Advances In Storage Technologies Research Articles

A flexible tool for the multi-attribute evaluation of Lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are among the most advanced electrochemical storage technologies and they are critical to the transition to sustainable energy systems. Despite their maturity, different chemistries are characterized by different technical, economic, environmental, and raw materials supply risks, highlighting the need for a comprehensive assessment. Seven lithium-ion battery chemistries were evaluated according to two domains: the techno-economic domain and the environmental and supply risk domain, and synthesized into an overall index called the Energy Storage Sustainability Index. A flexible multi-attribute evaluation tool, called Sustainable Technology Performance, has been developed based on the Multi-Attribute Value Theory model and the Analytic Hierarchy Process weighting method. The model’s uncertainties are addressed by employing various marginal value functions and scenarios for the weights of the domains in the main simulations, and variation for the input data and a different weighting procedure for the attributes in the five sensitivity analyses conducted. The Lithium Iron Phosphate-Natural Graphite battery emerges as the preferred option, performing better in three out of five scenarios in Simulation 1 and four out of five in Simulation 2, with high techno-economic scores (0.88 for Simulation 1 and 0.93 for Simulation 2) and good environmental and supply risk scores (0.47 for Simulation 1 and 0.6 for Simulation 2). Sensitivity analyses show that changing the weighting procedure from AHP to equal weights increases the contribution of attributes where the Lithium Iron Phosphate-Natural Graphite alternative underperforms, such as energy density and resource depletion. Overall, this alternative is preferred in most of the scenarios analyzed (twenty-six over fifty), highlighting its strengths in the techno-economic dimension.

Review on recent control system strategies in Microgrid

Microgrids (MGs) are integral to the evolving global energy landscape, facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind while enhancing grid stability and resilience. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of control strategies in MG systems, addressing both conventional and advanced methodologies. We explore traditional control methods, such as droop control and Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controllers, for their simplicity and scalability, but acknowledge their limitations in handling non-linearities and real-time adaptation. Model Predictive Control (MPC), Adaptive Sliding Mode Control (ASMC), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are some of the more advanced techniques that make systems more flexible, better at managing energy, and stable even when operations change quickly. The review further delves into the role of the Internet of Things (IoT), predictive analytics, and real-time monitoring technologies in MGs, emphasizing their importance in enhancing energy efficiency, ensuring real-time control, and improving system security. The review places emphasis on energy management systems (EMS), which optimize supply and demand balance, reduce uncertainty, and enable seamless integration of distributed energy resources (DERs). The paper also highlights emerging trends such as blockchain, AI-driven controls, and deep learning for MG optimization, security, and scalability. Concluding with future research directions, the paper underscores the need for more robust control frameworks, advanced storage technologies, and enhanced cybersecurity measures, ensuring that MGs continue to play a pivotal role in the transition to a decentralized, low-carbon energy future.

Bio-fumigants as grain protectants in storage-A review

Agriculture is a global lifeline, especially in developing nations like India, where over 70% of the population relies on it. Protecting food grains from insect pests during post-harvest storage is crucial, particularly in regions lacking advanced storage technologies, leading to significant losses. Fumigation is still a key strategy for safeguarding stored grains. Methyl bromide (MBr) and aluminium phosphide (AlP) are the widely used chemical fumigants. Phosphine is used to a greater extent today, but there are frequent reports that several storage pests have developed resistance to this fumigant. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization declared methyl bromide as an ozone-depleting chemical in 1995, and hence, most of the developed countries have phased out its use. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement to develop alternatives having a possible replacement for these fumigants. Biofumigants are organic compounds derived from various plant sources, including essential oils, botanical powders, and plant residues or from microbial volatiles. They release volatile compounds toxic to pests but safe for humans and the environment, offering a sustainable pest management approach. Plants such as mustard and radish produce glucosinolates that release isothiocyanates, known for their pesticidal properties. Essential oils from eucalyptus, clove, and mint and volatiles from certain fungi and bacteria also exhibit fumigant properties. Biofumigants disrupt insect physiological and biochemical processes, leading to mortality or reduced reproduction. Studies showed their efficacy against pests like red flour beetle, lesser grain borer, and rice weevil. Unlike chemical fumigants, biofumigants do not leave harmful residues, preserving grain quality and aligning with organic farming practices. Shifting to biofumigants offers a promising, eco-friendly, and effective alternative for post-harvest pest management, ensuring food safety and sustainability

