Graphene/RuO2 nanocrystal composites as sulfur host for lithium-sulfur batteries

An optimized graphene/RuO2/S composite is prepared by hydrothermal growth of RuO2 particles on graphene oxide sheets as the positive electrode for rechargeable lithium-sulfur batteries. The electrode with 6.1 wt% RuO2 nanocrystals and a high sulfur content of 79.0 wt% delivers an optimal electrochemical performance with high residual capacities of 508 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles and 389 m Ah g-1 after800 cycles at 1 C with a low capacity decay of 0.054%. The RuO2 nanocrystals promote the redox reaction kinetics and facilitate the transformation of sulfur chemistry, leading to large improvements in reversibility and rate capability of the composite electrode. The density functional theory calculations signify the formation of Li–O and Ru–S bonds through chemical interactions between RuO2 and Li polysulfides while the adsorption energies between graphene and polysulfide species are much higher in the presence of RuO2 than that of the neat graphene acting alone. These discoveries support the efficient entrapment of polysulfides by the composite electrode to the benefit of enhanced cyclic stability of the battery.

Viscous Swirling Flow over a Stretching Cylinder

We investigate a viscous flow over a cylinder with stretching and torsional motion.There is an exact solution to the Navier–Stokes equations and there exists a unique solution for all the given values of the flow Reynolds number.The results show that velocity decays faster for a higher Reynolds number and the flow penetrates shallower into the ambient fluid.All the velocity profiles decay algebraically to the ambient zero velocity.

Recent techniques on analyses and characterizations of shale gas and oil reservoir

This article offers a comprehensive review focused on the analysis and characterization of shale reservoirs,unconventional hydrocarbon resources that uniquely serve as both the source reservoir for gas and oil,and the rock.To analyze and characterize shale reservoirs,pore structure,rock components and rock mechanical properties are three main factors to analyze.These three main factors are necessary for successful field operations in shale reservoirs.Until now,there are various techniques utilized to characterize these three properties.Therefore,this study delves into the intricacies of shale reservoir's pore structure,rock components and mechanical properties under varying geological conditions,summarizing various techniques utilized to characterize these properties in previous studies.The study also discusses the role of analytical techniques in understanding the complex interactions between kerogen and the surrounding mineral matrix.By providing a summary of various techniques operated on the mentioned three main factors,this paper supplies the effective and optimal technique on analyzing different properties of shale reservoirs.Furthermore,the paper aims to contribute to more effective resource assessment and production optimization in shale reservoirs,offering insights that have significant implications for the future of unconventional hydrocarbon extraction.

Skin-integrated stretchable actuators toward skin-compatible haptic feedback and closed-loop human-machine interactions

Skin-integrated haptic interfaces that can relay a wealth of information from the machine to the human are of great interest.However,existing haptic devices are not yet able to produce haptic cues that are compatible with the skin.In this work,we present the stretchable soft actuators for haptic feedback,which can match the perception range,spatial resolution,and stretchability of the skin.Pressure-amplification structures are fabricated using a scalable self-assembly process to ensure an output pressure beyond the skin perception threshold.Due to the minimized device size,the actuator array can be fabricated with a sufficiently high spatial resolution,which makes the haptic device applicable for skin locations with the highest spatial acuity.A haptic feedback system is demonstrated by employing the developed soft actuators and highly sensitive pressure sensors.Two proof-ofconcept applications are developed to illustrate the capability of transferring information related to surface textures and object shapes acquired at the robot side to the user side.

Ultrasound-triggered noninvasive regulation of blood glucose levels using microgels integrated with insulin nanocapsules

Diabetes is a serious public health problem affecting 422 million people worldwide. Traditional diabetes management often requires multiple daily insulin injections, associated with pain and inadequate glycemia control. Herein, we have developed an ultrasound-triggered insulin delivery system capable of pulsatile insulin release that can provide both long-term sustained and fast on-demand responses. In this system, insulin-loaded poly（lactic-co-glycolic acid） （PLGA） nanocapsules are encapsulated within chitosan microgels. The encapsulated insulin in nanocapsules can passively diffuse from the nanoparticle but remain restricted within the microgel. Upon ultrasound treatment, the stored insulin in microgels can be rapidly released to regulate blood glucose levels. In a chemically-induced type I diabetic mouse model, we demonstrated that this system, when activated by 30 s ultrasound administration, could effectively achieve glycemic control for up to one week in a noninvasive, localized, and pulsatile manner.

The emerging role of furin in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases

Furin is an important mammalian proprotein convertase that catalyzes the proteolytic maturation of a variety of prohormones and proproteins in the secretory pathway. In the brain, the substrates of furin include the proproteins of growth factors, receptors and enzymes. Emerging evidence, such as reduced FURIN mRNA expression in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients or schizophrenia patients, has implicated a crucial role of furin in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Currently, compared to cancer and infectious diseases, the aberrant expression of furin and its pharmaceutical potentials in neurological diseases remain poorly understood. In this article, we provide an overview on the physiological roles of furin and its substrates in the brain, summarize the deregulation of furin expression and its effects in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, and discuss the implications and current approaches that target furin for therapeutic interventions. This review may expedite future studies to clarify the molecular mechanisms of furin deregulation and involvement in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases, and to develop new diagnosis and treatment strategies for these diseases.