Protocol for electrocatalytic hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using H and flow cells.

Recently, there has been a growing interest in using sustainable energy to decrease lignin monomers to generate high-value-added products. Here, we present a protocol for electrocatalytic hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. We describe steps for catalyst preparation, performing electrocatalytic experiments, high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, and in situ infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy testing. The synthesized catalyst used in this reaction exhibits enhanced selectivity and Faradaic efficiency in NaClO4 solution. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Zhang et al.1.

Protocol to develop a moisture-desorptive passive cooling system for electronics thermal management.

Passive thermal management with zero-energy consumption and high compactness has drawn increasing attention. Here, we present a protocol to develop a hygroscopic salt-loaded heat sink with a moisture-permeable membrane encapsulation technique for electronics cooling. We describe steps for preparing lithium bromide solution and heat sink with anti-corrosion graphene coating. We then detail procedures for preparing the hygroscopic salt-loaded membrane-encapsulated heat sinks (HSMHSs). The produced low-cost HSMHS exhibits remarkably high thermal management performance without the risks of leakage and corrosion. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Sui et al.1.

Harnessing the cobalt complex for bidirectional O2/H2O transformation in neutral water via electrocatalysis/photocatalysis.

Bidirectional oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts are crucial for renewable energy transduction via electrolyzers and fuel cell. Here, we present a protocol for harnessing the cobalt complex for bidirectional O2/H2O transformation in neutral water via electrocatalysis/photocatalysis. We describe steps for monitoring ORR and OER in neutral aqueous solution, measuring O2 concentration, and identifying the probable catalytic mechanism for ORR and OER. We then detail procedures for examining catalyst behavior under photocatalytic conditions in neutral aqueous surroundings. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Saini et al.1.

Protocol to longitudinally quantify SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater using RT-qPCR and pepper mild mottle virus normalization.

Wastewater surveillance allows severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection levels to be tracked in a community. Here, we present a protocol to longitudinally quantify SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) and pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) normalization. We describe steps for the pasteurization of wastewater samples, solids separation, supernatant filtration, viral precipitation and concentration, and RNA extraction. We then detail procedures for RT-qPCR, viral concentration extrapolation, PMMoV normalization, and longitudinal analysis. This protocol has the potential to be used for surveillance of other microorganisms. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Sanchez Jimenez et al.1.