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Induced polarization (IP) is a widely used geophysical exploration technique. Continuous random noise is one of the most prevalent interferences that can seriously contaminate the IP signal and distort the apparent electrical characteristics. We develop a noise separation algorithm based on deep learning to overcome this issue. The standard IP signals are first produced by combining the Cole-Cole model and Fourier series decomposition, and then the mathematical simulation is used to generate various types of random noise interferences, which are subsequently added to the IP signals. Then, a denoising autoencoder deep neural network structure is built and trained by using noisy signals as input samples and pure signals as output samples. The resulting optimum network is capable of automatically reconstructing a clean IP signal from the noisy input. This network is tested using synthetic data sets. The trained neural network can perform the noise reduction of thousands of survey points in a matter of seconds and reduce signal distortion from approximately 25% to less than 5%. Deep learning-based denoising provides superior computation speed and precision compared with the wavelet denoising and smoothing filtering approach. The data for high-quality signals do not vary considerably before and after noise reduction. The noise interferences are successfully suppressed for low-quality signals. Based on the findings, the denoising autoencoder deep neural network has a promising future for suppressing random noise interferences, which can aid in improving the quality of IP data with high efficiency and precision.

In the audio magnetotellurics (AMT) sounding data processing, the absence of sferic signals in some time ranges typically results in a lack of energy in the AMT dead band, which may cause unreliable resistivity estimate. We propose a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) to automatically recognize sferic signals from redundantly recorded data in a long time range and use them to compensate for the resistivity estimation. We train the CNN by using field time series data with different signal-to-noise rations that were acquired from different regions in mainland China. To solve the potential overfitting problem due to the limited number of sferic labels, we propose a training strategy that randomly generates training samples (with random data augmentations) while optimizing the CNN model parameters. We stop the training process and data generation until the training loss converges. In addition, we use a weighted binary cross-entropy loss function to solve the sample imbalance problem to better optimize the network, use multiple reasonable metrics to evaluate network performance, and carry out ablation experiments to optimally choose the model hyperparameters. Extensive field data applications show that our trained CNN can robustly recognize sferic signals from noisy time series for subsequent impedance estimation. The subsequent processing results show that our method can significantly improve S/N and effectively solve the problem of lack of energy in the dead band. Compared to the traditional processing method without sferic compensation, our method can generate a smoother and more reasonable apparent resistivity-phase curves and depolarized phase tensor, correct the estimation error of sudden drop of high-frequency apparent resistivity and abnormal behavior of phase reversal, and finally better restore the real shallow subsurface resistivity structure.

Drinking water shortage is a major concern in villages across southern Jiangxi, and this has impacted economic and social development. In order to address this challenge, groundwater prospecting was carried out in the villages under the support of Drinking Water Safety Project of China Geological Survey. In this study, we present two example sites in Ningdu County selected to demonstrate the combined hydrogeological survey, and the direct current electrical resistivity method was utilized for the present study for groundwater exploration in karst-granite distribution areas. First, a hydrogeological study was effectively used to delineate shallow severely weathered structural fissures as prospective target water-bearing beds. Then, a direct current electrical resistivity survey was used to confirm the distribution, thickness scale, and water-bearing features. The structural fractured zone whose distribution and trend were first established through hydrogeological surveys and whose development characteristics and water-richness were investigated by the direct current electrical resistivity method is the target layer for water exploration in the karst-granite rock areas. The water-bearing fracture zone shows a groove or strip-shape low resistivity anomaly and can be identified in its aquifer position according to its IP half decay time (Th), apparent polarizability (ηs), and apparent resistivity (ρs). The findings demonstrate that the above methods were successful in locating water potential areas, providing information for comparison and accurate borehole positioning. The results of the subsequent drilling and pumping tests supported the interpretation of the geophysical exploration data, and the water output from both boreholes met the objectives of this study. This groundwater search might serve as a guide for future exploration projects in similar areas.

