Search

Although numerous studies on polymeric protective films to stabilize lithium (Li)-metal electrodes have been reported, the construction of self-healing polymers that enables the long-term operation of Li-metal batteries (LMBs) at relatively low temperatures has rarely been demonstrated. Herein, a highly stretchable, autonomous self-healable, and ionic-conducting polymer network (SHIPN) is synthesized as an efficient protective film for LMBs. The network backbone, synthesized from copolymerization of poly(ethylene glycol)-mono-methacrylate (PEGMMA) and 2-[[(butylamino)carbonyl]oxy]ethyl acrylate (BCOE), is chemically cross-linked via diisocyanate. With SHIPN-modified electrodes, enhanced electrochemical performance can be achieved in Li/Cu, Li/Li, and Li/LiFePO

With solid wastes as precursors, Li3.25Si was fabricated as an anode, combining the advantages of low-cost and high initial Coulombic efficiency.

Glass-fiber-reinforced polymeric films for a stable Li-metal electrode: unraveling the key attributes of efficient protecting layers.

Sapindus mukorossi G. has been considered as a potential feedstock for forest-based biodiesel in China. To optimize the cultivation of soapberry and ensure its sustainable supply, an environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted using a chronological approach combined with extrapolation. Soapberry plantations with two degrees of cultivation intensities were comparatively analyzed. For the studied environmental categories, nitrogen fertilization accounted for half or more of the global warming potential, primary energy demand, acidification, and eutrophication potential. The main contributors to ozone depletion were pesticides and potassium fertilizer. The plantations with a relatively low cultivation intensity presented better environmental performance, mainly due to the lower input of fertilizers, but they are not a priority choice for soapberry cultivation because of low yield. Stakeholders should focus on how to reduce the environmental impacts of the plantations with a relatively high cultivation intensity in this area. Overall, classified management, increasing the yield, reducing the inputs of chemicals, and decreasing the unproductive years are the key ways to improve the environmental performance of soapberry cultivation in Southeast China. Woody biomass carbon should be included in LCAs, and 3.71–5.11 t CO2 can be fixed by soapberry plantations per ha year, indicating that soapberry cultivation provides a net carbon sink.

Soapberry (Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.) is a multi-functional tree with widespread application in toiletries, biomedicine, biomass energy, and landscaping. The pericarp of soapberry can be used as a medicine or detergent. However, there is currently no systematic study on the chemical constituents of soapberry pericarp during fruit development and ripening, and the dynamic changes in these constituents still unclear. In this study, a non-targeted metabolomics approach using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) was used to comprehensively profile the variations in metabolites in the soapberry pericarp at eight fruit growth stages. The metabolome coverage of UHPLC-HRMS on a HILIC column was higher than that of a C18 column. A total of 111 metabolites were putatively annotated. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis of pericarp metabolic composition revealed clear metabolic shifts from early (S1–S2) to late (S3–S5) development stages to fruit ripening stages (S6–S8). Furthermore, pairwise comparison identified 57 differential metabolites that were involved in 18 KEGG pathways. Early fruit development stages (S1–S2) were characterized by high levels of key fatty acids, nucleotides, organic acids, and phosphorylated intermediates, whereas fruit ripening stages (S6–S8) were characterized by high contents of bioactive and valuable metabolites, such as troxipide, vorinostat, furamizole, alpha-tocopherol quinone, luteolin, and sucrose. S8 (fully developed and mature stage) was the most suitable stage for fruit harvesting to utilize the pericarp. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first metabolomics study of the soapberry pericarp during whole fruit growth. The results could offer valuable information for harvesting, processing, and application of soapberry pericarp, as well as highlight the metabolites that could mediate the biological activity or properties of this medicinal plant.

Sapindus L. species are widely cultivated for biodiesel, biomedical, and biochemical raw materials in southern China. However, yields fluctuate widely due to the lack of high-yielding, high-quality, stable cultivars. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate three species and one variety among 149 nationwide Sapindus species and screen for elite accessions which would serve as Sapindus breeding materials. Accessions were evaluated on 19 agro-morphological traits by correlation analysis and principal component analysis. These displayed substantial diversity and a broad range of economic traits. In particular, accessions of Sapindus mukorossi and Sapindus rarak had more variation in economic traits than Sapindus delavayi and Sapindus rarak var. velutinus. Increased saponin accumulation may be achieved at the cost of seed oil production. Thirty elite accessions for oil and saponin production, and for comprehensive utilization were screened and accessions no. 80, 110, and 112 had significant potential to produce high yields. These elite accessions will facilitate the identification of genetic determinants of valuable traits and the effective utilization of trait variability in Sapindus breeding.

