyte (IPE), incorporating ionic liquid (IL) within a polymer matrix, presents a promising avenue for safe quasi‐solid‐state lithium metal batteries. However, sluggish Li+ kinetics, resulting from the formation of [Li(anion)n]−(n−1) clusters and the occupation of Li+ transport sites by organic cations, limit their practical applications. In this study, we have developed zwitterionic bottlebrush polymers‐based IPE with promoted Li+ conduction by employing poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate)‐grafted poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐chlorotrifluoroethylene) (PVC‐g‐PSBMA) bottlebrushes as matrices of IL. The grafted zwitterionic side chains greatly facilitate the dissociation of [Li(anion)n]−(n−1) clusters to produce more movable Li+. Moreover, the positively charged −NR4+ groups in zwitterionic side chains effectively restrain anions migration, while the negatively charged −SO3− groups immobilize IL cations, preventing them from occupying Li+ hopping sites and reducing the energy barrier for Li+ migration. These synergistic effects contribute to a notable ionic conductivity (7.5×10−4 S cm−1) and Li+ transference number (0.62) of PVC‐g‐PSBMA IPE at 25 °C. As a result, PVC‐g‐PSBMA IPE enables ultralong‐term (over 6500 h) reversible and stable Li plating/stripping in Li||Li symmetric cells. Remarkably, the assembled Li||LiFePO4 full batteries demonstrate unprecedented cycling stability of more than 2000 cycles with a superior capacity retention of 93.7 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave thermal therapy (MWTT) is a novel clinical treatment of tumors via inducing thermal effect and anti‐tumor immune response, exhibiting advantages of deep penetration, minimal invasion, and high heat conversion efficiency. However, effective ablation is difficult to cover the entire tumor area, and heat‐shock protein 90 (HSP90) is often upregulated after ablation to generate heat tolerance of sublethal tumors and weaken the induced antitumor immune effect, resulting in a high rate of tumor recurrence and metastasis. Herein, a multifunctional nanoregulator of metal phenolic network‐coated ZnS (ZnS@Ga‐tannic acid, ZGT) is proposed to release H2S for synergically enhancing MWTT. Under the costimulation of MW radiation and acidic tumor microenvironment, ZGT can improve the MW thermal effects of tumors to promote thermal damage and release H2S to induce tumor apoptosis. The released H2S can also inhibit the production of ATP and then downregulate the expression of HSP90, strengthening the activated systemic antitumor immune response after ablation. This nanoregulator provides a new way for achieving compensation effect for MWTT. The strategy of H2S gas to downregulate HSP90 and positively regulate antitumor immune response introduces a novel direction for reducing the risk of tumor recurrence and metastasis after thermal therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest plantations most likely promote exotic plant invasion. Using an in situ monitoring method, this study investigated the traits correlated with growth and reproduction of an understory invader, Phytolacca americana L., and ecological factors including understory irradiance, soil stoichiometry and microbial patterns associated with these traits in different exotic plantations of Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Pinus thunbergii Parl. at Mount Lao, Qingdao, China. We found that the traits of P. americana underneath the R. pseudoacacia stand might be situated at the fast side of the trait economic spectrum. The R. pseudoacacia stand appeared to "nurse" P. americana. Furthermore, we intended to explain the nurse effects of R. pseudoacacia stands by examining their ecological factors. First, the R. pseudoacacia stand created understory light attenuation, which matched the sciophilous feature of P. americana. Second, the soil beneath the R. pseudoacacia stand might benefit P. americana more since the soil has greater resource availability. Third, a higher microbial diversity was found in the soil derived from P. americana underneath the R. pseudoacacia stand. A greater abundance of plant pathogens was detected in the soil derived from P. americana in the R. pseudoacacia stand, while more abundant mycorrhizal fungi were detected in the P. thunbergii stand. We speculate that plant pathogens can defend P. americana from aggression from other understory competitors. The mycorrhizal fungi in the P. thunbergii stand might benefit P. americana while simultaneously benefiting other understory plants. Intensive competition from other plants might interfere with P. americana. The potential relationships between plant performance and ecological factors may explain the invasion mechanism of P. americana. The present study provides a novel insight on the facilitative effects of exotic tree plantation on an exotic herb through the modification of soil biota, with implications for the biocontrol of invasive species and forest management and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic additives with high‐reduction potentials are generally applied in aqueous electrolytes to stabilize the Zn anode, while compromise safety and environmental compatibility. Highly concentrated water‐in‐salt electrolytes have been proposed to realize the high reversibility of Zn