Concentration Of Ethanol Solution Research Articles

Using Ergosterol To Mitigate the Deleterious Effects of Ethanol on Bilayer Structure

In wine fermentations, yeast is exposed to concentrated ethanol solutions. Ergosterol, a sterol that is found in lower eukaryotic membranes, helps preserve the structural integrity of yeast membranes in stressful environmental conditions. A premature arrest in ethanol production due to unknown metabolic changes in yeasts results in undesirably large concentrations of residual sugar and may be caused by the formation of an ethanol-induced interdigitated phase. We use atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to examine the induction of the interdigitated phase in model yeast membranes that contain either 0, 10, 20, 25 mol % ergosterol in ethanol concentrations of 0, 10, 15 vol %. The 25 mol % ergosterol system shows a similar level of interdigitation for the 0 and 10 vol % ethanol solutions, indicating that ergosterol molecules in this system are able to effectively counteract the disruptive behavior of ethanol molecules. However, at a 15 vol % ethanol solution, the amount of interdigitation triples and this ethanol concentration is similar to the concentrations found in stuck fermentations. The other three ergosterol concentrations studied (0, 10, 20 mol %) show larger quantities of interdigitation in the 10 vol % ethanol solution than the 0 vol % solution. Thus, the 25 mol % ergosterol bilayer, which is representative of the ergosterol concentrations seen in yeast membranes, is unique in the systems examined in its ability to delay the onset of ethanol-induced interdigitation. The concentration of ergosterol affects the permeability of a fluid-phase bilayer, where the 10 mol % ergosterol bilayer is more permeable to ethanol than either a bilayer containing no ergosterol molecules or a bilayer containing 20/25 mol % ergosterol. This lipid permeability appears to be correlated with the existence of a lipid region whose lipids neither have direct contact with ergosterol molecules nor exhibit bulk lipid/lipid interactions.

Type XVII Collagen is a Key Player in Tooth Enamel Formation

Inherited tooth enamel hypoplasia occurs due to mutations in genes that encode major enamel components. Enamel hypoplasia also has been reported in junctional epidermolysis bullosa, caused by mutations in the genes that encode type XVII collagen (COL17), a component of the epithelial-mesenchymal junction. To elucidate the pathological mechanisms of the enamel hypoplasia that arise from the deficiency of epithelial-mesenchymal junction molecules, such as COL17, we investigated tooth formation in our recently established Col17(-/-) and Col17 rescued mice. Compared with wild-type mice, the incisors of the Col17(-/-) mice exhibited reduced yellow pigmentation, diminished iron deposition, delayed calcification, and markedly irregular enamel prisms, indicating the presence of enamel hypoplasia. The molars of the Col17(-/-) mice demonstrated advanced occlusal wear. These abnormalities were corrected in the Col17 rescued humanized mice. Thus, the Col17(-/-) mice clearly reproduced the enamel hypoplasia in human patients with junctional epidermolysis bullosa. We were able to investigate tooth formation in the Col17(-/-) mice because the Col17(-/-) genotype is not lethal. Col17(-/-) mouse incisors had poorly differentiated ameloblasts that lacked enamel protein-secreting Tomes' processes and reduced mRNA expression of amelogenin, ameloblastin, and of other enamel genes. These findings indicated that COL17 regulates ameloblast differentiation and is essential for normal formation of Tomes' processes. In conclusion, COL17 deficiency disrupts the epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, leading to both defective ameloblast differentiation and enamel malformation.

Microwave‐assisted extraction of rutin and quercetin from the stalks of Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb

Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) has been used as one of traditional Chinese medicines for several thousand years. Conventional methods for the extraction of rutin and quercetin from E. alatus, including solvent extraction, Soxhlet extraction and heat reflux extraction are characterised by long extraction times and consumption of large amounts of solvents. To develop a simple and rapid method for the extraction of rutin and quercetin from the stalks of Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique. MAE experiments were performed with a multimode microwave extraction system. The experimental variables that affect the MAE process, such as the concentration of ethanol solution, extractant volume, microwave power and extraction time were optimised. Yields were determined by HPLC. The results were compared with that obtained by classical Soxhlet and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE). From the optimised conditions for MAE of rutin and quercetin it can be concluded that the solvent is 50% ethanol (v/v) solution, the extractant volume is 40 mL, microwave power is 170 W and irradiation time is 6 min. Compared with Soxhlet extraction and ultrasonic extraction, microwave extraction is a rapid method with a higher yield and lower solvent consumption. The results showed that MAE can be used as an efficient and rapid method for the extraction of the active components from plants.

