Novel 2D Layered Molybdenum Ditelluride Encapsulated in Few-Layer Graphene as High-Performance Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Molybdenum ditelluride nanosheets encapsulated in few-layer graphene (MoTe2 /FLG) are synthesized by a simple heating method using Te and Mo powder and subsequent ball milling with graphite. The as-prepared MoTe2 /FLG nanocomposites as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries exhibit excellent electrochemical performance with a highly reversible capacity of 596.5 mAh g-1 at 100 mA g-1 , a high rate capability (334.5 mAh g-1 at 2 A g-1 ), and superior cycling stability (capacity retention of 99.5% over 400 cycles at 0.5 A g-1 ). Ex situ X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy are used to explore the lithium storage mechanism of MoTe2 . Moreover, the electrochemical performance of a MoTe2 /FLG//0.35Li2 MnO3 ·0.65LiMn0.5 Ni0.5 O2 full cell is investigated, which displays a reversible capacity of 499 mAh g-1 (based on the MoTe2 /FLG mass) at 100 mA g-1 and a capacity retention of 78% over 50 cycles, suggesting the promising application of MoTe2 /FLG for lithium-ion storage. First-principles calculations exhibit that the lowest diffusion barrier (0.18 eV) for lithium ions along pathway III in the MoTe2 layered structure is beneficial for improving the Li intercalation/deintercalation property.

Transcriptome Profiling of Male Adult Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

Background: The pathogen of angiostrongyliasis is the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis, and the transcriptome profiling of the male adult was unclear. We aimed to understand how the male adults adapt, so the expression profile of A. cantonensis adult males was analyzed. Methods: In order to improve the understanding of the transcriptome of adult males, RNA from three groups of male adult A. cantonensis was extracted and reverse transcribed to construct cDNA libraries. After sequencing, annotation of unigenes and transcripts was performed by querying the NR (Non-Redundant Protein Sequence Database), GO (Gene Ontology) and COG/KOG (Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins/euKaryotic Ortholog Groups) databases. Results: For each group of adults, 43,260,894 raw reads and 43,200,341 clean reads were obtained. After successful assembly, 87,649 unigenes and 146,895 transcripts were obtained. Annotation of the unigenes and transcripts was identical and male adults expressed a series of genes encoding proteins specific to the male gender at the adult stage, such as proteins involved in energy metabolism, energy synthesis and transport. Expression of the ribosome pathway suggests a relationship with the physical activities during the adult male stage. Conclusion: The transcriptome analysis is a good reference to understand further the expression profile of male adult A. cantonensis.

New Nodule Type Found in the Lungs of Pomacea canaliculata, an Intermediate Host of Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

BACKGROUND: Pomacea canaliculata (P.canaliculata) lung nodules, were commonly caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection. Here, we found a new nodule type without any parasites. METHODS: Overall, 447 P. canaliculata snails were collected in Ning Bo, Zhe Jiang, China in 2018. In order to exhibit the similarities and differences between two nodules types (2018, Huzhou Zhejiang, China), both types were collected in formalin for tissue pathological sectioning. Besides, to obtain the microbial community of the new nodule, the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene of it was amplified and analyzed using the Illumina second-generation sequencing platform. RESULTS: Although two nodules were found in the lungs of P. canaliculata, they were different in shape and pathology. Illumina sequencing indicated Poterioochromonas sp., a species of golden algae, might be the causing agent of the new nodule. CONCLUSION: We firstly found a new pathological nodule type in the lungs of P. canaliculata, and this nodule might be induced by golden algae infection, however, the direct link between the golden algae and the new nodules, as well as the nodules' impact on the snails' physiology and A. cantonensis infection require further study.

Energetic aqueous rechargeable sodium-ion battery based on Na2 CuFe(CN)6 -NaTi2 (PO4 )3 intercalation chemistry.

Aqueous rechargeable sodium-ion batteries have the potential to meet growing demand for grid-scale electric energy storage because of the widespread availability and low cost of sodium resources. In this study, we synthesized a Na-rich copper hexacyanoferrate(II) Na2 CuFe(CN)6 as a high potential cathode and used NaTi2 (PO4 )3 as a Na-deficient anode to assemble an aqueous sodium ion battery. This battery works very well with a high average discharge voltage of 1.4 V, a specific energy of 48 Wh kg(-1) , and an excellent high-rate cycle stability with approximately 90 % capacity retention over 1000 cycles, achieving a new record in the electrochemical performance of aqueous Na-ion batteries. Moreover, all the anode, cathode, and electrolyte materials are low cost and naturally abundant and are affordable for widespread applications.

A solar rechargeable flow battery based on photoregeneration of two soluble redox couples.

Storable sunshine, reusable rays: A solar rechargeable redox flow battery is proposed based on the photoregeneration of I(3)(-)/I(-) and [Fe(C(10)H(15))(2)](+)/Fe(C(10)H(15))(2) soluble redox couples, which can be regenerated by flowing from a discharged redox flow battery (RFB) into a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) and then stored in tanks for subsequent RFB applications This technology enables effective solar-to-chemical energy conversion.