batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
This paper studies the feasibility of using the vanadium redox flow battery (VRB) for power quality control applications. This work investigates the dynamic voltage and current responses of the VRB to load changes over a range of frequencies (up to 5 kHz), through experimental studies on a laboratory scale testing system. Experiments were carried out under different operating conditions to examine the effects of system SOC, discharging current and temperature. The analysis shows that the magnitude of battery impedance is higher at low frequencies but lower at high frequencies. These results suggest that the VRB has the ability to handle charging-discharging power fluctuations in a frequency range up to a kHz level. By using the concept of fractional order systems, the transient behaviour of the VRB cell was modelled as an equivalent circuit that utilises a constant phase element to represent the electrochemical double layer and a Warburg element to describe the effect of concentration polarisation. This equivalent circuit model is useful for electrical interface design and power flow control applications.
To understand what and how structural properties affect battery performance, and to optimize the structural properties accordingly are of crucial importance to improve the performance of cathode materials for advanced Li-ion batteries. Herein, we investigated the influence of Li-enrichment in Li1+x (Ni0.8Co0.2)1-x O2 transition metal (TM) oxide cathodes, obtained by sintering Ni0.8Co0.2(OH)2 precursor with different amount of Li sources. Compared with stoichiometric Li1+x (Ni0.8Co0.2)1-x O2 (i.e. x = 0, Li:TM = 1:1), the improvements of cycling stability and rate performance were observed in material with moderate degree of Li-enrichment with respect to TMs (i.e. x = 0.019, Li:TM = 1.04:1). Further increase in Li:TM ratio up to 1.07 diminishes the electrochemical performance. Multi-scale structural characterizations including neutron diffraction and aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy measurements show that the Li-enrichment leads to a monotonical increase in both Li/Ni exchange ratio and Li slab space. Based on the results, we argue that, in material with moderate Li-enrichment, larger Li slab space can facilitate the diffusion of Li ions and a certain amount of Li/Ni disordering can also mitigate the contraction of layered structure, therefore resulting in an optimized electrochemical performance; while in material with excessive Li:TM ratio, the diffusion path can be partially blocked due to the presence of redundant Ni ions in Li layers.
In this paper, we describe the evaluation of an automated in vitro micronucleus assay using CHO-K1 cells in 96-well plates. CHO-K1 cells were pre-loaded with a cell dye that stains the cytoplasm, after which the cells were treated with the test compounds for either 3h (for the +S9 condition) or 24h (for the −S9 condition). A total of 10 concentrations were tested, of which the top five concentrations were scored (limited by either cytotoxicity or solubility). At the end of the incubation period the cells were fixed and their DNA was stained with Hoechst. The visualization and scoring of the cells was done using an automated fluorescent microscope coupled with proprietary automated image analysis software provided by Cellomics (Pittsburg, PA). A total of 46 compounds were used in this evaluation, including 8 aneugens and 25 clastogens with varied mechanisms of action. Thirteen non-genotoxic compounds were also included. The automated scoring had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 100%, with a predictive value positive of 100% and a predictive value negative of 76%, compared to data from the literature that was obtained with manual scoring. We also describe the incorporation of a metabolic activation system using rat liver S9 homogenates, and the use of cell number counts as a cytotoxicity index which is complementary to the CBPI- (cytokinesis-block proliferation index) based index. Finally, we also discuss the potential for artefactual findings due to fluorescent precipitate, which should be carefully monitored to prevent false positive results. In conclusion, the automated in vitro micronucleus scoring is a valid alternative to the manual scoring of slides, and it has the advantage of generating data in a rapid and consistent manner, and with low compound requirements, which makes it well suited as a screening assay in the early stages of compound development.
