Innovative Solutions for High-Performance Silicon Anodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries:Overcoming Challenges and Real-World Applications

Silicon(Si)has emerged as a potent anode material for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs),but faces challenges like low electrical conductivity and significant volume changes during lithiation/delithiation,leading to material pulverization and capacity degradation.Recent research on nanostructured Si aims to mitigate volume expansion and enhance electrochemical performance,yet still grapples with issues like pulverization,unstable solid electrolyte interface(SEI)growth,and interparticle resistance.This review delves into innovative strategies for optimizing Si anodes’electrochemical performance via structural engineering,focusing on the synthesis of Si/C composites,engineering multidimensional nanostructures,and applying non-carbonaceous coatings.Forming a stable SEI is vital to prevent electrolyte decomposition and enhance Li^(+)transport,thereby stabilizing the Si anode interface and boosting cycling Coulombic efficiency.We also examine groundbreaking advancements such as self-healing polymers and advanced prelithiation methods to improve initial Coulombic efficiency and combat capacity loss.Our review uniquely provides a detailed examination of these strategies in real-world applications,moving beyond theoretical discussions.It offers a critical analysis of these approaches in terms of performance enhancement,scalability,and commercial feasibility.In conclusion,this review presents a comprehensive view and a forward-looking perspective on designing robust,high-performance Si-based anodes the next generation of LIBs.

The Various Complications Associated with Use of Silicone Oil in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment (RRD) Surgery via Three-Port Vitrectomy (3PV): A Retrospective Study at the Ophthalmology Center of Abass Ndao Hospital

Introduction: RRD (Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment) is a separation between the neuroepithelium and the pigment epithelium due to the passage of fluid through a retinal dehiscence. It constitutes a major ophthalmologic emergency. Its management is primarily surgical, either through external or internal approaches, with tamponade using gas or silicone oil. The purpose of this study was to report the various complications associated with the use of silicone oil in vitreoretinal surgery. Patients et methods: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study from October 1, 2020, to October 31, 2023, which included all patients who underwent surgery for RRD using three-port vitrectomy (3PV) with tamponade using 1000 centistoke silicone oil (Group 1) and 5000 centistoke silicone oil (Group 2). All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination and were operated on by the same surgeon. Data analysis was performed using Excel software. Results: Overall, 31 patient files representing 33 eyes were collected, with a mean age of 48.83 years and a sex ratio of 4.16. Group 1 consisted of 16 eyes (48.48%), and Group 2 consisted of 17 eyes (51.51%). The different complications observed were cataracts in all phakic subjects, accounting for 57.57%;ocular hypertonia in 69.69% (27.27% in Group 1;42.42% in Group 2);anterior chamber silicone oil migration in 24.24% (9.09% in Group 1;15.15% in Group 2);recurrence of retinal detachment in 21.21% (6.06% in Group 1;15.15% in Group 2);and silicone oil emulsification in 24.24% (15.15% in Group 1;9.09% in Group 2). Additionally, there was one case of corneal degeneration in Group 1. Conclusion: Silicone oil is an effective tamponade agent used in the treatment of retinal detachments. Close patient follow-up is necessary due to the complications associated with its use, which can occur either early or late after surgery.

Silicone oil migrating into the conjunctival space and orbit after surgery for an eye-penetrating injury:A case report

BACKGROUND We report a case of eye-penetrating injury in which a massive silicone oil migration into the patient’s subconjunctival space and orbit occurred after vitrectomy.CASE SUMMARY A 30-year-old male patient sought medical attention at Ganzhou People’s Hospital after experiencing pain and vision loss in his left eye due to a nail wound on December 9,2023.Diagnosis of penetrating injury caused by magnetic foreign body retention in the left eye and hospitalization for treatment.On December 9,2023,pars plana vitrectomy was performed on the left eye for intraocular foreign body removal,abnormal crystal extraction,retinal photocoagulation.Owing to the discovery of retinal detachment at the posterior pole during surgery,silicone oil was injected to fill the vitreous body,following which upper conjunctival bubble-like swelling was observed.Postoperative orbital computed tomography(CT)review indicated migration of silicone oil to the subconjunctival space and orbit through a self-permeable outlet.On December 18,2023,the patient sought treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University,China.The patient presented with a pronounced foreign body sensation following left eye surgery.On December 20,2023,the foreign body was removed from the left eye frame and an intraocular examination was conducted.The posterior scleral tear had closed,leading to termination of the surgical procedure following supplementary laser treatment around the tear.The patient reported a significant reduction in ocular surface symptoms just one day after surgery.Furthermore,a notable decrease in the migration of silicone oil was observed in orbital CT scans.CONCLUSION The timing of silicone oil injection for an eye-penetrating injury should be carefully evaluated to avoid the possibility of silicone oil migration.

