Suppressing Zn pulverization with three-dimensional inert-cation diversion dam for long-life Zn metal batteries.

Tremendous attention has been paid to the water-associated side reactions and zinc (Zn) dendrite growth on the electrode-electrolyte interface. However, the Zn pulverization that can cause continuous depletion of active Zn metal and exacerbate hydrogen evolution is severely neglected. Here, we disclose that the excessive Zn feeding that causes incomplete crystallization is responsible for Zn pulverization formation through analyzing the thermodynamic and kinetics process of Zn deposition. On the basis, we introduce 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium cations (EMIm+) into the electrolyte to form a Galton-board-like three-dimensional inert-cation (3DIC) region. Modeling test shows that the 3DIC EMIm+ can induce the Zn2+ flux to follow in a Gauss distribution, thus acting as elastic sites to buffer the perpendicular diffusion of Zn2+ and direct the lateral diffusion, thus effectively avoiding the local Zn2+ accumulation and irreversible crystal formation. Consequently, anti-pulverized Zn metal deposition behavior is achieved with an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.6% at 5 mA cm-2 over 2,000 cycles and superb stability in symmetric cell over 1,200 h at -30 °C. Furthermore, the Zn||KVOH pouch cell can stably cycle over 1,200 cycles at 2 A g-1 and maintain a capacity of up to 12 mAh.

Unlocking the Potential of Iron Sulfides for Sodium-Ion Batteries by Ultrafine Pulverization.

Iron sulfides have attracted tremendous research interest for the anode of sodium-ion batteries due to their high capacity and abundant resource. However, the intrinsic pulverization and aggregation of iron sulfide electrodes induced by the conversion reaction during cycling are considered destructive and undesirable, which often impedes their capacity, rate capability, and long-term cycling stability. Herein, an interesting pulverization phenomenon of ultrathin carbon-coated Fe1- xS nanoplates (Fe1- xS@C) is observed during the first discharge process of sodium-ion batteries, which leads to the formation of Fe1- xS nanoparticles with quantum size (≈5 nm) tightly embedded in the carbon matrix. Surprisingly, no discernible aggregation phenomenon can be detected in subsequent cycles. In/ex situ experiments and theoretical calculations demonstrate that ultrafine pulverization can confer several advantages, including sustaining reversible conversion reactions, reducing the adsorption energies, and diffusion energy barriers of sodium atoms, and preventing the aggregation of Fe1- xS particles by strengthening the adsorption between pulverized Fe1- xS nanoparticles and carbon. As a result, benefiting from the unique ultrafine pulverization, the Fe1- xS@C anode simultaneously exhibits high reversible capacity (610 mAh g-1 at 0.5 A g-1), superior rate capability (427.9 mAh g-1 at 20 A g-1), and ultralong cycling stability (377.9 mAh g-1 after 2500 cycles at 20 A g-1).

Effects of airflow superfine pulverization on the structure, functional properties, and flavor quality of wheat bran.

BACKGROUND: Wheat bran (WB) is a byproduct of refined wheat flour production with poor edible taste and low economic value. Herein, the WB was micronized via airflow superfine pulverization (ASP), and the effects of the ASP conditions on its particle size, nutritive compositions, whiteness, hydration characteristics, moisture distribution, microstructure, cation exchange capacity, volatile flavor components, and other characteristics were investigated. RESULTS: Reducing the rotational speed of the ASP screw and increasing the number of pulverizations significantly decreased the median particle size Dx(50) of WB to a minimum of 12.97 ± 0.19 µm (P < 0.05), increased the soluble dietary fiber content from 55.05 ± 2.94 to 106.86 ± 1.60 mg g-1, and improved the whiteness and water solubility index. In addition, the water holding capacity and oil holding capacity were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), while the cation exchange and swelling capacities first increased and then decreased. Up to about 70% of water in WB exists as bound water. As the Dx(50) of WB decreased, the content of bound and immobile water increased, while the free water decreased from 14.37 ± 1.21% to 7.59 ± 1.03%. Furthermore, WB was micronized and the particles became smaller and more evenly distributed. Using gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry, a total of 37 volatile compounds in micronized WB (including 10 aldehydes, 9 esters, 7 alcohols, and several acids, furans, ethers, aldehydes, esters, and alcohols) were identified as the main volatile compounds of WB. CONCLUSION: Collectively, ASP improved the physicochemical properties of WB. This study provides theoretical references for the use of ASP to improve the utilization and edibility of WB. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Lithium Hydride in the Solid Electrolyte Interphase of Lithium-Ion Batteries as a Pulverization Accelerator of Silicon.

