High Safety Research Articles

A single-ion transport interfacial layer for solid-state lithium batteries

All-solid-state batteries possess several advantages including high safety, flexibility to use high-capacity metal anodes and are projected to be the next generation energy storage devices. Garnet-type cubic Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) solid electrolyte is of particular interest due to its high ionic conductivity under ambient conditions and compatibility with Li metal. However, large electrode/electrolyte interfacial resistance constraints their development. Herein, the use of a highly lithium ion conducting dilithium phthalocyanine (Li2Pc) in ionic liquid as an interlayer is proposed to effectively suppress the high impedance at the interface thus improving the electrode-electrolyte contact. Fast Li+ mobility and high dielectric constant of dilithium phthalocyanine enhance the kinetics of Li+ transport across the interface. A significant reduction in overpotential and very stable stripping/plating cycling are observed in lithium symmetric cells upon introducing Li2Pc interlayer as compared to the use of bare tantalum doped lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZTO) electrolyte. Cells comprising interlayer-modified Li|LLZTO|LiFePO4 show high capacity with excellent cycling and rate capability. The performance of full cells using lithiated graphite and lithium titanate anodes has also been evaluated. This study presents a promising application of garnet electrolytes towards the advancement of solid-state lithium batteries.

The host-guest effect of D-xylose constructs the weak-synergistic sheath structure of Zn2+ to achieve high performance of aqueous zinc ion batteries at the low temperature

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have been widely concerned because of their low cost and high safety. However, zinc anodes are affected by active H2O, which promotes side reactions, and performs poorly at low temperatures. Herein, a weak-synergistic solvated sheath structure of Zn2+ is implemented by constructing a host–guest solvation modulation effect with the addition of D-xylose. As the host, D-xylose can replace the guest H2O in the solvated shell of Zn2+, weaken the interaction of Zn2+ with the guest H2O and SO42−, and destroy the original hydrogen bond network of the guest H2O-H2O. This electrolyte can greatly reduce side reactions induced by reactive H2O and lower the freezing point. Consequently, the electrolyte containing D-xylose has a high ionic conductivity of 21.2 mS cm−1 at −10 °C. The Zn||Zn battery can run stably for more than 2000 h at 25 °C (1 mA cm−2) and −10 °C (0.5 mA cm−2). Furthermore, the Zn||PANI battery displays promising capacity and sustained stability over 1000 cycles at −10 °C with an average CE of up to 100 %. This study highlights a new electrochemical perspective to achieve a weak-synergistic structure around Zn2+, providing new insights into the application of AZIBs at low temperatures.

Optimization method of cable structure demolition driven by digital twin evolution model

The large-span cable structure has the problems of complex component connection, cumbersome demolition process and difficult process coordination, which lead to high construction safety risk and low efficiency. Moreover, the optimization of the construction process scheme is difficult, and the convergence and visualization of the finite element analysis are insufficient, which hinders the construction efficiency. This study proposes a cable structure demolition optimization method driven by the digital twin (DT) evolution model. From the perspective of virtual-real mapping, the DT evolution process of cable structure demolition is clarified. The virtualization method of physical demolition process is formed by integrating visual modeling, simulation modeling and data modeling. Taking full account of the temporal and spatial evolution of the demolition process, a DT evolution model of the demolition process is established. Starting from the information flow, component flow, control flow and their relationship, the problems existing in the process of demolition execution are analyzed. Driven by the twin evolution process, a data mapping method for the demolition process is proposed. The safety risk is characterized by the mechanical properties (MPs) of the structure, and the expression language of the data association relationship is established. The particle swarm optimization back propagation neural network (PSO-BPNN) is improved, and an intelligent analysis method of MPs in the whole process of demolition is proposed. The best construction scheme is obtained by integrating the changes in MPs between the various demolition steps. The information of the demolition evolution process is divided into functional modules, and a DT platform is developed to efficiently guide the actual construction. Taking the demolition process of a cable truss experimental model as an example, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified. The research results show that the DT evolution model can accurately map the actual demolition process. The deep learning method analyzes the mechanical properties of the structure and obtains the best construction scheme quickly and accurately. The development and application of the twin platform improves the degree of visualization and realizes the efficient guidance of the virtual model to the actual construction.

