Ab initio investigation on a new class of binuclear superalkali cations M2Li(2k+1)+ (F2Li3+, O2Li5+, N2Li7+, and C2Li9+)

Superalkalies with low ionization potentials (IPs) can exhibit behaviors reminiscent of alkali atoms and hence be considered as potential building blocks for the assembly of novel nanostructured materials. A new series of binuclear superalkali cations M(2)Li(2k+1)(+) (M = F, O, N, C) has been studied using ab initio methods. The structural features of such cations are found to be related to the central atoms. In the preferred structures of F(2)Li(3)(+), O(2)Li(5)(+), and N(2)Li(7)(+), two central atoms are bridged by lithium atoms. While in the global minima of C(2)Li(9)(+), two central carbon atoms directly link each other and the C-C unit extends to the surface of the whole system. These M(2)Li(2k+1)(+) species exhibit very low vertical electron affinities of 2.74-4.61 eV at the OVGF/6-311+G(3df) level and hence should be classified as superalkali cations.     

Relaxation electrochemical noise of Li/SOCl2 and Li/MnO2 primary batteries

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Electrochemical noise measurements were carried out on commercially available Li/SOCl2 and Li/MnO2 primary batteries during relaxation following removal of...     

Interactions and dynamics in Li+Li2 ultracold collisions

A potential energy surface for the lowest quartet electronic state ((4)A(')) of lithium trimer is developed and used to study spin-polarized Li+Li(2) collisions at ultralow kinetic energies. The potential energy surface allows barrierless atom exchange reactions. Elastic and inelastic cross sections are calculated for collisions involving a variety of rovibrational states of Li(2). Inelastic collisions are responsible for trap loss in molecule production experiments. Isotope effects and the sensitivity of the results to details of the potential energy surface are investigated. It is found that for vibrationally excited states, the cross sections are only quite weakly dependent on details of the potential energy surface.     

Ab initio prediction of the structure and vibration-rotation spectroscopic properties of Li2OH and Li2OH+

The equilibrium structures and potential energy surfaces of the Li2OH radical and the Li2OH+ cation in their ground electronic states have been determined from accurate ab initio calculations. The vibration-rotation energy levels and spectroscopic constants of three isotopic species (Li2OH, Li2OD, 6Li2OH) were calculated by a perturbational approach. The predicted spectroscopic constants may serve as a useful guide for detecting these species by vibration-rotation spectroscopy and for assigning their spectra.     

Long-range interactions of Li(n = 2) states with each other and the long-range interaction of Li(2s2S) with Li(3s2S)

We compute and analyze the potential energy for the twenty-six lowest-lying states of Li₂ which correspond asymptotically to the interaction of Li(2s²S) with Li(2s²S). Li(2p²P) or Li(3s²S), and the interaction Li(2p²P) with Li(2p²P) to obtain the leading terms of the first-order electrostatic energies, and the second-order dispersion energies. Ion-pair perturbations are found to dominate the potential curves of several states. The polarizabilities of Li 2s, 2p and 3s in various fields are calculated.     

Theory of laser enhancement and suppression of cold reactions: the fermion-boson 6Li+7Li2<-->(variant Planck's over 2pi omega0) 6Li7Li+7Li radiative collision

We present a nonperturbative time-dependent quantum mechanical theory of the laser catalysis and control of a bifurcating A+BC<-->(variant Planck's over 2pi omega(0))ABC*(v)<-->(variant Planck's over 2pi omega(0) )AB+C reaction, with ABC*(v) denoting an intermediate, electronically excited, complex of ABC in the vth vibrational state. We apply this theory to the low collision energy fermion-boson light-induced exchange reaction, (6)Li((2)S)+(7)Li(2)((3)Sigma(u)(+))<-->(variant Planck's over 2pi omega(0))((6)Li(7)Li(7)Li)*<-->(variant Planck's over 2pi omega(0))(6)Li(7)Li((3)Sigma(+))+(7)Li((2)S). We show that at very low collision energies and energetically narrow (approximately 0.01 cm(-1)) initial reactant wave packets, it is possible to tune the yield of the exchange reaction from 0 to near-unity (yield >or=99%) values. Controllability is somewhat reduced at collisions involving energetically wider (approximately 1 cm(-1)) initial reactant wave packets. At these energetic bandwidths, the radiative reactive control, although still impressive, is limited to the 0%-76% reactive-probabilities range.     

