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2-Phenylimidazole (PID), which is structurally different from previously reported compounds, has been studied as a film-forming additive for graphite anode in PC-based electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries. A 1.0moll−1 LiPF6/PC: DMC (1:1, v/v) electrolyte containing 3wt.% 2-phenylimidazole was capable of suppressing the co-intercalation of PC and inhibiting the decomposition of electrolytes during the first lithium intercalation. The cyclic voltammogram shows that the reduction potential of PID is about 1.65V vs. Li/Li+, forming a favorable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the graphite electrode. The morphologies and the chemical composition of the graphite electrode surface were characterized by SEM and XPS. The results show that a stable SEI film was formed on the surface of graphite by the addition of PID, which accounts for the excellent cycleability of the graphite electrode in PC-based electrolyte.
The high discharge potential of LiMnPO4, 4.1 V vs. Li/Li+, and its theoretical capacity of 170 mAh g−1 make it a promising candidate as a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries. But extremely low electronics conductivity, slow lithium diffusion kinetics, and the Jahn-Teller effect of Mn3+ limit the electrochemical performances of LiMnPO4. In this work, the pre-synthesized and defined FePO4·2H2O nanocrystallites are used as one of the raw materials to synthesize LiFe1−x Mn x PO4/C (x = 0.85, 0.75, 0.65) composites via solid-state reactions. The synthesized LiFe1−x Mn x PO4 samples show well-crystallized structures and have enhanced electrochemical properties. There exist two plateaus around 3.5 and 4.1 V on both of their charge and discharge curves. Among the samples, the Fe0.25Mn0.75PO4 one exhibits the longest high-voltage charge/discharge plateau at 4.10 V/4.05 V, and has an average discharge voltage of ∼3.78 V vs. Li/Li+ and a discharge capacity of ∼130 mAh g−1 at 0.05 C rate. For the Fe0.25Mn0.75PO4 sample, the noticeable improvement of its electrochemical performances is mainly attributed to iron substitution, the appropriate Mn/Fe ratio, and the well-ordered crystal structure forming by using FePO4·2H2O nanocrystallites as one of the raw materials.
Japanese chemicals giant Showa Denko has developed flexible plastic solar panels, according to a report in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun. The lightweight, flexible resin-based solar panels can apparently be bent and affixed over a range of applications. This is a short news story only. Visit www.re-focus.net for the latest renewable energy industry news.
Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), including subtypes 2a, 2b and 2c, causes an acute enteric disease in both domestic and wild animals. Rapid and sensitive diagnosis aids effective disease management at points of need (PON). A commercially available, field-deployable and user-friendly system, designed with insulated isothermal PCR (iiPCR) technology, displays excellent sensitivity and specificity for nucleic acid detection. An iiPCR method was developed for on-site detection of all circulating CPV-2 strains. Limit of detection was determined using plasmid DNA. CPV-2a, 2b and 2c strains, a feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) strain, and nine canine pathogens were tested to evaluate assay specificity. Reaction sensitivity and performance were compared with an in-house real-time PCR using serial dilutions of a CPV-2b strain and 100 canine fecal clinical samples collected from 2010 to 2014, respectively. The 95% limit of detection of the iiPCR method was 13 copies of standard DNA and detection limits for CPV-2b DNA were equivalent for iiPCR and real-time PCR. The iiPCR reaction detected CPV-2a, 2b and 2c and FPV. Non-targeted pathogens were not detected. Test results of real-time PCR and iiPCR from 99 fecal samples agreed with each other, while one real-time PCR-positive sample tested negative by iiPCR. Therefore, excellent agreement (k =0.98) with sensitivity of 98.41% and specificity of 100% in detecting CPV-2 in feces was found between the two methods. In conclusion, the iiPCR system has potential to serve as a useful tool for rapid and accurate PON, molecular detection of CPV-2.