As a highly promising next-generation high-specific capacity anode, the industrial-scale utilization of micron silicon has been hindered by the issue of pulverization during cycling. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of regulating the inorganic components of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) in improving pulverization, the evolution of most key inorganic components in the SEI and their correlation with silicon failure mechanisms remain ambiguous. This study provides a clear and direct correlation between the lithium hydride (LiH) in the SEI and the degree of micron silicon pulverization in the battery system. The reverse lithiation behavior of LiH on micron silicon during de-lithiation exacerbates the localized stress in silicon particles and contributes to particle pulverization. This work successfully proposes a novel approach to decouple the SEI from electrochemical performance, which can be significant to decipher the evolution of critical SEI components at varied battery anode interfaces and analyze their corresponding failure mechanisms.

In situ Interweaved Binder Framework Mitigating the Structural and Interphasial Degradations of High-nickel Cathodes in Lithium-ion Batteries.

The practical viability of high-nickel layered oxide cathodes is compromised by the interphasial and structural degradations. Herein, we demonstrate that by applying an in situ interweaved binder, the cycling stability of high-nickel cathodes can be significantly improved. Specifically, the results show that the resilient binder network immobilizes the transition-metal ions, suppresses electrolyte oxidative decomposition, and mitigates cathode particles pulverization, thus resulting in suppressed cathode-to-anode chemical crossover and ameliorated chemistry and architecture of electrode-electrolyte interphases. Pouch full cells with high-mass-loading LiNi0.8 Mn0.1 Co0.1 O2 cathodes achieve 0.02 % capacity decay per cycle at 1 C rate over 1 000 deep cycles at 4.4 V (vs. graphite). This work demonstrates a rational structural and compositional design strategy of polymer binders to mitigate the structural and interphasial degradations of high-Ni cathodes in lithium-ion batteries.

Occurrence of newly identified plasticizers in handwipes; development and validation of a novel analytical method and assessment of human exposure via dermal absorption.

A novel analytical method for the monitoring of four newly identified plasticizers, namely di-propylene glycol dibenzoate (DiPGDB), tri-n-butyl trimellitate (TBTM), isooctyl 2-phenoxyethyl terephthalate (IOPhET) and bis 3,5,5-trimethylhexyl phosphate (TMHPh), in handwipes based on pulverization was developed and in-house validated. In total, 164 handwipe samples (paired with house dust and human urine) were collected during winter (n = 82) and summer (n = 82) 2019 from adults and toddlers living in Flanders, Belgium. Method LOQs ranged from 1 to 200 ng/g. The ranges of Σplasticizers were 70-5400 ng/g for winter and 70-3720 ng/g for summer. The detection frequencies were 39% for DiPGDB, 27% for TBTM and <5% for IOPhET and TMHPh in winter samples and 33% for DiPGDB, 21% for TBTM and <10% for IOPhET and TMHPh in summer ones. The dominant compound in handwipes was DiPGDB, with mean contributions of 74% and 83% for winter and summer, followed by TBTM (24% and 9.2%), TMHPh (1.8% and 8.1%) and IOPhET (<1% and <1%). Σplasticizers concentrations were positively correlated in summer with the use of sanitizer (r = 0.375, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated in winter with the use of personal care products (r = -0.349, p < 0.05). DiPGDB was found positively correlated with the age of the participants (r = 0.363, p < 0.05) and the time spent indoors (r = 0.359, p < 0.05), indicating indoor environment as a potential source. Levels of TBTM in handwipes were positively correlated with dust samples collected from the same households (r = 0.597, p < 0.05), and those detected in toddler handwipes were significantly higher compared to adults (p < 0.05). Human daily exposure via dermal absorption was evaluated using the dermal derived no effects level values (DNEL), available in the database of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and estimated using the theoretical bio-accessible fractions per compound. Toddler exposure to TBTM was significantly higher compared to adults (T-test, p < 0.05). No risk for adverse human health effects was derived from the comparison with DNELs for all compounds.

Self-Assembly of Pulverized Nanoparticles: An Approach to Realize Large-Capacity, Long-Lasting, and Ultra-Fast-Chargeable Na-Ion Batteries.