Non-invasive geophysical exploration methods a play key role in the exploration of ore deposits. In the present study, the audio-frequency magnetotelluric (AMT) method was applied to metallic mineral exploration. The metallic mineral deposit targeted was the recently discovered super large lead–zinc deposit of the Zhugongtang mining area of Hezhang County in the northwestern Guizhou province in China. The main objectives of this study were to estimate the geoelectric strike and generate geoelectric models that estimate both the depth and distribution of resistivity structures across the deposit. To achieve the objectives, we deployed sixty-one (61) AMT survey sites with an interstation separation of 20 m on a 1280 m survey track perpendicular to the geological strike across the Zhugongtang deposit. We operated in fifty-three (53) frequencies in the range 1–10,400 Hz to record the resistivity distribution of subsurface to a depth of more than 1200 m. The results from the AMT data computations estimated the geoelectric strike that varies between NE285° and NE315°. This range of strikes suggested that structures across the deposit are oriented in the NW–SE direction. Obtained two-dimensional (2D) models elucidated a remarkably low resistivity body (0.50 km depth), thus extending to great depth and were interpreted as lead–zinc mineralization. Furthermore, low resistivity (1000 Ωm). Bioclastic limestone and dolomite limestone were inferred and characterized by moderate-high resistivity (>250 Ωm) and were not widely distributed. A unit of basalts was found with moderate resistivity (>63 Ωm). In addition, it was also found that regions with high number of faults tend to have low resistivity values compared to regions with a low fault number. In summary, this case study presents the results of applying an AMT approach to explore the conductivity characteristics of structures across the Zhugongtang deposit. The findings may contribute to the literature about this deposit.

We present the first case that describes a right broad ligament pregnancy patient complicated with pelvic congestion syndrome. A 23-year-old female referred to the gynecological emergency room with pelvic pain and amenorrhea. Serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) test of the patient was positive, and ultrasonography indicated that there were mixed mass signals and a large number of blood flow signals in the right parauterine area. Considering the possibility of a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, we performed laparoscopic exploration for this patient. According to the intraoperative situation, we formally diagnosed the right broad ligament pregnancy. Although the intraoperative hemorrhage was fierce, we still successfully completed the resection of the lesion and performed the ipsilateral salpingectomy. We performed three-dimensional CT vascular reconstruction on the patient after surgery, and diagnosed right pelvic congestion syndrome combined with the patient's usual chronic pelvic pain symptoms.

CREBBP, in short CBP, has been reported to be involved in tumorigenesis in various cancers, but its role in ovarian cancer remains largely unexplored. In our study, survival analysis of CBP in patients with ovarian cancer was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database, then we utilized specific shRNA targeting CREBBP to block the expression of CBP, and detected its effect on cell proliferation and chemo-sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells. The results showed that high expression of CBP was correlated with poor prognosis in ovarian cancer patients. CREBBP knockdown in ovarian cancer cells significantly inhibited tumor proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, CREBBP knockdown promoted chemo-sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells. Mechanism research further demonstrated that CREBBP knockdown attenuated unfolded protein response (UPR), which was mediated by PERK/ATF4/STC2 signaling pathway. Our research linked CBP and UPR in ovarian cancer and may provide new strategies for the clinical treatment of ovarian cancer.

In near surface electrical exploration, it is often necessary to estimate the Cole-Cole model parameters according to the measured multi-frequency complex resistivity spectrum of ore and rock samples in advance. Parameter estimation is a nonlinear optimization problem, and the common method is least square fitting. The disadvantage of this method is that it relies on initial value and the result is unstable when data is confronted with noise interference. To further improve the accuracy of parameter estimation, this paper applied artificial neural network (ANN) method to the Cole-Cole model estimation. Firstly, a large number of forward models are generated as samples to train the neural network and when the data fitting error is lower than the error threshold, the training ends. The trained neural network is directly used to efficiently estimate the parameters of vast amounts of new data. The efficiency of the artificial neural network is analyzed by using simulated and measured spectral induced polarization data. The results show that artificial neural network method has a faster computing speed and higher accuracy in Cole-Cole model parameter estimation.