Adult bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells offer the potential to open a new frontier in medicine. Regenerative medicine aims to replace effete cells in a broad range of conditions associated with damaged cartilage, bone, muscle, tendon and ligament. However the normal process of immune rejection of mismatched allogeneic tissue would appear to prevent the realisation of such ambitions. In fact mesenchymal stem cells avoid allogeneic rejection in humans and in animal models. These finding are supported by in vitro co-culture studies. Three broad mechanisms contribute to this effect. Firstly, mesenchymal stem cells are hypoimmunogenic, often lacking MHC-II and costimulatory molecule expression. Secondly, these stem cells prevent T cell responses indirectly through modulation of dendritic cells and directly by disrupting NK as well as CD8+ and CD4+ T cell function. Thirdly, mesenchymal stem cells induce a suppressive local microenvironment through the production of prostaglandins and interleukin-10 as well as by the expression of indoleamine 2,3,-dioxygenase, which depletes the local milieu of tryptophan. Comparison is made to maternal tolerance of the fetal allograft, and contrasted with the immune evasion mechanisms of tumor cells. Mesenchymal stem cells are a highly regulated self-renewing population of cells with potent mechanisms to avoid allogeneic rejection.
Sodium-ion batteries are considered a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to its low cost and potential applications for large-scale energy storage. In this work, we focus on improving the Na-ion storage electrochemical performance of TiO2 anodes by using diglyme-based electrolyte solutions. Significantly better performances are observed for the first time in diglyme-based electrolyte solution, as compared to conventional carbonate electrolyte solutions with and without additives such as fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and vinylene (VC). The best TiO2 electrode demonstrated a high specific capacity of 248 mA h g−1 at 25 mA g−1 current density, ∼100% coulombic efficiency, superior pseudocapacitive Na-ion storage, and good capacity retention on extended galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles. A full-cell assembled with TiO2 anode, Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode and NaPF6-diglyme electrolyte solution demonstrated an energy density as high as 440 W h kg−1. Superior electrochemical performance of TiO2 anodes in diglyme-based electrolyte is credited to the enhanced passivation and Na-ion conducting properties of polyether-based solid electrolyte interfaces (SEI) compared to polycarbonate-based counterparts. Carbon coating also resulted in the reduced decomposition of both diglyme and carbonate based electrolyte solutions. These results potentially encourage the use of ether-based electrolyte solutions for further improving the electrochemical performance and commercialization of rechargeable Na-ion batteries.
An alternate rapid synthesis of BaFeO4 is demonstrated. Fe(VI) salts, including BaFeO4, are energetic cathode materials in super-iron batteries ranging from primary to secondary, and including aqueous and non-aqueous cells. Of the Fe(VI) salts, BaFeO4 sustains unusually facile charge transfer, of importance to the high power domain of alkaline batteries. Unlike previous syntheses, BaFeO4 preparation is demonstrated from all solid state room temperature reactants. This eliminates several synthetic procedural steps and improves stability to approach that of the rigorously stable chemically synthesized K2FeO4 salt.
Incidental capture in fisheries (“bycatch”) is a major threat to global marine biodiversity, especially to those species with low fecundity, such as albatrosses. Efforts to reduce bycatch have been undertaken in industrial fisheries, but the scale of seabird interactions with artisanal or small-scale fleets remains largely unknown. The island of Torishima (Japan) is an important breeding site for two albatross species (short-tailed Phoebastria albatrus and black-footed P. nigripes) and also lies in the range of the artisanal longline fishery for the splendid alfonsino Beryx splendens. In February–March 2017, we tracked 23 foraging trips of adult P. nigripes feeding chicks by Global Positioning System (GPS) and monitored the prevalence of fishing gear at the nests using a metal detector. The foraging range of these albatrosses was a maximum of 280 km from Torishima, and only 3.7% of the GPS locations occurred over the shallow habitats targeted by the alfonsino fishery (water depth 150–500 m), suggesting relatively low risks of interaction. However, 190 (54.3%) nests of P. nigripes contained fishing gear, among which 12 (3.4%) nests or chicks contained a hook or an unidentified metallic object. Six hooks were also collected from P. albatrus nests. All found hooks, except one, originated from the alfonsino fishery, indicating that both targeted albatross species actually interacted with this fishery at sea. Both research approaches provided data from returning birds only and did not reflect possible lethal cases at sea. Monitoring the sub-lethal effects of bycatch and encouraging small-scale fisheries to report gear lost at sea are two possibilities to further help quantify and reduce the impact of fisheries on seabirds.
