Formation of Au Nanofiber/Fullerene Nanowhisker 1D/1D Composites via Reductive Deposition at the Interface between an Ionic Liquid and Water

Au nanofiber (NF)/fullerene nanowhisker (FNW) 1D/1D composites have been prepared at the liquid/liquid interface between an ionic liquid (IL) and water (W). Au NFs have been reductively deposited on the FNWs adsorbed at the IL/W interface via the electron transfer across the interface between AuCl₄⁻ in W and a reducing agent in IL, coupled with the ion transfer of AuCl₄⁻ from W to IL

A Water-Free ITIES: Ionic Liquid/Oil Interface for Base Metal Nanostructure Formation - Zn Case

Reductive metal deposition at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES), the oil/water interface, is an attractive methodology to produce metal nanostructures. However, the metals that can be deposited are limited to noble metals; otherwise, water molecules are reduced. Herein, a method to overcome this limitation by utilizing a novel water-free ITIES between a hydrophilic ionic liquid and oil was introduced. As proof-of-concept experiments, the reductive deposition of zinc, a base metal with a standard redox potential more negative than that of water, was successfully realized at the ionic liquid/oil interface. The morphology of the zinc nanostructures was investigated, and the reaction mechanism was discussed, in which the electron transfer and ion transfer reactions across the interface simultaneously occurred to maintain the electroneutrality of the liquids

Hemostatic Control with Gelatin Sponge and Quantum Molecular Resonance Coagulation in a Case of Glomus Tympanicum

Surgical removal of tumor is the primary treatment of choice for glomus tympanicum (GT). However, because the tumor has abundant blood flow, bleeding control is crucial, and preoperative embolization may be performed. Here, we report the case of a 46-year-old female who visited our hospital with a complaint of right pulsatile tinnitus. A red pulsatile mass was found in the right tympanic cavity, and she was diagnosed with class B1 GT and subsequently underwent surgical treatment. We judged that bleeding could be controlled by intratympanic cavity manipulation alone and decided to perform transmeatal tumor resection without preoperative arterial embolization. After creating a tympanomeatal flap and performing an atticotomy, some pieces of Spongel® were inserted between the tumor and the tympanic wall. The Spongel® absorbed the blood and created a space between the tumor and tympanic wall, which allowed for the insertion of the tip of the Vesalius® handpiece to coagulate the tumor. The coagulation caused the tumor to shrink, thereby widening the space and allowing for further resection. Although the surgical manipulation caused bleeding, complete resection was achieved by the application of Spongel® and coagulation with Vesalius®. Since the tip of the Vesalius® was not burned, hemostasis was successfully achieved, and the operation proceeded while maintaining a clear field of view. There was little bleeding and no postoperative complications. The patient was discharged on the sixth postoperative day. One year after surgery, pure tone audiometry showed no change in the level of bone conduction. Spongel® and Vesalius® are useful tools that allow to safely perform surgeries even in narrow spaces such as the tympanic cavity

Kinetic properties of sodium-ion transfer at the interface between graphitic materials and organic electrolyte solutions

Graphitic materials cannot be applied for the negative electrode of sodium-ion battery because the reversible capacities of graphite are anomalously small. To promote electrochemical sodium-ion intercalation into graphitic materials, the interfacial sodium-ion transfer reaction at the interface between graphitized carbon nanosphere (GCNS) electrode and organic electrolyte solutions was investigated. The interfacial lithium-ion transfer reaction was also evaluated for the comparison to the sodium-ion transfer. From the cyclic voltammograms, both lithium-ion and sodium-ion can reversibly intercalate into/from GCNS in all of the electrolytes used here. In the Nyquist plots, the semi-circles at the high frequency region derived from the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) resistance and the semi-circles at the middle frequency region owing to the charge-transfer resistance appeared. The activation energies of both lithium-ion and sodium-ion transfer resistances were measured. The values of activation energies of the interfacial lithium-ion transfer suggested that the interfacial lithium-ion transfer was influenced by the interaction between lithium-ion and solvents, anions or SEI. The activation energies of the interfacial sodium-ion transfer were larger than the expected values of interfacial sodium-ion transfer based on the week Lewis acidity of sodium-ion. In addition, the activation energies of interfacial sodium-ion transfer in dilute FEC-based electrolytes were smaller than those in concentrated electrolytes. The activation energies of the interfacial lithium/sodium-ion transfer of CNS-1100 in FEC-based electrolyte solutions were almost the same as those of CNS-2900, indicating that the mechanism of interfacial charge-transfer reaction seemed to be the same for highly graphitized materials and low-graphitized materials each other

Sodium/Lithium-Ion Transfer Reaction at the Interface between Low-Crystallized Carbon Nanosphere Electrodes and Organic Electrolytes

Carbon nanosphere (CNS) electrodes are the candidate of sodium-ion battery (SIB) negative electrodes with small internal resistances due to their small particle sizes. Electrochemical properties of low-crystallized CNS electrodes in dilute and concentrated sodium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) amide/ethylene carbonate + dimethyl carbonate (NaTFSA/EC + DMC) were first investigated. From the cyclic voltammograms, both lithium ion and sodium ion can reversibly insert into/from CNSs in all of the electrolytes used here. The cycling stability of CNSs in concentrated electrolytes was better than that in dilute electrolytes for the SIB system. The interfacial charge-transfer resistances at the interface between CNSs and organic electrolytes were evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In the Nyquist plots, the semicircles at the middle-frequency region were assigned to the parallel circuits of charge-transfer resistances and capacitances. The interfacial sodium-ion transfer resistances in concentrated organic electrolytes were much smaller than those in dilute electrolytes, and the rate capability of CNS electrodes in sodium salt-concentrated electrolytes might be better than in dilute electrolytes, suggesting that CNSs with concentrated electrolytes are the candidate of SIB negative electrode materials with high rate capability. The calculated activation energies of interfacial sodium-ion transfer were dependent on electrolyte compositions and similar to those of interfacial lithium-ion transfer