Techno-econo-environmental analysis of sustainable hybrid solar-wind-biogas using municipal solid waste-based grid independent power plant with dual mode energy storage strategy

In the contemporary landscape characterized by escalating energy issues and growing worldwide environmental apprehensions, the transition towards sustainable energy assumes a critical role in enhancing the standard of living. Hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) are increasingly seen as crucial, particularly in off-grid communities, due to their provision of dependable and sustainable electrical alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. This study evaluates the viability of an autonomous system incorporating dual-mode energy storage, as well as explores the possibilities of converting municipal solid waste (MSW) into biogas to achieve both energy and environmental advantages. This research employs NSGA-II in MATLAB environment, optimizing novel HRES for size and performance where the fundamental goals include cost-effectiveness, health hazard mitigation, and ensuring a reliable electrical supply. The findings indicate that the system under investigation exhibits an ideal energy cost of 0.1393$/kWh, carbon emissions amounting to 184283.1 kg CO2-eq/yr, a health impact of 2.56 × 10−1 DALYs, and an ecological damage footprint of 1.45 × 10−7 species⋅year. The system exhibits a job creation rate of 4.22 jobs per megawatt and attains a human development score of 0.404. Through the utilization of renewable energy sources and advanced storage technologies, it is possible to address the challenges posed by energy and environmental problems.

Recent Developments in Hydrogen Production, Storage, and Transportation: Challenges, Opportunities, and Perspectives

Hydrogen (H2) is considered a suitable substitute for conventional energy sources because it is abundant and environmentally friendly. However, the widespread adoption of H2 as an energy source poses several challenges in H2 production, storage, safety, and transportation. Recent efforts to address these challenges have focused on improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of H2 production methods, developing advanced storage technologies to ensure safe handling and transportation of H2, and implementing comprehensive safety protocols. Furthermore, efforts are being made to integrate H2 into the existing energy infrastructure and explore new opportunities for its application in various sectors such as transportation, industry, and residential applications. Overall, recent developments in H2 production, storage, safety, and transportation have opened new avenues for the widespread adoption of H2 as a clean and sustainable energy source. This review highlights potential solutions to overcome the challenges associated with H2 production, storage, safety, and transportation. Additionally, it discusses opportunities to achieve a carbon-neutral society and reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.

Advancements in hydrogen energy systems: A review of levelized costs, financial incentives and technological innovations

Hydrogen energy systems (HES) are increasingly recognized as pivotal in cutting global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, especially in transportation, power generation, and industrial sectors. This paper offers a comprehensive review of HES, emphasizing their diverse applications and economic viability. By 2030, hydrogen energy is expected to revolutionize various sectors, significantly impacting CO2 abatement and energy demand. In electricity and power generation, hydrogen could reduce CO2 emissions by 50–100 million tons annually, requiring 10–20 million tons of hydrogen and an investment of $50–100 billion, underscoring its role in grid stabilization. Additionally, in the heating sector, hydrogen could facilitate a CO2 abatement of 30–50 million tons. We examine the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) production, influenced by factors like production methods, efficiency, and infrastructure. While steam methane reforming is cost-effective, it poses a larger environmental impact compared to electrolysis. The global life-cycle cost of hydrogen production decreases as production scales up, with current costs ranging from $1–3 per kg for fossil-based sources to $3.4–7.5 per kg for electrolysis using low-emission electricity. These costs are projected to decrease, especially for electrolytic hydrogen in regions with abundant solar energy. However, despite the technical feasibility of decarbonization, high production costs still pose challenges. A systematic and effective transition to a hydrogen economy requires comprehensive policy and financial support mechanisms, including incentives, subsidies, tax measures, and funding for research and development of pilot projects. Additionally, the paper discusses hydrogen's role in advanced storage technologies such as hydrides and Japan's ENE-FARM solution for residential energy, emphasizing the need for strategic investments across the hydrogen value chain to enhance HES competitiveness, reduce LCOH, and advance the learning rates of hydrogen production technologies.