In situ cross-linked poly(ether urethane) (PEU) is used as a binder for silicon (Si) anodes of lithium-ion batteries. Methylene di-p-phenyl diisocyanate and poly(ethylene glycol) are polymerized to form cross-linked PEU, while gallic acid is used as a cross-linker. The PEU binders are characterized by infrared spectroscopy, solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. The results of differential scanning calorimetry measurements show that the glass transition temperature of PEU is −23.2 °C, confirming that the binder is an elastomer. Moreover, 180° peeling tests show a dramatic increase in the adhesion force of the Si anode with the cross-linked binder. The charge capacities of the Si anode with the cross-linked binder at C-rates of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 C are found to be 3628, 3490, 3156, 2838, and 2491 mAh g−1, respectively, which are higher than those of the Si electrode with a non-cross-linked PEU binder. Furthermore, the Si anode with the in situ cross-linked PEU binder exhibits good cycle-life performance with a specific charge capacity of 2414 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.2 C.
Standard temporal resection in the left hemisphere carries the risk of postoperative naming ability decline, especially with later epilepsy onset age/absence of hippocampal sclerosis. Language mapping has been performed routinely at some centers to minimize postoperative primary language impairment, but its effect on changes in naming performance has not been explored. This study examined naming outcome in 24 patients with nonlesional epilepsy who had left temporal resection after extraoperative language mapping. The mean decline in Boston Naming Test (BNT) score was 7.8, and 13 (54%) patients had a BNT decline greater than the Reliable Change Index. Simple correlations found significant relationships between BNT score decline and: later onset age, higher preoperative BNT score, and resection of isolated language sites. A multiple regression analysis showed that onset age was the best predictor of BNT decline. Although naming ability in patients with early onset age is stable with language mapping, there is still a risk of decline for those with later onset age.
Morphologic and functional studies describing the impact of aging on mesencephalic dopaminergic (DA) neurons in laboratory animals are rather scanty and inconclusive. In rats, stereological studies characterizing age changes in the mesencephalic DA neurons have not been documented. In order to fill this information gap and to determine whether the very old rat may serve as a suitable animal model of Parkinson's disease, we performed a stereological assessment of the mesencephalic tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (TH-ir) neurons in young-adult (4–6 months), old (22–24 months) and senile (30–32 months) Sprague–Dawley female rats. Morphometric analysis of the TH-ir neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) was performed using an appropriate image analysis system. Age changes in motor performance were assessed measuring the endurance of rats to hang from a wire mesh pole or to remain on a ramp set at different angles to the floor. Age changes in locomotion and exploratory activity were evaluated by the open field test. We observed a significant age-related reduction in TH-ir neuron numbers in the SN (17 and 33% reduction in old and senile rats, respectively compared with young counterparts) but not in the VTA. The size of the TH-ir cells increased significantly in both the SN and VTA of the senescent animals but TH labeling intensity fell. Motor, locomotor and exploratory performance deteriorated markedly in the old and senile rats as compared with young animals. These findings reveal the existence of a moderate but significant vulnerability of mesencephalic DA neurons to aging in rats. This phenomenon, which is particularly marked in the SN of very old rats, may contribute to the age-related decline in motor and exploratory performance recorded in this species.
TiCl4-treated, nanoporous-layer-covered TiO2 (Type II) nanotube arrays are fabricated through a two-step anodization process followed by treatment with TiCl4. A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with TiCl4-treated, nanoporous-layer-covered Type II TiO2 nanotubes is compared with other DSSCs based on untreated Type II and both untreated and TiCl4-treated, conventional TiO2 (Type I) nanotube arrays. The TiCl4 surface treatment's effects on dye adsorption, charge transport, and electron lifetime are dependent on the morphologies of the TiO2 nanotubes. The TiCl4-treated Type I nanotubes allow higher dye adsorption, whilst the TiCl4-treated Type II nanotubes provide much faster electron transport and enhanced electron lifetime. This is because there are fewer defect traps in the nanostructure well-aligned without bundling, which contributes to the significantly improved cell performance over the DSSC with the TiCl4-treated Type I nanotubes.
