Actual Capacity Research Articles

Tailoring composites via in situ growth of Co-MOF on V2CTx MXene as high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries

MXenes, as a new family of 2D materials, have attracted extensive attention for their high electrical conductivity and good electrochemical cycling stability. However, due to the self-stacking nature of MXene materials, the actual specific capacity (260 mAh g−1) of V2CTx MXene materials as anodes is much lower than the theoretical specific capacity (940 mAh g−1). Herein, we designed a novel Co-MOF/V2CTx composite (denoted as Co-MOF/V2CTx), where Co-MOF was in situ grown on the surface and interlayer of the V2CTx MXene with larger interlayer spacing. The MOF in the composite provides the additional specific capacity as well as effectively prevented the restacking of V2CTx MXene, which exposed more Li+ active sites. Besides, benefiting from the high conductivity, electrochemical stability, and strong bonding with the Co-MOF at the interface of MXene, the structural stability of Co-MOF itself in composite materials can be better improved. Consequently, the cells with Co-MOF/V2CTx anodes realize a high specific capacity of 484.3 mAh g−1 after 120 cycles at 100 mA g−1 and superior cycling stability even at a higher current density of 500 mA g−1. The unique synergistic design of this work can provide new ideas for the development of MXene-based composites in energy storage applications.

Design and operation insights concerning a pilot-scale S0-driven autotrophic denitrification packed-bed process

Elemental sulfur autotrophic denitrification (S0AD) is viewed as a promising alternative to conventional heterotrophic denitrification due to lower running costs, zero carbon dioxide emission, and minimum excess sludge production. However, its scale-up capability and robustness in treating real-life wastewater have not been convincedly demonstrated. In this study, a pilot-scale S0AD packed-bed with over 1000 m3/d of actual wastewater treatment capacity was operated for 197 days. The S0AD packed-bed could effectively remove nitrate to below 12 mg-NO3−-N/L that is 20% stricter than China’s national standard (15 mg-TN/L). The temperature effect coefficient Q10 was calculated as 1.01, illustrating that denitrification efficiency could be doubled when the temperature increased every 10 °C. Mass balance calculations indicated that 85% of removed nitrate was contributed by S0AD process, and the rest 15% was by heterotrophic and assimilative processes. A total of 2684 kg sulfur was consumed during the course of the experiment which was attributed to 16.1% DO oxidation and 83.9% denitrification. Nitrogen gas produced through denitrification, could be trapped in the S0 packed-bed that was the primary causality of clogging. Daily gas venting instead of conventional back washing, could effectively recover the packed-bed flux and promote denitrification efficiency. In addition, a weekly thorough back washing was deemed necessary to deeply clean the trapped SS and sloughed overgrowing biofilm. The predominant S0AD bacteria belonged to the genus Thiobacillus, was enriched throughout the packed-bed providing robust and stable denitrification. Overall, we provided some guidance to the design and operation of S0AD packed bed in practical engineering.

Facile Synthesis of Sea-Urchin-like VN as High-Performance Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are still the main theme of the contemporary market. Commercial graphite has struggled to meet the demand of high energy density for various electronic products due to its low theoretical capacity. Therefore, exploring for a new anode with high capacity is important. Vanadium nitride has attracted widespread attention due to its high theoretical specific capacity and good chemical/thermal stability. However, vanadium nitride is accompanied by huge volume expansion and nanoparticle agglomeration during the electrochemical reaction, which limits its application. Herein, sea-urchin-like vanadium nitride (SUK-VN) was successfully prepared with a simple hydrothermal method combined with an annealing strategy to boost the actual capacity of the vanadium nitride. The special sea-urchin-like morphology effectively suppresses the agglomeration of vanadium nitride nanoparticles and exposes more reactive sites, which facilitates the electrochemical performance of electrode materials. In the half-cells, sea-urchin-like vanadium nitride exhibits a specific capacity of 361.5 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 after 60 cycles, and even still achieves a specific capacity of 164.5 with a Coulomb efficiency of approximately 99.9% at 1 A g−1 after 500 cycles. Such a strategy provides the potential to enhance the electrochemical properties of vanadium nitride anodes in terms of solving the nanoparticle agglomeration.

