Optimization of Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis Procedure for Bacillus cereus

In order to develop a rapid and reliable method for B. cereus genotyping, factors influencing PFGE results, including preparation of bacterial cells embedded in agarose, lysis of embedded cells, enzymatic digestion of intact genomic DNA, and electrophoresis parameters allowing for reproducible and meaningful DNA fragment separation, were controlled. Optimal cellular growth （Luria-Bertani agar plates for 12-18 h） and lysis conditions （4 h incubation with 500 μg/mL lysozyme） produced sharp bands on the gel.

Simplex Optimization and Its Applicability for Solving Analytical Problems

Formulation of the simplex matrix referred to n-D space, is presented in terms of the scalar product of vectors, known from elementary algebra. The principles of a simplex optimization procedure are presented on a simple example, with use of a target function taken as a criterion of optimization, where accuracy and precision are treated equally in searching optimal conditions of a gravimetric analysis.

Lithium metal batteries for high energy density:Fundamental electrochemistry and challenges

The dependence on portable devices and electrical vehicles has triggered the awareness on the energy storage systems with ever-growing energy density.Lithium metal batteries(LMBs)has revived and attracted considerable attention due to its high volumetric(2046 m Ah cm-3),gravimetric specific capacity(3862 m Ah g^(-1))and the lowest reduction potential(-3.04 V vs.SHE.).However,during the electrochemical process of lithium anode,the growth of lithium dendrite constitutes the biggest stumbling block on the road to LMBs application.The undesirable dendrite not only limit the Coulombic efficiency(CE)of LMBs,but also cause thermal runaway and other safety issues due to short-circuits.Understanding the mechanisms of lithium nucleation and dendrite growth provides insights to solve these problems.Herein,we summarize the electrochemical models that inherently describe the lithium nucleation and dendrite growth,such as the thermodynamic,electrodeposition kinetics,internal stress,and interface transmission models.Essential parameters of temperature,current density,internal stress and interfacial Li+flux are focused.To improve the LMBs performance,state-of-the-art optimization procedures have been developed and systematically illustrated with the intrinsic regulation principles for better lithium anode stability,including electrolyte optimization,artificial interface layers,threedimensional hosts,external field,etc.Towards practical applications of LMBs,the current development of pouch cell LMBs have been further introduced with different assembly systems and fading mechanism.However,challenges and obstacles still exist for the development of LMBs,such as in-depth understanding and in-situ observation of dendrite growth,the surface protection under extreme condition and the self-healing of solid electrolyte interface.