Vacuum freezing type ice slurry production using ethanol solution 1st report: Measurement of vapor–liquid equilibrium data of ethanol solution at 20°C and at the freezing temperature

In this study, an original method for the production of ice slurry from ethanol solution without using a refrigerator is proposed. This system has advantages compared with similar existing systems using materials other than ethanol solution. In this paper, the vapor–liquid equilibrium data of ethanol solution at 20 °C and at the freezing temperature are measured, which is necessary to calculate the COP of this ice slurry producing system. In the experiments, two experimental methods are proposed to measure the saturated pressure and the vapor composition of ethanol solution. Each method has an advantage in their operating temperature range. As a result, the vapor–liquid equilibrium diagrams of ethanol solution at 20 °C and at the freezing temperature, and approximations of saturated pressure of various concentrations of ethanol solution for varying liquid temperature, are obtained.

Solid‐phase extraction of ursolic acid from herb using β‐cyclodextrin‐based molecularly imprinted microspheres

A new method was employed to solid-phase extract ursolic acid from Ilex kudingcha C. J. Tseng using molecularly imprinted microspheres (MIMs) as the sorbent. Using a surface molecular imprinting technique, MIMs for ursolic acid were prepared with bonded beta-CD and acrylamide in combination based on functionalized poly(glycidyl methacrylate) microspheres (F-PGMA). Compared with non-MIMs (NIMs), MIMs showed high adsorption capacity, significant selectivity, and good site accessibility for ursolic acid. The maximum static adsorption capacities of the MIMs and NIMs for ursolic acid were 42.5 and 4.9 micromol/g, respectively. Chromatographic analysis shows that ursolic acid and oleanolic acid could be separated well when MIMs were used as the stationary phase of HPLC. The conditions of molecularly imprinted SPE (MISPE) of ursolic acid from the herb extract were optimized using different concentrations of ethanol solutions as loading, washing, and eluting solutions. The successful extraction of ursolic acid by MIMs provided a possible innovative approach to separate ursolic acid from herb.

Characterization of amyloidogenesis of hen egg lysozyme in concentrated ethanol solution

We show that hen egg white lysozyme [HEWL] reproducibly forms amyloid fibrils in 80% ethanol at 22 °C with constant agitation. Fibril formation occurs over a time course of approximately 30 days, displays polymerization nucleation kinetics, and demonstrates a marked decrease in α-helical structure. Seeding with as little as 0.05% v/v of fibrils cleaved into smaller seed fragments by sonication abolishes the lag phase. Thioflavin T assays confirm the amyloid nature of the fibrils. Atomic force microscopy reveals unbranched amyloid fibrils with lengths varying between 1 and 3 μm and heights ranging from 6–12 nm. The formation of amyloid fibrils in predominantly organic solvents demonstrates that the basic principles guiding fibril formation arise from interactions of the peptide backbone rather than from interactions between the amino acid side chains.

The influence of cosolvents on hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions. Calorimetric studies of parent and alkylated cyclomaltooligosaccharides in concentrated aqueous solutions of ethanol or urea

