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This research explored microwave treatment impact on the structuro-functional aspects of oxidized soy protein aggregates (OSPI). Data showed that oxidative treatment promoted the formation of high molecular weight aggregates through hydrophobic interactions, thereby disrupting the structure of natural soy protein isolates (SPI). Microwave treatment for an appropriate time (≤30 s) caused the molecular structure of OSPI to open up and reduction in molecular weight and disulfide bond content, while absolute zeta potential increased. These modifications increased emulsifying capacity of OSPI, as well as the interfacial adsorption of protein. Longer microwave treatment times (>30 s) caused OSPI to exhibit a tendency to aggregate in TEM and CLSM images. It indicated the appropriate microwave electromagnetic field effect and microwave heating effect could coordinatively regulate soy protein functional properties by modifying their aggregation behavior. The results provided new ideas for reducing resource waste, and further expanding soy protein application in the food industry.

The emulsifying activity of soy protein would decrease after long-term storage, which caused huge economic losses to food processing plants. This study explored the temporal evolution mechanism of oxidation on the structure and function of soy protein aggregates, which would improve the application of soy protein in food industry. Decreased α-helix and increased random coil were observed at the initial oxidation stage (0–4 h), which induced increases in hydrophobicity and disulfide bond content. In addition, emulsibility increased significantly. However, when the oxidation time extended to 6–12 h, the soluble aggregates transformed into insoluble aggregates with large particle size, low solubility, and molecular flexibility. Surface hydrophobicity and emulsifying activity were reduced, resulting in bridging flocculation of emulsion droplets. Mutual transformation between components is affected by factors that include spatial conformation and intermolecular forces, which eventually lead to functional changes in the protein molecules.

Native soy protein isolate (N-SPI) has a low denaturation point and low solubility, limiting its industrial application. The influence of different industrial modification methods (heat (H), alkaline (A), glycosylation (G), and oxidation (O)) on the structure of SPI, the properties of the gel, and the gel properties of soy protein isolate (SPI) in myofibril protein (MP) was evaluated. The study found that four industrial modifications did not influence the subunit composition of SPI. However, the four industrial modifications altered SPI’s secondary structure and disulfide bond conformation content. A-SPI exhibits the highest surface hydrophobicity and I850/830 ratio but the lowest thermal stability. G-SPI exhibits the highest disulfide bond content and the best gel properties. Compared with MP gel, the addition of H-SPI, A-SPI, G-SPI, and O-SPI components significantly improved the properties of the gel. Additionally, MP-ASPI gel exhibits the best properties and microstructure. Overall, the four industrial modification effects may impact SPI’s structure and gel properties in different ways. A-SPI could be a potential functionality-enhanced soy protein ingredient in comminuted meat products. The present study results will provide a theoretical basis for the industrialized production of SPI.

The impacts of industrial phosphorylation on the structural changes, microstructure, functional, and rheological features of soybean protein isolate (SPI) were spotlighted. The findings implied that the spatial structure and functional features of the SPI changed significantly after treatment with the two phosphates. Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) promoted aggregation of SPI with a larger particle size; sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) modified SPI with smaller particle size. SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) results showed insignificant alterations in the structure of SPI subunits. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and endogenous fluorescence noted a decline in α-helix quantity, an amplification in β-fold quantity, and an increase in protein stretching and disorder, indicating that phosphorylation treatment fluctuated the spatial structure of the SPI. Functional characterization studies showed that the solubility and emulsion properties of the SPI increased to varying degrees after phosphorylation, with a maximum solubility of 94.64% for SHMP-SPI and 97.09% for STP-SPI. Emulsifying activity index (EAI) and emulsifying steadiness index (ESI) results for STP-SPI were better than those for SHMP-SPI. Rheological results showed that the modulus of G’ and G″ increased and the emulsion exhibited significant elastic behavior. This affords a theoretical core for expanding the industrial production applications of soybean isolates in the food and various industries.

In this study, pea residue reserve insoluble diet fiber (hereinafter referred to as pea fiber) was used as a raw material. The effects of γ-irradiation doses (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 5 kGy) on the structural properties (main composition, particle size and specific surface area, scanning electron microscope (SEM) microstructure, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction) and functional properties (oil-holding capacity, swelling and water-holding capacity, and adsorption properties) of pea fiber were explored. The results show that, when the γ-irradiation dose was 2 kGy, compared with the untreated sample, the contents of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in pea fiber decreased by 1.34 ± 0.42%, 2.56 ± 0.03% and 2.02 ± 0.05%, respectively, and the volume particle size of pea fiber decreased by 17.43 ± 2.35 μm. The specific surface area increased by 23.70 ± 2.24 m2/kg and the crystallinity decreased by 7.65%. Pore and irregular particles appeared on the microstructure surface of the pea fiber treated with γ-irradiation. The results of the infrared spectrum showed that the hemicellulose and lignin in pea fiber were destroyed by γ-irradiation. These results indicate that γ-irradiation can significantly affect the structural properties of pea fiber. When the γ-irradiation dose was 2 kGy, the highest oil-holding capacity, swelling capacity and water-holding capacity of pea fiber were 8.12 ± 0.12 g/g, 19.75 ± 0.37 mL/g and 8.35 ± 0.18 g/g, respectively, and the adsorption capacities of sodium nitre, cholesterol and glucose were also the strongest. These results indicate that the functional properties of pea fiber are improved by γ-irradiation. In this study, γ-irradiation technology was used as pretreatment to provide a theoretical basis for the application of pea fiber in food processing.