Analysis on Demonstration Application of Silicon Fertilizer in Field Cultivation of Rice

[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the scientific application of silicon fertilizer in rice cultivation,one of the staple crops.[Methods]In 2022,Yandu District carried out a special experiment and field demonstration study on the effects of foliar application of Zhengda water-soluble silicon fertilizer on rice production.[Results]The preliminary results showed that①Zhengda water-soluble silicon fertilizer could effectively improve the growth and development of rice and improve the population quality.The peak number of tillers,productive tiller percentage,number of effective panicles and number of effective grains per panicle increased by 6.7%,5.8%,5.5%,and 1.2%,respectively.②The yield and processing quality were improved.After applying silicon fertilizer,the yield per unit area increased by about 6.8%,and the unpolished rice yield,milled rice yield and head rice yield increased by 0.7%,1.94%and 2.15%respectively.[Conclusions]The demonstration application of silicon fertilizer in field cultivation of rice in Yandu District further proves previous research conclusions and has important practical significance.

Corrective Effect of the Angle of Incidence of the Magnetic Field Intensity on the Performance (Series and Shunt Resistances) of a Bifacial Silicon Solar Cell

This article presents a three-dimensional analysis of the impact of the angle of incidence of the magnetic field intensity on the electrical performance (series resistance, shunt resistance) of a bifacial polycrystalline silicon solar cell. The cell is illuminated simultaneously from both sides. The continuity equation for the excess minority carriers is solved at the emitter and at the depth of the base respectively. The analytical expressions for photocurrent density, photovoltage, series resistance and shunt resistance were deduced. Using these expressions, the values of the series and shunt resistances were extracted for different values of the angle of incidence of the magnetic field intensity. The study shows that as the angle of incidence increases, the slopes of the minority carrier density for the two modes of operation of the solar cell decrease. This is explained by a drop in the accumulation of carriers in the area close to the junction due to the fact that the Lorentz force is unable to drive the carriers towards the lateral surfaces due to the weak action of the magnetic field, which tends to cancel out as the incidence angle increases, and consequently a drop in the open circuit photovoltage. This, in turn, reduces the Lorentz force. These results predict that the p-n junction of the solar cell will not heat up. The study also showed a decrease in series resistance as the incidence angle of the magnetic field intensity increased from 0 rad to π/2 rad and an increase in shunt resistance as the incidence angle increased. His behaviour of the electrical parameters when the angle of incidence of the field from 0 rad to π/2 rad shows that the decreasing magnetic field vector tends to be collinear with the electron trajectory. This allows them to cross the junction and participate in the external current. The best orientation for the Lorentz force is zero, in which case the carriers can move easily towards the junction.

Preparation and Analysis of Carbon Fiber-Silicon Carbide Thermally Conductive Asphalt Concrete

An experimental investigation into the thermal conductivity of CF-SiC two-phase composite asphalt concrete is presented.The main objective of this study was to verify the possibility of using SiC powder instead of mineral powder as the thermal conductive filler to prepare a new type of asphalt concrete and improve the efficiency of electrothermal snow and ice melting systems accordingly.The thermal conductivity of asphalt concrete prepared with different thermally conductive fillers was tested by a transient plane source method,and the related performances were measured.Then the temperature rise rate and surface temperature were studied through field heating tests.Finally,the actual ice melting efficiency of the thermally conductive asphalt concrete was evaluated using an effective electrothermal system.As shown by the experimental results,the composite made of SiC powder and carbon fiber has a high thermal conductivity.When SiC replaces mineral powder,the thermal conductivity of the asphalt mixture increases first and then decreases with the increase of carbon fiber content.In the present study,in particular,the thermal conductivity attained a peak when the carbon fiber content was 0.2%of the aggregate mass.

