Investigation of the Li1+xV3O8 electrode–organic electrolyte interface by scanning photoelectron microscopy

To investigate the formation of a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the Li_1+xV₃O₈ electrode surface in the thermodynamic stability range of the organic electrolyte, we applied scanning photoelectron microscopy (SPEM) to a pristine electrode and to an electrode after ten cycles. The F K-edge absorption spectrum of the cycled electrode showed that LiF forms on the electrode surface during the lithium insertion–extraction process in the Li_1+xV₃O₈/Li cell. The photoelectron spectrum for the cycled electrode showed intense spectral features corresponding to Li 1s, F 2s, F 2p, and P 2p electron signals, whereas these spectral features were of negligible intensity for the pristine electrode. The above results give strong support for the formation of an SEI that consists of LiF and compounds containing phosphorus during operation of the battery. The SPEM images also revealed that the fluorine distribution on the surface of the cycled electrode was inhomogeneous.     

Improvement of real time diffraction efficiency of NGD holograms by introducing electron donors

Nongelatin dichromated holographic film(NGD) is a new holographic recordingmaterial.Holograms recorded on this material have better environmental stability, higherdiffraction efficiency and stronger real time effect, etc..An experimental study to ascertainthe influence of two electron donors, namely,N,N-dimethylformamide(DMF) and dimethyl-sulfoxide(DMSO),on the real time diffraction efficiency(RTDE) of NGD holograms is car-ried out.The pressence of electron donors not only improves the sensitivity,but also enhancesthe real time effect greatly.RTDE of above 60% at±1 orders of NGD plane transimissiongrating is achieved by introducing electron donors.     

Macrodefect-Free Materials: Modification of Interfaces in Cement Composites by Polymer Grafting

MDF materials are chemically bonded ceramic materials free of the macrodefects typical of hydraulic cement-based materials. MDF materials arising through reactions of sulfo-aluminate-ferrite belitic (SAFB) clinkers and/or Portland cements (PC) with two types of water-soluble polymer (hydroxy-propylmethyl cellulose {HPMC}, polyphosphate glass {poly-P}) are discussed. Mixes of low energy SAFB clinkers with Portland cement, HPMC and, especially poly-P comprise promising cross-linked compositions additional to the better known MDF materials formed from high alumina cement with polyvinylalcohol/acetate. The principles of co-ordination of P and C atoms (of the polymer) with Al and Fe atoms (originating from the cement) are highlighted from spectroscopic information on next-nearest-neighbour interactions, along with the effects of second co-ordination spheres. Polymers modify the interface through functional bonding/grafting of polymer chains onto the surfaces of cement grains. Both the cross-linked atomic structure and the interface coincide well with the model of functional polymers and represent a new type of atomic-level structure in polymer-modified cements. Interpretation is based on previous magnetic resonance and thermal analysis studies. The compactness of Al(Fe)-O-P cross-links reduces transport through the interfaces, increasing the interfacial interactions and resisting the unfavourable uptake of moisture and carbonation.     

Multibody dynamics of aircraft occupants seated behind interior walls

To improve aircraft crash safety, conditions critical to occupants survival during a crash must be known. In view of the importance of this problem, studies of post-crash dynamic behavior of victims are necessary in order to reduce severe injuries. In this study, crash dynamics program SOM-LA/TA, incorporating a dynamic model of the human body with a finite element model of the seat structure was used. Modifications were performed in the program for reconstruction of an occupant's head impact with the interior walls or bulkhead. A viscoelastic-type contact force model was used to represent the compliance characteristics of the bulkhead. Correlated studies of analytical simulations with impact sled test results were accomplished. A parametric study of the coefficients in the contact force model was then performed in order to obtain the correlations between the coefficients and the Head Injury Criteria. A measure of optimal values for the bulkhead compliance and displacement requirements was thus achieved in order to keep the possibility of a head injury as little as possible. This information could in turn be used in the selection of suitable materials for the bulkhead, instrument panel, or interior walls of an aircraft.     

