Sequential Effect of Dual-Layered Hybrid Graphite Anodes on Electrode Utilization During Fast-Charging Li-Ion Batteries.

To recharge lithium-ion batteries quickly and safely while avoiding capacity loss and safety risks, a novel electrode design that minimizes cell polarization at a higher current is highly desired. This work presents a dual-layer electrode (DLE) technology via sequential coating of two different anode materials to minimize the overall electrode resistance upon fast charging. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and distribution of relaxation times analysis revealed the dynamic evolution of electrode impedances in synthetic graphite (SG) upon a change in the state of charge (SOC), whereas the natural graphite (NG) maintains its original impedance regardless of SOC variation. This disparity dictates the sequence of the NG and SG coating layers within the DLE, considering the temporal SOC gradient developed upon fast charging. Simulation and experimental results suggest that DLE positioning NG and SG on the top (second-layer) and bottom (first-layer), respectively, can effectively reduce the overall resistance at a 4 C-rate (15-min charging), demonstrating two times higher capacity retention (61.0%) over 200 cycles than its counterpart with reversal sequential coating, and is higher than single-layer electrodes using NG or NG/SG binary mixtures. Hence, this study can guide the combinatorial sequence for multi-layer coating of various active materials for a lower-resistivity, thick-electrode design.

Super-resolution proximity labeling reveals anti-viral protein network and its structural changes against SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replicates in human cells by interacting with host factors following infection. To understand the virus and host interactome proximity, we introduce a super-resolution proximity labeling (SR-PL) method with a "plug-and-playable" PL enzyme, TurboID-GBP (GFP-binding nanobody protein), and we apply it for interactome mapping of SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a and membrane protein (M), which generates highly perturbed endoplasmic reticulum (ER) structures. Through SR-PL analysis of the biotinylated interactome, 224 and 272 peptides are robustly identified as ORF3a and M interactomes, respectively. Within the ORF3a interactome, RNF5 co-localizes with ORF3a and generates ubiquitin modifications of ORF3a that can be involved in protein degradation. We also observe that the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate is efficiently reduced by the overexpression of RNF5 in host cells. The interactome data obtained using the SR-PL method are presented at https://sarscov2.spatiomics.org. We hope that our method will contribute to revealing virus-host interactions of other viruses in an efficient manner.

Grifola frondosa Extract Containing Bioactive Components Blocks Skin Fibroblastic Inflammation and Cytotoxicity Caused by Endocrine Disrupting Chemical, Bisphenol A.

Grifola frondosa (GF), a species of Basidiomycotina, is widely distributed across Asia and has been used as an immunomodulatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-cancer agent. In the present study, the pharmacological activity of the GF extract against an ecotoxicological industrial chemical, bisphenol A (BPA) in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs), was investigated. GF extract containing naringin, hesperidin, chlorogenic acid, and kaempferol showed an inhibitory effect on cell death and inflammation induced by BPA in the NHDFs. For the cell death caused by BPA, GF extract inhibited the production of reactive oxygen species responsible for the unique activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase. In addition, GF extract attenuated the expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3) and the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß by the suppression of the redox-sensitive transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in BPA-treated NHDFs. For the inflammation triggered by BPA, GF extract blocked the inflammasome-mediated caspase-1 activation that leads to the secretion of IL-1ß protein. These results indicate that the GF extract is a functional antioxidant that prevents skin fibroblastic pyroptosis induced by BPA.

Structure-tunable supraparticle assemblies of hollow cupric oxide sheathed with nanographenes.

Self-assembled supraparticles (SPs), a secondary structure of clustered nanoparticles, have attracted considerable interest owing to their highly tunable structure, composition, and morphology from their primary nanoparticle constituents. In this study, hierarchically assembled hollow Cu2O SPs were prepared using a cationic polyelectrolyte poly(diallyl dimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) during the formation of Cu2O nanoparticles. The concentration-dependent structural transformation of PDDA from linear chains to assembled droplets plays a crucial role in forming a hollow colloidal template, affording the self-assembly of Cu2O nanoparticles as a secondary surfactant. The use of the positively charged PDDA also affords negatively charged nanoscale graphene oxide (NGO), an electrical and mechanical supporter to uniformly coat the surface of the hollow Cu2O SPs. Subsequent thermal treatment to enhance the electrical conductivity of NGO within the NGO/Cu2O SPs allows for the concomitant phase transformation of Cu2O to CuO, affording reduced NGO/CuO (RNGO/CuO) SPs. The uniquely structured hollow RNGO/CuO SPs achieve improved electrochemical properties by providing enhanced electrical conductivity and electroactive surface area.