Ferroelectric Nanorods as a Polymer Interface Additive for High-Performance Garnet-Based Solid-State Batteries.

Sandwiching polymer interlayers between the electrode and solid electrolyte is considered promising in solving the interfacial issues arising from solid-solid contact in garnet-based solid-state batteries, but drawbacks including low ionic conductivity, inferior Li+ transference number, and unsatisfying mechanical property of the polymer hindered the practical application of such strategy. To solve the mentioned shortcomings of the polymer interlayer simultaneously, we introduce the ferroelectric material, BaTi2O5 (BT) nanorods, into the polymer matrix in this work. By taking full advantage of the plasticization effect and intrinsic spontaneous polarization of the introduced ferroelectric, the polymer's ionic conductivity and Li+ transference number have been significantly enhanced. The built-in electric field BT introduced also benefits the modulation of CEI components formed on the cathode particles, further enhancing the battery performance by decreasing cathode degradation. Besides, the BT nanorods' particular high aspect ratio also helps increase the mechanical property of the obtained polymer film, making it more resistant to lithium dendrite growth across the interface. Benefitting from the merits mentioned above, the assembled lithium symmetric cells using garnet SE with the BT-modified polymer interlayer exhibit stable cycling performance (no short circuit after 1000 h under RT) with low polarization voltage. The full battery employing LiFePO4 as a cathode also presents superior capacity retentions (94.6% after 200 cycles at 0.1 C and 93.4% after 400 cycles at 0.2 C). This work highlights the importance of ferroelectric materials with specific morphology in enhancing the electrochemical performance of polymer-based electrolytes, promoting the practical application of solid-state batteries.

Dendrite-free lithium deposition via a fumed silica interlayer as an electron inhibitor in all-solid-state batteries.

Herein, nanosized fumed silica (FS) with poor electrical conductivity is used as an "electron inhibitor" between Li metal and garnet solid electrolyte (SE) to prevent lithium dendrite growth. The FS demonstrated its effectiveness in preventing the fast lithium dendrite propagation during the long-term lithium stripping and plating processes, leading to an enhanced battery performance. We believe this study could help shed light on such electron inhibitors in constructing all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) with superior cycling performance.

Phase Optimization for Multipoint Haptic Feedback Based on Ultrasound Array.

Ultrasound-based haptic feedback is a potential technology for human-computer interaction (HCI) with the advantages of a low cost, low power consumption and a controlled force. In this paper, phase optimization for multipoint haptic feedback based on an ultrasound array was investigated, and the corresponding experimental verification is provided. A mathematical model of acoustic pressure was established for the ultrasound array, and then a phase-optimization model for an ultrasound transducer was constructed. We propose a pseudo-inverse (PINV) algorithm to accurately determine the phase contribution of each transducer in the ultrasound array. By controlling the phase difference of the ultrasound array, the multipoint focusing forces were formed, leading to various shapes such as geometries and letters, which can be visualized. Because the unconstrained PINV solution results in unequal amplitudes for each transducer, a weighted amplitude iterative optimization was deployed to further optimize the phase solution, by which the uniform amplitude distributions of each transducer were obtained. For the purpose of experimental verification, a platform of ultrasound haptic feedback consisting of a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an electrical circuit and an ultrasound transducer array was prototyped. The haptic performances of a single point, multiple points and dynamic trajectory were verified by controlling the ultrasound force exerted on the liquid surface. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed phase-optimization model and theoretical results are effective and feasible, and the acoustic pressure distribution is consistent with the simulation results.

A recyclable self-assembled composite catalyst consisting of Fe3O4-rose bengal-layered double hydroxides for highly efficient visible light photocatalysis in water.

The first case of a highly efficient layered double hydroxide (LDH) supported organic visible light photocatalyst is reported and it can catalyze various organic transformations with high efficiency in water under visible light irradiation.

[Clinical study on Zhuyu Tongfu serial recipe combined with acupuncture and massotherapy in treating hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Zhuyu Tongfu (ZYTF) Serial Recipe combined with acupuncture and massotherapy in treating hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage (HCH). METHODS: One hundred and eighteen patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage, on the basis of conventional Western medicine treatment, were randomly divided into ZYTF combined with acupuncture and massotherapy group (treated group) and simple Western medicine group (control group); the clinical efficacy, neurofunction deficit scoring (NDS) alterations and hematoma absorption rate of both groups were observed, and also the plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, plasma lipid peroxidase (LPO) content, erythrocyte glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, hematocrit (Ht) and the whole blood viscosity (Va) change were also observed. RESULTS: In the treated group, the clinical efficacy, NDS improvement and hematoma absorption rate were superior to that of the control group; comparison between the two groups after treatment showed that plasma SOD activity and GSH-Px activity got more elevated and plasma LPO content, Ht and Va more lowered in the the treated group than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: ZYTF combined with acupuncture and massotherapy has better effect, its therapeutic mechanism was possibly correlated to the elevation of plasma SOD activity, GSH-Px activity and lowering of plasma LPO content, Ht and Va.

[Comparison between two methods for staining DNA of apoptotic spermatozoa].

OBJECTIVE: To compare two fluorochrome staining methods for the assessment of sperm quality. METHODS: Washed sperm cells were incubated in 0, 0.15, or 15 micromol/L camptothecin (CAM), or 0.37 or 3.7 mmol/L genistein (GEN) at 37 degrees C for 4 hours. The sperm cells were analyzed for cycle-independent apoptosis and necrosis by single-stain compared with dual-stain fluorescence microscopy to contrast the relative effectiveness of these two approaches. RESULTS: The single-stain procedure could not detect the sperm viability differences. In contrast, the dual-stain procedure identified a dosage-dependent decrease in the viability and increased necrozoospermia after topoisomerase inhibitor CAM and GEN treatments. Apoptosis was 2-fold higher with topoisomerase inhibitor treatment. CONCLUSION: The two topoisomerase inhibitors were associated with increased apoptosis and dosage-dependent necrosis. The data suggested that the dual-stain combination Hoechst 33342/PI was more sensitive than the single Hoechst 33342 stain analysis and permitted quantitative analysis of the apoptosis and necrosis in sperm.

[Mifepristone combined with methotrexate for conservative treatment of tubal ectopic pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of mifepristone combined with methotrexate for conservative treatment of tubal ectopic pregnancy. METHODS: A total of 102 cases of tubal ectopic pregnancy diagnosed at early stage were enrolled to receive oral mefepristone at the dose of 75 mg twice daily for 3 d and intramuscular injection with calcium leucovorin at 0.1 mg/kg 24 h after a single dose of methotrexate injection (1 mg/kg.b.w.). In the control group consisting of 86 similar cases, intramuscular injection with calcium leucovorin at 0.1 mg/kg was given 24 h after a single dose of methotrexate (1 mg/kg.b.w.). RESULTS: Ninety-four of the 102 cases ( 92.20%) receiving oral mifepristone combined with calcium leucovorin and methotrexate were cured, a curative rate significantly higher than that in the control group, where 70 cases (81.4%) were cured (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Mefepristone combined with methotrexate is safe and effective in the treatment of tubal ectopic pregnancy, without obvious side effects.