Dependence of Initial Capacity Irreversibility on Oxygen Framework Chemistry in Li-Rich Layered Cathode Oxides

The undesirable capacity loss after first cycle is universal among layered cathode materials,which results in the capacity and energy decay.The key to resolving this obstacle lies in understanding the effect and origin of specific active Li sites during discharge process.In this study,focusing on Ah-level pouch cells for reliability,an ultrahigh initial Coulombic efficiency(96.1%)is achieved in an archetypical Li-rich layered oxide material.Combining the structure and electrochemistry analysis,we demonstrate that the achievement of high-capacity reversibility is a kinetic effect,primarily related to the sluggish Li mobility during oxygen reduction.Activating oxygen reduction through small density would induce the oxygen framework contraction,which,according to Pauli repulsion,imposes a great repulsive force to hinder the transport of tetrahedral Li.The tetrahedral Li storage upon deep oxygen reduction is experimentally visualized and,more importantly,contributes to 6%Coulombic efficiency enhancement as well as 10%energy density improvement for pouch cells,which shows great potentials breaking through the capacity and energy limitation imposed by intercalation chemistry.

Oxygen-defects evolution to stimulate continuous capacity increase in Co-free Li-rich layered oxides

Though oxygen defects are associated with deteriorated structures and aggravated cycling performance in traditional layered cathodes,the role of oxygen defects is still ambiguous in Li-rich layered oxides due to the involvement of oxygen redox.Herein,a Co-free Li-rich layered oxide Li_(1.286)Ni_(0.071)Mn_(0.643)O_(2)has been prepared by a co-precipitation method to systematically investigate the undefined effects of the oxygen defects.A significant O_(2)release and the propagation of oxygen vacancies were detected by operando differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy(DEMS)and electron energy loss spectroscopy(EELS),respectively.Scanning transmission electron microscopy-high angle annular dark field(STEMHAADF)reveals the oxygen vacancies fusing to nanovoids and monitors a stepwise electrochemical activation process of the large Li_(2)MnO_(3)domain upon cycling.Combined with the quantitative analysis conducted by the energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS),existed nano-scale oxygen defects actually expose more surface to the electrolyte for facilitating the electrochemical activation and subsequently increasing available capacity.Overall,this work persuasively elucidates the function of oxygen defects on oxygen redox in Co-free Li-rich layered oxides.

Repealing the LIFO Inventory Accounting Choice? A Review of LIFO and Inventory Management

Researchers in the disciplines of both Operations and Accounting have studied Inventory Management, though in relative isolation. In this paper, one of our goals is to help inform researchers in Operations Management about an extensively debated question in inventory accounting: whether to repeal the LIFO (Last-In-First-Out) inventory accounting choice? This question has received extensive scrutiny from various stakeholders including academics, businesses, and different levels of governmental agencies such as US Congress. Specifically, we provide a literature review on how LIFO affects and is affected by inventory management. This is done by first reviewing the potential determinants of LIFO inventory accounting choice and then reviewing potential interactions between LIFO and inventory management. It is our hope that this review will help stakeholders have a more comprehensive understanding of LIFO before making their decisions.

Specifications and control of spatial frequency errors of components in two-beam laser static holographic exposure for pulse compression grating fabrication

The large-aperture pulse compression grating(PCG) is a critical component in generating an ultra-high-intensity, ultra-short-pulse laser;however, the size of the PCG manufactured by transmission holographic exposure is limited to large-scale high-quality materials. The reflective method is a potential way for solving the size limitation, but there is still no successful precedent due to the lack of scientific specifications and advanced processing technology of exposure mirrors. In this paper, an analytical model is developed to clarify the specifications of components, and advanced processing technology is adopted to control the spatial frequency errors. Hereafter, we have successfully fabricated a multilayer dielectric grating of 200 mm × 150 mm by using an off-axis reflective exposure system with Φ300 mm. This demonstration proves that PCGs can be manufactured by using the reflection holographic exposure method and shows the potential for manufacturing the meter-level gratings used in 100 petawatt class high-power lasers.

Spontaneously bundled nanotubes exhibit greatly enhanced emission via inter-nanotube energy transfer

Spontaneously bundled nanotubes assembled from chiral perylene diimide molecules exhibit greatly enhanced emission via inter-nanotube excitation energy transfer. The formation of densely packed superstructures is an effective approach for high fluorescence quantum yield in assembled nanomaterials without compromising optoelectronic properties.