A highly sensitive ratiometric near-infrared nanosensor based on erbium-hyperdoped silicon quantum dots for iron(Ⅲ) detection

Ratiometric fluorescent detection of iron(Ⅲ)(Fe^(3+))offers inherent self-calibration and contactless analytic capabilities.However,realizing a dual-emission near-infrared(NIR)nanosensor with a low limit of detection(LOD)is rather challenging.In this work,we report the synthesis of water-dispersible erbium-hyperdoped silicon quantum dots(Si QDs:Er),which emit NIR light at the wavelengths of 810 and 1540 nm.A dual-emission NIR nanosensor based on water-dispersible Si QDs:Er enables ratiometric Fe^(3+)detection with a very low LOD(0.06μM).The effects of pH,recyclability,and the interplay between static and dynamic quenching mechanisms for Fe^(3+)detection have been systematically studied.In addition,we demonstrate that the nanosensor may be used to construct a sequential logic circuit with memory functions.

Preparation and properties of porous silicon carbide ceramics through coat-mix and composite additives process

The core-shell structure silicon-resin precursor powders were synthesized through coat-mix process and addition of Al2O3-SiO2-Y2O3 composite additives.A series of porous silicon carbide ceramics were produced after molding,carbonization and sintering.The phase,morphology,porosity,thermal conductivity,thermal expansion coefficient,and thermal shock resistance were analyzed.The results show that porous silicon carbide ceramics can be produced at low temperature.The grain size of porous silicon carbide ceramic is small,and the thermal conductivity is enhanced significantly.Composite additives also improve the thermal shock resistance of porous ceramics.The bending strength loss rate after 30 times of thermal shock test of the porous ceramics which were added Al2O3-SiO2-Y2O3 and sintered at 1 650 ℃ is only 6.5%.Moreover,the pore inside of the sample is smooth,and the pore size distribution is uniform.Composite additives make little effect on the thermal expansion coefficient of the porous silicon carbide ceramics.

Influence of pyrolysis temperature on structure and dielectric properties of polycarbosilane derived silicon carbide ceramic

β-SiC ceramic powders were obtained by pyrolyzing polycarbosilane in vacuum at 800-1200 °C. The β-SiC ceramic powders were characterized by TGA/DSC, XRD and Raman spectroscopy. The dielectric properties of β-SiC ceramic powders were investigated by measuring their complex permittivity by rectangle wave guide method in the frequency range of 8.2-18 GHz. The results show that both real part ε′ and imaginary part ε″ of complex permittivity increase with increasing pyrolysis temperature. The mechanism was proposed that order carbon formed at high temperature resulted in electron relaxation polarization and conductance loss, which contributes to the increase in complex permittivity.

Low-Microwave Loss Coplanar Waveguides Fabricated on High-Resistivity Silicon Substrate

Three kinds of coplanar waveguides （CPWs） are designed and fabricated on different silicon substrates---common low-resistivity silicon substrate （LRS）, LRS with a 3μm-thick silicon oxide interlayer, and high-resistivity silicon （HRS） substrate. The results show that the microwave loss of a CPW on LRS is too high to be used, but it can be greatly reduced by adding a thick interlayer of silicon oxide between the CPW transmission lines and the LRS.A CPW directly on HRS shows a loss lower than 2dB/cm in the range of 0-26GHz and the process is simple,so HRS is a more suitable CPW substrate.

A Mapping Technique to Draw Resistivity Isocontours for Slice-of-Silicon Monocrystal

A resistivity distribution with a space of 3mm between test points was measured on a slice-of-silicon monocrystal （diameter 75mm） using an inclined four-point probe. This paper has determined the number of resistivity divisions and their separations by statistical methods and introduced fuzzy mathematics to place the data into different fuzzy sets, after choosing the exponent function as a membership function for fuzzy sets and suitable values of thresholds. One fuzzy set corresponds to one resistivity isocontour. Then,the resistivity isocontours can be drawn with a definite separation and fi- nally shown in a map with MATLAB. The deviation of resistivity data on an isocontour is small and there are few residual test points without connections. So, the connection of the isocontours are high-quality and useful in application for instructing practical production.

