Results of vacuum cleaning techniques on the performance of LiFfield-threshold ion sources on extraction applied-B ion diodes at 1-10TW

Uncontrolled plasma formation on electrode surfaces limits performance in a wide variety of pulsed power devices such as electron and ion diodes, transmission lines, radio frequency (RF) cavities, and microwave devices. Surface and bulk contaminants on the electrodes in vacuum dominate the composition of these plasmas, formed through processes such as stimulated and thermal desorption followed by ionization. We are applying RF discharge cleaning, anode heating, cathode cooling, and substrate surface coatings to the control of the effects of these plasmas in the particular case of applied-B ion diodes on the SABRE (1 TW) and PBFA-X (30 TW) accelerators. Evidence shows that our LiF ion source provides a 200-700 A/cm² lithium beam for 10-20 ns which is then replaced by a contaminant beam of protons and carbon. Other ion sources show similar behavior. Our electrode surface and substrate cleaning techniques reduce beam contamination, anode and cathode plasma formation, delay impedance collapse, and increase lithium energy, power, and production efficiency. Theoretical and simulation models of electron-stimulated and thermal-contaminant desorption leading to anode plasma formation show agreement with many features from experiment. Decrease of the diode electron loss by changing the shape and magnitude of the insulating magnetic field profiles increases the lithium output and changes the diode response to cleaning. We also show that the LiF films are permeable, allowing substrate contaminants to affect diode behavior. Substrate coatings of Ta and Au underneath the LiF film allow some measure of control of substrate contaminants, and provide direct evidence for thermal desorption. We have increased lithium current density by a factor of four and lithium energy by a factor of five through a combination of in situ surface and substrate cleaning, substrate coatings, and field profile modifications     

Current–time characteristic of the transient regime of electrohydrodynamic flow formation

The paper presents the results of computer simulation of the current–time characteristic (CTC) of a cell with low-conducting liquid. The basis of simulation is the complete set of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) equations. The injection and dissociation mechanisms of charge formation as well as field-enhanced dissociation are considered. The simulation is carried out in the needle–plane electrode system. The relation between sections of CTC and stages of EHD flow formation is revealed. The shape of CTC is shown to be dependent on mechanisms of charge formation, the ratio of the initial and steady-state ion concentrations and the mechanisms of charge transport.     

Analysis of the Electrohydrodynamic Flow in a Symmetric System of Electrodes by the Method of Dynamic Current–Voltage Characteristics

We have solved the problem of injection-type through electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flow in a closed channel. We have considered a model of a liquid with four types of ions. It is shown that a through EHD flow without internal vortices in the electrode gap is formed for the ratio 2 : 1 of the initial injection current from the electrodes in the channel. The structure of the flow in different parts of the channel and the integral characteristics of the flow have been analyzed. It is shown that for a quadratic function of injection at the electrodes, the current–voltage characteristic of the flow is also quadratic.     

A fundamental characteristic and image analysis of liquid flow in an AW type EHD pump

Non-intrusive two-phase fluid pumping based on an electrohydrodynamically (EHD) induced flow phenomenon with free liquid surface exposed to gas-phase corona discharges is experimentally investigated. Dielectric liquid flow generated near a corona discharge electrode progresses toward an inclined plate electrode, and then climbs up the surface against the gravitational force for an air-wave (AW) type EHD pump. The AW type EHD pump is operated on ionic wind field along the inclined plate electrode. The pumping performance of time-averaged liquid flow rate and the liquid-phase flow motion are characterized. The liquid flow characteristics related to a dimensionless parameter of corona discharge fields are presented.     

Effect of nonequilibrium near-electrode layers on the structure of EHD flows in the three-ions model of a dielectric liquid

An electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flow is a spontaneous flow of a liquid in the electrode gap under the action of a strong electric field. Most experimental data from an investigation of the velocity field of EHD flows were obtained in the wire-over-plane electrode configuration. For this system, the flow can be treated as a 2D flow. We report on the results of a computer simulation of the complete system of electrohydrodynamics equations in the three-ion model of a dielectric liquid. The structure of nonequilibrium dissociation–recombination layers and their effect on the structure of EHD flows have been analyzed based on the results of the computer simulation of EHD flows in liquids with different low-voltage conductivities for the wireover- plane electrode system.     

