Reducing delamination of an electron-transporting polymer from a metal oxide for electrochemical applications.

Delamination of the electron-transporting polymer N2200 from indium tin oxide (ITO) in aqueous electrolytes is mitigated by modifying ITO with an azide-functionalized phosphonic acid (PA) which, upon UV irradiation, reacts with the polymer. The optical, electrochemical, and spectroelectrochemical properties of N2200 thin films are retained in aqueous and non-aqueous media.

Maximizing Vanadium Deployment in Redox Flow Batteries Through Chelation.

By tailoring the coordination sphere of vanadium to accommodate a 7-coordinate geometry, a highly soluble (>1.3 M) and reducing (-1.2 V vs Ag/AgCl) flow battery electrolyte is generated from [V(DTPA)]2-/3- (DTPA = diethylenetriaminepentaacetate). Bulk spectroelectrochemistry is performed in situ to assess material properties in both oxidized and reduced states. Flow batteries are assembled in near neutral pH conditions and operated with discharge energy densities of 12.5 Wh L-1 and high efficiency. Further, the first chelated flow battery using the same aminopolycarboxylate ligand for both electrolytes is generated. The presented batteries demonstrate comparable performance to the iron-vanadium and all-vanadium flow batteries while doubling the effective discharge energy of vanadium (Wh per mol V) and minimizing safety and operating risks, offering grid-scale energy storage alternatives.

Safety evaluation of Neurospora crassa mycoprotein for use as a novel meat alternative and enhancer.

Cultivation of filamentous fungi to produce sustainable, nutrient rich meat replacements has recently attracted significant commercial and research interest. Here, we report evidence for the safety and nutritional value of Neurospora crassa mycoprotein, a whole mycelium food ingredient produced by fermentation and minimal downstream processing. N. crassa has a long history of human use in fermented foods and in molecular biology research. A survey of studies that used N. crassa in animal feed revealed no adverse effects to the health of the animals. Furthermore, a review of the literature found no reports of confirmed allergenicity or toxicity in humans involving N. crassa. Genomic toxigenicity analysis and in vitro testing did not identify any toxins in N. crassa mycoprotein. Two independent genomic allergenicity studies did not identify proteins that would be considered a particular risk for allergenic potential. Furthermore, nutritional analysis demonstrated that N. crassa mycoprotein is a good source of complete protein and is rich in fiber, potassium, and iron. Taken together, the presented data and the history of human use without evidence of human or animal harm indicate that foods containing N. crassa can generally be regarded as safe.