Impact of oxygen scavenger, temperature, and packaging materials on freshness quality of packaged green teas during storage

AbstractGreen tea is renowned for its exceptional freshness; nevertheless, preserving its freshness poses a formidable challenge during storage due to its susceptibility to environmental factors. However, the effect of storage factors on freshness quality of green tea remains unclear, particularly with a lack of research studies regarding aroma quality and associated volatiles. In this study, we investigated the effects of oxygen scavenger, temperature, and packaging materials on freshness quality of packaged green teas during storage. The sensory freshness and corresponding volatile metabolites of the samples were investigated; the sensory‐chemical changes among packaged green teas during storage under different treatments were further explored. The freshness preservation in packaged green teas can be effectively achieved through the implementation of low‐temperature storage, packaging with oxygen scavenger and utilizing packaging with minimal oxygen permeability. A total of 151 volatile compounds were detected in all samples, among which 104 volatiles were identified as key contributors for distinguishing sample groups under 3 different treatments. The presence of volatiles with green, spicy, minty, and vegetable notes was found to be positively correlated with high freshness quality observed in packaged green tea. Conversely, an increase in volatiles characterized by fruity, sweet, fatty, and alkane notes was associated with the freshness deterioration. The volatiles changes that lead to freshness deterioration occurred especially under conditions of elevated temperature and increased oxygen levels, predominantly involving fat degradation, lipid oxidation, the Maillard reaction, carotenoids degradation, and dehydration reactions. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for the advancement of storage technology in packaged green teas.

Preliminary experimental studies into the storage capacity of cryogenic hydrogen in aerogel blanket materials

The abundance and diversity of hydrogen applications necessitates continued and accelerated research into advanced storage technologies. Traditionally, hydrogen has been stored as either a high-pressure, warm gas; or a low-pressure, cryogenic liquid. Methods such as cryo-supercritical and cryo-adsorbed have been explored, but are not yet mainstream. Cryo-adsorbed is attractive because higher storage densities at higher temperatures than liquid may be achieved. Recently NASA, in partnership with Eta Space, Southwest Research Institute, the University of Central Florida, and Air Liquide, have been exploring the use of inexpensive, commercially available silica aerogel blanket materials for cryo-adsorbed hydrogen storage. Unlike most adsorbents, aerogel blanket is not a powder, but a robust, composite material that can be formed into complex shapes to aid in more efficient storage system designs, and has already been proven to uptake large quantities of fluids such as nitrogen and oxygen. Recent experimental efforts into the uptake of low-pressure hydrogen gas at 77 K, and liquid hydrogen at normal boiling point (NBP) will be discussed. Although preliminary in nature, the test results are promising, showing up to a 49% increase in storage density at 77 K over the gas alone, and greater than a one-to-one volume equivalency with NBP LH2.

Storage Systems: Organization, Performance, Coding, Reliability, and Their Data Processing, 1st Edition, October 13, 2021, Author: Alexander Thomasian

Textbooks on computer organization and architecture, operating systems, and databases do not sufficiently cover storage systems. This is especially so in view of rapid advances in storage technology in the form of flash and Storage Class Memories - SCMs and storage organizations such as datacentric and the DisAggregated Shared Everything - DASE.

HYBRID POWER SYSTEMS IN MINING: REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTATIONS IN CANADA, USA, AND AFRICA

This comprehensive exploration delves into Hybrid Power Systems (HPS), investigating their components, technologies, economic considerations, environmental impacts, and technological challenges. Integrating renewable and traditional sources in HPS emerges as a transformative solution for sustainable energy. Economic analyses reveal initial costs offset by long-term benefits. At the same time, environmental impacts demonstrate a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and resource preservation. Technological challenges, including intermittency and system optimization, are addressed through advanced storage, smart grids, and microgrid technologies. The abstract concludes with recommendations emphasizing research, education, policy support, international collaboration, public awareness, and ongoing technological innovation. As HPS stands at the forefront of sustainable energy solutions, this comprehensive study navigates the complex terrain, offering insights and guidance for a future where HPS plays a pivotal role in a resilient, efficient, and environmentally conscious global energy landscape.
 Keywords: Hybrid Power Systems, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Technological Challenges.

