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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Operational Simulation of Multi-Functional Charging Station for Sustainable Transportation

As transportation systems move toward electrification and decarbonization, multifunctional charging stations (MFCS) are emerging as key infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs). This paper presents a simulation model of an MFCS that integrates solar photovoltaic (PV), wind power, battery storage, hydrogen (\mathrm{H}_{2}) production, dual-pressure \mathrm{H}_{2} storage, fuel cells, and dynamic grid interactions. The model simulates daily operations using 5 -minute resolution data to capture realtime variability in renewable energy (RE), demand, and electricity prices. A flexible dispatch algorithm dynamically allocates energy for EV charging, \mathrm{H}_{2} production, storage, and grid transactions while respecting system constraints. Results show that the MFCS effectively prioritizes RE usage, minimizes waste, meets diverse energy demands, and achieves net operational profit. The model serves as a valuable decision-support tool for designing and optimizing integrated clean energy hubs for zero-emission transportation.

Gbadegoye, Jeremiah [University of Tennessee, Knox↗
DOE OSTI2014

Secretory clusterin inhibits osteoclastogenesis by attenuating M-CSF-dependent osteoclast precursor cell proliferation

Highlights: • We describe the expression and secretion of clusterin in osteoclasts. • Endogenous clusterin deficiency does not affect osteoclast formation. • Exogenous treatment with secretory clusterin decreases osteoclast differentiation. • Secretory clusterin attenuates osteoclast precursor cell proliferation by inhibiting M-CSF-mediated ERK activation. - Abstract: Secretory clusterin (sCLU)/apolipoprotein J is a multifunctional glycoprotein that is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues. Reduced sCLU in the joints of patients with bone erosive disease is associated with disease activity; however, its exact role has yet to be elucidated. Here, we report that CLU is expressed and secreted during osteoclastogenesis in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) that are treated with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). CLU-deficient BMMs obtained from CLU{sup −/−} mice exhibited no significant alterations in OC differentiation in comparison with BMMs obtained from wild-type mice. In contrast, exogenous sCLU treatment significantly inhibited OC formation in both BMMs and OC precursor cultures. The inhibitory effect of sCLU was more prominent in BMMs than OC precursor cultures. Interestingly, treating BMMs with sCLU decreased the proliferative effects elicited by M-CSF and suppressed M-CSF-induced ERK activation of OC precursor cells without causing apoptotic cell death. This study provides the first evidence that sCLU reduces OC formation by inhibiting the actions of M-CSF, thereby suggesting its protective role in bone erosion.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Versatile function of the circadian protein CIPC as a regulator of Erk activation

The CLOCK-interacting protein, Circadian (CIPC), has been identified as an additional negative-feedback regulator of the circadian clock. However, recent study on CIPC knockout mice has shown that CIPC is not critically required for basic circadian clock function, suggesting other unknown biological roles for CIPC. In this study, we focused on the cell cycle dependent nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling function of CIPC and on identifying its binding proteins. Lys186 and 187 were identified as the essential amino acid residues within the nuclear localization signal (NLS) of CIPC. We identified CIPC-binding proteins such as the multifunctional enzyme CAD protein (carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 2, aspartate transcarbamoylase, and dihydroorotase), which is a key enzyme for de novo pyrimidine synthesis. Compared to control cells, HEK293 cells overexpressing wild-type CIPC showed suppressed cell proliferation and retardation of cell cycle. We also found that PMA-induced Erk activation was inhibited with expression of wild-type CIPC. In contrast, the NLS mutant of CIPC, which reduced the ability of CIPC to translocate into the nucleus, did not exhibit these biological effects. Since CAD and Erk have significant roles in cell proliferation and cell cycle, CIPC may work as a cell cycle regulator by interacting with these binding proteins. - Highlights: • CIPC is a cell cycle dependent nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling protein. • K186 and 187are the essential amino acid residues within the NLS of CIPC. • CAD was identified as a novel CIPC-binding protein. • CIPC might regulate the activity and translocation of CAD in the cells.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

