A Bipolar Impedance Plethysmography (IPG) Sensor for Non-invasive and Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring with a Distensibility Correction Technique (DCT)

Department of Electrical Engineeringclos

Targeting the Mitochondrial Chaperone TRAP1 Alleviates Vascular Pathologies in Ischemic Retinopathy

Activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1?? (HIF1??) contributes to blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown and pathological neovascularization responsible for vision loss in ischemic retinal diseases. During disease progression, mitochondrial biology is altered to adapt to the ischemic environment created by initial vascular dysfunction, but the mitochondrial adaptive mechanisms, which ultimately contribute to the pathogenesis of ischemic retinopathy, remain incompletely understood. In the present study, it is identified that expression of mitochondrial chaperone tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) is essential for BRB breakdown and pathologic retinal neovascularization in mouse models mimicking ischemic retinopathies. Genetic Trap1 ablation or treatment with small molecule TRAP1 inhibitors, such as mitoquinone (MitoQ) and SB-U015, alleviate retinal pathologies via proteolytic HIF1?? degradation, which is mediated by opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and activation of calcium-dependent protease calpain-1. These findings suggest that TRAP1 can be a promising target for the development of new treatments against ischemic retinopathy, such as retinopathy of prematurity and proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Promoting homogeneous lithiation of silicon anodes via the application of bifunctional PEDOT:PSS/PEG composite binders

Polymeric conducting binders have increasingly become a subject of significant research interest due to their dual roles as both a binder and a conducting agent. This dual functionality not only increases the proportion of active materials in the electrode but also elevates the volumetric energy density of current Li-ion batteries. In this study, we explore the potential of a composite of PEDOT:PSS and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a high-performing binder for silicon anodes. This highly conductive PEDOT:PSS, enhanced by the addition of PEG polymer, displays exceptional electrochemical characteristics, including superior C-rate, Li-ion diffusivity performance, and extended cycle endurance. Of particular interest are the enhanced mechanical properties bestowed by the plasticizing effect of the PEG polymer. This improvement aids the Si anode in resisting pulverization during successive discharge and charge cycles. As a result, this enables extended cyclability without the creation of anode cracking. Additionally, the use of operando optical microscopy allows for the direct observation of lithiation kinetics within the PEDOT:PSS/PEG binder. This revealed a uniform color change with restrained volume expansion, demonstrating the successful operation of the binder. Consequently, the bifunctional PEDOT:PSS/PEG binder shows promise as a robust strategy for the next generation of high-performance lithium-ion battery binders