USP18 promotes ferroptosis in lipopolysaccharide-induced human kidney organoids by stabilizing STING1.

Sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (SI-AKI) is a severe condition with limited therapeutic options, resulting in poor prognosis. Ferroptosis exacerbates the damage caused by SI-AKI, but the mechanisms regulating ferroptosis, especially those involving ubiquitination regulators, remain poorly understood. Here, we used a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human kidney organoid (HKO) model to investigate ferroptosis in SI-AKI.

Locking-chain electrolyte additive enabling moisture-tolerant electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries.

The unstable electrolyte-electrode interface and the trace HO in commercial organic electrolytes critically limit the cycling life of batteries. Herein, a locking-chain sodium 4,4'-(1,4-phenylenebis(oxy))-bis(butane-1-sulfonate)-15-crown-5 (15PBS) is designed for phase-to-interface electrolyte optimization. In the electrolyte phase, the strong hydrophilic sulfonate groups and 15-crown-5 in 15PBS effectively transform HO from a reactive aggregated state (strong H-bond) into an inactive state (weak H-bond) through adsorption, effectively suppressing HO-induced electrolyte decomposition.

Designing an Anionic Layer in Low-Concentration Electrolytes to Promote In-Plane Ion Diffusion for Dendrite-Free Zinc-Ion Batteries.

In contrast to high-concentration electrolyte systems, low-concentration electrolytes provide a cost-effective strategy to advance the commercialization of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). However, such electrolytes frequently exhibit severe dendrite formation caused by localized Zn concentration gradients, which critically compromise the cycling stability and operational safety of AZIBs. In this work, an innovative approach is proposed that involves the in situ construction of a fluoride-ion (F) enriched interfacial layer on zinc anodes.

High-Performance Aprotic Li-CO Battery Enabled by the Ru Heterophase Catalyst.

Aprotic Li-CO batteries (LCBs) hold promise for mitigating the greenhouse effect while generating electric power, yet their development remains nascent due to the sluggish CO activation and irreversible discharge product formation, requiring efficient catalysts to address these challenges. Herein, we developed ∼5.5 nm fcc + hcp Ru heterophase nanoparticles on a Ketjen black (KB) matrix (Ru/KB) as a dual-functional catalyst for LCBs.

Photogenerated Holes Induced Deep Sodium Storage of TiO/CdSe/NFPP Cathode for High-Efficiency Photorechargeable Sodium Batteries.

Resource-friendly photorechargeable sodium batteries (PRSBs) integrate energy storage devices with solar cells, offering a promising path for sustainable energy. Herein, a novel TiO/CdSe/NaFe(PO)PO (NFPP) cathode was prepared layer-by-layer utilizing resource-abundant commercialized NFPP and photoactive CdSe. The aligned energy levels with type II band structure ensure effective transfer of photogenerated holes from CdSe (-5.

Manipulating Sulfur Redox Kinetics in Rechargeable Metal-Sulfur Batteries: Fundamental Principles and Universal Methodologies.

The profound understanding of chemical reaction essence and kinetic behaviors is crucial to develop rechargeable battery technologies. Based on multi-electron conversion, sulfur redox reactions hold great promise for establishing low-cost, high-energy-density, and longstanding rechargeable batteries. However, the sulfur redox reaction processes suffer from a series of common daunting cruxes, leading to incomplete redox reactions and inferior battery performance when working in rechargeable batteries.

Multiplet Supercurrents in a Josephson Circuit.

Multiterminal Josephson circuits have been proposed as a promising platform to host synthetic topological phases of matter, Floquet states, and multiplet supercurrents that are mediated by pairs of Cooper pairs. Here, we explore a Josephson circuit in which three superconducting electrodes are connected through Josephson junctions to a common superconducting island. We demonstrate the dynamic generation of the multiplet supercurrents, which are found to be robust to elevated temperatures and are confirmed by exhibiting the expected Shapiro step quantization under a microwave drive.

Thermal Properties of the Superconductor-Quantum Hall Interface.

An important route of engineering topological states and excitations is to combine superconductors (SC) with the quantum Hall (QH) effect, and over the past decade, significant progress has been made in this direction. While typical measurements of these states focus on electronic properties, little attention has been paid to the accompanying thermal responses. Here, we examine the thermal properties of the interface between type-II superconducting electrodes and graphene in the QH regime.

Enhancing Microdomain Consistency in Polymer Electrolytes towards Sustainable Lithium Batteries.

Polymer electrolytes incorporated with fillers possess immense potential for constructing the fast and selective Li conduction. However, the inhomogeneous distribution of the fillers usually deteriorates the microdomain consistency of the electrolytes, resulting in uneven Li flux, and unstable electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Herein, we formulate a solution-process chemistry to in situ construct gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) with well-dispersed metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), leading to a uniform microdomain structure.

Potassium escaping balances the degree of graphitization and pore channel structure in hard carbon to boost plateau sodium storage capacity.

Biomass holds significant potential for large-scale synthesis of hard carbon (HC), and HC is seen as the most promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, designing a HC anode with a rich pore structure, moderate graphitization and synthesis through a simple process using a cost-effective precursor to advance SIBs has long been a formidable challenge. This is primarily because high temperatures necessary for pore regulation invariably lead to excessive graphitization.

Edge Electron Effect Induced High-Entropy SEI for Durable Anode-Free Sodium Batteries.

Anode-free sodium metal batteries represent great promising as high-energy-density and resource-rich electrochemical energy storage systems. However, the savage growth of sodium metal and continuous consumption hinder its stable capacity output. Herein, ordered flower-edges of zinc on Al substrate can induce high-entropy solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) to adjust sodium uniform deposition and extremely reduce electrolyte consumption with ultrahigh initial Coulombic efficiency (97.