NS1-binding protein abrogates the elevation of cell viability by the influenza A virus NS1 protein in association with CRKL

Highlights: •NS1 induced excessive phosphorylation of ERK and elevated cell viability. •NS1-BP expression and CRKL knockdown abolished survival effect of NS1. •NS1-BP and NS1 formed the complex through the interaction with CRKL-SH3(N). -- Abstract: The influenza A virus non-structural protein 1 (NS1) is a multifunctional virulence factor consisting of an RNA binding domain and several Src-homology (SH) 2 and SH3 binding motifs, which promotes virus replication in the host cell and helps to evade antiviral immunity. NS1 modulates general host cell physiology in association with various cellular molecules including NS1-binding protein (NS1-BP) and signaling adapter protein CRK-like (CRKL), while the physiological role of NS1-BP during influenza A virus infection especially in association with NS1 remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the intracellular association of NS1-BP, NS1 and CRKL to elucidate the physiological roles of these molecules in the host cell. In HEK293T cells, enforced expression of NS1 of A/Beijing (H1N1) and A/Indonesia (H5N1) significantly induced excessive phosphorylation of ERK and elevated cell viability, while the over-expression of NS1-BP and the abrogation of CRKL using siRNA abolished such survival effect of NS1. The pull-down assay using GST-fusion CRKL revealed the formation of intracellular complexes of NS1-BP, NS1 and CRKL. In addition, we identified that the N-terminus SH3 domain of CRKL was essential for binding to NS1-BP using GST-fusion CRKL-truncate mutants. This is the first report to elucidate the novel function of NS1-BP collaborating with viral protein NS1 in modulation of host cell physiology. In addition, an alternative role of adaptor protein CRKL in association with NS1 and NS1-BP during influenza A virus infection is demonstrated.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

3D Printed Multifunctional, Hyperelastic Silicone Rubber Foam

Highly elastic silicone foams, especially those with tunable properties and multifunctionality, are of great interest in numerous fields. However, the liquid nature of silicone precursors and the complicated foaming process hinder the realization of its three-dimensional (3D) printability. Herein, a series of silicone foams with outstanding performance with regards to elasticity, wetting and sensing properties, multifunctionality, and tunability is generated by direct ink writing. Viscoelastic inks are achieved from direct dispersion of sodium chloride in a unique silicone precursor solution. The 3D-architectured silicone rubber exhibits open-celled trimodal porosity, which offers ultraelasticity with hyper compressibility/cycling endurance (near-zero stress/strain loss under 90% compression or 1000 compression cycles), excellent stretchability (210% strain), and superhydrophobicity. The resulting foam is demonstrated to be multifunctional, such that it can work as an oil sorbent with super capacity (1320%) and customizable soft sensor after absorption of carbon nanotubes on the foam surface. The strategy enables tunability of mechanical strength, elasticity, stretchability, and absorbing capacity, while printing different materials together offers property gradients as an extra dimension of tunability. Finally, the first 3D printed silicone foam, which serves an important step toward its application expansion, is achieved.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Locally Engineering and Interrogating the Photoelectrochemical Behavior of Defects in Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are attractive materials for a variety of applications in solar energy conversion and electrocatalysis, due to their favorable optical and electrical properties and their unique two-dimensional structures which facilitate the fabrication of wide-area, ultrathin layers. Unfortunately, the basal planes which make up the majority of these materials are relatively inert, and thus a great deal of effort has been directed to engineering favorable, catalytically active defects into these materials. In this paper, we demonstrate how probe-based electrochemical techniques can be employed as multifunctional tools for locally modifying TMD materials and probing the electrochemical behavior of the resulting defects. Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy (SECCM) was employed to locally anodize exfoliated p-type WSe 2 nanosheets, creating hole-like defects within individual basal planes in a highly controllable fashion. Photoelectrochemical SECCM imaging was then employed to characterize the chemical behavior of these engineered defects, revealing significantly enhanced activity toward the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER). Atomic force microscopy studies are presented which suggest these enhancements result from an increased density of monolayer-high step features within the anodized defects. Analysis of the SECCM data in the context of finite element simulations revealed that these enhancements increased with increasing anodization time, with local kinetic rates over 2 orders of magnitude higher than unaltered basal planes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Multi-scale Dynamics of Water Regulation by Bacteria in Synthetic Soil Microsystems (Final Technical Report)