Absolute level-resolved reactive and inelastic rate constants in Li+Li2*

We have used nuclear parity-changing collisions to obtain absolute level-to-level rate constants for reactive scattering in a triatomic system with identical nuclei. We have determined rate constants for the system (7)Li(2) (*)(A (1)Sigma(u) (+))(v(i)=2,j(i)=19)+(7)Li-->(7)Li+(7)Li(2) (*)(A (1)Sigma(u) (+))(v(f),j(f)), from laser-induced fluorescence spectra of lithium vapor in a heat pipe oven. Parity-preserving collisions yielded measurements of absolute rotationally and vibrationally inelastic rate constants as well. We compare the reactive rate constants with statistical prior distributions and the inelastic results with previously measured results on the Ne+(7)Li(2) (*) system.     

6/7Li NMR study of the Li1-zNi1+zO2 phases

A series of Li1-zNi1+zO2 materials have been synthesised by the coprecipitation route. An X-ray diffraction study was carried out on these materials using the Rietveld method to determine the departure from the ideal stoichiometry z, which ranges from 0 to 0.138. The actual Li/Ni ratio was also checked by chemical analyses using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) for each sample. The stoichiometric sample (z approximately 0) was obtained using a 15% Li excess. (6/7)Li NMR results from LiNiO2 (z approximately 0) show that the asymmetric shape of the NMR signal is due to anisotropy. Calculations give evidence that the paramagnetic dipolar interaction from the electron spins carried by Ni is anisotropic but does not completely explain the experimental anisotropy. (6)Li MAS NMR (magic angle spinning NMR) experiments and temperature standardisation NMR measurements unambiguously assign the isotropic position at +726 ppm. The static-echo NMR spectra of the non-stoichiometric Li1-zNi1+zO2 phases also exhibit an asymmetric shape whose width increases with the departure from the ideal stoichiometry z. (6/7)Li static and MAS NMR show that the 2zNi(2+) ions thus formed modify the dipolar interaction within the materials and also affect the Fermi contact interaction, since a distribution of Li environments is observed using (6)Li NMR for non-stoichiometric samples.     

Synthesis and structures of some bimetallic (Li/Ca, Li/Zn, Li/Li) diamides derived from 1,2-bis(neopentylamino)benzene and of Li2[{N(SiMe2NPr(i)2)}2C6H4-1,2](thf)3

The following crystalline, or microcrystalline (4), metal diamides have been prepared under mild conditions from the N,N'-disubstituted 1,2-diaminobenzene [{N(R)H}2C6H4-1,2] (H(2): R = CH2But; H2L': R = SiMe2NPri2): [Li(thf)(mu-L)(mu-I)Ca(thf)] (1), [Li(thf)4][{Zn(mu-L)}3(mu3-Cl)] (2), [Li(thf)4][Zn(L)2] (3), [{Li(OEt2)(mu-L)Zn}2(mu-L)] (4), [Li(OEt2)(mu-L)Zn(mu-L)Zn(LH)] (5) and [Li(thf)(mu-L')Li(thf)2] (6). Compounds 1-5 were obtained from [Li2(L)] and CaI2 (1) or ZnCl2 (2-5) while 6 was derived from H2(L') and LiBun. Compound 5 was isolated as a very minor by-product from the synthesis of 4, and is assumed to have been formed therefrom by adventitious hydrolysis. The green salt 3 was paramagnetic with the negative charge uniformly delocalised on the two ligands. The other compounds were colourless and diamagnetic. The X-ray structures of each, except 4, are reported and discussed.     