Toward the Rechargeable Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries with Improved Overall Performance: Electrolyte with Surface Adsorptive Additive.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) with slightly acidic electrolytes process advantages such as high safety, competitive cost, and satisfactory electrochemical performance. However, the failure behaviors of both electrodes, regarding zinc dendrite growth, interfacial parasitic reactions, and the collapse of cathode materials hinder the practical application of ZIBs. To alleviate the issues of both anode and cathode at the same time, D-xylose (DX) is introduced to the electrolyte as a multifunctional additive. As a result, the side reaction of the anode is suppressed and the metallic deposition behavior is regulated due to the hydrogen bonding network reconstruction and preferential surface adsorption of DX; for the MnO2 cathode, the DX adsorption can help the interfacial charge transfer and increase the reactive sites. Benefiting from these merits, DX-optimized Zn//Zn battery displays reveal a prolonged lifespan of 6912h and an ultra-high cumulative capacity of 17.28Ahcm-2 at 5mAcm-2. With the function of water reactivity suppression, the Coulombic efficiency reaches 99.91% at 2mAcm-2; the Zn||MnO2 full batteries exhibit excellent cyclability over 2000 cycles at 5C with an increased capacity of 118.9mAhg-1, indicating the dual functions to both of the electrodes for AZIBs.

Li-Ga Alloy-Contained Hybrid Solid Electrolyte Interphase Induced by In Situ Polymerization for High-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries.

Construction of quasi-solid-state lithium metal batteries (LMBs) by in situ polymerization is considered a key strategy for the next generation of energy storage systems with high specific energy and safety. Poly(1,3-dioxolane) (PDOL)-based electrolytes have attracted wide attention among researchers, benefiting from the low cost and high ionic conductivity. However, interfacial deterioration and uncontrollable growth of lithium dendrites easily appeared in LMBs due to the high reactivity of lithium metal, resulting in the failure of LMBs. In this work, a strategy is developed of using Ga(OTF)3 as the initiator to obtain a PDOL-based gel electrolyte (GaPD). In addition, a hybrid stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) of lithium fluoride/Li2O/Li-Ga alloys is observed on the surface of lithium metal. Combined with density functional theory calculations, the hybrid SEI shows high affinity toward Li+, indicating that a uniform deposition of Li+ could be achieved. Therefore, the Li/GaPD/Li cell operates stably for 1600 h at room temperature. In addition, the LiFePO4/GaPD/Li cell retains a capacity retention rate of 90.2% over 200 cycles at 1 C. This work provides a reference for the practical application of in situ polymerization technology in high-performance and safe LMBs.

Hydrogen Bonding Chemistry in Aqueous Ammonium Ion Batteries

AbstractAqueous ammonium ion batteries (AIBs) pose the advantages of high safety, low cost, and high efficiency, capturing substantial research interest. The intrinsic chemical properties of NH4+ promote the formation of hydrogen bonds with other constituents in AIBs, critically influencing the processes of NH4+ transfer, storage, and diffusion. This review delves into the pivotal role of hydrogen bonding chemistry in AIBs. Firstly, the principles of hydrogen bond are elucidated as the dominant chemical interaction governing NH4+ dynamics in AIBs. Subsequently, a detailed analysis is conducted on the impacts of hydrogen bonds in both electrolytes and electrode materials. Furthermore, the practical applications of hydrogen bonding chemistry within the context of AIBs are assessed. Finally, strategic insights and future research directions are proposed to harness hydrogen bonding effects for optimizing AIB performance. This review aims to define the mechanisms and impacts of hydrogen bonds in AIBs, providing robust strategies to enhance electrochemical performance, deepen the understanding of energy storage mechanisms, and guide the future advancement of AIBs technology.

Hydrogen Bonding Chemistry in Aqueous Ammonium Ion Batteries.

