YOLOv5-aided paper-based microfluidic intelligent sensing platform for multiplex sweat biomarker analysis.

Iron and steel production accounts for approximately 95% of the global annual metal output, playing a fundamental role in modern industrialization. Steel is vital across various sectors, including construction and automotive manufacturing. However, energy consumption for iron metal production via conventional methods is considerably high and thus energy-efficient alternatives are of industrial interest.1 Among emerging electrochemical alternatives, high-temperature (~1600°C) molten oxide electrolysis (MOE) has shown potential but is challenged by excessive energy consumption leading to elevated production costs.2 On the other hand, low-temperature methods (60–100°C) pursued by Siderwin and Electra exhibit significantly lower production rates.3,4 This study investigates chloride molten salt electrolysis (CMSE) as a promising, energy-efficient route for domestic iron production. Operating at a moderate temperature (500°C), LiCl-KCl eutectic molten salts provide excellent thermodynamic stability, high ionic conductivity and diffusivity, and superior FeCl3 solubility, enabling efficient iron electrowinning at high rates.1,2 Here, we explore two different feedstocks for iron electrowinning via CMSE: iron ore (taconite) and spent pickle liquor (SPL).For ore-based iron electrowinning, the process involves two key steps. First, Fe2O3 from taconite pellets is selective leached using HCl, yielding a high-purity FeCl3 aqueous solution while allowing gangue components to separate out. Secondly, the leachate is dehydrated to produce anhydrous FeCl3 salt as feed to CMSE. In contrast, SPL-based electrowinning starts directly with aqueous solution of iron chlorides, which undergoes dehydration to provide FeCl2 feed to CMSE. Both feeds were investigated for electrolysis in the LiCl-KCl eutectic molten salt at 500°C at high current density (1 A/cm2), achieving Coulombic efficiencies exceeding 85%.The electrowon Fe deposits exhibited dendritic structures with purity exceeding 99 wt.%, which could be further refined to nearly 100 wt.% through arc re-melting. CMSE demonstrated low specific energy consumption (3.7 kWh/kgFe), making it competitive with hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron (H2-DRI) and other emerging electrolytic approaches.5 These findings highlight the potential of CMSE as an energy-efficient pathway for iron production via electrosynthesis. Acknowledgments This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office under Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Award Number DE-EE0010846. Portions of this work were performed at LLNL under Contract Number DE-AC52-07NA2. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Energy or the United States Government. References A. Badalbayli, N. S. Sinclair, and R. Akolkar, ECS Meet. Abstr., MA2024-02, 1853–1853 (2024).A. Badalbayli et al., Electrochem. Soc. Interface, 33, 47 (2024).A. Allanore, H. Lavelaine, G. Valentin, J. P. Birat, and F. Lapicque, J. Electrochem. Soc., 154, E187 (2007).T. Braun, C. Wallace, Q. Pham, S. Nijhawan, and C. L. Alexander, Electrochem. Soc. Interface, 33, 38–43 (2024).A. Badalbayli, N. Sinclair, E. Kim, A. A. Baker, and R. Akolkar, J. Electrochem. Soc., 172, 032508 (2025).

We report an iron-catalyzed protocol for the efficient functionalization of glycals. Employing inexpensive iron(III) or iron(II) chloride as a catalyst and phenylsilane (PhSiH3) as an additive, this method enables the high-yield synthesis of 2-deoxy sugars and glycosides. A key modification of the Mukaiyama hydration reaction, this approach directly utilizes air as the oxygen source. It demonstrates robust activity across both protected and unprotected glycals, with notably excellent yields observed for ester-protected substrates. Its utility is further highlighted through coupling reactions with bioactive molecules, affording diverse 2-deoxy sugar derivatives.

This paper presents comprehensive studies of pitting corrosion, which precedes the appearance of fistulas in galvanized steel pipelines of hot and cold water supply systems. Corroded galvanized pipes taken out from water supply systems within their operation and scale samples were the subject of this research. The current work continues the research on one of the four structural elements of tubercles—the dense layer. The corrosion of the zinc coating and the steel base of pipes inside the tubercles led to a gradual increase in the concentration of a solution containing components of the corroding metal (zinc and iron cations) and anions in water (mainly chlorides and sulfates). To explain the corrosion under the tubercles, their dense layer was compared with an anion exchange membrane with selective properties, which provided the primary concentration of the salt solution in the structure of the tubercles with a significant increase in the concentration of aggressive anions compared to the source water. The formation of fistulas in the cavity leads to a secondary concentration of solution inside the tubercle, mainly consisting of iron chloride. At the same time, due to the hydrolysis of the formed iron salts and a decrease in pH, the corrosion rate increases and becomes independent of external conditions. This article summarizes ten years of experience in examining corrosion of steel pipes from external and internal water supply systems.

