Glyoxal‐Based Electrolytes in Combination with Fe2_2O3_3@C‐Based Electrodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

In this study, we report for the first time about using glyoxal-based electrolytes in combination with a Fe$_2$O$_3$@C-based conversion type anode for application in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). We show that at room temperature (RT) the use of these alternative electrolytes is possible, but it is not more advantageous than that of the conventional LP30. At 60 °C, on the other hand, utilizing a glyoxal-based electrolyte appears very promising since the Fe$_2$O$_3$@C-based electrode, cycled in combination with 1 M LiTFSI in TEG:PC+2 % VC, displays a high specific capacity (800 mAh g$^{−1}$) and a high stability over 500 cycles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements indicate that these high performances are possible thanks to the generation of a thermally stable and thick SEI, which is particularly favorable for maintaining a highly reversible conversion reaction

Dual EGFR inhibition in combination with anti-VEGF treatment: a phase I clinical trial in non-small cell lung cancer.

BackgroundPreclinical data indicate EGFR signals through both kinase-dependent and independent pathways and that combining a small-molecule EGFR inhibitor, EGFR antibody, and/or anti-angiogenic agent is synergistic in animal models.MethodsWe conducted a dose-escalation, phase I study combining erlotinib, cetuximab, and bevacizumab. The subset of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was analyzed for safety and response.ResultsThirty-four patients with NSCLC (median four prior therapies) received treatment on a range of dose levels. The most common treatment-related grade ≥2 adverse events were rash (n=14, 41%), hypomagnesemia (n=9, 27%), and fatigue (n=5, 15%). Seven patients (21%) achieved stable disease (SD) ≥6 months, two achieved a partial response (PR) (6%), and two achieved an unconfirmed partial response (uPR) (6%) (total=32%). We observed SD≥6 months/PR/uPR in patients who had received prior erlotinib and/or bevacizumab, those with brain metastases, smokers, and patients treated at lower dose levels. Five of 16 patients (31%) with wild-type EGFR experienced SD≥6 months or uPR. Correlation between grade of rash and rate of SD≥6 months/PR was observed (p less than 0.01).ConclusionThe combination of erlotinib, cetuximab, and bevacizumab was well-tolerated and demonstrated antitumor activity in heavily pretreated patients with NSCLC

Electrochemical Investigations of Sulfur‐Decorated Organic Materials as Cathodes for Alkali Batteries

Alkali metal–sulfur batteries (particularly, lithium/sodium- sulfur (Li/Na–S)) have attracted much attention because of their high energy density, the natural abundance of sulfur, and environmental friendliness. However, Li/Na–S batteries still face big challenges, such as limited cycle life, poor conductivity, large volume changes, and the “shuttle effect” caused by the high solubility of Li/Na–polysulfides. Herein, novel organosulfur-containing materials, i.e., bis(4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)disulfide (BiTEMPS-OH) and 2,4-thiophene/arene copolymer (TAC) are proposed as cathode materials for Li and Na batteries. BiTEMPS-OH shows an initial discharge/charge capacity of 353/192 mAh g−1 and a capacity of 62 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 100 mA g−1 in ether-based Li-ion electrolyte. Meanwhile, TAC has an initial discharge/charge capacity of 270/248 mAh g−1 and better cycling performance (106 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles) than BiTEMPS-OH in the same electrolyte. However, the rate capability of TAC is limited by the slow diffusion of Li-ions. Both materials show inferior electrochemical performances in Na battery cells compared to the Li analogs. X-ray powder diffraction reveals that BiTEMPS-OH loses its crystalline structure permanently upon cycling in Li battery cells. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates the cleavage and partially reversible formation of S−S bonds in BiTEMPS-OH and the formation/decomposition of thick solid electrolyte interphase on the electrode surface of TAC

High‐Voltage Aqueous Mg‐Ion Batteries Enabled by Solvation Structure Reorganization

Herein, an eco-friendly and high safety aqueous Mg-ion electrolyte (AME) with a wide electrochemical stability window (ESW) $≈$ 3.7 V, containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) and low-concentration salt (0.8 m Mg(TFSI)$_2$), is proposed by solvation structure reorganization of AME. The PEG agent significantly alters the Mg$^{2+}$ solvation and hydrogen bonds network of AMEs and forms the direct coordination of Mg$^{2+}$ and TFSI-, thus enhancing the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of electrolytes. As an exemplary material, V$_2$O$_5$ nanowires are tested in this new AME and exhibit initial high discharge/charge capacity of 359/326 mAh g$^{-1}$ and high capacity retention of 80% after 100 cycles. The high crystalline $α$-V$_2$O$_5$ shows two 2-phase transition processes with the formation of $ε$-Mg$_{0.6}$V$_2$O$_5$ and Mg-rich Mg$_x$V$_2$O$_5$ (x $≈$1.0) during the first discharge. Mg-rich Mg$_x$V$_2$O$_5$ (x $≈$ 1.0) phase formed through electrochemical Mg-ion intercalation at room temperature is for the first time observed via XRD. Meanwhile, the cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) in aqueous Mg-ion batteries is revealed for the first time. MgF$_2$ originating from the decomposition of TFSI- is identified as the dominant component. This work offers a new approach for designing high-safety, low-cost, eco-friendly, and large ESW electrolytes for practical and novel aqueous multivalent batteries

