batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Household hazardous waste (HHW) generation in two Mexican regions was examined, a northern region (bordering with the USA) and a central region. The aim of this work was to determine the dynamics of solid waste generation and to be able to compare the results of both regions, regarding consumption patterns and solid waste generation rates. In the northern region, household solid waste was analysed quantitatively. In order to perform this analysis, the population was categorized into three socioeconomic strata (lower, middle, upper). Waste characterization revealed the presence of products that give origin to household hazardous waste. In the northern region (Mexicali city), household hazardous waste comprised 3.7% of municipal solid waste, the largest categories in this fraction were home care products (29.2%), cleaning products (19.5%) and batteries and electronic equipment (15.7%). In the central region, HHW comprised 1.03% of municipal solid waste; the main categories in this fraction were represented by cleaning products (39%), self care products (27.3%), and insecticides (14.4%). In Mexicali, the socioeconomic study demonstrated that the production of HHW is independent of the income level. Furthermore, the composition of the solid waste stream in both regions suggested the influence of another set of variables such as local climate, migration patterns and marketing coverage. Further research is needed in order to establish the effect of low quantities of HHW upon the environment and public health.
The electronic structures of a lithium ion (Li+) doped-graphene at the ground and low-lying excited states have been investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT) method. A graphene composed of 19 benzene rings was used as a model of graphene, while the edge carbon atom was terminated by hydrogen atom (expressed by C54H18). The geometry optimization showed that the Li+ ion binds to a hexagonal site where six carbon atoms interact equivalently to the Li+ ion. When the Li+ ion interacts with the graphene surface, the electronic configuration of the Li+ ion is changed from (1s)2(2s)0 to (1s)2(2s)0.01(2p)0(3p)0.02, suggesting that the sp-hybridization of lithium ion is important in the adsorption to the graphene surface. The band gap of graphene is slightly red-shifted by the doping of Li+ ion due to the interaction with the sp-hybrid orbital. The effects of Li+ on both the ground and excited electronic states of graphene were discussed on the basis of theoretical results.
The National Academy of Medicine recommends the handgrip for school-based surveillance of muscle strength for bone health. We established grip strength cutpoints that are linked to bone health in both US and European youth. These cutpoints could serve as a potential set of standards for surveillance and clinical applications.
The high-energy lithium/sulfur (Li/S) battery has become a very popular topic of research in recent years due to its high theoretical capacity of 1672 mAh/g. However, the polysulfide shuttle effect remains of great concern with a great number of publications dedicated to its mitigation. In this contribution, a three-dimensional (3D) reduced graphene oxide/activated carbon (RGO/AC) film, synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and convenient mechanical pressing, is sandwiched between the separator and the sulfur-based cathode, acting as a functional interlayer to capture and trap polysulfide species. Consequently, the Li/S cell with this interlayer shows an impressive initial discharge capacity of 1078 mAh/g and a reversible capacity of 655 mAh/g even after 100 cycles. The RGO/AC interlayer impedes the movement of polysulfide while providing unimpeded channels for lithium ion mass transfer. Therefore, the RGO/AC interlayer with a well-designed structure represents strong potential for high-performance Li/S batteries.
With its earth abundance and two-electron-transfer reaction mechanism, sulfur has been driving the rapid growth of metal–sulfur batteries. The practical performance of metal–sulfur batteries, however, is restricted by the notorious electrode processes of sulfur (such as low conductivity, intermediate loss, mass crossover, etc.). Sulfur conversion reactions can be stabilized and promoted through a surface immobilization strategy via physical confinement and chemical adsorption effects. As an emerging method in the field, covalent-bonding sulfur materials have demonstrated promise for metal–sulfur batteries. The covalent fixing of sulfur reinforces the molecular interactions between sulfur and the cathode matrix at the bulk level. In this review, we attempt to address the covalent fixing concept on the basis of the emerging studies related to covalent sulfur-containing compounds and composites in various rechargeable metal–sulfur batteries. Firstly, we briefly discuss the classification of sulfur fixing strategies and identify the uniqueness of covalently stabilized sulfur for metal–sulfur batteries. Secondly, we summarize the state-of-the-art covalent sulfur-based materials as well as their synthetic chemistry. Thirdly, we focus on lithium–sulfur batteries that feature cathodes with covalent sulfur active materials, including reaction mechanisms and material innovations. Advances in alternative alkaline metal–sulfur battery systems (sodium–sulfur and potassium–sulfur) involving covalent fixing of sulfur are also discussed. Finally, the prospective opportunities of applying the covalent fixing strategy to optimize the sulfur redox process are commented on. This contribution is anticipated to place the covalent fixing of sulfur into the spotlight and to encourage more efforts in this challenging cross-disciplinary area of organic/polymer chemistry, materials science, electrochemistry and energy technologies.
