New large-scale production route for synthesis of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide

The spray roasting process is recently applied for production of catalysts and single metal oxides. In our study, it was adapted for large-scale manufacturing of a more complex mixed oxide system, in particular symmetric lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂—NMC), which is already used as cathode material in lithium-ion batteries. An additional lithiation step was coupled with the main process in order to obtain the desired layered structure. Thermogravimetric analysis and high-temperature X-ray diffractometry built the basis for determining suitable synthesis temperature regions for the used chloride precursors and the post-treatment step. The optimized process was proven on an industrial pilot line where a setup for minimum production capacity of 12 kg h^?1 was possible. The powder obtained directly after roasting had a very striking morphology compared to the final lithiated product. Hollow aggregates (≥250 μm) with overall 10.926 m² g^?1 surface area and a pore diameter of 3.396 nm were observed. Their well-faceted primary particles were converted into nanosized spheres after lithiation, building a few micrometer big high-porous agglomerates. Actual composition was verified by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy analysis, and the crystal structure and corresponding unit cell parameters were identified and confirmed by Rietveld fit of the derived X-ray diffraction pattern. The initial electrochemical measurements show a 149-mAh g^?1discharge capacity, as determined from cyclic voltammetry.     

Acylative kinetic resolution of racemic amines using N-phthaloyl-(S)-amino acyl chlorides

A comparative study of the kinetic resolution of racemic 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline and 2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-4H-1,4-benzoxazine using N-phthaloyl-(S)-amino acyl chlorides as chiral acylating agents is described. Temperature and solvent effects on the stereochemical features have been examined. It has been found that N-phthaloyl-(S)-phenylalanyl and N-phthaloyl-(S)-2-phenylglycyl chlorides bearing aromatic substituents close to the stereogenic centre are more stereoselective acylating agents than N-phthaloyl-(S)-alanyl chloride. For the preparative kinetic resolution of racemic amines N-phthaloyl-(S)-phenylalanyl chloride proved to be the most appropriate chiral acylating agent.     

Test of the isotropy of the speed of light using a continuously rotating optical resonator

We report on a test of Lorentz invariance performed by comparing the resonance frequencies of one stationary optical resonator and one continuously rotating on a precision air bearing turntable. Special attention is paid to the control of rotation induced systematic effects. Within the photon sector of the standard model extension, we obtain improved limits on combinations of 8 parameters at a level of a few parts in 10(-16). For the previously least well known parameter we find [EQUATION: SEE TEXT]. Within the Robertson-Mansouri-Sexl test theory, our measurement restricts the isotropy violation parameter [EQUATION: SEE TEXT]. corresponding to an eightfold improvement with respect to previous nonrotating measurements.     

A modified rheometer for in-situ radial and tangential SAXS studies on shear-induced alignment

A tooth rheometer designed to investigate the influence of large amplitude oscillatory shear on the macroscopic orientation of complex fluids is described. The rheometer allows in-situ two-directional small-angle scattering measurements, making it possible to observe in particular the orientation process of hierarchically structured block copolymers in dynamics. Experiments performed with a linear poly(vinyl methyl ether) show that, despite a considerable gap/width ratio, the rheometer can be used for adequate rheological measurements. In addition we found an unexpected dependence of the dynamic parameters on the rheometer gap. The small amount of sample required favors the use of this rheometer for measuring the rheological characteristics of new compounds.     

Vortex phase diagram of F=1 spinor Bose-Einstein condensates

We have calculated the F=1 ground state of a spinor Bose-Einstein condensate trapped harmonic potential with an applied Ioffe-Pitchard magnetic field. The vortex phase diagram is found in the plane spanned by perpendicular and longitudinal magnetic fields. The ferromagnetic condensate has two vortex phases which differ by winding number in the spinor components. The two vortices for the F(z)=-1 antiferromagnetic condensate are separated in space. Moreover, we considered an average local spin || to testify to what extent it is parallel to magnetic field (the nonadiabatic effects). We have shown that the effects are important at vortex cores.     

Combinatorial chemistry in food research

This mini-review is concerned with emerging applications of combinatorial chemistry relevant to the needs of the food industry. More specifically, recent advances in the use of combinatorial methods for the identification and analysis of flavours, "food chemical" libraries as a potential source of enzyme inhibitors for the food industry and the utility of biocatalysis for the generation of molecular diversity are discussed.     

Bernstein-Walsh inequalities and the exponential curve in

It is shown that for the pluripolar set in there is a global Bernstein-Walsh inequality: If is a polynomial of degree on and on , this inequality gives an upper bound for which grows like . The result is used to obtain sharp estimates for .

     

Chiral carborane-derived thiophosphites: A new generation of ligands for Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation

A new class of chiral monodentate ligands - carborane-containing thiophosphites have been synthesized and tested in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral olefins with the result of up to 99% ee. The dependence of the enantioselectivity on the electronic properties of the carboranyl substituent has been studied.