Omega-3 long-chain (≥C20) polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 LC-PUFA) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DHA) are critical for human health and development. Numerous studies have indicated that deficiencies in these fatty acids can increase the risk or severity of cardiovascular, inflammatory and other diseases or disorders. EPA and DHA are predominantly sourced from marine fish although the primary producers are microalgae. Much work has been done to engineer a sustainable land-based source of EPA and DHA to reduce pressure on fish stocks in meeting future demand, with previous studies describing the production of fish oil-like levels of DHA in the model plant species, Arabidopsis thaliana. In this study we describe the production of fish oil-like levels (>12%) of DHA in the oilseed crop species Camelina sativa achieving a high ω3/ω6 ratio. The construct previously transformed in Arabidopsis as well as two modified construct versions designed to increase DHA production were used. DHA was found to be stable to at least the T₅ generation and the EPA and DHA were found to be predominantly at the sn-1,3 positions of triacylglycerols. Transgenic and parental lines did not have different germination or seedling establishment rates. DHA can be produced at fish oil-like levels in industrially-relevant oilseed crop species using multi-gene construct designs which are stable over multiple generations. This study has implications for the future of sustainable EPA and DHA production from land-based sources.

The viability of lithium-sulfur batteries as an energy storage technology depends on unlocking long-term cycle stability. Most instability stems from the release and transport of polysulfides from the cathode, which causes mossy growth on the lithium anode, leading to continuous consumption of electrolyte. Therefore, development of a durable cathode with minimal polysulfide escape is critical. Here, we present a saccharide-based binder system that has a capacity for the regulation of polysulfides due to its reducing properties. Furthermore, the binder promotes the formation of viscoelastic filaments during casting which endows the sulfur cathode with a desirable web-like microstructure. Taken together this leads to 97% sulfur utilisation with a cycle life of 1000 cycles (9 months) and capacity retention (around 700 mAh g⁻¹after 1000 cycles). A pouch cell prototype with a specific energy of up to 206 Wh kg⁻¹is produced, demonstrating the promising potential for practical applications.

The scope for synthesis of new macro-RAFT agents (Z–C(S)S–(M)–R) by sequential insertion of monomers (M) ‘one at a time’ into an initial RAFT agent (Z–C(S)S–R) has been explored. The process is illustrated with the preparation of a styrene-N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) co-dimer macro-RAFT agent [(CH₃)₃C(CN)–CH₂CH(Ph)–CH₂CH(CONHiPr)–SC(S)–S-alkyl] by successive single unit monomer insertions into a cyanoisopropyl trithiocarbonate. Critical factors for success are a high transfer constant for the RAFT agent and a high rate of addition of the radical (R·) to monomer relative to further propagation. With these conditions satisfied, the rate of reaction is largely determined by the rate of R· adding to monomer. Initiator-derived by-products (Z–C(S)S–(M)–I) become an issue when R· is different from the initiator-derived radical (I·).

Protic ionic liquids (PILs) are a subset of ionic liquids formed by the equimolar mixing of a Brønsted acid and a Brønsted base. PILs have been categorized as poor ionic liquids. However, the issue of assessing the ionicity of PILs is still a matter of debate. In this work we studied some physicochemical properties of three chosen PILs, namely, ethanolammonium acetate (EOAA), 2-methylbutylammonium formate (2MBAF), and pentylammonium formate (PeAF), at the initial equimolar (stoichiometric) acid/base ratio and in the presence of excess acid and base. DSC phase-transition studies along with NMR, IR, and Raman spectroscopy were performed on the chosen PILs. The results are discussed in terms of the degree of ionization (extent of proton transfer from the Brønsted acid to Brønsted base), and the possibility of the formation of polar 1:1 complexes and larger aggregates in the neat stoichiometric PILs.

Molecular descriptors and machine learning are useful tools for extracting structure–property relationships from large, complex polymer data, and accelerating the design of novel polymers with tailored functionalities.