High‐Capacity Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Choice of Elements and Structures for Active Particles

Growing market demand for portable energy storage has triggered significant research on high‐capacity lithium‐ion (Li‐ion) battery anodes. Various elements have been utilized in innovative structures to enable these anodes, which can potentially increase the energy density and decrease the cost of Li‐ion batteries. In this review, electrode and material parameters are considered in anode fabrication. The periodic table is then used to explore how the choice of anode material affects rate performance, cycle stability, Li‐ion insertion/extraction potentials, voltage hysteresis, volumetric and specific capacities, and other critical parameters. Silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), and tin (Sn) anodes receive more attention in literature and in this review, but other elements, such as antimony (Sb), lead (Pb), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), bismuth (Bi), and zinc (Zn) are also discussed. Among conversion anodes focus is placed on oxides, nitrides, phosphides, and hydrides. Nanostructured carbon (C) receives separate consideration. Issues in high‐ capacity research, such as volume change, insufficient coulombic efficiency, and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer stability are elucidated. Finally, advanced carbon composites utilizing carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene, and size preserving external shells are discussed, including high mass loading (thick) electrodes and electrodes capable of providing load‐bearing properties.     

One model of electric conduction and electric field distributions in a liquid insulator

The electric properties of the liquid insulator have been studied in this work. We have described the time-dependent model of the conduction processes in the liquid insulator under high voltages. Our model is a generalization of the Frenkel conduction model. (The last deals only with stationary conduction processes). Calculation of the electric field has also been made for two types of problems: (1) the external electric field applied to a liquid, is created by plane electrodes. (2) A spherical electrode of a small size creates it. The electrodes are assumed to be under constant high voltage. There is no electron emission or ion injection from the electrodes. But the field intensity influences on the molecular dissociation rate, and this fact has been taken into account. We have shown that the space charge, which arises under conditions mentioned above gives rise to changes in the electric field distribution. The model on hand is also used for calculating the hydrodynamic phenomena under high non-uniform electric field intensities. It has also been shown that the velocity of the strong EHD flows is proportional to the value of direct current or the squared value of applied voltage.     

A charge-conservative approach for simulating electrohydrodynamic two-phase flows using volume-of-fluid

In the present study we propose a charge-conservative scheme to solve two-phase electrohydrodynamic (EHD) problems using the volume-of-fluid (VOF) method. EHD problems are usually simplified by assuming that the fluids involved are purely dielectric (insulators) or purely conducting. Gases can be considered as perfect insulators but pure dielectric liquids do not exist in nature and insulating liquids have to be approximated using the “Taylor–Melcher leaky dielectric model” [1], [2] in which a leakage of charge through the liquid due to ohmic conduction is allowed. It is also a customary assumption to neglect the convection of charge against the ohmic conduction. The scheme proposed in this article can deal with any EHD problem since it does not rely on any of the above simplifications. An unrestricted EHD solver requires not only to incorporate electric forces in the Navier–Stokes equations, but also to consider the charge migration due to both conduction and convection in the electric charge conservation equation [3]. The conducting or insulating nature of the fluids arise on their own as a result of their electric and fluid mechanical properties. The EHD solver has been built as an extension to Gerris, a free software solver for the solution of incompressible fluid motion using an adaptive VOF method on octree meshes developed by Popinet [4], [5].     

Composite doped emeraldine–polyethylene oxide-bonded lithium-ion nano-tin anodes with electronic–ionic mixed conduction

Mixed-conducting lithium-ion doped emeraldine polyaniline (PAni)–polyethylene oxide (PEO) blends have been developed to achieve an optimal electronic–ionic conductivity balance in nano-tin composite anodes. Electrochemical evaluation was performed on the anodes with differing electrode preparation procedures, doping methods and PEO contents. Results indicate that both good electronic and ionic conductivity in the binder are required for rapid lithium insertion/extraction and low polarization. This doped PAni–PEO polymer blend is an attractive binder for high capacity composite anodes with low polarization.     

铒镱共掺锂硅酸盐玻璃的光谱性质

用高温熔融法制备了Er3+∶Yb3+共掺的锂硅酸盐玻璃,在室温下,用976 nm半导体激光器泵浦该掺铒玻璃,在1550nm波段实现强的荧光发射,中心波长为1.5399μm,荧光半宽高为57.4nm.研究结果表明,锂硅酸盐玻璃系统能接受非常高的Er3+、Yb3+掺杂率,有较宽的荧光线宽,且具有良好的化学稳定性和热稳定性,是光纤放大器用理想的候选材料.     

