batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
A self-supporting binder-free tin oxide (SnO2) graphene nanocomposite electrode was synthesized through a novel one step solvothermal treatment of graphene oxide (GO) paper. To characterize this electrode X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and constant current galvanic cycling were performed. The solvothermal treatment simultaneously coats amorphous carbon and SnO2 nanoparticles onto the surface of GO paper, while reducing the GO nanosheets to graphene nanosheets (GNS). This creates a SnO2/GNS film that is flexible, free-standing, and can be used as the negative electrode in lithium ion batteries to deliver a reversible capacity of 400 mA h g−1 after repeated cycling.
Nanotechnologies that have been linked to the possibility of enhancing cognitive capabilities of human beings might also be deployed to reduce or eliminate such capabilities in non-human vertebrate animals. A surprisingly large literature on the ethics of such disenhancement has been developed in response to the suggestion that it would be an ethically defensible response to animal suffering both in medical experimentation and in industrial livestock production. However, review of this literature illustrates the difficulty of formulating a coherent ethical debate. Well structured arguments for disenhancement can be made on the basis of mainstream views on the basis of ethical obligations to animals, but these arguments have not been persuasive against the moral intuition that disenhancements are unethical. At the same time, attempts to ground these intuitions in a coherent philosophical doctrine have been plagued by logical fallacies and question begging assertions. As such, the debate over animal disenhancement forecasts an enduring conundrum with respect to the core question of transforming the nature of sentient beings, and this conundrum is logically independent of claims that relate either to the distinctive of human beings or to issues deriving from the emphasis on enhancement.
This article present a review of the status of research within the exploitation of renewable energy sources with a focus on the status of technologies exploiting renewable energy sources, a status of the assessment of the availability of renewable energy sources and the status on the research into the types of systems, that can integrate renewable energy sources. In terms of technologies and resources, wind and wave power resources, wind technology, geothermal energy, solar heating, cooling and electricity and salinity gradient technologies are reviewed. Lastly, system integration, impacts and environmental performance of energy systems are assessed. The review takes a starting point in work presented at the conference series on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environmental Systems (SDEWES), published in Special Issues in various journals and puts this work into a wider context.
Conductive sulfur-containing cathode materials for high-capacity lithium secondary batteries have been synthesized by heating a mixture of polyacrylonitrile and elemental sulfur. The structures and electrochemical properties of the materials depend on the reaction conditions, particularly synthesis temperatures. FTIR, Raman and XPS measurements show that the fundamental chemical structure of the materials is composed of a dehydropyridine type matrix with S–S bonds in the side-chain. The cycle performances of the materials synthesized at different temperatures have been examined as active cathode materials in lithium cells. Due to the existence of π-conjugation and the C–S–S–C covalent bond, significantly improved redox rates and cycleability at room temperature are achieved. A stable discharge capacity for the material synthesized at 450 °C is maintained at about 480 mAh/g and the capacity retention remains at ca. 92% (referred to the second cycle) after about 240 cycles. The excellent cycle characteristics supply a good foundation for practical application of this material in rechargeable lithium batteries.
A binary ionic liquid (IL) system based on a common organic cation, N,N-diethyl-N-methyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)anmmonium (DEME+), with mixed anion of bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI−) and bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (FSI−) has been examined as a supporting electrolyte of rechargeable magnesium batteries. Basic properties of the mixed IL were measured as a function of the mixing ratio, n, in the composition of [DEME+][TFSI−] n [FSI−]1−n . Electrochemical deposition/dissolution behavior of magnesium was investigated in the mixed IL containing an organo-magnesium complex, methyl magnesium bromide with tetrahydrofuran (MeMgBr/THF). Viscosity and ionic conductivity of the mixed IL showed monotonous changes with the mixing ratio, while their thermal properties proved discontinuous changes with the compositions. Coulombic (current) efficiency of 90% or higher was obtained for cathodic deposition of magnesium in the mixed IL containing MeMgBr/THF. The current density for cathodic deposition and anodic dissolution depended on the IL composition, and the maximum value was obtained at the composition of n =0.5.
Lithium ion batteries (LiB) are cycled under a galvanostatic regime (∼C/2-rate) between 2.75 V and 4.2 V for up to 1000 cycles. After each completed 100 cycles, the discharge capacity, capacity loss, average discharge potential were determined under the same C/2 rate. Then cells undergo an additional charge and discharge cycle at C/6 rate followed by a thermodynamics measurements test. This enables open-circuit potential (OCP), entropy (ΔS) and enthalpy (ΔH) data to be assessed. It is found that with increasing cycle number, the entropy and enthalpy profiles show more significant changes than those observed in the discharge and the OCP curves especially at particular SOC and OCP values. These differences are attributed to the higher sensitivity of entropy and enthalpy state functions to changes in the crystal structure of the graphite anode and the lithiated cobalt oxide (LCO) induced by cycle aging compared to the free energy ΔG (OCP) alone. The thermodynamics data are supported by post-mortem X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and Raman scattering (RS) analyses on the electrode materials. The results show important LCO crystal structure degradation, whereas, surprisingly, the graphite anode remains almost unaffected by heavy cycling, if not improved.
