Pathway toward Scalable Energy-Efficient Li-Mediated Ammonia Synthesis.

Lithium-mediated ammonia synthesis (LiMAS) is an emerging electrochemical method for NH3 production, featuring a meticulous three-step process involving Li+ electrodeposition, Li nitridation, and Li3N protolysis. The essence lies in the electrodeposition of Li+, a critical phase demanding current oscillations to fortify the solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) and ensure voltage stability. This distinctive operational cadence orchestrates Li nitridation and Li3N protolysis, profoundly influencing the NH3 selectivity. Increasing N2 pressure enhances the NH3 faradaic efficiency (FE) up to 20 bar, beyond which proton availability controls selectivity between Li nitridation and Li3N protolysis. The proton donor, typically alcohols, is a key factor, with 1-butanol observed to yield the highest NH3 FE. Counterion in the Li salt is also observed to be significant, with larger anions (e.g., exemplified by BF4-) improving SEI stability, directly impacting LiMAS efficacy. Notably, we report a peak NH3 FE of ∼70% and an NH3 current density of ∼-100 mA/cm2 via a delicate balance of process conditions, encompassing N2 pressure, proton donor, Li salt, and their respective concentrations. In contrast to the recent literature, we find that the theoretical maximum energy efficiency of LiMAS hinges significantly on the proton source, with LiMAS utilizing H2O calculated to have a maximum achievable energy efficiency of 27.8%. Despite inherent challenges, a technoeconomic analysis suggests high-pressure LiMAS to be more feasible than both ambient LiMAS and a modified green Haber-Bosch process. Our analysis finds that, at a 100 mA/cm2 NH3 current density and a 6 V cell voltage, LiMAS delivers green NH3 at an all-inclusive cost of $456 per ton, significantly lower than conventional cost barriers. Our economic analysis underscores high-pressure LiMAS as a potentially transformative technology that may revolutionize large-scale NH3 production, paving the way for a sustainable future.

Institutionalization of personalized medicine in India: analysis of research trends and government interventions.

The biggest challenges that any country faces are affordability and accessibility of quality healthcare. Technological advancements can address these challenges. One such advancement is personalized medicine (PM). This paper discusses the implementation and institutionalization of PM. Using the sectoral innovation system framework, this work describes government interventions with research trends in PM in India. The Web of Science database was used to analyze research trends. Indian government-funded interventions to institutionalize PM were compiled and analyzed. Results suggest that India's healthcare sector is dynamic. The framework discusses some specifics, including the research network, boundaries and government initiatives to promote PM adoption. Based on the policy gaps, this paper further proposes an integrated policy framework for incorporating PM into India's healthcare system.

Conveying the status of a female DMD carrier foetus - A dilemma.

This case study discusses the question of whether or not the information that a female foetus is a carrier of Duchene Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) should be conveyed to expecting parents. As only a female foetus can be a carrier of DMD, conveying the information of its carrier status would effectively disclose the sex of the foetus, which is against the provisions of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PC-PNDT Act), 1994. The Act states that the gender of the foetus may not be conveyed except in those cases where the foetus (itself) has genetic or metabolic disorders, chromosomal abnormalities or congenital malformations including sex-linked disorders. Further, while the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTP Act) permits termination of foetuses with certain abnormalities or diseases, it does not permit termination of a foetus with carrier status of a disease. We suggest that suitable modifications may be made to the PC-PNDT Act as also to the MTP Act.