Continuous Formation Research Articles

Mark Z. Danilevsky's "House of Leaves": the Poetics of Simulacra

The object of research of this article is a novel by Mark Z. Danilevsky's "House of Leaves" in the context of Postmodernism. The subject of the study is the concept of a simulacrum, which appears in the novel "House of Leaves" as one of the funding components of the poetics of the work. The "House of Leaves" is considered from the position of postmodern sensitivity, in which Danilevsky deliberately blurs the boundaries between habitual space and hyperreality, real and unreal, fact and fiction. A similar effect is achieved through the simulacrum based on the novel – the short film "The Nevidson Film" – which was originally programmed by Danilevsky to expand into reality, to capture reality, that is, to limitless expansion of simulation through both material media (books) and the Internet. As a result of the proliferation of simulation within the work, the poetics of the novel text itself undergoes mutation, where genre mixing occurs, and mutually subordinate relations are established for the participants of author-reader communication due to the features of novel poetics. The text based on the simulacrum is absorbed by the simulation and eventually becomes a simulacrum due to the continuous formation and spread of the simulation. As a result, the language environment turns into a means of control, manipulation, subordination, both of the author and the recipient: the totality of simulation replaces reality and includes the perceiving consciousness in its own boundless becoming.

The Effect of Nb, Ta, and Ti on the Oxidation of a New Polycrystalline Ni-Based Superalloy

The effect of variations in Nb, Ta, and Ti concentrations in exchange for Al on the oxidation resistance of a new polycrystalline Ni-based superalloy (C19) was studied in air at 800 °C for up to 1000 h. An external scale of Ti-doped Cr2O3 and a sub-scale of discontinuous Al2O3 intrusions formed on the surface of all the studied alloys. Contrary to other reports, increasing the Nb concentration improved the oxidation performance and may have promoted the formation of a CrTaO4 layer, thereby reducing oxygen ingress. The addition of Ta also significantly improved oxidation resistance and reduced the depth of the Al2O3 intrusions. Increasing the Ti concentration did not significantly affect the oxidation performance, potentially due to the relatively low Ti concentrations investigated. Several of the studied alloys with modified Ta and Ti concentrations showed regions of continuous Al2O3 scale formation, suggesting that the compositions are in a transition regime between Cr2O3-forming and Al2O3-forming behaviour. The findings suggested that part of the Ti content in C19 could potentially be replaced with Nb, Ta and/or other elements to further enhance oxidation resistance and other desirable properties. Overall, the insights gained could serve as a guide to optimise the composition of C19 and similar alloys for enhanced oxidation resistance.

Properties of gelatin-polyethylene glycol hydrogel loaded with silver nanoparticle Chlorella and its effects on healing of infected full-thickness skin defect wounds in mice

Properties of gelatin-polyethylene glycol hydrogel loaded with silver nanoparticle Chlorella and its effects on healing of infected full-thickness skin defect wounds in mice

Casein micelle formation as a calcium phosphate phase separation process: Preparation of artificial casein micelles through vacuum evaporation and membrane processes

Industrial-scale production of artificial casein micelles (ACM) is required to produce dairy alternatives from recombinant casein. However, the currently common micelle preparation method of dropwise mixing casein and salt solutions is inefficient and may prove difficult to scale up. Here, we view casein micelle formation as a process driven by calcium phosphate phase separation in the presence of casein. On this basis, we developed novel routes to prepare ACM through vacuum evaporation, forward osmosis, or reverse osmosis. ACM prepared through these methods have similar properties and improved coagulation behaviour compared to those prepared through the currently common method and natural bovine casein micelles. The properties and functionality of the micelles depend on the preparation time and surface area available for micelle formation, with longer times and larger surfaces (i.e. lower fluxes) yielding smaller ACM that form firmer curds. These novel processes enable fast, efficient, and continuous production of ACM for application in future dairy alternatives. Industrial relevanceArtificial casein micelles can be used as a building block in the production of animal-free milk and cheese based on precision fermentation. The herein described novel processes to prepare artificial casein micelles are based on vacuum evaporation, forward osmosis, and reverse osmosis, which are mild, resource-efficient, and easily scalable processes. The processes require a dilute feed stream (e.g. caseins after precision fermentation), provide an elegant way to minimise local differences in the concentration of caseins and ions during micelle production, and offer the opportunity to design continuous micelle formation processes. These are all advantages over the existing methods to prepare artificial casein micelles with regard to industrial application.

