scholarly journals Janus electrocatalytic flow-through membrane enables highly selective singlet oxygen production

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yumeng Zhao ◽  
Meng Sun ◽  
Xiaoxiong Wang ◽  
Chi Wang ◽  
Dongwei Lu ◽  
...  

AbstractThe importance of singlet oxygen (1O2) in the environmental and biomedical fields has motivated research for effective 1O2 production. Electrocatalytic processes hold great potential for highly-automated and scalable 1O2 synthesis, but they are energy- and chemical-intensive. Herein, we present a Janus electrocatalytic membrane realizing ultra-efficient 1O2 production (6.9 mmol per m3 of permeate) and very low energy consumption (13.3 Wh per m3 of permeate) via a fast, flow-through electro-filtration process without the addition of chemical precursors. We confirm that a superoxide-mediated chain reaction, initiated by electrocatalytic oxygen reduction on the cathodic membrane side and subsequently terminated by H2O2 oxidation on the anodic membrane side, is crucial for 1O2 generation. We further demonstrate that the high 1O2 production efficiency is mainly attributable to the enhanced mass and charge transfer imparted by nano- and micro-confinement effects within the porous membrane structure. Our findings highlight a new electro-filtration strategy and an innovative reactive membrane design for synthesizing 1O2 for a broad range of potential applications including environmental remediation.

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 399-409
Author(s):  
Baizhen Gao ◽  
Rushant Sabnis ◽  
Tommaso Costantini ◽  
Robert Jinkerson ◽  
Qing Sun

Microbial communities drive diverse processes that impact nearly everything on this planet, from global biogeochemical cycles to human health. Harnessing the power of these microorganisms could provide solutions to many of the challenges that face society. However, naturally occurring microbial communities are not optimized for anthropogenic use. An emerging area of research is focusing on engineering synthetic microbial communities to carry out predefined functions. Microbial community engineers are applying design principles like top-down and bottom-up approaches to create synthetic microbial communities having a myriad of real-life applications in health care, disease prevention, and environmental remediation. Multiple genetic engineering tools and delivery approaches can be used to ‘knock-in' new gene functions into microbial communities. A systematic study of the microbial interactions, community assembling principles, and engineering tools are necessary for us to understand the microbial community and to better utilize them. Continued analysis and effort are required to further the current and potential applications of synthetic microbial communities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kannappan Panchamoorthy Gopinath ◽  
Malolan Rajagopal ◽  
Abhishek Krishnan ◽  
Shweta Kolathur Sreerama

Background: Depletion and contamination of environmental resources such as water, air and soil caused by human activities is an increasingly important challenge faced around the world. The consequences of environmental pollution are felt acutely by all living beings, both on a short and long-term basis, thereby making methods of remediation of environmental pollution an urgent requirement. Objectives: The objective of this review is to dissect the complications caused by environmental degradation, highlight advancements in the field of nanotechnology and to scrutinize its applications in environmental remediation. Furthermore, the review aims to concisely explain the merits and drawbacks of nanotechnology compared to existing methods. Conclusion: The current and potential applications of nanomaterials and nanocomposites in the prevention, control and reduction of air, water and soil pollution and the mechanisms involved have been elucidated, as have their various merits and demerits. The applications of nanotechnology in the fields of carbon capture and agriculture have also received attention in this review.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn Y. Wan

Electrospinning is a highly efficient technology for fabrication of a wide variety of polymeric nanofibers. However, the development of traditional needle-based electrospinning has been hampered by its low productivity and need of tedious work dealing with needles cleaning, installation and uninstallation. As one of the most promising needleless electrospinning means, bubble electrospinning is known for its advantages of high productivity and relatively low energy consumption due to the introduction of a third force, air flow, as a major force overcoming the surface tension. In this paper, the restrictions of conventional electrospinning and the advantages of needleless electrospinning, especially the bubble electrospinning were elaborated. Reports and patents on bubble-spun nanofibers with unique surface morphologies were also reviewed in respect of their potential applications.