Conventional and advanced packaging and storage technology of leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum): A Review

Leek (Allium porrum L.), belonging to the Alliaceae family, is a biennial herbaceous plant. It is a tetraploid (2n=32). They are native to Middle Asia, while its secondary centres of development and spread were in Western Asia and the Mediterranean region. Kaempferol is the most significant flavonoid aglycone found in leeks. Leeks are also used as medicine in addition to being a food. The primary health advantages include anti-asthma, antiseptic, diuretic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Additionally, it helps shield skin from harm and lowers the risk of gastrointestinal disorders. Leek roots also contain alliin which is non-toxic to the human body and can be used to preserve food and increase its shelf life. Recent studies also reported that leek portions ultrasonic extracts can be used in the food sector to preserve products from oxidation. Furthermore, when frozen unblanched leek slices are packaged with nitrogen after a year in frozen storage, the amount of sulfur compounds in the slices does not increase and the development of an off flavor is inhibited. It can also be stored up to 14 days when stored at modified atmosphere. In conclusion, using contemporary biotechnology techniques, new leek cultivars with increased productivity and adaptability must be created. Other health-related substances like folates and polyphenols, as well as the quantitative assessment of enzyme activities should all be included in future research as they contribute to the potential health benefits of vegetable products.

Conventional and Advanced Packaging and Storage Technology of “Chives” (Allium tuberosum): A Review

The perennial Chives (Allium tuberosum), belonging to the Liliaceae family is typically used as a condiment, vegetable, or spice, salads and soups. It is suitable to tropical and temperate climate. Of all the species of Allium, chives contain the highest amount of betacarotene and vitamin C. The unique flavour and scent of chives are attributed to sulphur compounds, particularly diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide, which have also been investigated for potential anti-inflammatory, anticancer effects and antioxidant properties that serves to prevent oxidative stress and support general health. Even at refrigerated temperatures, these leaves have a very short shelf life. Chives can be successfully preserved for up to 14 days at 0–5 °C. Packing significantly affects how much weight is lost and how much water is retained during storage and the best packaging found as per latest studies is the plastics. This species has the potential to be commercialized in order to augment the production of onions and garlic in various regions of India, particularly given the current unstable climate. This is because of the species broader adaptability and multifunctional usage.

Microstructure parameter-dependent non-collinear magnetic structures in scandium-doped M-type hexaferrite nanocrystals.

The quest for materials with non-collinear magnetic structures has been driven by their unique properties and potential applications in advanced spintronics and data storage technologies. In this study, we investigate the induction of a non-collinear conical state in BaFe12O19 (M-type) nanocrystal fibers through the substitution of Fe3+ ions with diamagnetic Sc3+ ions. This substitution introduces an additional parameter for tuning the magnetic structure and allows precise control over the substitution amount. We demonstrate that the non-collinear conical state remains stable within a temperature range of 125 K to 325 K and can be finely adjusted by varying the Sc3+ substitution amount. The selective occupancy of Sc3+ ions at the 2a, 4f2, and 2b sites within the M-type ferrite lattice weakens the super-exchange interaction between Fe1, Fe2, and Fe5 ions. This weakening disrupts interactions between different blocks S/R (R*/S*) and stabilizes the conical state. These findings highlight a significant approach to modulating non-collinear magnetic structures in hexagonal ferrites, with implications for both fundamental research and practical applications in the development of novel magnetic materials.