Aqueous ammonium ion batteries (AIBs) pose the advantages of high safety, low cost, and high efficiency, capturing substantial research interest. The intrinsic chemical properties of NH4 + promote the formation of hydrogen bonds with other constituents in AIBs, critically influencing the processes of NH4 + transfer, storage, and diffusion. This review delves into the pivotal role of hydrogen bonding chemistry in AIBs. Firstly, the principles of hydrogen bond are elucidated as the dominant chemical interaction governing NH4 + dynamics in AIBs. Subsequently, a detailed analysis is conducted on the impacts of hydrogen bonds in both electrolytes and electrode materials. Furthermore, the practical applications of hydrogen bonding chemistry within the context of AIBs are assessed. Finally, strategic insights and future research directions are proposed to harness hydrogen bonding effects for optimizing AIB performance. This review aims to define the mechanisms and impacts of hydrogen bonds in AIBs, providing robust strategies to enhance electrochemical performance, deepen the understanding of energy storage mechanisms, and guide the future advancement of AIBs technology.

Revealing the intricacies of natural convection: A key factor in aqueous zinc battery design

Aqueous zinc-based batteries offer high safety, abundant resources, low cost, and environmental friendliness, making them a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage markets. However, the natural convection in the electrolyte during operation, which can greatly affect the battery performance, is overlooked for a long time. Through particle tracing experiments, this study demonstrates that in the vertical placement of the battery, natural convection occurs due to the variation of electrolyte density, whereas it does not happen when the cathode is on top. Besides, there is a significant difference in electrochemical performance between these two configurations, with a voltage difference of up to 0.25 V at 10 mA cm⁻² and a peak current difference of up to 3.4 mA in linear sweep voltammetry. Simulation results show that convective mass transfer can be up to 100 times greater than diffusive mass transfer in a bulk solution. This highlights the importance of considering natural convection to improve model accuracy. Further, to increase energy density, batteries are scaled up in practical applications to reduce the weight of the casing. This work simulates mass transfer conditions under various scenarios, illustrating the trade-off between current density and battery size, and offering new guidance for the design of aqueous zinc-based batteries.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and action mechanisms of exopolysaccharides from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Z-1

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) derived from lactic acid bacteria have received considerable attention because of their diverse bioactivities and high safety. In our previous work, a crude EPS produced by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Z-1 under H2O2 stress and its three purified fractions were prepared and characterized. In the present work, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of these EPSs were investigated. The four EPSs were found to possess considerable free radical scavenging activity, and be able to decrease the ROS and MDA levels in H2O2-induced oxidative stress RAW 264.7 macrophages, and increase the activities of SOD and CAT enzymes. It is likely that activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway is one of their important antioxidant mechanisms. These EPSs were also found to effectively reduce the secretion of inflammatory mediators, such as pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL6) and NO, and increase the release of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10. The anti-inflammatory effect of EPSs could be due to their ability to inhibit the activation of NF-κB/TLR4 signaling pathway and intracellular COX-2 signaling cascade. Therefore, these EPS fractions have good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, providing useful enlightenment for the application of these EPSs in functional foods and medicines.

Organoboron catalysis for direct amide/peptide bond formation.

Amides and peptides are ubiquitous functional groups found in several natural and artificial materials, and they are essential for the advancement of life and material sciences. In particular, their relevance in clinical medicine and drug discovery has increased in recent years. Dehydrative condensation of readily available carboxylic acids with amines is the most "direct" method for amide synthesis; however, this methodology generally requires a stoichiometric amount of condensation agent (coupling reagent). Catalytic direct dehydrative amidation has become an "ideal" methodology for synthesizing amides from the perspective of green chemistry, with water as the only byproduct in principle, high atom efficiency, environmentally friendly, energy saving, and safety. Conversely, organoboron compounds, such as boronic acids, which are widely used in various industries as coupling reagents for Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions or pharmaceutical structures, are environmentally friendly molecules that have low toxicity and are easy to handle. Based on the chemical properties of organoboron compounds, they have potential Lewis acidity and the ability to form reversible covalent bonds with dehydration, making them attractive as catalysts. This review explores studies on the development of direct dehydrative amide/peptide bond formation reactions from carboxylic acids using organoboron catalysis, classifying them based on chemical bonding and catalysis over approximately 25 years, from the early developmental days to 2023.