Bulk-type all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) with high theoretical capacity and good safety are considered to be promising candidates as future energy storage devices. The ASSLBs with inorganic electrolytes usually have a thick electrolyte layer (more than 1 mm), which significantly reduces the cell-based energy density; therefore, a free-standing high-conductance electrolyte layer with a low thickness is essential for high-performance ASSLBs. In this work, we prepare free-standing 78Li2S–22P2S5 glass-ceramic (7822gc) composite solid electrolyte membranes reinforced with polymer electrolytes with a thickness of 120 μm through a liquid-phase method and systematically investigate the effects of solvents and polymer electrolytes on the microstructure and electrochemical properties of the 7822gc/polymer composite membranes. The sulfide/PEO and sulfide/PVDF composite electrolytes without lithium salt show an ionic conductivity of 2–4 × 10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature, while the conductivity of those with lithium salt is enhanced to 4–7 × 10−4 S cm−1. With such a high conductivity and low thickness, an ultra-high areal conductance of 59.0 mS cm−2 is obtained for the composite electrolyte membranes, which is ~2.7 times of that of pure 7822gc electrolyte pellets. All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) with a sulfur/carbon nanotube composite cathode and a Li–In alloy anode are prepared. The cell-based energy density is as high as 87.0 Ah L−1. A discharge capacity of 725.1 mA h g−1 at 0.176 mA cm−2 after 100 cycles and a high capacity retention of 93.2% are achieved for the cells with 7822gc/polymer composite electrolyte membranes.

Background. N7-methylguanosine (m7G) has been implicated in the development of cancer. The role of m7G-related miRNAs in the survival prediction of UCEC patients has not been investigated. Current research was the first to construct an m7G-related miRNA model to accurately predict the survival of patients with uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) and to explore immune cell infiltration and immune activity in the tumor microenvironment. Methods. RNA-seq data and clinical information of UCEC patients were derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Using the TargetScan online database, we predicted miRNAs linked to the m7G-related genes and identified miRNAs which were significantly associated with the survival in UCEC patients and constructed a risk scoring model. The TCGA-UCEC cases were scored according to the risk model, and the high- and low-risk groups were divided by the median risk value. Gene enrichment analysis and immune cell infiltration and immune function analysis were performed using “clusterProfiler” and “GSVA” packages in R. Results. The survival prediction model consisted of 9 miRNAs, namely, hsa-miR-1301, hsa-miR-940, hsa-miR-592, hsa-miR-3170, hsa-miR-876, hsa-miR-215, hsa-miR-934, hsa-miR-3920, and hsa-miR-216b. Survival of UCEC patients in the high-risk group was worse than that in the low-risk group ( p < 0.001 ). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the model had good predictive performance, and the area under the curve was 0.800, 0.690, and 0.705 for 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival predictions, respectively. There were differences in the degree of immune cell infiltration and immune activity between the low-risk and high-risk groups. The expression levels of the identified differentially expressed genes correlated with the susceptibility to multiple anticancer drugs. Conclusions. The survival prediction model constructed based on 9 m7G-related miRNAs had good predictive performance.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer‐related deaths. Moreover, exploring efficient tumor‐killing drugs is urgently needed. In our study, several derivative compounds of myricetin were synthesized and tested. Experiments on non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) showed that S4‐2‐2 (5,7‐dimethoxy‐3‐(4‐(methyl(1‐(naphthalen‐2‐ylsulfonyl)piperidin‐4‐yl)amino)butoxy)‐2‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one) had the strongest effect on A549 cell inhibition across all compounds. Furthermore, S4‐2‐2‐treated A549 cells were also suppressed when transplanted into immunodeficient mice. Particularly, we found that the migration and invasiveness of A549 cells became suppressed upon treatment with S4‐2‐2. Furthermore, the compound significantly induced cell apoptosis, but did not affect the cell cycle of A549 cells. Finally, we revealed that S4‐2‐2 inhibited the biological function of NSCLC cells by regulating the protein process in the endoplasmic reticulum, and then by inducing the expression of apoptosis‐related proteins. Taken together, S4‐2‐2 was shown to act as a potential molecular inhibitor of A549 cells.

