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Versatile Processability by Breaking the Symmetrical Chemical Structure of Nonfullerene Acceptors
No full textDespite the outstanding photovoltaic performance of symmetrical Y6, its use is limited in that only chloroform (CF), a highly volatile processing solvent, can induce favorable morphology. This dependence on a particular solvent poses an obstacle to mass production. Here, we investigate the effect of symmetry-breaking of nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) on device performance and processability by employing chlorobenzene (CB) or CF processing solvents. In organic solar cells (OSCs) based on a symmetrical Y6 acceptor, a significant difference in the power conversion efficiency occurs between the OSCs fabricated using CB and those fabricated using CF. However, in OSCs based on IPC-BEH-IC2F with asymmetrical structure, no difference in photovoltaic performance occurs between the two OSCs. Grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements indicate that IPC-BEH-IC2F exhibits nearly identical diffraction features in both the CB- and CF-processed photoactive films, whereas Y6 shows markedly different stacking structures. Because of these morphological features, OSCs based on Y6 are associated with a relatively large energy loss difference in CB and CF, whereas OSCs based on IPC-BEH-IC2F show no significant difference in energy loss. The introduction of an asymmetrical structure can therefore be an important strategy to enhance the versatile processability of OSCs based on NFAs for future mass production
Elucidating Ion Transport Phenomena in Sulfide/Polymer Composite Electrolytes for Practical Solid-State Batteries
No full textDespite the enormous interest in inorganic/polymer composite solid-state electrolytes (CSEs) for solid-state batteries (SSBs), the underlying ion transport phenomena in CSEs have not yet been elucidated. Here, we address this issue by formulating a mechanistic understanding of bi-percolating ion channels formation and ion conduction across inorganic-polymer electrolyte interfaces in CSEs. A model CSE is composed of argyrodite-type Li6PS5Cl (LPSCl) and gel polymer electrolyte (GPE, including Li+-glyme complex as an ion-conducting medium). The percolation threshold of the LPSCl phase in the CSE strongly depends on the elasticity of the GPE phase. Additionally, manipulating the solvation/desolvation behavior of the Li+-glyme complex in the GPE facilitates ion conduction across the LPSCl-GPE interface. The resulting scalable CSE (area = 8 x 6 (cm x cm), thickness similar to 40 mu m) can be assembled with a high-mass-loading LiNi0.7Co0.15Mn0.15O2 cathode (areal-mass-loading = 39 mg cm(-2)) and a graphite anode (negative (N)/positive (P) capacity ratio = 1.1) in order to fabricate an SSB full cell with bi-cell configuration. Under this constrained cell condition, the SSB full cell exhibits high volumetric energy density (480 Wh L-cell(-1)) and stable cyclability at 25 degrees C, far exceeding the values reported by previous CSE-based SSBs
Recent research trends in textile-based temperature sensors: a mini review
No full textIn this review, the current state of research on textile-based temperature sensors is explored by focusing on their potential use in various applications. The textile-based sensors show various advantages including flexibility, conformability and seamlessness for the wearer. Integration of the textile-based sensors into clothes or fabric-based products enables continuous and sensitive monitoring of change in temperature, which can be used for various medical and fitness applications. However, there are lacks of comprehensive review on the textile-based temperature sensors. This review introduces various types of textile-based temperature sensors, including resistive, thermoelectric and fibre-optical sensors. In addition, the challenges that need to be addressed to fully realise their potential, which include improving sensitivity and accuracy, integrating wireless communication capabilities, and developing low-cost fabrication techniques. The technological advances in textile-based temperature sensors to overcome the limitations will revolutionize wearable devices requiring function of temperature monitoring
Astrocytic scar restricting glioblastoma via glutamate-MAO-B activity in glioblastoma-microglia assembloid
No full textBackground Glial scar formation is a reactive glial response confining injured regions in a central nervous system. However, it remains challenging to identify key factors formulating glial scar in response to glioblastoma (GBM) due to complex glia-GBM crosstalk. Methods Here, we constructed an astrocytic scar enclosing GBM in a human assembloid and a mouse xenograft model. GBM spheroids were preformed and then co-cultured with microglia and astrocytes in 3D Matrigel. For the xenograft model, U87-MG cells were subcutaneously injected to the Balb/C nude female mice. Results Additional glutamate was released from GBM-microglia assembloid by 3.2-folds compared to GBM alone. The glutamate upregulated astrocytic monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) deposition, forming the astrocytic scar and restricting GBM growth. Attenuating scar formation by the glutamate-MAO-B inhibition increased drug penetration into GBM assembloid, while reducing GBM confinement. Conclusions Taken together, our study suggests that astrocytic scar could be a critical modulator in GBM therapeutics
Turning CO2 into valuables with sunlight only
No full textRecycling CO2 into value-added chemicals via photoelectrochemical reduction is a promising path toward carbon neutrality. Reporting in Chem Catalysis, Yap et al. show that an integrated photoelectrode is necessary to reduce CO2 with high efficiency, stability, and selec-tivity to desired products with sunlight as the only energy source
Fenton-like Chemistry by a Copper(I) Complex and H2O2 Relevant to Enzyme Peroxygenase C-H Hydroxylation
