Adaptation of Cu(In, Ga)Se2 photovoltaics for full unbiased photocharge of integrated solar vanadium redox flow batteries

The integration of photovoltaics and vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) is a promising alternative for the direct conversion and storage of solar energy in a single device, considering their inherent higher energy density versus other redox pairs. However, this integration is not seamless unless the photovoltaic system is customized to the voltage needs of the battery, which unlike artificial photosynthesis, continuously increase with the state-of-charge. We have developed an integrated solar VRFB with adapted low-cost Cu(In, Ga)Se2 modules of 3 and 4 series-connected cells (solar efficiency of mini-solar module 8.1%), and considering the voltage requirements (1.3-1.6 V), we have evaluated the influence of the photovoltaic operation region on the final efficiency of the solar VRFB. Full unbiased photocharge under 1 Sun illumination has been achieved resulting in high energy (77%), solar-to-charge (7.5%) and overall round trip energy conversion efficiencies (5.0%) exceeding the values reported in the literature for other solar VRFBs, thus demonstrating the feasibility and intrinsic potential of adapting low-cost commercial photovoltaics to such energy storage systems

Geographic variation of life-history traits in the sand lizard, Lacerta agilis: testing Darwin's facundity-advantage hypothesis

The fecundity-advantage-hypothesis (FAH) explains larger female size relative to male size as a correlated response to fecundity selection. We explored FAH by investigating geographic variation in female reproductive output and its relation to sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in Lacerta agilis, an oviparous lizard occupying a major part of temperate Eurasia. We analysed how sex-specific body size and SSD are associated with two putative indicators of fecundity selection intensity (clutch size and the slope of the clutch size-female size relationship), and with two climatic variables throughout the species range and across two widespread evolutionary lineages. Variation within the lineages provides no support for FAH. In contrast, the divergence between the lineages is in line with FAH: the lineage with consistently female-biased SSD (L. a. agilis) exhibits higher clutch size and steeper fecundity slope than the lineage with an inconsistent and variable SSD (L. a. exigua). L. a. agilis shows lower offspring size (egg mass, hatchling mass) and higher clutch mass relative to female mass than L. a. exigua, i.e. both possible ways to enhance offspring number are exerted. As the SSD difference is due to male size (smaller males in L. a. agilis), fecundity selection favouring larger females, together with viability selection for smaller size in both sexes, would explain the female-biased SSD and reproductive characteristics of L. a. agilis. The pattern of intraspecific life-history divergence in L.agilis is strikingly similar to that between oviparous and viviparous populations of a related species Zootoca vivipara. Evolutionary implications of this parallelism are discussed

Controlling the electrochemical hydrogen generation and storage in graphene oxide by in-situ Raman spectroscopy

Hydrogen, generated from water splitting, is postulated as one of the most promising alternatives to fossil fuels. In this context, direct hydrogen generation by electrolysis and fixation to graphene oxide in an aqueous suspension could overcome storage and distribution problems of gaseous hydrogen. This study presents time-resolved determination of the electrochemical hydrogenation of GO by in-situ Raman spectroscopy, simultaneous to original functional groups elimination. Hydrogenation is found favoured by dynamic modulation of the electrochemical environment compared to fixed applied potentials, with a 160% increase of C-H bond formation. Epoxide groups suppression and generated hydroxide groups point at these epoxide groups being one of the key sites where hydrogenation was possible. FTIR revealed characteristic symmetric and asymmetric stretching vibrations of C-H bonds in CH and CH groups. This shows that hydrogenation is significantly also occurring in defective sites and edges of the graphene basal plane, rather than H-Csp groups as graphane. We also determined a −0.05 V reduction starting potential in alkaline electrolytes and a 150 mV cathodic delay in acid electrolytes. The identified key parameters role, together with observed diverse C-H groups formation, points at future research directions for large-scale hydrogen storage in graphene

RAD21 Cooperates with Pluripotency Transcription Factors in the Maintenance of Embryonic Stem Cell Identity