The structural and electrochemical characteristics and the thermal behavior of four-cation oxides, LiNi0.85Co0.10M0.05O2 (M=Al, Fe) were examined by X-ray and neutron diffraction measurements, charge/discharge cycling and thermal analysis. LiNi0.85Co0.10Al0.05O2 showed enhanced electrochemical properties, i.e. a small polarization and a large reversible capacity during the charge/discharge cycling compared with LiNiO2 and it is due to the structural stabilization of the nickelate in the wide range of x by Co and Al substitution. The substitution of Co, Al and Fe also had a beneficial effect on the thermal stability of LiNiO2.
The mobile cloud computing model promises to address the resource limitations of mobile devices, but effectively implementing this model is difficult. Previous work on mobile cloud computing has required the user to have a continuous, high-quality connection to the cloud infrastructure. This is undesirable and possibly infeasible, as the energy required on the mobile device to maintain a connection, and transfer sizeable amounts of data is large; the bandwidth tends to be quite variable, and low on cellular networks. The cloud deployment itself needs to efficiently allocate scalable resources to the user as well. In this paper, we formulate the best practices for efficiently managing the resources required for the mobile cloud model, namely energy, bandwidth and cloud computing resources. These practices can be realised with our mobile cloud middleware project, featuring the Cloud Personal Assistant (CPA). We compare this with the other approaches in the area, to highlight the importance of minimising the usage of these resources, and therefore ensure successful adoption of the model by end users. Based on results from experiments performed with mobile devices, we develop a no-overhead decision model for task and data offloading to the CPA of a user, which provides efficient management of mobile cloud resources.
Gel polymer electrolytes composed of PVdF-HFP microporous membrane incorporating a guanidinium-based ionic liquid with 0.8molkg−1 lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonylimide) are characterized as the electrolytes in Li/LiFePO4 batteries. The ionic conductivity of these gel polymer electrolytes is 3.16×10−4 and 8.32×10−4 Scm−1 at 25 and 50°C, respectively. The electrolytes show good interfacial stability towards lithium metal and high oxidation stability, and the decomposition potential reaches 5.3 and 4.6V (vs. Li/Li+) at 25 and 50°C, respectively. Li/LiFePO4 cells using the PVdF-HFP/1g13TFSI-LiTFSI electrolytes show good discharge capacity and cycle stability, and no significant loss in discharge capacity of the battery is observed over 100 cycles. The cells deliver the capacity of 142 and 150mAhg−1 at the 100th cycling at 25 and 50°C, respectively.
The electric vehicle (EV) technology addresses the issue of the reduction of carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. The concept of EVs focuses on the utilization of alternative energy resources. However, EV systems currently face challenges in energy storage systems (ESSs) with regard to their safety, size, cost, and overall management issues. In addition, hybridization of ESSs with advanced power electronic technologies has a significant influence on optimal power utilization to lead advanced EV technologies. This paper comprehensively reviews technologies of ESSs, its classifications, characteristics, constructions, electricity conversion, and evaluation processes with advantages and disadvantages for EV applications. Moreover, this paper discusses various classifications of ESS according to their energy formations, composition materials, and techniques on average power delivery over its capacity and overall efficiencies exhibited within their life expectancies. The rigorous review indicates that existing technologies for ESS can be used for EVs, but the optimum use of ESSs for efficient EV energy storage applications has not yet been achieved. This review highlights many factors, challenges, and problems for sustainable development of ESS technologies in next-generation EV applications. Thus, this review will widen the effort toward the development of economic and efficient ESSs with a longer lifetime for future EV uses.
We have developed a fluoride shuttle battery (FSB) which is a promising candidate for the next-generation high-energy-density secondary batteries. Using the bis [2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl] ether (tetraglyme: G4) solvent containing 0.45 mol dm−3 cesium fluoride (CsF) and 0.5 mol dm−3 fluorobis (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) borane (FBTMPhB) as an electrolyte for FSB, we have successfully conducted the discharge (BiF3 + 3e− → Bi + 3F−) and charge (Bi + 3F− → BiF3 + 3e−) reactions for a BiF3 electrode; however, the discharge and charge capacities significantly decreased during cycling. Atomic absorption spectrometry results indicated that, in addition to the formation of BiF3, dissolution of Bi (Bi → Bi3+ + 3e−) occurred during the charge process. The dissolution of Bi indicated that the active material was lost from the electrode, which decreased the capacity during cycling. An increased CsF/FBTMPhB ratio in the electrolyte was found to suppress the dissolution of Bi during the charge process and, therefore, improve the cycling performance.