Background Neurologic deficit remains a major complication after cardiovascular surgeries with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). We hypothesized that exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may conduct cerebral protection against prolonged DHCA in rats, and overexpressing microRNA-214 (miR-214) may further enhance the neuroprotection. Methods Cultured MSCs were transfected with lentivirus vectors containing pre-miR-214 or control vectors. Exosomes were isolated by centrifugation. The DHCA was conducted for 60 minutes when the pericranial temperature was cooled to 18°C. Exosomes from MSCs, MSCs transfected with control vectors, or pre-miR-214 were administered by intracerebroventricular injection 1 day before DHCA. Results Transfection of pre-miR-214 significantly enhanced the miR-214 expression in exosomes from MSCs. All exosome-pretreating groups exhibited lower levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, higher capillary density, more significant neurogenesis and angiogenesis, and more normal neurons in the hippocampus than those of the control group. Exosome pretreatment markedly improved the spatial learning and memory function and vestibulomotor function. Compared with exosomes from MSCs or MSCs transfected with control vectors, miR-214–enriched exosomes remarkably enhanced the miR-214 level and expressions of phosphor-protein kinase B and Bcl-2, inhibited expressions of phosphate and tension homology, Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death, Bcl-2-associated X protein, and cleaved Caspase-3, and increased the number of survival neurons. Significantly better neurologic functions were also detected in rats pretreated with miR-214–enriched exosomes. Conclusions Exosomes from MSCs conduct powerful neuroprotection against cerebral injury induced by DHCA, which can be further enhanced by genetic modification of the exosomes to overexpress miR-214.

Soapberry (Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.) pericarps are rich in valuable bioactive triterpenoid saponins. However, the saponin content dynamics and the molecular regulatory network of saponin biosynthesis in soapberry pericarps remain largely unclear. Here, we performed combined metabolite profiling and transcriptome analysis to identify saponin accumulation kinetic patterns, investigate gene networks, and characterize key candidate genes and transcription factors involved in saponin biosynthesis in soapberry pericarps. A total of 54 saponins were tentatively identified, including 25 that were differentially accumulated. Furthermore, 49 genes putatively involved in sapogenin backbone biosynthesis and some candidate genes assumed to be responsible for the backbone modification, including 41 cytochrome P450s and 45 glycosyltransferases, were identified. Saponin-specific clusters/modules were identified by Mfuzz clustering and weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and one TF–gene regulatory network underlying saponin biosynthesis was proposed. The results of yeast one-hybrid assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay suggested that SmbHLH2, SmTCP4, and SmWRKY27 may play important roles in the triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis by directly regulating the transcription of SmCYP71D-3 in soapberry pericarp. Overall, these findings provide valuable information for understanding the molecular regulatory mechanism of saponin biosynthesis, enriching the gene resources, and guiding further research on triterpenoid saponin accumulation in soapberry pericarps.One–sentence summaryCombining metabolome and transcriptome analysis to identify saponin kinetic patterns, gene networks, and key candidate genes and transcription factors involved in saponin biosynthesis of soapberry.

Lithium (Li) metal has been considered as the ultimate anode material for next-generation rechargeable batteries due to its ultra-high theoretical specific capacity (3860 mAh g−1) and the lowest reduction voltage (−3.04 V vs the standard hydrogen electrode). However, the dendritic Li formation, uncontrolled interfacial reactions, and huge volume variations lead to unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, low Coulombic efficiency and hence short cycling lifetime. Designing artificial solid electrolyte interphase (artificial SEI) films on the Li metal electrode exhibits great potential to solve the aforementioned problems and enable Li–metal batteries with prolonged lifetime. Polymer materials with good ionic conductivity, superior processability and high flexibility are considered as ideal artificial SEI film materials. In this review, according to the ionic conductive groups, recent advances in polymeric artificial SEI films are summarized to afford a deep understanding of Li ion plating/stripping behavior and present design principles of high-performance artificial SEI films in achieving stable Li metal electrodes. Perspectives regarding to the future research directions of polymeric artificial SEI films for Li–metal electrode are also discussed. The insights and design principles of polymeric artificial SEI films gained in the current review will be definitely useful in achieving the Li–metal batteries with improved energy density, high safety and long cycling lifetime toward next-generation energy storage devices.

