Lithium-ion batteries dominate the battery field, particularly for electric and hybrid vehicles. Monoclinic Li3V2(PO4)3 has emerged as one of the most promising candidates for the cathode in lithium-ion batteries, offering better environmental safety and lower cost than competing materials. We have used in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy to characterize the evolution of the vanadium in a Li3V2(PO4)3 cathode as it is cycled electrochemically. These data demonstrate the presence of significant kinetic effects such that the measured electrochemical behavior does not represent the bulk vanadium. When the cell is cycled between 3 and 4.5 V, there are two distinct vanadium species. When the potential is raised above 4.5 V, a third species is observed, consistent with formation of V5+. XANES data for the cathode after 3-4.8 V cycling are consistent with a severely distorted vanadium site, suggesting that lithium-vanadium antisite mixing may be responsible for the electrochemical irreversibility that is seen above 4.5 V.

NaTi0.25Fe0.25Co0.25Ni0.25O2 is explored as a cathode material for Na-ion batteries. Synthesized by a solid-state reaction, the compound is phase-pure with the O3-type layered structure and consists of Ti4+, Fe3+, Co3+, and Ni2+ according to X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The cathode delivers 163 mAh/g and 504 Wh/kg at C/20 in the first discharge with 89% capacity retention after 20 cycles and demonstrates superior rate capability with micron sized particles, in which discharge capacity at 30 C is 80mAh/g. Our results indicate that the Ti-containing quaternary material can be a potential cathode composition for Na-ion batteries.

The use of oxide cathodes in Mg batteries would unlock a potential energy storage system that delivers high-energy density. However, poor kinetics of Mg diffusion in known solid oxide lattices strongly limits reversible intercalation, which motivates the sustained exploration of new candidates. Herein, nanocrystals of a few-layer phyllomanganate, reminiscent of the mineral vernadite, were shown to have considerable electrochemical activity toward Mg intercalation at room temperature, where it delivered ∼190 mAh g-1 at ∼1.9 V (vs Mg/Mg2+) in batteries paired with a Mg metal anode. Multimodal characterization confirmed the notable degree of reversible intercalation by probing the structural, compositional, and redox changes undertaken by the oxide. Distinct levels of Mg activity were also observed while varying the content of small amounts of lattice water and the temperature of the reaction. The results reaffirm the prospects for operational Mg batteries using oxide cathodes in moderate conditions, overcoming current limits of performance of this prospective technology.

Background

Oxylipins are inflammatory biomarkers derived from omega-3 and-6 fatty acids implicated in inflammatory diseases but have not been studied in a genome-wide association study (GWAS). The aim of this study was to identify genetic loci associated with oxylipins and oxylipin profiles to identify biologic pathways and therapeutic targets for oxylipins.

Methods

We conducted a GWAS of plasma oxylipins in 316 participants in the Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY). DNA samples were genotyped using the TEDDY-T1D Exome array, and additional variants were imputed using the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) multi-ancestry reference panel. Principal components analysis of 36 plasma oxylipins was used to capture oxylipin profiles. PC1 represented linoleic acid (LA)- and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)-related oxylipins, and PC2 represented arachidonic acid (ARA)-related oxylipins. Oxylipin PC1, PC2, and the top five loading oxylipins from each PC were used as outcomes in the GWAS (genome-wide significance: p < 5×10^-8).

Results

The SNP rs143070873 was associated with (p < 5×10^-8) the LA-related oxylipin 9-HODE, and rs6444933 (downstream of CLDN11) was associated with the LA-related oxylipin 13 S-HODE. A locus between MIR1302-7 and LOC100131146, rs10118380 and an intronic variant in TRPM3 were associated with the ARA-related oxylipin 11-HETE. These loci are involved in inflammatory signaling cascades and interact with PLA2, an initial step to oxylipin biosynthesis.

Conclusion

Genetic loci involved in inflammation and oxylipin metabolism are associated with oxylipin levels.