Electrochemical Investigation of Calcium Substituted Monoclinic Li3_3 V2_2(PO4_4)3_3 Negative Electrode Materials for Sodium‐ and Potassium‐Ion Batteries

Herein, the electrochemical properties and reaction mechanism of Li$_{3‒2x}$Ca$_x$V$_2$(PO$_4$)$_3$/C (x = 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5) as negative electrode materials for sodium-ion/potassium-ion batteries (SIBs/PIBs) are investigated. All samples undergo a mixed contribution of diffusion-controlled and pseudocapacitive-type processes in SIBs and PIBs via Trasatti Differentiation Method, while the latter increases with Ca content increase. Among them, Li$_3$V$_2$(PO$_4$)$_3$/C exhibits the highest reversible capacity in SIBs and PIBs, while Ca$_{1.5}$V$_2$(PO$_4$)$_3$/C shows the best rate performance with a capacity retention of 46% at 20 C in SIBs and 47% at 10 C in PIBs. This study demonstrates that the specific capacity of this type of material in SIBs and PIBs does not increase with the Ca-content as previously observed in lithium-ion system, but the stability and performance at a high C-rate can be improved by replacing Li$^+$ with Ca$^{2+}$. This indicates that the insertion of different monovalent cations (Na$^+$/K$^+$) can strongly influence the redox reaction and structure evolution of the host materials, due to the larger ion size of Na$^+$ and K$^+$ and their different kinetic properties with respect to Li$^+$. Furthermore, the working mechanism of both LVP/C and Ca$_{1.5}$V$_2$(PO$_4$)$_3$/C in SIBs are elucidated via in operando synchrotron diffraction and in operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Electrochemical performance and reaction mechanism investigation of V₂O₅ positive electrode material for aqueous rechargeable zinc batteries

The electrochemical performance and reaction mechanism of orthorhombic V$_2$O$_5$ in 1 M ZnSO$_4$ aqueous electrolyte are investigated. V$_2$O$_5$ nanowires exhibit an initial discharge and charge capacity of 277 and 432 mA h g$^{−1}$, respectively, at a current density of 50 mA g$^{−1}$. The material undergoes quick capacity fading during cycling under both low (50 mA g$^{−1}$) and high (200 mA g$^{−1}$) currents. V$_2$O$_5$ can deliver a higher discharge capacity at 200 mA g$^{−1}$ than that at 50 mA g$^{−1}$ after 10 cycles, which could be attributed to a different type of activation process under both current densities and distinct degrees of side reactions (parasitic reactions). Cyclic voltammetry shows several successive redox peaks during Zn ion insertion and deinsertion. In operando synchrotron diffraction reveals that V$_2$O$_5$ undergoes a solid solution and two-phase reaction during the 1st cycle, accompanied by the formation/decomposition of byproducts Zn$_3$(OH)$_2$V$_2$O$_7$·2(H$_2$O) and ZnSO$_4$Zn$_3$(OH)$_6$·5H$_2$O. In the 2nd insertion process, V$_2$O$_5$ goes through the same two-phase reaction as that in the 1st cycle, with the formation of the byproduct ZnSO$_4$Zn$_3$(OH)$_6$·5H$_2$O. The reduction/oxidation of vanadium is confirmed by in operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Furthermore, Raman, TEM, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirm the byproduct formation and the reversible Zn ion insertion/deinsertion in the V$_2$O$_5$

Hypoxia activates IKK-NF-κB and the immune response in <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em>

Hypoxia, or low oxygen availability, is an important physiological and pathological stimulus for multicellular organisms. Molecularly, hypoxia activates a transcriptional programme directed at restoration of oxygen homoeostasis and cellular survival. In mammalian cells, hypoxia not only activates the HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor) family, but also additional transcription factors such as NF-κB (nuclear factor κB). Here we show that hypoxia activates the IKK–NF-κB [IκB (inhibitor of nuclear factor κB)–NF-κB] pathway and the immune response in Drosophila melanogaster. We show that NF-κB activation is required for organism survival in hypoxia. Finally, we identify a role for the tumour suppressor Cyld, as a negative regulator of NF-κB in response to hypoxia in Drosophila. The results indicate that hypoxia activation of the IKK–NF-κB pathway and the immune response is an important and evolutionary conserved response