The power plants based on renewable sources face various acceptance difficulties mainly due to high initial costs and low overall efficiencies. A way to improve performance of these systems is to utilize more than one type of source of energy chosen to provide some degree of complementarity. An interesting, albeit improbable, combination is obtained using hydroelectric and photovoltaic energy, taking advantage of the complementarity between these two types of sources coupled to reservoir and/or battery storage. This paper discusses energy complementarity in time and proposes a numerical dimensionless index, evaluating this energy complementarity between two types of energy sources, in the same or in different locations, or between two sources of the same type in different locations. In the end, the results of the application of this index to the solar and water availabilities over the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil, is presented in the form of maps.
Visibility in capsule endoscopic images is presently evaluated through intermittent analysis of frames selected by a physician. It is thus subjective and not quantitative. A method to automatically quantify the visibility on capsule endoscopic images has not been reported. Generally, when designing automated image recognition programs, physicians must provide a training image; this process is called supervised learning. We aimed to develop a novel automated self-learning quantification system to identify visible areas on capsule endoscopic images. The technique was developed using 200 capsule endoscopic images retrospectively selected from each of three patients. The rate of detection of visible areas on capsule endoscopic images between a supervised learning program, using training images labeled by a physician, and our novel automated self-learning program, using unlabeled training images without intervention by a physician, was compared. The rate of detection of visible areas was equivalent for the supervised learning program and for our automatic self-learning program. The visible areas automatically identified by self-learning program correlated to the areas identified by an experienced physician. We developed a novel self-learning automated program to identify visible areas in capsule endoscopic images.
Aim of the study Egyptian medicinal plants are well known by their diverse uses in traditional folk medicine to cure various ailments including infectious diseases. Forty-two Egyptian medicinal plant species were selected from local market and were subjected to antiviral screening bioassay to investigate and to evaluate their biological activities. Materials and methods Hydro-alcoholic extracts of each species were separately prepared and tested against three viruses: herpes simplex-1 virus (HSV), poliomyelitis-1 virus (POLIO) and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). The antiviral activity were determined by means of the end point titration technique (EPTT) that depends on the ability of plant extract dilutions to inhibit the produced cytopathogenic effect (CPE) and expressed as reduction factor (Rf) of the viral titer. Results Achillea fragrantissima, Jasonia montana and Globularia arabica are found to have antiviral activity against POLIO in a concentration dependent manner at complete non-toxic concentration range 10–100μg/ml (Rf 106), 10–100μg/ml (Rf 105) and 50–100μg/ml (Rf 104), respectively while Tanacetum sinaicum are found to have moderate antiviral activity against POLIO at concentration of 50–100μg/ml (Rf 102). Ephedra alata and Moringa peregrina are found to have antiviral activity against HSV (Rf 104). Also, the results revealed that Capparis sinaica, Tamarix nilotica and Cyperus rotundus are found to have virucidal effect against HSV. All the forty-two plant species are found to have no reliable antiviral activity against VSV. Conclusion The specific indications claimed by the traditional healers are confirmed by antiviral test.