Placenta-specific protein 1 (PLAC1) is inversely associated with survival in several types of cancer. However, whether PLAC1 is involved in the progression of cervical cancer (CC) remains to be elucidated. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of PLAC1 in CC by determining the relationship between clinicopathological factors, PLAC1 gene expression and survival prognosis using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression analyses. Similarly, Kaplan-Meier curves were evaluated with the log-rank test. Subsequently, gene set enrichment analysis was performed to compare the high- and low-PLAC1 expression phenotypes. Functional studies were further conducted in PLAC1-overexpressing HeLa cells and PLAC1-silenced MS751 cells, and western blotting was performed to determine whether PLAC1 promoted CC progression via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The findings demonstrated that high expression of PLAC1 was associated with American Joint Committee on Cancer metastasis pathological score and suggested a poor overall survival. ‘mTOR complex 1 signaling’, ‘interferon α response’ and ‘hypoxia’ were differentially enriched in the high-PLAC1 phenotype. Furthermore, PLAC1 promoted the invasion of CC cells in vitro. E-cadherin expression was decreased in the PLAC1-overexpressing cells, accompanied by increased expression of the mesenchymal markers, Vimentin, MMP2 and Slug, and the opposite effects were observed in PLAC1-silenced cells. Taken together, the present results indicated that high expression of PLAC1 was associated with poor survival and PLAC1 promoted metastasis via EMT in CC.

Background: With continued improvement in radiotherapy technology, hypofractionated radiotherapy has helped achieve good results in the local control and toxicity of pulmonary oligometastases. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of radiotherapy and the prognostic factors that affect survival in patients with pulmonary oligometastases who undergo helical tomotherapy (TOMO) hypofractionated radiotherapy.Methods: Ninety pulmonary oligometastases in 40 patients (26 males, 14 females; median age 57 years) were retrospectively investigated and treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy in the Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy of the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College during 2018-2020. Their Karnofsky performance status (KPS) was ≥70 points. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS), local control (LC), and progression-free survival (PFS), and we determine the related influencing factors.Results: The median gross tumor volume (GTV) and planning target volume (PTV) were 9.7 cm³ (range 1.1–287.0 cm³) and 56.9 cm³ (range 16.3–494.2 cm³), respectively, the median biological effective dose, α/β=10 (BED10), was 76.8 Gy (range 56-96 Gy), and four-dimensional computed tomography positioning was applied to 52.5% of the patients. All patients completed the treatment plan during a median follow-up of 16.1 months (range 4.9–33.3 months). The 1- and 2-year OS rates were 90.3% and 55.2%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year LC rates were 80.8% and 64.7%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year PFS rates were 47.3% and 28.4%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that colorectal primary (p=0.004), age >57 years (p=0.037), and number of organ metastases ≥2 (p=0.046) were associated with OS, whereas disease-free interval (DFI) ≤17.4 months (p=0.032), number of lung metastases≥2 (p=0.049), and PTV >56.9 cm³ (p=0.041) were associated with LC; and number of metastatic organs ≥2 (p=0.015) was independently associated with PFS. In multivariate analysis, colorectal cancer (p=0.010) and age >57 years (p=0.009) were significantly associated with OS. No > grade 3 toxic reaction.Conclusions: The median OS, LC, and PFS rates of TOMO hypofractionated radiotherapy for pulmonary oligometastases were 24.9, 25.9, and 11.8 months, respectively, showing that good survival rates and low toxicity could still be achieved using the medium dose.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text, The pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair systems used in China are imported and expensive. Our aim was to compare the efficacy and safety of a self-developed pelvic floor repair system versus the Avaulta system. This was a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, noninferiority trial of 132 patients with POP stage ≥II from the Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University and the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University enrolled from 02/2014 to 03/2015. The patients were randomized 1:1 to POP repair using the self-developed system or the Avaulta system. Perioperative conditions, POP quantification, pelvic floor impact questionnaire-7, and prolapse quality of life questionnaires, gynecological ultrasound, and postoperative complications were compared. Patients were followed at 1.5, 3, and 6 months. According to the POP quantification scores obtained at 6 months after surgery, the cure rates of the self-developed and Avaulta groups were 98.3% and 100.0%, respectively (P > .999). At 6 months follow-up, the pelvic floor impact questionnaire-7 scores of the self-developed and Avaulta groups were both improved (P .05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding complications (all P > .05). The self-developed pelvic reconstruction system is safe and effective for the treatment of POP and improves the patients’ quality of life, without difference compared to the Avaulta system.