Performance evaluation of tractor operated trailed type power sprayer

Effective spraying technologies and spraying equipment should be innovated for proper and optimum usage of chemicals. Tractor operated power sprayer is less time consuming, feasible for marginal and larger farms and also it provides more effective spraying. Tractor operated sprayer was tested and evaluated for its performance. Short run test deals with discharge rate determination that was found 44.59 l.min-1 (at minimum pressure 500 kPa), 44.68, 43.00 and 44.51 l.min-1 (at maximum pressure 20000 kPa), volumetric efficiency of piston pump was found 84.15%. In laboratory nozzle can target up to 6.5 m length. Field test was done for prediction of average working speed, theoretical and actual field capacity, field efficiency and time losses. On an average man can spray a field at a speed of 3.0 km.h-1 at covering length from gun was 3.65 m in field conditions. Theoretical field capacity was found 1.27 ha.h-1whereas actual field capacity was found 0.93 ha.h-1. Field efficiency was predicted as 73.20%. Average time required for filling the tank of 500 l capacity was 10 min. Field capacity of sprayer was found 1.40 ha.h-1.

External tie line power fluctuations smoothing strategy of new urban power grid

In a net-zero carbon power grid (NZCPG) with a relatively high proportion of renewable energy sources, significant power fluctuations occur, severely constraining the development of both the NZCPG and the New Urban Power Grid (NUPG). In the NZCPG, the proportion of traditional hydro and thermal power units used to mitigate power fluctuations has decreased. It is necessary to explore the load resources in the NUPG to stabilize the power fluctuation between the NUPG and the NZCPG, and to reduce the operating pressure of the NZCPG. Firstly, this paper proposes a method for developing external tie line schedules based on the load operation band (LOB) to relax the constraints on the schedule for the NZCPG. Secondly, A revised load response aggregation model is proposed to improve the aggregation accuracy under uncertainty factors by online correcting their impact on the load response characteristics. Thirdly, considering the flexible loads in NUPG can only compensate for a part of the power fluctuation, this paper proposes a method to judge the power fluctuation that these loads can offset. Two PFS optimal strategies are proposed among NUPG partitions considering deviation penalty and within each NUPG partition reducing the number of participated load-users. This paper focuses on the PFS in bulk NZCPGs other than in the distribution grids and microgrids. Our work can effectively smooth the power fluctuation within NUPG regulation capability meanwhile reducing the number of participated load-users. Fourthly, a method is proposed to judge the power fluctuation beyond NUPG regulation capacity in NUPG. Using the actual load response capacity, the over-amplitude/time layered smoothing strategy with optimal load is proposed, which can offset the power fluctuation of the bulk NZCPG to the largest extent. Finally, the IEEE-39 system is used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods.© 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efficient Adsorption Capacity of MgFe-Layered Double Hydroxide Loaded on Pomelo Peel Biochar for Cd (II) from Aqueous Solutions: Adsorption Behaviour and Mechanism.

A novel pomelo peel biochar/MgFe-layered double hydroxide composite (PPBC/MgFe-LDH) was synthesised using a facile coprecipitation approach and applied to remove cadmium ions (Cd (II)). The adsorption isotherm demonstrated that the Cd (II) adsorption by the PPBC/MgFe-LDH composite fit the Langmuir model well, and the adsorption behaviour was a monolayer chemisorption. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cd (II) was determined to be 448.961 (±12.3) mg·g-1 from the Langmuir model, which was close to the actual experimental adsorption capacity 448.302 (±1.41) mg·g-1. The results also demonstrated that the chemical adsorption controlled the rate of reaction in the Cd (II) adsorption process of PPBC/MgFe-LDH. Piecewise fitting of the intra-particle diffusion model revealed multi-linearity during the adsorption process. Through associative characterization analysis, the adsorption mechanism of Cd (II) of PPBC/MgFe-LDH involved (i) hydroxide formation or carbonate precipitation; (ii) an isomorphic substitution of Fe (III) by Cd (II); (iii) surface complexation of Cd (II) by functional groups (-OH); and (iv) electrostatic attraction. The PPBC/MgFe-LDH composite demonstrated great potential for removing Cd (II) from wastewater, with the advantages of facile synthesis and excellent adsorption capacity.