Abstract Aqueous Zn-I flow batteries utilizing low-cost porous membranes are promising candidates for high-power-density large-scale energy storage. However, capacity loss and low Coulombic efficiency resulting from polyiodide cross-over hinder the grid-level battery performance. Here, we develop colloidal chemistry for iodine-starch catholytes, endowing enlarged-sized active materials by strong chemisorption-induced colloidal aggregation. The size-sieving effect effectively suppresses polyiodide cross-over, enabling the utilization of porous membranes with high ionic conductivity. The developed flow battery achieves a high-power density of 42 mW cm−2 at 37.5 mA cm−2 with a Coulombic efficiency of over 98% and prolonged cycling for 200 cycles at 32.4 Ah L−1 posolyte (50% state of charge), even at 50 °C. Furthermore, the scaled-up flow battery module integrating with photovoltaic packs demonstrates practical renewable energy storage capabilities. Cost analysis reveals a 14.3 times reduction in the installed cost due to the applicability of cheap porous membranes, indicating its potential competitiveness for grid energy storage.

Abstract The high redox potential of Zn0/2+ leads to low voltage of Zn batteries and therefore low energy density, plaguing deployment of Zn batteries in many energy-demanding applications. Though employing high-voltage cathode like spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 can increase the voltages of Zn batteries, Zn2+ ions will be immobilized in LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 once intercalated, resulting in irreversibility. Here, we design a polymer hetero-electrolyte consisting of an anode layer with Zn2+ ions as charge carriers and a cathode layer that blocks the Zn2+ ion shuttle, which allows separated Zn and Li reversibility. As such, the Zn‖LNMO cell exhibits up to 2.4 V discharge voltage and 450 stable cycles with high reversible capacity, which are also attained in a scale-up pouch cell. The pouch cell shows a low self-discharge after resting for 28 days. The designed electrolyte paves the way to develop high-voltage Zn batteries based on reversible lithiated cathodes.

Gas–liquid flow in the dissolved air flotation (DAF) tank was studied through computational fluid dynamics through the realizable k-ε model and the population balance model (PBM) to predict the gas content of different flotation mediums (air, carbon dioxide, and chlorine) at different heights of the separation zone in the DAF tank. Simultaneously, a particular focus was placed on studying the effects of bubble aggregation and breakage on gas content. The results indicated that there were virtually no bubbles present in the region below 0.1 m of the separation zone. The gas content in the separation zone could meet the needs for gas content in the DAF tank when all these three gases were adopted as flotation medium. The introduction of models for bubble aggregation and breakage resulted in lower gas content at the bottom of the separation zone and higher gas content at the top, aligning more closely with experimental data. Due to the structural similarity and similar physicochemical characteristics of carbon dioxide and water molecules, the impact of bubble aggregation and breakage on the gas content is minimal. HIGHLIGHTS Considering the aggregation and breakage of bubbles during simulation.; Introducing the population balance model to consider non-uniform-sized bubbles.; Study the hydraulic characteristics of the separation zone when adopting air, carbon dioxide, and chlorine gas as flotation medium.;

Abstract Most current research is devoted to electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction for ammonia synthesis under alkaline/neutral media while the investigation of nitrate reduction under acidic conditions is rarely reported. In this work, we demonstrate the potential of TiO2 nanosheet with intrinsically poor hydrogen-evolution activity for selective and rapid nitrate reduction to ammonia under acidic conditions. Hybridized with iron phthalocyanine, the resulting catalyst displays remarkably improved efficiency toward ammonia formation owing to the enhanced nitrate adsorption, suppressed hydrogen evolution and lowered energy barrier for the rate-determining step. Then, an alkaline-acid hybrid Zn-nitrate battery was developed with high open-circuit voltage of 1.99 V and power density of 91.4 mW cm–2. Further, the environmental sulfur recovery can be powered by above hybrid battery and the hydrazine-nitrate fuel cell can be developed for simultaneously hydrazine/nitrate conversion and electricity generation. This work demonstrates the attractive potential of acidic nitrate reduction for ammonia electrosynthesis and broadens the field of energy conversion.

