batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Phase change materials (PCM) with a transition temperature around 45°C can be used in various applications, e.g. as intermediate storages for heat pumps in space heating systems, for the thermal protection of battery systems or to increase the efficiency of dishwashers by preheating water. At that temperature level, typical PCMs are either salt hydrates or organic materials like paraffins and fatty acids. Salt hydrates usually provide higher volumetric enthalpy changes, whereas for organic PCMs, corrosion is generally less problematic. Organic hydrates combine the advantages of salt hydrates and organic PCMs. For the diol pinacone, the existence of a hexahydrate with a melting temperature around 45°C and a high melting enthalpy of about 300J/g was reported in literature. To investigate the applicability of pinacone hexahydrate as a PCM, we conducted a detailed calorimetric characterisation of its phase change. DSC and T-History measurements were performed to determine the enthalpy curves for melting and crystallisation. We measured an enthalpy change of (340±17)J/g ((332±17)kJ/l) between 32°C and 47°C, which is a suitable operating temperature range. In addition, enthalpy changes within 15K around the phase change of PCMs with similar melting temperatures (docosane, lauric acid, zinc nitrate tetrahydrate) were measured and confirmed the promising properties of pinacone hexahydrate for compact thermal energy storage.
The zinc bromine flow battery (ZBFB) is regarded as one of the most promising candidates for large-scale energy storage attributed to its high energy density and low cost. However, it suffers from low power density, primarily due to large internal resistances caused by the low conductivity of electrolyte and high polarization in the positive electrode. In this work, chloride based salts including KCl and NH4Cl are investigated as supporting electrolyte to enhance electrolyte conductivity, while graphite-felt electrodes are thermally treated to improve electrocatalytic activity. It is found that the use of 4 M NH4Cl as a supporting electrolyte enables the battery to be operated at a current density of 40 mA cm−2 with an energy efficiency of 74.3%, whereas without the addition of a supporting electrolyte the battery only outputs an energy efficiency of 60.4%. In combination with a thermally treated graphite-felt electrode, efficiency further reaches up to 81.8% at the same current density. More impressively, we demonstrate that even at a high current density of up to 80 mA cm−2, the battery is capable of delivering an energy efficiency of 70%, representing one of the highest performances of ZBFBs in the open literature.
Lead-Acid batteries have been in continuous upgrade as they are required for new applications, such as stop-start function and regenerative braking for Micro-Hybrid vehicles. These issues are closely linked to cyclability and charge acceptance whose failure is directly related to a high sulfation of the negative plates. Carbon materials can be added to the negative active material to delay this sulfation, and other organic compounds, such as lignosulfonates, take part also in the improvement of these features. In this study, different types of carbon materials and lignosulfonates were used as additives for the negative active material, and negative plates have been prepared to assembly 2V/1Ah small lead acid cells. The cells performed several electrical tests: capacity, cold cranking, initial charge acceptance test, negative polarization study and cycling life in Partial State of Charge. At the same time, continuous physicochemical analyses of negative plates were carried out in order to evaluate their structure and composition. As a conclusion, those carbon materials that were are able to be introduced into the lead skeleton showed performance on charge acceptance by acting as super-capacitors, and on cycle life by reducing negative plate sulfation. The carbon material that was able to remain on the lead surface was able to increase charge acceptance, but failed to complete the cycle life test due to a high sulfation on its negative plates. The type of lignosulfonate and the electrochemical surface area supplied with the carbon materials had a strong influence on hydrogen evolution.
The processing of facial expressions of emotions by 23 adults with Down syndrome and moderate intellectual disability was compared with that of adults with intellectual disability of other etiologies (24 matched in cognitive level and 26 with mild intellectual disability). Each participant performed 4 tasks of the Florida Affect Battery and an original task in which they had to match facial expressions after observing the complete face or one of its halves. Adults with Down syndrome did not show any specific difficulties in recognizing facial expressions in spite of showing a poorer discrimination between facial expressions and tended to take more notice of the lower half of the face.
Proton-conducting composite material was synthesized from 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride (BMImCl) and 12-phosphotungstic acid (PWA). The structure, assistant catalytic effect and ionic conductivity of the composites for the as-synthesized, 200 and 400°C annealed samples were studied, respectively. The as-synthesized salt was crystal and kept Keggin structure even being annealed at 400°C, but the organic part was partly decomposed with increasing of the annealing temperature. The partly decomposed BMIm/PWA salt formed by annealing at 400°C associated with Pt catalyst had excellent assistant catalytic effect on methanol electro-oxidation and displayed a high proton conductivity of 2mScm−1 at 30°C under 96% relative humidity condition.
