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The emerging wearable electronics integrated into textiles are posing new challenges both in materials and micro-fabrication strategies to produce textile-based energy storage and power source micro-devices. In this regard, inkjet printing (IJP) offers unique features for rapid prototyping for various thin-film (2D) devices. However, all-inkjet-printed capacitors were very rarely reported in the literature. In this work, we formulated a stable Ti3C2 MXene aqueous ink for inkjet printing current-collector-free electrodes on TPU-coated cotton fabric, together with an innovative inkjet-printable and UV-curable solvent-based electrolyte precursor. The electrolyte was inkjet-printed on the electrode’s surface, and after UV polymerization, a thin and soft gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) was obtained, resulting in an all-inkjet-printed symmetrical capacitor (a-IJPSC). The highest ionic conductivity (0.60 mS/cm) was achieved with 10 wt.% of acrylamide content, and the capacitance retention was investigated both at rest (flat) and under bending conditions. The flat a-IJPSC textile-based device showed the areal capacitance of 0.89 mF/cm2 averaged on 2k cycles. Finally, an array of a-IJPSCs were demonstrated to be feasible as both a textile-based energy storage and micro-power source unit able to power a blue LED for several seconds.

The electrochemical behavior of magnetite (Fe3O4) aggregates with submicrometric size is investigated. Specifically, cyclic voltammetry tests were performed in both acidic (pH ∼ 4.5) and alkaline (pH ∼ 12.8) solutions, exploiting a conventional three-electrode cell. In the first case, the working electrode was made of a glassy carbon substrate loaded with magnetite nanoaggregates, forming a continuous film. In a second configuration, magnetite nanoaggregates were dispersed in solution, kept under stirring, as a fluidized electrode. The latter approach showed an increase in the electrochemical response of the particles, otherwise limited by the reduced active area as in the former case. Electrochemical-atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM) investigation was carried out in an acidic environment, showing the topography evolution of nanoaggregates during the electrochemical characterization. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was carried out to evaluate the microstructural variation in the Fe3O4 electrodes after cathodic polarization tests in an alkaline environment.

Despite major technical and genetic advances, more than half of the neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) cases remain undiagnosed. We explored the frequency of non-random XCI in the mothers of male patients and in affected females from a clinically heterogeneous cohort of unsolved NDD cases, negative at FRAXA, chromosomal microarray analysis and Trio Exome Sequencing. We hypothesize that an unbalanced XCI could unmask previously discarded genetic variants on the X chromosome connected both to XCI and NDD. A multiplex fluorescent-PCR-based assay was used to screen the XCI pattern after methylation sensitive HhaI digestion. Trio-based ES re-analysis was performed in families with skewed XCI occurrence. Linkage analysis and RT-PCR were used to further study the X-chromosome inactive allele. X-drop was used to define the chromosome deletion boundaries. We found a skewed XCI (>90%) in 16/186 mothers of affected NDD males (8.6%) and 12/90 female patients (13.3%), far beyond the expected XCI in normal population (3.6%, OR=4.10; OR=2.51). Reanalyzing ES and clinical data, we solved 7/28 cases (25%). These included variants in the KDM5C, PDZD4, PHF6, TAF1, OTUD5, and ZMYM3, and a genomic deletion spanning exons 3-4 of the ATRX gene. The identification of a skewed XCI is an easy assay that can help selecting a subgroup of patients for the re-evaluation of X-linked variants, improving the diagnostic yield in NDD patients, and allowing the identification of new X-linked disorders.

The electrochemical behavior of magnetite (Fe3O4) aggregates with submicrometric size is investigated. Specifically, cyclic voltammetry tests were performed in both acidic (pH ∼ 4.5) and alkaline (pH ∼ 12.8) solutions, exploiting a conventional three-electrode cell. In the first case, the working electrode was made of a glassy carbon substrate loaded with magnetite nanoaggregates, forming a continuous film. In a second configuration, magnetite nanoaggregates were dispersed in solution, kept under stirring, as a fluidized electrode. The latter approach showed an increase in the electrochemical response of the particles, otherwise limited by the reduced active area as in the former case. Electrochemical-atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM) investigation was carried out in an acidic environment, showing the topography evolution of nanoaggregates during the electrochemical characterization. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was carried out to evaluate the microstructural variation in the Fe3O4 electrodes after cathodic polarization tests in an alkaline environment.

The extraction of grape processing waste (wine pomace) via microwave-hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG) from three different cultivars grown in Sicily (Syrah, Perricone and Nero d’Avola) rapidly affords aqueous extracts highly concentrated in valued biophenols including flavonoids, anthocyanins and phenolic acids. The method does not employ organic solvent, acid or base and does not require grinding or freeze drying of the wine pomace nor separation of the grape skins from seeds and stem. All the extracts have a pronounced stability as shown by their red-violet color fully retained after storage for more than a year (15 months) in freezer under air. Concentrations of phenolics up to 2000 ppm were detected in the aged extracts of Sicily’s local cultivar Perricone, which also has the highest content of flavonoids. These findings provide a simple and economically viable extraction route to biophenol-rich red extracts that can be used as food colorants as well as to formulate nutraceutical, cosmetic and personal care products starting from an agricultural by-product available in >10 million tonne yearly amount.

