batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Gel-type polymer electrolytes with 1-butyl-4-methylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (B4MePyTFSI) ionic liquid are formed by the solution casting method. The conductivity and transference number measurements are carried out to investigate conductivity and charge transport in the gel polymer electrolytes. The conductivity of the samples increases when the amount of B4MePyTFSI ionic liquid is increased. The lithium ion ionic conductivity reaches the maximum value (2.01×10−4 S cm−1) when GPE contains 33.3 wt% B4MePyTFSI. The electrochemical stability window of ILGPE is about 5.5V versus Li+/Li at 20°C, meeting the basic requirement of rechargeable lithium batteries. Discharge performance of lithium battery using this ILGPE membrane shows a capacity of about 160 mAh g−1. The excellent performance with higher capacity, good cycle stability and compatibility are observed for the Li/ILGPE/LiFePO4 cells. The interfacial resistances between ILGPE and electrodes have the less change after 10 cycles.
Ageing mechanisms of NMC-based Li-ion (C6/LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2) batteries have been investigated under various cycling conditions. The electromotive force (EMF) curves are regularly determined by mathematical extrapolation of voltage discharge curves. The irreversible capacity losses determined from the EMF curves have been investigated as a function of time and cycle number. Parasitic side reactions, occurring at the cathode and anode, determine the charge-discharge efficiency (CDE) and discharge-charge efficiency (DCE), respectively. The recently developed non-destructive voltage analysis method is also applied to the present battery chemistry. The decline of the second plateau of the d V EMF / d Q curves upon cycling is considered to be an indicator of graphite degradation whereas the development of the third peak in these derivative curves is considered to be an indicator for electrode voltage slippage. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) measurements confirm the deposition of transition-metal elements at the graphite electrode, indicating dissolution of these metals from the cathode. Furthermore, XPS analyses confirm the existence of a Cathode-Electrolyte-Interface (CEI) layer. The outer CEI layer is composed of various compounds, such as carbonate-related Li salts, LiF and NiF2, etc., while the inner CEI layer is dominantly composed of fluoride-related compounds, such as NiF2. Finally, a cathode degradation model including transition-metal dissolution and electrolyte decomposition is proposed.
Netherton syndrome (NTS) is an autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis featuring chronic inflammation of the skin, hair anomalies, epidermal hyperplasia with an impaired epidermal barrier function, failure to thrive and atopic manifestations. The disease is caused by mutations in the SPINK5 gene encoding the serine proteinase inhibitor lympho-epithelial Kazal-type inhibitor (LEKTI). Sequence analyses of SPINK5 in seven NTS patients from five different families allowed us to identify two known and three novel mutations all creating premature termination codons. We developed a monoclonal antibody giving a strong signal for LEKTI in the stratum granulosum of normal skin and demonstrated absence of the protein in NTS epidermis. Immunoblot analysis revealed presence of full length LEKTI and of LEKTI cleavage fragments in normal hair roots, whereas in NTS hair roots LEKTI and its cleavage products were completely missing. Transglutaminase1 activity was present throughout almost the entire suprabasal epidermis in NTS, whereas in normal skin it is restricted to the stratum granulosum. In contrast, immunostaining for transglutaminase3 was absent or faint. Moreover, comparable with the altered pattern in psoriatic skin the epidermis in NTS strongly expressed the serine proteinase inhibitor SKALP/elafin and the anti-microbial protein human β-defensin 2. These studies demonstrate LEKTI deficiency in the epidermis and in hair roots at the protein level and an aberrant expression of other proteins, especially transglutaminase1 and 3, which may account for the impaired epidermal barrier in NTS.
