batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
In recent years, spinel lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12) as a superior anode material for energy storage battery has attracted a great deal of attention because of the excellent Li-ion insertion and extraction reversibility. However, the high-rate characteristics of this material should be improved if it is used as an active material in large batteries. One effective way to achieve this is to prepare electrode materials coated with carbon. A Li4Ti5O12/polyacene (PAS) composite were first prepared via an in situ carbonization of phenol–formaldehyde (PF) resin route to form carbon-based composite. The SEM showed that the Li4Ti5O12 particles in the composite were more rounded and smaller than the pristine one. The PAS was uniformly dispersed between the Li4Ti5O12 particles, which improved the electrical contact between the corresponding Li4Ti5O12 particles, and hence the electronic conductivity of composite material. The electronic conductivity of Li4Ti5O12/PAS composite is 10−1 Scm−1, which is much higher than 10−9 Scm−1 of the pristine Li4Ti5O12. High specific capacity, especially better high-rate performance was achieved with this Li4Ti5O12/PAS electrode material. The initial specific capacity of the sample is 144mAh/g at 3C, and it is still 126.2mAh/g after 200 cycles. By increasing the current density, the sample still maintains excellent cycle performance.
The electrochemical reduction of dioxygen on the single-walled carbon nanotubes–dihexadecyl phosphate (SWNTs–DHP) film electrode has been investigated. Two well-defined dioxygen reduction peaks were observed at about −0.39 and −0.93V in 0.1M air-saturated NaOH at the SWNTs–DHP film electrode suggesting two two-electron reduction steps of dioxygen. The numbers of electron transferred and transfer coefficients in the dioxygen reduction process were calculated. The influences of some parameters on the reduction of dioxygen were examined including the concentration and amount of nanotubes, and ratio of SWNTs vs. DHP. Based on the experiment results under the conditions employed here, a possible mechanism is proposed and discussed.
The primary goal of this work is to assess the potential of solar energy as an essential future energy source in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates. The findings of this study are based on the national energy production and consumption portfolios, detailed quantitative analysis of the solar energy resource, the local operating conditions of solar installations and the current status of technology. This study also offers an extensive literature review on the development of solar energy in the UAE to investigate: (i) methods for evaluating the solar resource, (ii) the effect of the local environmental operating conditions on the performance of different technologies, (iii) strategies for financing projects and encouraging home-owners to install PV, (iv) and benefits of solar energy to the electricity generation, water production and transportation sectors.
Objectives. To study the effects of Cytoflavin during the recovery period of ischemic stroke (IS) in terms of changes in neuropsychological status and serum levels of neurotrophins. Materials and methods. A total of 52 patients were observed after fi rst IS at age 52–74 years. Patients were divided into two groups. The study group (25 patients) received basal therapy supplemented with intravenous Cytoflavin infusions of 20 ml in 400 ml of 5% glucose solution once daily for 10 days followed by two tablets twice daily half an hour before meals for one month. The reference group (27 patients) received standard treatment. The control group consisted of 12 essentially healthy subjects. Apart from standard clinical laboratory investigations, participants underwent complex neuropsychological studies with assessment of data on the NIHSS, Bartel, Beck, and Spilberger–Hanin tests, the Frontal Assessment Battery, and the Mini Mental State Examination. In addition, neurotrophic factor levels were determined: nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Studies were performed over time: before treatment started and two months after treatment. Results and conclusions. Patients in the recovery period following first IS showed moderate impairments to neuropsychological status and decreases in neurotrophic factor levels. Prescription of Cytoflavin increased treatment efficacy, which was apparent as a more marked improvement in neurological symptomatology as compared with the results obtained with basal therapy, along with improvements in cognitive functions and increases in BDNF levels. Efficacy and safety data indicate that Cytoflavin can be included in treatment schemes for patients in the recovery period following first carotid IS.