Mobile phones are necessary information tools for people in all walks of life, and people use it to meet their general and special needs. People living with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) use the technology to meet their health information needs. The aim of this study was to examine the use of mobile phone to support personal health care management by HIV/AIDS clients in three selected Antiretroviral Therapy Centres in South Western Nigeria. Data was collected from 362 PLWHA aged 18 years and above using a questionnaire. Very often, many respondents used mobile phones to encourage and comfort another HIV/AIDS client that they know, learn new HIV/AIDS services and get health educational materials. They also use mobile phones very often to seek advice on health issues from any sources. Most of the phone calls cited by the respondents include calls with nurse (61.0%). The largest proportion of phone calls received by the people living with HIV/AIDS came from their families/relatives (82.9%), while treatment partners were next (62.4%). Dedicated mobile applications to connect PLWHA with health care givers will contribute immensely in strengthening interaction between health care providers and PLWHA.
The electrocatalytic oxidation of urea using Ni-based catalysts is able to oxidize urea at high rates, reaching hundreds of mA cm−2 depending on electrode and solution properties. Most of the demonstrated systems, however, report a drop-off in current ~ 0.3 V positive of the Ni2+/Ni3+ redox transition resulting in a dramatic decrease of activity. The drop-off limits the electrochemical window available for urea decomposition. To overcome this narrow window, Ni2+ ions are herein adsorbed onto carbon black electrodes cohesively bound with Nafion. The resulting electrodes are electrochemically tested for urea electro-oxidation activity whereby their cyclic voltammograms display no drop-off in activity up to 1.5 V positive of the Ni2+/Ni3+ transition. The oxidation currents of the adsorbed Ni2+ electrodes demonstrate urea decomposition rates nearly identical to Ni-metal films, and impedance measurements show similar charge transfer limitations. Electrodes are monitored after electrochemical cycling with atomic force microscopy to reveal that adsorbed species coalesce into surface particles, which behave like bulk Ni(OH)2, implying that the commonly observed drop-off in current may be due to structural characteristics of Ni(OH)2 and NiOOH. The simplicity of the adsorption process and its ability to widen the electrochemical window for urea oxidation allows new substrates to be incorporated into urea degradation systems without sacrificing high urea oxidation rates.
A patterned 3D Si anode is fabricated by physical vapor deposition of n-type Si on a self-assembled TMV1cys-structured nickel current collector. The combination of the large surface area conferred by the virus-enabled 3D Ni/TMV1cys current collector with the high electric conductivity of n-type Si rods results in excellent cyclic stability and rate capability for the core-shell n-type Si/Ni/TMV1cys anodes. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals that the high electronic conductivity of n-type Si significantly reduces charge transfer resistance, thus even at high current densities the capacity of the n-type Si is increased to almost 630mAh/g compared to undoped Si.
Multi-shelled α-Fe2O3 hollow microspheres were synthesized using carbonaceous microsphere sacrificial templates and utilized for high capacity anode materials in lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Structural aspects including the shell thickness, number of internal multi-shells, and shell porosity were controlled by synthesis parameters to produce hollow microspheres with maximum lithium capacity and stable cycling behavior. Thin, porous, hollow microspheres with three concentric multi-shells showed the best cycling performance, demonstrating excellent stability and a reversible capacity of up to 1702 mA h g−1 at a current density of 50 mA g−1. The electrode performance is attributed to the large specific surface area and enhanced volumetric capacity of the multi-shelled hollow spheres that provide maximum lithium storage, while the porous thin shells facilitate rapid electrochemical kinetics and buffer mechanical stresses that accompany volume changes during de/lithiation.