The fabrication of battery anodes simultaneously exhibiting large capacity, fast charging capability, and high cyclic stability is challenging because these properties are mutually contrasting in nature. Here, we report a rational strategy to design anodes outperforming the current anodes by simultaneous provision of the above characteristics without utilizing nanomaterials and surface modifications. This is achieved by promoting spontaneous structural evolution of coarse Sn particles to 3D-networked nanostructures during battery cycling in an appropriate electrolyte. The anode steadily exhibits large capacity (∼480 mAhg-1) and energy retention capability (99.9%) during >1500 cycles even at an ultrafast charging rate of 12 690 mAg-1 (15C). The structural and chemical origins of the measured properties are explained using multiscale simulations combining molecular dynamics and density functional theory calculations. The developed method is simple, scalable, and expandable to other systems and provides an alternative robust route to obtain nanostructured anode materials in large quantities.

[Powder modificationfor improving content uniformity of Ziyin Yiwei Capsules].

Based on the defects in powder properties of the contents of Ziyin Yiwei Capsules, this study screened out the main medicinal slice powders causing the poor powdery properties, and introduced the powder modification process to improve the powdery properties of these slice powders, the pharmaceutical properties of the capsule contents, and the content uniformity of Ziyin Yiwei Capsules, so as to provide a demonstration for the application of powder modification technology to the preparation of Chinese medicinal solid preparations. Through the investigation on the powder properties of the contents of Ziyin Yiwei Capsules, it was clarified that the pulverized particle size of the capsule contents had a good correlation with the pulverization time. According to the measurement results of the powder fluidity and wettability, the quality defects of the capsule contents were caused by the fine powders of Taraxaci Herba and Lungwortlike Herba. "Core-shell" composite particles were prepared from medicinal excipients magnesium stearate and fine powders of Taraxaci Herba and Lungwortlike Herba slices after ultra-fine pulverization to improve the powder properties of the problematic fine powders. Powder characterization data including fluidity and wettability were measured, followed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and infrared ray(IR) detection. It was determined that the optimal dosage of magnesium stearate was 2%, and the compositing time was 3 min. The composite particles were then used as content components of the Ziyin Yiwei Capsules. The powder characteristics between the original capsule and the modified composite capsule including the particle size, fluidity, wettability, uniformity of bulk density, and uniformity of chromatism as well as the content uniformity and in vitro dissolution were compared. The results showed that the powder characteristics and content uniformity of the prepared composite capsule were significantly improved, while the material basis of the preparation was not changed before and after modification. The preparation process was proved to be stable and feasible. The powder modification technology solved the pharmaceutical defects that were easy to appear in the preparation of traditional capsules, which has provided experimental evidence for the use of powder modification technology for improving the quality of Chinese medicinal solid preparations and promoting the secondary development and upgrading of traditional Chinese medicinal dosage forms such as capsules.

Effects of insoluble dietary fiber from kiwi fruit pomace on the physicochemical properties and sensory characteristics of low-fat pork meatballs.

ABSTRACT: As beverage industry by product, kiwi fruit pomace is potential but underutilized. In this study, insoluble dietary fiber from kiwi fruit pomace was modified via ultra-fine pulverization. The physicochemical and functional properties of kiwi fruit insoluble dietary fiber (KWIDF) superfine powder and its application in pork meatballs as a fat substitute were investigated. The SEM and droplet size measurement results revealed that the specific surface area of KWIDF increased from 44.4 to 192.9 m2 kg-1. The swelling capacity, water-, oil- and fat-holding capacities increased by 51.61%, 40.21%, 46.09% and 47.01%, respectively. The poisonous substances adsorbing abilities and the inhibition of enzyme activities were also improved. Similarly, KWIDF adsorbed cholesterol and glucose preferably. In addition, KWIDF revealed significant dose-response effects on the nutritional within a meat matrix, quality and sensory characteristics in meatballs (P < 0.05). The addition of 3% KWIDF superfine powder was found most suitable with high acceptability overall.

Milling and thermal treatment induced changes on phenolic components and antioxidant activities of pigmented rice flours.

Processing methods involved in value addition to pigmented broken rice, a milling by-product may affect the nutraceutical qualities. Hence the effect of pulverisation and toasting on nutraceutical content in brown rice flours of red and black rice varieties were studied. Plate milling reduced soluble, bound and total polyphenols in red, but increased in black; increased insoluble polyphenols and oryzanol, and reduced anthocyanin in both varieties; antioxidant activity is reduced in red, but increased in black. Toasting caused reduction of soluble, insoluble and total polyphenol, anthocyanin and antioxidant activity in both varieties with an increase in bound polyphenols, and retention of flavonoids and oryzanol. HPLC characterization of phenolics showed changes on processing in content of catechin, caffeic, vanillic, protocatechuic and ferulic acid. It can be concluded that processing impacts the phenolic components of pigmented broken brown rice flour and this information is useful for functional food industry.