Previous studies revealed some comorbidity of Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis not only for advanced disease, but also for the incipient conditions cognitive decline and decline of bone mineral density. To detect comorbidity with osteoporosis at a subclinical level, we studied concentrations of biochemical osteoporosis markers in blood plasma of subjects with mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer’s disease compared to subjects with primary osteoporosis and age-matched cognitively normal controls in an explorative approach. Regarding disease-spanning molecular pathology we also studied osteoprotegerin, a decoy receptor of RANKL and TRAIL. Equally increased C-terminal collagen fragments, marking bone catabolism, were seen in osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease (+68%) versus controls. Osteocalcin, marking bone remodelling and anabolism, was concomitantly increased in osteoporosis (+63%), as a trend, and significantly in Alzheimer’s disease (+76%). Osteoprotegerin was unchanged between patient groups and controls. 25 (OH) vitamin D plasma levels were low normal and of equal amount in all groups except for the osteoporosis group. These results point to increased bone catabolism and concomitant remodelling/anabolism unrelated to vitamin D state in mild Alzheimer’s disease, but not in mild cognitive impairment. This corroborates previous findings of comorbidity of Alzheimer’s disease with osteoporosis in the early disease course at the level of biochemical blood markers. Regarding osteoprotegerin, previously reported plasma level increases in Alzheimer’s disease were not observed in this study, which does not rule out subtle changes to be detected in larger samples or the possibility that other components of osteoprotegerin pathways are affected in Alzheimer’s disease.
People with epilepsy (PWE) may experience seizures that constitute a risk to road safety. Consequently, many states have instituted restrictions, such as being seizure-free for intervals of 3 to 12months, before driving can be resumed. However, 30% of drivers with recurrent seizures still drive despite having a restricted license. As a result of recurrent and uncontrolled seizures, PWE may have impairments in motor, visual and cognitive abilities, as well as impaired driving performance. No studies to date have prospectively examined factors associated with driving performance in PWE. The primary objective of this study was to determine which tests, from a clinical battery, are correlated with driving errors in PWE using a simulator. The sample consisted of 16 drivers with epilepsy (mean age 44.3±12.0; 63% women) recruited from the epilepsy monitoring unit at the University of Florida. All participants completed a clinical battery of cognitive, visual and motor tests, as well as a 35-minute drive on a simulator. Significant correlations emerged between: visual acuity with visual scanning (r=.69, p<.01) and adjustment to stimuli (r=.60, p<.05); contrast sensitivity with lane maintenance (r=−.54, p>.05), vehicle position (r=−.61, p>.05) and total number of errors (r=−.72, p>.01); and useful field of view scores (subtest 2) with visual scanning (r=.57, p>.05) and vehicle position (r=.63, p>.05). Limitations and future implications are addressed. The preliminary findings suggest visual and visual–cognitive tests are associated with driving errors in a simulated driving environment.
The characteristics of a solid-state capacitor based on Ppy (polypyrrole)/Al2O3/Al prepared by the constant-current method are investigated. The surface composition of aluminum (Al) foil analyzed to by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) is found to be AlO2 − when the native oxide on the Al foil is etched by 0.1M NaOH. Three stages are defined from the relationship between the potential and the electrolysis time in simultaneously preparing the dielectric layer (Al2O3) and the conducting polymer (Ppy) on Al foil etched with 0.1M NaOH. The experimental results indicate that only stage one, i.e. the formation of Al2O3, occurs in the preparation of Ppy/Al2O3/Al at a current density greater than 0.9mAcm−2. A higher concentration of pyrrole enhances the nucleation of Ppy within the pores of Al2O3 such that the period of the first stage decrease and the second stage of the propagation of Ppy is increased. The leakage current of Ppy/Al2O3/Al rises from 0.009 to 0.405μAcm−2 with increase in the concentration of pyrrole in preparing Ppy/Al2O3/Al from 0.05 to 0.15M. Raising the cut-off potential for preparing Ppy/Al2O3/Al from 20 to 60V increases the thickness of Al2O3 and lowers the capacity of Ppy/Al2O3/Al from 478.5 to 174.2nFcm−2.