Protection of Fe Single‐Atoms by Fe Clusters for Chlorine‐Resistant Oxygen Reduction Reaction

AbstractDirect seawater zinc‐air batteries (S‐ZABs), with their inherent properties of high energy density, intrinsic safety, and low cost, present a compelling avenue for the development of energy storage technology. However, the presence of chloride ions in seawater poses challenges to their air electrode, resulting in sluggish reaction kinetics and poor stability for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, Fe atomic clusters (ACs) decorated Fe single‐metal atoms (SAs) catalyst (FeSA‐FeAC/NC) is prepared using a plasma treatment strategy. The aberration‐corrected transmission electron microscope images confirm the successful construction of Fe SAs surrounding Fe ACs, which delivers robust ORR activity with a half‐wave potential of 0.886 V in alkaline seawater electrolyte. When utilized as the cathode catalyst in assembled S‐ZABs, the battery demonstrates excellent discharge performance, achieving a peak power density of 222 mW cm−2, which is 2.3 times higher than Pt/C based S‐ZABs. Moreover, density functional theory calculations unveil that the synergy effect between the Fe ACs and SAs not only reduces the spin‐down d‐band center in the Fe SAs, but also efficiently suppresses Cl−1 adsorption on Fe SAs due to their strong Cl−1 absorption ability of the Fe ACs, thereby enhancing both the activity and stability of the catalyst.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of topical use of sertaconazole in dermatophytosis

Objective — to evaluate the effectiveness of a cream containing sertaconazole nitrate 2 % (Onabet 2 % cream) in patients with various forms of dermatophytosis. Materials and methods. 32 patients aged 21—50 were under outpatient observation. The duration of dermatophytosis varied from several weeks to 3 months. Tinea corporis was diagnosed in 25.0 % of patients, foot mycosis in 43.8 %, and axillary mycosis in 31.2 %. The diagnosis was based on the clinical manifestations of the disease and the results of microscopic examination with potassium hydroxide (PH). The clinical picture was evaluated based on the presence of subjective and objective signs (itching, erythema, scaling, vesicles/maceration, pustules) and their intensity according to the scale: 0 points — absence, 1 point — mild, 2 points — moderate, 3 points — severe. The area of skin damage was determined using the «rule of the palm» in patients. The final score of clinical manifestations was calculated by adding the individual scores of each symptom and the value of the area of the affected skin. Onabet 2 % cream was applied by patients twice a day to the affected area of the skin for 4 weeks. Results and discussion. As a result of topical treatment, positive dynamics regarding the clinical manifestations of dermatophytosis were noted in all patients. The regression of inflammatory symptoms (itching, erythema, wetting in 65.5, 40.6 and 71.4 % of patients, respectively) by the end of the 1st week of treatment serves as evidence of anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic effects. The terms of regression of clinical manifestations of dermatophytosis depended on the clinical form of the infection. Clinical remission by the end of the 1st week of therapy in 34.4 % of patients, clinical remission and mycological negativity by the end of the 2nd week in 81.3 % of patients testify to the rapid effect of the drug. At the end of the 6th week, clinical success was achieved in 93.7 %, mycological (pathogen eradication) in 100.0 % of patients. Remote observation results within 3 months showed no disease recurrence in all patients. Side effects during treatment were not registered. Conclusions. Onabet cream 2 % is a modern topical antimycotic with a wide spectrum of action; its use twice a day for 1 month allows for achieving clinical cure in 93.7 %, etiological cure in 100 % of patients with dermatophytes (tinea corporis, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris). The high effectiveness and safety of Onabet cream in treating dermatophytosis allow us to recommend this topical agent for treating patients with dermatophytosis.

Multicenter Experience with the Pipeline Flex and Vantage with Shield Technology for Intracranial Aneurysm Treatment.