Delicate Structural Control of Si-SiOx-C Composite via High-Speed Spray Pyrolysis for Li-Ion Battery Anodes.

Despite the high theoretical capacity, silicon (Si) anodes in lithium-ion batteries have difficulty in meeting the commercial standards in various aspects. In particular, the huge volume change of Si makes it very challenging to simultaneously achieve high initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and long-term cycle life. Herein, we report spray pyrolysis to prepare Si-SiOx composite using an aqueous precursor solution containing Si nanoparticles, citric acid, and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). In the precursor solution, Si nanoparticles are etched by NaOH with the production of [SiO4]4-. During the dynamic course of spray pyrolysis, [SiO4]4- transforms to SiOx matrix and citric acid decomposes to carbon surface layer with the assistance of NaOH that serves as a decomposition catalyst. As a result, a Si-SiOx composite, in which Si nanodomains are homogeneously embedded in the SiOx matrix with carbon surface layer, is generated by a one-pot process with a residence time of only 3.5 s in a flow reactor. The optimal composite structure in terms of Si domain size and Si-to-O ratio exhibited excellent electrochemical performance, such as reversible capacity of 1561.9 mAh g-1 at 0.06C rate and ICE of 80.2% and 87.9% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 1C rate.

Pesticide dispersion by spraying under tropical conditions.

Pesticide air pollution by spraying was evaluated under different temperature, humidity and wind climatic conditions in Brazil. Field experiments were performed with application towards the soil and in guava orchards, where spray dispersion was monitored by adding p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), a fluorescent substance, as a tracer to the water contained in the spray tanks. Samples were collected with filter membranes (Whatman 180025), and the PABA was extracted from the filters by shaking with water in a Petri dish and measured in a spectrofluorometer. A spray aimed towards the soil with filters positioned on the ground and hung at different heights did not show different upward dispersion as observed when lateral pulverization was conducted. In this case, a tractor with a sprayer moved through a 3 m high and 6 m wide frame with filter membranes mounted at 60 cm intervals. Spray dispersion patterns were modified by guava leaf resistance. No influence of temperature and humidity was observed in this short-lived spraying process. Nevertheless, wind drift can occur during airborne dispersion and is an important pesticide pollution source which requires control. Droplets with PABA powered by assisted spraying upwards returned to the ground by gravity and, therefore, did not constitute a vertical source of atmospheric pollution.

Analytical evaluation of the protection offered by sealed tractor cabins during crop pulverization with fenitrothion.

The practice of large-scale agriculture requires the use of pesticides in order to maximize production. This activity has gained increasing attention in recent years, especially from rural workers, due to the risks associated with long-term exposure to pesticides. To minimize these risks, personal protection equipment (e.g., covers, gloves, and goggles) and collective protection equipment (e.g., agricultural tractors with sealed cabins) have been developed. In general, these approaches are intended to reduce the contact of farmers and agricultural machinery operators with the more toxic and stable compounds, an example of which is fenitrothion. In this study, fenitrothion was used as a marker to evaluate the protection afforded inside a sealed tractor cabin. To simulate the pesticide exposure, tests were performed using artificial cotton targets as passive adsorptive agents inside the cabin during the pesticide application. Samples were extracted according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) procedure using ultrasonic extraction and as proposed by the Brazilian Standard for Solid Waste Classification (NBR 10004). The extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The chromatographic method was optimized using a factorial design. The combined results indicated that the best conditions were achieved using a mobile phase with a water/acetonitrile ratio of 35:65, a column temperature of 40 °C, and a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, with a total analysis time of <10 min. The method was evaluated in the linear range of 0.50 to 2.01 mg/kg, with a determination coefficient of 0.9886. The precision was evaluated on different days and the relative standard deviations were between 0.17 and 3.41 %. In relation to the accuracy, recovery values of 95 to 104 % were obtained. The detection and quantification limits were 0.18 and 0.50 mg/kg, respectively. None of the target cottons showed concentrations of fenitrothion above the limit of detection of 0.18 mg/kg.

Self-Adaptive Graphdiyne/Sn Interface for High-Performance Sodium Storage.