Earthworms are useful indicators of soil quality and are widely used as model organisms in terrestrial ecotoxicology. The assessment of genotoxic effects caused by environmental pollutants is of great concern because of their relevance in carcinogenesis. In this work, the earthworm Eisenia andrei was exposed for 10 and 28 days to artificial standard soil contaminated with environmentally relevant concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) (0.1, 10, 50ppm) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD) (1×10−5, 1×10−4, 2×10−3 ppm). Micronucleus (MNi) induction was evaluated in earthworm coelomocytes after DNA staining with the fluorescent dye DAPI. In the same cells, the DNA damage was assessed by means of the alkaline comet assay. Induction of MNi in coelomocytes, identified according to standard criteria, was demonstrated. B[a]P exposure for 10 and 28 days induced a significant increase in MNi frequency. In TCDD-treated earthworms, a significant effect on chromosomal damage was observed at all the concentrations used; surprisingly, greater effects were induced in animals exposed to the lowest concentration (1×10−5 ppm). The data of the comet assay revealed a significant increase in the level of DNA damage in coelomocytes of earthworms exposed for 10 and 28 days to the different concentrations of B[a]P and TCDD. The results show that the comet and MN assays were able to reveal genotoxic effects in earthworms exposed even to the lowest concentrations of both chemicals tested here. The combined application in E. andrei of the comet assay and the micronucleus test, which reflect different biological mechanisms, may be suggested to identify genotoxic effects induced in these invertebrates by environmental contaminants in terrestrial ecosystems.
Pediatric patients with cancer are at high risk for severe infections. Infections can trigger changes of vital signs long before clinical symptoms arise. Continuous recording may detect such changes earlier than discrete measurements. We aimed to assess the feasibility of continuous recording of vital signs by a wearable device (WD) in pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
Commonly used measures of disability in patients with Multiple sclerosis (MS) inadequately reflect disease severity and progression. Further, cognitive deficits experienced by up to 70% of patients, are poorly represented by these measures. Saccadic eye movements may provide a powerful tool for the analysis of cognitive changes in MS, providing a surrogate measure of performance that extends more conventional measures. The cognitive control of eye movements has not previously been investigated in patients with MS. We studied antisaccade (AS) performance in 25 patients with MS and compared the results with 25 age matched healthy controls, to evaluate the resolution of response conflict between volitional and automatic processes. Experimental measures were also correlated with a battery of neuropsychological tests evaluating attention, working memory and executive processes, the most commonly reported cognitive deficits in MS. Compared to controls, patients with MS generated significantly more prosaccade errors, and AS latencies were prolonged and more variable. Error rates correlated significantly with scores on the commonly used PASAT. MS patients also exhibited poor spatial accuracy, with mean absolute error significantly larger and more variable than control subjects. The sensitivity of this task in dissociating function in MS, as well as clear correlation with a key measure of cognition, suggests that eye movements, may provide a surrogate measure of cognitive function in MS, with the potential to sensitively assess disease severity and progression.
Pristine Ni0.5TiOPO4 was prepared via a traditional solid-state reaction, and then Ni0.5TiOPO4/C composites with core–shell nanostructures were synthesized by hydrothermally treating Ni0.5TiOPO4 in glucose solution. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that Ni0.5TiOPO4/C crystallizes in monoclinic P21/c space group. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy show that the small particles with different sizes are coated with uniform carbon film of ∼3nm in thickness. Raman spectroscopy also confirms the presence of carbon in the composites. Ni0.5TiOPO4/C composites presented a capacity of 276mAhg−1 after 30 cycles at the current density of 42.7mAg−1, much higher than that of pristine Ni0.5TiOPO4 (155mAhg−1). The improved electrochemical performances can be attributed to the existence of carbon shell.
This paper develops mathematical models for dynamic simulation and predicting of the future performance of a solar-PV hybrid battery and hydrogen energy storage system that is capable of satisfying residential electrical loads in the example at Port Harcourt in Nigeria. The models from experimentally determined works were taken from various published sources in order to develop a detailed, validated and generalised model for the proposed integrated system that is hitherto lacking. Thus, the hybrid energy storage system is implemented using ideal electronic switches that ensure solar-PV power is directly utilised for battery charging, and any excess generated PV power can be converted into hydrogen fuel for domestic applications including fuel cell power generation systems. The results indicate that conversion efficiency of the solar-PV module is about 34% at this location, and battery power can satisfy low power loads for relatively longer operating period compared to fuel cell power that can satisfy higher power loads but for a shorter operating time. Apparently, the fuel cell dynamic response was limited due to reactants flow conditions near the electrodes which increase internal resistances. The inverter output waveform however, can be maintained at the standard magnitude and frequency that is required by the load.
The decentralized power is characterised by generation of power nearer to the demand centers, focusing mainly on meeting local energy needs. A decentralized power system can function either in the presence of grid, where it can feed the surplus power generated to the grid, or as an independent/stand-alone isolated system exclusively meeting the local demands of remote locations. Further, decentralized power is also classified on the basis of type of energy resources used—non-renewable and renewable. These classifications along with a plethora of technological alternatives have made the whole prioritization process of decentralized power quite complicated for decision making. There is abundant literature, which has discussed various approaches that have been used to support decision making under such complex situations. We envisage that summarizing such literature and coming out with a review paper would greatly help the policy/decision makers and researchers in arriving at effective solutions. With such a felt need 102 articles were reviewed and features of several technological alternatives available for decentralized power, the studies on modeling and analysis of economic, environmental and technological feasibilities of both grid-connected (GC) and stand-alone (SA) systems as decentralized power options are presented.