Tin based alloys for lithium ion batteries

The electrochemical behaviour of a standard electrodeposited equiatomic nickel-tin alloy has been tested. Such a material can be an interesting candidate to make thin film anodes for lithium ion batteries since it is deposited by a simple electroplating technique. Using standard deposition conditions, 3 μm thick films of NiSn alloy were deposited onto copper current collectors. The électrochemical behavior of the electrodes suggests that the decomposition of the NiSn alloy occurs during the lithium insertion leading to the formation of nickel particles, followed by the formation of Li-Sn alloys. It is believed that the extraction of lithium during the discharge leads to the decomposition of the Li-Sn alloys. However, according to the structural characterizations performed on the samples, there is no clear evidence to support these reactions. Despite an interesting theoretical capacity of 682 mAh/g, the maximum capacity observed in the NiSn thin films was 77 mAh/g. This low value of the capacity is related to a very slow diffusion of lithium throughout the electrode. Paper presented at the 6th Euroconference on Solid State Ionics, Cetraro, Calabria, Italy, Sept. 12–19, 1999.     

Thermal transport in lithium-ion battery: A micro perspective for thermal management

In recent years, lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries have served as significant power sources in portable electronic devices and electric vehicles because of their high energy density and rate capability. There are growing concerns towards the safety of Li-ion batteries, in which thermal conductivities of anodes, cathodes, electrolytes and separator play key roles for determining the thermal energy transport in Li-ion battery. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art studies on the thermal conductivities of commonly used anodes, cathodes, electrolytes and separator in Li-ion batteries, including both theoretical and experimental reports. First, the thermal conductivities of anodes and cathodes are discussed, and the effects of delithiation degree and temperature of materials are also discussed. Then, we review the thermal conductivities of commonly used electrolytes, especially on solid electrolytes. Finally, the basic concept of interfacial thermal conductance and simulation methods are presented, as well as the interfacial thermal conductance between separator and cathodes. This perspective review would provide atomic perspective knowledge to understand thermal transport in Li-ion battery, which will be beneficial to the thermal management and temperature control in electrochemical energy storage devices.     

Structural Strategies for Germanium‐Based Anode Materials to Enhance Lithium Storage

Recently, germanium (Ge) has been arousing increasing interest as an anode for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and other energy storage devices due to its high theoretical capacity (1600 mAh g^?1) and low operating voltage. There are still some critical problems to be solved before Ge can meet the high requirements for practical applications. In this Review, a series of attempts on rational design and synthesis of Ge‐based anode materials during the past few years are summarized. Structural and composition strategies that could resolve the issue of vast volume changes in Ge during cycling and enhance their electrochemical properties are focused on. The main strategies include designing nanostructures and forming Ge‐based composites and Ge‐based alloys. Lastly, the challenges for practical implementation of Ge anodes within the context of current LIB systems are discussed.     

阳极杆箍缩二极管的理论模型及物理特性

闪光X射线源是获得高凝聚态物质内部物理图像的重要手段,阳极杆箍缩二极管(RPD)作为其重要组成部分之一,直接影响闪光X射线源照相质量。研究RPD物理特性对二极管物理结构优化设计及实验调试具有重要意义。分析了RPD空间电荷限制、弱箍缩和磁绝缘阶段物理模型。基于PIC模拟技术,编写了计算程序,研究了RPD不同阶段的电子电流、离子电流及电子束箍缩物理特性。通过理论分析,获得了特定几何结构RPD物理模型修正系数及各个阶段离子电流与电子电流比,验证了粒子模拟代码的有效性。模拟结果表明:空间电荷限制阶段,粒子模拟结果与双极性流计算结果一致;在弱箍缩和磁绝缘阶段,粒子模拟得到的总电流与磁绝缘模型计算结果一致,且与文献给出的经验拟合表达式计算结果一致;磁绝缘阶段离子电流与电子电流之比与电压和二极管几何结构相关,给出了离子电子电流比增大系数η与电压和阴阳极半径比的关系,该系数受电子、离子在不同结构二极管渡越时间的影响,随电压和阴阳极半径比增加而逼近恒定值。     

阴阳极等离子体运动对强箍缩离子束二极管束流特性的影响

 主要研究了阴阳极等离子体运动对“闪光二号”加速器强箍缩离子束二极管束流特性的影响。给出了考虑阴阳极产生的等离子体运动对二极管间隙影响的Child-langmuir流、弱聚焦流、强聚焦流和饱和顺位流4个阶段的离子流和二极管总束流修正公式，利用这些修正公式计算的二极管总束流和离子束流强度与实测结果符合很好，在此基础上分析了提高离子束流强度和效率的方法，通过调整加速器参数，实验得到了峰值能量约500 keV，峰值电流约160 kA的高功率离子束。     