Coupled ion/electron hopping in Li(x)NiO2: a 7Li NMR study

Deintercalated "Li(x)NiO2" materials (x = 0.25, 0.33, 0.50, 0.58, and 0.65) were obtained using the electrochemical route from the Li0.985Ni1.015O2 and Li0.993Ni1.007O2 compounds. Refinements of X-ray diffraction data using the Rietveld method show a good agreement with the phase diagram of the Li(x)NiO2 system studied earlier in this laboratory. Electronic conductivity measurements show a thermally activated electron-hopping process for the deintercalated Li0.5NiO2 phase. In the Li(x)NiO2 materials investigated (x = 0.25, 0.33, 0.50, and 0.58), 7Li NMR shows mobility effects leading to an exchanged signal at room temperature. A clear tendency for Li to be surrounded mainly by Ni3+ ions with the 180 degree configuration is observed, particularly, for strongly deintercalated materials with smaller Li+ and Ni3+ contents, even upon heating, when this mobility becomes very fast in the NMR time scale. This suggests that Li/vacancy hopping does occur on the NMR time scale but that Ni3+/Ni4+ hopping does not occur independently. The position of Li seems to govern the oxidation state of the Ni around it at any time; the electrons follow the Li ions to satisfy local electroneutrality and minimal energy configuration. The observed NMR shifts are compatible with the Li/vacancy and Ni3+/Ni4+ ordering patterns calculated by Arroyo y de Dompablo et al. for x = 0.25 and x = 0.50, but not for x = 0.33 and x = 0.58.     

Li24[MnN3]3N2 and Li5[(Li1-xMnx)N]3, two intermediates in the decomposition path of Li7[MnN4] to Li2[(Li1-xMnx)N]: an experimental and theoretical study

The crystal structure of Li7[Mn(V)N4] was re-determined. Isolated tetrahedral [Mn(V)N4](7-) ions are arranged with lithium cations to form a superstructure of the CaF2 anti-type (P4bar3n, No. 218, a = 956.0(1) pm, Z = 8). According to measurements of the magnetic susceptibility, the manganese (tetrahedral coordination) is in a d(2) S = 1 state. Thermal treatment of Li7[Mn(V)N4] under argon in the presence of elemental lithium at various temperatures leads to Li24[Mn(III)N3]3N2, Li5[(Li1-xMnx)N]3, and Li2[(Li1-xMn(I)x)N], respectively. Li24[Mn(III)N3]3N2 (P3bar1c, No. 163, a = 582.58(6) pm, c = 1784.1(3) pm, Z = 4/3) crystallizes in a trigonal unit cell, containing slightly, but significantly nonplanar trigonal [MnN3](6-) units with C3v symmetry. Measurements of the magnetic susceptibility reveal a d(4) S = 1 spin-state for the manganese (trigonal coordination). Nonrelativistic spin-polarized DFT calculations with different molecular models lead to the conclusion that restrictions in the Li-N substructure are responsible for the distortion from planarity of the [Mn(III)N3](6-). Li5[(Li1-xMnx)N]3 (x = 0.59(1), P6bar2m, No. 189, a = 635.9(3) pm, c = 381.7(2) pm, Z = 1) is an isotype of Li5[(Li1-xNix)N]3 with manganese in an average oxidation state of about +1.6. The crystal structure is a defect variant of the alpha-Li3N structure type with the transition metal in linear coordination by nitrogen. Li2[(Li1-xMn(I)x)N] (x = 0.67(1), P6/mmm, No. 191, a = 371.25(4) pm, c = 382.12(6) pm, Z = 1) crystallizes in the alpha-Li3N = Li2[LiN] structure with partial substitution of the linearly nitrogen-coordinated Li-species by manganese(I). Measurements of the magnetic susceptibility are consistent with manganese (linear coordination) in a low-spin d(6) S = 1 state.     

Evidence of catalyzed oxidation of Li2O2 for rechargeable Li-air battery applications

The oxidation kinetics of Li(2)O(2) was studied in a carbonate-free electrolyte using electrodes consisting of non-catalyzed and catalyzed Vulcan carbon (VC) and chemically synthesized Li(2)O(2) particles. VC and Au nanoparticles supported on VC (Au/C) were fairly inactive for catalyzing the oxidation of Li(2)O(2), where oxidation currents greater than 10 mA g(carbon)(-1) were found only at voltages equal to and greater than 4.0 V vs. Li (V(Li)). Pt and Ru nanoparticles supported on VC (Pt/C and Ru/C) could significantly increase the kinetics of Li(2)O(2) oxidation, where Li(2)O(2) could be removed largely at voltages below 4 V(Li). In addition, Pt/C and Ru/C showed quick initiation of Li(2)O(2) oxidation in contrast to VC and Au/C.     