Disseminated ores in porous or fractured media can be polarized under the application of an external low-frequency electrical field. This polarization is characterized by a dimensionless property that is called the “chargeability”. Induced polarization is a nonintrusive geophysical sensing technique that be used in the field to image both the electrical conductivity and the chargeability of porous rocks together with a characteristic relaxation time. A petrophysical model of the induced polarization of metallic ores immersed in a porous conductive and polarizable material is reviewed, and its predictions are compared to a large dataset of experimental data. The model shows that the chargeability of the material is linearly dependent on the volume fraction of the ore and the chargeability of the background material, which can, in turn, be related to the conductivity of the pore water and the cation exchange capacity of the clay fraction. The relaxation time depends on the grain sizes of the ores and on the conductivity of the background material, which is close to the conductivity of the porous rock itself. Five applications of the induced-polarization method to ore and metallic bodies are discussed in order to show the usefulness of this technique. These applications include: (i) A sandbox experiment, in which cubes of pyrite are located in a specific area of the tank; (ii) The tomography of an iron slag at an archeological site in France; (iii) A study of partially frozen graphitic schists in the French Alps; (iv) The detection of a metallic tank through the tomography of the relaxation times; and (v) The detection and localization of a deep ore body that is associated with a tectonic fault. We also discuss the possibility of combining self-potential and induced-polarization tomography to better characterize ore bodies below the seafloor.

The exploration of podiform chromites in the Indus Yarlong Zangbo suture zone of southern Tibet has proved difficult because most known deposits pinch out and then reappear in the same direction. Several ground-based geophysical approaches such as gravity, magnetic, and controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric (CSAMT) methods have been applied to explore for these chromite deposits but have mostly failed to delineate prospective areas. We have evaluated a successful podiform chromite exploration case history that is based on AMT. More than 8000 AMT stations were used in this study within a [Formula: see text] area of the ophiolite belt. Line separations were 80 or 40 m, and the station separation was 20 m. We implemented Bostick conversion and nonlinear conjugate gradient inversions for data interpretation, whereas 2D resistivity sections and 3D resistivity imaging were used to elucidate the inner structure and distribution of rock faces within the Luobusa ophiolite. Results from rock physics and drilling further indicate that resistivity-anomaly domains from these AMT results are correlated with rock faces in terms of fresh harzburgite, altered harzburgite and dunite, and they can thus be connected to concealed deposits. Therefore, we have developed three resistivity-anomaly models for chromite exploration, and we delineated several prospective regions containing exploitable deposits within the Luobusa ophiolite. Seven of the nine verified boreholes discussed in this paper intersected with chromite deposits; one comprises the largest and highest grade chromite deposit in China to date. Our AMT results provide the impetus for future chromite exploration in Tibet and enable a refined understanding of the structure and distribution of rock faces within the Luobusa ophiolite.

