The global demand for ethanol as an alternative fuel continues to rise. Advancement in all aspects of ethanol production is deemed beneficial to the ethanol industry. Traditional fermentation requires 50–70 hours to produce the maximum ethanol concentration of 7–8% (v/v). Here we demonstrate an electrostatic fermentation method that is capable of accelerating the fermentation of glucose using generic Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the fermenting microorganism to produce ethanol. The method, when applied to the batch fermentation of 1 liter fermenting mixture containing dry yeast without pre-culture, is able to achieve ethanol yield on the high gravity level (12.3% v/v) in 24 hours. The fermentation results in almost complete consumption of glucose. With pre-cultured yeast, ethanol yield can reach 14% v/v in 20 hours. The scale-up capability of the method is demonstrated with 2 liter fermenting mixture. The method does not consume external energy due to its electrostatic nature. Our results indicate the applicability of the fermentation technique to industry applications.

A modified immunosensing system with voltage-controlled signal amplification was used to detect Shigella in stool and blood matrixes at the single-digit CFU level. Inactivated Shigella was spiked in these matrixes and detected directly. The detection was completed in 78 min. Detection limits of 21 CFU/mL and 18 CFU/mL were achieved in stool and blood, respectively, corresponding to 2-7 CFUs immobilized on the detecting electrode. The outcome of the detection of extremely low bacterium concentration, i.e., below 100 CFU/mL, blood samples show a random nature. An analysis of the detection probabilities indicates the correlation between the sample volume and the success of detection and suggests that sample volume is critical for ultrasensitive detection of bacteria. The calculated detection limit is qualitatively in agreement with the empirically determined detection limit. The demonstrated ultrasensitive detection of Shigella on the single-digit CFU level suggests the feasibility of the direct detection of the bacterium in the samples without performing a culture.

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There are currently deficits in teaching and consultant supervision when trainees are learning to participate in MDTMs. Formal teaching sessions and timetabled preparation/debrief time with a consultant should be available. Trainees should not be asked to lead meetings without adequate support. This also ensures a safe MDTM environment for the patient. The eportfolio assessment tool can be used to sign off competence levels before independently leading an MDTM. Advances in knowledge: These results suggest shortfalls in the current model for preparing radiology trainees for their central role in clinico-MDT meetings. Using this data, a guide for trainees has been written to address these deficits.

Lipid accumulation in microalgae is a renewable resource for the synthesis of biodiesel. Two microalgae, Spirulina and S. dimorphus, were subjected to the electrostatic conditions imposed by applying a dc voltage to the algal growth mixtures under different light intensities without inducing electrical currents. The electrostatic conditions increased the growth rates of the microalgae well above those due to natural photosynthesis. The enhanced growth was dependent on the magnitude of the applied voltage and the contact area of the algal growth mixture to the electrodes. The voltage also induced the flocculation of the algae on the electrodes. The lipid contents of S. dimorphus were analyzed and found to be increased by the electrostatic effect. The observed enhanced algal growth could be due to accelerated electron transport rates in the cellular processes of photosynthesis. The results presented here indicate that, even with deficient light intensities, the electrostatic method is able to increase the overall production of the microalgae consistently and significantly beyond the algal level caused by natural photosynthesis with the normal light intensity.