Diminishing Interfacial Turbulence by Colloid-Polymer Electrolyte to Stabilize Zinc Ion Flux for Deep-Cycling Zn Metal Batteries.

The fluidity of aqueous electrolytes and undesired H2 evolution reaction (HER) can cause severe interfacial turbulence in aqueous Zn metal batteries (ZMBs) at deep cycling with high capacities and current densities, which would further perturb ion flux and aggravate Zn dendrite growth. In this study, a colloid-polymer electrolyte (CPE) with special colloidal phase and suppressed HER is designed to diminish interfacial turbulence and boost deep Zn electrochemistry. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the quantitative migratory barriers of Zn2+ along the transport pathway in CPE demonstrate much smaller fluctuations compared with normal aqueous electrolyte, indicating that CPE can effectively diminish interfacial disturbance. Benefitting from this, the Zn2+ ion flux can be homogenized and deposited evenly on the electrode, which is confirmed by finite element simulation and in situ Raman measurements. Consequently, CPE enables stable operation of Zn//Cu cells even with high capacity (up to 20 mAh cm-2 ) and current density (up to 100 mA cm-2 ) and Zn//Na5 V12 O32 full-cell with N/P ratio as low as 1 (i.e., 100% Zn utilization). It is believed that this strategy opens a brand-new avenue based on CPE toward boosting deep-cycling electrochemistry in ZMBs and even other aqueous energy-storage applications.

New Type of Dynamically "Solid-Liquid" Interconvertible Electrolyte for High-Rate Zn Metal Battery.

The practical application of aqueous high-rate Zn metal battery (ZMB) is limited due to accelerated dendrite formation at high current densities. It is urgent to find an electrolyte, which could not only be mechanically stiff to clamp down dendrites but also not sacrifice ionic conductivity and interfacial compatibility. Herein, a new type of dynamically "solid-liquid" interconvertible electrolyte based on non-Newtonian fluid (NNFE) is proposed. Liquidity characteristic of NNFE is favorable for electrochemical kinetics and interfacial compatibility. Furthermore, in an area with high current rate NNFE would respond and mechanically stiffen to dissuade localized increase in Zn dendrite growth. Even at a current density of 50 mA cm-2, NNFE enables reversible and stable operation of a Zn symmetrical cell over 20 000 cycles. For Zn//Na5V12O32 (NVO) full cell, the NNFE also realizes lengthy cycling for 5000 periods at 5 A g-1. This research opens up new inspirations to high-rate Zn metal even other metal batteries.

Virome in adult Aedes albopictus captured during different seasons in Guangzhou City, China.

BACKGROUND: The mosquito Aedes albopictus is an important vector for many pathogens. Understanding the virome in Ae. albopictus is critical for assessing the risk of disease transmission, implementation of vector control measures, and health system strengthening. METHODS: In this study, viral metagenomic and PCR methods were used to reveal the virome in adult Ae. albopictus captured in different areas and during different seasons in Guangzhou, China. RESULTS: The viral composition of adult Ae. albopictus varied mainly between seasons. Over 50 viral families were found, which were specific to vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, fungi, bacteria, and protozoa. In rural areas, Siphoviridae (6.5%) was the most common viral family harbored by mosquitoes captured during winter and spring, while Luteoviridae (1.1%) was the most common viral family harbored by mosquitoes captured during summer and autumn. Myoviridae (7.0% and 1.3%) was the most common viral family in mosquitoes captured in urban areas during all seasons. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was detected by PCR in a female mosquito pool. The first near full-length HBV genome from Ae. albopictus was amplified, which showed a high level of similarity with human HBV genotype B sequences. Human parechovirus (HPeV) was detected in male and female mosquito pools, and the sequences were clustered with HPeV 1 and 3 sequences. CONCLUSIONS: Large numbers of viral species were found in adult Ae. albopictus, including viruses from vertebrates, insects, and plants. The viral composition in Ae. albopictus mainly varied between seasons. Herein, we are the first to report the detection of HPeV and HBV in mosquitoes. This study not only provides valuable information for the control and prevention of mosquito-borne diseases, but it also demonstrates the feasibility of xenosurveillance.

Healable Lithium Alloy Anode with Ultrahigh Capacity.

Effective recycling of spent Li metal anodes is an urgent need for energy/resource conservation and environmental protection, making Li metal batteries more affordable and sustainable. For the first time, we explore a unique sustainable healable lithium alloy anode inspired by the intrinsic healing ability of liquid metal. This lithium alloy anode can transform back to the liquid state through Li-completed extraction, and then the structure degradation generated during operation could be healed. Therefore, an ultralong cycle life of more than 1300 times can be successfully realized under harsh conditions of 5 mA h cm-2 capacitance by a process of two healing behaviors. This design improves the sustainable utilization of Li metal to a great extent, bringing about unexpected effects in the field of lithium-based anodes even at an unprecedentedly high discharge current density (up to 25 mA cm-2) and capacity (up to 50 mA h cm-2).