The objective of this project was to develop a multifunctional in situ platform to link gene expression, regulation, and function with the spatiotemporal context of the whole cell environment. In particular, we focus on a synthetic rhizosphere microhabitat and spatial regulation of genes encoding production of exopolysaccharides, or EPS. We have fully met this objective and report results that support the hypothesis: microbial EPS production, acting at pore throats, limits water evaporation and promotes resilience of terrestrial soil systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Improvement of Li-S battery electrochemical performance with 2D TiS 2 additive

As a multifunctional cathode additive, TiS 2 has been used in Li-S batteries to promote sulfur utilization and improve cell cycle life. The improvement of Li-S cell electrochemical performance in the presence of TiS 2 has been attributed to the ability of TiS 2 in adsorbing polysulfide. To maximize the interaction between polysulfides and TiS 2 , the 2-dimensional (2D) TiS 2 nano-sheets with highly exposed TiS 2 surface area has been successfully synthesized by a two-step sonication synthetic procedure. The 2D TiS 2 particles are micron size in the basal plane direction and are nano-sized along the c-axis direction. 2D TiS 2 nano-sheets may adsorb polysulfides more effectively than the raw TiS 2 powder. Li-S cells with 2D TiS 2 nano-sheets additive exhibit better discharge rate capability and significantly reduced capacity-fading after a long term cell cycling. Here, this improvement can be partially attributed to the uniform distribution of 2D TiS 2 nano-sheets particles within the sulfur cathode matrix, which induces more uniform sulfur and lithium sulfide deposition during the cell charge and discharge.

2D TiS2 nano-sheets↗
DOE OSTI2017

Up-regulation of caveolin-1 by DJ-1 attenuates rat pulmonary arterial hypertension by inhibiting TGFβ/Smad signaling pathway

Highlights: • Knockout of DJ-1-aggravated hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension of rats. • Overexpression of DJ-1 alleviated PASMs injury induced by hypoxia. • DJ-1 alleviated hypoxia-induced PASMCs injury via Cav-1 by inhibiting TGFβ/Smad. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), characterized by excessive proliferation and apoptosis resistance of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), is closely associated with the imbalance in vasoactive mediators and massive remodeling of pulmonary vasculature. DJ-1/park7, a multifunctional protein, plays a critical defense role in several cytobiological activity, such as transcriptional regulation, anti-oxidative stress and tumor formation. In this study, we investigated the effects of DJ-1 on hypoxia-induced PAH model rats and PASMCs, as well as its possible molecular mechanism. First, the low expressions of DJ-1 and caveolin-1 (Cav-1) were synchronously detected in lung tissue of PAH model rats and hypoxia-induced PASMCs by Western blot. Then, the DJ-1 wild type (WT) or Knock out (KO) rats were exposed to chronic hypoxia to mimic a hypoxic PAH condition. The protein level of Cav-1 was markedly decreased in the tissue of DJ-1 KO rats, and additionally lower in tissue of the hypoxia group than that in the normoxia group for DJ-1 WT and KO rats. In vivo, hemodynamic data showed that the pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP) and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP), as well as the weight of the right ventricle/left ventricle plus septum (RV/LV+S) ratio of PAH model rats were higher in the DJ-1 KO group than those in the DJ-1 WT group. Moreover, knockout of DJ-1 also results in the phenotype switch from contractile to synthetic PASMC, which is reflected by reduced calponin and SM22α expressions. In vitro, DJ-1 overexpression reversed hypoxia-induced elevation of PASMC cell proliferation, migration and Ca{sup 2+} concentration, which were not obviously observed in Cav-1 shRNA (sh-Cav-1) and DJ-1 co-transfected cells. Then the increased levels of calponin and SM22α were detected in the DJ-1 group; similarly those levels were not changed in the DJ-1+sh-Cav-1 group. Finally, the expression of TGFβ1, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 were obviously decreased in the ad-DJ-1 group, however those were all elevated in the DJ-1 and sh-Cav-1 co-transfected groups. In conclusion, these results indicate that DJ-1 may alleviate hypoxia-induced PASMCs injury by Cav-1 through inhibiting the TGFβ/Smad signaling pathway.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Origin for electrochemically driven phase transformation in the oxygen electrode for a solid oxide cell