RE–Mg–Ni-based superlattice alloys with superior discharge capacity are deemed as alternatives of commercial AB5-type alloys for the anode of nickel metal hydride batteries, however, their application is plagued with the inadequate cycle life. Here we report a Ce2Ni7-type single-phase Nd0.80Mg0.20Ni3.58 alloy for electrochemical hydrogen storage with an ultra-high cycling stability, which offers a capacity retention of 94.7% over 100 cycles and cycles over 360 times as reaching 80% of its maximum discharge capacity. The alloy with the specific Ce2Ni7-type single phase is prepared by the zoning annealing treatment of as-cast ones based on peritectic reactions, where minor CaCu5-, MgCu4Sn- and Ce5Co19-type phases in the as-cast alloy convert to the Ce2Ni7-type phase in a temperature range of 950–985 °C, a Gd2Co7-type phase in the as-cast alloy constantly transforms into the Ce2Ni7-type phase within another 105 °C higher, and the single phase maintains its stability from 1100 to 1130 °C. We find the superior cycling stability of the single-phase alloy benefits from the stable crystal structure, weak pulverization, and suppressive oxidation/corrosion of active elements owing to a compactly covered Nd(OH)3 on the surface of the alloy. These findings will promote the development of the long-life nickel metal hydride batteries.
In the optimization of a piezocomposite, the objective is to obtain an improvement in its performance characteristics, usually by changing the volume fractions of constituent materials, its properties, shape of inclusions, and mechanical properties of the polymer matrix (in the composite unit cell). Thus, this work proposes a methodology, based on topology optimization and homogenization, to design functionally graded piezocomposite materials that considers important aspects in the design process aiming at energy harvesting applications, such as the influence of piezoelectric polarization directions and the influence of material gradation. The influence of the piezoelectric polarization direction is quantitatively verified using the Discrete Material Optimization (DMO) method, which combines gradients with mathematical programming to solve a discrete optimization problem. The homogenization method is implemented using the graded finite element concept, which takes into account the continuous gradation inside the finite elements. One of the main questions answered in this work is, quantitatively, how the microscopic stresses can be reduced by combining the functionally graded material (FGM) concept with optimization. In addition, the influence of polygonal elements is investigated, quantitatively, when compared to quadrilateral 4-node finite element meshes, which are usually adopted in material design. However, quads exhibit one-node connections and are susceptible to checkerboard patterns in topology optimization applications. To circumvent these problems, Voronoi diagrams are used as an effective means of generating irregular polygonal meshes for piezocomposite design. The present results consist of bi-dimensional unit cells that illustrate the methodology proposed in this work.
For photovoltaic (PV) devices to operate successfully over an expected lifespan of 30 years, much research is needed in all aspects of these devices. This study is concerned with the monitoring of the performance and degradation of PV devices over extended periods as well as the effect of meteorological conditions on device performance. The PV devices used in this study comprise different cell technologies and designs. The performance of conventional flat plate modules was monitored over a 15-month period and that of a PV concentrator array over a 13-month period. The results of this performance monitoring are presented in this paper. Degradation mechanisms of PV devices are also discussed. This study showed that, as expected, the power ratings of PV devices do not usually give an accurate indication of their performance outdoors. Results obtained also showed that meteorological conditions could cause an 18% reduction of a module's potential power. A degradation monitoring procedure revealed potential degradation mechanisms, such as mismatched cells, hot spot formation and low cell shunt resistances on some modules. A comparative study on the PV concentrator modules showed that the concentrator modules produced much less energy than their rated energy when operating outdoors. The energy performance of a tracked flat plate module vastly exceeded the concentrator modules' performance.
Solid polymer electrolyte is strongly considered to be one of the key materials to solve safety problem of high energy lithium batteries caused by flammable liquid organic carbonate solvent, while the development and application of solid polymer electrolytes are seriously restricted by the low ambient temperature ionic conductivity. Recently, aliphatic polycarbonate-based electrolytes have been reported to possess high ionic conductivity at ambient temperature. Herein we choose poly (propylene carbonate) as a model to investigate the origin of the high ionic conductivity of polycarbonate-based polymer electrolytes. Our results prove that poly (propylene carbonate) degrades to micromolecular segments when contacts with Li-metal anode. The depolymerization products can infiltrate the interface and swell the electrolyte to develop the amorphous state so as to reduce both interfacial and bulk resistance. As scaffold of the electrolyte, cellulose can limit this reaction at the interface by physical obstruction. The hydroxyl units can also quench the lithium alkoxide intermediate to suppress further degradation, guaranteeing the security of the system. This study provides a profound understanding of the composition, reaction and evolution of the interface between polymer electrolyte and Li-metal anode, which sheds new light on the interface construction of ambient-temperature solid-state lithium metal batteries.