The major cause for capacity fading of silicon nanoparticle (SiNP)-based electrodes is the immense pressure applied toward the conductive networks during the charge/discharge process. While numerou...

Objective We sought to investigate cerebroprotection by targeting long noncoding RNA growth arrest–specific 5 in a rat model of prolonged deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Methods Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was conducted for 60 minutes when the pericranial temperature was cooled to 18°C in rats. Dual luciferase assay was used to detect the binding relationship between growth arrest–specific 5 and putative target microRNAs. Adeno-associated viral vectors containing growth arrest–specific 5 small interfering RNA or negative control small interfering RNA were administered by intracerebroventricular injection 14 days before deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Expressions of growth arrest–specific 5, microRNA-23a, phosphate and tension homology, Bcl-2–associated X protein, Bcl-2, phospho-protein kinase B, protein kinase B, and cleaved caspase-3 in the hippocampus were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Spatial learning and memory functions were evaluated by the Morris water maze test. The hippocampus was harvested for histologic examinations and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling staining. Results Luciferase assay showed that growth arrest–specific 5 targeted and inhibited microRNA-23a expression. After deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, hippocampal growth arrest–specific 5 expression was significantly enhanced with a robust decrease of hippocampal microRNA-23a expression. Small interfering RNA growth arrest–specific 5 significantly inhibited growth arrest–specific 5 expression and enhanced microRNA-23a expression in the hippocampus, accompanied with decreases of phosphate and tension homology and Bcl-2–associated X protein expression, and increases of Bcl-2 expression and phospho-protein kinase B/protein kinase B ratio. Growth arrest–specific 5 knockdown inhibited neuronal apoptosis, attenuated histologic damages, and increased the number of surviving neurons in the hippocampus. Spatial learning and memory functions after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest were also markedly improved by growth arrest–specific 5 inhibition. Conclusions Inhibition of large noncoding RNA growth arrest–specific 5 can provide a powerful cerebroprotection against deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, which may be mediated through microRNA-23a/phosphate and tension homology pathway.

A silicon/antimony/antimony oxide/graphite@amouphous carbon (Si/Sb/Sb2O3/G@C) composite material was prepared successfully via a simple ball milling and high temperature calcination process. Its structural characterization showed that Si and Sb/Sb2O3 were dispersed into the graphite layer and coated with amorphous carbon. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results revealed that Sb2O3 was partly reduced to Sb by carbon, which could improve its electronic conductivity. Besides, Si, Sb, Sb2O3 and carbon have different lithiation/delithiation voltage plateaus, which can act as a mutually buffering matrix, thus improving its electrochemical performance. Due to the high specific capacity, good electronic conductivity and stable cycling performance benefited from the Si/Sb/Sb2O3, Sb/G and G/C, respectively, as well as the mutually buffering matrix of all the active materials, the resulting composite electrode materials exhibit excellent electrochemical performance. The composite material exhibited good cycling performance (a stable reversible delithiation capacity of 567.8 mA h g−1 after 180 cycles), excellent rate capability (∼360 mA h g−1 and 280 mA h g−1 at current densities of 1000 mA g−1 and 2000 mA g−1, respectively) and decreased polarization resistance. This work demonstrates a facile and cost-effective approach to preparing composite materials with complementary advantages for use in high-performance Li-ion batteries.

Chipmunk as a food-storing hibernator naturally undergoes hibernation that is linked to great changes in systemic physiology and could protect the central nervous system during drastically reduced cerebral blood flow and low temperature in hibernation. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is associated with neurological dysfunction. We aim to test whether the euthermic chipmunk is resistant to injury from DHCA. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used in a positive control. Ten euthermic chipmunks and 10 rats were subjected to 60-minute DHCA. Sham rats and chipmunks received cannulations. The blood samples after surgery were extracted to measure the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) level. The levels of opioid receptor delta 1 (OPRD1), mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (m-BDNF), precursor of BDNF (pro-BDNF), TrkB, GRB2, Erk, p-Erk, P38, Bcl-2, P75NTR, TRAF6, JNK, P53, Bax, and Caspase3 of the hippocampus were analyzed at 24 hours after surgery. The brain of chipmunks and rats were fixed for histopathological assessment. In the DHCA rat group, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were greater (