Compressive reactive molecular dynamics on mechanical and structural behaviors of geopolymers: Imposing lateral constraints and varied temperatures

Geopolymer concrete offers superior mechanical properties and microstructure, yet micro-level compressive properties and structural evolutions remain insufficiently understood. This study employed molecular dynamics to simulate the uniaxial compressions of the sodium aluminosilicate hydrate (N-A-S-H) under UCZ, BCZ, and TCZ (z-axial compressions with zero, one, and two dimensions restrictions, respectively) conditions at 263 K, 300 K, and 800 K. The results provided valuable insights linking mechanical behavior with structural properties. Stress fluctuations in the yield stage were attributed to the continuous formation and fracture of Al-O-H bonds during micro-molecule processes. In the later compression stages, the rapid increase in Si-O-H groups suggested that water molecules equally attacked Al and Si tetrahedra due to limited voids. Under UCZ and BCZ conditions, slight bond contraction occurred, with the main structural resistance arising from bond angle bending within the skeleton. In contrast, TCZ experienced notable changes in both bond lengths and bond angles due to bilateral displacement constraints. The evolutionary molecular processes exhibited insensitive response to the temperature, especially under TCZ conditions. Additionally, varying trends were observed in different bond-angle styles (e.g., within or inside tetrahedra), providing a crucial insight for the design of N-A-S-H to determine optimal components.

Study on air-side performance of air-cooled heat exchangers under large air velocity and wet conditions

Humidity condensation and carryover from air-cooled heat exchanger affects human comfort and equipment security in the working environment. Surface treatment with a hydrophilic coating is an effective water drainage and carryover resistance solution. In present study, the condensation carryover and air-side performances of a fin-and-tube heat exchanger (FTHX) and microchannel heat exchanger (MCHX) with different fin pitches and surface treatments were experimentally investigated under large air velocities and different inlet humidity conditions. Hydrophilic treatment of FTHX improved heat transfer and condensation drainage, and reduced air pressure loss. In contrast, with MCHX, hydrophilic treatment did not improve heat transfer and rather increased the air pressure loss. For FTHX, the results showed that, compared with the bare fin, the hydrophilic surface treated fin enhanced the Colburn j factor by 20–60 and 10–40% at inlet air dry/wet bulb temperature of 26.7/19.4 °C (normal humidity condition) and 26.7/23.9 °C (high humidity condition), respectively. The air friction factor f was reduced by namely by 10–40 and 20–40% under normal- and high-humidity conditions, respectively. Condensing water flowed or retained over the fin surface in film, which suppressed the formation of a water bridge among fins, improved water carry-over, and increased the critical air velocity by 50%. However, water film formation over the MCHX enlarged the water stagnant around the fin corner, which increased the air resistance by 5–10%, and increased the probability of the continuous water bridge formation and carryover.

A Comparison of Star-formation Histories Derived from UniverseMachine and LEGA-C at 0.6 < z < 1

In this work, we compare star formation histories of massive (10.5 <log(M*/M⊙)< 12) galaxies in the UniverseMachine model to those measured from the Large Early Galaxy Astrophysics Census (LEGA-C) at 0.6 < z < 1. Following the LEGA-C study, we investigate how 50% (t 50) and 90% (t 90) formation timescales depend on total stellar mass. We find good agreement between the observed and model timescales for the star-forming population Δ t SF ≲ 1 Gyr across the full mass range. In contrast, the observed age-mass correlation is weaker for the quiescent population compared to UniverseMachine models (Δt Q ≲ 2 Gyr), especially at the high-mass end. This indicates continued star formation or additional processes in the most massive quiescent galaxies, a behavior not accounted for in the UniverseMachine model.