On a model of electromagnetic field propagation in ferroelectric media

The Maxwell system in an anisotropic, inhomogeneous medium with non-linear memory effect produced by a Maxwell type system for the polarization is investigated under low regularity assumptions on data and domain. The particular form of memory in the system is motivated by a model for electromagnetic wave propagation in ferromagnetic materials suggested by Greenberg, MacCamy and Coffman [J.M. Greenberg, R.C. MacCamy, C.V. Coffman, On the long-time behavior of ferroelectric systems, Phys. D 134 (1999) 362-383]. To avoid unnecessary regularity requirements the problem is approached as a system of space-time operator equation in the framework of extrapolation spaces (Sobolev lattices), a theoretical framework developed in [R. Picard, Evolution equations as space-time operator equations, Math. Anal. Appl. 173 (2) (1993) 436-458; R. Picard, Evolution equations as operator equations in lattices of Hilbert spaces, Glasnik Mat. 35 (2000) 111-136]. A solution theory for a large class of ferromagnetic materials confined to an arbitrary open set (with suitably generalized boundary conditions) is obtained.     

Nanometric Antimony Powder Synthesis by Activated Alkaline Hydride Reduction of Antimony Pentachloride

A novel chemical reduction method using an activated alkaline hydride (LiH or NaH-t-BuONa) in tetrahydrofuran solvent has been applied to antimony salt reduction. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies have been carried out to characterize the morphology and structure of the materials. Alkali hydride nature influence has been proved. In both cases the process allows to prepare antimony particles in nanometer range from few nanometers to about 20nm which could be used as anodic materials for lithium–ion batteries. With lithium hydride well-crystallized particles inclined to agglomeration were observed whereas finely dispersed amorphous particles were pointing out after activated sodium hydride reduction.     

On parametric instability of viscous two-layer fluid in a vessel with a permeable bottom

A linear problem of parametric oscillations of a low-viscous two-layer fluid in a closed vessel partially filled with a porous medium is studied. An asymptotic solution is constructed on the basis of combined application of boundary functions and averaging methods. Approximate formulas for boundaries of instability domains in the case of subharmonic and harmonic resonances are derived.     

On acoustic and electric waves diffraction in piezoelectric medium by a permeable half-plane crack

The problem of electric and acoustic waves diffraction by a half-plane crack in a transversal isotropic piezoelectric medium is investigated. The crack is assumed to be electric permeable and free of tractions. The so-called “quasi-hyperbolic approximation” [15] is adopted. Applying Laplace transformations and Wiener–Hopf technique a closed form solution is obtained. By the means of Cagniard–de Hoop method a detailed dynamic full electroacoustic wavefield’s investigation is conducted. Mode conversion between electric and acoustic waves, effect of electroacoustic head wave, Bleustein–Gulyaev surface wave and the wavefield structure depending on the type of the incident wave (acoustic or electric) and its angle of incidence are analyzed in details. The dynamic field intensity factors at the crack tip depending on the angle of incidence and on time are derived explicitly. Numerical analysis is presented.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of FeS2 for lithium batteries

Nanocrystalline FeS₂ cathode material of lithium cell was synthesized from cheap materials of FeSO₄, Na₂S₂O₃, and sulfur by a hydrothermal process. The scanning electron microscopy analysis showed the obtained material was nano-sized, about 500 nm. The X-ray powder diffraction analysis showed that the synthetic FeS₂ material had two phases of the crystalline structure, pyrite and marcasite. The phase of marcasite seems to have no negative effect on the electrochemical performance of the material. The synthetic FeS₂ showed a significant improvement of electrochemical performance for Li/FeS₂ cells.     

低于13K的单级脉管制冷机性能研究

回热器是脉管制冷机的关键部件之一,其效率对脉管制冷机性能有很大影响。铅丸是常见的蓄冷材料,通常用于回热器的低温端。本文测试和分析了不同品质的国产铅丸和进口铅丸对单级G-M型脉管制冷机性能的影响。采用额定功率为6．0 kW的压缩机驱动,使用进口铅丸脉管制冷机最低制冷温度达12．9 K,这是当前单级脉管制冷机达到的最低制冷温度;40 K时的最大制冷量为57．4 W。使用国产铅丸最低制冷温度为13．6 K,40 K时的最大制冷量为55．9 W。本文对低温制冷机蓄冷材料选择具有一定的参考价值。