Search for: All records

Abstract The role of plasticity and epigenetics in shaping cancer evolution and response to therapy has taken center stage with recent technological advances including single cell sequencing. This roadmap article is focused on state-of-the-art mathematical and experimental approaches to interrogate plasticity in cancer, and addresses the following themes and questions: is there a formal overarching framework that encompasses both non-genetic plasticity and mutation-driven somatic evolution? How do we measure and model the role of the microenvironment in influencing/controlling non-genetic plasticity? How can we experimentally study non-genetic plasticity? Which mathematical techniques are required or best suited? What are the clinical and practical applications and implications of these concepts? 

Abstract Porous carbon plays a significant role in all‐solid‐state lithium‐sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) to enhance the electronic conductivity of sulfur. However, the conventional porous carbon used in cell with liquid electrolyte exhibits low efficiency in ASSLSBs because the immobile solid electrolyte (SE) cannot reach sulfur confined in the deep pores. The structure and distribution of pores in carbon highly impact the electrochemical performance of ASSLSBs. Herein, a N‐doped carbon fiber with micropores located only at the surface with an ultrahigh surface area of 1519 m² g^–1is designed. As the porous layer is only on the surface, the sulfur hosted in the pores can effectively contact SE; meanwhile the dense core provides excellent electrical conductivity. Therefore, this structurally designed carbon fiber enhances both electron and ion accessibilities, promotes charge transfer, and thus dramatically improves the reaction kinetic in the ASSLSBs and boosts sulfur utilization. Compared to the vapor grown carbon fibers, the ASSLSBs using PAN‐derived porous carbon fibers exhibit three times enhancement in the initial capacity of 1166 mAh g^–1at C/20. An exceedingly cycling stability of 710 mAh g^–1is maintained after 220 cycles at C/10, and satisfactory rate capability of 889 mAh g^–1at C/2 is achieved. 

Abstract Current sulfide solid‐state electrolyte (SE) membranes utilized in all‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASLBs) have a high thickness (0.5–1.0 mm) and low ion conductance (<25 mS), which limit the cell‐level energy and power densities. Based on ethyl cellulose's unique amphipathic molecular structure, superior thermal stability, and excellent binding capability, this work fabricates a freestanding SE membrane with an ultralow thickness of 47 µm. With ethyl cellulose as an effective disperser and a binder, the Li₆PS₅Cl is uniformly dispersed in toluene and possesses superior film formability. In addition, an ultralow areal resistance of 4.32 Ω cm⁻²and a remarkable ion conductance of 291 mS (one order higher than the state‐of‐the‐art sulfide SE membrane) are achieved. The ASLBs assembled with this SE membrane deliver cell‐level high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities of 175 Wh kg⁻¹and 675 Wh L⁻¹, individually.