The next generation of fuel cells, electrolyzers, and batteries requires higher power, faster kinetics, and larger energy density, which necessitate the use of compositionally complex oxides to achieve multifunctionalities and activity. These compositionally complex oxides may change their phases and structures during an electrochemical process—a so-called “electrochemically driven phase transformation.” The origin for such a phase change has remained obscure. The aim of this paper is to present an experimental study and a theoretical analysis of phase evolution in praseodymium nickelates. Nickelate-based electrodes show up to 60 times greater phase transformation during operation when compared with thermally annealed ones. Theoretical analysis suggests that the presence of a reduced oxygen partial pressure at the interface between the oxygen electrode and the electrolyte is the origin for the phase change in an oxygen electrode. Guided by the theory, the addition of the electronic conduction in the interface layer leads to the significant suppression of phase change while improving cell performance and performance stability.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS2005

Multifunctional Deployment Hinges Rigidified by Ultraviolet

Multifunctional hinges have been developed for deploying and electrically connecting panels comprising planar arrays of thin-film solar photovoltaic cells. In the original intended application of these hinges, the panels would be facets of a 32-sided (and approximately spherical) polyhedral microsatellite (see figure), denoted a PowerSphere, that would be delivered to orbit in a compact folded configuration, then deployed by expansion of gas in inflation bladders. Once deployment was complete, the hinges would be rigidified to provide structural connections that would hold the panels in their assigned relative positions without backlash. Such hinges could also be used on Earth for electrically connecting and structurally supporting solar panels that are similarly shipped in compact form and deployed at their destinations. As shown in section A-A in the figure, a hinge of this type is partly integrated with an inflation bladder and partly integrated with the frame of a solar panel. During assembly of the hinge, strip extensions from a flexible circuit harness on the bladder are connected to corresponding thin-film conductors on the solar panel by use of laser welding and wrap-around contacts. The main structural component of the hinge is a layer of glass fiber impregnated with an ultraviolet-curable resin. After deployment, exposure to ultraviolet light from the Sun cures the resin, thereby rigidifying the hinge.

Kerslake, Thomas W.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Multifunctional Optoelectronic-Spintronic Device Based on Hybrid Organometal Trihalide Perovskites

A novel “hybrid” optoelectronic–spintronic (O-S) device that contains an organometal trihalide perovskite (OTP)-based solar cell or light-emitting diode coupled to an inorganic spin valve is presented. The synergy between the OTP and spin valve components results in two new functionalities: nonlinear magnetophotoconductivity and hysteretic magnetoelectroluminescence.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Multifunctional Fibroblasts Enhanced via Thermal and Freeze-Drying Post-treatments of Aligned Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes

Parallel fibrous scaffolds play a critical role in controlling the morphology of cells to be more natural and biologically inspired. Among popular tissue engineering materials, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) has been widely investigated in conventional forms due to its biocompatibility, low toxicity, and hydrophilicity. However, the swelling of pHEMA in water remains a major concern. To address this issue, randomly oriented and aligned as-spun pHEMA nanofibrous scaffolds were first fabricated at speeds of 300 and 2000 rpm in this study, which were then post-treated using either a thermal or a freeze-drying method. In cell assays, human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) adhered to the freeze-drying treated substrates at a significantly faster rate, whereas they had a higher cell growth rate on thermally-treated substrates. Results indicated that the structural properties of pHEMA nanofibrous scaffolds and subsequent cellular behaviors were largely dependent on post-treatment methods. Moreover, this study suggests that aligned pHEMA nanofibrous substrates tended to induce regular fibroblast orientation and unidirectionally oriented actin cytoskeletons over random pHEMA nanofibrous substrates. Such information has predictive power and provides insights into promising post-treatment methods for improving the properties of aligned pHEMA scaffolds for numerous tissue engineering applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Facile and low cost oxidative conversion of MoS{sub 2} in α-MoO{sub 3}: Synthesis, characterization and application