Aluminum-doped spinel-type LiMn2O4 cathode active materials have been synthesized by a microwave-assisted sol–gel method. The influence of synthesis conditions on the structural and electrochemical properties of LiAl0.1Mn1.9O4 was investigated by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and charge/discharge experiments. The powders resulting from the microwave-assisted sol–gel method with good crystallinity and cubic spinel shapes deliver an initial discharge capacity of 120mAhg−1, present excellent rate capability, and the Coulombic efficiency of it almost approaches 99% after 30 cycles. These advantages make it attractive particularly for a practical application. In addition, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to characterize the reactions of Li ion insertion into and extraction from LiAl0.1Mn1.9O4 electrodes.
Herein are considered some ways to improve the performance efficiency of sealed batteries of high capacity by providing uniform electrolyte distribution with battery height, increasing active mass utilization coefficient and limiting PCL effect.
The development of high emission power green light emitting diodes chips using GaInN/GaN multi quantum well heterostructures on sapphire substrate in our group is being reviewed. We analyze the electronic bandstructure in highly polarized GaInN/GaN quantum wells to identify the appropriate device structures. We describe the optimization of the epitaxial growth for highest device performance. Applying several optimization schemes, we find that lateral smoothness and homogeneity of the active region as characterized by atomic force microscopy is a most telling character of high yield, high output power devices emitting near 525 nm. In un-encapsulated epi-up mounted (400 µm)2 die we achieve 2.5 mW at 20 mA at 525 nm. We describe die performance, wafer yield, and process stability, and reproducibility for our production-scale implementation of this green LED die process.
To meet the increasing demand for energy, development of alternative and renewable energy sources, such as bioenergy, has accelerated during the last decade. In this context, biofuels are one potential replacement for fossil fuels, although their impact on the environment has not been widely studied. Only a few studies are available on toxicity of biofuels and biofuel combustion. Furthermore, for a complete understanding of the environmental impact, the entire life cycle of a biofuel has to be analyzed. This study is an exemplary ecotoxicological investigation of a biomass-to-biofuel production process with respect to the generation of environmentally relevant contaminants either by means of biomass pretreatment or microbial activity. Our aim is the demonstration of the suitability of ecotoxicological biotests as part of a comprehensive hazard assessment of biofuels and related samples or processes. Five ecotoxicological endpoints were assayed to determine the impact of four different biomass pretreatments on process substrates and effluent toxicities. Four different test organisms (bacterium, yeast, fish cell line, and fish embryo) from different trophic levels as well as a combination of acute and mechanism-specific biotests were applied to strengthen the ecotoxicological relevance of this investigation. Biotest results revealed cytotoxic, acute embryotoxic and mutagenic effectiveness, and weak estrogenic activity, with biomass toxicity depending on the mechanism of substrate pretreatment. Open microbial communities (reactor microbiomes) involved in the production process decreased the toxicity considerably to levels of the product n-butyric acid due to degradation of inhibiting by-products, verifying their simultaneous biomass conversion and detoxification potential. Our results demonstrate that ecotoxicological biotests are useful tools for the biofuel industries to gain environmental friendliness as a selling point.
The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of Braille writing with slate and stylus the conventional method and the A-J+3+6 method. An experimental study was conducted on ten blind students and eight low vision students using mix-method design. Results showed i) method A-J+3+6 is more effective in Braille writing than the conventional method, ii) students who used the conventional method tend to do more mirror errors than students who used the A-J+3+6 method, iii) there is no statistically significant in Braille writing using conventional method when level of vision problem and age were controlled.
Development of excellent bi-functional electrocatalysts for both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains a key issue for the commercialization of various electrochemical devices such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Herein, we report the synthesis and electrocatalytic performance of mesoporous nanostructured spinel-type MFe2O4 (M=Co, Mn, Ni) oxides which can serve as alternative low-cost bi-functional electrocatalysts for ORR/OER. Loaded on XC-72 carbon support, the MFe2O4 spinel oxides show the M-dependent catalytic activities with CoFe2O4 being the most active electrocatalyst followed by MnFe2O4 and NiFe2O4 for ORR. For the OER, however, the activity increases in the order: MnFe2O4 <NiFe2O4 ≈CoFe2O4. Additionally, the CoFe2O4 catalyst shows the smallest overpotential between ORR and OER. Compared with commercial IrO2, the MFe2O4 catalysts reveal comparable OER activities. Furthermore, the MFe2O4 catalysts exhibit much better methanol tolerance and stability than Pt/C. Meanwhile, both electrochemical measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations verify that the ORRs on the MFe2O4 catalysts are a direct 4 e− pathway in the alkaline solution, and expound the reason for the excellent methanol tolerance of MFe2O4.
In this final chapter, we delve into the future of remotely operated vehicle technology. This chapter covers both current developmental initiatives along with the authors’ “crystal ball” look into the future of subsea robotics.