The Pipeline Embolization Device is a safe and effective treatment option for intracranial aneurysms. The newer Pipeline generations have received structural refinements and a surface modification to improve deliverability, procedural safety, and angiographic outcomes. This multicenter study evaluated the clinical safety and efficacy of the 2 surface-modified Pipeline iterations, Pipeline Vantage and Pipeline Flex with Shield Technology (PFS). Consecutive patients treated between 2017 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed for aneurysm characteristics, procedural details, complications, and angiographic outcomes. The safety end point was the rate of procedural and postprocedural major neurologic events occurring during the hospital stay. The efficacy end point was the rate of complete occlusion at last follow-up. One hundred forty-one patients underwent 112 Pipeline Vantage procedures and 32 PFS procedures for 147 aneurysms with a mean size of 8.0 (SD, 5.9) mm (11% ruptured, 16% posterior circulation, 18% nonsaccular morphology). All procedures were technically successful with a mean of 1.2 devices implanted. Balloon angioplasty was required in 20/144 (13.9%) procedures. Major neurologic adverse events occurred in 6/144 (4.2%) procedures (all ischemic stroke), resulting in death in 2 (1.4%) patients. There were no hemorrhagic complications. At a mean of 11 months, complete occlusion was achieved in 85/112 (75.9%) aneurysms, 15/112 (13.4%) had an entry remnant, and 12/112 (10.7%) had an aneurysm remnant. The results demonstrate high feasibility, procedural safety, and efficacy of the surface-modified Pipeline flow diverters.

B-227 Customized molecular tests for minimal residual disease: a tool for therapeutic decisions in follicular lymphoma patients

Abstract Background Monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD) is based on accurate laboratory tests which can recognize a small fraction of malignant cells that survived the course of treatment. Several studies of the B-non-Hodgkin lymphoma group have been presented that MRD positivity at the end of treatment is a negative prognostic index. Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a chronic indolent malignancy, which response highly to immuno-chemotherapy followed by prolonged remissions but with inevitable relapse in most patients. The GALLIUM study showed that immuno-chemotherapy combinations, 6 cycles of bendamustine-obinutuzumab (BO), is the most efficacious treatment, but with severe side effects .In addition, 90% of patients achieved negative MRD from peripheral blood (PB) or bone marrow (BM) after only 3 BO cycles. These findings raise the possibility for MRD based treatment approach, where the duration of chemotherapy could be decided according to MRD status at mid-induction (MI). Identification of a marker in the PB and/or BM of each FL patient which will be use to the design of a sensitive RQ-PCR test for MRD detection for follow-up. Methods Qualitative PCR for translocation 14:18 and for the VDJ rearrangement sequence of the immunoglobulin heavy chain was used for marker identification. MRD monitoring was done by RQ-PCR. MRD monitoring for VDJ was designed specifically to each patients based on his VDJ sequence. MRD was assessed on PB and BM at MI. Results Marker for monitoring was identified at 11/21 patients in this study. After 3 combined therapy cycles, 7 patients were found to have MRD negativity by RQ-PCR therefore continue with immuno-therapy only. MRD positivity was assessed in BM of 3 patients (0.11%, 0.022%, and 0.133%). These 3 patients continued with the combined therapy. RQ-PCR sensitivity was 10-4-10-5. Conclusions This study will reveal the ability to use sensitive and specific MRD that has to be designed for each patient according to his marker and enable the establishment of a treatment with a high safety profile for FL patients. Correlation between MRD status and clinical and safety parameters will be assessed at the end of the study, 30 months after the first treatment, taking into account MRD status from different time point of the follow-up period.

Strategically Modulating Proton Activity and Electric Double Layer Adsorption for Innovative All-Vanadium Aqueous Mn2+/Proton Hybrid Batteries.

