Addressing the Silent Spread of Monkeypox Disease with Advanced Analytical Tools

Monkeypox disease is caused by a virus which belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus of the poxviridae family. This disease has recently spread out to several non-endemic countries. While some cases have been linked to travel from endemic regions, more recent infections are thought to have spread in the community without any travel links, raising the risks of a wider outbreak. This state of public health represents a highly unusual event which requires urgent surveillance. In this context, the opportunities and technological challenges of current bio/chemical sensors, nanomaterials, nanomaterial characterization instruments, and artificially intelligent biosystems collectively called “advanced analytical tools” are reviewed here, which will allow early detection, characterization, and inhibition of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) in the community and limit its expansion from endemic to pandemic. A summary of background information is also provided from biological and epidemiological perspective of monkeypox to support the scientific case for its holistic management using advanced analytical tools.     

Exploiting High-Voltage Stability of Dual-Ion Aqueous Electrolyte Reinforced by Incorporation of Fiberglass into Zwitterionic Hydrogel Electrolyte

Rechargeable zinc aqueous batteries are key alternatives for replacing toxic, flammable, and expensive lithium-ion batteries in grid energy storage systems. However, these systems possess critical weaknesses, including the short electrochemical stability window of water and intrinsic fast zinc dendrite growth. Hydrogel electrolytes provide a possible solution, especially cross-linked zwitterionic polymers that possess strong water retention ability and high ionic conductivity. Herein, an in situ prepared fiberglass-incorporated dual-ion zwitterionic hydrogel electrolyte with an ionic conductivity of 24.32 mS cm⁻¹, electrochemical stability window up to 2.56 V, and high thermal stability is presented. By incorporating this hydrogel electrolyte of zinc and lithium triflate salts, a zinc//LiMn_0.6Fe_0.4PO₄ pouch cell delivers a reversible capacity of 130 mAh g⁻¹ in the range of 1.0–2.2 V at 0.1C, and the test at 2C provides an initial capacity of 82.4 mAh g⁻¹ with 71.8% capacity retention after 1000 cycles with a coulombic efficiency of 97%. Additionally, the pouch cell is fire resistant and remains safe after cutting and piercing.