Early urodynamic findings after complete primary repair of exstrophy

Detrusor contraction in bladder exstrophy (BE) patients following reconstruction is poorly understood as there are few published studies assessing urodynamic findings in this population. Understanding the ability of the detrusor to contract in BE patients early after closure may be able to inform the longer-term management and potential for the development of future continence in this population. We sought to evaluate early detrusor contraction using urodynamic studies (UDS) in children who had previously undergone complete primary repair of bladder exstrophy (CPRE). We hypothesized that a majority of children with BE would display the presence of normal detrusor contractile function after CPRE. A retrospective review of our prospectively collected database was performed for all patients with a diagnosis of classic BE who underwent primary CPRE between 2013 and 2017. From this cohort we identified patients with at least one post-operative UDS at 3 years of age or older who had undergone an initial CPRE. Our primary outcome was the presence of a detrusor contraction demonstrated on UDS. There were 50 children (31 male, 19 female) with CBE who underwent CPRE between 2013 and 2017.There were 26 (13 male, 13 female) who met inclusion criteria. Median age was 3.5 (IQR: 3.2-4.7) years at the time of UDS Sixteen of the 26 (61.5%) generated a sustained detrusor contraction generating a void, with a median peak voiding pressure of 38cm H20 (IQR: 28-51). The median bladder capacity reached was 48ml, which represented a median of 30% of expected bladder capacity. The median post void residual (PVR) for the entire cohort was 26ml (IQR: 9, 47) or 51% (IQR: 20%-98%) of their actual bladder capacity, while the median PVR for those children with a sustained detrusor contraction was 18ml (IQR: 5, 46) or 33% (IQR: 27%, 98%) of their actual bladder capacity. Intraoperative bladder width and bladder dome to bladder neck length did not correlate with the presence of voiding via a detrusor contraction (p=0.64). We present the first study assessing early UDS finding of detrusor contraction in BE patients after CPRE. In our cohort, 61.5% of patients were able to generate a sustained detrusor contraction on UDS which is a higher percentage than has been reported in previous series. A difference in initial surgical management may account for these findings. At short term follow up, the majority of children in our cohort were able to produce sustained detrusor contractions sufficient to generate a void per urethra with a modest post void residual volume. Long-term follow-up and repeated UDS will be needed to track detrusor contractility rates, bladder capacities, compliance, post void residuals and ultimately continence rates over time.

State support for the exports of products of the grain-growing sector of a region

Grain growing is one of the essential branches of agriculture in Russia, and the products of its processing have a significant impact on the country’s food security. Grain has the most critical specific gravity in the structure of grain growing production. The availability of substantial areas of fertile land and relatively favourable weather conditions enable Russia to meet its domestic needs for food and fodder grain and become a major grain exporter to the global market. The Novosibirsk Region is one of the critical regions that is self-sufficient in grain. Therefore, it has significant potential for increasing export volume and a favourable location, making it a major exporter of grain products beyond the Ural. The important Siberian Federal District supplies gain, and leguminous crops are China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, i.e., Central Asia and Southeast rapeseed like such, flax, and buckwheat prevail in the export structure. In 2018, 459,000 tons of grain were exported, higher than in 2017. In 2018, 459 thousand tons of grain were exported, higher than in 2017. A significant part of the growth in exports of agricultural raw materials is accounted for by non-CIS countries such as China (38% of the total), Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, Bangladesh, and Kazakhstan. In 2017, oilseeds were exported to China, oilseeds 700 tons, against 26.8 thousand tons. Grain storage facilities in the Novosibirsk region are represented by 30-grain elevators and grain reception facilities, which have an actual grain storage capacity of 1,621.5 thousand tons.