Objective We investigated the neuroprotection of exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing microRNA-25 on ischemic spinal cords. Methods Cultured mesenchymal stem cells were transfected with lentivirus vectors containing pre–microRNA-25 or control vectors. Exosomes were isolated and harvested by centrifugation. Spinal cord ischemia was induced in rats by crossclamping the descending aorta just distal to the left subclavian artery for 15 minutes. Exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells transfected with control vector, or pre–microRNA-25 were administered by intrathecal injection before ischemia. Hind-limb motor function was assessed with the motor deficit index. Contents of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase activity were measured using commercial kits. Expressions of NADPH oxidase 2, NADPH oxidase 4, and microRNA-25 were detected by Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Lumbar spinal cords were harvested for histologic examination. Results Transfection of pre–microRNA-25 significantly enhanced microRNA-25 levels in mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes (P Conclusions The neuroprotection of exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells on ischemic spinal cords can be enhanced by genetic modification of the exosomes to contain elevated microRNA-25.

Sapindus mukorossi G. has been considered as a potential feedstock for forest-based biodiesel in China. To optimize the cultivation of soapberry and ensure its sustainable supply, an environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted using a chronological approach combined with extrapolation. Soapberry plantations with two degrees of cultivation intensities were comparatively analyzed. For the studied environmental categories, nitrogen fertilization accounted for half or more of the global warming potential, primary energy demand, acidification and eutrophication potential. The main contributors to ozone depletion were pesticides and potassium fertilizer. The plantations with a relatively low cultivation intensity presented better environmental performance, mainly due to the lower input of fertilizers, but they are not a priority choice for soapberry cultivation because of low yield. Stakeholders should focus on how to reduce the environmental impacts of the plantations with a relatively high cultivation intensity in this area. Overall, classified management, increasing the yield, reducing the inputs of chemicals and decreasing the unproductive years are the key ways to improve the environmental performance of soapberry cultivation in Southeast China. Woody biomass carbon should be included in LCAs, and 3.71-5.11 t CO2 can be fixed by soapberry plantations per ha year, indicating that soapberry cultivation provides a net carbon sink.

Soapberry (Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.) is a multi-functional tree, which is widely used in daily chemicals, biomedicine, biomass energy and landscaping. The pericarp of soapberry can be used as medicine or detergent. However, there is no systematic study on chemical constituents of soapberry pericarp in fruit development, and the dynamic changes of these constituents are far from clear. In this study, we applied a non-targeted metabolomics approach using an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Q Exactive HF hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometer (UHPLC-QE-HF-MS) to comprehensively profile the variations of metabolites in soapberry pericarp at eight fruit development stages. The metabolome coverage of UHPLC-QE-HF-MS on a HILIC column was higher than that of a C18 column. A total of 111 metabolites were putatively identified, and these metabolites showed three accumulation patterns (pre-accumulation, mid-accumulation and post-accumulation) with fruit development. Twenty-five of these 111 metabolites (including amino acids and their derivatives, flavonoids, organic acids, fatty acids, nucleotides and their derivatives, alkaloids, carbohydrates, terpenoids, vitamins, phosphorylated intermediates) were present at significantly different levels between the two adjacent stages, which were involved in 13 KEGG pathways, among them 5 pathways (flavonoid biosynthesis; histidine metabolism; aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis; flavone and flavonol biosynthesis; and phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis) were most relevant. S8 stage (fruit ripening stage) is the most suitable stage for fruit harvesting to utilize the pericarp, during which the accumulation of many bioactive and valuable metabolites (e.g., furamizole, alpha-tocopherol quinone, sucrose) in the pericarp was highest. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first time that the metabolomics in soapberry pericarp during the whole fruit development was profiled. This study will be beneficial to guide the harvesting, processing and application, and pave the way for further studies on the biosynthesis mechanism of the main metabolites of the soapberry pericarp.

