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As a new type of secondary ion battery, aqueous zinc‐ion battery has a broad application prospect in the field of large‐scale energy storage due to its characteristics of low cost, high safety, environmental friendliness, and high‐power density. In recent years, manganese dioxide (MnO2)‐based materials have been extensively explored as cathodes for Zn‐ion batteries. Based on the research experiences of our group in the field of aqueous zinc ion batteries and combining with the latest literature of system, we systematically summarize the research progress of Zn−MnO2 batteries. This article first reviews the current research progress and reaction mechanism of Zn−MnO2 batteries, and then respectively expounds the optimization of MnO2 cathode, Zn anodes, and diverse electrolytes and their effects on battery performance. Additionally, primary challenges related to different components and their respective strategies for mitigating them are discussed, with the ultimate objective of offering comprehensive guidance for the design and fabrication of high‐performance Zn−MnO2 batteries. Finally, the future research and development direction of aqueous Zn−MnO2 batteries with high energy density, high safety and long life is envisioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Long life silver-zinc (Ag-Zn) fibrous batteries have been developed. • A bifunctional gel electrolyte is designed by introducing graphene oxide. • The undesired Zn dendrite growth and Ag migration during cycling are suppressed. • The battery can maintain its performance and power electronics under deformations. Silver-zinc (Ag-Zn) fibrous batteries are considered as a promising power source for next-generation flexible/wearable electronics because of their superior safety, high energy density, and stable output voltage. Nevertheless, the widespread application of Ag-Zn batteries is hindered by their limited cycle life, primarily caused by Zn dendrite growth and Ag migration. Herein, we develop a flexible mild Ag-Zn fibrous battery with outstanding cycle performance via designing a bifunctional gel electrolyte. The graphene oxide (GO) introduced into the electrolyte provides dual enhancement in suppressing the growth of Zn dendrite and migration of Ag, leading to improved structural integrity and long cycle life. The designed fibrous battery demonstrates a high capacity of 0.85 mAh cm−1 and it can retain 90% (77.4%) of the initial capacity after 250 cycles under current density of 0.5 (5) mA cm−1. Additionally, the battery can maintain its performance under various deformations and a four-battery set is employed as the power source for LED patterns and wearable sensors. This work provides a rational way to design advanced gel electrolytes for high-performance flexible batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell lysis is an essential step for the nucleic acid-based surveillance of bacteriological water quality. Recently, electrochemical cell lysis (ECL), which is based on the local generation of hydroxide at a cathode surface, has been reported to be a rapid and reagent-free method for cell lysis. Herein, we describe the development of a milliliter-output ECL device and its performance characterization with respect to the DNA extraction efficiency for gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhi) and gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus durans and Bacillus subtilis). Both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria were successfully lysed within a short but optimal duration of 1 min at a low voltage of ∼5 V. The ECL method described herein, is demonstrated to be applicable to various environmental water sample types, including pond water, treated wastewater, and untreated wastewater with DNA extraction efficiencies similar to a commercial DNA extraction kit. The ECL system outperformed homogeneous chemical lysis in terms of reaction times and DNA extraction efficiencies, due in part to the high pH generated at the cathode surface, which was predicted by simulations of the hydroxide transport in the cathodic chamber. Our work indicates that the ECL method for DNA extraction is rapid, simplified and low-cost with no need for complex instrumentation. It has demonstrable potential as a prelude to PCR analyses of waterborne bacteria in the field, especially for the gram-negative ones. An electrochemical lysis device has been developed for DNA extraction of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria from varied environmental samples. Image 1 • An electrochemical cell lysis (ECL) device was developed based on local high pH at cathode surface. • Different bacteria were successfully lysed with an optimal duration of 1 min at a low voltage of ∼5 V. • Various environmental water samples were demonstrated with high DNA extraction efficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]