Time domain induced polarization (TDIP) and frequency domain induced polarization (FDIP) synthetic models, incorporating three-dimensional (3D) anisotropic medium, were tested. In TDIP modeling, both resistivity and chargeability of the medium were anisotropic, and the apparent chargeability values were calculated by carrying out two resistivity forward calculations using resistivity with and without an IP effect. We analyzed the TDIP response of a 3D isotropic cube model embedded in the anisotropic subsurface half-space. In FDIP modeling, the complex resistivity of the medium at various frequencies was anisotropic. The complex resistivity was determined by a Cole-Cole model with anisotropic model parameters. We then analyzed the FDIP response of a 3D anisotropic cube model embedded in an isotropic subsurface half-space. Both of the TDIP and FDIP simulation results suggest that IP responses acquired in two orthogonal directions on the surface are different when the same arrays are used and acquisition in orthogonal directions helps resolve the presence of anisotropy. The anisotropy should be taken into account in practice for TDIP and FDIP exploration.

A simple way to assemble an all-solid-state lithium-ion battery with ultrahigh surface capacity and energy density was established. Polyethylene oxide-based solid-state electrolyte was prepared via solution method and nano-SiO2 was added into the electrolyte to increase the conductivity. Thick compact LiFePO4 pellet infused with dry polymer electrolyte was used as the composite cathode in the all-solid-state lithium battery. The compact composite cathode not only showed large ionic and electronic conductivity, but also provided sufficient “free space” to compensate the volumetric change of the active materials during cycling. The all-solid-state lithium battery (composite cathode/dry polymer electrolyte/Li) was cycled at a constant current density of 200 μA/cm2 at 60 °C. A maximum discharge specific capacity of 157 mAh/g was achieved and the surface capacity reached 15 mAh/cm2, which was of critical significance for all-solid-state lithium batteries. Good capacity retention was achieved after 10 cycles and great rate performance was obtained. Even at a current density of 1000 μA/cm2, the battery delivered a specific discharge capacity of 71 mAh/g, corresponding to a surface capacity of 6 mAh/cm2. The experimental data demonstrated that the composite cathode was a promising design in high-performance bulk-type all-solid-state lithium batteries.

In induced-polarization (IP) surveys, the raw data are usually distorted significantly by the presence of electromagnetic (EM) interferences, including cultural noise. Several methods have been proposed to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of these data. However, signal processing in an electromagnetically noisy environment is still a challenging problem. We have determined a new and simple technique based on the analysis of the correlation between the measured potential and the injected primary current signals. This processing is applied to the data acquired using a new frequency-domain IP method called the spread-spectrum induced-polarization (SSIP) approach. In this approach, we use a pseudorandom m-sequence (also called the maximum length sequence) for the injected primary current. One of the advantages of this sequence is to be essentially spectrally flat in a given frequency range. Therefore, complex resistivity can be determined simultaneously at various frequencies. A new SSIP data set is acquired in the vicinity of Baiyin mine, Gansu Province, China. The correlation between potential difference and transmitting current signals for each period can be used to assess data quality. Only when the correlation coefficient between the two signals is greater than 0.5 can the SSIP data be used for subsequent processing and tomography. We determine what threshold value should be used for the correlation coefficient to extract high-quality apparent complex resistivity data and eliminate EM-contaminated data. We then compare the pseudosections with and without using the correlation analysis. When the correlation analysis is used, the noisy data are filtered out, and the target anomaly obtained through tomography is clearly enhanced. The inversion results of the apparent complex resistivity (amplitude and phase) for the survey area are consistent with some independent geologic and drilling information regarding the position of the ore body demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach.

Highly Li-ion conductive 78Li2S-22P2S5 glass-ceramic electrolytes were prepared by simple heat-treatment of the glass phase obtained via mechanical ball milling. A high ionic conductivity of ~ 1.78×10-3 S cm-1 is achieved at room temperature and is attributed to the formation of a crystalline phase of high lithium-ion conduction. All-solid-state lithium-ion batteries based on these glass-ceramic electrolytes are assembled by using Li2S nanoparticles or low-cost commercially available FeS2 as active cathode materials and Li-In alloys as anode. A high discharge capacity of 535 mAh g-1 is achieved after at least 50 cycles for the all-solid-state cells with Li2S as cathode materials, suggesting a rather capacity retention of 97.4%. Even for the cells using low-cost FeS2 as cathode materials, same high discharge capacity of 560 mAh g-1 is also achieved after at least 50 cycles. Moreover, the coulombic efficiency remain at ~ 99% for these all-solid-state cells during the charge-discharge cycles.