OxyR-regulated T6SS functions in coordination with siderophore to resist oxidative stress.

The formation of reactive oxygen species is harmful and can destroy intracellular macromolecules such as lipids, proteins, and DNA, even leading to bacterial death. To cope with this situation, microbes have evolved a variety of sophisticated mechanisms, including antioxidant enzymes, siderophores, and the type VI secretion system (T6SS). However, the mechanism of oxidative stress resistance in Cupriavidus pinatubonensis is unclear. In this study, we identified Reut_A2805 as an OxyR ortholog in C. pinatubonensis, which positively regulated the expression of T6SS1 by directly binding to its operon promoter region. The study revealed that OxyR-regulated T6SS1 combats oxidative stress by importing iron into bacterial cells. Moreover, the T6SS1-mediated outer membrane vesicles-dependent iron acquisition pathway played a crucial role in the oxidative stress resistance process. Finally, our study demonstrated that the T6SS1 and siderophore systems in C. pinatubonensis exhibit different responses in combating oxidative stress under low-iron conditions, providing a comprehensive understanding of how bacterial iron acquisition systems function in diverse conditions.IMPORTANCEThe ability to eliminate reactive oxygen species is crucial for bacterial survival. Continuous formation of hydroperoxides can damage metalloenzymes, disrupt DNA integrity, and even result in cell death. While various mechanisms have been identified in other bacterial species to combat oxidative stress, the specific mechanism of oxidative stress resistance in C. pinatubonensis remains unclear. The importance of this study is that we elucidate the mechanism that OxyR-regulated T6SS1 combats oxidative stress by importing iron with the help of bacterial outer membrane vesicle. Moreover, the study highlights the contrasting responses of T6SS1- and siderophore-mediated iron acquisition systems to oxidative stress. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of bacterial iron acquisition and its role in oxidative stress resistance in C. pinatubonensis under low-iron conditions.

Study on formation of methane hydrate in rotating packed bed

Offshore oilfield development process often carries a large amount of associated gas, most of it needs to be emptied or burned, resulting in a large amount of waste and environmental pollution. Hydrate storage and transportation technology has the advantages of simple process treatment, good offshore adaptability, good safety and relatively low investment. It is one of the important recovery technologies for associated gas in offshore oil fields. However, the long induction period of hydrate formation, the difficulty of gas dissolution, and the difficulty of continuous formation hinder the improvement of hydrate formation rate and gas storage density, and hinder the development of hydrate storage and transportation technology. High-gravity technology may be one of the development directions of new hydrate rapid formation reactors due to its small size and high mass transfer capacity. In this paper, a small-scale RPB was designed independently, and the effects of high-gravity factor, initial pressure, and packing type on hydrate formation were assessed by calculating the gas consumption, gas consumption rate, gas storage density, and gas conversion rate of hydrate formation under each experimental condition. The results show that in the range of high-gravity factor and pressure tested in the experiment, the increase of high-gravity factor and pressure can significantly accelerate the hydrate formation rate, which can be increased by up to 177 %, and the maximum gas storage density can reach 148.88 V/V. The type of packing has a strong influence on the rate of hydrate formation, and the principle of packing selection changes when dealing with solid-containing systems, and the rate of hydrate formation can be increased by 20 % with the proper selection of packing type. This study can provide a basis for subsequent high-gravity hydrate experiments and industrial applications.