The effect of polypropylene and glass materials on the magnetic properties of a magnetic eutectic mixture (MEM) composed of iron chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3·6H2O) and ethylene glycol (EG) (i.e., FeCl3·6H2O:EG, molar ratio of 1:2) has been investigated. In both materials, magnetization (M) curves at 300 and 358 K and effect of temperature are studied. As a result, MEM exhibits paramagnetic behavior. However, MEM on polypropylene exhibits a higher slope of the linear fit at 300 K (i.e., 4.03 × 10-6 emu g-1 Oe-1) compared to 358 K (i.e., 1.90 × 10-6 emu g-1 Oe-1) and a decrease of its M with increasing temperature. Conversely, MEM on glass exhibits a lower slope of the linear fit at 300 K (i.e., 4.05 × 10-6 emu g-1 Oe-1) compared to 358 K (i.e., 4.55 × 10-6 emu g-1 Oe-1), remaining practically stable at higher temperatures. Notably, magnetization on polypropylene (i.e., 4.46 × 10-2 emu g-1) is higher at room temperature than that of glass (i.e., 3.86 × 10-2 emu g-1), whereas at synthesis temperature, glass shows a higher magnetization (i.e., 3.75 × 10-2 emu g-1) compared to polypropylene (i.e., 3.43 × 10-2 emu g-1). These findings underscore the influence of surface containers on the magnetic properties of MEM, which should be considered when selecting materials for specific chemical applications.

The reaction of silylated alkynes with acid chlorides in the presence of Lewis acids, first described by Birkhofer in 1963, has since emerged as a valuable method for the synthesis of alkynones. Despite its broad synthetic utility, the original protocol suffers from notable drawbacks, including the use of toxic solvents, stoichiometric Lewis acids, and corrosive acylating agents. In light of growing environmental concerns, a more sustainable alternative is developed. Herein, catalytic amounts of iron(III) chloride in combination with biodegradable acetic anhydride enable the efficient synthesis of alkynones under mild conditions.

Grinding swarf is a hazardous waste generated in hundreds of thousands of tons and currently has limited options for recycling. It is an environmental and economic burden for the manufacturing industry and new recycling processes are necessary for sustainable waste management. Ferric chloride (FeCl3) is an oxidant which can be used to extract metals from steel scrap to produce ferrous chloride (FeCl2) solutions. This was applied for recycling of grinding swarf containing 64% mostly metallic Fe by dissolving it in concentrated FeCl3. Optimization of leaching conditions showed that up to 94% of Fe was recovered as FeCl2 within 1 h of leaching with FeCl3, but that reaction temperature was difficult to control due to highly exothermic reactions. In contrast, classical leaching with hydrochloric acid only recovered 41% Fe from swarf in 2 h and forms large volumes of flammable H2. This improvement in efficiency was attributed to the leaching mechanisms of FeCl3 which are kinetically superior and capable of circumventing lubricant components which otherwise protect the steel surface. These findings contribute to the development of a safe recycling process for valorisation of grinding swarf. Production of iron chloride solutions with applications in water treatment promotes recycling and reduces incineration and landfilling of this waste.

Abstract Biofilms formed within poultry drinking waterlines can harbor pathogenic bacteria, hinder disinfection, lower water hygiene, and negatively impact flock health. An in vitro evaluation of eight disinfectants; Bio-pH, acetic acid, sodium hypochlorite, Klorosept, Virkon-S, Miller, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, and copper sulfate, was conducted against nine bacteria isolated from biofilms formed in the drinking water lines of commercial chicken-layer farms. These bacteria included Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Acinetobacter kookii, Bacillus luti, Sphingopyxis terrae, and three isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The agar-gel diffusion technique was used for this assessment. Bio-pH, Virkon-S, and Miller were tested against biofilms grown on iron and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coupons. Acetic acid was the most effective disinfectant against planktonic bacteria, followed by Virkon-S, Miller, and Bio-pH. Miller showed superior results for PVC biofilms, while Virkon-S showed broad activity and was the most effective for iron biofilms. The effectiveness varied according to the bacterial species, biofilm consortium, surface, and contact time. Effective control programs involving monitoring, testing, cleaning, and disinfection are crucial for managing biofilm build-up in poultry drinking systems.