Circular dichroism in two-dimensional BC6N and B3C2N3 in absence of intervalley excitonic coupling

Two-dimensional (2D) noncentrosymmetric systems offer potential opportunities for exploiting the valley degrees of freedom for advanced information processing, owing to non-zero Berry curvature. However, such valley polarization in 2D materials is crucially governed by the intervalley excitonic scattering in momentum space due to reduced electronic degrees of freedom and consequent enhanced electronic correlation. Here, we study the valley excitonic properties of two 2D noncentrosymmetric complementary structures, namely, BC6N and B3C2N3 using first principles-based GW calculations combined with the Bethe–Salpeter equation, that brings the many-body interactions among the quasiparticles. The k-resolved oscillator strength of their first bright exciton indicates their ability to exhibit valley polarization under the irradiation of circularly polarized light of different chiralities. Both the systems show significant singlet excitonic binding energies of 0.74 eV and 1.31 eV, respectively. Higher stability of dark triplet excitons as compared to the singlet one can lead to higher quantum efficiency in both the systems. The combination of large excitonic binding energies and the valley polarization ability with minimal intervalley scattering make them promising candidates for applications in advanced optical devices and information storage technologies.

Spray fabrication of additive-free electrodes for advanced Lithium-Ion storage technologies

Polymer binders and carbon conductivity enhancers are inevitably required to make improvements in structural durability and electrochemical performance of lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrodes, although these additive constituents incur weight and volume penalties on the overall battery capacity. Here, additive-free electrode architectures were successfully fabricated over 20 × 20 cm2 electrode areas using a layer-by-layer spray coating approach, with the ultimate goal to boost gravimetric/volumetric electrode capacity and to reduce the total cost of LIB cells. Initially, the binder fraction of spray-coated Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) electrodes was reduced progressively, from 40 to 0 wt%. The electrochemical behavior of electrodes was then re-optimized as a proportion of conductivity enhancers within the binder-free electrode decreased to zero. Further, the otherwise identical spray coating process was applied to manufacture LiFePO4 (LFP) positive electrodes, leading to all-additive-free full-cell LIB configurations with attractive energy density of ∼310 Wh/kg and power performance of ∼1500 W/kg.

Advances in electrolyzer design and development for electrochemical CO2 reduction

AbstractIn view of global energy transition and environmental issues, electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to high value‐added chemicals by using clean renewable electricity, as an advanced carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technology, demonstrates a promising approach to reach the carbon neutrality with additional economic benefits as well. Over the past decade, various new valid catalysts in electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECO2R) have been designed and intensively investigated. Unfortunately, constructing appropriate ECO2R electrolyzer with high conversion rate and long‐term stability to unleash the full potential benefits of electrocatalysts remains a recognized challenge, especially as it has not yet attracted attention. This review summarizes the progress of ECO2R reactor and their corresponding structure characteristics/ electrochemical performance. Besides, the current challenges and bottlenecks of CO2RR reactor are discussed. We aim to introduce the advances in ECO2R electrolyzer in detail to offer enlightenment for large‐scale industrial application of ECO2R.image

Carbon Nanodots Memristor: An Emerging Candidate toward Artificial Biosynapse and Human Sensory Perception System.

In the era of big data and artificial intelligence (AI), advanced data storage and processing technologies are in urgent demand. The innovative neuromorphic algorithm and hardware based on memristor devices hold a promise to break the von Neumann bottleneck. In recent years, carbon nanodots (CDs) have emerged as a new class of nano-carbon materials, which have attracted widespread attention in the applications of chemical sensors, bioimaging, and memristors. The focus of this review is to summarize the main advances of CDs-based memristors, and their state-of-the-art applications in artificial synapses, neuromorphic computing, and human sensory perception systems. The first step is to systematically introduce the synthetic methods of CDs and their derivatives, providing instructive guidance to prepare high-quality CDs with desired properties. Then, the structure-property relationship and resistive switching mechanism of CDs-based memristors are discussed in depth. The current challenges and prospects of memristor-based artificial synapses and neuromorphic computing are also presented. Moreover, this review outlines some promising application scenarios of CDs-based memristors, including neuromorphic sensors and vision, low-energy quantum computation, and human-machine collaboration.