Batteries need to be energy-dense as well as safe. Yi Cui and team develop an ultralight polyimide-based current collector with embedded fire retardants that enables lithium-ion batteries with much-enhanced safety and energy density.
This work proposes to study the brain structure delineation, by combining the measurement of brain atrophy and cognitive functions (episodic memory and executive functions) in a group of subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) as compared to healthy controls. All subjects were tested with a Neurocognitive screening battery. T1 images were obtained on a 1.5T MRI scanner and processed with the IBASPM toolbox for automatic segmentation of cerebral structures. We analyzed the regional specificity of group-related cortical thickness differences. The aMCI subjects showed a significantly poorer performance than controls in episodic memory and functioning executive tasks. There were statistically significant differences between both groups in the volumes of the Right Superior Temporal Pole structures with atrophy in these structures for the aMCI group that correlated with the episodic memory neuropsychological performance. There was volume in frontal structures a finders decrease, which contrasts with the poor performance of the aMCI group in tests of executive functions. This suggests that volume lost per se does not explain the executive deficit. The episodic memory’s performance in aMCI subjects had a positive correlation with the volume of bilateral temporal structures, including the hippocampus and with the volume of frontal structures in the left hemisphere.
A procedure to predict the state of charge of a lithium ion cell using experimental data (cell potential versus time), as it becomes available, is presented. The procedure is based on the physics of the system and provides a realistic estimate of the state of charge of the cell as a function of time, for a given set of properties of the electrodes. An electrochemical cell model is used to obtain an extended Kalman filter (EKF) for estimating the state of charge (SOC) of a lithium ion cell in which the negative electrode is the limiting electrode. The method could also be used for a cell in which the positive electrode is limiting.
This paper comparatively examines three types of equivalent circuit models for ultracapacitors. They are the classic model, the multi-stage ladder model and the dynamic model. These models are consciously selected from the state-of-the-art lumped models reported in the literature. A test rig is developed and used to load the ultracapacitor and to collect the test data. The genetic algorithm (GA) is employed to extract the optimal model parameters based on the Hybrid Pulse Power Characterization (HPPC) test. The performance of these models is evaluated and compared by measuring the model complexity, accuracy, and robustness against “unseen” data collected in the Dynamic Stress Test (DST) and a self-designed pulse test (SDP). The validation results show that the dynamic model has the best overall performance.
is the Departmental Manager for Research and Development at Siebenwurst in Dietfurt (Germany).
A method is presented for monitoring the state of charge (SOC) of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRBs) by the transmission spectrum of the positive electrolyte [V(IV)/V(V)]. We use the transmission spectrum rather than the absorption spectrum for better signal noise ratio. In order to solve the complicated relations between the spectrum and the SOC of the VRB, the entire shape of the spectrum is utilized instead of the data at one wavelength. We experimentally demonstrate that SOCs from 0 to 100 % can be monitored by comparing the transmission spectra of the positive electrolytes [V(IV)/V(V)] with the database, which is previously built by detecting standard samples. The method has potential ability to monitor the level of imbalances of the VRB, which is important for rebalancing the electrolyte and restoring the capacity loss of a VRB.
Carbon nanomaterials are used as an electrode of electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs). In this research, we used arc black (AcB) and carbon nanoballoon (CNB) as the electrode material. AcB was produced by an arc discharge of graphite in N2 atmosphere, and CNB was formed by a heat treatment of AcB. CNB is graphitic, and the particle shape is hollow. CNB has a higher specific capacitance than AcB at a high scan rate. In order to increase the specific capacitance of EDLC, CNB was oxidized at 625°C in the air. By oxidization, the outer shell of CNB forms wrinkle. We call this material oxidized CNB (Ox-CNB). AcB, CNB, and Ox-CNB were used for the EDLC electrodes and were compared with commercially available activated carbon (AC). Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the EDLC electrodes were measured by an electrochemical measurement system. The specific capacitance of Ox-CNB (29 F/g) was larger than that of AC (16 F/g) at a scan rate of 500mV/s. Furthermore, Ox-CNB had a high conductivity as a result of impedance measurement. Ox-CNB is an excellent electrode material of EDLC when using at a high charge/discharge rate.
COMPOSITION, as any art historian will tell us, makes the difference between a good picture and a bad one. So it is with photomontage: the position of people and objects within the montage enables us to tell the story we want to tell. As we'll see in the first few examples in this chapter, the relative positions of characters can completely change the message we're putting across.