Experimental study on fluid selection for a stable Taylor cone formation via micro-PIV measurement

In this study, the visualization of the flow inside a Taylor cone formed during an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) spraying is conducted to analyze its stability among five liquid candidates. A micro-PIV with a micro-nozzle is used for the visualization, and the physical properties as well as measured values are utilized in the analysis. First, in forming the Taylor cone, the electrohydrodynamic force is required to be sufficiently large in order to overcome the surface tension of the liquid. Thus, among the five liquids tested here, three, in this case IPA, EtOH, and MeOH, form a Taylor cone due to the relatively low surface tension levels as compared to the others. Once electrohydrodynamic jetting occurs, the average and maximum velocities become monotonically proportional to the average current. As the velocities are the smallest in using IPA, the circulation flow becomes superior to the extrusive flow, which yields the stable formation of a Taylor cone. Also, low fluctuation of the instantaneous currents supports the stable formation of IPA. Consequently, IPA shows the most stable formation of the Taylor cone in our condition due to the lowest average current and low-level surface tension. Eventually, micro-PIV would be a good tool in choosing an optimal fluid for stable EHD spraying.     

Structural transformation of graphite by arc-discharge

The formation of novel structures by the passage of an electric current through graphite is described. These structures apparently consist of hollow three-dimensional graphitic shells bounded by curved and faceted planes, typically made up of two graphene layers. The curved structures were frequently decorated with nano-scale carbon particles, or short nanotubes. In some cases, nanotubes were found to be seamlessly connected to the thin shells, indicating that the formation of the shells and the nanotubes is intimately connected. Small nanotubes or nanoparticles were also sometimes found encapsulated inside the hollow structures, while fullerene-like particles were often seen attached to the outside surfaces. With their high surface areas and structural perfection, the new carbon structures may have applications as anodes of lithium ion batteries or as components of composite materials.     

Probing component contributions and internal polarization in silicon-graphite composite anode for lithium-ion batteries with an electrochemical-mechanical model

Silicon-graphite (Si-Gr) composite anodes are attractive alternatives to replace Gr anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their relatively high capacity and mild volume change. However, it is difficult to understand electrochemical interactions of Si and Gr in Si-Gr composite anodes and internal polarization of LIBs with regular experiment methods. Herein, we establish an electrochemical-mechanical coupled model to study the effect of rate and Si content on the electrochemical and stress behavior in a Si-Gr composite anode. The results show that the composites of Si and Gr not only improve the lithiation kinetics of Gr but also alleviate the voltage hysteresis of Si and decrease the risk of lithium plating in the negative electrode. What's more, the Si content is a tradeoff between electrode capacity and electrode volume variation. Further, various internal polarization contributions of cells using Si-Gr composite anodes are quantified by the voltage decomposition method. The results indicate that the electrochemical polarization of electrode materials and the electrolyte ohmic over-potential are dominant factors in the rate performance of cells, which provides theoretical guidance for improving the rate performance of LIBs using Si-Gr composite anodes.     

Artificial solid electrolyte interphase based on polyacrylonitrile for homogenous and dendrite-free deposition of lithium metal

High chemical reactivity, large volume changes, and uncontrollable lithium dendrite growth have always been the key problems of lithium metal anodes.Coating has been demonstrated as an effective strategy to protect the lithium metal.In this work, the effects of polyacrylonitrile(PAN)-based coatings on electrodeposited lithium have been studied.Our results show that a PAN coating layer provides uniform and dendrite-free lithium deposition as well as better cycling performance with carbonate electrolyte.Notably, heat treatment of the PAN coating layer promotes the formation of larger deposit particle size and higher coulombic efficiency(85%).The compact coating layer of heat-treated PAN with a large Young modulus(82.7 GPa) may provide stable protection for the active lithium.Improved homogeneity of morphology and mechanical properties of heat-treated PAN contribute to the larger deposit particles.This work provides new feasibility to optimize the polymer coating through rational modification of polymers.     

On the electron band structure of liquid metals

The electronic structure and the density of states of simple liquid metals is discussed on the basis of a nonlocal and energy-dependent pseudopotential of the Phillips-Kleinman type. As an example we treat lithium. To calculate this pseudopotential we need to know the states and the eigenvalues of the liquid metal ion cores. For these quantities we use: first, the core data of the free atom; second, of the free ion; third, the data we have determined from the measured phonon dispersion curves. The deviations between the band structures, the density of states as calculated with these pseudopotentials and those of free electrons are considerable.