Nowadays, electrochemical energy storage systems have gaining interest because they constitute an essential element in the development of sustainable energy technologies [1,2]. Among them, rechargeable flow batteries (RFBs) are one of the most promising technology for the integration in grid-connected electricity, especially if combined with unpredictable and intermittent renewable energy sources, due to their high efficiency, power/energy independent sizing and room temperature operation [3]. At the moment, among all RFBs systems, the most investigated and advanced technology is the vanadium based RFB, characterized by an energy efficiency equal to 80% and energy density ranging 15-45 Wh/l [4]. However, currently the main bulk of research is focused on finding an economically convenient and technically competitive flow battery chemistry, able to ensure long lifetime and high energy efficiency [5,6]. In this study, a zinc-iodine RFB with low cost and high energy density will be presented. In particular, inorganic electrolytes based on high soluble salts have been developed to increase the charge density of the device. Moreover, a deep study on the effects of organic additive for the proper zinc developed electrolyte, aiming to reduce the dendrites growth and to increase the current efficiency, have been analyzed. In order to investigate the effect of these chemical compounds, the developed solutions have been characterized by means of cyclic voltammetries while the obtained zinc metallic coatings have been morphological characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The combination of high energy efficiency of the Zn-I RFB, in the order of 70% at 20 mA cm-2, with its very high energy density ranging from 25 to 60 Wh/l, depending on the formulation of the electrolytes, its ability to withstand a large number of charge/discharge cycles and the low cost, makes this battery system suitable for large energy storage applications. References P. Alotto, M. Guarnieri, and F. Moro. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 29 (2014): 325-335. A. Z. Weber, M.M. Mench,, J.P. Meyers, P.N. Ross, J.T. Gostick and Q. Liu. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry (2011), 41(10), 1137. G. Kear, A.A Shah, and F.C. Walsh. International journal of energy research, (2012), 36(11), 1105-1120. C. Ding, H. Zhang, X. Li, T. Liu, and F. Xing. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, (2013), 4(8), 1281-1294. C- Xie, Y. Duan, W. Xu, H. Zhang, and X Li. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, (2017) 56(47), 14953-14957. S. Selverston, R. F. Savinell, and J. S. Wainright. Journal of The Electrochemical Society 164.6 (2017): A1069-A1075.

In current research, electrochemical energy storage systems have gaining interest because they constitute an essential element in the development of sustainable energy technologies. Among them, rechargeable flow batteries (RFBs) are one of the most promising technology for the integration in grid-connected electricity, especially if combined with unpredictable and intermittent renewable energy sources, due to their high efficiency, power/energy independent sizing and room temperature operation. At the moment, among all RFBs systems, the most investigated and advanced technology is the vanadium based RFB, characterized by an energy efficiency equal to 80% and energy density ranging 15-45 Wh/l. However, nowadays the main bulk of research is focused on finding an economically convenient and technically competitive flow battery chemistry, able to ensure long lifetime and high energy efficiency. A zinc-iron RFB with low cost and high energy density will be presented. In particular, inorganic electrolytes based on high soluble salts have been developed, achieving a charge density of 30-70 Wh/l. The electrochemical nucleation and growth of zinc onto a carbon felt current collector in continuous and pulse charging of the battery is studied, showing the achievable improvements in terms of efficiencies and stability of the RFB over charging time. The combination of high energy efficiency of the Zn-Fe RFB with its ability to withstand a large number of charge/discharge cycles and the low cost, makes this battery system suitable for energy storage applications.

Flow batteries (FBs) are one of the most promising stationary energy‐storage devices for storing renewable energy. However, commercial progress of FBs is limited by their high cost and low energy density [1,2]. Therefore, the development of new flow battery systems with low cost, high energy density, and excellent electrochemical performances it is crucial [3,4]. Zinc and iron are two common elements that have abundant reserves in the earth’s crust, and they have outstanding electrochemical properties as well. Owing to the high solubilities of the zinc and iron salts, the battery has the potential of achieving a high energy density [1-3]. In this work, a zinc-iron flow battery in a two compartments setup is presented. In particular, the use of a new electrolyte as mild acidic solution for zinc electrodeposition with high cathodic efficiency will be shown. The effect of additives on the electrolytes electrochemical behavior has been characterized by means of cyclic voltammeries while the battery performances have been evaluated by galvanostatic charge and discharge tests. Results revealed that the mid acidic flow battery exhibited a stable energy efficiency higher than 70% over many cycles at a current density of 25 mA cm−2. Moreover, the employment of pulsed charge, i.e. pulsed Zn plating, on cycles efficiency and battery performances will be shown.