Understanding of performance degradation of LiNi0.80Co0.10Mn0.10O2 cathode material operating at high potentials

Inferior cycling stability, poor safety, and gas generation are long lasting problems of Ni-rich Li Ni0.80 Co0.10 Mn0.10 O2(NCM811) cathode material. Although much effort has been made, mechanisms for the above problems are poorly understood. Studying the cycling and float-charging characteristics of Li/NCM811 cells in high voltage conditions(4.5 V and 4.7 V, respectively), in this work we find that nearly all known problems with NCM811 material can be attributed to the oxidation of lattice oxygen occurring in the capacity region corresponding to H2 → H3 phase transition. While contributing to overall capacity,the oxidation of lattice oxygen results in a loss of oxygen through oxygen evolution and relative reactions between active oxygen evolution intermediates and electrolyte solvents. It is the loss of oxygen that results in irreversible layered-spinel-rocksalt phase transition, secondary particle cracking, and performance degradation. The conclusions of this work suggest that the priority for further research on NCM811 material should give to the suppression of oxygen evolution, followed by the use of the anti-oxygen electrolyte being chemically stable against the active oxygen evolution intermediates.

Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Energy Conversion and Storage: Design Strategies Under and Beyond the Energy Scaling Relationship

The oxygen evolution reaction(OER)is the essential module in energy conversion and storage devices such as electrolyzer,rechargeable metal–air batteries and regenerative fuel cells.The adsorption energy scaling relations between the reaction intermediates,however,impose a large intrinsic overpotential and sluggish reaction kinetics on OER catalysts.Developing advanced electrocatalysts with high activity and stability based on non-noble metal materials is still a grand challenge.Central to the rational design of novel and high-efficiency catalysts is the development and understanding of quantitative structure–activity relationships,which correlate the catalytic activities with structural and electronic descriptors.This paper comprehensively reviews the benchmark descriptors for OER electrolysis,aiming to give an in-depth understanding on the origins of the electrocatalytic activity of the OER and further contribute to building the theory of electrocatalysis.Meanwhile,the cutting-edge research frontiers for proposing new OER paradigms and crucial strategies to circumvent the scaling relationship are also summarized.Challenges,opportunities and perspectives are discussed,intending to shed some light on the rational design concepts and advance the development of more efficient catalysts for enhancing OER performance.

Coagulation complications following trauma

Traumatic injury is one of the leading causes of death, with uncontrolled hemorrhage from coagulation dysfunction as one of the main potentially preventable causes of the mortality. Hypothermia, acidosis, and resuscitative hemodilution have been considered as the significant contributors to coagulation manifestations following trauma, known as the lethal triad. Over the past decade, clinical observations showed that coagulopathy may be present as early as hospital admission in some severely injured trauma patients. The hemostatic dysfunction is associated with higher blood transfusion requirements, longer hospital stay, and higher mortality. The recognition of this early coagulopathy has initiated tremendous interest and effort in the trauma community to expand our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and improve clinical treatments. This review discusses the current knowledge of coagulation complications following trauma.

Inhibiting manganese(Ⅱ)from catalyzing electrolyte decomposition in lithium-ion batteries

A once overlooked source of electrolyte degradation incurred by dissolved manganese(Ⅱ)species in lithium-ion batteries has been identified recently.In order to deactivate the catalytic activity of such manganese(II)ion,1-aza-12-crown-4-ether(A12C4)with cavity size well matched manganese(Ⅱ)ion is used in this work as electrolyte additive.Theoretical and experimental results show that stable complex forms between A12C4 and manganese(II)ions in the electrolyte,which does not affect the solvation of Li ions.The strong binding effect of A12C4 additive reduces the charge density of manganese(II)ion and inhibits its destruction of the PF_(6)^(-)structure in the electrolyte,leading to greatly improved thermal stability of manganese(II)ions-containing electrolyte.In addition to bulk electrolyte,A12C4 additive also shows capability in preventing Mn^(2+) from degrading SEI on graphite surface.Such bulk and interphasial stability introduced by A12C4 leads to significantly improved cycling performance of LIBs.

Towards full predictions of temperature dynamics in McNary Dam forebay using OpenFOAM

Hydroelectric facilities impact water temperature; low velocities in a reservoir increase residence time and enhance heat exchange in surface layers. In this study, an unsteady three-dimensional model was developed to predict the temperatm＇e dynamics in the McNary Dam forebay. The model is based on the open-source code OpenFOAM. RANS equations with the Boussinesq approximation were used to solve the flow field. A： realizable k-ε model that accounts for the production of wind turbulence was developed. Solar radiation and convective heat transfer at the free surface were included. The result of the model was compared with the field data collected on August 18, 2004. Changes in diurnal stratification were adequately predicted by the model. Observed vertical and lateral temperature distributions were accurately captured. Results indicate that the model can be used as a numerical tool to assess structural and operational alternatives to reduce the forebay temperature.

