Preparation Method Research Articles

MOFs materials as photocatalysts for CO2 reduction: Progress, challenges and perspectives

Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) presents a pivotal solution to address meteorological and ecological challenges. Currently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with their crystalline porosity, adjustable structures, and diverse chemical functionalities have garnered significant attention in the realm of photocatalytic CO2 reduction. This review provides a brief introduction to CO2 reduction and MOF material and their applications in CO2 reduction. Then, it undertakes a comprehensive examination of MOFs, summarizing their key attributes, including porosity, large surface area, structural multifunctionalities, and responsiveness to visible light, along with an analysis of heterojunctions and their methods of preparation. Additionally, it elucidates the fundamental principle of photocatalysis and CO2 reduction, encompassing both half and overall reactions. Furthermore, the classification of MOF-based materials is explored, along with the proposed mechanism for CO2 reduction and an update on recent developments in this field. Finally, this review outlines the challenges and potential opportunities for utilizing MOFs in CO2 reduction, offering valuable insights to scholars seeking innovative approaches not only to enhance CO2 reduction but also to advance other photocatalytic processes.

Preparation method and industrialization of Ta-based ultra high temperature ceramic Tujia jar tea baking jar materials

The production materials of traditional Tujia jar tea often face problems such as poor high-temperature performance and poor durability. To improve the temperature resistance and durability of tea baking utensils, this study proposes a new type of TaC ultra-high temperature ceramic. TaC ceramics with excellent performance were prepared through powder metallurgy technology, including high-energy ball milling to ensure uniform mixing, followed by compression molding and high-temperature sintering. The test results demonstrated excellent mechanical properties, with a maximum depth of 948.67 nm and a contact depth of 954.45 nm, proving outstanding compressive and wear resistance. The hardness reached 21.4±0.5 Gpa, and the elastic modulus was 397.2±8.7 Gpa, both of which indicate its stability under high loads. In addition, the fracture toughness was 2.8±0.2 Mpa*m1/2. At a high temperature environment of 1000 °C, the oxidation rate constant of TaC ceramics was only 0.183 mg2 *cm−4 *h, which demonstrates its excellent high-temperature stability. The development of this TaC ceramic not only strengthened the traditional production process of Tujia teapots and tea roasting teapots, thereby improving the product’s service life, but also holds potential for other industrial applications that demand ultra-high temperature stability. These contributions provide new directions for the high-temperature application of ceramic materials and bring tangible economic and technological value to related industries.

Two-dimensional MXene Nanomaterials: Preparation, Structure Modulation and the Applications in Electrochemical Energy Storage.

MXenes have attracted intensive attention owing to their unique twodimensional (2D) layered structure, high specific surface area, excellent conductivity, superior surface hydrophilicity, and chemical stability. In recent years, selective etching of the A element layers from MAX phases by fluorine-containing etchants (HF, LiF-HCl, etc) is a common method to prepare multilayered MXene nanomaterials (NMs) with plentiful surface terminations. At present, many studies have been reported on the use of fluorine-free etchants (NaOH, ZnCl2, etc) to etch MAX phases. The properties of MXene NMs are dependent on their structures. The purpose of this review is to focus on a comprehensive and systematical survey on the preparation, structure modulation, and applications of MXene NMs in electrochemical energy storage devices, including supercapacitors, lithium-ion battery, sodium-ion battery, potassium-ion battery, and aluminum-ion battery. Extensive information related to the preparation and applications of 2D MXene NMs for electrochemical energy storage and their associated patents were collected. This review highlights the recently reported 2D MXene NMs which are used in supercapacitor and various metal ion. It is found that the preparation methods have great impacts on the layer spacing and surface terminations of MXenes, consequently affecting their performance. Hence, this paper summarizes the research progress of the preparation strategies, layer spacing and surface termination modulation of MXene NMs. The applications of 2D MXene NMs in electrochemical energy storage are outlined. The forward-looking challenges and prospects for the development of MXenes are also proposed.