Graphene, a two-dimensional carbon sheet with one atom thickness and one of the thinnest materials in universe, has inspired huge interest in physics, materials science, chemistry and biology. However, pure graphene sheets are limited for many applications despite their excellent characteristics and scientists face challenges to induce more and controlled functionality. Therefore graphene nanocomposites or hybrids are attracting increasing efforts for real applications in energy and environmental areas by introducing controlled functional building blocks to graphene. In this Review, we first give a brief introduction of graphene's unique physical and chemical properties followed by various preparation and functionalization methods for graphene nanocomposites in the second section. We focus on recent energy-related progress of graphene nanocomposites in solar energy conversion (e.g., photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical devices, artificial photosynthesis) and electrochemical energy devices (e.g., lithium ion battery, supercapacitor, fuel cell) in the third section. We then review the advances in environmental applications of functionalized graphene nanocomposites for the detection and removal of heavy metal ions, organic pollutants, gas and bacteria in the fourth section. Finally a conclusion and perspective is given to discuss the remaining challenges for graphene nanocomposites in energy and environmental science.
The presence of a surface layer on lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12, LTO) anodes, which has been a topic of debate in scientific literature, is here investigated with tunable high surface sensitive synchrotron-based photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) to obtain a reliable depth profile of the interphase. Li||LTO cells with electrolytes consisting of 1 M lithium hexafluorophosphate dissolved in ethylene carbonate:diethyl carbonate (LiPF6 in EC:DEC) were cycled in two different voltage windows of 1.0–2.0 V and 1.4–2.0 V. LTO electrodes were characterized after 5 and 100 cycles. Also the pristine electrode as such, and an electrode soaked in the electrolyte were analyzed by varying the photon energies enabling depth profiling of the outermost surface layer. The main components of the surface layer were found to be ethers, P–O containing compounds, and lithium fluoride.
Electrochemically active polyluminol was synthesized using an oxidative chemical polymerization reaction. The chemically polymerized luminol (CpLum) exhibited reversible oxidation and reduction reactions with fast kinetics. From Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses, the polymerization occurred by the conversion of primary amine groups into secondary amine groups. The polymer contained benzoid and quinoid segments which were confirmed by UV–visible spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Thermal analysis revealed the semi-crystalline nature of CpLum, with two thermal events at 99°C and 152°C corresponding to a glass transition and a melting temperature. The interesting features and electrochemical activities may lead to applications in energy storage.
It is often taken for granted that metering is an unarguable ‘best practice’ when it comes to the quantitative management of groundwater resources. This paper revisits empirical evidence of the performance of meters on the ground, distinguishing between the logistical, financial, political and institutional factors that condition acceptability, implementation and monitoring. It is shown that metering should only be implemented when certain conditions are met. The options for technical and institutional improvements are reviewed. Then the paper turns to co-management arrangements between the state/administration and water user associations. It is argued that metering can play a key part in these arrangements rather than be, by default, an undesired nuisance. Hence, the distribution of the costs of meter installation, maintenance and monitoring should be construed as part of the balancing of costs and benefits, carrots and sticks, threats and opportunities, and of the roles of the states and water user associations. All must be designed to elicit collective action towards, and adherence to, sustainability targets.
Background Animal and vegetable-based proteins differ on their effect on many health outcomes, but their relationship with unhealthy aging is uncertain. Thus, we examined the association between changes in animal and vegetable protein intake and unhealthy aging in older adults. Methods Data came from 1951 individuals aged ≥60 years recruited in the Seniors-ENRICA cohort in 2008-2010 (wave 0) and followed-up in 2012 (wave 1), 2015 (wave 2), and 2017 (wave 3). Dietary protein intake was measured with a validated diet history at waves 0 and 1, and unhealthy aging was measured with a 52-item health deficit accumulation index at each wave. Results Compared with participants with a >2% decrease in energy intake from vegetable protein from wave 0 to wave 1, those with a >2% increase showed less deficit accumulation over 3.2 years (multivariable β [95% confidence interval (CI)]: -1.05 [-2.03, -0.06]), 6 years (-1.28 [-2.51, -0.03]), and 8.2 years of follow-up (-1.68 [-3.27, -0.09]). No associations were found for animal protein. Less deficit accumulation over 8.2 years was observed when substituting 1% of energy from vegetable protein for an equal amount of carbohydrate or fat (-0.50 [-0.93, -0.07]), animal protein (-0.44 [-0.81, -0.07]), dairy protein (-0.51 [-0.91, -0.12]), or meat protein (-0.44 [-0.84, -0.04]). Conclusions Increasing dietary intake of vegetable protein may delay unhealthy aging when replacing carbohydrates, fats, or animal protein, especially from meat and dairy.