Heats of dilution in water and in aqueous 7 mol kg −1 urea and 3 mol kg −1 ethanol of binary solutions containing cyclomaltohexaose, cyclomaltoheptaose, cyclomaltooctaose, 2-hydroxypropyl-cyclomaltohexaose (HPαCD), 2-hydroxypropyl-cyclomaltoheptaose (HPβCD), methyl-cyclomaltohexaose (MeαCD), methyl-cyclomaltoheptaose (MeβCD) and 2-hydroxypropyl-cyclomaltooctaose (HPγCD) have been determined at 298.15 K by flow microcalorimetry. The purpose of this study is to gain information about the influence of urea and ethanol, which have different effects on water structure, on hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions. The pairwise interaction coefficients of the virial expansion of the excess enthalpies were evaluated and compared to those previously obtained for binary solutions of cyclomaltohexaose and cyclomaltoheptaose. The particular behaviour of cyclomaltooligosaccharides in water is put in evidence with respect to that shown by simple oligosaccharides. The values of the interaction coefficients greatly change in dependence of the solvent medium. They are negative in water for unsubstituted cyclomaltooligosaccharides, and positive for the alkyl-substituted ones, thus marking the major role of the hydrophobic interactions. In concentrated aqueous ethanol, coefficients are negative, while they are positive in concentrated aqueous urea. Urea solvates the hydroxyl group provoking the attenuation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions. Instead, the presence of the cosolvent ethanol, which lowers the relative permittivity of the medium, enhances the strength of hydrophilic interactions.

Effect of ethanol on the transport of methylene blue through stratum corneum

Abstract Diffusion of methylene blue (MB) dissolved in both saline (0.9% NaCl) and 40% ethanol/saline in skin was investigated with reflectance spectroscopy. Experiments have been carried out with rat skin samples in vitro at 20 °C. The present studies have shown that 40% concentration of ethanol in solution greatly enhances transport of MB across stratum corneum. The diffusion coefficient of MB in skin in vitro has been estimated. The average value of diffusion coefficient is (2.2±0.9)×10 −6 cm 2 /s.

CO2 Capture Using CaO Modified with Ethanol/Water Solution during Cyclic Calcination/Carbonation

AbstractThe calcium‐based sorbent cyclic calcination/carbonation reaction is an effective technique for capturing CO2 from combustion processes. The CO2 capture capacity for CaO modified with ethanol/water solution was investigated over long‐term calcination/carbonation cycles. In addition, the SEM micrographs and pore structure for the calcined sorbents were analyzed. The carbonation conversion for CaO modified with ethanol/water solution is greater than that for CaO hydrated with distilled water and is much higher than that for calcined limestone. Modified CaO achieves the highest conversion for carbonation at the range of 650–700 °C. Higher values of ethanol concentration in solution result in higher carbonation conversion for modified CaO, and lead to better anti‐sintering performance. After calcination, the specific surface area and pore volume for modified CaO are higher than those for hydrated CaO, and are much greater than those for calcined limestone. The ethanol molecule enhances H2O molecule affinity and penetrability to CaO in the hydration reaction so that the pores in CaO modified are obviously expanded after calcination. CaO modified with ethanol/water solution can act as a new and promising type of calcium‐based regenerable CO2 sorbent for industrial applications.

A comparison of chemical sensors based on the different ordered inverse opal films

Abstract The three different inverse opal films including polystyrene (PS), silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) and titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) inverse opal have been fabricated by the self-assembly colloidal crystal template technique. Based on the Bragg's law, these inverse opal films were used as chemical sensors chips to detect the different concentration of ethanol solutions. The optical sensing properties of three inverse opal films have been compared. The results indicated that the TiO 2 inverse opal film is advantageous over the PS/SiO 2 inverse opal films for detecting common organic solution. The TiO 2 inverse opal film displayed a perfectly optical sensing properties and the sensitivity could reach to 10% difference ethanol concentration ( v / v 0 ). The chemical sensor based on the three-dimensionally macroporous inverse opal films could be applied in organic molecules detection when the high refractive index material is used as chip.

Buccal Transport of Paclitaxel using Ethanol and Glyceryl Monooleate

Paclitaxel (PTX) is an antineoplastic agent approved for the treatment of ovarian and breast carcinomas. However, the use of paclitaxel as an anticancer drug is limited by its extremely poor water solubility (below ). Furthermore, it has very low bioavailability when administered orally because paclitaxel is a substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pump. In this study, buccal delivery of PTX was investigated as one of the alternatives for PTX delivery. Ethanol and glyceryl monooleate (GMO) were selected as permeation enhancing agents to increase solubility and permeation across buccal mucosa of PTX. At the different concentrations of ethanol solution (), PTX permeation was studied, followed effects of GMO in the concentration range of with ethanol vesicle. The transbuccal ability of PTX was evaluated in vitro using Franz diffusion cells mounted with rabbit buccal mucosa. As a result, incorporation of PTX into ethanol vesicle with GMO significantly enhanced the PTX permeation in rabbit buccal mucosa. Particularly, the mixtures of ethanol:water:GMO at the ratio of 50:47.5:2.5 showed the most excellent enhancing ability. The results showed a promising possibility for buccal delivery of PTX.