Ethnopharmacological Survey of Medicinal Plants Used by Local Herbalists and Traditional Healers for the Treatment of Cancer in Jordan

Background: As many Jordanians include herbs in their treatment, an ethnopharmacological survey was conducted to identify the most prescribed plants for the treatment of cancer by local herbalists and traditional healers in Jordan, aiming to encourage the prescription that is based on scientific evidence, to tackle some important practices in traditional healing, and to provide candidates for the isolation of new anticancer agents. Methods: Thirty-two Jordanian herbalists and traditional healers were interviewed. Both the use value and frequency of citation were implemented as quantitative methods to demonstrate the relative importance of a chosen species for the treatment of cancer. Furthermore, literature was screened for evidences that supported or opposed the use of the plants of interest Results: It was revealed that 31 plants are currently used in Jordan for the treatment of cancer, with Curcuma longa and Ephedra foeminea being the most used ones. Conclusions: It was noticed that the use of many prescribed plants could be rationalised by in vitro and/or in vivo studies. However, more attention should be paid by practitioners to some important aspects, such as the method of use and preparation of plants, their interaction with chemotherapeutic agents and the differences in their efficacy against different cancer types.

Sodium salt promoted the generation of nano zero valent iron by carbothermal reduction: For activating peroxydisulfate to degrade antibiotic

Carbothermal reduction is a promising method for the industrial preparation of nano-zero-valent iron. Preparing it also involves very high pyrolysis temperatures, which leads to a significant amount of energy consumption. The temperature required for the preparation of nano-zero-valent iron by carbothermal reduction was reduced by 200 °C by the addition of sodium salt. Carbon-loaded nano zero-valent iron (Fe0/CB-Na) was prepared by carbothermal reduction through the addition of sodium salt. The results showed that Fe0/CB-Na@700 had the same activation performance as Fe0/CB@900 and the newly prepared nano-zero-valent iron. The addition of sodium salt promoted the transfer of oxygen from the iron oxide to the carbon structure during the roasting process so that the iron oxide was reduced to as much Fe0 as possible. Thus, sodium salts were optimized for the preparation of nano-zero-valent iron by carbothermal reduction through interfacial amorphization and oxygen transfer, thus reducing the preparation cost.

Formulation and Characterisation of Fluconazole Loaded MCM-41 Powder for Topical Drug Delivery

Purpose: The use of common carriers like talc for topical drug delivery leads to diminished efficacy as a result of poor aqueous solubility and low dissolution rate. The objective of this study was to improve the efficiency of fluconazole topical dosage form using MCM-41 as a carrier material. The aim was to load fluconazole in carriers like MCM-41 as well as ß-Cyclodextrin and to compare the prepared powder formulation with the marketed formulations. Methods: Fluconazole complex was formulated with the use of MCM-41 and ß-CD as carriers in different proportions by melt, solvent evaporation and kneading method. The complex was developed into a powder formulation. These formulations were subjected to in vitro anti-fungal activity tests on candida albicans. Results: The inclusion compound was characterised by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and FTIR. The optimised method of preparation determined by in vitro dissolution was the melt method. The optimised formulation was then subjected to anti-fungal activity test. Formulation B containing MCM-41 as the bulk excipient had better performance than the marketed formulation; it showed 92.95 ± 0.33% CDR compared to 74.96 ± 0.47% CDR at the end of 1 hour and increased moisture adsorption. Conclusion: Thus, a fluconazole topical formulation with improved drug dissolution and moisture adsorption was designed. From in vitro tests, it was seen that the prepared formulation had better performance compared to the commercial formulation against skin mycotic infections and could be used for its treatment.

Preparation of V2O3 by a short process of ammonium salt reduction and its electrocatalytic properties investigation

Ammonium salt vanadium precipitation is the main method of vanadium metallurgy at home and abroad, but the traditional ammonium precipitation of vanadium can only obtain high valence of V2O5, and the NH3 produced in the calcination process cannot be fully utilized. And the preparation of low-valence vanadium oxide V2O3 is long and costly. Self-reduction of thermal decomposition of nitrogen-containing precipitation products to produce V2O3 is a novel and short process method that can achieve full utilization of ammonia. NaVO3 was used as the vanadium source, choline chloride (C5H14ClNO (ChCl)) was used as the vanadium precipitation reagent, and the vanadium concentration was 30 g/L, n(ChCl)/n(V) = 1.5, the initial pH was 1.5, the temperature was 85°C, the time was 2 h, and the vanadium precipitation efficiency could reach 97.05%. V2O3 with purity of 97.98% can be obtained by calcination at 550°C for 3 h in an argon atmosphere. XRD, FTIR, XPS, SEM-EDS were used to characterize the product, which further proved that the final product was V2O3. The electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of V2O3 in acidic media showed high stability after 1000 cyclic voltammetry (CV) cycles, with a low Tafel slope of 88.5 mVdec−1. The electrochemical double layer capacitance (EDLC) was measured by CV at different scan rates, and the EDLC of V2O3 was 1.104 mFcm−2. This study provides a short-flow preparation method for V2O3 and can provide predictions for the application of V2O3 in HER and supercapacitors.