Background: Nutrient deficiency leads to a high fruit abscission rate in Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn. (Soapberry), which is one of the most widely cultivated biodiesel feedstock forests in China. Exogenous sucrose can provide a solution to nutrient deficiency and fruit abscission, which was applied to whole trees at two stages, 20 days before blooming (DBB stage) and fruit abscission (DBFA stage). Six sucrose concentrations, 0%, 1%, 1.5%, 3%, 5% and 7%, were sprayed three times at a completely randomized block design with 5 replications and 6 treatments. 13CO2 labelling experiments were carried out after the 3 sprayings. Results: (1) In the DBB stage, the 3% treatment significantly increased the inflorescence fructose and glucose contents 1-1.2 times, also resulted in the highest fruit GA3, leaf IAA, fruit IAA and fruit ZT contents, while it decreased the inflorescence ABA from 16 μg/g to 4 μg/g. (2) The 1.5% and 3% treatments significantly increased the carbohydrate content and decreased fruit ABA content to 30%-50% of the control level in the DBFA stage. (3) High-concentration sugar treatment (over 3%) increased the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents, which decreased the calcium and magnesium contents. (4) The 13C-dispatching ability of the inflorescence was 3 times greater than leaves under high-concentration sugar treatment in the DBB stage. Supplying 1.5% sucrose nearly doubled the allocation capacity in the DBFA stage. (5) The source-sink nutrient migration pathway showed that leaf and fruit sugars were directly correlated via phosphorus. Fruit fructose and glucose contents affected the leaf mineral element contents. Conclusions: It can conclude that exogenous application of 3% sucrose in the DBB stage and 1.5% sucrose in the DBFA stage can increase the sink nutrition allocation capacity, and phosphorus is the main mineral element correlated with leaf and fruit sugars.

Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn. (soapberry) is currently one of the most widely used biodiesel feedstocks in China. The canopy architecture of plants has significant impacts on microclimate, transpiration, and carbon acquisition and allocation, which can lead to plant disease and low yield. To solve low yield problems in soapberry and evaluate the relationship between light distribution and the canopy, crown architecture manipulation was carried out in this study to provide an ideotype to decrease leaf and fruit abscission. Canopy characteristics (LAI and CGfr), light characteristics (light ratio and PPFD) and photosynthetic characteristics (Pn, Tr, Gs and Ci) in different soapberry tree architectures were measured for 2 years to analyze light distribution, light interception and photosynthetic ability. This study also evaluated a two-factor interaction between scaffold branch angle (A30°, A45°, A60°, and A90°) and scaffold branch number (N3, N4, N5, and SC). Controlling the scaffold branch angle influenced light distribution, and branch angles of 60° and 90° increased light absorbance by 2–3 times in the vertical layers and decreased the disparity between inner and outer light ratios in the horizontal layers. Light interception ability was positively correlated (R2 = 0.785) with LAI from May to October, and the A90°N3 canopy architecture, which had 16% higher light interception ability than the other treatments and maintained the highest cumulative LAI (19.57) during the growing season, was the most suitable for preserving leaves in August and October. Light interception ability had no correlation with LAI in April (the month before blooming) but was positively correlated (R2 = 0.485) with the number of inflorescences, which indicated that higher light interception in April increased the number of inflorescences. Controlling the scaffold branch number significantly influenced Pn, Tr and Gs, and in particular, architectures with 3 scaffold branches provided 1–2 times higher photosynthetic ability than did the other architectures, with A60°N3 increasing Pn to 30 μmol CO2·m−2·s−1 and Gs to 0.26 mol H2O·m−2·s−1. The number of inflorescences was not directly correlated with yield, but yield in November was positively correlated (R2 = 0.5) with the photosynthetic rate*LAI in August. The highest yield, 0.3 kg·m−2 (projection area of crown), occurred in A60°N3 and A90°N3; the former was positively correlated with the photosynthetic rate in August, and the latter was influenced by high LAI and high light interception. Overall, high light interception ability could solve the problem of leaf abscission, and high photosynthetic ability could decrease fruit abscission in soapberry trees. A60°N3 and A90°N3 are the current ideotypes. These findings reveal the major factors influenced by canopy architecture and lay a foundation for further study of photosynthetic product distribution in different light environments. The selection of ideal architectural types will provide a mode and direction for further creative research into 3-dimensional visual structures, which will lead to additional theoretical and technical support for tree architecture planning.

