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Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there have been a few variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), one of which is the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). The Omicron variant is the most mutated SARS-CoV-2 variant, and its high transmissibility and immune evasion ability have raised global concerns. Owing to its enhanced transmissibility, Omicron has rapidly replaced Delta as the dominant variant in several regions. However, recent studies have shown that the Omicron variant exhibits reduced pathogenicity due to altered cell tropism. In addition, Omicron exhibits significant resistance to the neutralizing activity of vaccines, convalescent serum, and most antibody therapies. In the present review, recent advances in the molecular and clinical characteristics of the infectivity, pathogenicity, and immune evasion of Omicron variant was summarized, and potential therapeutic applications in response to Omicron infection were discussed. Furthermore, we highlighted potential response to future waves and strategies to end the pandemic.

redox potential of K + is close to that of Li + but lower than for Na +. [1-4] Another important motivation for PIB research is that K + cations can be reversibly intercalated into the commercial graphite anode used for LIBs with a high theoretical capacity of 279 mAh g −1 based, on the generated compound KC 8 , which offers the encouraging prospect of PIBs suitable for high manufacturability, by using the commercial production lines for LIBs. [5-7] For the large-scale applications of PIBs, long-term calendar life and high safety are the most two critical factors. The graphite anode in PIBs, however, suffers from poor stability due to the continual decomposition of the electrolyte and insufficient solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) protection. [8] The electrolyte plays a vital role in determining the performance of electrode materials and regulating the SEI to eliminate interfacial side reactions and ensure long-term cyclability and high safety. Tremendous efforts have been made to regulate electrolytes by altering the salts, solvents, additives, and/ or concentrations. [9,10] In the case of the salt for PIBs, the most attractive one is potassium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (KFSI), as it could lead to a more stable SEI than is possible with other salts, such as KPF 6 and potassium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide. [11-14] Also, it has been demonstrated that the stability of graphite can be enhanced by simply increasing the salt concentration in conventional carbonate or ether-based electrolytes. An electrolyte consisting of KFSI and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) at the high molar ratio of 1:2.5 made the graphite anode work for 17 months. Benefiting from the robust inorganic-rich SEI layer generated by the concentrated KFSI with EMC, this long cycle-life performance of graphite is the best that has ever been achieved in reported electrolytes. [15] The carbonate or ether-based electrolytes are highly combustible and volatile, however, which poses a great potential hazard for accidents involving explosion and fire. Although the volatility and flammability can be reduced in highly concentrated electrolytes, safety still remains an issue, especially for large-scale implementation. [16,17] It is well known that the flammability of the electrolyte is mainly determined by the property of solvents, and thus, there are also efforts toward developing nonflammable electrolytes Potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) are attractive for low-cost and large-scale energy storage applications, in which graphite is one of the most promising anodes. However, the large size and the high activity of K + ions and the highly catalytic surface of graphite largely prevent the development of safe and compatible electrolytes. Here, a nonflammable, moderate-concentration electrolyte is reported that is highly compatible with graphite anodes and that consists of fire-retardant trimethyl phosphate (TMP) and potassium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (KFSI) in a salt/solvent molar ratio of 3:8. It shows unprecedented stability, as evidenced by its 74% capacity r...

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