Proteomics of human platelet lysates and insight from animal studies on platelet protein diffusion to hippocampus upon intranasal administration.

Human platelet lysates (HPLs) from allogeneic platelet concentrates (PCs) are biomaterials, which are rich in various trophic factors, increasingly used in regenerative medicine and biotherapy. Understanding how preparation methods influence the HPL protein profile, biological function, and clinical outcomes is crucial. Our study sheds light on the proteomes and functionality of different HPLs, with the aim of advancing their scientifically grounded clinical applications. To achieve this, PCs suspended in plasma underwent three distinct processing methods, resulting in seven HPL types. We used three characterization techniques: label-free proteomics and tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics, both before and after the immunodepletion of abundant plasma proteins. Bioinformatic tools assessed the proteome, and western blotting validated our quantitative proteomics data. Subsequent pre-clinical studies with fluorescent labeling and label-free proteomics were used as a proof of concept for brain diffusion. Our findings revealed 1441 proteins detected using the label-free method, 952 proteins from the TMT experiment before and after depletion, and 1114 proteins from the subsequent TMT experiment on depleted HPLs. Most detected proteins were cytoplasmic, playing key roles in catalysis, hemostasis, and immune responses. Notably, the processing methodologies significantly influenced HPL compositions, their canonical pathways, and, consequently, their functionality. Each HPL exhibited specific abundant proteins, providing valuable insight for tailored clinical applications. Immunoblotting results for selected proteins corroborated our quantitative proteomics data. The diffusion and differential effects to the hippocampus of a neuroprotective HPL administered intranasally to mice were demonstrated. This proteomics study advances our understanding of HPLs, suggesting ways to standardize and customize their production for better clinical efficacy in regenerative medicine and biotherapy. Proteomic analyses also offered objective evidence that HPPL, upon intranasal delivery, not only effectively diffuses to the hippocampus but also alters protein expression in mice, bolstering its potential as a treatment for memory impairments.

A benchmark of health insurance fraud detection using machine learning techniques

Health insurance fraud is a complex problem that also has a significant financial impact. Recently, with the availability of large volumes of data and the evolution of computing power, machine learning techniques have become the preferred method for fraud detection. However, the main difficulty facing researchers in this field is the lack of real data sets and the absence of reliable fraud labels. Most published studies use aggregated provider-level or simulated data to test fraud detection algorithms, which may not deliver accurate results. The present study aims to provide a more accurate assessment of fraud detection methods by using real detailed health insurance claims data to compare six of the most common supervised classification algorithms including neural networks and the use of two categorical feature preparation methods. The study was conducted under the guidance of insurance experts, who provided the fraud label inference rules and reviewed the results. A comprehensive description of the benchmarking process and an interpretation of the results are provided in this paper. The results show that supervised classification can be used effectively to detect health insurance fraud, improving detection accuracy by a factor of 4.2 (84% recall for a positive rate of 20%).<p> </p>

Flexible fiber composite functional materials based on Fe-MOFs nanozyme catalytic activity for efficient point-of-use water disinfection

Ensuring clean water sources is crucial for human health and safety. However, in underdeveloped areas and emergency situations, low-energy, convenient water disinfection technologies remain a significant challenge. Herein, a series of Fe-MIL-101@flexible fiber composites were designed and synthesized by in-situ cross-linking growth of Fe-MIL-101 metal–organic framework nanozymes on carboxymethyl cellulose (filter paper, cotton, gauze), as a class of point-of-use (POU) water disinfection modules with antibacterial efficacy, portability and biosecurity. The results show that the preparation method of water disinfection material is universal, and the most convenient Fe-MIL-101@composite carboxymethyl filter paper (Fe-MIL-101@CMFP) is outstanding. The combination of Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme with carboxymethyl filter paper (CMFP) is highly stable, even after 200 mechanical or manual frictions, the MOF particles does not fall off, and its flexibility, mechanical properties and filtration efficiency remain unchanged. Furthermore, Fe-MIL-101@CMFP exhibits remarkable simulated activity of peroxidase and oxidase, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS, •OH and O2•-), which effectively eliminate bacteria. Notably, Fe-MIL-101@CMFP filters have excellent bactericidal capability (about 99%), are equally effective on field water, and have no biosafety concerns. Such Fe-MIL-101@flexible fiber composite material, as a portable POU water disinfection and sterilization functional modules, is expected to solve the problem of distributed water disinfection as well as change the way of obtaining safe drinking water in underdeveloped areas and emergency situations.