Abstract Zn‐ion batteries are regarded as the most promising batteries for next‐generation, large‐scale energy storage because of their low cost, high safety, and eco‐friendly nature. The use of aqueous electrolytes results in poor reversibility and leads to many challenges related to the Zn anode. Electrolyte additives can effectively address many such challenges, including dendrite growth and corrosion. This review provides a comprehensive introduction to the major challenges in and current strategies used for Zn anode protection. In particular, an in‐depth and fundamental understanding is provided of the various functions of electrolyte additives, including electrostatic shielding, adsorption, in situ solid electrolyte interphase formation, enhancing water stability, and surface texture regulation. Potential future research directions for electrolyte additives used in aqueous Zn‐ion batteries are also discussed.

Cl-redox reactions cannot be fully exploited in batteries because of the Cl2 gas evolution. Here, reversible high-energy interhalogen reactions are demonstrated by using a iodine-based cathode in combination with a Zn anode and a Cl-containing aqueous electrolyte solution.

Abstract The quest for advanced energy storage devices with cheaper, safer, more resource‐abundant storage has triggered intense research into zinc ion batteries (ZIBs). Among them, organic materials as cathode materials for ZIBs have attracted great interest due to their flexible structure designability, high theoretical capacity, environmental friendliness, and sustainability. Although numerous organic electrode materials have been studied and different redox mechanisms have been proposed in the past decade, their electrochemical performance still needs further improvement, and the mechanisms require further exploration. This paper provides a systematical overview of three types of organic materials (bipolar‐type conductive polymer, n‐type conjugated carbonyl compounds, and p‐type material) on the energy storage mechanisms and distinct characteristics. We then focus on discussing the design strategies to improve electrochemical performance. Furthermore, the challenges and future research directions are discussed to provide a foundation for further developing organic‐based ZIBs.

Because of their high safety, low cost, and high volumetric specific capacity, zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are considered promising next-generation energy storage devices, especially given their high potential for large-scale energy storage. Despite these advantages, many problems remain for ZIBs—such as Zn dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution, and Zn anode corrosion—which significantly reduce the coulomb efficiency and reversibility of the battery and limit its cycle lifespan, resulting in much uncertainty in terms of its practical applications. Numerous electrolyte additives have been proposed in recent years to solve the aforementioned problems. This review focuses on electrolyte additives and discusses the different substances employed as additives to overcome the problems by altering the Zn ^2+ solvation structure, creating a protective layer at the anode–electrolyte interface, and modulating the Zn ^2+ distribution to be even and Zn deposition to be uniform. On the basis of the review, the possible research strategies, future directions of electrolyte additive development, and the existing problems to be solved are also described.

The performances of rechargeable batteries are detrimentally affected by low temperatures (e.g., < 0 °C). Here, the authors report a few-layer Bi2Se3 material capable of improving battery cycling performances when operational temperatures are shifted from +25 °C to −20 °C.

Despite the remarkable ion-hosting capability of MXenes, their electrochemical performance is restricted to the ion shuttle barrier stemming from the capacious surface and the sluggish chemical activity of intrinsic transition metal layers. Herein, we construct a vertically aligned array of V2CTX flakes utilizing a carbon sphere template (V2CTX@CS), with the interlayer galleries outward facing the external electrolyte, to shorten the diffusion length and mitigate the ion shuttle barrier. Moreover, we leverage the high sensitivity of V2CTX flakes to the water–oxygen environment, fully activating the masked active sites of transition metal layers in an aqueous environment via continuous electrochemical scanning. Aqueous V2CTX@CS/Zn battery delivers a novel capacity enhancement over 42,000 cycles at 10 A g−1. After activation, the capacity reaches up to 409 mAh [Formula: see text] at 0.5 A g−1 and remains at 122 mAh [Formula: see text] at 18 A g−1. With a 0.95-V voltage plateau, the energy density of 330.4 Wh [Formula: see text] surpasses previous records of aqueous MXene electrodes.