RESEARCH OF THE STRENGTH AND DEFORMABILITY OF ROAD SLABS REINFORCED WITH SMALL DIAMETER COMPOSITE REINFORCEMENT

Scientific work is devoted to research of stress-strain state of PD2-9,5 road slabs, reinforced with identical frames made of fiberglass reinforcement and metal reinforcement A500C of the 10th diameter. In order to verify the hypothesis regarding the possibility of equal-strength replacement of metal reinforcement with composite reinforcement of a smaller diameter, glass composite reinforcement of the 7th diameter was used to reinforce the slab. To determine the actual bearing capacity, due to the application of a uniformly distributed load, a calculation scheme with a "beam" slab, i.e., resting on two supports, was applied. During the experiment, it was determined that the appearance, formation, and opening of normal cracks in both tested slabs corresponds to the "classic" nature of crack formation in reinforced concrete elements operating in bending. After the destruction of the slab reinforced with fiberglass composite reinforcement, numerous structural cracks of a mesh nature were recorded, with different degrees of branching, mainly in the lateral central part and in the lower (stretched) zone. The total final deflection in the center of the slab reinforced with fiberglass composite reinforcement at the time of failure was 3,41 cm, which significantly exceeds the permissible value for the span length L < 3 m. At the same time, the total deflection in the center of the slab reinforced with metal reinforcement at the current maximum uniformly distributed load ( without complete destruction of the slab) is 1,06 cm, which meets the generally accepted construction requirements. It was established that the actual bearing capacity of the road slab reinforced with A500C metal reinforcement is higher by 2,3 times than the bearing capacity of a slab with similar fiberglass composite reinforcement. This fact does not give grounds for asserting the effective use of Ø7 mm fiberglass composite reinforcement as a conditionally “equal-strength” replacement of Ø10 mm class A500C metal reinforcement when reinforcing elements of a similar type. To ensure structural requirements, it is necessary to significantly increase the diameter of the applied composite reinforcement, or, as an option, use combined reinforcement with a simultaneous combination of metal and composite reinforcement. Keywords: strength, composite reinforcement, stress-strain state, road slab.

Methodological principles of analysis and forecasting of the market situation of vegetable products

The article examines the methodological principles of the analysis and forecasting of the vegetable market situation and characterizes the main types of situational research. It is argued that the analysis of the market situation should be based on interdisciplinary and systemic approaches, as well as take into account the influence of the world market of the relevant products. The system principles of the research of the market situation are highlighted and the factors of the global, external and internal environment that affect it are identified. The components of information support for monitoring the state of demand and supply are disclosed, and the main indicators and indicators characterizing the market situation are outlined. It was concluded that the research of the market of vegetable products should be based on methodological approaches that would ensure the study of the peculiarities of the formation of the product offer and its delivery to the final consumers. The factors and features of the market of the vegetable products, which must be taken into account when studying its conjuncture, are systematized. An algorithm for researching the market of vegetable products is proposed, which involves researching its market conditions, determining the capacity and purchasing behavior of consumers. It has been proven that when conducting market research of vegetable products, it is expedient to calculate the level of self-sufficiency for certain types of vegetable products. The author emphasized that when analyzing the product offer on the market of open ground vegetables, it is expedient to determine the type of competitive relations that dominate this market, and the approaches and indicators characterizing the intensity of competition are highlighted. The list of indicators that should be used to establish the regional characteristics of the vegetable market and the characteristics of the effect of its functioning, which is manifested on the basis of econommeneg.btsau.edu.ua market, economic and social efficiency, is outlined. The task of marketing analysis of the vegetable market is revealed, which involves the calculation of its potential and actual capacity and is the basis for developing forecasts of its situation. The proposed algorithm for researching the vegetable market is the portfolio analysis based on which it is possible to reasonably determine the most profitable and promising segments of the market by types of products. Key words: market of vegetable products, research of the market situation, supply and demand, intensity of competition, marketing analysis.

Improved calculation models for penetration ability of deep-penetrating horizontal perforation technique with self-induced nozzle bit

