Hui Zhou

Ni-rich NMC‖Si systems are considered one of the most promising candidates for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high theoretical capacity and suitable operating voltage. Multiple strategies have been extensively explored to enhance the electrochemical performance of both high Ni NMC cathodes and Si anodes. Nevertheless, their performance at low temperatures remains a critical bottleneck, as sluggish kinetics processes and the failure of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film lead to pronounced polarization and accelerated degradation, highlighting the necessity of improving their low-temperature electrochemical behavior. The electrolyte, which bridges the cathode and anode and governs the formation of electrode–electrolyte interfaces, is of critical importance under low-temperature conditions. In this paper, carbonate electrolyte (E1: 88 wt% 1.2 M LiPF6 in EC/EMC 3/7(w/w) + 10 wt% FEC + 2 wt% VC) and ether-based electrolyte (M47: LiFSI-1.2DME-3TTE) were applied to Nb-NMC811||Si system and long cycling was evaluated at 0 oC. Ether-based electrolyte exhibits outstanding electrochemical cycling at 0 oC, delivering a capacity retention of 80% (M47) vs. 11% (E1) after 580 cycles at C/2 rate. The studies on fading mechanisms of Nb-NMC811||Si system have demonstrated that M47 could significantly reduce surface charge transfer resistance and improve the stability of the morphology.

A new optimized LiFSI–LiPF ₆ dual-salt controlled-solvation electrolyte (E-DS) is demonstrated to enable practical graphite||LiNi _0.8 Mn _0.1 Co _0.1 O ₂ cells (≈4.1 mAh cm ⁻² ) to achieve exceptional performance and safety under extreme conditions. By optimizing anion coordination with the smaller, more dissociating FSI ⁻ anion, the E-DS forms ultrathin, dense, and inorganic-rich electrode/electrolyte interphases that dramatically suppress solvent decomposition, transition-metal dissolution, and surface reconstruction compared to the conventional LiPF ₆ /carbonate electrolyte. Consequently, E-DS cells deliver >78% capacity retention after 300 cycles at 60 °C, retain fast discharging capacity at 30 °C, and operate effectively at −20 °C. Most strikingly, fully charged full cells with E-DS, even under overcharging to 4.8 V and elevated temperatures, show a lower heat evolution in stable formulations—transforming a traditionally unstable high-voltage/high-temperature configuration into an intrinsically safe state. This work establishes a new benchmark for carbonate-containing electrolytes, simultaneously achieving high energy density, fast-discharging capability, wide-temperature operation (−20 to 60 °C), and outstanding thermal safety in nickel-rich lithium-ion batteries.

In the original published paper, the data of CMD simulation snapshot and radial distribution functions for oDSCSE, displayed in Fig. 1b and 1d, were misused for those of LiFSI-LiPF6 instead of LiTFSI-LiPF6. The corrected Fig. 1 is shown below. The figure data and information provided in the results and discussion section, as well as all interpretations, remain unaffected by this formatting issue.

The development of advanced electrolytes is critical to enabling lithium (Li)-ion batteries (LIBs) with high energy density, power capability, and operational stability under extreme conditions. Here, we introduce a dual-salt controlled-solvation electrolyte designed for LIBs with LiNi _0.8 Mn _0.1 Co _0.1 O ₂ (NMC811) cathode and graphite (Gr) anode at practical areal loadings (4.0 and 4.5 mAh cm ⁻² , respectively). Despite lower ionic conductivity and higher viscosity compared to conventional carbonate electrolytes across all temperatures, the optimal dual-salt controlled-solvation electrolyte demonstrates superior electrochemical performance. It shows an exceptional oxidative stability above 4.9 V vs Li/Li⁺, enables Gr||NMC811 cells to achieve outstanding cycling stability similar to the conventional electrolyte in 500 cycles, but show remarkable high-temperature stability during cycling and storage at 60 °C, superior discharge rate performance at high current densities (up to 3 C), and better low-temperature (−20 °C) discharge performance. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal the optimal dual-salt electrolyte generates thinner and more robust inorganic electrode/electrolyte interphase layers compared to those formed in the conventional carbonate electrolyte, minimizing parasitic reactions and heat release. These results highlight the potential of this optimal dual-salt electrolyte to transform LIB performance for high power applications across wide temperature range, paving the way for next-generation energy storage.