We fabricate LiCoO2/helical nanocarbon (HCN) composites by forming HCNs on LiCoO2 on which iron oxides (Fe2O3 or Fe3O4) are dispersed (LiCoO2(Fe2O3) or LiCoO2(Fe3O4)) as catalysts for HCN formation, and estimate their electrochemical properties. Granular nanocarbons form on LiCoO2(Fe2O3) and LiCoO2(Fe3O4) at 350°C although HCNs of about 100nm in diameter form on LiCoO2(Fe2O3) at 450°C. Transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements show that HCNs consist of stacked graphene layers for LiCoO2(Fe2O3)/HCN composites fabricated at 450°C. On the other hand, several-nm-thick tetragonal layer exists on the LiCoO2 substrate and amorphous nanocarbons form on the tetragonal layer for LiCoO2(Fe2O3)/HCN and LiCoO2(Fe3O4)/HCN composites fabricated at 350°C. X-ray diffraction measurements suggest that Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 do not completely inhibit LiCoO2 decomposition. Cathodes containing LiCoO2(Fe2O3)/HCN or LiCoO2(Fe3O4)/HCN fabricated at 350°C improve rate capability of lithium cells. However, this rate capability is not better than that of cathodes containing a mixture of LiCoO2 and acetylene black.
The fast charge and discharge capability of lithium-ion batteries is improved by applying a lamination step during cell assembly. Electrode sheets and separator are laminated into one stack which improves the electrochemical performance as well as the stack assembly process. The effect of non-laminated and laminated interfaces on the reversible capacity during cycling are studied thoroughly in half-cell and full-cell configurations. The fully-laminated cells show a reduction in the capacity losses of 3%, 5% and 12% upon cycling at 2C, 3C and 5C-rate, respectively, while capacity losses of 6%, 11% and 23% are observed in non-laminated cells at the same C-rates. A significant reduction in the capacity fading at high C-rates is observed upon lamination. Additional compression is applied on the cells to compare the effect of lamination and compression on the cell performance. The laminated cells show an improvement in the fast charging capability in comparison to the non-laminated cells.
Quantum dots being zero dimensional and much smaller in size have special properties and density of states that can be exploited for various commercial applications relative to bulk counterparts. Specific characteristics of semiconductor metal oxides are tunable by controlling size, composition, shape and combination with metal or non-metal component. Current study focus the facile fabrication of SnO2 qunatum dots decorated on 2-D material g-C3N4. Using a simple route SnO2/g-C3N4 nanonybrids have been prepared in pure phase with size of SnO2 are found in Quantum dots (QDs) range (2–10 nm) and applied to target the enhanced photocatalytic activity. The structural and morphological features of SnO2/g-C3N4 nanohybrids were successfully conducted by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The photocatalytic performance of the SnO2/g-C3N4 nanohybrids was evaluated for the degradation of Rhodamine-B (RhB) solution, and an enhanced activity is observed attesting synergetic effect between SnO2 QDs and exfoliated g-C3N4 layers. It is found that the ratio of SnO2 to g-C3N4 in the hybrids critically affects the photocatalytic activity, with ratio 1:2 showing best performance. The present study offers simple and facile method to highlight the promising contribution of SnO2/g-C3N4 hybrid in eliminating waste water organic contaminants and environmental issues.
By using KMnO4 as both the oxidant and Mn source in a modified Hummers’ method, a facile and economical procedure is proposed to synthesize graphene oxide/MnO2 composite. Then after annealing at 400°C, the graphene/Mn3O4 composite with 70.7wt.% Mn3O4 nanoparticles homogeneously anchored on each side of graphene nanosheets is obtained. The electrochemical performance of the graphene/Mn3O4 is investigated as a supercapacitor electrode material. It exhibits the high specific capacitance of 271.5Fg−1 at the current density of 0.1Ag−1 as well as great cycle performance. At the high current density of 10Ag−1, the capacitance retention even keeps about 100% after 20,000 cycles. The good electrochemical performance and the simple accessibility make this graphene/Mn3O4 composite a promising candidate as a supercapacitor electrode material.