High-pressure water jet deep-penetrating horizontal perforating (DPHP) technique is one of the most effective ways to enhance the oil recovery, and the extreme perforation penetration affects directly the effect of oil recovery. But the calculation model of perforation penetration ability of DPHP has been rarely researched and calculation results of the existing calculation models have large errors with the actual data, which are insufficient to provide effective support for DPHP operation. In this article, with consideration of initial momentum of drilling fluid in jet bit, DPHP system force analysis model has been established and friction coefficient between hosepipe and horizontal perforation has been obtained in laboratory experiment. An improved calculation model for length of penetration is established based on the DPHP system force analysis and relevant calculation models for frictions. Influential parameters of penetration length like flow rate of drilling fluid, specifications of hosepipe, and structure parameters of self-propelled nozzle are investigated by this improved model. The research results show that the perforation penetration ability of DPHP is positive to the drilling fluid flow rate and the flexile hose ID. The number of forward nozzles and the angle of backward nozzles need to be minimized in order to meet rock-breaking and expanding ability of self-propelled nozzle, and both the number and diameter of backward nozzles should be optimized. Drilling parameters of DPHP field test in PG oilfield are designed by employing this model. Maximum extension capacity is 31 m, and the error is 8.5% compared with the prediction result 33.6 m of the new simplified model. However, prediction result of the existing model is 12.8 m with an error of 58.7% compared with actual extension capacity, which manifests the accuracy of this model.

Effect of Fire on Reinforced Concrete Beams with FRP and Conventional Steel at Limited Time of Fire

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the behavior of RC concrete beams reinforced with basalt, carbon, glass fiber reinforced polymer bars and conventional steel. A comparison between the results has been performed to investigate and study the effect of fire on reinforced concrete beams considering the following items: (flexural capacity, deflection behavior and crack pattern). It is noticeable that the use of FRP bars significantly increased the ultimate load of the specimens, where the percentage of increase ranged between 34 - 73 % of the ultimate load of the specimen C-S under static load. The greatest ultimate load was reached the beam that was reinforced with carbon bars (CFRP). It was also noticed able that the use of FRP rods significantly increases the deflection of the beams. The percentage of increase was between 45 - 170 % of the final deflection of the C-S specimen under static load. It was noted that the effect of the fire on the beams reinforced with fiber bars (FRP), where the efficiency of bearing capacity of beams after fire decreases by 11 to 18 % of the actual efficiency of bearing capacity of beams control. As for the beam reinforced with conventional steel bars, its efficiency was reduced by 15 % from the actual capacity.

Analysis of the circadian distribution of metal ions in blood samples after knee replacement surgery – Consideration for athletes

SiO2 exhibits impressive theoretical specific capacity (1965 mAh g−1) as the anode of lithium-ion batteries. However, its commercial development is seriously hindered by security risks due to capacity fading and sharp fluctuations. Herein, we apply defect engineering to SiO2/C composites and report a stable preparation method of D‐[email protected]@SiO2 @N-C sandwich nanorods. The sandwich structure effectively alleviates the severe mechanical stress caused by volume expansion. The carbon materials with the structural defects provides abundant lithium storage sites for the electrode. It alleviates the influence of the low capacitance of C in the SiO2/C composite on the overall capacity. Furthermore, the flexibility and sulfur carrying capacity of copper foil are not outstanding, which limits the rate capacity of the battery. Therefore, aramid conductive fibers(AF) with excellent electrical conductivity were prepared to load D[email protected]2 @N-C (D-AF) in this work. The unique flexible skeleton in D-AF could realize the internal encapsulation of the active substances and adapt to the deformation of the electrode sheet under stress. Moreover, the dense CNTs network promotes the improvement of the electrode conductivity. D-AF exhibits more stable service life and stronger rate ability, compared with the copper foil. The reversible capacity of the cell with the D-AF electrode remains 789.55 mAh g−1, after 500 cycles at 1.0 C. It improves the cycle life and actual specific capacity of the battery, effectively. This work provides a new path for the development of flexible self-supported electrodes and the application of Multifunctional Silica in electrode.