Abstract Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention in medical applications such as imaging and targeted drug delivery. In this study, biological magnetic iron nanoparticles were synthesized using Fusarium oxysporum and iron chloride. Their cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay on ovarian cancer cells across ten stages. At stage 1, all treatment groups showed almost complete cancer cell death. To evaluate the magnetic responsiveness of the nanoparticles, cancer cells were exposed to a neodymium magnetic field in the presence and absence of nanoparticles, and intracellular iron concentration was measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma analysis. For in vivo assessment, 24 rats were divided into four groups and received intraperitoneal nanoparticle injections, with or without magnetic field exposure. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited significant, dose‐dependent cytotoxicity. In later MTT assay stages, the nano‐drug group showed significantly lower cell viability compared to the free drug and nano‐carrier groups. Exposure to an electromagnetic field enhanced nanoparticle uptake into cells. Histological evaluation revealed no abnormal changes in healthy ovarian tissue. The biologically synthesized magnetic nanoparticles demonstrated effective, selective cytotoxicity against ovarian cancer cells, especially when combined with magnetic field exposure, while maintaining safety in healthy tissue.

Biodiesel is a promising alternative to conventional fossil fuels, so effective catalysis is essential to enhance the efficiency and selectivity in biodiesel production. This article discusses one of the methods used to synthesize these catalysts and their effectiveness in biofuel production. A catalyst was synthesized from palm frond waste, which is abundant in Iraq. Palm frond dust acquired magnetic properties by adding iron (III) chloride by the impregnation method. Palm frond dust was carbonized for 3 h at 700 C°and then sulfonated using (H2SO4) depending on variable factors such as reaction time, temperature, and acid concentration. The change of these factors on the acidity value of the catalyst was studied. The catalyst was characterized using techniques such as FTIR, SEM, acid value, and BET. The study successfully prepared an effective magnetic catalyst with the possibility of recovery due to its magnetic properties. The surface area determined by BET was 585.12 m2/g, indicating a high specific surface area value. The highest expected acid value was 4.23 mmol/g at a reaction time of 2.6 h°, a temperature of 50 C°, and a concentration of 10 M.

A continuous-flow synthesis of sulfoxides from sulfides was achieved via oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the presence of the catalyst generated in situ by simply packing a reactor column with a mixture of iron(III) chloride (FeCl3) and activated carbon followed by the pre-activation step in which an H2O2-acetonitrile solution was passed into the column. This activation step appeared to convert FeCl3 to iron oxide species, thereby enhancing catalytic efficiency. Sulfoxides were continuously produced in >90% yield for up to 150 h. Although over-oxidation to sulfones occurred, the selectivity for some sulfoxides (defined as sulfoxide/(sulfoxide + sulfone)) reached up to 98%, with no residual sulfides, by fine-tuning the flow rate of the reaction solution.

Synthetic dyes, such as methylene blue (MB), are increasingly becoming sources of water pollution and require better treatment strategies. This study describes an eco-friendly method for methylene blue degradation using green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles form Ureibacillus chungkukjangi. This bacterium was isolated from clinical samples and identified using 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequenced using Sanger sequencing technology. The identified Ureibacillus chungkukjangi was submitted to NCBI with NCBI accession no. PQ568249.1. The secondary metabolites of the bacteria acted as capping agents to both reduce and stabilize the nanoparticle synthesis. The nanoparticle synthesis was achieved by the addition of iron chloride solution as a precursor to bacterial metabolites, forming the orange-brown solution to dark brown that showed initial signs of nanoparticle synthesis that were verified with UV-Vis Absorption spectra giving peaks at 380nm. In FTIR spectra of the range examined (570-630cm⁻1), Fe-O bonds were observed, which confirms that biofunctionalization of the surface had been done. Also observed were O-H, C-H, C=O, and C-O functional groups of surfaces biofunctionalization. Furthermore, SEM analysis showed the particle size ranging from 50 to 400nm while massively polygonal, where EDX analysis further confirmed the presence of iron in the sample. The degradation studies conducted over 15days showed that there was a total of 89% methylene blue degradation at a nanoparticle-to-dye ratio of 1:1. In contrast, the ratio of 1:5 only yielded a 79% degradation. Furthermore, the Fe3O4 NPs were shown to have powerful antioxidant activity (scavenging up to 93.2%), as well as inflammatory activity (82.3% inhibition), anti-hemolytic activity (84.4% inhibition), which suggests low toxicity and biocompatibility. This confirms the effectiveness of biosynthesized Fe3O4 NPs for the treatment of dye-contaminated water, utilizing them as a cost-effective and multifunctional approach, thus advancing the field of nano bioremediation.

