239 research outputs found
Synthesis of ultralong MnO/C coaxial nanowires as freestanding anodes for high-performance lithium ion batteries
No full textPublisher's PDFA facile synthesis strategy is reported for the preparation of a freestanding membrane of ultralong MnO/C coaxial nanowires using a novel in situ interfacial polymerization technique. The MnO/C membrane possesses interconnected porous structures with a nanowire diameter of ca. 100 nm and a length of up to hundreds of micrometers. When used as a freestanding anode for lithium ion batteries, the coaxial MnO/C nanocomposites exhibit a high reversible capacity of 832 mA h g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 after 100 cycles, good rate capability and outstanding cycling stability with a specific capacity of 480 mA h g−1 being retained after 600 cycles at a high current density of 1000 mA g−1. The uniform carbon coating formed along the ultralong one-dimensional nanostructure surface is the key-enabling factor that not only improves the electrode reaction kinetics, but also renders excellent cycling performance by accommodating the large volume variation of MnO during charge/discharge processes. The superior electrochemical properties suggest that the facile synthesis strategy can be extended to the fabrication of other freestanding films for potential application in energy storage systems.University of Delaware. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Coaxial MoS2@Carbon Hybrid Fibers: A Low-Cost Anode Material for High-Performance Li-Ion Batteries
No full textPublisher's PDFA low-cost bio-mass-derived carbon substrate has been employed to synthesize MoS2@carbon composites through a hydrothermal method. Carbon fibers derived from natural cotton provide a three-dimensional and open framework for the uniform growth of MoS2 nanosheets, thus hierarchically constructing coaxial architecture. The unique structure could synergistically benefit fast Li-ion and electron transport from the conductive carbon scaffold and porous MoS2 nanostructures. As a result, the MoS2@carbon composites—when serving as anodes for Li-ion batteries—exhibit a high reversible specific capacity of 820 mAh·g−1, high-rate capability (457 mAh·g−1 at 2 A·g−1), and excellent cycling stability. The use of bio-mass-derived carbon makes the MoS2@carbon composites low-cost and promising anode materials for high-performance Li-ion batteries.University of Delaware. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Systemic delivery of the anticancer agent arenobufagin using polymeric nanomicelles
No full textXue Yuan,1,2 Qian Xie,1 Keyu Su,1 Zhijie Li,3 Dong Dong,3 Baojian Wu1,2 1Research Center for Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmacy, 2Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, 3International Ocular Surface Research Centre and Institute of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China Abstract: Arenobufagin (ABG) is a major active component of toad venom, a traditional Chinese medicine used for cancer therapy. However, poor aqueous solubility limits its pharmacological studies in vivo due to administration difficulties. In this study, we aimed to develop a polymeric nanomicelle (PN) system to enhance the solubility of ABG for effective intravenous delivery. ABG-loaded PNs (ABG-PNs) were prepared with methoxy poly (ethylene glycol)-block-poly (D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (mPEG-PLGA) using the solvent-diffusion technique. The obtained ABG-PNs were 105 nm in size with a small polydispersity index of 0.08. The entrapment efficiency and drug loading were 71.9% and 4.58%, respectively. Cellular uptake of ABG-PNs was controlled by specific clathrin-mediated endocytosis. In addition, ABG-PNs showed improved drug pharmacokinetics with an increased area under the curve value (a 1.73-fold increase) and a decreased elimination clearance (37.8% decrease). The nanomicelles showed increased drug concentrations in the liver and lung. In contrast, drug concentrations in both heart and brain were decreased. Moreover, the nanomicelles enhanced the anticancer effect of the pure drug probably via increased cellular uptake of drug molecules. In conclusion, the mPEG-PLGA-based nanomicelle system is a satisfactory carrier for the systemic delivery of ABG. Keywords: bufanolide steroid, arenobufagin, nanomicelles, mPEG-PLG
Author response image 1. Author response
No full textAnkyrin adaptors together with their spectrin partners coordinate diverse ion channels and cell adhesion molecules within plasma membrane domains and thereby promote physiological activities including fast signaling in the heart and nervous system. Ankyrins specifically bind to numerous membrane targets through their 24 ankyrin repeats (ANK repeats), although the mechanism for the facile and independent evolution of these interactions has not been resolved. Here we report the structures of ANK repeats in complex with an inhibitory segment from the C-terminal regulatory domain and with a sodium channel Nav1.2 peptide, respectively, showing that the extended, extremely conserved inner groove spanning the entire ANK repeat solenoid contains multiple target binding sites capable of accommodating target proteins with very diverse sequences via combinatorial usage of these sites. These structures establish a framework for understanding the evolution of ankyrins' membrane targets, with implications for other proteins containing extended ANK repeat domains.</p
Ji yu jin chang sheng xue xuan fu de zi yun xing he zi fu dong er wei zhi dong qi