This work describes the preparation and characterization of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) based gel polymer electrolytes with magnesium triflate (Mg(CF3SO3)2) as the ion providing salt. Liquid electrolytes containing 0.4M Mg(CF3SO3)2 in solvents comprising different ratios of ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC) have been prepared at room temperature. The highest conducting electrolyte contains EC and DEC in the weight ratio of 2:1. To the highest conducting liquid electrolyte, 25–50wt.% PMMA has been added and the mixtures were heated at 80°C for 2min to form gel polymer electrolytes. The gel electrolyte with composition 40wt.% PMMA and 60wt.% of 0.4M Mg(CF3SO3)2 in EC:DEC (2:1, w/w) has the highest conductivity of 5.58×10−5 Scm−1 and activation energy 0.11eV. The gel polymer electrolyte with highest conductivity at room temperature has Mg2+ ion transference number of 0.37 and electrochemical stability window 2.42V. The highest conducting gel polymer electrolyte has been used to fabricate an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) which exhibits a nearly rectangular voltammogram even after the 50th discharge cycle. The capacitance of the EDLC is about 27Fg−1 after the 1st cycle and 23Fg−1 after the 50th cycles.
The energy storage of a zinc-air flow battery subject to a pulse current is experimentally addressed. The energy storage occurs in the form of zinc reduction during the charging process. The controlling parameters, affecting the zinc reduction, are an electrolyte temperature, a pulse current, a pulse frequency, and a duty cycle. A pulse current provides more controlling parameters compared to a uniform DC current. The Taguchi method is used to optimize the control parameters and maximize zinc reduction and energy storage efficiency. Five levels for four control parameters are adopted in the Taguchi method, and an L25 orthogonal table is introduced for experimental tests. The optimum set of control parameters is obtained as temperature 40 °C, current 1.4 A, pulse frequency 50 Hz, and duty cycle 85%. In this case, 3.668g zinc is produced during 1 h of charging process. By using the pulse current, the weight of produced zinc particles is increased up to 1.394g by compared to the regular DC current. Therefore, using pulse current parameters does contribute to the improvement of energy storage efficiency. Finally, the SEM study of the produced zinc particles demonstrates that employing a pulse current provides finer zinc particles compared to a DC current.
We modeled and conducted a parametric analysis of the US light-duty vehicle (LDV) stock to examine the impact of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) as they compete with electric vehicles, hybrids, and conventional powertrains. We find that low natural gas prices and sufficient public refueling infrastructure are the key drivers to NGV adoption when matched with availability of compressed natural gas powertrains from automakers. Due to the time and investment required for the build out of infrastructure and the introduction of vehicles by original equipment manufacturers, home natural gas compressor sales and bi-fuel NGVs serve as bridge technologies through 2030. By 2050, however, NGVs could comprise as much as 20% of annual vehicle sales and 10% of the LDV stock fraction. We also find that NGVs may displace electric vehicles, rather than conventional powertrains, as they both compete for consumers that drive enough miles such that fuel cost savings offset higher purchase costs. Due to this dynamic, NGVs in our LDV stock model offer little to no greenhouse gas emissions reduction as they displace lower emission powertrains. This finding is subject to the uncertainty in efficiency technology progression and the set of powertains and fuels considered.
In this paper, a facile and scalable aqueous process including mild oxidative intercalation, microwave exfoliation, ultrasonication, drying and Ar-annealing is developed to synthesize the water-soluble microwave-exfoliated graphene (MEG)/platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) composite, which has a relative low defect level and can be readily dispersed in deionized water without adding surfactants. This low cost synthesis method is applicable in many systems, such as supercapacitors, thermal storage, lithium battery and Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). An efficiency of 6.69% for the MEG/PtNPs composite deposited on ITO PEN as flexible counter electrode (CE) for DSSCs has been obtained, higher than the control device made by PVP-Pt as flexible CE.