Efficiently reconciling the substantial volume strain with maintaining the stabilities of both interfacial protection and three-dimensional (3D) conductive networks is a scientific and technical challenge in developing tin-based anodes for sodium ion storage. To address this issue, a proof-of-concept self-adaptive protection for the Sn anode is designed, taking advantage of the arbitrary substrate growth of graphdiyne. This protective layer, employing a flexible chain doping strategy, combines the benefits of 2D graphdiyne and linear chain structures to achieve 2D mechanical stability, electronic and ion conductions, ion selectivity, adequate elongation, and flexibility. It establishes close contact with the Sn particles and can adapt to dynamic size changes while effectively facilitating both electronic and ion transports. It successfully mitigates the detrimental effects of particle pulverization and coarsening induced by large-volume changes. The as-obtained Sn electrodes demonstrate exceptional stability, enduring 1800 cycles at a high current density of 2.5 A g-1. This strategy promises to address the general issues associated with large-strain electrodes in next-generation of high-energy-density batteries.

Low-temperature pulverization-specific Sargassum horneri extract accelerates wound healing and attenuates inflammation in a mouse burn model.

Burn injuries, affecting local skin disruption as well as inducing systemic inflammatory responses, are presented as a global public health problem. To enhance the effects of burn wound healing, treatment must simultaneously regulate both re-epithelialization and hyperinflammation. Extracts of Sargassum horneri (S. horneri) have shown a potential to enhance skin wound healing through antioxidative properties, immune enhancement, and modulation of inflammatory responses. However, despite its promising application for burn wound healing, specific investigation into S. horneri-derived compounds for enhancing wound healing has not yet been conducted. In this research, we investigated the burn wound-healing effect of the low-temperature pulverization-specific S. horneri extract (LPSHE), which could not be detected using the room-temperature grinding method. In a mouse burn model with third-degree burn injuries, LPSHE accelerated re-epithelialization by promoting the increase in F-actin formation and reduced burn-induced ROS levels. Additionally, LPSHE significantly regulated hyperinflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Further investigation into molecular mechanisms using HaCaT keratinocytes also demonstrated beneficial effects on burn wound healing. Taken together, our findings suggested that LPSHE is a promising therapeutic candidate for enhancing burn wound healing. Furthermore, this research underscored the importance of low-temperature pulverization in discovering novel natural compounds from marine organisms.

The Effect of Mineral Wool Fiber Additive on Several Mechanical Properties and Thermal Conductivity in Geopolymer Binder.

The article discusses the effect of additives of waste mineral wool fibers on geopolymer binder. This is an important study in terms of the possibility of recycling mineral wool waste. The paper describes an effective method for pulverizing the wool and the methodology for forming geopolymer samples, labeled G1 for glass-wool-based geopolymer and G2 for stone-wool-based geopolymer. The compressive and flexural strengths and thermal conductivity coefficient of the geopolymer with the addition of mineral fibers were determined. The key element of the article is to verify whether the addition of mineral wool fibers positively affects the properties of the geopolymer. The results obtained prove that the addition of fibers significantly improves the flexural strength. For the G1 formulation, the ratio of compressive strength to flexural strength is 18.7%. However, for G2 samples, an even better ratio of compressive strength to flexural strength values of 26.3% was obtained. The average thermal conductivity coefficient obtained was 1.053 W/(m·K) for the G1 series samples and 0.953 W/(m·K) for the G2 series samples. The conclusions obtained show a correlation between the porosity and compressive strength and thermal conductivity coefficient. The higher the porosity, the better the thermal insulation of the material and the weaker the compressive strength.

High Young's Modulus LixTiO2 Layer Suppressing the Pulverization and Deactivation of Lithiophilic Ag Nanoparticles.

Anode-free Lithium metal batteries, with their high energy density (>500 Wh/kg), are emerging as a promising solution for high-energy-density rechargeable batteries. However, the Coulombic Efficiency and capacity often decline due to interface side reactions. To address this, a lithiophilic layer is introduced, promoting stable and uniform Li deposition. Despite its effectiveness, this layer often undergoes electrochemical deactivation over time. This work investigates lithiophilic silver (Ag), prepared via magnetron sputtering on a copper (Cu) current collector. Finite element simulations identify stress changes from alloying reactions as a key cause of Ag particle pulverization and deactivation. A high Young's modulus coating layer is proposed to mitigate this. The Ag2TiO3@Ag@TiO2@Cu composite electrode, designed with multi-layer structures, demonstrates a slower deactivation process through galvanostatic electrochemical cycling. Characterization methods such as SEM, AFM, and TEM confirm the suppression of Ag particle pulverization, while uncoated Ag fractures and deactivates. This work uncovers a potential failure mechanism of lithiophilic metallic nanoparticles and proposes a strategy for deactivation suppression using an artificial coating layer.

