Fluoride ion batteries are potential “next-generation” electrochemical storage devices that offer high energy density. At present, such batteries are limited to operation at high temperatures because suitable fluoride ion–conducting electrolytes are known only in the solid state. We report a liquid fluoride ion–conducting electrolyte with high ionic conductivity, wide operating voltage, and robust chemical stability based on dry tetraalkylammonium fluoride salts in ether solvents. Pairing this liquid electrolyte with a copper–lanthanum trifluoride (Cu@LaF3) core-shell cathode, we demonstrate reversible fluorination and defluorination reactions in a fluoride ion electrochemical cell cycled at room temperature. Fluoride ion–mediated electrochemistry offers a pathway toward developing capacities beyond that of lithium ion technology.

Polyphenolic antioxidants from dietary sources are frequently a topic of interest due to widespread scientific agreement that they may help lower the incidence of certain cancers, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and DNA damage and even may have antiaging properties. On the other hand, questions still remain as to whether some antioxidants could be potentially harmful to health, because an increase in glycation-mediated protein damage (carbonyl stress) has been reported in some cases. Nevertheless, the quest for healthy aging has led to the extensive use of phytochemically derived antioxidants to disrupt age-associated deterioration in physiological function and to prevent many age-related diseases. Although a diet rich in the polyphenolic forms of antioxidants does seem to offer hope in delaying the onset of age-related disorders, it is still too early to define their exact clinical benefit for treating age-related disease. This review critically examines polyphenolic antioxidants, such as flavonoids, curcumene, and resveratrol in health, disease, and aging with the hope that a better understanding of the many mechanisms involved with these diverse compounds may lead to better health and novel treatment approaches for age-related diseases.

Amyloid-beta (Abeta), the major component of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease, is known to complex transition metal ions mainly through histidine residues. In this study, using 1H NMR titration experiments, we show that histidine binds strongly to Zn(II), Cu(II), and Fe(III) ions at a biologically relevant pH (pH 7.4), with a stoichiometry of Zn(II): histidine binding of 1:2. The observed deshielding of the chemical shifts and relative line broadening indicate that Fenton-active Cu(II) and Fe(III) bind to histidine relatively more efficiently as compared to Zn(II). Parallel studies showed that glutamic acid and aspartic acid are relatively inefficient in metal ion binding. From these studies, we suggest that Abeta-chelated Zn(II) is readily displaced by Cu(II) and Fe(III) ions and leads to a propagation of oxidative stress.

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