2010 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
pp. 282-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leszek Chlubny ◽  
Jerzy Lis ◽  
Mirosław M. Bućko

Some of ternary materials in the Ti-Al-C system are called MAX-phases and are characterised by heterodesmic layer structure. Their specific structure consisting of covalent and metallic chemical bonds influence its semi-ductile features locating them on the boundary between metals and ceramics, which may lead to many potential applications, for example as a part of a ceramic armour. Ti2AlC is one of this nanolaminate materials. Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) was applied to obtain sinterable powders of Ti2AlC Utilization of heat produced in exothermal reaction in adiabatic conditions to sustain process until all substrates are transformed into product is one of the advantages of the method that result in low energy consumption and low cost combined with high efficiency. Different substrates were used to produce fine powders of ternary material. Phase compositions of obtained powder were examined by XRD method. Than selected powders were used for sintering in various temperature both in a presureless sintering and hot-pressing in argon atmosphere. Properties and phase composition of obtained products were examined.


2012 ◽  
Vol 550-553 ◽  
pp. 1124-1127
Author(s):  
Yun Yun Xu ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Xin Nian Li ◽  
Lei Chen ◽  
Hao Wang

Biosurfactants are natural surface-active compounds mainly synthesized by microorganisms, which have distinct advantages like no secondly pollution and friendly to environment compared with chemical surfactants. With the development of modern biological technology, biosurfactants have been shown a variety of potential applications, including medicine, agriculture, oil production and environmental remediation, so it has already caused many researchers a strong interest in the production of biosurfactants making use of biological technology. A review is made from the isolation of biosurfactants. In addition, on the foundation of the analysis,several suggestions about the development of biosurfactants are proposed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Kiari ◽  
Raúl Berenguer ◽  
Francisco Montilla ◽  
Emilia Morallón

The hybridization of clay minerals with conducting polymers receives great interest for different potential applications, including environmental remediation. This work studies and compares the electrochemical properties of two different clays, montmorillonite (Mont) and diatomite (Diat), and their respective clay/PEDOT-PSS hybrid materials in H2SO4 medium. The hybrid materials were prepared by electropolymerization of EDOT in the presence of PSS. The physico-chemical and electrochemical properties of both clays were analyzed by different techniques, and the influence of the clay properties on electropolymerization and the electroactivity of the resulting clay/PEDOT-PSS hybrids was investigated. Specifically, the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox probe and the oxidation of diclofenac, as a model pharmaceutical emerging pollutant, were used to test the electron transfer capability and oxidative response, respectively, of the clay/PEDOT-PSS hybrids. The results demonstrate that, despite its low electrical conductivity, the Mont is an electroactive material itself with good electron-transfer capability. Conversely, the Diat shows no electroactivity. The hybridization with PEDOT generally enhances the electroactivity of the clays, but the clay properties affect the electropolymerization efficiency and hybrids electroactivity, so the Mont/PEDOT displays improved electrochemical properties. It is demonstrated that clay/PEDOT-PSS hybrids exhibit diclofenac oxidation capability and diclofenac concentration sensitivity.


Author(s):  
C. M. Wathes

A new age of mechanisation of animal agriculture is dawning following advances in robotic engineering, coupled with current knowledge of animal physiology, behaviour and disease. The advent of automated machines equipped with novel sensors and controlled by cheap microprocessors will eliminate many of the hazardous, tedious or unpleasant chores currently undertaken by farmers. Automatic attachment of teat cups to dairy cows, robotic sheep shearing and mechanical harvesting of broilers are now feasible and commercial exploitation is likely within a decade. Machines may tackle some tasks which are too difficult, dangerous or costly for man, who may be better employed elsewhere. Paradoxically, replacement of man by robotics designed according to animal needs may improve not only production efficiency but also welfare. Utilisation of robotics in animal agriculture requires research in sensing techniques, data interpretation, design of end effectors, machine control, and animal perception and response. Animal applications provide a particularly intriguing challenge to robotics engineers because animals are (relatively) fragile, and mobile. The dynamic interaction of animals with machines presents novel opportunities for animals to control their own environment as well as difficulties in machine design. Potential applications of robotics in animal husbandry are legion and include many husbandry tasks involving inspection, monitoring, handling, manipulation, treatment and caretaking.


RSC Advances ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (30) ◽  
pp. 25149-25158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudeshna Bhattacharya ◽  
Sukhen Bala ◽  
Raju Mondal

The present work reports construction of Co-MOFs with amide based bispyrazole ligand and different carboxylic acids which have potential applications in CO2 adsorption and photocatalytic waste water treatment.


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