TiO2 nanocrystals embedded amorphous WO3 electrochromic films have been successfully fabricated with a facile one-step solution process. The structure and electrochromic properties of composite films were studied by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical methods. The results show that anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with a size of about 5–10 nm were homogeneously embedded in the amorphous WO3 matrix (TiO2@WO3). Compared with pure WO3 film, the electrochromic performances of TiO2@WO3 are evidently enhanced. The further electrochemical analysis indicates that the enhancement may be mainly ascribed to the reconstruction of amorphous WO3 matrix with the emerging interfaces between nanocrystals and amorphous matrix. And the extremely high value of the coloration/bleaching reversibility is associated with the suppressing effect of TiO2 nanocrystals upon the Li+ trapping in WO3 matrix.
With the aim to give a view of the present research activity in Italy on lithium-ion batteries, the contribution of six Academic groups involved in a National Project “Electrode and Electrolyte Nanostructured Materials for Advanced Lithium Batteries”, which is exploratory in nature for the search of novel or improved materials, also by optimizing materials processing techniques, is here presented and discussed.
The effects of the synthesis temperature, the synthesis time and the nature of the transition-metal hydroxide precursors on the physical and electrochemical properties of Li(Ni1−x−y Co x Mn y )O2 synthesized using solid-state reactions are studied. Higher synthesis temperature results in larger primary and secondary particle sizes, a lower tap density and a broader secondary particle size distribution. Increase in reaction time improves the crystallinity and the cyclability. A smaller primary particle size of the precursor leads to a larger primary particle size of Li(Ni1−x−y Co x Mn y )O2. Li(Ni1−x−y Co x Mn y )O2 with a better crystallinity, a well-defined layered structure and a better cation ordering exhibits a higher capacity, a better cycling performance and rate capability. The optimized synthesis conditions for precursors NCMOH111-α and NCMOH424-a is 950 °C for 12 h and 950 °C for 9 h, respectively. NCM111-α-950-12h delivers a discharge capacity of 165.5 mAh g−1 during the initial cycle at a rate of 0.1C with a columbic efficiency of 87%, a 3C rate capability of 91.25% and a 1C capacity retention rate of 98.25% after 40 cycles.
This paper presents a comprehensive calendar aging study on a lithium-ion battery with a test duration of 29 months. This aging study was realized with a widely used commercial LiFePO4/graphite cell from Sony/Murata, which promises both long calendar and cycle lifetime, which is especially required for stationary battery applications. The development of the cells’ capacity, as well as the resistances, are shown in a static calendar aging study for 17 test points, each with 3 cells, having constant storage conditions of temperature and state of charge. Based on the measurement data, a semi-empirical aging model is presented for the capacity loss and resistance increase, consisting of only 5 parameters which are valid for all storage conditions. An additional dynamic calendar aging study is performed with 9 months test duration for model validation, consisting of 15 test points with varying conditions of temperature and state of charge. The absolute model errors against the validation data points remain below 2.2% for the capacity loss and below 6.9% for the resistance increase for all dynamic validation tests. In conclusion, this calendar aging model allows the prognosis of the calendar lifetime of LiFePO4/graphite batteries in different applications with varying storage conditions over time.
A hierarchical multiscale parameter refinement approach was used to develop microkinetic models for CO and H2 oxidation, and CO–H2 coupling for water–gas shift (WGS) and preferential oxidation (PROX) of CO on Rh. The rate parameters were estimated with a combination of quantum mechanical density functional theory (DFT), the semi empirical unity bond index-quadratic exponential potential method, and transition-state theory. To improve the predictive ability, selected pre-factors of the CO and H2 oxidation reaction mechanisms were optimized against multiple experimental data sets, such as ignition, molecular beam, and laser-induced fluorescence. Thermodynamic consistency of rate parameters was ensured over a wide temperature range by a combination of statistical mechanics and constraints-based optimization. DFT calculations were used to estimate cross adsorbate–adsorbate CO–H interactions. It is shown that the coupling between the two fuels arising from these interactions is essential for PROX of CO. Important reaction pathways in the WGS and PROX chemistries are discussed. For example, it is shown that the oxidation of CO by OH via the carboxyl intermediate, and not by O, is the dominant path in PROX. Thus, hydrogen acts as a “catalyst” for CO combustion under certain conditions. Finally, the mechanisms are validated against additional sets of redundant experimental data.