Rewritten Article:

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize the production of green hydrogen, a crucial component for a sustainable energy future. Researchers have found that a cage-structured material, previously unknown as an electrocatalyst, can outperform existing nickel-based catalysts in electrolytic hydrogen production. This breakthrough has significant implications for the chemical industry and our transition to renewable energy sources.

The study, published in Angewandte Chemie, investigates the suitability of clathrates – materials characterized by a complex three-dimensional cage structure – as catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in electrolysis. Clathrates have shown promise in various applications, such as thermoelectrics and superconductors, but their potential as electrocatalysts has remained unexplored until now.

Dr. Prashanth Menezes and his team at the Technical University of Munich synthesized Ba₈Ni₆Ge₄₀ clathrates, which they then tested as OER catalysts in aqueous electrolytes. The results were astonishing: the clathrate sample exceeded the efficiency of nickel-based catalysts at a current density of 550 mA cm⁻², a value commonly used in industrial electrolysis. Moreover, its stability was remarkable, with activity remaining high even after 10 days of continuous operation.

To understand why this material performed so well, the researchers employed a combination of experiments, including in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at BESSY II and basic structural characterization at the Freie and Technische Universität Berlin. Their analysis revealed that the clathrate particles undergo a structural transformation under an electric field: germanium and barium atoms dissolve out of the former three-dimensional framework, leaving behind highly porous, sponge-like nanolayers of nickel that offer maximum surface area.

“This transformation brings more and more catalytically active nickel centres into contact with the electrolyte,” says Dr. Niklas Hausmann from Menezes’ team. “We were actually surprised by how well these samples work as OER catalysts. We expect that we can observe similar results with other transition metal clathrates and that we have discovered a very interesting class of materials for electrocatalysts.”

This breakthrough has significant implications for the production of green hydrogen, which is seen as an essential building block for a sustainable energy future. With this new material, researchers may be able to develop more efficient and robust OER catalysts, enabling faster and more cost-effective production of green hydrogen.

The sensation of being enveloped by a powerful sound is one we’ve all experienced at some point – whether it’s the rumble of a plane taking off or the thumping bass of a concert. But what if I told you that this experience goes beyond just our ears and brain? Research suggests that our cells, too, respond to sound waves in profound ways.

Sound, as a phenomenon, is often considered simple and straightforward. It’s a mechanical wave transmitted through substances, existing everywhere in the non-equilibrated material world. However, its significance extends far beyond mere existence. Sound serves as a vital source of environmental information for living beings, and its impact on our cells is only just beginning to be understood.

A team of researchers from Kyoto University have been studying the effects of sound on cellular activities. Building upon previous work, they designed an experiment to investigate how acoustic pressure can induce cellular responses. The setup involved attaching a vibration transducer to a cell culture dish, which was then connected to an amplifier and digital audio player. This allowed them to emit sound signals within the range of physiological frequencies to cultured cells.

The researchers analyzed the effects using various methods, including RNA-sequencing, microscopy, and more. Their results revealed that cells do indeed respond to audible acoustic stimulation, with significant effects on cell-level activities. One particular finding was the suppression of adipocyte differentiation – a process by which preadipocytes transform into fat cells. This opens up possibilities for using acoustics to control cell and tissue states.

The study also identified about 190 sound-sensitive genes and observed how sound signals are transmitted through subcellular mechanisms. Perhaps most significantly, this research challenges the traditional understanding of sound perception in living beings, which holds that it’s mediated by receptive organs like the brain. It turns out that our cells respond to sounds, too.

The implications of this study are profound, offering potential benefits for medicine and healthcare. Sound-based therapies could become a non-invasive, safe, and immediate tool for treating various conditions. As we continue to explore the hidden language of sound, we may uncover even more surprising ways in which it influences our cells and overall well-being.

The use of intravascular imaging (IVI) during complex stenting procedures can significantly improve outcomes for patients with high-risk calcified coronary artery disease. A recent clinical trial, known as the ECLIPSE study, compared the effectiveness of IVI guidance versus conventional angiography in PCI procedures involving severely calcified lesions.

The results showed that IVI-guided PCI had a 26% lower rate of target vessel failure compared to angiography-guided PCI. Moreover, researchers observed significant reductions in all-cause death, stent thrombosis, and target lesion and vessel revascularization among patients who underwent IVI-guided PCI.

Dr. Gregg W. Stone, the study’s first author, stated that the ECLIPSE trial extends strong recommendations from recent U.S. and European societal guidelines for routine use of intravascular imaging with either optical coherence tomography (OCT) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) during complex coronary stent procedures.

Despite some differences in outcomes between OCT and IVUS, both imaging modalities were effective in guiding PCI in patients with severely calcified lesions. Additional studies are required to determine whether OCT is more beneficial in these cases.

The ECLIPSE trial was funded by Abbott Vascular, Inc., and its findings have significant implications for the treatment of high-risk patients undergoing complex stenting procedures. By adopting IVI guidance, healthcare professionals can improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of complications associated with PCI procedures involving severely calcified lesions.