The Friedel–Crafts acylation of arenes is a fundamental reaction extensively employed in both academic research and industrial applications. A significant limitation of this reaction is the requirement for stoichiometric amounts of Lewis acid catalysts, which are typically sensitive and generate considerable waste. In this study, we present an improved catalytic approach for the Friedel–Crafts acylation of activated arenes. Using acyl chlorides and acid anhydrides as acylating agents, the reaction is efficiently catalyzed by 5 mol% iron(iii) chloride in propylene carbonate, an environmentally friendly solvent that outperforms traditional solvents in maintaining high reaction efficiency under catalytic conditions. This green methodology demonstrates high effectiveness and broad applicability, yielding aromatic ketones in good to excellent yields. Preliminary DFT calculations were carried out to rationalize the mechanism of the reaction.

Preparation of iron-containing exfoliated graphite from graphite intercalation compounds with iron chloride treated by liquid ammonia and alkylamines

Micronutrients contribute significantly to homeostasis at the cellular, physiological, and biological interface of silkworm growth and development. The silkworm cocoon traits are highly physiologically dependent, controlled by the optimum availability of micronutrient concentrations. Keeping this in view, two micronutrients, i.e., copper and iron, were investigated to understand their role in economic traits in popular bivoltine silkworm double-hybrid FC1 × FC2. The mulberry leaves were bio-fortified with copper and iron in the form of copper chloride and ferric chloride with concentrations of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.5%, respectively. Irrespective of the micronutrients, all the studied pre- and post-cocoon parameters tend to increase at lower concentrations and decline at higher concentrations. ANOVA revealed a significant gain in larval weight (~ 9.28% and ~ 8.42%), single cocoon weight (~ 5.38% and ~ 6.45%), and filament length (~ 8.37%) when the silkworms were fed with the mulberry leaves fortified with a low concentration (0.2%) of copper and iron. The improvement in reelability (~ 4.92%), renditta (~ 1.91% and ~ 1.04%), and denier (~ 11.99% and ~ 7.19%) was maximum at 0.2% of copper- and iron-augmented leaves compared to the control. It is envisaged that copper and iron chlorides compounds have incremental impact in silk production. Therefore, feed bio-fortification with appropriate concentrations of copper and iron is recommended to improve cocoon production in both quality and quantity, thereby enhancing the economic returns for sericulture farmers.

In the present work, six biochars were produced from the pyrolysis of poultry manure at 400 °C and 600 °C (PM-B-400 and PM-B-600), and their post-modification with, respectively, iron chloride (PM-B-400-Fe and PM-B-600-Fe) and potassium permanganate (PM-B-400-Mn and PM-B-600-Mn). First, these biochars were deeply characterized through the assessment of their particle size distribution, pH, electrical conductivity, pH at point-zero charge, mineral composition, morphological structure, and surface functionality and crystallinity, and then valorized as biofertilizer to grow spring barley at pot-scale for 40 days. Characterization results showed that Fe- and Mn-based nanoparticles were successfully loaded onto the surface of the post-modified biochars, which significantly enhanced their structural and surface chemical properties. Moreover, compared to the control treatment, both raw and post-modified biochars significantly improved the growth parameters of spring barley plants (shoot and root length, biomass weight, and nutrient content). The highest biomass production was obtained for the treatment with PM-B-400-Fe, owing to its enhanced physico-chemical properties and its higher ability in releasing nutrients and immobilizing heavy metals. These results highlight the potential use of Fe-modified poultry manure-derived biochar produced at low temperatures as a sustainable biofertilizer for soil enhancement and crop yield improvement, while addressing manure management issues.

The iron-chromium redox flow battery (Fe-Cr RFB) is considered the first RFB and utilizes low-cost, abundant iron and chromium chlorides as redox-active materials, making it one of the most cost-effective energy storage systems. This review first introduces the basic principles of Fe-Cr RFB and their advantages in energy storage systems, followed by an analysis of the key technical challenges they face, including low electrochemical activity of chromium ions, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and capacity degradation during long-term cycling. Based on these findings, the paper systematically summarizes the latest research progress on Fe-Cr RFB electrolytes, primarily including: (1) optimization of electrolyte composition; (2) application of functional additives; (3) Development of chelating electrolytes. Finally, this paper outlines future development directions for Fe–Cr RFBs aimed at enabling scalable and cost-effective energy storage.