We report a two-step approach to synthesize SnO2–Fe2O3@C nanocomposite as a good candidate for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) anodes. In this route, the SnO2–Fe2O3@polyaniline is first prepared with in situ polymerization in sol, followed by a carbonized transformation process. The growth of metal oxides particles is firstly suppressed by the polyaniline (PANI) on their outer surface in the in-situ polymerization route and secondly restricted by fully coating of carbon shell in thermal treatment, which forms by in situ carbonization of the polymer. Due to the unique structure and a so-called synergistic effect between SnO2 and Fe2O3, an excellent capacity over 1000 mAh g−1 is maintained after 380 cycles at current density of 400 mA g−1. The key insight is that the composite anode presented here achieves fully reversible Li insertion/extraction reaction and maintains high capacity for a long cycling life at high current density, and is realized as promising high-performance LIBs anode materials.
We describe software, MiceProfiler, for automatic tracking of two interacting mice and analysis of their social interactions without the need of animal tagging. The program allows the identification of key elements that trigger social contact in different mouse strains.
This paper aims to share the field application experience related to the development of an innovative stand-alone sustainable energy system known as the PURE project. The PURE project has been developed alongside a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme, which is supported by the UK Department of Trade and Industry and executed by siGEN in collaboration with The Robert Gordon University. The system has been constructed within an industrial estate on the island of Unst in Shetland, 200 miles north of the Scottish mainland. The energy system now supplies five business properties with clean reliable power and utilises wind turbine and hydrogen technology to provide a sustainable energy source. The stored hydrogen gas generated by the system is used as an energy source for periods when electrical demand within the business properties exceeds wind turbine production. The hydrogen is also utilised as a fuel source for transportation and as a transportable energy source for mobile power generation. The paper therefore gives a detailed description of the PURE project and discusses the field experience accumulated during the development and installation of the system. It also shares a number of practical issues that had to be overcome during its integration and operation. The installation of the PURE project has resulted in a number of unexpected conclusions being identified and marks a significant step forward in the accessible deployment of this technology for community use.
Photovoltaic devices have become ideal alternatives to common energy sources due to their excellent mechanical robustness and high power conversion efficiency, which can meet the human requirements for green, inexpensive and portable electricity sources. Moreover, due to the rapid development of wearable devices, telecommunication, transportation, advanced sensors, etc., the need for green and accessible power sources for these state-of-the-art devices accompanied with appropriate mechanical stability has become a new challenge. In this regard, flexible–wearable photovoltaic platforms can be easily adapted to any device/substrate and can supply diverse electronic devices with their required energy via harvesting energy from sunlight. Similarly, photovoltaic platforms can be integrated into hybrid platforms and can be used in diverse applications. Herein, we summarize the recent approaches to developing flexible–wearable solar cells as energy sources for supplying self-powered wearable devices. In this regard, first, recent advances in transparent flexible electrodes and their diversities are reported; then, recently developed flexible solar cells and important factors for designing these platforms are summarized. Further, flexible solar cells are categorized into five different sections (i.e., perovskite, dye-sensitized, organic, fiber-shaped and textile solar cells) and their mechanisms, working principles and design criteria along with their recent advances have been discussed. Finally, novel applications of wearable sensors/devices are summarized and reported to highlight the functionality of these practical platforms.
We demonstrate an improvement in energy efficiency and network lifetime for the cluster-based multi-channel cognitive radio sensor network (CRSN). The improvement roots from two techniques proposed in dynamic spectrum access. The first technique exploits packet size adaptation: varying the packet size to adapt the transmission over the state-varying channel. This is to efficiently utilize the battery of sensors by having the most appropriately sized packets successfully transmitted, in accordance with the instantaneous channel conditions. The second technique focuses on channel assignment with awareness of the residual energy of sensors, such that sensors can spend their energy in a balanced way. This helps to prolong the network lifetime, compared to the random channel pairing approach. As all those techniques rely on the estimates of channel states and their performance is tied with the estimation accuracy, we theoretically derive a polynomial-time resolvable expression for the maximum-likelihood (ML) estimator PMF function. In light of this expression, the impact of channel estimation accuracy on network performance is thereby illustrated.
The self-discharge of lithium-ion cells is an undesired effect, because it directly influences the performance of batteries in electric vehicles. The aim of this manuscript is to illustrate the influencing factors for the self-discharge, especially the influence of time in which the cells stay unused. The self-discharge behavior of nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC)/graphite cells can be reproduced with three models for different time horizons: short, long, and overall time. The models are based on an approach originating from alkaline battery modeling. Some arguments justifying the validity of the approach are stated. The models are parameterized utilizing long time measurement data (160 days) obtained at different temperature and state of charge conditions. Limits of the models are discussed and quantified with simultaneous 99% confidence and prediction bands, that are constructed by means of nonlinear regression. A good agreement of the models and the measurements as well as narrow confidence and prediction band widths can be found.