Lithium ion batteries have been one of the major power supplies for small electronic devices since the last century. However, with the rapid advancement of electronics and the increasing demand for clean sustainable energy, newer lithium ion batteries with higher energy density, higher power density, and better cyclic stability are needed. In addition, newer generations of lithium ion batteries must meet the requirements of low and easy fabrication cost and be free of toxic materials. There have been many novel approaches to gain high energy storage capacities and charge/discharge rates without sacrificing the battery cyclic life. Nanostructured electrodes are seemingly the most promising candidate for future lithium ion batteries. Modification of the electrode surface chemistry and the control of appropriate crystallinity are also reported to improve the electrode intercalation capabilities. The study of appropriately designed nanostructures, interfaces and crystallinity has also promoted and is accompanied with the development of thin film electrodes without the addition of binders and conductive carbon that are typically used in the fabrication of traditional lithium ion battery electrodes, simplifying the electrode fabrication process and enhancing electrode storage density. In this perspective, we summarize and discuss the efforts of fabricating nanostructures, modifying surface chemistry and manipulating crystallinity to achieve enhanced lithium ion intercalation capacities, rate capabilities and cyclic stability, as well as the direct fabrication of binderless film electrodes with desirable nano- and microstructures.
The process of electrochemical dissolution of aluminum in an alkaline solution was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A model based on its reaction mechanism was proposed. The kinetic parameters including rate constants of each step and covering densities of intermediates were obtained. The EIS was well analyzed by this model.
Composite cathodes are prepared by blending the olivine LiFe0.3Mn0.7PO4 (LFMP) and spinel LiMn1.9Al0.1O4 (LMO) in order to combine the high capacity of LFMP with the rate capability of the spinel. While tap density, capacity and energy density show a linear dependency on the blend ratio, a remarkable synergetic effect between LFMP and LMO improving the electrochemical performance at higher C-rates is demonstrated. Potential curves of blend electrodes at rates of 3C reveal a less pronounced polarization for the Mn2+/3+ plateau than expected from theoretical calculations. This buffer effect is also observed for high current pulses (5C) where blend electrodes resemble the behavior of pure spinel electrodes. In terms of power density at high states of charge (SoC), the performance of the Blend(50LFMP/50LMO cap%) exceeds even that of pure spinel. In addition, the spinel-related manganese dissolution can be drastically reduced by blending spinel with LFMP. This study shows the expected and synergetic effects of LFMP/spinel blends and compares the results with theoretical calculations.
In this paper, strategies to successfully introduce solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) into industry and society are discussed using a scenario approach. Scenarios for Japanese energy systems are developed to portray the situation up to the year 2050, in order to consider the potential interrelation of SOFCs with other power generation technologies, and to direct further investigation and stimulate discussion among researchers and stakeholders. Scenarios are constructed by combining a number of scenario options, such as technical, social, political and economic aspects. Specific attention is focused on the lifecycle of SOFCs. A power generation planning model developed in a previous study was extended to model decision-making for power generation capacity planning based on cost minimization, subject to other constraints and requirements over the focal time period of 2001–2050. In this way, it is possible to assess for each scenario not only the feasible introduction rate of SOFCs, but also the CO2 emissions, cost, and energy security requirements for the entire energy system, including both distributed and centralized power systems. The results of the analyses elucidate the effectiveness of different technical and political alternatives, such as technological breakthrough, recycling, security of materials and production facilities, on the successful introduction of SOFCs in Japanese power systems.