Aqueous Mn-ion batteries (MIBs) exhibit a promising development potential due to their cost-effectiveness, high safety, and potential for high energy density. However, the development of MIBs is hindered by the lack of electrode materials capable of storing Mn2+ ions due to acidic manganese salt electrolytes and large ion radius. Herein, the tunnel-type structure of monoclinic VO2 nanorods to effectively store Mn2+ ions via a reversible (de)insertion chemistry for the first time is reported. Utilizing exhaustive in situ/ex situ multi-scale characterization techniques and theoretical calculations, the co-insertion process of Mn2+/proton is revealed, elucidating the capacity decay mechanism wherein high proton activity leads to irreversible dissolution loss of vanadium species. Further, the Grotthuss transfer mechanism of protons is broken via a hydrogen bond reconstruction strategy while achieving the modulation of the electric double-layer structure, which effectively suppresses the electrode interface proton activity. Consequently, the VO2 demonstrates excellent electrochemical performance at both ambient temperatures and -20°C, especially maintaining a high capacity of 162mAhg-1 at 5Ag-1 after a record-breaking 20000 cycles. Notably, the all-vanadium symmetric pouch cells are successfully assembled for the first time based on the "rocking-chair" Mn2+/proton hybrid mechanism, demonstrating the practical application potential.

Charged organic ligands inserting/supporting the nanolayer spacing of vanadium oxides for high-stability/efficiency zinc-ion batteries.

Given their high safety, environmental friendliness and low cost, aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have the potential for high-performance energy storage. However, issues with the structural stability and electrochemical kinetics during discharge/charge limit the development of AZIBs. In this study, vanadium oxide electrodes with organic molecular intercalation were designed based on intercalating 11 kinds of charged organic carboxylic acid ligands between 2D layers to regulate the interlayer spacing. The negatively charged carboxylic acid group can neutralize Zn2+, reduce electrostatic repulsion and enhance electrochemical kinetics. The intercalated organic molecules increased the interlayer spacing. Among them, the 0.028EDTA · 0.28NH4 + · V2O5 · 0.069H2O was employed as the cathode with a high specific capacity (464.6mAhg-1 at 0.5Ag-1) and excellent rate performance (324.4mAhg-1 at 10Ag-1). Even at a current density of 20Ag-1, the specific capacity after 2000 charge/discharge cycles was 215.2mAhg-1 (capacity retention of 78%). The results of this study demonstrate that modulation of the electrostatic repulsion and interlayer spacing through the intercalation of organic ligands can enhance the properties of vanadium-based materials.

Multi-functional nanosonosensitizer-engineered bacteria to overcome tumor hypoxia for enhanced sonodynamic therapy

BackgroundUltrasound-triggered sonodynamic therapy (SDT), with high safety and acceptance, has become a promising tumor treatment. However, the dense stroma, hypoxic microenvironment of tumor, and the unpredictable treatment timing limit the effectiveness of sonosensitizers and the antitumor therapeutic effect. Thus, it is crucial to develop an imaging-guided sensitization strategy for hypoxic tumor sonosensitization to improve the efficacy of SDT. MethodsIn this study, we developed a biohybrid system CB@HPP, which genetically engineered bacteria to express catalase (CB) and modified nanosonosensitizers (HPP) to the surface of these bacteria. Tumor hypoxia relief, tumor targeting, biocompatibility, and antitumor efficacy were evaluated through in vitro and in vivo experiments. In addition, the photoacoustic (PA), ultrasound (US), and fluorescence (FL) imaging effects of CB@HPP were evaluated in vivo and in vitro. ResultsAfter intravenous injection, CB@HPP was able to target tumor tissue. CB@HPP possessed efficient catalase activity and successfully degraded hydrogen peroxide to produce oxygen. Increased oxygen levels relief intratumoral hypoxia, thereby enhancing CB@HPP-mediated. In addition, CB@HPP showed FL/PA/US multimodal imaging capabilities, which reflects the aggregation effect of CB@HPP in the tumor and suggest the timing of treatment. ConclusionThe biohybrid system CB@HPP significantly alleviates tumor hypoxia, and multimodal imaging-mediated oxygen-producing SDT effectively suppresses tumors. This integrated imaging and therapeutic biohybrid system provides a more efficient and attractive cancer treatment strategy for SDT. Statement of significanceThis study developed a sensitizing SDT strategy for imaging-guided drug-targeted delivery and in situ oxygen production. We designed a biohybrid system CB@HPP, which was hybridized by the engineered bacteria with catalytic oxygen production and nanosonosensitizer with multimodal imaging capability. CB@HPP significantly alleviates tumor hypoxia, and multimodal imaging-mediated oxygen-producing SDT effectively suppresses tumors. This integrated imaging and therapeutic biohybrid system provides a more efficient and attractive cancer treatment strategy for SDT.