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the differentiation state and clinical significance of colorectal cancer cells, as well as to predict the immune response and prognosis of patients based on differentiation-related genes of colorectal cancer. Introduction Colorectal cancer cells exhibit different differentiation states under the influence of the tumor microenvironment, which determines the cell fates. Methods We combined single-cell sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from The Cancer Genome Atlas source with extensive transcriptome data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. We obtained colorectal cancer differentiation-related genes using cell trajectory analysis and developed a colorectal cancer differentiation-related gene based molecular typing and prognostic model to predict the immune response and prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer. Results We identified 5 distinct cell differentiation subsets and 620 colorectal cancer differentiation-related genes. Colorectal cancer differentiation-related genes were significantly associated with metabolism, angiogenesis, and immunity. We separated patients into 3 subtypes based on colorectal cancer differentiation-related gene expression in the tumor and found differences among the different subtypes in immune infiltration status, immune checkpoint gene expression, clinicopathological features, and overall survival. Immunotherapeutic interventions involving a highly expressed immune checkpoint blockade may be selectively effective in the corresponding cancer subtypes. We built a risk score prediction model (5-year AUC: .729) consisting of the 4 most important predictors of survival (TIMP1, MMP1, LGALS4, and ITLN1). Finally, we generated and validated a nomogram consisting of the risk score and clinicopathological variables. Conclusion This study highlights the significance of genes involved in cell differentiation for clinical prognosis and immunotherapy in patients and provides prospective therapeutic targets for colorectal cancer.

The interactions between water molecules, electrode materials and anions are essential yet challenging for aqueous dual ion batteries. Here, the authors demonstrate the voltage manipulation of dual ion batteries through matching intercalation energy and solvation energy of different anions.

Obtaining stable aqueous K-ion capacitors is still challenging due to the cathode materials tended to structurally collapse after long-term cycling during large-radius K-ion insertion/extraction. In this work, three different typical MXene electrodes, i.e., Nb2C, Ti2C, and Ti3C2 were individually investigated upon their electrochemical behaviors for potassium-ion (K-ion) storage. All these MXene materials exhibited pseudocapacitive-dominated behaviors, fast kinetics, and durable K-ion storage, delivering superior performance compared with other K-ion host materials. According to the experimental results, it could be ascribed to the intrinsically large interlayer distance for K-ion transport and the superb structural stability of MXene even subjected to long-term potassiation/depotassiation process.

Abstract Rechargeable Zn‐based batteries (RZBs) have attracted much attention and been regarded as one of the most promising candidates for next‐generation energy storage featured with high safety, low costs, environmental friendliness, and satisfactory energy density. The aqueous electrolyte system exhibits great potential to power the future wearable electronics. Apart from the achievements of high capacity cathode and stable electrolyte, the anode suffers from problems of dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution, and passivation with limited attention. The dendrite formation strongly restricts the battery lifespan. Therefore, strategies focused on dendrite suppression are carefully categorized and summarized in this review, including crystallographic orientation manipulation, electric field control, ion flux regulation, and mechanical shield. Each strategy and the detailed approaches are critically dissected. Finally, remaining challenges are emphasized in this review, expecting to supply further research with potential directions to fulfill the high performance of the Zn anodes.

In the past decade, MXenes family have undergone considerable development and have been widely investigated in various research fields, relying on their excellent physicochemical properties. Benefiting from the increasingly versatile preparation methods and the continued discovery of new members, their large-scale application has already been underway, with energy storage fields including supercapacitors and batteries leading. The synthesis methods and processing environment of MXenes, which are closely strictly to the microstructure, surface chemistry, and electronic properties, have attracted great attention. In this review, we review the phylogeny of MXenes materials in recent years, mainly focusing on the synthesis process and environmental stability.

An urban rail transit (URT) system is operated according to relatively punctual schedule, which is one of the most important constraints for a URT passenger’s travel. Thus, it is the key to estimate passengers’ train choices based on which passenger route choices as well as flow distribution on the URT network can be deduced. In this paper we propose a methodology that can estimate individual passenger’s train choices with real timetable and automatic fare collection (AFC) data. First, we formulate the addressed problem using Manski’s paradigm on modelling choice. Then, an integrated framework for estimating individual passenger’s train choices is developed through a data-driven approach. The approach links each passenger trip to the most feasible train itinerary. Initial case study on Shanghai metro shows that the proposed approach works well and can be further used for deducing other important operational indicators like route choices, passenger flows on section, load factor of train, and so forth.

Theoretically speaking, the data of a stated preference survey could be suggested for the calibration of a stochastic route choice model. However, it is unrealistic to implement the questionnaire survey for such a large number of alternative routes. Engineers generally determine the parameter empirically. This experienced choice of perception parameter may cause higher errors in the route flows. In our calibration model of the perception parameter, the data of the cellular network is set as the input. This model consists of two levels. The upper level is to minimize the gap squares of the route choice ratio between the C-logit model and the cellular network data. The stochastic user equilibrium (SUE) in terms of the C-logit model is used as the lower level. The simulated annealing (SA) algorithm is used to solve the model, where the route-based gradient projection (GP) algorithm is used to solve the inner SUE. A case study is used to validate the convergence of the model calibration. A real-world road network is used to demonstrate the objective advantage of an equilibrium constraint over a nonequilibrium constraint and explain the feasibility of the candidate routes assumption.