An Investigation into the Relationship between Density and Pulverization Ratio for Tannin-Furanic Foam.

Four types of classical tannin-based foam samples were prepared via different methods in the current study with an attempt to find out the impact of each one on the physico-mechanical properties. The results of performed tests showed similarity to the general trend of related research, with typical negative relation between the foam density and mechanical strength. A critical point was found for each type of foam samples, for example, for tannin-formaldehyde foams (TFF), they were in the range of 85-95 kg/m3, while for tannin-glutaraldehyde foams (TGF), mechanically-generated tannin foams (MTF) and steam-driven tannin furanic foams (STDF), they were about 52-62 kg/m3, 53-63 kg/m3, and 73-83 kg/m3, respectively. This implies a significant change for density and mechanical strength, has been dig out by intensive experimental results and analysis. In addition, a non-liner relationship between density and pulverization ratio was obtained by fitting the curves obtained by the experiment results. Finally, visualization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) together with evaluation of the compression strength presented a deeper insight to illustrate the different factors affecting foam density and pulverization ratio.

Disinfection of incubators in neonatal intensive care units: impact of steam pulverization on bacterial colonization.

BACKGROUND: In neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), neonates requiring medical care after birth, including very vulnerable preterm infants, are housed in incubators. Previous studies have reported that the standard chemical disinfection measures used to disinfect these incubators are insufficient to eradicate contaminating bacteria, leading to a worrying infectious risk for preterm neonates. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a disinfection method based on steam pulverization to eradicate the persistent bacterial contamination in such incubators. METHODS: In a tertiary NICU, 20 incubators were monitored qualitatively for bacterial contamination at five different sites (the rubber grommet, the left door handles, the temperature adjustment button, the mattress and the scale) using a culture method at three times: before and after steam pulverization then 24 h after turning on and housing a new neonate. Clinical data of neonates housed in each incubator were retrieved from the medical records to identify potential occurrence of late onset sepsis (LOS). RESULTS: Just after steam pulverization, only two incubators were free from bacteria. Before disinfection 87% of all the samples were contaminated compared to 61% after disinfection. After 24 h, the proportion of contaminated samples reached 85%. Mattresses and scales were the most frequently contaminated incubator sites with respectively 90% and 80% positive samples after disinfection compared to 100% and 90% before disinfection. Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Enterococcus, Enterobacteria and Bacillus resisted disinfection and were identified on respectively 90%, 20%, 5% and 45% of incubators just after disinfection. Three preterm neonates developed LOS after being housed in a disinfected incubator but the bacterial species involved have not been identified in their incubator after disinfection. In two cases, the bacterium had been isolated from the mattress 24 h after housing the infected patient. CONCLUSION: Steam pulverization is not sufficient to eradicate bacterial contamination of incubators. These results highlight the urgent need for an effective disinfection method, especially for mattresses that are in constant contact with patients. In parallel, new incubator designs and mattress protections must be developed.

Carbon Nanoarchitectonics with Bi Nanoparticle Encapsulation for Improved Electrochemical Deionization Performance.

Electrochemical deionization (EDI) is hopefully the next generation of water treatment technology. Bismuth (Bi) is a promising anode material for EDI, due to its high capacity and selectivity toward Cl-, but the large volume expansion and severe pulverization aggressively attenuated the EDI cycling performance of Bi electrodes. Herein, carbon-layer-encapsulated nano-Bi composites (Bi@C) were prepared by a simple pyrolysis method using a Bi-based metal-organic framework as a precursor. Bi nanoparticles are uniformly coated within the carbon layer, in which the Bi-O-C bond enhances the interaction between Bi and C. Such a structure effectively relieves the stress caused by volume expansion by the encapsulation effect of the carbon layer. Moreover, the introduction of a carbon skeleton provides a conductive network. As a consequence, the Bi@C composite delivered excellent electrochemical performance with a capacity of 537.6 F g-1 at 1 mV s-1. The Cl- removal capacity was up to 133.5 mg g-1 at 20 mA g-1 in 500 mg L-1 NaCl solution. After 100 cycles, the Bi@C electrode still maintains 71.8% of its initial capacity, which is much higher than the 26.3% of the pure Bi electrode. This study provides a promising strategy for improving EDI electrode materials.