Investigation of the Factors That Contribute to Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Losses in the Australian Fresh Food Supply Chain

Fruit and vegetables (FV) are the major source of bioactive compounds for human beings. FV supply chains are complex and sensitive due to various features, including the seasonality of products, variations in demand, and short shelf-lives. The amount of waste in FV supply chains is significant compared with other supply chains as 44% of fresh FV produced globally are wasted in the food chain. This large amount of waste has a significant impact on the economy, food security, available natural resources, and the environment. To reduce food losses in the fresh food supply chain (FFSC), the root causes of waste must be first identified. While a number of researchers have investigated food losses in Australia, most only consider a specific stage in the supply chain and multiple stages in the FFSC are often overlooked. Additionally, the impact of advanced storage technologies, packing, handling, and transport on food losses should be investigated. Furthermore, supply chain practices are changing in response to uncertainties, such as the pandemic and climate changes, which also need to be captured. This research aims to identify the key factors contributing to fresh fruit and vegetable losses through a comprehensive empirical study. Primary data were collected through a well-designed questionnaire-based survey targeting major stakeholders in the FFSC, including farmers, distributors, and retailers in Australia. The survey investigates current postharvest practices and the effects of these practices on food losses. The main factors influencing food losses were identified and the options to reduce these losses were outlined. The results showed that losses mostly occurred at the farm level, and picking practices and preharvest conditions largely contributed to FV losses. The results highlight the need for proper training and education for workers involved in harvesting and handling fresh produce.

Hydrolate and EO Application to Reduce Decay of Carica papaya during Storage

Postharvest fruit loss is caused by the absence of advanced handling and storage technologies and the quiescent presence of fungal pathogens. Therefore, there is a growing demand for sustainable decisions for the planet. This study focused on the use of two types of edible coatings: one was based on the essential oil of Origanum vulgare L. subsp. viridulum with Aloe arborescens Mill. gel (EC1), and the other was based on the hydrolate only (EC2). These treatments were applied to provide defense against fungal infections in papaya (Carica papaya L. cv Solo), and the storage time was 25 days (T5 ± 1 °C). Fruits coated with EC1 were more contaminated with fungal pathogens than both control (CTR) and EC2 fruit. EC2 showed a statistically lower decay index than CTR and EC1 and maintained its organoleptic characteristics better, showing a 15% loss of firmness after 25 days of storage. Furthermore, the lowest decay index (1.14 after 25 days) was found for the EC1 and CTR. These findings suggest that the use of hydrolate can be useful for extending the shelf life and maintaining the quality of papaya fruit, representing an alternative to the use of synthetic fungicides for food safety.

Exploring the adsorption behavior of molecular hydrogen on CHA-zeolite by comparing the performance of various force field methods.

Molecular hydrogen (H2) adsorption plays a crucial role in numerous applications, including hydrogen storage and purification processes. Understanding the interaction of H2 with porous materials is essential for designing efficient adsorption systems. In this study, we investigate H2 adsorption on CHA-zeolite using a combination of density functional theory (DFT) and force field-based molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Firstly, we employ DFT calculations to explore the energetic properties and adsorption sites of H2 on the CHA-zeolite framework. The electronic structure and binding energies of H2 in various adsorption configurations are analyzed, providing valuable insights into the nature of the adsorption process. Subsequently, force field methods are employed to perform extensive MD simulations, allowing us to study the dynamic behavior of H2 molecules adsorbed on the CHA-zeolite surface. The trajectory analysis provides information on the diffusion mechanisms and mobility of H2 within the porous structure, shedding light on the transport properties of the adsorbed gas. Furthermore, the combination of DFT and MD results enables us to validate and refine the force field parameters used in simulations, improving the accuracy of the model, and enhancing our understanding of the H2-CHA interactions. Our comprehensive investigation into molecular hydrogen adsorption on CHA-zeolite using density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations yields valuable insights into the fundamental aspects of the adsorption process. These findings contribute to the development of advanced hydrogen storage and separation technologies, paving the way for efficient and sustainable energy applications.