Sulfolane-Graphite Incompatibility and Its Mitigation in Li-ion Batteries

The non-flammability and high oxidation stability of sulfolane(SL)make it an excellent electrolyte candidate for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).However,its incompatibility with graphitic anode prevents the realization of these advantages.To understand how this incompatibility arises on molecular level so that it can be suppressed,we combined theoretical calculation and experimental characterization and reveal that the primary Li^(+) solvation sheath in SL is depleted of fluorine source.Upon reduction,SL in such fluorine-poor solvation sheath generates insoluble dimer with poor electronic insulation,hence leading to slow but sustained parasitic reactions.When fluorine content in Li^(+)-SL solvation sheath is increased via salt concentration,a high stability LiF-rich interphase on graphite can be formed.This new understanding of the failure mechanism of graphite in SL-based electrolyte is of great significance in unlocking many possible electrolyte solvent candidates for the high-voltage cathode materials for next-generation LIBs.

Ru@RuO2 Core-Shell Nanorods: A Highly Active and Stable Bifunctional Catalyst for Oxygen Evolution and Hydrogen Evolution Reactions

Ru@RuO2 core-shell nanorods were successfully synthesized by heat-treating Ru nanorods with air oxidation through an accurate control of the temperature and time. The structure, composition, dimension, and adsorption property of the core-shell nanorods were well characterized with XRD and TEM. The catalytic activity and stability were electrochemically evaluated with a rotating disk electrode, a rotating ring-disk electrode, and chronopotentiometric methods. The Ru@RuO2 nanorods reveal excellent bifunctional catalytic activity and robust stability for both oxygen evolution reaction(OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction(HER). The overpotentials for OER and HER are 320 m V and 137 m V at the current density of10 m A cm-2, respectively. The catalytic activity of Ru@RuO2 nanorods for OER is 6.5 times higher than that of the state-of-the-art catalyst IrO2 according to the catalytic current density measured at 1.60 V(versus RHE).The catalytic activity of Ru@RuO2 nanorods for HER is comparable to 40%Pt/C by comparing the catalytic current densities at à0.2 V.

Phase Transformation of Lithium-rich Oxide Cathode in Full Cell and its Suppression by Solid Electrolyte Interphase on Graphite Anode

Lithium-rich oxide is one of the most promising cathodes that meet high energy density requirement for batteries of the future, but its phase transformation from layer to spinel structure caused by the lattice instability presents severe challenge to cycling stability and the actually accessible capacity. The currently available approaches to suppress this undesired irreversible process often resort to limit the high voltages that lithium-rich oxide is exposed to. However, cycling stability thus improved is at the expense of the eventual energy output. In this work, we identified a new mechanism that is directly responsible for the lithium-rich oxide phase transformation and established a clear correlation between the successive consumption of Li+on anode due to incessant interphase repairing and the over-delithiation of lithium-rich oxide cathode. This new mechanism enables a simple but effective solution to the cathode degradation, in which an electrolyte additive is used to build a dense and protective interphase on anode with the intention to minimize Li depletion at cathode. The application of this new interphase effectively suppresses both electrolyte decomposition at anode and the phase transformation of lithium-rich oxide cathode, leading to high capacity and cycling stability.

Solvation Structure and Dynamics of Mg(TFSI)_(2) Aqueous Electrolyte

Using ab initio molecular dynamics(AIMD)simulations,classical molecular dynamics(CMD)simulations,small-angle X-ray scattering(SAXS),and pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance(PFG-NMR),the solvation structure and ion dynamics of magnesium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide(Mg(TFSI)_(2))aqueous electrolyte at 1,2,and 3 m concentrations are investigated.From AIMD and CMD simulations,the first solvation shell of an Mg;ion is found to be composed of six water molecules in an octahedral configuration and the solvation shell is rather rigid.The TFSI^(-)ions prefer to stay in the second solvation shell and beyond.Meanwhile,the comparable diffusion coefficients of positive and negative ions in Mg(TFSI)_(2)aqueous electrolytes have been observed,which is mainly due to the formation of the stable[Mg(H_(2)O_(6))_(2)]^(+)complex,and,as a result,the increased effective Mg ion size.Finally,the calculated correlated transference numbers are lower than the uncorrelated ones even at the low concentration of 2 and 3 m,suggesting the enhanced correlations between ions in the multivalent electrolytes.This work provides a molecular-level understanding of how the solvation structure and multivalency of the ion affect the dynamics and transport properties of the multivalent electrolyte,providing insight for rational designs of electrolytes for improved ion transport properties.

