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Since limited energy density and intrinsic safety issues of commercial lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), solid-state batteries (SSBs) are promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems. However, their practical applications are restricted by interfacial issues and kinetic problems, which result in energy density decay and safety failure. This review discusses the formation mechanisms of these issues from the perspective of typical solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) and provides an overview of recent advanced anode engineering for SSBs based on representative anodes including Li metal, graphite-based, and Si-based anodes, summarizing the advantages and problems of each strategy. The development of the anode-free batteries concept is demonstrated as well. Finally, recommendations are proposed for the potential directions in future research in anode engineering for SSBs.

In the past tens of years, the power conversion efficiency of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) has continuously improved and been one of the fastest growing photovoltaic technologies that can also help us achieve the goal of carbon emissions reduction. Among several key advances, the alkali element post-deposition treatment (AlK PDT) is regarded as the most important finding in the last 10 years, which has led to the improvement of CIGS solar cell efficiency from 20.4% to 23.35%. A profound understanding of the influence of alkali element on the chemical and electrical properties of the CIGS absorber along with the underlying mechanisms is of great importance. In this review, we summarize the strategies of the alkali element doping in CIGS solar cell, the problems to be noted in the PDT process, the effects on the CdS buffer layer, the effects of different alkali elements on the structure and morphology of the CIGS absorber layer, and retrospect the progress in the CIGS solar cell with emphasis on the alkali element post deposition treatment.

Tailoring the oxygen redox reactivity in Li-rich cathode is crucial for developing high-energy batteries. Here, the authors report a strategy to obtain a flexible crystal structure and enhance the oxygen redox reversibility.

Li6PS5Cl possesses high ionic conductivity and excellent interfacial stability to electrodes and is known as a promising solid-state electrolyte material for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). However, the optimal annealing process of Li6PS5Cl has not been studied systematically. Here, a Box–Behnken design is used to investigate the interactions of the heating rate, annealing temperature, and duration of annealing process for Li6PS5Cl to optimize the ionic conductivity. The response surface methodology with regression analysis is employed for simulating the data obtained, and the optimized parameters are verified in practice. As a consequence, Li6PS5Cl delivers a rather high conductivity of 4.45 mS/cm at 25 °C, and ASSB consisting of a LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 cathode and lithium anode shows a high initial discharge capacity of 151.7 mAh/g as well as excellent cycling performances for more than 350 cycles, highlighting the importance of the design of experiments.

Polyimide thin films with high thermal stability and resistance will contribute to the development of flexible energy devices, which could be compatible with their high temperature fabrication process. Thus, we have prepared poly(amic acid) solutions with bisbenzimidazole and bisbenzoxazole based diamines and finally fabricated polyimide thin films. After comparing with commercial type polyimides, the polyimides containing bisbenzimidazole and bisbenzoxazole segments showed excellent thermal decomposition temperatures (of 581 and 584 °C, respectively), outstanding mechanical properties (with a tensile strength of 218 and 192 MPa, respectively), and relatively low water absorption percentages (of 0.68% and 0.63%, respectively). The superior properties should be ascribed to the rigid molecular chain skeleton, strong inter- and intra-molecular-chain forces, and hydrogen bonds.

Aims. To assess the concentrations of serum CXCL13 and intrarenal ectopic lymphoid tissue (ELT) profiles and their correlation in the patients with lupus nephritis (LN). Methods. Serum CXCL13 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The expression of CD3, CD20, and CD21 in renal biopsy specimens was tested using immunohistochemical methods. Results. Serum CXCL13 levels were significantly higher in the LN group than those in the SLE group without LN and also in the type III and IV LN patients than in type V LN patients. LN patients with positive CD20 expression (CD20+ LN) had a longer disease course and poorer response to combination therapy and higher serum CXCL13 levels than CD20− LN patients. Moreover, the serum CXCL13 level was positively correlated with the number of B cells/HP in the renal tissue of LN patients. The coexpression patterns of CD3, CD20, and CD21 in the renal tissue of LN patients with different WHO pathological types were significantly different. Serum CXCL13 levels were significantly higher in ELT-2 type LN patients than in 0 or 1 type LN patients. Conclusions. This study suggested that increased serum levels of CXCL13 might be involved in renal ELT formation and renal impairment process in LN.