The effect of Li-salt mixing in Li-ion battery electrolyte based on LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate (EC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) is investigated. The addition of an appropriate amount of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) into the LiPF6-based electrolyte contributes to an electrochemical improvement of the graphite anode. However, the LiFePO4 cathode is difficult to cycle in such an electrolyte due to the severe corrosion of the aluminium current collector by FSI anions. Lithium bis-oxalato borate (LiBOB) is able to passivate Al and suppress the corrosion arising from the FSI anions. An improvement of rate performance and cycling stability for both the LiFePO4 cathode and the graphite anode is obtained in 1.0molL−1 LiPF6/EC/EMC electrolyte containing 0.2molL−1 LiFSI and 0.2molL−1 LiBOB salts. Moreover, an excellent compatibility between the graphite anode and LiFePO4 cathode in the ternary-salt electrolyte system is further confirmed by the full cell tests. The electrochemical performance improvement of the electrolyte resulting from Li-salt mixing provides a new way for optimization of electrolyte for high performance Li-ion batteries.
TS school starters had enhanced receptive and expressive language on standardised assessment (CELF-P) and enhanced rhyme judgements, spoonerisms, and lexical decision, indicating enhanced phonological skills and word representations. There was marginal but consistent advantage across lexico-semantic tasks. On executive tasks, speeded naming of numbers was impaired but not pictures. Young TS adults had enhanced naming and receptive vocabulary, indicating enhanced semantic skills. There were consistent deficits in executive language: phonemic oral fluency, rhyme fluency, speeded naming of pictures, numbers and colours; sentence completion requiring supression of prepotent responses. Haploinsufficiency of X-chromosome drives mechanisms that affect the anatomical and neurochemical development of the brain, resulting in enhanced temporal lobe aspects of language. These strengths co-exist with impaired development of frontal lobe executive language systems. This means not only that these elements of language can decouple in development but that their very independence is driven by mechanisms linked to the X-chromosome.
High voltage power lines are known to produce corona ions that can be carried from the line by the wind, progressively attaching to ambient aerosol particles and causing fluctuations in the Earth’s atmospheric potential gradient. A fixed site monitoring station was installed near two power lines, which recorded the potential gradient at 1s intervals and the ambient weather conditions every 10min. The station ran continuously from January 2007 to December 2008, accumulating long-term data. Results from 2008 show an increase in potential gradient variability when a wind is blowing across the power lines towards the station, indicating that corona ions may be present in this environment.
Safety is a prime concern associated with the use of metallic lithium in high-capacity Li–S batteries. Recent studies have shown that replacing lithium metal with other high performance anodes and assembling as lithium-ion sulfur battery (LISB) are effective methods to enhance the safety coefficient of the battery. However, the volume expansion of anodic active materials and gradual thickening of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the anode, as well as the ever-existing detrimental shuttle effect of sulfur cathode still limit the performance of LISBs. In this work, we propose and prepare a lithium-ion sulfur polymer battery (LISPB) that employs a stable SnO2 anode and a bi-functional gel polymer electrolyte (GPE). We demonstrate that graphene and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) are able to form a robust anode structure and simultaneously maintain a stable SEI in ether-based electrolyte, while the acrylate-based GPE immobilizes the polysulfides and protects the anodic SEI from side deposition reactions. The LISPB renders a superior high rate capability (608.2mAhg−1 at 5C), while maintaining excellent retention at both high and low current densities (83.3% after 300 cycles at 0.3C and 82.1% after 500 cycles at 1C). This novel and simple LISPB system represents a significant advancement of high-safety sulfur-based batteries.
Titanium dioxide mixed phases containing TiO2(b) and anatase phase in different ratios were prepared via a facile, template free, low temperature hydrothermal synthesis. Morphology and phase composition were tuned by adequately adjusting the main synthesis parameters, i.e., temperature, powder/liquid ratio and basicity of the mother solution. The effect of different phase compositions on the lithium insertion and de-insertion properties was tested by electrochemical cycling at increasing cycling rates. Results indicate a superiority of monoclinic TiO2(b) phase over the tetragonal anatase phase especially at elevated cycling rates. Further analysis shows that internal resistance is one of the major limitations for electrochemical cycling of anatase.
