The electrochemical reduction of CO2 is a promising route to convert intermittent renewable energy to storable fuels and valuable chemical feedstocks. To scale this technology for industrial implementation, a deepened understanding of how the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2 RR) proceeds will help converge on optimal operating parameters. Here, a techno-economic analysis is presented with the goal of identifying maximally profitable products and the performance targets that must be met to ensure economic viability-metrics that include current density, Faradaic efficiency, energy efficiency, and stability. The latest computational understanding of the CO2 RR is discussed along with how this can contribute to the rational design of efficient, selective, and stable electrocatalysts. Catalyst materials are classified according to their selectivity for products of interest and their potential to achieve performance targets is assessed. The recent progress and opportunities in system design for CO2 electroreduction are described. To conclude, the remaining technological challenges are highlighted, suggesting full-cell energy efficiency as a guiding performance metric for industrial impact.

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Electrochemical CO2 Reduction into Chemical Feedstocks: From Mechanistic Electrocatalysis Models to System Design.

Tabulated values of the dynamic and kinematic viscosity of aqueous sodium chloride solutions are given. The tables cover the temperature range 20–150 °C, the pressure range 0.1–35 MPa and is the concentration range 0–6 molal. It is estimated that the accuracy of the tabulated values is ±0.5%. The correlating equations from which the tables were generated are given.

Tables of the Dynamic and Kinematic Viscosity of Aqueous KCl Solutions in the Temperature Range 25-150 C and the Pressure Range 0.1-35 MPa,

Exosomes, small (40–100 nm) extracellular membranous vesicles, attract enormous research interest because they are carriers of disease markers and a prospective delivery system for therapeutic agents. Differential centrifugation, the prevalent method of exosome isolation, frequently produces dissimilar and improper results because of the faulty practice of using a common centrifugation protocol with different rotors. Moreover, as recommended by suppliers, adjusting the centrifugation duration according to rotor K-factors does not work for “fixed-angle” rotors. For both types of rotors – “swinging bucket” and “fixed-angle” – we express the theoretically expected proportion of pelleted vesicles of a given size and the “cut-off” size of completely sedimented vesicles as dependent on the centrifugation force and duration and the sedimentation path-lengths. The proper centrifugation conditions can be selected using relatively simple theoretical estimates of the “cut-off” sizes of vesicles. Experimental verification on exosomes isolated from HT29 cell culture supernatant confirmed the main theoretical statements. Measured by the nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) technique, the concentration and size distribution of the vesicles after centrifugation agree with those theoretically expected. To simplify this “cut-off”-size-based adjustment of centrifugation protocol for any rotor, we developed a web-calculator.

/pdf/isolation-of-exosomes-by-differential-centrifugation-2o1ilacpjj.pdf

Isolation of exosomes by differential centrifugation: Theoretical analysis of a commonly used protocol.

We present artificially motorized sperm cells—a novel type of hybrid micromotor, where customized microhelices serve as motors for transporting sperm cells with motion deficiencies to help them carry out their natural function. Our results indicate that metal-coated polymer microhelices are suitable for this task due to potent, controllable, and nonharmful 3D motion behavior. We manage to capture, transport, and release single immotile live sperm cells in fluidic channels that allow mimicking physiological conditions. Important steps toward fertilization are addressed by employing proper means of sperm selection and oocyte culturing. Despite the fact that there still remain some challenges on the way to achieve successful fertilization with artificially motorized sperms, we believe that the potential of this novel approach toward assisted reproduction can be already put into perspective with the present work.

Cellular Cargo Delivery: Toward Assisted Fertilization by Sperm-Carrying Micromotors

Particles composed of secondary organic material (SOM) are abundant in the lower troposphere. The viscosity of these particles is a fundamental property that is presently poorly quantified yet required for accurate modeling of their formation, growth, evaporation, and environmental impacts. Using two unique techniques, namely a “bead-mobility” technique and a “poke-flow” technique, in conjunction with simulations of fluid flow, the viscosity of the water-soluble component of SOM produced by α-pinene ozonolysis is quantified for 20- to 50-μm particles at 293–295 K. The viscosity is comparable to that of honey at 90% relative humidity (RH), similar to that of peanut butter at 70% RH, and at least as viscous as bitumen at ≤30% RH, implying that the studied SOM ranges from liquid to semisolid or solid across the range of atmospheric RH. These data combined with simple calculations or previous modeling studies are used to show the following: (i) the growth of SOM by the exchange of organic molecules between gas and particle may be confined to the surface region of the particles for RH ≤ 30%; (ii) at ≤30% RH, the particle-mass concentrations of semivolatile and low-volatility organic compounds may be overpredicted by an order of magnitude if instantaneous equilibrium partitioning is assumed in the bulk of SOM particles; and (iii) the diffusivity of semireactive atmospheric oxidants such as ozone may decrease by two to five orders of magnitude for a drop in RH from 90% to 30%. These findings have possible consequences for predictions of air quality, visibility, and climate.

https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/110/20/8014.full.pdf

Viscosity of α-pinene secondary organic material and implications for particle growth and reactivity

The paper re‐analyzes the results of earlier, very precise measurements of the viscosity of water at essentially atmospheric pressure. This is done in terms of a new, theoretically‐based equation for the operation of a capillary viscometer rather than in terms of semi‐empirical equations used by the original authors. The new analysis eliminates possible systematic errors and permits the establishment of realistic error bounds for water in its role as a standard reference substance for viscosity. The latter are smaller than those embodied in the most recent International Formulation. Standard values of the ratio of viscosity at a temperature T to its value at 20 °C have been derived from the re‐analyzed data because the uncertainty of this ratio is an order of magnitude smaller than that of the absolute values. The ratios are used to generate absolute values with the aid of the standard NBS datum μ=1002.0 μPa s at 20 °C. The viscosity ratios have been correlated with the aid of two empirical equations. The more accurate equation covers the range 0 °C?t ?40 °C with an uncertainty of ±0.05%. The less accurate equation covers the wider range −8 °C?t?150 °C with the more limited accuracy of ±0.2%. The two empirical equations are compatible with each other to 0.09%.

Mordechai Sokolov

Papers

Viscosity of Liquid Water in the Range - 8 C to 150 C,