Preperation of Sambhar Premix

Abstract: A sambhar premix is a convenient blend of dry spices and lentils essential for preparing the popular South Indian dish, sambhar. Comprising roasted and ground ingredients like lentils (toor dal, masoor dal), spices (coriander, cumin, fenugreek, mustard seeds), dried red chilies, and aromatics (turmeric, asafetida, curry leaves); this premix offers a quick solution to recreate the flavorsome and aromatic sambhar. When stored in an airtight container, this premix maintains its freshness, making it a time-saving and versatile addition to various culinary creations. masala development process would highlight the key steps and considerations in creating this traditional South Indian spice blend. It would cover aspects suchas ingredient selection, proportioning, grinding techniques, and the preservation methods employed. Additionally, the abstract might touch upon the cultural significance of masala and its role in enhancing the flavor profile of the iconic dish. This abstract delves into the historical evolution of masala, exploring its traditional ingredients and tracing the development of a premix. The document outlines the meticulous method of preparation for the premix, emphasizing key steps such as ingredient selection, proportioning, and grinding techniques. Additionally, it includes a comprehensive cost analysis of the production process. Proximate testing is employed to evaluate the nutritional composition of the masala, shedding light on itsdietary implications. This abstract aims to provide a holistic overview of the masala development process, combining historical context, preparation methodology, cost considerations, and nutritional insights. This detailed abstract explores the rich history, intricate ingredients, and methodical preparation of masala powder, with a focus on developing a premix. The historical analysis delves into the origins and evolution of the spice blend, highlighting the regional variations and cultural significance associated with its use in South Indian cuisine. The document provides a comprehensive overview of the ingredients, emphasizing the selection of authentic spices crucial to achieving the distinctive flavor profile. The method of preparation for the premix is detailed, encompassing precise measurements, grinding techniques, and the blending process to ensure consistency and optimal flavor infusion. A meticulous cost analysis is presented, covering raw materials, processing expenses,and packaging costs, offering insights into the economic feasibility of producing masala on a larger scale. Furthermore, proximate testing is employed to assess the nutritional composition, detailingthe macronutrient and micronutrient content, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the spice blend's dietary implications. This abstract aims to serve as a comprehensive reference, encapsulating the historical, culinary, economic, and nutritional dimensions of masala powder and its premix variant.

A REVIEW ON FAST DISSOLVING FILM

Orally fast dissolving films (OFDFs) have been introduced in the market recently as they provide convenience and ease of use over other dosage forms such as orally disintegrating tablets. This technology evolved over the past few years from the confection and oral care markets in the form of breath strips and became a novel and widely accepted form by consumers, so OFDFs are gaining the interest of large number of pharmaceutical industries. Orally fast dissolving film is the type of drug delivery system which when placed in the oral cavity, disintegrate or dissolve within few seconds without the intake of water. OFDFs are very similar to postage stamp in their shape, size and thickness. These films have a potential to deliver the drug systemically through intragastric, sublingual or buccal route of administration and also has been used for local action. This type of technology offer a convenient way of dosing medication, not to special population groups like pediatric, geriatric, bedridden patients, mentally ill patients, but also to the general population. The present review provides an account of various formulation considerations, method of preparation and quality control of the OFDFs.

FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TRANSDERMAL PATCHES: A REVIEW

Transdermal drug delivery has gained significant attention due to its non-invasive nature and potential for controlled release of medications. Transdermal patches, in particular, have emerged as a promising dosage form for delivering drugs across the skin barrier. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the formulation and characterization techniques employed in the development of transdermal patches. It covers various aspects including formulation strategies, selection of polymers and permeation enhancers, methods of preparation, and characterization techniques such as physicochemical, mechanical, and in vitro/in vivo evaluation. Additionally, the advantages, challenges, and future perspectives of transdermal patches are discussed, highlighting their potential in improving patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes.

Preparation and Characterization of Liposomes in Novel Drug Delivery Systems: A Review

Liposomes have emerged as versatile drug delivery vehicles with the potential to improve the therapeutic efficacy and safety profiles of various drugs. These lipid-based vesicles offer advantages such as biocompatibility, versatility in encapsulating hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, and the ability to target specific tissues or cells. This review provides a detailed examination of the preparation and characterization methods of liposomes in novel drug delivery systems (NDDS). It covers various techniques for liposome preparation, including conventional methods and advanced approaches, as well as the characterization parameters essential for evaluating liposomal formulations. Additionally, recent advancements, challenges, and future directions in the field are discussed.