Sapindus mukorossi and Sapindus delavayi are widely distributed in China, and their fruits are very valuable because they contain specific, economically useful plant oils and saponins. There are relatively few published studies about these two species’ genetic structure, suitable planting areas, and variations in economically important fruit traits. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the genetic structure of germplasms selected from a wide region, determine suitable growth conditions, and characterize variability among economically important fruit traits based on genotypes. We analyzed samples using inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) and detected 247 loci by scanning the genetic diversity of 61 Sapindus germplasms with 16 ISSR primers. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean and the STRUCTURE program were used to predict the genetic structure among species and S. mukorossi germplasms, respectively. A principal component analysis was completed to examine the correlations between genetic diversity and ecological factors. The S. mukorossi and S. delavayi germplasms were divided into two groups, and the S. mukorossi germplasms were further divided into two subgroups, with clear genotypic differences. The distributions of the Sapindus germplasms indicated that S. delavayi can adapt to high elevations, while S. mukorossi subgroup 1 germplasms can adapt to moderate precipitation and low temperatures better than the subgroup 2 members. Additionally, the S. mukorossi subgroup 2 germplasms can adapt to relatively large changes in precipitation and low temperatures. Moreover, correlation analyses suggested that subgroup 1 germplasms exhibit phenotypic plasticity and the potential to produce oils. These observations may have implications for tree breeding programs. Furthermore, the distribution patterns of the genetic diversity reported herein may provide relevant baseline data for the development of conservation strategies applicable to related wild-type tree species.

To improve the electrochemical performances and thermal stability of Ni, Co-containing Li-rich materials, Li 1.2 (Ni 0.25 Co 0.25 Mn 0.5 ) 0.8 O 2 is redesigned into Li 1.2 [(Co 0.5 Mn 0.5 ) 1/2 (Ni 0.5 Mn 0.5 ) 1/2 ] 0.8 O 2 with a novel core-shelled structure for the first time. Subsequently, this core-shelled material is prepared successfully via co-precipitation and solid state method. The core-shelled structure of Li 1.2 [(Co 0.5 Mn 0.5 ) 1/2 (Ni 0.5 Mn 0.5 ) 1/2 ] 0.8 O 2 is certified by Energy Disperse X-ray Spectrum (EDS) on the cross-section of the single particle. Different from the conventional core-shelled structure design of Li-rich materials, in which Mn-rich materials act as core and Ni-rich materials act as shell, the novel core-shelled structure of Li 1.2 [(Co 0.5 Mn 0.5 ) 1/2 (Ni 0.5 Mn 0.5 ) 1/2 ] 0.8 O 2 incorporates the advantages of Co-rich core and Ni-rich shell. Subsequently, improved cyclability, rate capability and thermal stability are obtained in Li 1.2 [(Co 0.5 Mn 0.5 ) 1/2 (Ni 0.5 Mn 0.5 ) 1/2 ] 0.8 O 2 .

Tin/phosphide (Sn/P) based alloys have been regarded as one of the promising anodes for advanced sodium-ion batteries due to their advantages of low-cost and proper redox potentials to Na/Na+. However, because of the serious volume expansion in the Na storage process, Sn/P-based materials generally suffer from rapid capacity decay during the cycle. Herein, a novel tin/phosphorus@graphite-carbon nanotubes (Sn/P@G-CNTs) composite was synthesized via a rational high-energy ball milling (HEBM) method. SEM and TEM results reveal that the separated Sn/P species are homogeneously dispersed in the G-CNTs matrix, which can accommodate large volume expansion and generate good electrical contact during cycle. As a result, the fabricated Sn/P@G-CNTs electrode exhibits a high reversible capacity (1048 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g−1) with an initial Coulombic efficiency of 79.84% and good rate capability, better than those of Sn/P@G and Sn/P@CNTs counterparts. The design strategy and synthesis method of Sn/P@G-CNTs can provide an insight on constructing cost-effective sodium-ion batteries.

Summary: With numerous reports on protecting films for stable lithium (Li) metal electrodes, the key attributes for how to construct these efficient layers have rarely been fully investigated. Here, we report a rationally designed hybrid protective layer (HPL) with each component aligning with one key attribute; i.e., cross-linked poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) enhances flexibility, polyethylene glycol (PEG) provides homogeneous ion-conducting channels, and glass fiber (GF) affords mechanical robustness. A significant improvement of the electrochemical performance of HPL-modified electrodes can be achieved in Li/HPL@Cu half cells, HPL@Li/HPL@Li symmetric cells, and HPL@Li/LiFePO4 full cells. Even with an industrial standard LiFePO4 cathode (96.8 wt % active material), the assembled cell still exhibits a capacity retention of 90% after 100 cycles at 1 C. More importantly, the functionality of each component has been studied comprehensively via electrochemical and physical experiments and simulations, which will provide useful guidance on how to construct efficient protective layers for next-generation energy storage devices.