Li–La–Zr–O thin films were successfully fabricated using the sol-gel spin coating method and the effects of the addition of surfactant in the solution were studied. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Atomic Force Microscope were used to investigate the characteristics of these films and an amorphous structure and smooth surface on the films were revealed. The ionic conductivity of the film was investigated by impedance analysis. The results showed that the room-temperature ionic conductivity of the film increases with the content of surfactant, from 1.8 × 10−6 S/cm for 0.5 wt% to 3.9 × 10−6 S/cm for 1.5 wt%. However, further increasing the content of surfactant can deteriorate the property of the thin film on the contrary. The improvement of the property can be attributed to the improvement of the morphology of the film. We propose that this Li–La–Zr–O thin film is a promising solid electrolyte for thin-film lithium-ion batteries.

Shale gas is a particularly important research target on Chinese energy resources, especially in the Upper Yangtze region. Complex topography and geologic conditions challenge seismic exploration of shale gas in this area, and ground-based electromagnetic (EM) methods are used to aid recognition of the best reservoirs. However, the electrical properties of organic shale (EPOS) and its correlation to shale-gas petrology remain poorly understood. We studied EPOS and their correlation to shale petrology by measuring and analyzing the petrochemical features and complex impedance of rock samples from the Silurian Longmaxi and Cambrian Niutitang Formations in the Upper Yangtze, southwest China. Our study indicates that the organic shale in the Upper Yangtze features low resistivity and high polarizability in terms of a high negative phase, but no obvious low resistivity is observed among shaly sandstone and shales with lower and higher total organic carbon. Pyrite and quartz contents in the organic shale dominantly contribute to the EPOS with different mechanisms. Our result indicates that the EPOS bear relations to the petrology parameters of organic shale, which is essential for shale-gas evaluation and exploration. The correlation between EPOS and the shale-gas petrology promoted a new way for shale-gas exploration with complex geology, topography, and surface conditions in China, especially in the Upper Yangtze region, by using the ground-based EM method to evaluate the parameters of shale gas and to aid to delimit the productive reservoirs (“sweet spots”).

Bulk-type all-solid-state lithium battery adopting garnet structured electrolyte has been successfully realized by improving the state of interface contact between cathode/electrolyte, as well as cathode particles in the composite layer. The cycle life of the battery has been examined at room temperature, and at elevated temperature of 80 °C and 150 °C. It exhibits that under high tested current density, the cell exhibits non-successive degradation during cycling, whereas successive degradation under low current density. Impedance spectroscopy measurements, as well as cross-sectional SEM images have been used to complement the electrochemical data in examining structural changes. The results indicate that the destructive damage of cracks originated from the volume change of LiCoO2 particles in the composite layer is responsible for the non-successive degradation of cell during cycling. Keywords: Bulk-type, All-solid-state, Lithium battery, Non-successive degradation

All-solid-state bulk-type lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are considered ultimate solutions to the safety issues associated with conventional LIBs using flammable liquid electrolyte. The development of bulk-type all-solid-state LIBs has been hindered by the low loading of active cathode materials, hence low specific surface capacity, and by the high interface resistance, which results in low rate and cyclic performance. In this contribution, we propose and demonstrate a synergistic all-composite approach to fabricating flexible all-solid-state LIBs. PEO-based composite cathode layers (filled with LiFePO4 particles) of ∼300 μm in thickness and composite electrolyte layers (filled with Al-LLZTO particles) are stacked layer-by-layer with lithium foils as negative layer and hot-pressed into a monolithic all-solid-state LIB. The flexible LIB delivers a high specific discharge capacity of 155 mAh/g, which corresponds to an ultrahigh surface capacity of 10.8 mAh/cm2, exhibits excellent capacity retention up to at l...