Weak Wavefront Solutions of Maxwell’s Equations in Conducting Media

We analyze the propagation of electromagnetic fronts in unbounded electric conductors. Our analysis is based on the Maxwell model of electromagnetism that includes the displacement current and Ohm’s law in its simplest forms. A weak electromagnetic front is a propagating interface at which the electromagnetic field remains continuous while its first- and higher-order derivatives experience finite jump discontinuities. Remarkably, analysis of such fronts can be performed autonomously, i.e. strictly in terms of the quantities defined on the front. This property opens the possibility of establishing exact analytical solutions of the exact Maxwell system along with the evolution of the front.

Second-Order Discontinuities for Simple and Double Layers

Simple and double layers first appeared in electrostatics and later found various applications in mathematical physics. In this paper, we present the jump discontinuity conditions for their second-order spatial derivatives.

Measurement of in-bore side loads and comparison to first maximum yaw

In-bore yaw of a projectile in a gun tube has been shown to result in range loss if the yaw is significant. An attempt was made to determine if relationships between in-bore yaw and projectile First Maximum Yaw(FMY) were observable. Experiments were conducted in which pressure transducers were mounted near the muzzle of a 155 mm cannon in three sets of four. Each set formed a cruciform pattern to obtain a differential pressure across the projectile. These data were then integrated to form a picture of what the overall pressure distribution was along the side of the projectile. The pressure distribution was used to determine a magnitude and direction of the overturning moment acting on the projectile. This moment and its resulting angular acceleration were then compared to the actual first maximum yaw observed in the test. The degree of correlation was examined using various statistical techniques. Overall uncertainty in the projectile dynamics was between 20% and 40% of the mean values of FMY.

The Puzzles in Fast Charging of Li-Ion Batteries

Fast charging of Li-ion cells faces two aspects of challenges,1)accelerated capacity fade and 2)inferior charging capability.It is commonly believed that the former is due to Li plating and its resultant reactions with electrolyte at the graphite anode,which results in a loss in the inventory of Li+ions and an increase in the cell’s impedance.While the latter is ascribed to the high voltage polarization in relation to the slow transport of Li+ions between two electrodes.However,there are many other hidden facts that essentially affect the fast charging performances of Li-ion cells.This commentary intends,from the view of materials,to uncover these hidden factors,including failure of the solid electrolyte interphase and exfoliation of the graphite structure at the anode,structural degradation of the Ni-rich layered cathode materials,as well as the high solvation and desolvation activation energies of Li+ions in the electrolyte.Meanwhile,some solutions to the fast-charging problems of Li-ion cells are proposed based on the understanding of these hidden factors.

Identification of Forcing Mechanisms of Convective Initiation over Mountains through High-Resolution Numerical Simulations

Convection and its ensuing severe weather, such as heavy rainfall, hail, tornado, and high wind, have significant im- pacts on our society and economy （e.g., Cao et al., 2004; Fritsch and Carbone, 2004; Verbout et al., 2006; Ashley and Black, 2008; Cao, 2008; Cao and Ma, 2009; Zhang et al., 2014）. Due to its localized and transient nature, the initiation of convection or convective initiation remains one of the least understood aspects of convection in the scientific communi- ties, and it is a significant challenge to accurately predict the exact timing and location of convective initiation （e.g., Cai et al., 2006; Wilson and Roberts, 2006; Xue and Martin, 2006; Cao and Zhang, 2016）.

Self-reported dietary supplement use in deployed United States service members pre-deployment vs.during deployment,Afghanistan,2013-2014