Study on the potential development of nuscale small modular reactor (smr) nuclear power plant to support the energy needs in the capital city of nusantara

Abstract In facing the dependence on unsustainable energy sources such as fossil fuels, diversifying the energy supply becomes crucial. As Indonesia’s new capital city, Nusantara significantly requires new and renewable energy sources as it can enhance energy security by reducing dependence on energy imports while also providing economic stimulus and creating new job opportunities. The potential development of new and renewable energy sources.in Nusantara is a solution to Indonesia’s dependence on fossil energy, which negatively impacts the environment and public health. One of these energy sources is the NuScale SMR type of nuclear power plant. The research method employed is a literature study based on various relevant sources related to the research topic. The results of the literature study indicate that the NuScale SMR is a nuclear reactor that possesses advantages in terms of size, high safety, reliability, resource efficiency, support for renewable energy, as well as affordable modularity and scalability, making it a prime choice to fulfil the energy needs in Nusantara. By utilising new and renewable energy sources from smaller and modular nuclear technology, Indonesia can reduce its dependence on fossil energy and promote a transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.

Ion solvation modulating via Imidazolidinyl urea additive for stable Zn2+ deposition

The development of energy conversion and storage equipment is a necessary guarantee for social development, and aqueous Zn-ion batteries have become a promising alternative to Li-ion batteries due to its high safety, environmental friendliness, and low cost. However, aqueous Zn-ion batteries suffer from the dendrite growth and parasitic reactions, which hinder the wide application of the batteries. In this paper, imidazolidinyl urea (IDU) is added to aqueous electrolytes because of the special structural properties of IDU. The effects of IDU as an additive on battery stability are elucidated through theoretical modelling, calculations, and experimental validation. Firstly, the effect of concentration on the ion transport properties of the electrolyte was obtained by modelling and calculating the Zn2+ diffusion coefficient and ionic conductivity of electrolytes with different concentrations of IDU added. In addition, the optimal IDU addition concentration was achieved by verification of cycling experiments in Zn symmetric cells. Moreover, it was confirmed using in situ deposition experiments that the addition of IDU could participate in the coordination of Zn2+ into the solvated layer of Zn2+, thereby accelerating the desolvation process of Zn2+, and further improving the uneven deposition of Zn on the negative electrode surface and the growth of dendrites. Finally, it was verified that the IDU addition could enhance the cycle life and stability of the battery, maintaining an efficiency of about 95% and a specific capacity of discharge of 90 mAh·g-1 after more than 1000 cycles in a full cell assembled from Zn flakes and improved iodine electrodes.

Strong adsorption Fe[sbnd]N[sbnd]C catalytic cathode for 50,000 cycles aqueous zinc-iodine batteries

Aqueous zinc-iodine batteries have garnered increasing attention due to their low cost and high safety. However, their practical application is impeded by sluggish iodine redox reaction kinetics and the “shuttle effect” of polyiodides, which result in poor rate performance and limited cycled life. Here, we developed N-doped porous carbon fiber derived from Prussian blue and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as a self-supporting cathode material for zinc-iodine batteries. The material demonstrates a high iodine adsorption capacity in the electrolyte solution. Density Function Theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the prepared materials demonstrate good catalytic activity. Furthermore, the interconnected carbon fiber network, characterized by high conductivity and a large specific surface area, facilitates rapid electron transport and ion diffusion. Consequently, the zinc-iodine battery demonstrates outstanding rate performance (148mAh g−1 at a high current density of 10 A/g) and a long cycling life of 50,000 cycles, with a capacity retention rate of 72.1 %. Additionally, the battery achieves an impressive calendar life of 8 months and 23 days.