Theoretical and experimental studies of an ethanol basin solar still

Abstract A transient-state mathematical model for an ethanol basin solar still based on Spalding's work was developed. Driving force B was defined based on the mass balance between the evaporating (S) and condensing (G) surfaces. Mass transfer conductance ( g ) was obtained from an indoor experiment. Then productivity could be calculated. In order to validate the model an ethanol basin solar still was tested under outdoor conditions. The model had RMSEs of 4% and 23% of the measured mean temperature and productivity. The mean productivity was 0.33 kg/h when the mean solar radiation input was 1.95 MJ/m 2 /h. The simulated distillate concentrations were 74, 59 and 24%v/v for ethanol solution concentrations of 50, 30 and 10%v/v. The monthly means of the simulated daily productivity and total daily solar radiation were linearly correlated. An indoor experimental equipment of the same type as that used for the outdoor experiments was constructed. Ethanol solutions with concentrations of 10–100%v/v were distilled. The ethanol solution temperature varied between 40 and 70 °C. The experimental data from the still was then used to find the g used for the above mathematical model. The still height had a slight effect on the productivity. Increasing the ethanol solution concentration by not more than around 80% v/v could improve the still productivity.

Ethanol Intake in the Juvenile, Adolescent, and Adult Rat: Effects of Age and Prior Exposure to Ethanol

Initial ingestion of ethanol by naïve rats has seemed to decrease dramatically with age. During the preweanling period, infant rats consume large quantities of high concentrations of ethanol without initiating procedures, in some instances exceeding doses required for severe motor incoordination. During adulthood, however, initial ingestion of ethanol without initiation procedures is low and infrequent. In the present study, the ontogeny of ethanol intake was measured in juvenile, adolescent and adult rats using a technique [consume off the floor (COF)] similar to that used to study intake during infancy. How this initial experience with ethanol affected subsequent affinity for ethanol intake was later assessed using 2-bottle choice preference tests. Independent ingestion of ethanol was measured at 3 developmental periods, the juvenile period (P22-P28), adolescence (P30-P34) and adulthood (P60-P64), with systematic variation in ethanol concentration (15 or 30% v/v) and palatability (sweetness) of ethanol. Blood ethanol concentrations (BECs) were determined in all animals. This dependent variable served as an estimate of absolute ethanol ingestion. Three COF sessions were conducted for each age group. Following these sessions animals' ethanol consumption was also assessed using a 2-bottle choice test (water vs 15% v/v unsweetened ethanol). In all experiments, groups consuming 30% v/v ethanol exhibited significantly higher BECs than those exposed to 15% v/v ethanol. Adding saccharin to the ethanol increased absolute ethanol ingestion in only the oldest animals. During the pre-exposure phase (COF sessions) of each experiment, absolute ethanol intake was found to decline with repeated exposures. Sex effects were particularly evident during later stages of ontogeny (adolescents and adults). The overall pattern of results indicated that juveniles relative to adults show a marked predisposition to consume highly concentrated ethanol solutions and that BECs derived from the COF sessions influenced ethanol acceptance patterns in the subsequent 2-bottle test. Using the (COF) technique with BECs as an estimate of intake, absolute ethanol consumption seems to be quite high early in ontogeny and decline gradually into adulthood. Adding saccharin to ethanol solutions at the concentration used in the present study (0.1%) was generally not sufficient to increase absolute ethanol intake from the floor, except during adulthood. The experimental strategy employed in this study represents a novel approach for examining ethanol acceptance patterns across ontogeny and how experience with the process of intoxication affects subsequent ethanol preferences.

