Grain characteristics, electrical conductivity, and hardness of Zn-doped Cu–3Si alloys system

The grain characteristics, electrical conductivity, hardness, and bulk density of Cu–3Si–(0.1—1 wt%)Zn alloys system fabricated by gravity casting technique were investigated experimentally using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The study established the optimal alloy composition and the significance of zinc addition on the tested properties using response surface optimal design (RSOD). The cooled alloy samples underwent normalizing heat treatment at 900 °C for 0.5 h. The average grains size and grains distribution were analyzed using the linear intercept method (ImageJ). The microstructure examination revealed a change in grain characteristics (morphology and size) of the parent alloy by addition of 0.1 wt% zinc. The average grains size of the parent alloy decreased from 12 µm to 7.0 µm after 0.1 wt% zinc addition. This change in grain characteristics led to an increase in the hardness of the parent alloy by 42.2%, after adding 0.1 wt% zinc. The electrical conductivity of the parent alloy decreased from 46.3%IACS to 45.3%IACS, while the density was increased by 8.4% after adding 0.1 wt% zinc. The statistical data confirmed the significance of the change in properties. The result of optimization revealed Cu–3Si–0.233Zn as the optimal alloy composition with optimal properties. The Cu–3Si–xZn alloy demonstrated excellent properties suitable for the fabrication of electrical and automobile components.

Effects of Zinc Addition on the Corrosion Behavior of Pre-Filmed Alloy 690 in Borated and Lithiated Water at 330 °C

The purpose of this work is to quantify the effects of dissolved zinc cations on corrosion and release rates from a pre-filmed Alloy 690 steam generator tubing material that was subsequently exposed to water containing zinc. The corrosion tests were performed in circulating 2 ppm Li and 1000 ppm B water without and with 60 ppb zinc at 330 °C. Gravimetric analyses and oxide characterization revealed that the corrosion rates, release rates, and oxide thicknesses decreased by subsequent exposure of the pre-filmed Alloy 690 to zinc. These benefits are attributed to the formation of a chromium-rich inner oxide layer incorporating zinc.

Effect of Zinc Fertilization on Yield, Quality of Soybean and Zinc Pools in a Typic Haplusterts

Field experiment was conducted at the research Farm of JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P) during the Kharif season of 2018 with three main treatments as single year application, alternate and each year zinc addition and five levels of Zn (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 kg ha-1 as sub treatments in a split plot design. Results revealed that alternate year Zn application increased seed yield by 1.48 t ha-1 over single year. The difference recorded in between alternate year and single year Zn application was 0.33 t ha-1. Treatment 5.0 kg Zn ha-1 had significantly increased seed yield by 1.43 t ha-1 over control. The difference recorded in between 5.0 kg Zn ha-1 and in control Zn application was 0.38 t ha-1. The each year Zn application and 10 kg Zn ha-1 gave the highest protein (40.30%) and oil content (20.17%) in seed. Results explained that the higher release of Zn pools were observed with the each year Zn application and 10 kg Zn ha-1. The order of prevalence of Water soluble and exchangeable-Zn< Complexed-Zn<Amorphous Sesquioxide < Crystalline Sesquioxide bound-Zn< Residual-Zn.

Zinc transporter ZIP7 is a novel determinant of ferroptosis

Ferroptosis is a newly described form of regulated cell death triggered by oxidative stresses and characterized by extensive lipid peroxidation and membrane damages. The name of ferroptosis indicates that the ferroptotic death process depends on iron, but not other metals, as one of its canonical features. Here, we reported that zinc is also essential for ferroptosis in breast and renal cancer cells. Zinc chelator suppressed ferroptosis, and zinc addition promoted ferroptosis, even during iron chelation. By interrogating zinc-related genes in a genome-wide RNAi screen of ferroptosis, we identified SLC39A7, encoding ZIP7 that controls zinc transport from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to cytosol, as a novel genetic determinant of ferroptosis. Genetic and chemical inhibition of the ZIP7 protected cells against ferroptosis, and the ferroptosis protection upon ZIP7 knockdown can be abolished by zinc supplementation. We found that the genetic and chemical inhibition of ZIP7 triggered ER stresses, including the induction of the expression of HERPUD1 and ATF3. Importantly, the knockdown of HERPUD1 abolished the ferroptosis protection phenotypes of ZIP7 inhibition. Together, we have uncovered an unexpected role of ZIP7 in ferroptosis by maintaining ER homeostasis. These findings may have therapeutic implications for human diseases involving ferroptosis and zinc dysregulations.