Nonlinear Organic Dielectrics for Energy Storage Applications

We present the feasibility study of nonlinear dielectrics for the energy storage applications. Corona deposition of electric charges to the surface of thin films of highly polarizable organic molecules (dielectrophores) shows that the electric field inside the dielectric has a highly nonlinear response. The stored energy densities are superior to the polypropylene films, measured for the comparison, and at least comparable to the current electrochemical batteries. These results make us believe that the dielectrophores-based electrostatic capacitors can revolutionize the energy storage market.

S-doped carbon aerogels/GO composites as oxygen reduction catalysts

Composites of carbon aerogel and graphite oxide（GO） were synthesized using a self-assembly method based on dispersive forces. Their surface was modified by treatment in hydrogen sulfide at 650 and800 ℃. The samples obtained were characterized by adsorption of nitrogen, TA-MS, XPS, potentiometric titration, and HRTEM and tested as catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions（ORR） in an alkaline medium.The synergistic effect of the composite（electrical conductivity, porosity and surface chemistry） leads to a good ORR catalytic activity. The onset potential for the composite of carbon aerogel heated at 800 ℃ is shifted to a more positive value and the number of electron transfer was 2e-at the potential 0.68 V versus RHE and it increased to 4e-with an increase in the negative values of the potential. An excellent tolerance to methanol crossover was also recorded.

Self-similar orbit-averaged Fokker-Planck equation for isotropic spherical dense clusters(iii)Application to Galactic globular clusters

Fitting parametric models to globular clusters’structural profiles has been essential for the study of stellar dynamics.It provides their important structural parameters,such as the concentrations and core radii of the clusters.However,existing parametric models can apply only to non-collapsing-core clusters in the early relaxation-evolution stage.Hence,a single parametric model cannot provide globular clusters’structural parameters in both the early and late evolution stages.We have recently found an accurate spectral solution for the self-similar orbit-averaged Fokker-Planck(OAFP)equation to model collapsingcore clusters at the late evolution stage.The present work establishes a new parametric model by combining the self-similar OAFP-and polytropic-models.Although it is a single-mass and isotropic model,the new model applies to at least fifty-five Galactic globular clusters with resolved cores in all the evolution stages.As a main result,we show the characteristics of the relaxation times against the concentrations of the clusters.We also affirm that the structures of low-concentration clusters are polytropic in the Milky Way.

Molecular Materials for Energy Storage

We map the requirements and design rules for dielectric materials that target large scale energy storage applications of electrostatic capacitors. The molecular unit (dielectrophore) must contain three main components: a polarizable subunit having large electric dipole, an isolating subunit which prevents current leakage, and a structural element that promotes self-assembly of molecules in solution and in mesophase and promotes crystallization in the process of film formation. This structural subunit is necessary for high molecular density and enhanced resistivity of film. The process engineering steps required for the supramolecular assembly and crystal film formation (cascade crystallization) are addressed.

Rylene Dielectrophores for Capacitive Energy Storage

Main design principles of the potent rylene-based class of dielectrophores are established in the present article. The proposed class of dielectrophores comprises polarizable aromatic core, conjugated with aromatic subunits, and bears resistive groups on the periphery. The aromatic subunits might comprise donor and acceptor groups for the desired level of polarizability of the molecule. Appropriate positions for donor and acceptor groups are established by quantum chemistry modeling. The design principles are demonstrated on the molecular design of an efficient rylene-based dielectrophore.

Cavity continuum

We experimentally demonstrate and numerically analyze large arrays of whispering gallery resonators.Using fluorescent mapping,we measure the spatial distribution of the cavity ensemble’s resonances,revealing that light reaches distant resonators in various ways,including while passing through dark gaps,resonator groups,or resonator lines.Energy spatially decays exponentially in the cavities.Our practically infinite periodic array of resonators,with a quality factor(Q)exceeding 107,might impact a new type of photonic ensembles for nonlinear optics and lasers using our cavity continuum that is distributed,while having high-Q resonators as unit cells.