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1. Studies of Functional Defects for Fast Na‐Ion Conduction in Na _{3− y} PS _{4− x} Cl _x with a Combined Experimental and Computational Approach

   https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201807951  

   Feng, Xuyong; Chien, Po‐Hsiu; Zhu, Zhuoying; Chu, Iek‐Heng; Wang, Pengbo; Immediato‐Scuotto, Marcello; Arabzadeh, Hesam; Ong, Shyue_Ping; Hu, Yan‐Yan (January 2019, Advanced Functional Materials)

   Abstract All‐solid‐state rechargeable sodium (Na)‐ion batteries are promising for inexpensive and high‐energy‐density large‐scale energy storage. In this contribution, new Na solid electrolytes, Na_3−yPS_4−xCl_x, are synthesized with a strategic approach, which allows maximum substitution of Cl for S (x= 0.2) without significant compromise of structural integrity or Na deficiency. A maximum conductivity of 1.96 mS cm⁻¹at 25 °C is achieved for Na_3.0PS_3.8Cl_0.2, which is two orders of magnitude higher compared with that of tetragonal Na₃PS₄(t‐Na₃PS₄). The activation energy (E_a) is determined to be 0.19 eV. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations shed light on the merit of maximizing Cl‐doping while maintaining low Na deficiency in enhanced Na‐ion conduction. Solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) characterizations confirm the successful substitution of Cl for S and the resulting change of P oxidation state from 5+ to 4+, which is also verified by spin moment analysis. Ion transport pathways are determined with a tracer‐exchange NMR method. The functional detects that promote Na ‐ion transport are maximized for further improvement in ionic conductivity. Full‐cell performance is demonstrated using Na/Na_3.0PS_3.8Cl_0.2/Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃with a reversible capacity of ≈100 mAh g^‐1at room temperature. 

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2. Configurational and Dynamical Heterogeneity in Superionic Li _5.3 PS _4.3 Cl _{1.7− x} Br _x

   https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202307954  

   Wang, Pengbo; Patel, Sawankumar; Liu, Haoyu; Chien, Po‐Hsiu; Feng, Xuyong; Gao, Lina; Chen, Benjamin; Liu, Jue; Hu, Yan‐Yan (August 2023, Advanced Functional Materials)

   Abstract The correlation between lattice chemistry and cation migration in high‐entropy Li⁺conductors is not fully understood due to challenges in characterizing anion disorder. To address this issue, argyrodite family of Li⁺conductors, which enables structural engineering of the anion lattice, is investigated. Specifically, new argyrodites, Li_5.3PS_4.3Cl_1.7−xBr_x(0 ≤x≤ 1.7), with varying anion entropy are synthesized and X‐ray diffraction, neutron scattering, and multinuclear high‐resolution solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) are used to determine the resulting structures. Ion and lattice dynamics are determined using variable‐temperature multinuclear NMR relaxometry and maximum entropy method analysis of neutron scattering, aided by constrained ab initio molecular dynamics calculations. 15 atomic configurations of anion arrangements are identified, producing a wide range of local lattice dynamics. High entropy in the lattice structure, composition, and dynamics stabilize otherwise metastable Li‐deficient structures and flatten the energy landscape for cation migration. This resulted in the highest room‐temperature ionic conductivity of 26 mS cm⁻¹and a low activation energy of 0.155 eV realized in Li_5.3PS_4.3Cl_0.7Br, where anion disorder is maximized. This study sheds light on the complex structure–property relationships of high‐entropy superionic conductors, highlighting the significance of heterogeneity in lattice dynamics. 

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3. Diversity, distribution, and expression of opsin genes in freshwater lakes

   https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.16891  

   He, Shaomei; Linz, Alexandra M.; Stevens, Sarah L. R.; Tran, Patricia Q.; Moya‐Flores, Francisco; Oyserman, Ben O.; Dwulit‐Smith, Jeffrey R.; Forest, Katrina T.; McMahon, Katherine D. (March 2023, Molecular Ecology)