Protein Kinase Cδ Plays a Non-redundant Role in Insulin Secretion in Pancreatic β Cells

Protein kinase C (PKC) is considered to modulate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Pancreatic beta cells express multiple isoforms of PKCs; however, the role of each isoform in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion remains controversial. In this study we investigated the role of PKCdelta, a major isoform expressed in pancreatic beta cells on beta cell function. Here, we showed that PKCdelta null mice manifested glucose intolerance with impaired insulin secretion. Insulin tolerance test showed no decrease in insulin sensitivity in PKCdelta null mice. Studies using islets isolated from these mice demonstrated decreased glucose- and KCl-stimulated insulin secretion. Perifusion studies indicated that mainly the second phase of insulin secretion was decreased. On the other hand, glucose-induced influx of Ca2+ into beta cells was not altered. Immunohistochemistry using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopic analysis showed an increased number of insulin granules close to the plasma membrane in beta cells of PKCdelta null mice. Although PKC is thought to phosphorylate Munc18-1 and facilitate soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptors complex formation, the phosphorylation of Munc18-1 by glucose stimulation was decreased in islets of PKCdelta null mice. We conclude that PKCdelta plays a non-redundant role in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The impaired insulin secretion in PKCdelta null mice is associated with reduced phosphorylation of Munc18-1.

Controlled growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes at atmospheric pressure by catalytic decomposition of ethanol and an efficient purification method

By using an originally designed chemical vapor deposition chamber, high-quality single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been synthesized over Fe–Co/MgO catalyst by catalytic decomposition of ethanol at atmospheric pressure. The as-synthesized carbon material primarily consists of the SWNTs bundle with few defects and a certain amount of amorphous carbon. By adjusting the concentration of ethanol solution, we can control diameter distribution of the SWNTs. We suggest that both addition of water and the designed setup play important roles for the controlled growth of SWNTs. After the efficient purification combining hydrochloric acid treatment, reflux of nitric acid and air oxidation, 98% purity of the SWNTs is obtained.

Encapsulation of Submicrometer-Sized 2-Methoxyestradiol Crystals into Polymer Multilayer Capsules for Biological Applications

A facile approach has been developed to encapsulate submicrometer-sized drug crystals into polymer multilayer capsules produced by sequential deposition of polymers onto the drug particle surfaces. 2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME) is a hydrophobic metabolite of 17-beta estradiol, which has been demonstrated as a potential anticancer agent. It was selected as a model drug and was formulated into submicrometer-sized particles through fine milling followed by intense sonication in the presence of dipalmitoyl-dl-(R)-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC). The reserved positive charges on the 2-ME crystal surface by DPPC enhanced the water solubility of the particles and subsequent self-assembly of dextran sulfate (DS) and dextran (DN) multilayers through hydrogen bonding and physical adsorption. Upon the exposure of the drug capsules to ethanol, hollow DS/DN multilayer polymer shells can be formed. The encapsulation process and hollow polymer multilayer shell formation were confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), while the surface morphology of the formed drug capsules was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vitro studies show that the inhibitory effect of the formed 2-ME capsules is the same as that of the conventional formulation of 2-ME in a concentrated ethanol solution, as demonstrated by dramatic changes in cell morphology and significantly decreased viability of target cells. We also demonstrate that the change of the outermost layer of the drug capsules does not significantly influence its bioactivity. The presented strategy to encapsulate submicrometer-sized hydrophobic drug particles is expected to provide a general pathway to fabricate drug capsules for various biological applications.

Interactions Between Ethanol Experiences During LateGestation and Nursing: Effects upon Infantile and Maternal Responsiveness to Ethanol

Responsiveness to ethanol is markedly affected by fetal or infantile experiences with the drug. Yet, there is minimal information available relative to the interaction of these experiences. This study focused on such interaction and on the impact of ethanol intoxication on maternal care. Water or subnarcoleptic doses of ethanol were administered to pregnant rats during late gestation (2.0 g/kg) and/or while nursing (2.5 g/kg). Infantile intake of a low concentrated ethanol solution (0.22% v/v) was assessed during postpartum days (PPDs) 15 and 16. Following the first intake test, infantile intake was explicitly paired with water or varying ethanol doses (0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 g/kg) to assess possible associative learning comprising ethanol’s sensory and unconditioned properties. The interaction between ethanol pre- and postnatal treatment resulted in heightened ethanol reactivity as assessed through intake scores, particularly during PPD 16. Maternal treatments failed to affect associative learning mediated by ethanol. Ethanol was also found to disrupt both maternal retrieval and crouching latencies. This effect was markedly reduced when females had experienced ethanol during gestation, a phenomenon indicative of tolerance. Sequential experience with ethanol during gestation and nursing facilitates subsequent responsiveness to minimal ethanol concentrations, without affecting the sensitivity to the unconditioned effects of the drug as evaluated through associative learning procedures.