Ethnobotanical and Pharmacological Survey of Medicinal Plants Used by Indigenous People of Cawilan, Tubod Surigao del Norte

The study determined the medicinal plants used by the Indigenous People of Cawilan, Tubod Surigao del Norte. It identified the part of the plant used, methods of preparing the plant parts, how the prepared herbal medicine administered and what particular ailments can be treated by the identified medicinal plants. The study includes 80 respondents from the Indigenous People of the said research locale. Descriptive survey and purposive sampling were used to include individual who possessed deep understanding of the medicinal plants. The was analyze using the following descriptive statistical tool: (a) Percentage Distribution, (b) Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and (c) Pearson R. The findings reveals that there is 25 identified medicinal plants, which Hilbas (Artemisia vulgaris) got the highest percentage of 10% and Tanglad (Cymbopogon citratus) obtain the lowest percentage of 1% of all the identified medicinal plants. Out of all the identified medicinal plants, 5 plant parts were utilized. Furthermore, there were 4 methods of preparation used with the identified medicinal plants and 4 methods of administration were identified in treating certain ailments. Lastly, 16 ailments were determined that can be cured by the identified medicinal plants. According to the findings and conclusion drawn from the data collected, Indigenous People of Cawilan, Tubod Surigao del Norte practiced and used medicinal plants in treating certain ailments. Further research is recommended on the effectiveness of medicinal plants in treating certain ailments.

A spectrometric analysis of variedly purified cinnabar in a siddha drug- linga chendhooram.

A siddha drug, linga chendhooram was prepared from cinnabar (lingam) and Citrullus colocynthis L. The transition of heavy metals concentration throughout theprocess were analysed to comprehend the significance ofdrug preparatory methods. In addition to that the main constituent cinnabar was purified from two different methods to comparatively analyse the significance of purification methods. Atomic absorption spectrometric studies were employed to obtain the concentration of class I heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury) in all five samples- raw cinnabar (R), cinnabar purified (P1 and P2) from purification method 1 and 2, linga chendhooram (D1 and D2) prepared from P1 and P2. Based on the permissible limits given by The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, except cadmium the concentrations of all other three heavy metals were found to be above the limit in P1, P2, D1 and D2. According to the oral Permitted Daily Exposure values for elemental impurities given in ICH Q3D(R1) Guidelines, D1 was within the permissible limits for both single and double oral doses whereas D2 showed a slight increase in the concentration of lead in a single oral dose itself. The drug preparatory method showed a reduction of the heavy metals concentration and comparative analysis of the purification methods revealed a substantial reduction of heavy metals concentration in the end drug D1 when compared with D2 showing that the methods of purification and drug preparation in siddha system plays a vital role in reducing the concentrations of heavy metals accordingly.

Developing a Novel Murine Meningococcal Meningitis Model Using a Capsule-Null Bacterial Strain

Background: Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonises the nasopharynx of about 10% of the healthy human population. Under certain conditions, it spreads into the body, causing infections with high morbidity and mortality rates. Although the capsule is the key virulence factor, unencapsulated strains have proved to possess significant clinical implications as well. Meningococcal meningitis is a primarily human infection, with limited animal models that are dependent on a variety of parameters such as bacterial virulence and mouse strain. In this study, we aimed to develop a murine Neisseria meningitidis meningitis model to be used in the study of various antimicrobial compounds. Method: We used a capsule-deficient Neisseria meningitidis strain that was thoroughly analysed through various methods. The bacterial strain was incubated for 48 h in brain–heart infusion (BHI) broth before being concentrated and injected intracisternally to bypass the blood–brain barrier in CD-1 mice. This prolonged incubation time was a key factor in increasing the virulence of the bacterial strain. A total of three more differently prepared inoculums were tested to further solidify the importance of the protocol (a 24-h incubated inoculum, a diluted inoculum, and an inactivated inoculum). Antibiotic treatment groups were also established. The clinical parameters and number of deaths were recorded over a period of 5 days, and comatose mice with no chance of recovery were euthanised. Results: The bacterial strain was confirmed to have no capsule but was found to harbour a total of 56 genes coding virulence factors, and its antibiotic susceptibility was established. Meningitis was confirmed through positive tissue culture and histological evaluation, where specific lesions were observed, such as perivascular sheaths with inflammatory infiltrate. In the treatment groups, survival rates were significantly higher (up to 81.25% in one of the treatment groups compared to 18.75% in the control group). Conclusion: We managed to successfully develop a cost-efficient murine (using simple CD-1 mice instead of expensive transgenic mice) meningococcal meningitis model using an unencapsulated strain with a novel method of preparation.