Influence of nano-fibrous and nano-particulate morphology on the rate capability of Li3V2(PO4)3/C Li-ion battery cathode

We demonstrate contrasting differences in the electrochemical performances of Li3V2(PO4)3 with thin-carbon coating (LVP/C) in the nanoparticulate (LVP/C-np) and nanofibrous (LVP/C-nf) morphologies synthesized by a sol-gel and electrospinning processes, respectively. LVP/C-nf exhibits a highly-interconnected pearl-like microstructure, and LVP/C-np has discontinuous aggregates of nanoparticles, as evidenced by high-resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Electrochemical studies show that the nanoparticle cathodes exhibit higher capacity fading than nanofibrous cathodes with increasing C-rate. LVP/C-np and LVP/C-nf cathodes exhibit a discharge capacity of 137 mA h g−1 and 124 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C rate. Large carbon content in LVP/C-nf (∼23.3%) unlike the LVP/C-np (∼2.5%) underestimates the actual capacity. The high C-rate performance is better for LVP/C-nf (58.74 mA h g−1 at 10C-rate and 28.75 mA h g−1 at 30 C-rate) compared to LVP/C-np (37.23 mA h g−1 at 10C-rate) as tested in the voltage range 3 V-4.8 V. The most prominent observation is that LVP/C-np cathodes show lower capacity retention of only 48.6%. In contrast, the cathodes with nanofibrous morphology retain nearly 77.2% of their initial discharge capacities after 500 cycles at 1C-rate. Present study highlights the importance of the well-connected microstructure of the cathode as an essential criterion to achieve the high-rate capability and long cycling stability of high voltage cathodes for quick charge battery applications.

Flexible aramid current collector loaded with D-CNTs@SiO2 @N-doped carbon composite for enhanced electrochemical performance

SiO2 exhibits impressive theoretical specific capacity (1965 mAh g−1) as the anode of lithium-ion batteries. However, its commercial development is seriously hindered by security risks due to capacity fading and sharp fluctuations. Herein, we apply defect engineering to SiO2/C composites and report a stable preparation method of D‐CNTs@SiO-CNTs@SiO2 @N-C sandwich nanorods. The sandwich structure effectively alleviates the severe mechanical stress caused by volume expansion. The carbon materials with the structural defects provides abundant lithium storage sites for the electrode. It alleviates the influence of the low capacitance of C in the SiO2/C composite on the overall capacity. Furthermore, the flexibility and sulfur carrying capacity of copper foil are not outstanding, which limits the rate capacity of the battery. Therefore, aramid conductive fibers(AF) with excellent electrical conductivity were prepared to load D-CNTs@SiO2 @N-C (D-AF) in this work. The unique flexible skeleton in D-AF could realize the internal encapsulation of the active substances and adapt to the deformation of the electrode sheet under stress. Moreover, the dense CNTs network promotes the improvement of the electrode conductivity. D-AF exhibits more stable service life and stronger rate ability, compared with the copper foil. The reversible capacity of the cell with the D-AF electrode remains 789.55 mAh g−1, after 500 cycles at 1.0 C. It improves the cycle life and actual specific capacity of the battery, effectively. This work provides a new path for the development of flexible self-supported electrodes and the application of Multifunctional Silica in electrode.

Research on Calculating Traffic Capacity in Extra-Long Subsea Tunnels—A Case Study of the Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay Subsea Tunnel

Analyzing the traffic capacity of extra-long tunnels is crucial in assessing their sustainable capacity. However, previous studies on tunnel capacity mainly considered the influence of a single factor, ignoring the interaction between multiple factors, which cannot reflect the actual tunnel capacity. Therefore, considering the influence of multiple factors, this paper constructs an actual capacity calculation model for extra-long tunnels. Firstly, by combining hierarchical analysis and the entropy method, we determined the key factors that influence the capacity of extra-long tunnels. Secondly, based on the constructed traffic simulation model, we constructed an actual capacity model of extra-long tunnels by using multiple non-linear regression equations and tested the goodness of fit with the help of the misfit term. Finally, we determined the key correction coefficients of the model using the difference proportion method. Taking Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay undersea Tunnel as an example, the research results show that the method proposed in this paper can accurately determine the tunnel capacity with an error of less than 4%, providing a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the management and control of the tunnel’s sustainable carrying capacity after traffic congestion.

Rural Culinary Tourism in Southern Europe: Emerging Educational Needs of a Growing Sector

Rural culinary tourism is a growing sector in European tourism and is a key resource for rural development, in particular in Southern Europe. The boom of the sector that followed the COVID-19 pandemic, however, poses important questions concerning the actual capacity of local actors to grasp this opportunity. The paper investigates the main trends in rural tourism in Southern Europe and the specific educational needs entrepreneurs express based on extensive research conducted in seven Southern European countries (France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey) within the Erasmus + project “The European Network for the Promotion of Culinary and Proximity Tourism in Rural Areas” in 2022. Specifically, the research was conducted through focus group discussions with professionals and stakeholders of the project carried out in the target countries involving 76 respondents. Based on the data collected, this paper indicates a way forward for the new gastronomes to understand this sector and invest their professionality in it.