Lithium-rich layered oxides (LLOs) deliver a high energy-density of above 1000 W h Kg−1 owing to new charge/discharge mechanisms and are regarded as up-and-coming cathodes for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, they usually suffer from serious capacity and voltage decay during repeated cycles, limiting their wider practical applications. Herein, Ni/Mn-graded LLOs, in which the nickel content increases gradually, while the manganese content decreases continuously at the outer surface of secondary particles, were rationally designed and further prepared by a modified co-precipitation route combined with solid-state reactions. As expected, this Ni/Mn-graded LLOs exhibited a higher reversible capacity of 290.9 mA h g−1, much improved stability of the capacity and voltage, ∼90% capacity retention, and a high voltage of 3.23 V (vs. Li/Li+), even after 200 cycles, compared with the normal LLOs. XPS and XRD characterization of the cycled electrodes indicated that these enhanced electrochemical properties are probably ascribed to the nickel-increased surface, which suppresses the structural transitions from layered to spinel, and/or the rock-salt phases as well as the side-reactions on the electrode/electrolyte interface. In particular, this Ni/Mn-graded structure opens up a feasible and effective tactic to mitigate the capacity and voltage decay of LLOs and could possibly promote the process of their practical application in high-energy LIBs.

Spherical Li-rich cathode materials Li1+x(Ni1/6Co1/6Mn4/6)1−xO2 (x = 0.130, 0.167, 0.200, 0.231) are synthesized via co-precipitation and solid state reaction, and the effect of lithium content on their structure, morphology and electrochemical performance is investigated. XRD shows that the more lithium content, the more superlattice the structure of the monoclinic Li2MnO3-like component. Besides, as the lithium content increases, the spherical morphology changes little, but the primary particle size increases and the secondary particle surface becomes rough. Among these Li-rich cathode materials, Li1+x(Ni1/6Co1/6Mn4/6)1−xO2 (x = 0.167) displays the highest tap density (over 2.3 g cm−3) and the best electrochemical performance (an initial discharge capacity of 274.1 mA h g−1 in the voltage range of 2.0–4.8 V at 0.1C, a capacity retention of 83.1% after 80 cycles and the highest initial volumetric energy densities of 2277 W h L−1). This is possibly associated with the dense morphology and low cation disordering of Li and Mn in the transition metal layers, which is closely related to the lithium content. This research is expected to definitely contribute to improving the electrochemical performance of Li-rich layered electrodes and making Li-rich materials viable for practical applications in advanced Li-ion batteries.

Silicon (Si) is a promising candidate for high-capacity anode materials owing to its high theoretical capacity (3579 mAh g-1 ), low working voltage, and wide natural abundance, although its huge volume variation during charge/discharge processes always results in a short cycling life. Polymer binders play a vital role in improving the cycling performance of Si-based anodes, although traditional polyvinylidene difluoride cannot fulfil the requirements owing to its weak van der Waals forces with the Si surface. Recently, polymer binders constructed by dynamic bonds have been developed, which are reported to allow high-energy-density electrodes with improved electrochemical performance. With dynamic bonds including hydrogen bonding, ionic bonding, and host-guest interactions, these polymer binders possess self-healing capabilities and enhanced mechanical performance, achieving a tremendous advance in addressing the capacity fading of Si-based anodes. In this review, we will summarize the research progress of polymer binders constructed with dynamic bonds, and the challenges for their real applications in advanced Li-ion batteries will also be discussed.

As a highly promising anode material for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the low electronic conductivity and large volume variation of silicon (Si) make the slurry-coating Si based electrode requiring high content of “inert” materials and suffering rapid capacity fading. Herein, a polyimine, synthesized via one-step condensation reaction, has been demonstrated as an ultra-efficient polymer binder that can resolve the above issues. The polyimine binder containing Si electrode delivers superior electrochemical performance: a delithiation specific capacity of 804.4 mAh g−1 with capacity retention of 82.4% after 1000 cycles at the current density of 2 A g−1. The high efficiency of polyimine binder for Si electrode has also been demonstrated with ultrahigh weight ratio of “active” material to “inert” material (RA/I). The electrode with 95 wt% of Si (95Si/Polyimine, RA/I = 19) reveals a reversible delithiation capacity of 2114 mAh g−1 (capacity retention ~ 80.4%) over 200 cycles at the current density of 400 mA g−1. Even at the high current density of 2 A g−1, a delithiation capacity of 1087.8 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles can be obtained. Molecular simulations and atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation are utilized to investigate the ultra-efficiency of polyimine binder. With simple manufacturing process and ultra-efficient binder performance, the designed polyimine binder will be definitely meaningful in achieving low-cost and high-capacity LIBs with prolonged cycle life.