This study describes a facile low cost route to synthesize the α-MoO{sub 3} through a conversion of the precursor MoS{sub 2} in oxidant media. The structure and morphology of the α-MoO{sub 3} were studied by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy. The results show that α-MoO{sub 3} was obtained with reduced size, high purity, strongly-preferred orientation and structural defects, which ensures versatility and multifunctionality to this sample. For the purpose of applications, α-MoO{sub 3} was successfully employed in inverted organic solar cells devices as a possible alternative to the PEDOT:PSS in the hole transportation layer. - Graphical abstract: Synthesis process based on low cost oxidative conversion of MoS{sub 2} in α-MoO{sub 3} Display Omitted - Highlights: • A facile route to obtain α-MoO{sub 3} by refluxing the MoS{sub 2} precursor in oxidant media. • High purity and strongly-preferred orientation. • Belt-shaped material. • Enhanced conversion efficiency (PCE) when compared with conventional PEDOT:PSS.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Synthesis of superparamagnetic silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Multifunctional superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with silica are widely researched for biomedical applications such as magnetic resonance imaging, tissue repair, cell separation, hyperthermia, drug delivery, etc. In this article synthesis of magnetite (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) nanoparticles and their coating with SiO{sub 2} is reported. Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation and it was coated with silica by hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate. XRD, FTIR, TEM and VSM techniques were used to characterize bare and coated nanoparticles. Results indicated that the average size of SPIONS was 8.4 nm. X-ray diffraction patterns of silica coated SPIONS were identical to that of SPIONS confirming the inner spinal structure of SPIONS. FTIR results confirmed the binding of silica with the magnetite and the formation of the silica shell around the magnetite core. Magnetic properties of SPIONS and silica coated SPIONS are determined by VSM. They are superparamagnetic. The major conclusion drawn from this study is that the synthesis route yields stable, non-aggregated magnetite-silica core-shell nanostructures with tailored morphology and excellent magnetic properties.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2019

Hypervelocity Impact Performance of 3D Printed Aluminum Panels

With the continued development of additive manufacturing methods, control over the shape of ligaments, cell regularity, and macroscopic shape can all be easily tuned. This capability allows for tailoring of component architecture and promotes potential mass savings in a space vehicle structure. Additionally, it allows one the flexibility of combining structural elements such as MMOD protection and vehicle stiffness for launch loads for an overall mass reduction. At NASA JSC this technology is being explored in many different ways with the goal being a multifunctional structural component. For this study, four different types of aluminum panels have been 3D printed for testing, three being of a body centric cubic (BCC) lattice structure core and one being kelvin cell structure core. All samples have a 5.33 cm (0.05”) nominally thick aluminum face sheet printed on the front and back side of each panel, with all core materials having a 5.08 cm (2.0”) nominal thickness (see Table 1 for test sample summary and Figures 1 – 2 for sample illustrations). These tests will evaluate the performance of 3D printed aluminum panels under hypervelocity impact (HVI) conditions. The hypervelocity impact tests are being conducted at the JSC White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) Remote Hypervelocity Test Laboratory (RHTL), located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. All tests will be conducted with a 3.4mm Al 2017-T4 sphere at 6.8 km/s impacting at 0° to surface normal (i.e., impacting with no obliquity). Each sample will be trapped between two metal frames, with gasket material residing between the sample and frame, which will be the shipping and testing configuration for all tests. There will be an Al 2017-T4 witness plate staged 5.08 cm (2.0”) from each sample to capture signature of debris, if the rear face sheet of the sample were to perforate from the HVI test event.