No full textM.Phil.Acoustic radiation force in the near-field of a vibrating source can be utilized to lift and transport objects, which provides a non-contact driving technology in addition to maglev. This research presents a novel self-running planar motion stage utilizing near-field acoustic transportation phenomenon and coupled resonant vibration of the device.Finite element analysis models have been established to find the needed resonant modes and optimize the design of the structure. The first longitudinal and the second bending modes are designed to have an identical frequency to create elliptical vibration of the structure, which can provide vertical levitation force as well as the propulsion force. A dynamic model based on the Reynolds Equation has been established to study the levitation and driving mechanism of the proposed device. The levitation and driving forces are analyzed; and the relationship between the driving force and the input phase difference is investigated to optimize the following position control. A capacitance surface encoder is proposed to provide the levitation height and two dimensional position feedback for the stage. The encoder design is based on the measurement of capacitance change between the driving stage and the metal sensing plates embedded in the ground. The lateral position (in the XY plane) of the circular stage can be uniquely determined based on the capacitance values.A prototype including the stage, encoder, and controller is implemented and characterized to demonstrate the performance of the proposed design. Two motion characteristics of the stage are first tested: one is the influence of the excitation voltage amplitude on the levitation height, and the other is the influence of the amplitude and phase angles of the excitation signals on the velocity and thrust force. In the calibration of the encoder, the calculated coordinates are firstly compensated for the scaling and the misalignment of the encoder axis and the precision stage. And the systematic errors from the nonlinear features are identified and fitted to a third-order polynomial equation in each axis. In the control scheme, the capacitance encoder works as the feedback module, and a LabVIEW program is used for date acquisition and processing. The stage is tested and demonstrated to follow a circular trajectory with a radius of 3.5mm.This work investigates a novel self-floating and self-running two-dimensional actuator using near-field acoustic levitation and coupled resonant vibration of the device. Compared with the conventional designs based on near-field acoustic levitation, the proposed design eliminates any external component such as guide rail, which contributes to bigger working space. This design also has two-dimensional motion capability with higher load capacity and energy efficiency. A dynamic model based on the Reynolds Equation is established to study the driving mechanism. A capacitance surface encoder is proposed to provide the two dimensional position feedback for the stage. A prototype including the stage, encoder, and controller is implemented and characterized to demonstrate the capability of the proposed design.振動源在近場中產生的輻射力可以用於提升和運輸物體，這現象可用於非接觸驅動技術，並有別於磁懸浮技術。本研究提出了一種新型的自運行平面運動機構，該機構利用了近場聲學傳播現象和裝置的耦合諧振。通過有限元分析可以找到機構的共振模態，並且用於指導結構的優化設計。通過結構設計，使得一階縱向模態和二階橫向模態具有相同的振動頻率，以產生橢圓振動，橢圓振動同時提供懸浮立和前進驅動力。建立了基於雷諾方程的運動模型，來分析機構的懸浮和運動機制。通過分析懸浮力和驅動力，獲得驅動力與輸入信號相位差之間的關係，用於之後定位平臺的位置控制。基於表面電容的編碼器被用於定位平臺的位置反饋，這個反饋包括了平臺的懸浮高度以及它的二維平面位置。編碼器可以測量懸浮平臺和固定在地上的金屬感應板間的電容。基於測得的電容值，通過相應的計算，可以得出平臺在XY平面內的確定位置。建立了包括運動器，編碼器和控制器在內的實驗模型，用於驗證設計的性能。首先是關於驅動器運動性能的測定，第一個是電壓大小對懸浮高度的影響，第二個是電壓大小以及電壓相位角對於運動速度和驅動力的影響。在編碼器的校準過程中，首先補償了由於編碼器和精密平臺錯位以及縮放而引起的誤差， 然後運用三階多項式來擬合每個軸的非線性系統誤差。在控制方案中，電容式編碼器起反饋作用，一個LabVIEW程序用於對電信號的處理。在運動測試中，平臺行走了一個半徑為3.5mm的圓形軌跡。這項研究成功研發了一種新型的自懸浮和自運動的二維運動機構，這個機構運用了近場超聲懸浮和耦合共振效應。與傳統的近場超聲懸浮裝置相比，新的設計不需要導軌之類的任何外部部件，這有助於提供更大的工作空間。該設計具有二維運動能力，並有更高的負載能力和能量效率。建立了基於雷諾方程的運動模型來研究其運動機制。用電容編碼器來當作二維定位平臺的位置反饋。包括運動機構，編碼器和控制器在內的實驗模型被建立，用於驗證設計的性能。Chen, Keyu.Thesis M.Phil. Chinese University of Hong Kong 2017.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-60).Abstracts also in Chinese.Title from PDF title page (viewed on 06, February, 2020).Chen, Keyu
Influence of Microbial Treatment on the Preparation of Porous Biochar with Stepped-Up Performance and Its Application in Organic Pollutants Control
No full textIn this study, Irisensata Thunb grass (ITG) was used as a biomass carbon resource to prepare biochars for the first time. After microbial treatment, the obtained microbial-treated ITG (MITG) was activated by using a mixed base as an activator for preparation of biochar (MITGB). The specific surface area and total pore volume of MITGB were 3036.4 m2/g and 1.5252 cm3/g, which were higher than those of biochar prepared without microbial treatment (ITGB, 2930.0 m2/g and 1.5062 cm3/g). Besides, the physicochemical properties of MITGB and ITGB were also quite different including micro morphology, surface chemistry, functional groups, etc. In the experiment of removing organic pollutants with synthetic dye RhB and antibiotic TH as the models, MITGB showed excellent treatment ability. The maximum adsorption capacities of MITGB for RhB and TH were 1354.2 and 1462.6 mg/g, which were higher than most of the biochars. In addition, after five cycles of recycling, the adsorption capacities of the organic pollutant models can still be maintained at more than 80%, which showed high stability. This work verified the feasibility of microbial treatment to further improve the performance of biochar and provided a new idea and direction for exploring other biochars
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