Ionization energies of hypervalent Li2F,Li2Cl and Na2Cl molecules obtained by surface ionization electron impact neutralization mass spectrometry

Ionization energies of hypervalent Li(2)F, Li(2)Cl and Na(2)Cl molecules detected by surface ionization electron impact neutralization mass spectrometry are reported. The ionization energies were 3.78 +/- 0.2 eV for Li(2)F, 4.93 +/- 0.2 eV for Li(2)Cl, and 4.21 +/- 0.2 eV for Na(2)Cl. The ionization energies (IE) agree with theoretical ionization energies calculated by ab initio methods, supporting the theoretical prediction that Li(2)F has a hyperlithiated configuration in which the odd electron delocalizes over the two lithiums and with photoionization measurement. The first ionization energy of Na(2)Cl was experimentally confirmed earlier and for Li(2)Cl as well.8 We have developed and used this new approach for the problem--in the present work ions were first formed by surface ionization, followed by electron attachment (neutralization).     

Atoms-in-molecules treatment of Li 2 + and Li2 using optimum Gaussian approximations of Li+ and Li eigenstates

Expectation energies for the Li⁺, Li and Li^– ground states and for the 1s ²2p Li excited state are individually minimized with respect to variation of parameters in Gaussian lobe expansions of the 1s, 2s and 2p AO's. A new technique is used to control 1s–2s orthonormality. The resulting approximate many-electron atomic eigen-functions are utilized for determining interatomic matrix elements in atoms-in-molecules (AIM) calculations on the two lowest energy ¹ _g ⁺ states of Li₂ and on the lowest energy ² _g ⁺ and ² _u ⁺ states of Li ₂ ⁺ . For R greater than 4 a.u., convergence to exact theoretical AIM limits, within about 0.001 h.u., is obtained by using three-term expansions. Three-structure Li₂ and two-structure Li ₂ ⁺ AIM energies are above experimental by 0.005 and 0.007 h.u., respectively. It is conjectured that an AIM model extended to permit scaling of valence electrons independently of innershell electrons would reduce significantly these energy differences.

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Zusammenfassung Die Energieerwartungswerte für die Grundzustände von Li⁺, Li und Li^–1 sowie für den angeregten Zustand 1s² 2p von Li werden einzeln bezüglich der Variationsparameter einer Entwicklung der 1s-, 2s- und 2p-Atomorbitale nach Gaußfunktionen minimisiert. Zur Kontrolle der Orthonormalität der 1s- und der 2s-Funktion wird eine neue Technik angewandt. Die resultierenden angenäherten Atomeigenfunktionen werden bei Atom-in-Molekül (AIM)-Rechnungen für die zwei niedrigsten ¹ _g ⁺ -Zustände von Li₂ und die niedrigsten Zustände der Symmetrie ² _g ⁺ und ² _u ⁺ von Li ₂ ⁺ verwendet. Für einen Atomabstand R größer als 4 A.E. wird mit einer Entwicklung mit drei Termen eine Annäherung bis zu 0,001 A.E. an den exakten theoretischen AIM-Grenzwert erreicht. Die AIM-Energiewerte, die mit drei Resonanzstrukturen von Li₂ bzw. zwei Resonanzstrukturen von Li ₂ ⁺ erhalten werden, liegen 0,005 A.E. bzw. 0,007 A.E. über den experimentellen Werten. Es wird angenommen, daß eine Erweiterung des AIM-Modells, bei der eine Skalierung der Valenzelektronenfunktionen unabhängig von den inneren Elektronen möglich ist, diese Energiedifferenz stark herabsetzen würde.

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Résumé Les énergies de l'état fondamental de Li⁺, Li et Li^–, et de l'état excité 1s²2p de Li sont individuellement minimisées par rapport à la variation des paramètres dans le développement gaussien des orbitales atomiques 1s, 2s et 2p. Une technique nouvelle est utilisée pour contrler l'orthonormalité 1s–2s. Les fonctions d'onde polyélectroniques approchées résultantes sont utilisées pour des calculs du type atomes dans les molécules (ADM) pour les deux états ¹ _g ⁺ de plus basse énergie de Li₂ et sur les états ² _g ⁺ et ² _g ⁺ de plus basse énergie de Li₂. Pour R supérieur à 4 u.a., la convergence vers les limites théoriques exactes ADM est obtenue avec un développement à trois termes, à 0,001 u.a. près. Les énergies ADM à trois structures pour Li2 et á deux structures pour Li2 sont respectivement á 0,005 et 0,007 a.u. au dessus des énergies expérimentales. On émet l'hypothése qu'un modéle ADM étendu pour permettre le calibrage des électrons de valence indépendamment des électrons des couches internes réduirait d'une manière significative ces différences d'énergie.