For self-renewal, embryonic stem cells (ESCs) require the expression of specific transcription factors accompanied by a particular chromosome organization to maintain a balance between pluripotency and the capacity for rapid differentiation. However, how transcriptional regulation is linked to chromosome organization in ESCs is not well understood. Here we show that the cohesin component RAD21 exhibits a functional role in maintaining ESC identity through association with the pluripotency transcriptional network. ChIP-seq analyses of RAD21 reveal an ESC specific cohesin binding pattern that is characterized by CTCF independent co-localization of cohesin with pluripotency related transcription factors Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, Esrrb and Klf4. Upon ESC differentiation, most of these binding sites disappear and instead new CTCF independent RAD21 binding sites emerge, which are enriched for binding sites of transcription factors implicated in early differentiation. Furthermore, knock-down of RAD21 causes expression changes that are similar to expression changes after Nanog depletion, demonstrating the functional relevance of the RAD21 - pluripotency transcriptional network association. Finally, we show that Nanog physically interacts with the cohesin or cohesin interacting proteins STAG1 and WAPL further substantiating this association. Based on these findings we propose that a dynamic placement of cohesin by pluripotency transcription factors contributes to a chromosome organization supporting the ESC expression program

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Nitro-graphene oxide in iridium oxide hybrids: electrochemical modulation of N-graphene redox states and charge capacities

Carbon plays a significant role in the development of electrode materials used in, for example, catalysis, energy storage and sensing. Graphene-based coatings and carbon nanotubes have expanded that role through nanostructuring of hybrids or the formation of composites. In particular, the formation of hybrids of nanocarbons with iridium oxide yield nanostructured materials through direct anodic deposition, which have substantially improved charge capacities vs. pure IrOx. Modification of the possible redox sites, new structuring of the hybrids and increased charge capacities are expected as a result. This work shows that nitrogen (N)-doped graphenes, as part of an IrOx hybrid, offer a new redox chemistry on graphene oxide through electrochemical modulation of the redox states of nitrogen in graphene, and yield stable nitro groups bound to carbon, which have, so far, the largest oxidation state reported in N-doped graphene. The hybrid materials are obtained in the form of coatings thanks to spontaneous adhesion of iridium oxo species on N-doped graphenes and further anodic electrodeposition of the mixture. While the oxidizing synthesis process already involves modification of the oxidation state of nitrogen, further electrochemical cycling evidences the electrochemical processes for both the IrOx and N groups attached to the graphene oxide. All the hybrids obtained present a wide range of nitrogen-based groups that include the nitro group, and a significant charge capacity that remains large upon electrochemical cycling and that involves all the faradaic processes from the iridium and graphene components. One hybrid, in particular, which includes the highest starting oxidation state, reaches a significantly higher charge capacity, higher even than the graphene oxide hybrid, and with 70% retention upon cycling. Although nitrogen doping of graphene is considered to be a reducing process, this study shows that an oxidizing range of nitrogen doping is also possible. IrOx, and the reversible redox processes that iridium offers, are thought to be essential in stabilizing an unusual nitro-carbon-oxide system and allowing a sustained high charge storage capacity that is twice that of pristine graphene or graphene oxide hybrids.The authors acknowledge financing from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, through MAT2015-65192-R, MAT2017-86616-R, RTI2018-097753-B-I00, Fundació Marató TV3 (110130/31) and Severo Ochoa Program (SEV-2015-0496).Peer reviewe

Neural growth and functional development on new biocompatible hybrid materials

Póster presentado en el 15º Congreso Nacional de la Sociedad Española de NeuroCiencia, celebrado del 25 al 27 de septiembre de 2013 en Oviedo (España)Peer Reviewe

Nanostructured materials for neural electrodes: hybrids of iridium oxide with graphene, nanotubes or conducting polymers

Trabajo presentado en la 5th Zing Conference in BioNanomaterials, celebrada en Carvoeiro, Portugal, del 25 al 28 de abril de 2015Intercalation materials that have been shown biocompatible in neural systems, are nanostructured for their use as electrodes. As the materials undergo faradaic reactions themselves, upon electric field application, they prevent radical formation and interfacial heating, while allowing cell growth and full functionality. Iridium oxide, IrOx, and conducting polymers are the basic materials that have been hybridized with carbon nanotubes, graphene, and graphite, graphene oxide and conducting PEDOT and polypyrrole polymers, in various forms1-5. Electrodeposition mechanisms are elucidated, while control of the multiple variables have allowed to reach optimal preprations on platinum. Charge storage capacities are increased in different magnitudes, while a clear difference is observed for some of the polymeric materials in terms of biocompatibility. Optimal behavior of cells is always observed on IrOx based materials, with respect to blank glass or platinum, while graphene and carbon nanotubes hybrids of IrOx are among the ones with best charge storage capacities an lower impedance up to middle frequencies.Peer Reviewe

Biosafety assessment of nanostructured materials by using co-cultures of neurons and astrocytes

Trabajo presentado en el Joint INA/NTS Meeting, celebrado en Florianopolis, Brasil, del 20 al 23 de mayo de 2017Peer reviewe