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The zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are regarded as the most potential energy storage device for the next generation. However, the zinc anode passivation and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline electrolyte situations inhibit the zinc plate working efficiency, which needs to improve zinc solvation and better electrolyte strategy. In this work, we propose a design of new electrolyte by using a polydentate ligand to stabilize the zinc ion divorced from the zinc anode. The formation of the passivation film is suppressed greatly, compared to the traditional electrolyte. The characterization result presents that the quantity of the passivation film is reduced to nearly 33% of pure KOH result. Besides, triethanolamine (TEA) as an anionic surfactant inhibits the HER effect to improve the efficiency of the zinc anode. The discharging and recycling test indicates that the specific capacity of the battery with the effect of TEA is improved to nearly 85 mA h/cm2 compared to 0.21 mA h/cm2 in 0.5 mol/L KOH, which is 350 times the result of the blank group. The electrochemical analysis results also indicate that zinc anode self-corrosion is palliated. With density function theory, calculation results prove the new complex existence and structure in electrolytes by the data of the molecular orbital (highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital). A new theory of multi-dentate ligand inhibiting passivation is elicited and provides a new direction for ZABs' electrolyte design.

Pimple is one of the most common skin diseases for humans, whose growth cause pain yet the corresponding mechanical analysis is lacking. A finite element model is developed to quantify the deformation field with the expansion of follicle, and then the mechanical stimulus is related to the sensation of pain during the development of pimple. Parametric studies show the dependence of mechanical stimulus and pain level on the pimple-surrounded structures, follicle depth and mechanical properties of the epidermis. The findings in this paper may provide useful insights on prevention or pain mitigation of pimples, as well as those related to other tissue growth and respective cosmetic concerns.

The ballistic protection for body armor usually requires both of high strength and high energy mitigation. In this work, we introduce and evaluate a new kind of body armor, i.e. a hybrid panel of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fabrics and soft energy absorption materials and structures (EAMS), by combing the advantages of bullet-proof and energy absorption of the respective material structures. A combined experimental and numerical study is conducted to evaluate the ballistic performance of the UHMWPE fabrics/EAMS hybrid panel. The resulting back-face signature (BFS) values of the hybrid panel are reduced by 6–17%, compared to the pure UHMWPE fabrics panel with the same areal density. If the EAMS is simply superimposed onto the UHMWPE fabrics, the reduction of BFS can be 50% or more with respect to the pure UHMWPE one. The effects of the geometrical factors of EAMS and mass ratio of UHMWPE fabrics to EAMS on the BFS values are studied using comprehensive finite element method (FEM) analyses. The strategies for optimal design of the UHMWPE fabrics/EAMS composite armor are proposed. The results presented herein shed useful insights for the design for high performance and energy mitigating body armors.