Objectives The study aim was to assess rater agreement of the Resistance Training Skills Battery (RTSB) for adolescents. The RTSB provides an assessment of resistance training skill competency and includes six exercises. The RTSB can be used to assess performance and progress in adolescent resistance training programmes and to provide associated feedback to participants. Individual skill scores are based on the number of performance criteria successfully demonstrated and an overall resistance training skill quotient (RTSQ) is created by summing the six skill scores. Design/methods The eight raters had varying experience in movement skill assessment and resistance training and completed a 2–3h training session in how to assess resistance training performance using the RTSB. The raters then completed an assessment on six skills for 12 adolescents (mean age=15.1 years, SD=1.0, six male and six female) in a randomised order. Results Agreement between seven of the eight raters was high (20 of the 21 pairwise correlations were greater than 0.7 and 13 of the 21 were greater than 0.8). Correlations between the eighth rater and each of the other seven raters were generally lower (0.45–0.78). Most variation in the assigned RTSB scores (67%) was between cases, a relatively small amount of the variation (10%) was between raters and the remainder (23%) was between periods within raters. The between-raters coefficient of variation was approximately 5%. Conclusions The RTSB can be used reliably by those with experience in movement skill assessment and resistance training to assess the resistance skill of adolescents.
Porous spherical LiMnPO4·2Li3V2(PO4)3/C composite was synthesized innovatively via spray-drying route using oxalate complex. X-ray diffraction patterns and energy dispersive X-ray results revealed that the composite was composed of LiMnPO4 and Li3V2(PO4)3. Scanning electron microscopy results revealed the porous spherical structure, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results exhibited that the surface of the microsphere was coated with carbon layer of about 5.1nm thickness. The mutual doping phenomenon between LiMnPO4 and Li3V2(PO4)3 was also confirmed by high resolution TEM and Fourier transform observation. Porous spherical LiMnPO4·2Li3V2(PO4)3/C delivered an initial capacity of 132.6mAhg−1 at 0.1C and noticeably enhanced high rate capacities at 1, 3 and 10C. Compared with solid spherical LiMnPO4·2Li3V2(PO4)3/C, cycle performance, high-rate performance and lithium ion intercalation performance of porous spherical LiMnPO4·2Li3V2(PO4)3/C were all significantly improved.
Sn–Sb–Co alloy films prepared via co-electroplating and post-electrodissolution treatment were studied as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The alloy was composed of pure Sn, Sn–Sb, and Sn–Co alloy phases. During post-electrodissolution, the easy dissolution of Sn phase resulted in an increase in Sb and Co contents. Electrochemical measurements showed improved initial capacity and capacity retention with increasing electrodissolution treatment time. For the sample subjected to 10 min of electrodissolution treatment, the capacity remained at 580 mAh g−1 at the 50th cycle. Post-electrodissolution was proven to be an effective method to improve the electrochemical performance of ternary Sn-based alloys.
Platinum single crystal electrodes, Pt(hkl), represent ideal materials where studying surface sensitive reactions such as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Moreover, there is a great interest in testing carbon supported electrocatalyts mixed with Nafion® ionomer in order to directly evaluate catalysts under practical fuel cell conditions. Thus, we provide a first imaging attempt by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to locally evaluate the electrocatalytic activity during ORR on a Pt(111) single crystal electrode decorated with spots of commercial carbon supported platinum nanoparticles entrapped in Nafion®. Both electrocatalysts present the same chemical composition and then, total surface area, particle size and crystallographic orientation at the electrode surface are the effects studied. Our SECM images prove that the peroxide pathway can also be considered a relevant reaction route on platinum electrodes. We agree with some recent reports pointing the Nafion® content and the three-dimensional surface electrode area as key factors to control for achieving a proper evaluation of the apparent number of electrons exchanged during ORR.