No full textLytic polysaccharide monooxygenases have received significantattentionas catalytic convertors of biomass to biofuel. Recent studies suggestthat its peroxygenase activity (i.e., using H2O2 as an oxidant) is more important than its monooxygenase functionality.Here, we describe new insights into peroxygenase activity, with acopper-(I) complex reacting with H2O2 leadingto site-specific ligand-substrate C-H hydroxylation.[Cu-I(TMG(3)tren)](+) (1)(TMG(3)tren = 1,1,1-Tris-{2-[N (2)-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidino)]-ethyl}-amine) and a dry source ofhydrogen peroxide, (o-Tol(3)P O & BULL;H2O2)(2) react in the stoichiometry, [Cu-I(TMG(3)tren)](+) + H2O2 & RARR; [Cu-I(TMG(3)tren-OH)](+) +H2O, wherein a ligand N-methyl group undergoeshydroxylation giving TMG(3)tren-OH. Furthermore, Fenton-typechemistry (Cu-I + H2O2 & RARR; Cu-II-OH + & BULL;OH) is displayed, in which (i) a Cu-(II)-OH complexcould be detected during the reaction and it could be separately isolatedand characterized crystallographically and (ii) hydroxyl radical (& BULL;OH)scavengers either quenched the ligand hydroxylation reaction and/or(iii) captured the & BULL;OH produced
An On-/Off-Time Sensing-Based Load-Adaptive Mode Control of Triple Mode Buck Converter for Implantable Medical Devices
No full textWireless power transfer (WPT) technology applied to implantable medical devices (IMDs) significantly reduces the need for battery replacement surgery health conditions. This paper presents an on-/off-time sensing-based load-adaptive mode control of triple mode buck converter for implantable medical devices; the converter can adjust the control mode for low power consumption and achieve high power conversion efficiency (PCE) under a small active area. The three modes in the proposed system are the pulse width modulation (PWM), pulse frequency modulation (PFM), and ultra-low power (ULP) modes. The on-time sensor can be used to adjust the system from PWM to PFM modes, and the off-time sensor can be used to adjust the system from PFM to ULP modes. It is fabricated using TSMC 0.18 mu m CMOS technology. The input voltage lies in the range 2.2-5.0 V, the output voltage is 1.8 V, and the load current lies in the range 0.05-200 mA (x4000). The experimental results demonstrate the seamless mode transition under the step up/down load transient response. The peak PCE is approximately 94.3% at the 80 mA and the minimum PCE is approximately 65.4% within the load current range
Structural Evolution of Mg-Doped Single-Crystal LiCoO2 Cathodes: Importance of Morphology and Mg-Doping Sites
No full textLayered lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2, LCO), which serves as a structural motif for the widely adopted layered cathodes in lithium-ion batteries, has a long history, and its unstable phase transition during high-voltage operation (similar to 4.5 V) remains an intractable problem. Many research strategies, such as surface coating and immobile ion doping, have been proposed to address this issue, but a clear understanding of the effects has not been demonstrated because of various potential parameters (e.g., particle size, shape, and dopant content). Herein, we report a molten salt synthesis method that produces sphere-like single-crystal magnesium (Mg)-doped LCO. In situ X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption fine structure analyses confirmed that the lattice strain was effectively alleviated by the effects of both the particle shape and Mg doping compared to the plate-like and sphere-like single-crystal LCO samples. Furthermore, the preference for Mg doping in the Co site (3b) rather than in the Li site (3a) in the LCO framework is systematically revealed, and a clear understanding of Mg doping that suppresses the monoclinic phase transition is discussed in detail
Dual-liganded protein nanoparticles displaying TRAILs and EGFR binding affibodies enhance therapeutic efficacy against EGFR overexpressing triple negative breast cancers
No full textTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancer that lacks expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Due to the absence of these receptors, standard hormonal therapy and targeted therapy with HER2 are not effective for TNBC. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of TNBC-specific therapies. TNBCs often highly express the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which makes it an attractive target for TNBC treatment.
Herein, we constructed a protein nanoparticle that polyvalently displays the cancer-specific apoptotic protein TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligands (TRAILs) and EGFR-binding affibodies on a lumazine synthase protein nanoparticle (AaLS/TRAIL/EGFRAfb) and evaluated its therapeutic efficacy against EGFR-overexpressing TNBCs. AaLS/TRAIL/EGFRAfb tightly binds to the surface of TNBC cells, allowing for frequent and consistent interactions between TRAIL molecules on the protein cage and death receptors on TNBC cells, ultimately resulting in effective apoptotic cell death and tumor growth suppression. AaLS/TRAIL/EGFRAfb is a promising candidate for further development as a targeted therapeutic agent for TNBC treatment. This research highlights the potential of protein nanoparticle technology to develop new, effective, and targeted cancer therapies
The DISNY facility for sub-cooled flow boiling performance analysis of CRUD deposited zirconium alloy cladding under pressurized water reactor condition: Design, construction, and operation
No full textThe CRUD on the fuel cladding under the pressurized water reactor (PWR) operating condition causes several issues. The CRUD can act as thermal resistance and increases the local cladding temperature which accelerate the corrosion process. The hideout of boron inside the CRUD results in axial offset anomaly and reduces the plant's shutdown margin. Recently, there are efforts to revise the acceptance criteria of emergency core cooling systems (ECCS), and additionally require the modeling of the thermal resistance effect of the CRUD during the performance analysis. There is an urgent need for the evaluation of the effect of the CRUD deposition on the cladding heat transfer under PWR operating conditions, but the experimental database is very limited. The experimental facility called DISNY was designed and constructed to analyze the CRUD-related multi-physical phenomena, and the performance analysis of the constructed DISNY facility was conducted. The thermal-hydraulic and water chemistry conditions to simulate the CRUD growth under PWR operating conditions were established. The design characteristics and feasibility of the DISNY facility were validated by the MARS-KS code analysis and separate perfor-mance tests. In the current study, detailed design features, design validation results, and future utili-zation plans of the proposed DISNY facility are presented.& COPY; 2023 Korean Nuclear Society, Published by Elsevier Korea LLC. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)