Visual communication designers must possess the intellectual tools to perform creatively and effectively in addressing the complex visual construct and new media. This paper discusses the process of a study with university freshman developing dialogue and thinking in the visual design studio for the realisation of the creative process. In this respect the study aims to unfold what is hypothesized as the design process at the root of design education in the department of visual communication design. The paper underlines communication and design thinking focusing on the design learning environment surrounded by the natural premise of connectedness with technology. The study begins by introducing the course material design and reveals teaching and learning strategies on the final project of the basic design course which sets the foundation for the design track in the curriculumn. Student works are exemplified in terms of 3D explorations, photography, sketches. Text and self reports are employed as a projection of students thinking process including the view and comments of the instructors in the must course. The result of the study may offer insights for educators in developing teaching and learning approaches through working the process of design thinking, exploration and discovery.
RNA interference (RNAi) is a regulatory mechanism conserved in higher eukaryotes. The RNAi pathway generates small interfering RNA (siRNA) or micro RNA (miRNA) from either long double stranded stretches of RNA or RNA hairpins, respectively. The siRNA or miRNA then guides an effector complex to a homologous sequence of mRNA and regulates suppression of gene expression through one of several mechanisms. The suppression of gene expression through these mechanisms serves to regulate endogenous gene expression and protect the cell from foreign nucleic acids. There is growing evidence that many viruses have developed in the context of RNAi and express either a suppressor of RNAi or their own viral miRNA.
Hybrid composites are very promising materials for the next generation high performance electrochemical supercapacitors. We have designed a hybrid composite electrode of heteroatom doped carbon with polyaniline (PANI) for supercapacitor. In order to dope heteroatoms in carbon, we have selected sulfonated PANI as a precursor and its carbonization resulted in N, S and O doped carbon (CNSO). CNSO-PANI hybrid composite has been synthesized by polymerizing aniline with CNSO via aqueous polymerization. Electrochemical performance of CNSO-PANI has been evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, charge-discharge cycling and electrochemical impedance techniques. CNSO-PANI has yielded a higher capacitance value of 372F g−1 compared to pristine PANI (200 F g−1) at 0.8A g−1, which indicates that the performance of PANI has been enhanced by the introduction of CNSO. This composite electrode has also exhibited excellent charge-discharge cycling stability, retaining over 78% of its initial capacitance after 6000 cycles with a coulombic efficiency of 99–100%, which is still 45% larger than the initial capacitance of pristine PANI. A phase angle value of 85° from the Bode plot has provided additional evidence of good capacitor behavior for the CNSO-PANI. The results demonstrate that PANI could be effectively utilized with the assistance of CNSO in supercapacitor.
Amorphous Ni–P–C films are fabricated by combining the electrodeposition of Ni–P films from a eutectic-based ionic liquid and the direct current magnetron sputtering of amorphous carbon top-layer. The carbon top-layer with a thickness of about 10nm is homogeneously coated on the surface of the Ni–P films. A comparison study is undertaken between Ni–P and Ni–P–C films to evaluate the microstructure and the electrochemical performances of the composite films as anode materials for lithium ion batteries, which allow the decoupling of the effect of the carbon layer. It is found that at lower discharge–charge current densities, the cyclability of both Ni–P and Ni–P–C films is similar. As the discharge–charge current density increases, the Ni–P–C film exhibits improved capability and reversibility over the Ni–P film. The Ni–P–C film delivers an initial discharge capacity of 1060mAhg−1 at 250mAg−1 and the capacity retention after 50 cycles is 62%, much higher than that of the Ni–P film (51%). The cyclability of Ni–P–C film at different discharge–charge current densities from 200 to 500mAg−1 is also much better than those of Ni–P film. This study indicates that the introduction of a carbon top-layer on Ni–P film could significantly improve the electrochemical performances due to the decreased interface electric resistance and the structure stability.
Nanostructured manganese dioxide has been successfully prepared by a sonochemical method from an aqueous solution of potassium bromate and manganese sulfate. Changing the proportions of reagents leads either to γ- or layered structures of MnO2. The capacitive characteristics of the samples were systematically investigated in aqueous electrolytes through means of cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry methods. The electrochemical properties of MnO2 were strongly affected by the pH of electrolyte employed and this material exhibited ideally capacitive behavior in 0.5M aqueous Na2SO4 solution. A maximum specific capacitance of 344Fg−1 was obtained for the layered structure determined via cyclic voltammetry at a scan rate of 5mVs−1 in 0.5M aqueous Na2SO4 solution at pH 3.3. Excellent electrochemical reversibility of the materials was also demonstrated. Layered structure MnO2 showed higher energy density at high power density than the γ-structure material. Impedance spectroscopy studies revealed that charge transfer resistance of the γ-structure oxide has higher value than that of the layered structure.