Davis, B. A.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Novel Structure and Unexpected RNA-Binding Ability of the C-Terminal Domain of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Tegument Protein UL21

Proteins forming the tegument layers of herpesviral virions mediate many essential processes in the viral replication cycle, yet few have been characterized in detail. UL21 is one such multifunctional tegument protein and is conserved among alphaherpesviruses. While UL21 has been implicated in many processes in viral replication, ranging from nuclear egress to virion morphogenesis to cell-cell spread, its precise roles remain unclear. Here we report the 2.7-Å crystal structure of the C-terminal domain of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) UL21 (UL21C), which has a unique α-helical fold resembling a dragonfly. Analysis of evolutionary conservation patterns and surface electrostatics pinpointed four regions of potential functional importance on the surface of UL21C to be pursued by mutagenesis. In combination with the previously determined structure of the N-terminal domain of UL21, the structure of UL21C provides a 3-dimensional framework for targeted exploration of the multiple roles of UL21 in the replication and pathogenesis of alphaherpesviruses. Additionally, we describe an unanticipated ability of UL21 to bind RNA, which may hint at a yet unexplored function. IMPORTANCE Due to the limited genomic coding capacity of viruses, viral proteins are often multifunctional, which makes them attractive antiviral targets. Such multifunctionality, however, complicates their study, which often involves constructing and characterizing null mutant viruses. Systematic exploration of these multifunctional proteins requires detailed road maps in the form of 3-dimensional structures. In this work, we determined the crystal structure of the C-terminal domain of UL21, a multifunctional tegument protein that is conserved among alphaherpesviruses. Structural analysis pinpointed surface areas of potential functional importance that provide a starting point for mutagenesis. In addition, the unexpected RNA-binding ability of UL21 may expand its functional repertoire. The structure of UL21C and the observation of its RNA-binding ability are the latest additions to the navigational chart that can guide the exploration of the multiple functions of UL21.

Metrick, Claire M.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Vertical Co 9 S 8 hollow nanowall arrays grown on a Celgard separator as a multifunctional polysulfide barrier for high-performance Li–S batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have been regarded as one of the most promising next-generation energy-storage devices, due to their low cost and high theoretical energy density (2600 W h kg -1 ). However, the severe dissolution of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and the fatal shuttle effect of the sulfur cathode seriously hinder the practical applications of Li–S batteries. To address such issues, we present here, for the first time, a novel metal organic framework (MOF)-derived Co 9 S 8 nanowall array with vertical hollow nanoarchitecture and high electrical conductivity, which is grown in situ on a Celgard separator (Co 9 S 8 –Celgard) via a feasible and scalable liquid-reaction approach, as an efficient barrier for LiPSs in Li–S batteries. Benefiting from the direct in situ growth of vertical Co 9 S 8 hollow nanowall arrays as a multifunctional polar barrier, the Co 9 S 8 –Celgard separator possesses large surface area, excellent mechanical stability, and particularly strong LiPS-trapping ability via chemical and physical interactions. With these advantages, even with a pure sulfur cathode with a high sulfur loading of 5.6 mg cm -2 , the Li–S cells with the Co 9 S 8 –Celgard separator exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance: the initial specific capacity is as high as 1385 mA h g -1 with a retention of 1190 mA h g -1 after 200 cycles. The cells deliver a high capacity of 530 mA h g -1 at a 1C rate (1675 mA g -1 ) even after an impressive number of 1000 cycles with an average capacity fade of only 0.039% per cycle, which is promising for long-term cycling application at high charge/discharge current densities, and pouch-type Li–S cells with the Co 9 S 8 –Celgard separator display excellent cycling performance. When the optimized cathode with the sulfur loading in well-designed yolk–shelled carbon@Fe 3 O 4 (YSC@Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoboxes is employed, the cell with Co 9 S 8 –Celgard delivers a high initial capacity of 986 mA h g -1 at a 1C rate with a capacity retention as high as 83.2% even after a remarkable number of 1500 cycles. In conclusion, this work presents a strategy to grow on the separator a multifunctional polar interlayer with unique nanoarchitecture and high conductivity to chemically and physically trap the LiPSs, thus significantly enhancing the performance of Li–S batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