Purposes. To investigate the possible changes in B cell subsets and in B cell expression patterns of lipid rafts (LRs) and F-actin in patients with SLE and whether leflunomide treatment may have effect on these changes. Methods. The B cell subsets and LRs expression were determined by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, and F-actin expression was examined by confocal microscopy. Results. CD27+IgD+ B cell subsets were significantly decreased while CD38+CD95+ B cell subsets increased in SLE patients. The LRs levels of B cells were remarkably increased and positively correlated with SLEDAI and anti-dsDNA titer in SLE patients. The expression level of LRs was significantly higher in CD38+ B cells than CD38− B cells and negatively correlated with C3 levels. The increased expression of LRs was associated with reduced expression of F-actin in the B cells from active SLE patients. Furthermore, in vitro treatment of the cells with A771726 reduced the expression level of LRs, attenuated the overaggregation of LRs, and normalized the distribution of F-actin. Conclusions. There were abnormalities in B cell subsets and LRs and F-actin expression of B cell from SLE patients. Modulation of B cell expression of LRs and F-actin by LEF could be a potential therapeutic target for SLE.

Erosion wear is a common failure mode in the oil and gas industry. In the hydraulic fracturing, the fracturing pipes are not only in high-pressure working environment, but also suffer from the impact of the high-speed solid particles in the fracturing fluid. Beneath such complex conditions, the vulnerable components of the pipe system are prone to perforation or even burst accidents, which has become one of the most serious risks at the fracturing site. Unfortunately, it is not yet fully understood the erosion mechanism of pipe steel for hydraulic fracturing. Therefore, this article provides a detailed analysis of the erosion behavior of fracturing pipes under complex working conditions based on experiments and numerical simulations. Firstly, we conducted erosion experiments on AISI 4135 steel for fracturing pipes to investigate the erosion characteristics of the material. The effects of impact angle, flow velocity and applied stress on erosion wear were comprehensively considered. Then a particle impact dynamic model of erosion wear was developed based on the experimental parameters, and the evolution process of particle erosion under different impact angles, impact velocities and applied stress was analyzed. By combining the erosion characteristics, the micro-structure of the eroded area, and the micro-mechanics of erosion damage, the erosion mechanism of pipe steel under fracturing conditions was studied in detail for the first time. Under high-pressure operating conditions, it was demonstrated through experiments and numerical simulations that the size of the micro-defects in the eroded area increased as the applied stress increased, resulting in more severe erosion wear of fracturing pipes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specimen examinations and field observations revealed that Bupleurum smithii var. parvifolium was distinctly different from B. smithii var. smithii in umbel, leaf, and fruit morphology, but was very similar to B. commelynoideum var. flaviflorum. Based on these morphological evidences, the present study re-examined the taxonomic status of these taxa through morphological, cytological, and phylogenetic analyses. The results showed distinguishable features in the width of middle leaves and bracteoles of B. smithii var. parvifolium compared to B. smithii var. smithii. Morphological variation between B. smithii var. parvifolium and B. commelynoideum var. flaviflorum was continuous and overlapping. Notably, the chromosome number of B. smithii var. parvifolium was 2n = 14 (x = 7), consistent with B. commelynoideum var. flaviflorum, whereas B. smithii var. smithii was 2n = 64 (x = 8). Additionally, phylogenetic analyses revealed B. commelynoideum var. flaviflorum nested within B. smithii var. parvifolium, and that both were distant from the B. smithii var. smithii and B. commelynoideum var. commelynoideum. Based on the evidence above, the differences between B. smithii var. parvifolium and B. smithii var. smithii extend beyond the level of intraspecific variation, and B. commelynoideum var. flaviflorum is considered to be identical with B. smithii var. parvifolium. Hence. A new combination and status, B. parvifolium (Shan & Y.Li) Q.R.Liu & L.H.Wang, comb. et stat. nov. , is proposed. Furthermore, B. commelynoideum var. flaviflorum should be treated as a synonym of B. parvifolium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]