The effects of a pulse charging technique on charge–discharge behavior and cycling characteristics of commercial lithium-ion batteries were investigated by comparison with the conventional direct current (dc) charging. The impedance spectra and cycling voltammograms of Li-ion batteries cycled by both protocols have been measured. The individual electrodes in the batteries have also been examined using XRD and SEM. The results show that pulse charging is helpful in eliminating concentration polarization, increasing the power transfer rate, and lowering charge time by removing the need for constant voltage charging in the conventional protocol. Pulse charging interrupts dc charging with short relaxation periods and short discharge pulses during charging, and also improves the active material utilization giving the battery higher discharge capacity and longer cycle life. Impedance measurements show that the magnitude of the interfacial resistance of the batteries cycled both by pulse charging and dc charging is small. However, at the same number of cycles, the interfacial resistance of the pulse charged battery is larger than that of dc charged. The batteries after 300 cycles charged by pulse charging show higher peak currents during both forward and reverse scans indicating higher reversibility of the electrodes. XRD and SEM studies of the individual electrodes indicate that pulse charging maintains the stability of the LiCoO2 cathode better than dc charging and inhibits the increase in the thickness of the passive film on the anode during cycling.
Carbon Nanocapsules (CNCs) were investigated for their electrocatalytic performances for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline electrolyte. With an average diameter of 10–30 nm, the CNCs are composed of graphene layers encapsulating a hollow core. A gas diffusion electrode (GDE) made of CNCs revealed a much enhanced i–V polarization response than that of Vulcan XC72. However, its performance was moderately lower than that of Black Pearls 2000. In addition, the CNCs were impregnated with nanoparticles of Ag, MnOx and CoOx. The i–V and galvanostatic results of the catalyzed CNCs indicated significant improvements over that of noncatalyzed CNCs. For example, a Ag–CNC derived GDE was capable of delivering 1.03 and 0.88 V at current densities of 100  and 200 mA cm−2, respectively. Our study offers direct evidence that the CNCs not only exhibit unique electrocatalytic abilities but also function superbly as an electrocatalyst support.
LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 is redesigned into a new core-shelled Li[(Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1)2/7]core[(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)3/14]inner-shell[(Ni0.4Co0.2Mn0.4)1/2]outer-shellO2, in which LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 may deliver high capacity and LiNi0.4Co0.2Mn0.4O2 provides structural and thermal stability. To achieve such designed structure, double-shelled hydroxide precursors are firstly prepared via a co-precipitation route. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows that all precursors are of 6–10 μm spherical secondary particles developed from nanosheet-shaped primary particles. Energy disperse X-ray spectrum (EDS) on the surface of precursors, in combination with increase of particles size from core to shell during co-precipitation process, confirms the formation of core–shell structure as designed. The spherical morphology is preserved after lithiation at different temperatures from 800 °C to 900 °C while the morphology of primary particles changes from nano-sized plate to micron-sized rectangular-like shapes. EDS surface composition analysis of lithiated compounds also strongly suggests the formation of core–shell structure; nevertheless, diffusion of transition metal ions between the core and shell occurs and becomes severe with increase of sintering temperature. Consequently, the double-shelled materials especially prepared at 850 °C display the remarkably improved cycleability, rate capability, and thermal stability in contrast to normal one. The enhancement of those properties may be ascribed to structurally stable double shell components, especially outer shell.
Several multiple-ion-doped lithium nickel oxides with formula of LiMn x Co y Ni1−x−y O2 were synthesized via solid-state reactions at high temperature. These phase-pure LiMn x Co y Ni1−x−y O2 compounds have a layered hexagonal structure, and their electrochemical properties were systematically investigated. Typical cathodes can deliver a capacity in the range of 140–180mAh/g with fairly stable cyclability. The kinetics of lithium insertion in these cathodes were characterized via ac impedance measurements. These newly developed compounds show great promises as cathode materials for future lithium-ion batteries with low cost and less toxicity.