Dynamic Headspace Analysis of the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds from Ethanolic Systems by Direct APCI-MS

Static equilibrium headspace was diluted with a stream of nitrogen to study the stability of the volatile headspace concentration. The headspace dilution profile of 18 volatile compounds above aqueous and ethanolic solutions was measured in real time using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry. Under dynamic conditions the volatiles headspace concentration above water solutions decreased readily upon dilution. The presence of ethanol helped to maintain the volatile headspace concentration when the ethanol solution concentration was above 50 mL/L. This effect was such that under dynamic conditions the absolute volatile concentration above an ethanolic solution was higher than that above an aqueous solution, contrary to results observed in equilibrium studies. The ratio of the headspace concentration of volatiles above ethanolic 120 mL/L and water solutions was correlated to their air/water partition coefficient.

Influence of Age at Drinking Onset on Long‐Term Ethanol Self‐Administration With Deprivation and Stress Phases

Onset of alcohol use during adolescence has potentially long-lasting consequences, e.g., prospective alcohol dependence. To obtain new insight into the effects of early chronic ethanol consumption, we compared the drinking behavior of two adult male Wistar rat groups: one that initiated alcohol consumption during adolescence (adolescent group) and the other that initiated their drinking during adulthood (adult group) in a model of long-term alcohol self-administration. We investigated the magnitude of the effects of deprivation and stress on alcohol intake and the influence of these events on the alcohol drinking behavior across time. Heterogeneous Wistar rats aged 31 days (adolescents) and 71 days (adults) were given ad libitum access to water, as well as 5% and 20% ethanol solutions during an observation period of 30 wk. A deprivation phase of 14 days was instituted after eight wk of access to alcohol. After 16 and 26 wk of alcohol access, all animals were subjected for three consecutive days to forced swimming and electric foot shocks, respectively. At the onset of drinking, adolescent animals consumed less alcohol and showed lower preference than adults. The deprivation phase was followed by increased intake of highly concentrated ethanol solution without appreciable differences between age groups. Repeated swim stress produced a slight increase in ethanol consumption in both animal groups; however, alcohol intake was not significantly different between groups, whereas the foot shock stress-induced increase in alcohol intake was significantly higher in the animal group that initiated alcohol consumption during adolescence. After swim stress, the drinking behavior of the adolescent group resembled that of the adult group. In particular, the adolescent group increased their preference for 20% ethanol solution for the remainder of the experiment. Age of voluntary alcohol drinking onset does not appear to be a strong predictor for prospective alcohol intake and relapse-like drinking behavior under the present experimental conditions. However, male Wistar rats that initiated alcohol consumption during adolescence seem to be more susceptible to acute stressor-specific effects in terms of alcohol consumption.

Ethanol crossover phenomena and its influence on the performance of DEFC

In the present work, Nafion ® membrane porosity changes were determined in aqueous ethanol solutions with different concentrations by weighing vacuum-dried and ethanol aqueous solution equilibrated membranes at room temperature. The ethanol crossover rate through Nafion ®-115 membrane at different temperatures and different concentrations had been investigated in a fuel cell test apparatus by using gas chromatography analysis. The experimental results show that the swelling degree of Nafion ® membrane gets higher as ethanol solution concentration increases. The ethanol crossover rate increases with ethanol concentration and temperature increment. The single direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) tests were carried out to investigate the effect of ethanol concentration on ethanol crossover and consequently, on the open circuit voltage and the cell performance of DEFC. It can be found that ethanol crossover presented a negative effect on the OCV and the cell performance of DEFC. It can also be found that an improved DEFC performance was obtained as temperature increased although the ethanol crossover rate increased with temperature increment.