Background: Dietary supplement use(protein/amino acids, weight-loss supplements, performance enhancers) is common among U.S. military members. Reported dietary supplement use in deployed troops is limited and is of concern in settings where troops are exposed to high ambient temperatures, increased physical demands, and dehydration. Our objective was to describe dietary supplement use and adverse events(AEs) among deployed U.S. service members compared with their pre-deployment use.Methods: We conducted an institutional review board(IRB) approved, descriptive study in Afghanistan using a written questionnaire and collected demographic information, dietary supplement use before and during deployment, AEs associated with supplement use, and physical workout routines. Participants were U.S. military personnel of all branches of service deployed to Afghanistan. They were recruited in high-traffic areas in the combat theater. We analyzed the data with descriptive statistics. Paired t-test/Wilcoxon signed-rank test was conducted to examine the before/during deployment changes for continuous data, and Mc Nemar's chi-square test was conducted for categorical data. We constructed separate logistic regression models to determine the best predictors of increases or decreases in dietary supplement use, with demographic information, reasons for using supplements, and education requested/received as covariates in each model. All statistical tests were two-sided at a significance level of 5%(P<0.05).Results: Data were collected on 1685 participants. Ninety-seven of the participants were in the Army or Air Force. The participants were more likely to work out daily or more than once a day during deployment. Thirty-five percent of the participants reported no supplement use before or during deployment. The remaining 65% of participants reported increased use and increased frequency of use of supplements(e.g., daily) during deployment compared with predeployment. Additionally, more people followed label instructions strictly during deployment vs. predeployment. Overall, the frequency of self-reported AEs among supplement users remained consistent before and during deployment. The only significant difference noted was in problems falling or staying asleep, which increased during deployment. In the adjusted logistic regression models, the level of formal education, military branch, occupational specialty, education about dietary supplements, and certain reasons for using supplements(to boost energy, lose weight, gain muscle strength and mass, and as a meal replacement) were significant predictors of changes in supplement use.Conclusion: Deployed U.S. service members were more likely to use dietary supplements, use more than one supplement and use supplements more frequently during deployment than pre-deployment. No serious AEs were reported, but problems falling or staying asleep increased during deployment.

First molecular identification of multiple tick‑borne pathogens in livestock within Kassena‑Nankana,Ghana

The risk of pathogen transmission continues to increase significantly in the presence of tick vectors due to the trade of livestock across countries.In Ghana,there is a lack of data on the incidence of tick-borne pathogens that are of zoonotic and veterinary importance.This study,therefore,aimed to determine the prevalence of such pathogens in livestock using molecular approaches.A total of 276 dry blood spots were collected from cattle(100),sheep(95)and goats(81)in the Kassena-Nankana Districts.The samples were analyzed using Polymerase Chain Reaction(qPCR)and conventional assays and Sanger sequencing that targeted pathogens including Rickettsia,Coxiella,Babesia,Theileria,Ehrlichia and Anaplasma.An overall prevalence of 36.96%was recorded from the livestock DBS,with mixed infections seen in 7.97%samples.Furthermore,the prevalence of infections in livestock was recorded to be 19.21%in sheep,14.13%in cattle,and 3.62%in goats.The pathogens identified were Rickettsia spp.(3.26%),Babesia sp.Lintan(8.70%),Theileria orientalis(2.17%),Theileria parva(0.36%),Anaplasma capra(18.48%),Anaplasma phagocytophilum(1.81%),Anaplasma marginale(3.26%)and Anaplasma ovis(7.25%).This study reports the first molecular identification of the above-mentioned pathogens in livestock in Ghana and highlights the use of dry blood spots in resource-limited settings.In addition,this research provides an update on tick-borne pathogens in Ghana,suggesting risks to livestock production and human health.Further studies will be essential to establish the distribution and epidemiology of these pathogens in Ghana.

Agent Orange Chemical Plant Locations in the United States and Canada: Environmental and Human Health Impacts