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Supported in part by National Science Foundation Grant GP 25415     

非水溶剂Li-O2电池锂负极研究进展

The aprotic Li-O₂ battery has attracted considerable interest in recent years because of its high theoretical specific energy that is far greater than that achievable with state-of-the-art Li-ion technologies. To date, most Li-O₂ studies, based on a cell configuration with a Li metal anode, aprotic Li⁺ electrolyte and porous O₂ cathode, have focused on O₂ reactions at the cathode. However, these reactions might be complicated by the use of Li metal anode. This is because both the electrolyte and O₂ (from cathode) can react with the Li metal and some parasitic products could cross over to the cathode and interfere with the O₂ reactions occurring therein. In addition, the possibility of dendrite formation on the Li anode, during its multiple plating/stripping cycles, raises serious safety concerns that impede the realization of practical Li-O₂ cells. Therefore, solutions to these issues are urgently needed to achieve a reversible and safety Li anode. This review summarizes recent advances in this field and strategies for achieving high performance Li anode for use in aprotic Li-O₂ batteries. Topics include alternative counter/reference electrodes, electrolytes and additives, composite protection layers and separators, and advanced experimental techniques for studying the Li anode|electrolyte interface. Future developments in relation to Li anode for aprotic Li-O₂ batteries are also discussed.     

A Full Li–S Battery with Ultralow Excessive Li Enabled via Lithiophilic and Sulfilic W2C Modulation

The practical application of Li–S batteries demands low cell balance (Li_capacity/S_capacity), which involves uniform Li growth, restrained shuttle effect, and fast redox reaction kinetics of S species simultaneously. Herein, with the aid of W₂C nanocrystals, a freestanding 3D current collector is applied as both Li and S hosts owing to its lithiophilic and sulfilic property. On the one hand, the highly conductive W₂C can reduce Li nucleation overpotentials, thus guiding uniform Li nucleation and deposition to suppress Li dendrite growth. On the other hand, the polar W₂C with catalytic effect can enhance the chemisorption affinity to lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and guarantee fast redox kinetics to restrain S species in cathode region and promote the utilization of S. Surprisingly, a full Li–S battery with ultralow cell balance of 1.5:1 and high sulfur loading of 6.06 mg cm⁻² shows obvious redox plateaus of S and maintains high reversible specific capacity of 1020 mAh g⁻¹ (6.2 mAh cm⁻²) after 200 cycles. This work may shed new sights on the facile design of full Li–S battery with low excessive Li supply.     

Li+掺杂纳米TiO2的制备及其光催化性能研究

采用溶胶-凝胶法和浸渍法制备了Li⁺掺杂纳米TiO₂光催化剂,并用XRD和TEM等技术进行了表征;用pH值漂移法测量了催化剂的零电位pH值(pHpzc).结果表明,500℃煅烧制得的催化剂均为锐钛矿相;Li⁺的掺杂抑制了TiO₂粒子的生长,提高了催化剂的分散性;催化剂的零电位pH值为6.6—8.1,其值取决于Li⁺的浓度和掺杂方式.分别以紫外光和太阳光为光源,孔雀石绿和甲基橙为降解物评价了催化剂的光催化活性;并用气相色谱测试了污染物降解产生的CO₂的含量.结果显示,对孔雀石绿的降解,浸渍法和溶胶-凝胶法掺Li⁺都能有效提高TiO₂的光催化活性,但浸渍法比溶胶-凝胶法效果更好,催化活性最高的为浸渍法制备的5%(摩尔分数)Li⁺掺杂TiO₂,其在紫外光和太阳光下的光催化活性分别比纯TiO₂提高了6—8倍和9—10倍;对甲基橙的降解,除溶胶-凝胶法制备的3%(摩尔分数)Li⁺掺杂TiO₂能稍提高光催化活性外,其它Li⁺的掺杂都不同程度降低了TiO₂的光催化活性;随污染物降解率的增加,最终降解产物CO₂的含量增加.实验结果表明,Li⁺掺杂改变了催化剂表面的电荷状态从而改变了催化剂的零电位pH值是造成催化剂降解不同污染物具有不同催化活性的主要原因.     