The electrochemical synthesis of ferrate(VI) was studied in a molten salt environment as a function of temperature (170–200°C). A eutectic NaOH–KOH melt was selected as the most appropriate system for this purpose. Cyclic voltammetry was used to characterize the processes taking place on the stationary iron electrode. The anodic current peaks corresponding to the ferrate(VI) production as well as cathodic current peaks corresponding to the ferrate(VI) reduction appeared to be strongly dependent on the temperature at which the experiment was performed. Ferrate(VI) formation by anodic oxidation of the iron electrode in the molten electrolyte during the batch electrolysis was confirmed for the first time by visible and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The maximum current efficiency of Fe(VI) formation reached during galvanostatic batch electrolysis has attained 72%. It was reached at the temperature of 170°C.
In this study, a polypyrrole/nickel (PPy/Ni) nanocomposite has been synthesized through an in situ polymerization method. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer confirm the formation of PPy in the PPy/Ni nanocomposite. From the scanning and transmission electron microscopy images, one can see that the nickel nanoparticles, which are approximately 21nm, are encapsulated in the PPy nanofibres. Cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are used to test the electrochemical performance of the PPy/Ni electrode. The specific capacitance of the PPy/Ni is approximately 488Fg−1 at a current density of 250mAg−1, which is superior to that of pure PPy (408Fg−1) and also demonstrates good cyclability and low charge-transfer resistance.
Many mathematical models have been developed for Li-battery cells performances. However, a critical need still do exists for a rather simple battery performance evaluation method. In the present study, such a parameter, Integral average voltage (IAV), is being introduced. Its utility, convenience and applicability are validated via existing experimental data derived from Li-air batteries and lithiated Ni dope Mn spinel 5V cathode materials. IAV is simple to calculate using the cell charge/discharge profile; at the same time, it offers a perceptive analysis of cell features and associated processes.
To meet the increasing demand of flexible and wearable electronic devices, a novel injection molding method is established to prepare flexible electrodes with controllable shapes such as film, bowl, wire, etc. It overcomes the materials limitation for traditional methods and could easily create flexible and shapeable electrodes based on 0-D active materials, even with ultra-high loadings and excellent electrochemical performance. Taking flexible and shapeable S/C electrodes as a model, sulfur loadings 24mgcm−2 based on 30nmS/C particles are, for the first time, successfully achieved. It can deliver ultra-high an areal capacity of 27.1mAhcm−2 and a capacity retention of 64.1% after 100 cycles with low electrolyte to sulfur ratio (E/S) of 5.3µLmg−1. In addition, flexible and shapeable Li-ion battery electrodes based on 17mgcm−2 0-D Li3V2(PO4)3 (LVP) electrode could also be obtained, achieving excellent C-rate performance and cycling stability, which is 94mAhg−1 at 5C and nearly 100% capacity retention at 1C during 100 cycles. The results provided a versatile and universal way to create flexible and shapeable electrodes for a variety of energy storage devices.
Patients with spatial neglect due to right hemisphere pathology may show ‘revisiting’ behaviour during visual search and cancellation tasks, such that previously encountered targets are treated as if they are new discoveries. Revisiting behaviour is particularly evident when no visible trace is left to inform patients that a particular target has already been detected (Husain et al., 2001; Wojciulik et al., 2001), implying that spatial working memory may be impaired in neglect. To test whether working memory for location is selectively impaired relative to memory for colour and shape, we compared performances of right hemisphere neglect patients with parietal (n = 4) and non-parietal (n = 4) lesions on a change detection task. Patients were presented with a matrix containing four objects in different positions, and required to detect a change in the location, colour or shape of one of the objects following presentation of a brief visual mask. Parietal patients were selectively impaired in detecting location changes, regardless of the horizontal position of the object in the matrix, relative to colour and shape changes. This deficit of spatial working memory was not apparent for neglect patients with lesions that spared the parietal cortex. We conclude that the human parietal cortex is crucially involved in the updating and maintenance of spatial representations across saccades, and that neglect arising from parietal damage causes impairment in these re-mapping mechanisms.