Operando analysis of graphite intercalation compounds with fluoride-containing polyatomic anions in aqueous solutions

The formation of graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) in aqueous solutions has attracted much attention, but reversibility in the formation/deformation of GICs is a challenging issue to construct highly safe rechargeable batteries. In this study, we used an operando analysis (X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy) to discuss the feasibility of using fluoride-containing polyatomic anions in the formation of GICs in aqueous highly concentrated solutions. We found that the intercalation of anions containing a C₂F₅ moiety (such as [N(SO₂CF₃)(SO₂CF₂CF₃)]⁻ or [N(SO₂CF₂CF₃)₂]⁻) does not occur in the bulk of graphite, but only in the surface region. In addition, anions containing a CF₃ moiety show different behaviors: SO₃CF₃⁻ shows greater reversibility and larger stage-number than N(SO₂CF₃)₂⁻ in the formation of GICs. These results provide design guidelines for the reversible intercalation and de-intercalation of anions and their application as a cathode material in aqueous rechargeable batteries

MFG-E8 Regulates Angiogenesis in Cutaneous Wound Healing

Our research group recently demonstrated that pericytes are major sources of the secreted glycoprotein and integrin ligand lactadherin (MFG-E8) in B16 melanoma tumors, and that MFG-E8 promotes angiogenesis via enhanced PDGF–PDGFRβ signaling mediated by integrin–growth factor receptor crosstalk. However, sources of MFG-E8 and its possible roles in skin physiology are not well characterized. The objective of this study was to characterize the involvement of MFG-E8 in skin wound healing. In the dermis of normal murine and human skin, accumulations of MFG-E8 were found around CD31+ blood vessels, and MFG-E8 colocalized with PDGFRβ+, αSMA+, and NG2+ pericytes. MFG-E8 protein and mRNA levels were elevated in the dermis during full-thickness wound healing in mice. MFG-E8 was diffusely present in granulation tissue and was localized around blood vessels. Wound healing was delayed in MFG-E8 knockout mice, compared with the wild type, and myofibroblast and vessel numbers in wound areas were significantly reduced in knockout mice. Inhibition of MFG-E8 production with siRNA attenuated the formation of capillary-like structures in vitro. Expression of MFG-E8 in fibrous human granulation tissue with scant blood vessels was less than that in granulation tissue with many blood vessels. These findings suggest that MFG-E8 promotes cutaneous wound healing by enhancing angiogenesis

Complexation of F⁻ by Li⁺ and Mg²⁺ Ions as Inorganic Anion Acceptors in Lactone-Based Li⁺/F⁻ and Mg²⁺/F⁻ Hybrid Electrolytes for Fluoride Shuttle Batteries

The development of high-quality fluoride-ion transporting electrolytes is a crucial demand for fluoride shuttle batteries (FSBs). However, the uncontrolled chemical and electrochemical activities of fluoride ions narrow the available potential window, hindering the development of high-voltage FSB cells. We present a method for upgrading recently developed lactone-based liquid fluoride electrolytes by complexation of F⁻ with Li⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions. In the resultant Li⁺/F⁻ and Mg²⁺/F⁻ hybrid electrolytes, Li2F+ and MgF+ were the most probable soluble complexes, and the effective fluoride concentrations could reach ∼0.15 M along with excess Li⁺(Mg²⁺) ions. Unique interactions between F⁻ and Li⁺(Mg²⁺) were observed using ¹⁹F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Li⁺(Mg²⁺) ions thus served as inorganic anion acceptors with ultimate redox stabilities to expand the negative potential window of the electrolytes to near −3 V vs SHE. The proposed complex formation was also supported by a conductometric titration method. We demonstrated the superior and versatile electrochemical performances of the Li⁺/F⁻ hybrid electrolyte, which enabled reversible charge/discharge reactions of various metal electrodes and composite electrodes in a wide range of redox series. Further, the Li⁺/F⁻ hybrid electrolyte opened valid new reaction paths for aluminum, making it a promising negative electrode in high-voltage FSB cells

Incorporation rate measurements of 10Be, 230Th, 231Pa, and 239,240Pu radionuclides in manganese crust in the Pacific Ocean: A search for extraterrestrial material

高エネルギー加速器研究機構　共通基盤研究施設・放射線科学センター金沢大学大学院自然科学研究科物質情報解析金沢大学理学部In order to estimate the deposition rate of extraterrestrial material onto a manganese crust in a search for supernova debris, we analyzed the contents of 10Be, 230Th, 231Pa, and 239,240Pu in a sample of manganese crust collected from the North Pacific Ocean. On the basis of the depth profile of 10Be, the growth rate of the manganese crust was determined to be 2.3 mm Myr-1. The uptake rates of 10Be, 230Th, and 231Pa onto the manganese crust were estimated to be 0.22-0.44%, 0.11-0.73%, and 1.4-4.5%, respectively, as compared to the deposition rates onto the deep-sea sediments near the sampling station, while that for 239,240Pu was 0.14% as compared to the total inventory of seawater and sediment column. Assuming that sinking particles represent 0.11-4.5% of the uptake rates, the deposition rate of extraterrestrial material onto the manganese crust was estimated to be 2-800 μ g cm-2Myr-1 according to the uptake of 10Be onto the manganese crust. Further, our estimate is similar to the value of 9-90 μ g cm-2Myr-1 obtained using the integrated global production rate of 10Be and the deposition rate of 10Be onto the manganese crust. © The Oceanographic Society of Japan/TERRAPUB/Springer 2007