In-situ construction of stable and efficient superhydrophobic MOFs-based cellulose paper for oil–water separation

In recent years, separating oil-water mixed pollutants has emerged as an increasingly significant part of sustainable development due to oil-containing wastewater discharged and offshore oil spills. Therefore, developing stable and efficient materials for the separation of oily wastewater has garnered significant attention in current research. Herein, a novel superhydrophobic functionalized MOFs-based cellulose paper (PDMS/UiO-66-NH2@CP) was successfully synthesized by integrating cellulose paper (CP) with UiO-66-NH2 via solvothermal method and further modifying with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which was used as an oil-water separation material to purify oily wastewater. The reaction procedure is facile and simple, and the preparation method is efficient. Notably, the as-synthesized PDMS/UiO-66-NH2@CP showed excellent superhydrophobicity/superlipophilicity, with a water contact angle up to 162° and an oil contact angle (OCA) of approximately 0º, and it can still maintain superhydrophobic stability under strong acid or alkali conditions. Furthermore, the surface of superhydrophobic paper cannot been adhered by dye solution and powder, indicating its good self-cleaning and anti-fouling ability. Moreover, the composite paper displayed exceptional UV blocking property with the ability to block 99% ultraviolet. Attributed to these characteristics, PDMS/UiO-66-NH2@CP as an oil-water separator demonstrated exceptional performance in separating oil-water mixtures and emulsions, achieving efficiencies exceeding 98% and fluxes in the range of 105.26−412.14 L·m-2·h-1. More importantly, it displayed remarkable recyclability and its separation efficiency was still above 98% after 50 cycles. This study not only develops a facile and effective strategy for preparing superhydrophobic papers, but also provides innovative and instructive guidance for developing efficient oil-water separation materials.

Fault-Tolerant Code-Switching Protocols for Near-Term Quantum Processors

Topological color codes are widely acknowledged as promising candidates for fault-tolerant quantum computing. Neither a two-dimensional nor a three-dimensional topology, however, can provide a universal gate set {, , }, with the gate missing in the two-dimensional and the gate in the three-dimensional case. These complementary shortcomings of the isolated topologies may be overcome in a combined approach, by switching between a two- and a three-dimensional code while maintaining the logical state. In this work, we construct resource-optimized deterministic and nondeterministic code-switching protocols for two- and three-dimensional distance-three color codes using fault-tolerant quantum circuits based on flag qubits. Deterministic protocols allow for the fault-tolerant implementation of logical gates on an encoded quantum state, while nondeterministic protocols may be used for the fault-tolerant preparation of magic states. Taking the error rates of state-of-the-art trapped-ion quantum processors as a reference, we find a logical failure probability of 3% for deterministic logical gates, which cannot be realized transversally in the respective code. By replacing the three-dimensional distance-three color code in the protocol for magic state preparation with the morphed code introduced in Vasmer and Kubica [PRX Quantum 3, 030319 (2022)], we reduce the logical failure rates by 2 orders of magnitude, thus rendering it a viable method for magic state preparation on near-term quantum processors. Our results demonstrate that code switching enables the fault-tolerant and deterministic implementation of a universal gate set under realistic conditions, and thereby provide a practical avenue to advance universal, fault-tolerant quantum computing and enable quantum algorithms on first, error-corrected logical qubits. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Recent progress in MXenes-based lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered as the potent candidates for next-generation energy storage systems due to their high theoretical energy density. However, some inherent problems, including sulfur insulation, shuttle effect caused by lithium polysulfides, and lithium dendrites, hinder their practical application. Various materials have been studied to address the aforementioned issues. A class of two-dimensional inorganic compounds (MXenes), such as transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbon nitrides, have recently emerged. In this review, we summarize the characteristics and commonly used preparation methods of MXenes and outline the latest development of MXenes and their composites in LSBs. When utilized as sulfur carriers, modified layers of separators, hosts for lithium metal anodes, and electrolyte additives in LSBs, the diversity of structure, excellent conductivity, and high mechanical strength of MXenes and their composites highlight the competitive advantages. This review provides some ideas for the future development of MXenes in LSBs.