The paper presents a virtual diving system based on a virtual reality (VR) application for the exploitation of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. The virtual diving experience has been designed to entertain users, but its added pedagogical value is explicitly emphasized too. In fact, the ludic activities, consisting in the simulation of a real diving session from the point of view of a scuba diver, are following a storyline described by a virtual diving companion who guides users during the exploration of the underwater archaeological site. The virtual diving system provides general and historical-cultural contents, but also information about the flora and fauna of the specific submerged site to the users. The results collected through user studies demonstrate that the proposed VR system is able to provide a playful learning experience, with a high emotional impact, and it has been well appreciated by a large variety of audiences, even by younger and inexperienced users.
Prior to realizing grid-scale applications of the energy storage devices, there remain several key issues including the development of low-cost, high-performance materials and electrolytes which are environmentally friendly and compatibles with low-temperature and large-scale processing. The present work reports the preparation, characterization, and comparative application of two PILs namely, diisoprpylethylammonium methanesulfonate, [DIPEA][MeSO3], and pyrrolidinium methanesulfonate, [Pyrr][MeSO3], in mixture with water as electrolyte for supercapacitor applications. Different electrochemical measurements like cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and galvanostatic charge–discharge were conducted to study the performance of these aqueous solutions as supercapacitors with activated carbon electrode. From this work, good specific capacitances up to 102Fg−1 have been observed even at high-rate cyclability, as well as an increase of the specific power close to 13.9kWkg−1 at high current density of 15Ag−1.
In this work, montmorillonite (Mt) was modified by octadecyl amine ethoxylate ether (A) which has two poly(ethylene oxide) segments. Montmorillonite/polypropylene (Mt/PP) nanocomposites were prepared by a melt blending technique using different contents of modified Mt with and without maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PPg). The intercalated and exfoliated structures of Mt/PP nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Because of the typical intercalated and exfoliated structures, the mechanical properties of Mt/PP nanocomposites were improved significantly. The modified Mt in a PP matrix led to a significant reduction of melt viscosity and enhancement in Izod-notched impact strength and elongation at break. The Izod-notched impact strength and elongation at break of Mt/PP nanocomposites were 1.95 and 2.77 times as high as those of pure PP. The tensile strength of Mt/PP nanocomposites was also improved in the presence of PPg.
An electrochemical atomic force microscope (EC-AFM) was used to study the reaction of a lead electrode in sulfuric acid electrolyte, when the reaction corresponding to what occurs at the negative electrode of a lead–acid battery took place. At first, the AFM was applied to observation of the lead electrode during cyclic-voltammetry (CV) measurement, and was found to be useful to obtaining continuous in situ images of the surface morphology. These AFM images dynamically showed the surface morphology change during the oxidation/reduction cycle. From these observation results, it was visually confirmed that the quick deposition of lead sulfate crystals occurs after super-saturation phenomena at the oxidation peak on CV, and that the slow dissolving of the lead sulfate crystals occurs after the reduction peak. AFM images of the lead sulfate morphology after oxidation were then compared with those in a different potential sweeping rate and electrolyte concentration at CV. It was clearly found that the crystal size becomes smaller when the potential sweeping rate is fast or the electrolyte concentration is high. We also compared the difference in AFM images and SEM images that were observed on the same electrode sample.
In this paper, we concern ourselves with finding a control strategy that minimizes energy consumption along a trajectory connecting two given configurations. We develop an algorithm, based on our previous work with the time optimal problem, which provides implementable control strategies that are energy efficient. We find an interesting correlation between the duration of these trajectories and the optimal duration. We present the algorithm, control strategy and experimental results from our test-bed vehicle.
The steady-state and anodic corrosion of Pb–0.17wt.% Ca–0.88wt.% Sn, and Pb–0.17wt.% Ca–0.88wt.% Sn–0.06wt.% Li alloys in 4.5M H2SO4 at 25°C were studied using cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The experimental results show that the lithium added to Pb–Ca–Sn alloy increases corrosion resistance in equilibrium potential and inhibits the growth of the anodic corrosion layer.