Polarization-Insensitive Silica on Silicon Arrayed Waveguide Grating Design

A new technology for fabrication of silica on silicon arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) based on deep etching and thermal oxidation is presented.Using this method,a silicon layer is remained at the side of waveguide.The stress distribution and effective refractive index of waveguide fabricated by this approach are calculated using finite element and finite difference beam propagation method,respectively.The results of these studies indicate that the stress of silica on silicon optical waveguide can be matched in parallel and vertical direction and AWG polarization dependent wavelength (PDλ) can be reduced effectively due to side-silicon layer.

New digital drive phase control for improving bias stability of silicon MEMS gyroscope

In order to improve the bias stability of the micro-electro mechanical system（MEMS） gyroscope and reduce the impact on the bias from environmental temperature,a digital signal processing method is described for improving the accuracy of the drive phase in the gyroscope drive mode.Through the principle of bias signal generation,it can be concluded that the deviation of the drive phase is the main factor affecting the bias stability.To fulfill the purpose of precise drive phase control,a digital signal processing circuit based on the field-programmable gate array（FPGA） with the phase-lock closed-loop control method is described and a demodulation method for phase error suppression is given.Compared with the analog circuit,the bias drift is largely reduced in the new digital circuit and the bias stability is improved from 60 to 19 °/h.The new digital control method can greatly increase the drive phase accuracy,and thus improve the bias stability.

Preparation and photocatalytic activity of neodymium doping titania loaded to silicon dioxide

Neodymium doping titania was loaded to silicon dioxide to prepare Nd/TiO2-SiO2 by sol-gel method and Nd/TiO2-SiO2 was characterized by X-ray diffractometry （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy （FT-IR） and diffuse reflectance spectra （DRS）. Photocatalytic activities of Nd/TiO2-SiO2 with different neodymium contents were evaluated by degradation of methyl orange. The light absorption of Nd/TiO2-SiO2 increased with increasing doping neodymium in a visible light range of 388-619 nm, and Nd doping was in favor of decreasing the recombination of photo-generated electrons with holes. Nd and SiO2 improved the photocatalytic activity of TiO2. The optimal molar fraction of Nd to Ti was 0.1%, and the optimum calcination temperature was 600 ℃. The highest degradation rate of methyl orange was 82.9% after irradiation for 1 h.

负压封闭引流联合保留臀上动脉浅支的臀大肌肌皮瓣修复骶尾部IV期压疮的临床效果

目的:探讨负压封闭引流联合保留臀上动脉浅支的臀大肌旋转肌皮瓣修复骶尾部压疮的临床效果。方法:选取2019年6月—2023年10月温州医科大学附属第一医院收治的12例骶尾部压疮患者,其中男7例,女5例,年龄31~86岁。入院后I期予行负压封闭引流术,4~7 d后行保留臀上动脉浅支的臀大肌肌皮瓣修复创面。观察术后皮瓣成活情况、并发症发生情况,随访观察皮瓣外形、压疮复发情况。结果:本组12例患者,均因长期卧床致骶尾部受压出现IV期压疮,压疮病因:截瘫患者5例,各种原因所致的长期卧床患者7例,其中脑梗死后遗症患者2例,帕金森病患者3例,老年痴呆症患者1例,股骨颈骨折患者1例。病程2周至8年,清创后创面面积为5.0 cm×5.0 cm~10.0 cm×12.0 cm。12例患者术后皮瓣均完全成活,无皮瓣坏死、静脉淤血、创缘开裂等发生。术后随访2~6个月,皮瓣外形较佳、骶尾部软组织饱满、压疮无复发。结论:保留臀上动脉浅支的臀大肌旋转肌皮瓣血运可靠,设计、操作简单,皮瓣可修复面积大,切取不需要离断臀上动脉浅支,供瓣区一般能直接缝合,修复骶尾部压疮效果较佳。

Low-Cost, High-Reflectivity Silicon-on-Reflector for Optoelectronic Device Application

A silicon on reflector (SOR) substrate containing a thin crystal silicon layer and a buried Si/SiO 2 Bragg reflector is reported. The substrate, which is applied to optoelectronic devices, is fabricated by using Si based sol gel sticking and smart cut techniques. The reflectivity of the SOR substrate is close to unity at 1 3μm's wavelength under the normal incidence.