   Abstract Microbial rhodopsins are widely distributed in aquatic environments and may significantly contribute to phototrophy and energy budgets in global oceans. However, the study of freshwater rhodopsins has been largely limited. Here, we explored the diversity, ecological distribution, and expression of opsin genes that encode the apoproteins of type I rhodopsins in humic and clearwater lakes with contrasting physicochemical and optical characteristics. Using metagenomes and metagenome‐assembled genomes, we recovered opsin genes from a wide range of taxa, mostly predicted to encode green light‐absorbing proton pumps. Viral opsin and novel bacterial opsin clades were recovered. Opsin genes occurred more frequently in taxa from clearwater than from humic water, and opsins in some taxa have nontypical ion‐pumping motifs that might be associated with physicochemical conditions of these two freshwater types. Analyses of the surface layer of 33 freshwater systems revealed an inverse correlation between opsin gene abundance and lake dissolved organic carbon (DOC). In humic water with high terrestrial DOC and light‐absorbing humic substances, opsin gene abundance was low and dramatically declined within the first few meters, whereas the abundance remained relatively high along the bulk water column in clearwater lakes with low DOC, suggesting opsin gene distribution is influenced by lake optical properties and DOC. Gene expression analysis confirmed the significance of rhodopsin‐based phototrophy in clearwater lakes and revealed different diel expressional patterns among major phyla. Overall, our analyses revealed freshwater opsin diversity, distribution and expression patterns, and suggested the significance of rhodopsin‐based phototrophy in freshwater energy budgets, especially in clearwater lakes. 

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4. Superionic Conduction in K ₃ SbS ₄ Enabled by Cl‐Modified Anion Lattice

   https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202408574  

   Chen, Yudan; Wang, Pengbo; Truong, Erica; Ogbolu, Bright; Jin, Yongkang; Oyekunle, Ifeoluwa; Liu, Haoyu; Islam, M Mahinur; Poudel, Tej; Huang, Chen; et al (August 2024, Angewandte Chemie International Edition)

   Abstract All‐solid‐state potassium batteries emerge as promising alternatives to lithium batteries, leveraging their high natural abundance and cost‐effectiveness. Developing potassium solid electrolytes (SEs) with high room‐temperature ionic conductivity is critical for realizing efficient potassium batteries. In this study, we present the synthesis of K_2.98Sb_0.91S_3.53Cl_0.47, showcasing a room‐temperature ionic conductivity of 0.32 mS/cm and a low activation energy of 0.26 eV. This represents an increase of over two orders of magnitude compared to the parent compound K₃SbS₄, marking the highest reported ionic conductivity for non‐oxide potassium SEs. Solid‐state³⁹K magic‐angle‐spinning nuclear magnetic resonance on K_2.98Sb_0.91S_3.53Cl_0.47reveals an increased population of mobile K⁺ions with fast dynamics. Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations further confirm a delocalized K⁺density and significantly enhanced K⁺diffusion. This work demonstrates diversification of the anion sublattice as an effective approach to enhance ion transport and highlights K_2.98Sb_0.91S_3.53Cl_0.47as a promising SE for all‐solid‐state potassium batteries. 

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5. Rhodopsin-mediated nutrient uptake by cultivated photoheterotrophic Verrucomicrobiota

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-023-01412-1  

   Bar-Shalom, Rinat; Rozenberg, Andrey; Lahyani, Matan; Hassanzadeh, Babak; Sahoo, Gobardhan; Haber, Markus; Burgsdorf, Ilia; Tang, Xinyu; Squatrito, Valeria; Gomez-Consarnau, Laura; et al (April 2023, The ISME Journal)

   Abstract Rhodopsin photosystems convert light energy into electrochemical gradients used by the cell to produce ATP, or for other energy-demanding processes. While these photosystems are widespread in the ocean and have been identified in diverse microbial taxonomic groups, their physiological role in vivo has only been studied in few marine bacterial strains. Recent metagenomic studies revealed the presence of rhodopsin genes in the understudied Verrucomicrobiota phylum, yet their distribution within different Verrucomicrobiota lineages, their diversity, and function remain unknown. In this study, we show that more than 7% of Verrucomicrobiota genomes (n = 2916) harbor rhodopsins of different types. Furthermore, we describe the first two cultivated rhodopsin-containing strains, one harboring a proteorhodopsin gene and the other a xanthorhodopsin gene, allowing us to characterize their physiology under laboratory-controlled conditions. The strains were isolated in a previous study from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and read mapping of 16S rRNA gene amplicons showed the highest abundances of these strains at the deep chlorophyll maximum (source of their inoculum) in winter and spring, with a substantial decrease in summer. Genomic analysis of the isolates suggests that motility and degradation of organic material, both energy demanding functions, may be supported by rhodopsin phototrophy in Verrucomicrobiota. Under culture conditions, we show that rhodopsin phototrophy occurs under carbon starvation, with light-mediated energy generation supporting sugar transport into the cells. Overall, this study suggests that photoheterotrophic Verrucomicrobiota may occupy an ecological niche where energy harvested from light enables bacterial motility toward organic matter and supports nutrient uptake. 

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