In order to overcome the pulverization problem of Ge-based anode materials with high capacity, we use the co-sputtering deposition method to prepare thin film nanocomposites (Ge–TiN), containing amorphous Ge and TiN, as an anode for use in high-performance LIBs. Compilation of the data from XRD, Raman, and TEM suggests that the nanocomposites consist of amorphous Ge and TiN phases in the presence of phase separation. From the XPS and EDX data, the nanocomposites show homogeneous distribution of Ge and TiN both on the surface and in the bulk of the electrodes. In the active–inactive composite, Ge acts as a reactant during the lithiation process, forming Li x Ge, which is surrounded by an inactive TiN matrix. The Ge–TiN nanocomposites demonstrate relatively high reversible capacities, and show good capacity retention ratios and excellent high rate cycling performance even at a high current rate.
In this work we proposed design, fabrication and functional characterization of a very low cost energy autonomous, maintenance free, flexible and wearable micro thermoelectric generator (μTEG), finalized to power very low consumption electronics ambient assisted living (AAL) applications. The prototype, integrating an array of 100 thin films thermocouples of Sb2Te3 and Bi2Te3, generates, at 40°C, an open circuit output voltage of 430mV and an electrical output power up to 32nW with matched load. In real operation conditions of prototype, which are believed to be very close to a thermal gradient of 15°C, the device generates an open circuit output voltage of about 160mV, with an electrical output power up to 4.18nW. In the first part of work, deposition investigation Sb2Te3 and Bi2Te3 thin films alloys on Kapton HN polyimide foil by RF magnetron co-sputtering technique is discussed. Deposition parameters have been optimized to gain perfect stoichiometric ratio and high thermoelectric power factor; fabricated thermogenerator has been tested at low gradient conditioned to evaluate applications like human skin wearable power generator for ambient assisted living applications.
To better understand the particle exchange processes across the Pyrenean continental margin, sampling was conducted in 1994 and 1995 at stations in and near the Lacaze-Duthiers canyon in the northwestern Mediterranean. Moored current meters provide evidence of water transport along the canyon axis (cross-slope) and along-slope with the prevailing regional circulation. Turbidity measurements show surficial nepheloid layers (SNL) roughly coincident with fluorescence resulting from biological productivity. Recurrent benthic nepheloid layers (BNL) (as observed at a station on the outer-shelf) are advected into the canyon, forming intermediate nepheloid layers (INL). The mineralogical composition of suspended particles collected at stations on the outer-shelf and head of the canyon indicates an illite and chlorite-rich assemblage with minor magnesian calcite, indicative of materials resuspended from the adjacent shelf sediments. The mineralogy of suspended particles at stations farther in the canyon shows the presence of material derived from the Rhone River and likely transported along-slope by the Liguro-Provençal current. Measurements of the short-lived naturally occurring radionuclide 234Th show that it is actively scavenged from the nepheloid layers. Within the canyon, scavenging (as indicated by the mean residence time of dissolved Th with respect to uptake onto particles) is similar in both the SNL (30–58d) and INL (25–85d). Residence times of particulate Th with respect to removal from the water column follow the same trends, with values of about 5d (1994) and 12–19d (1995) in the SNL and 11–20d (1994) and 15–23d (1995) in the INL. This research suggests that while the Lacaze-Duthiers canyon serves as a conduit through which sediment associated with nepheloid layers detached from the shelf are transported, the rates of scavenging of Th in the canyon are not appreciably different from those on the adjacent shelf.