plating/stripping; however, their high cost and viscosity hinder their practical applications. Therefore, exploring low‐concentration Zn salts, that can be used directly to stabilize Zn anodes, is of primary importance. Herein, we developed an asymmetric anion group, bi(difluoromethanesulfonyl)(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (DFTFSI‐)‐based novel zinc salt, Zn(DFTFSI)2, to obtain a high ionic conductivity and a highly stable dendrite‐free Zn anode. Experimental tests and theoretical calculations verified that DFTFSI− in the Zn2+ solvation sheath and inner Helmholtz plane would be preferentially reduced to construct layer‐structured SEI films, inhibiting hydrogen evolution and side reactions. Consequently, the Zn|| ${||}$ Zn symmetric cell with 1M Zn(DFTFSI)2 aqueous electrolyte delivers an ultralong cycle life for >2500 h outperforming many other conventional Zn salt electrolytes. The Zn|| ${||}$ Br2 battery also exhibits a long lifespan over 1200 cycles at ~99.8 % Coulombic efficiency with a high capacity retention of 92.5 %. Furthermore, this outstanding performance translates well to a high‐areal‐capacity Zn|| ${||}$ Br2 battery (~5.6 mAh ⋅ cm‐2), cycling over 320 cycles with 95.3 % initial capacity retained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conversion‐type batteries apply the principle that more charge transfer is preferable. The underutilized electron transfer mode within two undermines the electrochemical performance of halogen batteries. Here, we realised a three‐electron transfer lithium‐halogen battery based on I−/I+ and Cl−/Cl0 couples by using a common commercial electrolyte saturated with Cl− anions. The resulting Li||tetrabutylammonium triiodide (TBAI3) cell exhibits three distinct discharging plateaus at 2.97, 3.40, and 3.85 V. Moreover, it has a high capacity of 631 mAh g−1I (265 mAh g−1electrode, based on entire mass loading) and record‐high energy density of up to 2013 Wh kg−1I (845 Wh kg−1electrode). To support these findings, experimental characterisations and density functional theory calculations were conducted to elucidate the redox chemistry involved in this novel interhalogen strategy. We believe our paradigm presented here has a foreseeable inspiring effect on other halogen batteries for high‐energy‐density pursuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric vehicles, intelligent machines, and portable electronics in our daily lives are placing insatiable demand on safe and powerful battery materials that can function at room temperature. Herein, we report an ultrathin and robust solid‐state electrolyte with crosslinked polymer‐brush architecture. On one hand, the highly mobile polymer brushes with a moderate side chain length enable efficient cation solvation and fast ion transport, offering room‐temperature ionic conductivity as high as 0.23 mS cm−1. On the other hand, incorporation of the inorganic core crosslinker endows the material with enhanced mechanical strength, thermal stability, and fire resistance. As a result, the crosslinked polymer‐brush electrolyte films demonstrate stable lithium electrodeposition and great electrochemical performance in Li/LiFePO4 cells at 30 °C, providing a promising pathway to next‐generation safe and high‐energy lithium metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoscale metal‐organic frameworks (NMOFs) have attracted increasing attention for biomedical applications due to their large specific surface area, good biocompatibility, adjustable structures, and diverse functions. By choosing appropriate metal ions and ligands, NMOFs can be synthesized and regulated to assist the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, acting as imaging agents, drug carriers, and cancer therapeutic agents. This review summarizes the recent advances of NMOFs in synthesis, biocompatibility, imaging, and applications in cancer therapies. Among these, the term "biocompatibility" is used to outline their various biological characteristics, and it is mainly discussed from the aspects of size and surface properties of NMOFs. The imaging section mainly emphasizes the application advantages of NMOFs as imaging agents in magnetic resonance, computed tomography, and fluorescence imaging. The applications of NMOFs in four cancer therapies, including phototherapy, radiotherapy, microwave therapy, and ultrasonic therapy, are addressed, especially for thermal and dynamic therapy. Finally, the prospects and challenges of NMOFs in imaging and cancer therapies are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: energy density; lithium batteries; ionic conductivity; room temperature; solid-state electrolyte EN energy density lithium batteries ionic conductivity room temperature solid-state electrolyte 1 1 1 02/10/22 20220201 NES 220201 B The Front Cover b demonstrates a room-temperature lithium metal battery enabled by all-solid-state organic polymer electrolytes with crosslinked short-brush architecture, and the future world powered by next-generation high-energy solid-state batteries. Cover Picture: Crosslinked Polymer-Brush Electrolytes: An Approach to Safe All-Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries at Room Temperature (Batteries & Supercaps 2/2022) Energy density, lithium batteries, ionic conductivity, room temperature, solid-state electrolyte. [Extracted from the article]