Changes in electronic structure upon Li insertion reaction of monoclinic Li3Fe2(PO4)3

The electrochemical lithium insertion reaction of monoclinic Li(3)Fe(2)(PO(4))(3) as cathode materials of lithium-ion batteries was investigated from the viewpoint of the electronic structure around Fe and the polyanion unit (PO(4)). Fe K-edge and L(III,II)-edge XAS measurements revealed that Fe(3+) was reduced to Fe(2+) upon Li insertion. In addition, O K-edge and P K-edge XAS also showed spectral changes upon Li insertion, which corresponded to changes in the electronic structure of the PO(4) polyanion unit. The ab initio density functional calculation was performed within the GGA and LDA+U methods. The LDA+U method reproduced well the cell potential upon lithium intercalation into Li(3)Fe(2)(PO(4))(3), whereas the GGA method underestimated the intercalation. The calculated electronic structure of Li(3)Fe(2)(PO(4))(3) described strong P 3p-O 2p covalent bonding, while weak hybridization was indicated in Fe 3d-O 2p. Moreover, the difference in electronic density between Li(3)Fe(2)(PO(4))(3) and the lithiated model indicated that the polarization effect between inserted Li and oxygen induced the changes in the electronic structure around the polyanion unit.     

影响Li2ZrO3在高温下吸收CO2的因素

于不同条件下合成了一系列用于在高温下吸收CO2的Li2ZrO3材料.用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、X射线粉末衍射仪（XRD）分别观察和评价了合成材料的表面形貌与结构特征,使用热重分析（TG）仪研究了Li2ZrO3材料吸收CO2的性能.实验结果表明,合成温度影响材料的结构和表面性质,从而影响材料吸收CO2的性能,在800 ℃合成的Li2ZrO3材料吸收CO2的性能比较好,合成温度过高或过低都不利于材料吸收CO2.同时,气氛中CO2的含量也影响材料吸收CO2的速度,在CO2体积百分含量比较高的条件下,材料吸收CO2的速度较快.此外,本研究不进行任何元素的添加即可合成出吸收性能比较好的Li2ZrO3材料.     

Neue Alkalioxoarsenate (V) Zur Kenntnis von Rb2Li[AsO4] und Cs2Li[AsO4]

New Alkalioxoarsenates (V). On Rb₂Li[AsO₄] and Cs₂Li[AsO₄] By heating of well-grounded mixtures of the binary oxides (A₂O, Li₂O₂, and As₂O₃; A : Li : As = 2 : 1 : 1; Ni-tube, 550°C, 21 d; A = Rb, Cs) colourless single crystals of Rb₂Li[AsO₄] and Cs₂Li[AsO₄] were obtained for the first time. These new orthoarsenates(V) crystalize orthorhombic (space group C mc2₁? C, No. 36) with Z = 4. As expected they are isotypic with the according orthovanadates(V) [2] A₂Li[VO₄], A = Rb, Cs. The lattice constants of Rb₂Li[AsO₄]: a = 582.1(4) pm, b = 1171.1(7) pm, c = 792.4(5) pm and Cs₂Li[AsO₄]: a = 596.4(2) pm, b = 1223.4(2) pm, c = 819.7(3) pm were taken from Guinier-Simon powder data. The structure was determined by four-circle-diffractometer data [Siemens AED II, MoKα , 6290 I₀ (hkl), R = 3.5%, R_w = 3.2% to Rb₂Li[AsO₄]; 3518 I₀ (hkl), R = 2.8%, R_w = 2.6% to Cs₂Li[AsO₄]; parameters see text]. The Madelung Part of Lattice Energy, MAPLE, and Effective Coordination Numbers, ECoN, these calculated via Mean Fictive Ionic Radii, MEFIR, as well as charge distribution CHARDI are calculated and discussed.