As one of the highest specific capacity anode materials in lithium-ion batteries, the main technical issue for silicon (Si) based electrodes is the rapid capacity fading caused by the huge volume changes. Porous Si materials are reported to efficiently alleviate the side effects of volume fluctuation. However, the expensive precursor and complicated production process in previous reports limited their practical applications. Herein, we report a cost-efficient approach on the fabrication of porous Si via the low temperature aluminothermic reduction of low cost natural raw materials, combining the advantages of low temperature and natural materials. The porous structure of attapulgite-derived Si (SiATP) is well retained during the compositing process. The obtained composite electrode SiATP/graphite@carbon (SiATP/G@C) exhibits excellent electrochemical performance, with a reversible discharge capacity of 799 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. To demonstrate the versatility of the approach, another natural ore, mica (MIC), was also utilized to the fabrication of porous Si (SiMIC). As expected, the SiMIC/graphite@carbon composite electrode also exhibits high specific capacity (697 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles), superior capacity retention (81% after 100 cycles based the 4th cycle), and outstanding rate capability.

Sapindus mukorossi is a native tree in southern China that has multiple useful functions, including high landscaping, ecological, esthetic, and economic values. More importantly, its fruits are being rapidly developed as raw materials for bioenergy and saponin production in southern China. To provide a standardized phenological description of the species, this study firstly used the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie) scale. In total, eight principal stages&mdash, i.e., bud, leaf and shoot development, inflorescence emergence, flowering, fruit development, fruit maturity, senescence and beginning of dormancy&mdash, and 58 secondary stages were described. It ranges from vegetative bud dormancy to the onset of the next beginning of the dormancy, using a two-digit numerical coding system. In addition to the descriptions, we provide photographic images of some major developmental stages to standardize morphological characteristics and the phenological observation of S. mukorossi. This study will be an asset for biological researches and cultivation management in Sapindus, and will provide valuable information for other fruit trees.

Objective To explore the role of microRNA (miR)-30a in the development of aortic dissection. Methods Human aortic specimens of aortic dissections and aneurysms were harvested. Aortic specimens from donors for heart transplantation served as controls. Rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were transfected with agomiR-30a or antagomiR-30a, and control cells were incubated with empty vectors. Rats were pretreated with agomiR-30a or antagomiR-30a (5 × 10 7 transfection units every 3 days for 4 weeks), and empty vectors were infused to controls. Acute aortic dissection was induced by subcutaneous infusion of angiotensin II (1 μg · kg −1 · min −1 for 24 hours). Protein expressions of lysyl oxidase (LOX) and elastin and gene expression of miR-30a were measured in VSMCs and human and rat aortic specimens by Western blot analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results Gene expression of miR-30a was much higher, and protein abundance of LOX and elastin was significantly lower, in the aortic dissection specimens ( P P = .002). In cultured VSMCs, transfection of agomiR-30a dramatically enhanced the gene expression of miR-30a and down-regulated the protein abundance of LOX and elastin ( P P P = .003 vs controls). Conclusions Overexpression of miR-30a contributes to the development of aortic dissection, possibly by targeting LOX.

The characteristic for industrial control and data acquisition of a Single Chip Microcomputer STM32, which is based on ARM 32-bit Cortex-M3 CPU, is analyzed. Different signal processing circuits are designed for different kinds of parameter in a certain diesel engine aboard. By using photoelectric coupling technology, the electric connection between data acquisition system and unit under test is separated, and the anti-interference performance of the system is improved. The experiment results indicate that the data acquisition system meets the requirement of collecting the diesel engine parameters, such as the pressure and temperature of cooling water, fuel and lubricating oil, the rotate speed of the diesel engine and the sensor state of the system. A new and effective method of designing one kind of data acquisition system based on a Single Chip Microcomputer is presented.

In this article, the rapid prototyping technology is used to develop a hardware-in-the-loop simulation system for the diesel engine electronic control unit development. The hardware- in-the-loop simulation is based on Linux RTAI system, an open source hard real-time extension of the Linux Operating System, at low costs and within industrial standards. It exploits standard x86-based computing platforms provided with real-time Linux software in combination with generic computer-aided design software (Matlab/Simulink). One of its main characteristics is that it can automatically generate the real-time simulation code for many target processors, which runs under Linux RTAI operating system.