Objectives. The work set out to describe conditions for the purification of a model fermentation broth for cultivating the lactic acid-containing micromycete Rhizopus oryzae from impurities of inorganic salts using ion-exchange resins under dynamic conditions. Methods. The solutions collected for analysis were examined using precipitation titration to determine the concentration of chlorides along with a qualitative reaction with Nessler’s reagent to ascertain the presence of ammonium ions. The concentration of lactic acid was evaluated spectrophotometrically using iron(III) chloride. The total nitrogen content was determined by high-temperature catalytic combustion on a Formacs HT TOC/TN Analyzer (Netherlands). The content of trace elements and macroelements in the samples was determined using an iCAP 6300 Duo inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer (United Kingdom). Results. Purification of the model broth under the described conditions was carried out by successive filtration through the cation exchanger KU-2-8 in the H-form and subsequently through a mixture of weakly basic A847 and strongly basic AV-17-8 anion exchangers in the OH-form taken in a one-to-one ratio. The breakthrough of impurity ions into the solution was shown to occur after passing 30-fold and 10-fold volumes of the model broth relative to the volume of the cation-exchange and anion-exchange resins, respectively. The dynamic exchange capacity prior to breakthrough was determined as follows: 0.35 mmol-eq/cm3 for the anion-exchange column and 1.61 mmol-eq/cm3 for the cation-exchange column. The following parameters were defined as column regeneration modes: 3-fold excess of 2 M H2SO4, 10-fold excess of distilled H2O for cation exchange; for anion exchange, 3-fold excess of 2 M NaOH and 20-fold excess of H2O. Conclusions. The conducted studies showed that purification of the model fermentation broth of Rhizopus oryzae can be successfully implemented using ion-exchange resins. The model fermentation broth passing successively through cation-exchange and anion-exchange columns was shown to be purified from impurities of mineral salts while maintaining the concentration of lactic acid.

A series of inexpensive, stable, and environmentally friendly iron pigments was synthesized based on zeolite and clay minerals. For the synthesis of pigments, zeolite – clinoptilolite and clay minerals: bentonite and kaolin were used and as a source of iron ions – iron chloride. The influence of the type of clay minerals/zeolite used and the preparation method on the color of the obtained pigments and the resistance of the produced material to factors such as: UV radiation, organic solvents, alkalis and acids were studied. The use of different synthesis methods and various clay minerals or zeolite for the preparation of iron-based pigments enabled the formation of a wide range of colors, varying from beige and red to different shades of brown. The non-toxicity and good stability of the obtained pigments combined with the low cost of their production make them have great potential for use in many areas, such as ceramics, painting and others.

The growth and development of practically all organisms depend on iron metabolism, which is vital for many physiological processes in the human body. Iron overload or deficiency, which are both symptoms of dysregulated iron metabolism, are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD. This study evaluates the changes in iron chloride-exposed rats and the impact of Brassica nigra treatment. Thirty-five adult wistar rats averagely weighing between 180-220g were used for this study. They were divided into seven groups with five rats per group with daily administration for treatment for 30 days. Group A served as the control group. Groups B,C, D and E were given 2mg/kg body weight of iron(II)chloride and treated with 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg body weight of Brassica nigra and standard drug vitamin C respectively except group B that was left untreated. Group F and G received 200 and 400mg/kg body weights of Brassica nigra only. Rats were euthanized under chloroform and heart harvested and fixed in neutral buffered formalin for hematoxylin and eosin histological staining procedure, and histological slides were examined using light microscope. Statistical results shown there was no significant difference in initial and final body weight. The reduced cardiac antioxidants (SOD, CAT, and GPx) were significantly increased on administration of Brassica nigra extract. Histopathological findings on iron (II) chloride administration showed myocardial degeneration, coronary vascular ulceration and perivascular inflammation. However, intervention with graded doses of Brassica nigra ethanolic extract and standard drug reversed the lesions induced by iron (II) chloride to near normal. These data indicate that by suppressing inflammation, oxidative stress and iron deposition, and enhancing iron excretion, Brassica nigra effectively attenuate iron overload-induced cardiovascular injury.