Injectable Genetic Engineering Hydrogel for Promoting Spatial Tolerance of Transplanted Kidney in Situ.

The establishment of a tolerant space to realize the co-stimulation of cytokines and contact-dependent molecules remain challenging in allotransplant. Here, an injectable genetically engineered hydrogel (iGE-Gel) is reported, which developed with a multivalent network of FOXP3 engineered extracellular vesicles (Foe-EVs) through the hydrophobic interaction between stearic acid modified hyaluronic acid (HASA) and the membrane phospholipids of extracellular vesicles (EVs). The iGE-Gel exhibited self-healing properties, injectability and biocompatibility.

Synergistic effects enabled efficient photocatalytic removal of ofloxacin antibiotic in wastewater by layered double hydroxides loaded lignin-derived carbon fibers.

The environmental problems caused by the abuse of antibiotics are raising serious attention, and the removal of antibiotics in wastewater is meaningful yet challenging. In this work, lignin-derived carbon fibers loaded layered double hydroxides (LDH@LCF) has been prepared for the removal of ofloxacin (OFX) from wastewater via photocatalysis, which exhibit a high degradation efficiency of 96 % under visible light and maintained 90 % after five reuses. The effects of Zn/Fe in the samples and other parameters affecting the photocatalytic efficiency of OFX have been systematically investigated.

Challenges and Prospects of Low-Temperature Rechargeable Batteries: Electrolytes, Interfaces, and Electrodes.

Rechargeable batteries have been indispensable for various portable devices, electric vehicles, and energy storage stations. The operation of rechargeable batteries at low temperatures has been challenging due to increasing electrolyte viscosity and rising electrode resistance, which lead to sluggish ion transfer and large voltage hysteresis. Advanced electrolyte design and feasible electrode engineering to achieve desirable performance at low temperatures are crucial for the practical application of rechargeable batteries.

Achieving High OER Performance by Tuning the Co/Mn Content in Prussian Blue Analogues.

The need for efficient, economical, and clean energy systems is increasing, and as a result, interest in water-splitting techniques to produce green hydrogen is also increasing. However, the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) hinders the practical application and widespread use of water-splitting technologies; therefore, to address this challenge, it is essential to develop cost-effective and efficient OER catalysts. In this work, we have synthesized an inexpensive and tunable FeCoMn Prussian blue analogue (PBAs) as an efficient OER catalyst via a straightforward process.

Injectable double-crosslinked bone cement with enhanced bone adhesion and improved osteoporotic pathophysiological microenvironment for osteoregeneration in osteoporosis.

The osteoporotic bone defect caused by excessive activity of osteoclasts has posed a challenge for public healthcare. However, most existing bioinert bone cement fails to effectively regulate the pathological bone microenvironment and reconstruct bone homeostasis in the presence of osteoclast overactivity and osteoblast suppression. Herein, inspired by natural bone tissue, an in-situ modulation system for osteoporotic bone regeneration is developed by fabricating an injectable double-crosslinked PEGylated poly(glycerol sebacate) (PEGS)/calcium phosphate cement (CPC) loaded with sodium alendronate (ALN) (PEGS/CPC@ALN) adhesive bone cement.

Design and Improvement of Bone Adhesive in response to Clinical Needs.

Fracture represents one of the most common diagnoses in contemporary medical practice, with the majority of cases traditionally addressed through metallic device fixation. However, this approach is marred by several drawbacks, including prolonged operative durations, considerable expenses, suboptimal applicability to comminuted fractures, increased infection risks, and the inevitable requirement for secondary surgery. The inherent advantages of bone adhesives in these fields have garnered the attention of orthopedic surgeons, who have commenced utilizing biocompatible and biodegradable bone adhesives to bond and stabilize bone fragments.

Advancing Metallic Lithium Anodes: A Review of Interface Design, Electrolyte Innovation, and Performance Enhancement Strategies.

Lithium (Li) metal is one of the most promising anode materials for next-generation, high-energy, Li-based batteries due to its exceptionally high specific capacity and low reduction potential. Nonetheless, intrinsic challenges such as detrimental interfacial reactions, significant volume expansion, and dendritic growth present considerable obstacles to its practical application. This review comprehensively summarizes various recent strategies for the modification and protection of metallic lithium anodes, offering insight into the latest advancements in electrode enhancement, electrolyte innovation, and interfacial design, as well as theoretical simulations related to the above.

Structural Engineering of Prussian Blue Analogues Enabling All-Climate and Ultralong Cycling Sodium-Ion Batteries.

The development of cost-efficient, long-lifespan, and all-climate sodium-ion batteries is of great importance for advancing large-scale energy storage but is plagued by the lack of suitable cathode materials. Here, we report low-cost Na-rich Mn-based Prussian blue analogues with superior rate capability and ultralong cycling stability over 10,000 cycles via structural optimization with electrochemically inert Ni atoms. Their thermal stability, all-climate properties, and potential in full cells are investigated in detail.

Understanding the charge transfer effects of single atoms for boosting the performance of Na-S batteries.

The effective flow of electrons through bulk electrodes is crucial for achieving high-performance batteries, although the poor conductivity of homocyclic sulfur molecules results in high barriers against the passage of electrons through electrode structures. This phenomenon causes incomplete reactions and the formation of metastable products. To enhance the performance of the electrode, it is important to place substitutable electrification units to accelerate the cleavage of sulfur molecules and increase the selectivity of stable products during charging and discharging.