During the Vietnam War, millions of liters of six tactical herbicides were sprayed on the southern Vietnam landscape to defoliate forests, to clear military perimeters and to destroy enemy food supplies. The environmental and human health impacts of spraying these herbicides, especially Agent Orange and those formulated with mixtures that included 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) which was contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetracholorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) have been documented over the last 60 years. The dioxin TCDD clean-up efforts at former military bases and other Vietnam hotspots are ongoing. However, the lesser-told story was the environmental and human health impacts on the communities and chemical plant workers who manufactured Agent Orange and other herbicides that became contaminated with dioxin TCDD in the manufacturing processes at seven locations in the United States and one site in Canada. The pollution at these chemical plant sites, adjacent rivers and groundwater is well known within each affected state or province but not widely recognized beyond their localities. In this paper we assess the national long-term effects on land, groundwater and river resources where Agent Orange and other agricultural herbicides containing 2,4,5-T with unknown amounts of dioxin TCDD were manufactured, transported, and temporarily stored. The sites where residual tactical herbicides with contaminated by-products were applied to public lands or disposed of by military and civilian workers within the United States and Canada are identified. After 60 years, these communities are still paying the price for the U.S. Government, DOD and USDA decisions to provide and use agricultural herbicides as tactical chemical weapons during the Vietnam War (1962-1971). There have been human health issues associated with the chemical manufacture, transport, storage and disposal of these herbicides related to workers who moved these chemical weapons from United States and Canada to SE Asia. Most of these dioxin contaminated tactical herbicides were transported via railroads to ports at Mobile, Alabama and Gulfport, Mississippi. They were then loaded on ocean-going ships and transported via the Panama Canal for use during the Vietnam War. The objective of this study is to document the environmental and human consequences of the manufacture of tactical herbicides with dioxin TCDD and arsenic on the chemical plant, transportation, application, storage and disposal workers. The costs of cleanup of these North America chemical plant sites, transportation corridors, temporary and long-term storage areas, supply chain storage facilities with residual tactical herbicide, application, and disposal sites to date, is in the billions of dollars. Billions have been spent on hazardous waste incineration to destroy the dioxin TCDD or bury it in certified landfills. Government mandated environmental covenants are on titles of properties still contaminated with high levels of dioxin TCDD. If landowners attempt to rescind land use restrictions, many more billions of dollars will be needed to finish the environmental cleanup and restore natural resources. These cost estimates do not include the billions of dollars needed to treat the effects of dioxin TCDD exposure of U.S. and Canadian civilian workers who manufactured and handled these contaminated herbicides during the Vietnam War as well as address human health issues of their offspring.

Exact Solution for Equilibrium Configurations of Two-Component Plasma Confined between Parallel Plates

It is the fifth part of the study published under the common umbrella of “The Gibbs Variational Method in Thermodynamics of Equilibrium Plasma”. In Parts 1 - 4, we formulated a novel approach to thermodynamics of one- and two-component heterogeneous systems completely or partially filled with a liquid substance in the plasma state. The approach is based on the use of Gibbs variational principles, and it enables efforts to address a variety of problems relating to the equilibrium and stability of such systems. In this fifth part, the results of Parts 1 - 4 are applied to the analysis of equilibrium configurations of a two-component charged plasma trapped between two parallel plates (the geometry often used in various applications).

Shock Fronts in Non-Polar Electro-Conducting Media

We analyze the propagation of electromagnetic fronts in unbounded electric conductors. Our model is based on the Maxwell model of electromagnetism, which includes the displacement current and Ohm’s law in its simplest forms. The shock-like electromagnetic front is a propagating surface, across which the electric and magnetic fields, as well as their higher temporal and spatial derivatives, experience finite jumps. The shock-like fronts are essentially different as compared with the weak fronts;in particular, the bulk Maxwell equations are essentially insufficient for the analysis of the shock-like fronts, and they should be amended we the physical jump conditions. We choose these additional conditions by using conditions similar to those suggested by Heaviside. We derive the basic shock intensity relationships implied by this model.

Protective effects of anti-ricin A-chain RNA aptamer against ricin toxicity

AIM： To investigate the therapeutic potential of an RNA ligand （aptamer） specific for the catalytic ricin A-chain （RTA）, the protective effects of a 31-nucleo- tide RNA aptamer （31RA）, which formed a high affinity complex with RTA, against ricin-induced toxicity in cell- based luciferase translation and cell cytotoxicity assays were evaluated. METHODS： To test the therapeutic potential of anti- RTA aptamers in Chinese hamster ovary （CliO） AA8 cells stably transfected with a tetracycline regulatable promoter, ricin ribotoxicity was measured us- ing luciferase and ricin-induced cytotoxicity was ascertained by MTS cell proliferation assay with tet- razolium compound [3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）- 5-（3-carboxymethoxyphenyl）-2-（4-sulfophenyl）-2H- tetrazolium]. RESULTS： Inhibition of protein synthesis by ricin in CliO AA8 cells resulted in diminished luciferase activity and treatment with polyclonal antibody against degly- cosylated RTA （dgA） neutralized the inhibitory effects of ricin on luciferase activity and protected against ricin-induced cytotoxicity as measured by MTS assay. The 31RA anti-RTA aptamer inhibited the translation of luciferase mRNA in cell-free reticulocyte translation assay. 31RA aptamer also partially neutralized the inhibitory effects of ricin on luciferase activity and partially protected against ricin-induced cytotoxicity in CliO AA8 cells. CONCLUSION： We have shown that anti-RTA RNA aptamer can protect against ricin ribotoxicity in cell- based luciferase and cell cytotoxicity assays. Hence, RNA aptamer that inhibits RTA enzymatic activity represents a novel class of nucleic acid inhibitor that has the potential to be developed as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of ricin intoxication.