Vanadium-based cathodes (ζ-V₂O₅, ε-VOPO₄) showed high capacity for enabling multi-electron transfer, with thermal stability comparable to that of LFP.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airway remodeling and epithelial dysfunction, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these pathological changes remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of ATP synthase subunit β (ATP5B) in airway remodeling and epithelial cell heterogeneity in COPD. Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing data from small airway epithelial tissues of smokers and nonsmokers were analyzed to identify key cell clusters and hub genes. ATP5B was identified by integrating differentially expressed genes and epithelial cell markers. Functional validation was performed using in vitro experiments with 2% cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-treated BEAS-2B cells and in vivo studies in a CS/LPS-induced COPD mouse model. Molecular assays included RT-qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry, and histological analysis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was applied to explore potential signaling pathways. Results: Twelve distinct epithelial clusters were identified, and ATP5B emerged as a hub gene significantly upregulated in COPD. Silencing ATP5B reversed CSE-induced apoptosis, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine release (IL-6, TNF-α), and suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In vivo, ATP5B knockdown alleviated airway inflammation and remodeling. GSEA and experimental validation confirmed that ATP5B promotes airway remodeling via activation of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway. Conclusion: These findings suggest that ATP5B may serve as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for ATP5B plays a crucial role in airway remodeling in COPD by activating the TLR signaling pathway.

Objectives: Diagnosis and assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rely extensively on spirometry, which necessitates patient cooperation. The clinical value of impulse oscillometry (IOS) as a non-volitional method in patients with COPD remains uncertain.Design: This retrospective observational study was conducted using patient data from between January 2014 and December 2015.Setting: Five public hospitals in China: West China Hospital, Nuclear Industry 416 Hospital, Suining Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Chengdu University and 363 Hospital.Participants: The study included 6307 participants aged>40 years, comprising 2109 COPD patients and 4198 general non-COPD individuals, according to the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) spirometry standard. Participants with lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumonia or those who underwent lung resection were excluded from the study.Outcome measures and analysis: Demographic data, spirometry results and IOS results were collected. Spearman’s correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between the IOS and spirometry parameters. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the IOS performance in COPD diagnosis and severity staging.Results: Patients with COPD exhibited significant increases in Z5, R5, R20, R5−R20, Fres and Rp, but a decrease in X5 compared with non-COPD subjects (p25%–75%, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity and FEV_1%, respectively. However, the combination of these five IOS parameters did not exhibit ideal performance in diagnosing COPD (area under the curve (AUC) 0.78; sensitivity 63.68%; specificity 80.09%), differentiating GOLD stage 1 patients from the general non-COPD population (AUC 0.71; sensitivity 54.71%; specificity 77.49%) or identifying GOLD stages 3 and 4 patients among those with COPD (AUC 0.75; sensitivity 69.51%; specificity 70.32%).Conclusion: IOS parameters, while showing good correlation with spirometry in patients with COPD, did not perfectly substitute for spirometry in diagnosing COPD, especially in the early and advanced stages of the disease.

LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ (NMC811) is a popular cathode material for Li-ion batteries, yet degradation and side reactions at the cathode-electrolyte interface pose significant challenges to their long-term cycling stability. Coating LiNi_xMn_yCo_1−x−yO₂ (NMC) with refractory materials has been widely used to improve the stability of the cathode-electrolyte interface, but mixed results have been reported for Al₂O₃ coatings of the Ni-rich NMC811 materials. To elucidate the role and effect of the Al₂O₃ coating, we have coated commercial-grade NMC811 electrodes with Al₂O₃ by the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. Through a systematic investigation of the long-term cycling stability at different upper cutoff voltages, the stability against ambient storage, the rate capability, and the charger transfer kinetics, our results show no significant differences between the Al₂O₃-coated and the bare (uncoated) electrodes. This highlights the contentious role of Al₂O₃ coating on Ni-rich NMC cathodes and calls into question the benefits of coating on commercial-grade electrodes.

The lifespan of lithium (Li) metal batteries (LMBs) can be greatly improved by the formation of inorganic‐rich electrode‐electrolyte interphases (EEIs) (including solid‐electrolyte interphase on anode and cathode‐electrolyte interphase on cathode). In this work, a localized high‐concentration electrolyte containing lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) salt, 1,2‐dimethoxyethane (DME) solvent and 1,2‐bis(1,1,2,2‐tetrafluoroethoxy)ethane (BTFEE) diluent is optimized. BTFEE is a fluorinated ether with weakly‐solvating ability for LiFSI so it also acts as a co‐solvent in this electrolyte. It can facilitate anion decomposition at electrode surfaces and promote the formation of more inorganic‐rich EEI layers. With an optimized molar ratio of LiFSI:DME:BTFEE = 1:1.15:3, LMBs with a high loading (4 mAh cm ⁻² ) lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNi _0.8 Mn _0.1 Co _0.1 ) cathode can retain 80% capacity in 470 cycles when cycled in a voltage range of 2.8–4.4 V. The fundamental understanding on the functionality of BTFEE revealed in this work provides new perspectives on the design of practical high‐energy density battery systems.