Physical properties of a new Deep Eutectic Solvent based on lithium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide and N-methylacetamide as superionic suitable electrolyte for lithium ion batteries and electric double layer capacitors

Herein we present a study on the physical/chemical properties of a new Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) based on N-methylacetamide (MAc) and lithium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide (LiTFSI). Due to its interesting properties, such as wide liquid-phase range from -60°C to 280°C, low vapor pressure, and high ionic conductivity up to 28.4mScm at 150°C and at x=1/4, this solution can be practically used as electrolyte for electrochemical storage systems such as electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) and/or lithium ion batteries (LiBs). Firstly, relationships between its transport properties (conductivity and viscosity) as a function of composition and temperature were discussed through Arrhenius' Law and Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher (VTF) equations, as well as by using the Walden classification. From this investigation, it appears that this complex electrolyte possesses a number of excellent transport properties, like a superionic character for example. Based on which, we then evaluated its electrochemical performances as electrolyte for EDLCs and LiBs applications by using activated carbon (AC) and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) electrodes, respectively. These results demonstrate that this electrolyte has a good compatibility with both electrodes (AC and LiFePO) in each testing cell driven also by excellent electrochemical properties in specific capacitance, rate and cycling performances, indicating that the LiTFSI/MAc DES can be a promising electrolyte for EDLCs and LiBs applications especially for those requiring high safety and stability. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Fibre embedding in aluminium alloy 3003 using ultrasonic consolidation process-thermo-mechanical analyses

This work presents a computational framework based on finite element methods to simulate the fibre-embedding process using ultrasonic consolidation process. The computational approach comprises of a material model which takes into account thermal and acoustic softening effects and a friction model which indicates the realistic friction behaviour at the interfaces. The derived material model and developed friction model have been incorporated in finite element model. Using the implemented material and friction model, thermo-mechanical analyses of embedding of fibre in aluminium alloy 3003 has been performed. Effect of different process parameters, such as velocity of sonotrode, displacement amplitude of ultrasonic vibration and applied loads, is studied and compared with the experimental results. The presented work has specially focused on the quality of the developed weld which could be evaluated by the friction work and the coverage of the fibre which is estimated by the plastic flow around the fibre. The computed friction work obtained from the thermomechanial analyses performed in this study show a similar trend as that of the experimentally found fracture energies. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2010.

Thermolyzable polymer networks and star polymers containing a novel, compact, degradable acylal-based dimethacrylate cross-linker: Synthesis, characterization, and thermolysis

A compact, cleavable acylal dimethacrylate cross-linker, 1,1-ethylenediol dimethacrylate (EDDMA), was synthesized from the anhydrous iron(III) chloride-catalyzed reaction between methacrylic anhydride and acetaldehyde. The ability of EDDMA to act as cross-linker was demonstrated by using it for the preparation of one neat cross-linker network, four star polymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA), and four randomly cross-linked MMA polymer networks using group transfer polymerization (GTP). For comparison, the corresponding polymer structures based on the commercially available ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) cross-linker (isomer of EDDMA) were also prepared via GTR The number of arms of the EDDMA-based star polymers was lower than that of the corresponding EGDMA polymers, whereas the degrees of swelling in tetrahydrofuran of the EDDMA-based MMA networks were higher than those of their EGDMA-based counterparts. Although none of the EDDMA-containing polymers could be cleanly hydrolyzed under basic or acidic conditions, they could be thermolyzed at 200 degrees C within 1 day giving lower molecular weight products.

Electroless nickel, alloy, composite and nano coatings - A critical review

The development of metal deposition processes based on electroless nickel, alloy and composite coatings on various surfaces has witnessed a surge in interest among researchers, with many recent applications made possible from many excellent properties. In recent years, these coatings have shown promising corrosion and wear resistance properties and large number of newer developments became most important from macro to nano level applications. After a brief review of the fundamental aspects underlying the coating processes, this paper discusses in detail about different electroless nickel alloy, composite, nano plating, bath techniques, preparation, characterization, new depositing mechanism and their recent applications, including brief notes on difficult substrate and waste treatment for green environment. Emphasis will be onto their recent progress, which will be discussed in detail and critically reviewed.

Experimental and discrete element modelling of cohesive iron ore fines

In this study, the behaviour of iron ore fines with varying levels of adhesion was investigated using a confined compression test and a uniaxial test. The uniaxial test was conducted using the semi-automated uniaxial EPT tester in which the cohesive strength of a bulk solid is evaluated from an unconfined compression test following a period of consolidation to a pre-defined vertical stress. The iron ore fines were also tested by measuring both the vertical and circumferential strains on the cylindrical container walls under vertical loading in a separate confined compression tester - the K0 tester, to determine the lateral pressure ratio. Discrete Element Method simulations of both experiments were carried out and the predictions were compared with the experimental observations. A recently developed DEM contact model for cohesive solids, an Elasto-Plastic Adhesive model, was used. This particle contact model uses hysteretic non-linear loading and unloading paths and an adhesion parameter which is a function of the maximum contact overlap. The model parameters for the simulations are phenomenologically based to reproduce the key bulk characteristics exhibited by the solid. The simulation results show a good agreement in capturing the stress history dependent behaviour depicted by the flow function of the cohesive iron ore fines while also providing a reasonably good match for the lateral pressure ratio observed during the confined compression K0 tests. This demonstrates the potential for the DEM model to be used in the simulation of bulk handling applications.

Heat Dissipation of Hybrid Iron Oxide-Gold Nanoparticles in an Agar Phantom

Hybrid iron oxide-gold nanoparticles (HNPs) have shown potential in cancer therapy as agents for tumour ablation
and thermal switches for targeted drug release. Heat generation occurs by exploitation of the surface plasmon
resonance of the gold coating, which usually occurs at the maximum UV absorption wavelength. However, lasers
at such wavelength are often expensive and highly specialised. Here, we report the heating and monitoring of heat
dissipation of HNPs suspended in agar phantoms using a relatively inexpensive Ng: YAG pulsed 1064 nm laser source.
The particles experience heating of up to 40°C with a total area of heat dissipation up to 132.73 mm2 from the 1 mm
diameter irradiation point after 60 seconds. This work reports the potential and possible drawbacks of these particles
for translation into cancer therapy based on our findings.