The development of trifunctional catalysts integrated with the catalytic activities of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains an important scientific challenge. The obvious preparation strategy is to load metal-based compounds on the non-metal element doped carbon catalyst. A compact interface between heterogeneous materials is the key to obtain efficient performance. Herein, the cobalt-boron-oxide nanosheets were embedded into the N, P dual-doped carbon nanosheets, and a compact composite catalyst (Co–B–O/NPC) was constructed using boron as a medium. The Co–B–O/NPC-50% catalyst exhibits the ORR catalytic activity surpassing Pt/C catalyst, the OER catalytic activity exceeding RuO2, and the excellent catalytic activity of HER. These three catalytic performances originated from synergy also exhibit good stabilities. The rechargeable zinc-air battery using Co–B–O/NPC-50% as the electrocatalyst exhibits the power density of 110.7 mW/cm2 and a stable charge-discharge cycling of more than 60 h. The overall water-splitting electrolyzer using Co–B–O/NPC as sole catalyst also exhibits excellent performance and stability. A complex energy-system that combines Zn-air battery, illumination and water-splitting was built due to trifunctional characteristics. This work not only presents a novel preparation strategy, but also can deepen the understanding of the structure-activity relationship of trifunctional electro-catalysts.
Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with impairment in cognitive domains such as verbal memory and executive functions. However, visual paired associative learning (PAL) has been far less researched. Neurocognitive dysfunction in BD patients has been related to several clinical factors, but data on the effect of medication are relatively scarce and inconsistent. The aim of our study was to explore the effect of clinical and treatment-related parameters on executive functions and visual memory/learning, including PAL, in BD. Cognitive performance of 60 bipolar I patients and 30 healthy subjects was evaluated by using CANTAB battery tasks targeting spatial recognition memory, PAL and executive functions (set shifting, planning, inhibitory control). Bipolar patients showed poorer performance in PAL, set shifting, planning and inhibitory control than healthy subjects; however, only differences in PAL and planning survived correction for multiple comparisons. Number of previous manic episodes and illness duration predicted worse performance in set shifting and PAL, respectively, whereas current treatment with valproate predicted better performance in PAL. This is one of the first studies to assess clinical and treatment-related predictors of PAL in BD. We report a possibly beneficial effect of valproate on PAL, which warrants further investigation.
Sacrificial coatings, such as Zn and Cd, are used to protect steel against corrosion. During the electrodeposition of metals, hydrogen is evolved due to electrolysis. The evolved hydrogen may diffuse outward and become trapped in the substrate/coating interface or migrate inward into the steel lattice causing delayed embrittlement when the component is subjected to stress. This study reports two principal variables for Zn, Zn–Ni, and Cd coatings: (i) the quantity of hydrogen absorbed by the coating and substrate by vacuum thermal desorption and (ii) the permeability of the coating material to hydrogen by electrochemical permeation. The findings were analyzed in correlation with the microstructural characteristics of both the coating material and the coating/substrate interface. With Zn–Ni, both coating process and coating material combined to significantly reduce the risk of internal hydrogen embrittlement by (i) introducing the least amount of hydrogen during the electrodeposition process and (ii) by the ease with which hydrogen can be extracted by baking due to the presence of cracks in the coating.
ABSTRACT The authors analyze a piezoelectric energy harvester as an electro-mechanically coupled system. The energy harvester consists of a piezoelectric bimorph with a concentrated mass attached at one end, called the harvesting structure, an electric circuit for energy storage, and a rectifier that converts the AC output of the harvesting structure into a DC input for the storage circuit. The piezoelectric bimorph is assumed to be driven into flexural vibration by an ambient acoustic source to convert the mechanical energies into electric energies. The analysis indicates that the performance of this harvester, measured by the power density, is characterized by three important non-dimensional parameters, i.e., the non-dimensional inductance of the storage circuit, the non-dimensional aspect ratio (length/thickness) and the non-dimensional end mass of the harvesting structure. The numerical results show that: (1) the power density can be optimized by varying the non-dimensional inductance for each fixed non-dimensional aspect ratio with a fixed non-dimensional end mass; and (2) for a fixed non-dimensional inductance, the power density is maximized if the non-dimensional aspect ratio and the non-dimensional end mass are so chosen that the harvesting structure, consisting of both the piezoelectric bimorph and the end mass attached, resonates at the frequency of the ambient acoustic source.