Two different strategies are outlined to develop both high energy density and space-efficient batteries, including the most widely applied rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and Li-ion batteries. The hydrogen storage capacity of fluorite-structured Mg-containing compounds are shown to have a reversible electrochemical storage capacity of more than four times that of the commonly used MischMetal-based AB5 compounds in NiMH, i.e. 1500mAh/g (5.6wt.%). The formation of octahedral sites within the crystal lattice is argued to be very crucial for the improved kinetics of hydrogen absorption and desorption. It is shown that the fluorite-structure can be conserved with both precious Sc and the less expensive Ti up to a Mg content of 80at.%. Both thermodynamic and kinetic data are presented in relation to the materials composition. In addition, the development of preshaped batteries, as the first step to battery integration, has contributed to a much higher level of design freedom for portable electronic equipment. The manufacturing process of preshaped batteries will be described together with their electrochemical characteristics. Advantageously, the mechanical stability is provided locally by polymer rivets, allowing to get rid of heavy metallic casings and to make use of a much wider range of battery shapes.
Umicore says that it has created a new, simplified reporting structure consisting of three business groups. ‘The clustering is aligned with the strategic priorities of the group and anticipates the planned divestment of the company's zinc-related activities,’ the company said. The new business groups are as follows:•Recycling, including Jewellery and Industrial Metals, Platinum Engineered Materials, Precious Metals Management, Precious Metals Refining and Technical Materials•Catalysis, including Automotive Catalysts and Precious Metals Chemistry•Energy and Surface Technologies, including Cobalt and Specialty Materials, Electroplating, Electro-Optic Materials, Element Six Abrasives, Rechargeable Battery Materials and Thin Film Products. Recycling, including Jewellery and Industrial Metals, Platinum Engineered Materials, Precious Metals Management, Precious Metals Refining and Technical Materials Catalysis, including Automotive Catalysts and Precious Metals Chemistry Energy and Surface Technologies, including Cobalt and Specialty Materials, Electroplating, Electro-Optic Materials, Element Six Abrasives, Rechargeable Battery Materials and Thin Film Products. The Building Products and Zinc Chemicals business units will be reported separately until their effective divestment. Umicore has changed the executive committee responsibilities to reflect the organizational changes and in anticipation of CEO Hugo Morel's planned retirement in September. Géraldine Nolens will join the executive committee and will assume oversight of Environment Health & Safety while continuing to serve as chief counsel for the group, while the Recycling business group will be overseen by Denis Goffaux and Stephan Csoma, each with distinct areas of responsibility. Denis Goffaux will assume oversight for the Precious Metals Refining activities in addition to his role as CTO and Stephan Csoma will assume oversight for the other business units in the Recycling business group. Marc Van Sande will assume responsibility for the Energy & Surface Technology business group while Pascal Reymondet will remain responsible for the xatalysis activities. Umicore;www.umicore.com
The efficiency of fuel cells suffers from the high activation polarisation at the cathode, where the oxygen reduction reaction takes place. In order to improve the performance, air electrodes composed of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the perovskite La0.6Sr0.4CoO3 are produced by two different methods and investigated. In the first method CNTs are directly grown on the perovskite and in the second method CNTs and perovskite are combined by ultrasonic mixing. Their catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction in alkaline solution is evaluated by polarisation curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Best performance shows the electrode composed of 25wt% CNTs, 55wt% La0.6Sr0.4CoO3 and 20wt% PTFE as binder, produced by ultrasonic mixing. The Nyquist plot of this electrode displays two potential-dependent semi-circles, accounting for processes on the catalyst surface and for processes depending on the morphology of the electrode.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is one of the non-pharmacological means of pain relief for labor and delivery. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of TENS on specific acupuncture points for reducing pain in the first stage of labor. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned healthy full-term parturients in active phase of first-stage labor to either TENS on four acupuncture points (Hegu [Li 4] and Sanyinjiao [Sp 6]) (n =52) or the TENS placebo (n =53). Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess pain before and 30 and 60min after treatment. The primary outcome was the rate of VAS score decrease ⩾3 in each group. A questionnaire was given at 24h post-partum to evaluate the satisfaction of pain relieving method and the willingness to have the same treatment again. Mode of delivery and neonatal effect were measured as secondary outcome. One hundred women were eligible for analysis. TENS group experienced VAS score reduction ⩾3 significantly more common than the TENS placebo group (31/50 [62%] vs 7/50 [14%], P <0.001). Willingness of using the same analgesic method for a future childbirth was also significantly different (TENS: 48/50 [96%] vs TENS placebo: 33/50 [66%], P <0.001). Operative delivery was increased in the TENS group (12/50 [24%] vs 4/50 [8%], P =0.05), but the neonatal outcomes were not different. The application of TENS on specific acupuncture points could be a non-invasive adjunct for pain relief in the first stage of labor.
Organisations are frequently confronted with the issue of how to enhance employee mental health. Based on self-determination theory, a model is proposed that examines the relationships between job crafting, the satisfaction of the intrinsic needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness at work, and employee well-being—defined here as both subjective well-being and psychological well-being. A sample of 253 working adults completed a battery of questionnaires including the Job Crafting Questionnaire, the Intrinsic Need Satisfaction Scale, and the Mental Health Continuum. Using structural equation modelling methods, it was determined that job crafting predicted intrinsic need satisfaction, which, in turn, predicted employee well-being. The results suggest that job crafting may be an important underpinning upon which to base an employee well-being intervention.
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) tends to replicate in the temporal cortex and can damage the limbic system. The presence of serum antibodies to HSV-1 is associated with cognitive impairment in adults with schizophrenia, suggesting that cerebral gray matter abnormalities might distinguish patient subgroups defined by HSV-1 exposure. We assessed 43 adult outpatients with schizophrenia. The assessment included clinical interviews, neurocognitive testing, anatomic brain magnetic resonance imaging and measures of serum IgG antibodies specific to herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2. We then compared 25 patients who tested positive for antibodies to HSV-1 with 15 who were seronegative for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. The seropositive patients performed significantly worse than the seronegative patients on four neuropsychological measures of psychomotor speed, executive functioning, and explicit verbal memory. Voxel-based morphometric analyses revealed that the same patients showed reduced gray matter volume in the anterior cingulate and areas of the cerebellum. Finally, performance on the test of psychomotor speed and executive functioning that showed the largest between- group effect size correlated with reduced gray matter volume in some of the same brain regions (cingulate and cerebellum) that distinguished the two HSV-1 subgroups. In these outpatients with schizophrenia, HSV-1 seropositivity and performance on a cognitive test that is highly sensitive to it co-localize to closely overlapping brain regions.
Coordinated electrochemical effect between Li3VO4 and NiO occurs in Li3VO4/NiO/Ni electrodes owing to the close potential regions of lithiation and delithiation for Li3VO4 and NiO. Remarkably, Li3VO4/NiO/Ni with bottom nanowalls and upper micro-flowers architecture undergoes a novel coordinated electrochemical reconstruction owing to well coordinated morphology variation of Li3VO4 and NiO in lithiation and delithiation process, which leads to the formation of a new symmetrical porous architecture in cycling, resulting in superior electrochemical performance. At a specific current of 70 mA g−1, it exhibits discharge and charge capacity of 860 and 631 mAh g−1 in the initial cycle, maintaining of 612 and 604 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. After 60 cycles at various specific currents from 54 to 2700 mA g−1, the discharge and charge capacity can restore to 612 mAh g−1 when reverting the specific current to 54 mA g−1.