A novel approach for mobile kentledge loading in plate load tests on coal mine-over burden dumps

Acute space crunch in the mining places lead to use of overburden dumps for rehabilitation and construction of new structures. Evaluation of stability and bearing capacity is of prime concern in utilization of these overburden dumps for further construction activities. In this study, the use of novel mobile plate load test for determining the bearing capacity of mine over burden dumps is discussed in detail. Conducting conventional plate load tests with traditional kentledge load is a costly, time-consuming, and necessitate huge workmanship. To overcome these setbacks, in this study the mine-excavator is modified to mobile kentledge loading arrangement. Using this novel approach, the time for testing is reduced by about 90% and the cost of work is reduced by about 200% with safe working environment. Further, the bearing capacity results are compared with the corresponding values obtained through standard Terzaghis estimation methods. Results obtained through Terzaghis method are found to be over conservative compared to the in-situ Plate load test evaluations. Thus, through this study it is recommended to perform enough plate load tests to conclude the actual bearing capacity and settlement of mine over-burden dumps that are non-homogenous and filled in an unscientific manner. Further, the safe ultimate bearing capacities were used for understanding the safety against capacity enhancement for probable rise in height of mine over burden dumps.

A RUL Prediction Method of Lithium-ion Battery Based on Extreme Learning Machine

Owing to the complexity of the electrochemical reaction types in lithium-ion batteries and the characteristics of nonlinear degradation, using physical models to describe the degradation process is often not accurate enough. This paper only analyzes from the perspective of data, through a data-driven method, extreme learning machine ( ELM ), to predict the remaining useful life (RUL) of lithium-ion. Firstly, the cycle charge and discharge data of lithium-ion battery are analyzed in depth to find the parameters which can indirectly characterize the degree of degeneracy of lithium-ion battery. The parameters with strong robustness to the actual capacity of lithium-ion battery are selected as indirect health indicators by correlation coefficient analysis. Then, the RUL prediction model based on ELM is constructed, which is trained and tested using the lithium-ion battery data sample set published by NASA. The results show that the RUL prediction method based on ELM can effectively predict the battery RUL, and the root mean square error (RMSE) can reach below 5 %.

Synergistic Effects of FeCo Bimetallic Single-Atom Catalysts: Accelerating the Redox Conversion of Polysulfides and Inhibiting the Growth of Lithium Dendrites in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

The shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides on a positive electrode and the uncontrollable growth of lithium dendrites on a negative electrode are the two fundamental crucial problems of lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs). These problems have led to low actual specific capacity and poor rate performance of these batteries. In order to resolve these issues at both electrodes simultaneously, we used Fe and Co bimetallic atoms to dope the three-dimensional dodecahedron material ZIF-8, which is used as a monomer to construct a functional modified separator. Owing to the porous structure, high specific surface area, notable interfacial electron conductivity after carbonization, and the synergistic catalytic effect of Fe and Co bimetallic doping, the FeCoDA-CN@PP separator suppresses the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) on the positive electrode and ensures the higher ion/electron rapid diffusion and hence efficient lithium growth during the cycling on the negative electrode. The demonstrated LSBs with the FeCoDA-CN@PP separator deliver a specific discharge capacity of 1404 mAh g–1 at 0.1C. After 500 provided cycles at a rate of 1C, it still offers a specific discharge capacity of 541 mAh g–1 and a stable Coulombic efficiency of >98% with a capacity decay rate of 0.08% per cycle. At a discharge rate of 1 mA cm–2, the symmetrical battery with the FeCoDA-CN@PP separator was still able to maintain a stable voltage distribution and an overpotential of 31 mV after 500 h. The outcomes pave an auspicious approach for the development of LSBs with long-cycle life and higher capacity, which may further promote the industrialization and commercialization of LSBs.