Effects of individual and combined additions of phosphorus,boron and cerium on primary and eutectic silicon in an Al-30Si alloy

The modification of silicon in an Al-30Si alloy was studied using optical microscopy, electron probe micro-analysis, transmission electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. It is found that phosphorus master alloys combined with boron master alloys have good modification effect on primary silicon but no evident modification effect on eutectic silicon, while boron combined with cerium has good modification effect on eutectic silicon. The results of differential scanning calorimetry show that phosphorus, boron or cerium addition and their combined addition have different undercooling effects on eutectic silicon. Many scholars thought that AlP particles were the nuclei of eutectic silicon when phosphorus was enough in the alloy. Our results show that β-（Al,Si,Fe） can still be the nucleus of plate-like entectic silicon while AlP is the nucleus of primary silicon when there is enough phosphorus in the melt. In addition, the mechanism about the modification was also discussed.

Electrical conductivity and viscosity of cryolite electrolytes for solar grade silicon(Si-SoG) electrowinning

Electrical conductivity of molten binary and ternary mixtures based on the system NaF-AlF3-SiO2 was investigated by means of a tube–cell （made of pyrolytic boron nitride） with stationary electrodes. Viscosity of the binary system Na3AlF6-SiO2 was measured by computerized torsion pendulum method. It was found that conductivity and viscosity varied linearly with temperature in all investigated mixtures. Obtained content dependence of electrical conductivity （isotherms） was divided into two parts. First, one represented the content region up to 10%（mole fraction） of SiO2;second, the region was with a higher content of SiO2 （from 10%up to 40%）. While the conductivity considerably decreased with content of SiO2 in the second part; it surprisingly rose in the low content range. A small addition of SiO2 to the molten cryolite （up to 10%） could slightly increase viscosity, but had no influence on the slope of this dependence since it is responsible for a glassy-networks formation in the melt. Further addition of SiO2 to the molten cryolite had a huge effect on the viscosity.

Analysis of the causative factors related to earlier emulsification of silicone oil

The aim of this study is to report and analyze the factors related with earlier occurrence of silicone oil(SO) emulsification in patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy and SO injection in our hospital. We retrospectively reviewed consecutive case series undergone both SO injection and removal in our hospital, and 182 ones were eligible. Possible related independent factors included: macula status(on/off), concomitant phacoemulsification with the surgery of SO tamponading, concomitant status of proliferative vitreoretinopathy, combined surgery of retinotomy, time to have emulsification(<6 mo/≥6 mo after primary SO injection), route of SO injection(anterior/posterior), lens status(aphakic/pseudophakic/phakic), anesthesia(local/general), brands and type of SO, with/without episcleral cryotherapy, with/without hypertension, with/without diabetes, with/without intraoperative use of triamcinolone acetonide. The study revealed that brand and type of SO was the significant factor related with earlier emulsification of SO. Further study was warranted to find out the underlying causes.

Effects of Exogenous Silicon on the Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes and Lipid Peroxidation in Chilling-Stressed Cucumber Leaves

In order to increase vegetable productivity by improving environmental conditions, this article investigates the effects of exogenous silicon on the activities of major antioxidant enzymes and on lipid peroxidation under chilling stress, and it examines whether silicon-induced chilling tolerance is mediated by an increase in antioxidant activity. Cucumis sativus cv. Jinchun 4 was hydroponically cultivated to the two-leaf stage, at which point seedlings were watered with different concentrations of silicon (0, 0.1 and 1 mmol L^-1) and separately exposed to normal (25/18℃) or chilling (15/8℃) temperatures for six days under low light (100μmol m^-2 s^-9. Data were collected from the second leaves on the percentage of withering and the levels of endogenous silicon, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H202), superoxide radical (O2^.-), superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px, EC 1.11.1.9), ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR, EC 1.6.5.4), glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2), reduced glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate (AsA). Compared to normal temperatures, chilling resulted in partially withered leaves and increased MDA content. When 0.1 or 1 mmol L^-1 exogenous silicon was combined with chilling, the withering of the cucumber leaves was reduced relative to the original chilling treatment, while the endogenous silicon content was increased, antioxidants such as SOD, GSH-Px, APX, MDHAR, GR, GSH, and AsA were more active, and the levels of H2O2, O2^.-, and MDA were lower. We propose that exogenous silicon leads to greater deposition of endogenous silicon and thereby increases antioxidant activities and reduces lipid peroxidation induced by chilling.