“Mucus fishing syndrome”: Presentation of this rare clinical entity along with its therapeutic options

Aims/Purpose: The “Mucus fishing syndrome” (MFS) is a rare chronic inflammatory condition involving the ocular surface characterized by the continuous formation, of mucus filaments. The clinical presentation is variable and various underlying ocular surface pathologies including dry eye, blepharitis and allergic conjunctivitis can be associated. Chronic irritation, conjunctival hyperaemia and mucus production are present. On physical examination, patients may present an iatrogenic damage of the conjunctival epithelium due to the mechanical removal of mucus and a vicious circle is usually established which causes further conjunctival irritation and more conspicuous mucous secretion. The treatment involves the elimination of abnormal mucus production and the education of the patient to avoid contact with the ocular surface during the manoeuvres. We present a case of MFS in a young woman affected by meibomian gland dysfunction.Methods: The diagnosis was reached due to the presence of persistent mucous discharge and the characteristic rose bengal staining pattern. Initial supportive treatment (Tear substitutes and continuous irrigation of the ocular surface) prescribed elsewhere did not provide clear clinical benefits. Therefore, upon presentation a new approach was pursued adding to the ongoing treatment hydrocortisone eye drop 3 times a day, and a mucolytic agent (5% acetylcysteine eye drop) 4 times a day, together with accurate eyelid hygiene (morning and evening). Patient was also informed to avoid mechanical removal of the mucous.Results: One month after therapy the presence of mucus was reduced and the symptoms improved.Conclusions: Mucus fishing syndrome is a rare but challenging condition affecting the ocular surface. The objective of the therapy should address the pharmacological lysis of the mucous produced along with the instruction of patient not to compulsively remove the filaments in order to avoid further stress and accelerate healing.

Analysis of Polyurethane Foam Machining Parameter Influence: Current Status and Perspective

Nowadays, polyurethane (PU) foam has successfully replaced various engineering materials in many applications due to its many advantages in mechanical and thermal properties. In various applications, PU foam must be formed into various 3-dimensional models according to user requirements by utilizing CAM software and CNC milling machining to manufacture a product. Thus, the selection of cutting parameters in the milling machining process in terms of the nature and character of the material and cutting tools is essential and significantly influences the geometric structure and surface roughness of the PU foam products produced. Based on the review of this article, several machining parameters must be appropriately considered, including spindle rotation speed, depth of cut, cutting tool selection, and feed rate. Vibration will increase as the spindle rotation speed increases, which brings cutting tools but results in better surface quality. Continuous chip formation can be achieved by selecting the proper cut depth and producing low surface roughness values. Selecting suitable cutting tools and geometries that match the material characteristics can reduce the risk of material damage during the machining process, thereby reducing the surface roughness value. Finally, a low cutting rate will minimize surface roughness but increase the risk of cutting-edge wear.

Unlocking the Potential of Li–Ag Alloys: Phase Selection and Practical Application

Dendrite formation, contact loss, and continuous formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) preclude the practical use of the energy-dense lithium (Li) metal. Li–Ag alloys have the potential to address these issues due to their exceptional lithiophilicity, outstanding mechanical stability, and moderate chemical stability. This study evaluates all phases in the Li–Ag phase diagram based on lithiation capacity, Li insertion, mechanical property, and chemical stability. Our findings suggest that Li 4 Ag is the most promising phase, and the Gibbs free energy of nucleation (∆ G nucle ) for Li–Ag alloys is 3 to 5 orders of magnitude smaller compared to pure Li, resulting in uniform nucleation and deposition behavior. We proposed practical applications within the Li 4 Ag phases or from the Li 9 Ag 4 to the Li 4 Ag phases, which may provide a usable capacity of 409 to 696 mAh/g, respectively. Experiments indicate that Li 4 Ag exhibits not only the smallest impedance but also the highest capacity retention compared to Li 9 Ag 4 and pure Li. The study provides valuable guidance for the selection and application of Li-containing alloys in future battery development.

Effect of pre-oxidation and sea salt on the hot corrosion behavior of MCrAlY coatings and Al[sbnd]Si coatings

This paper investigated the hot corrosion behavior of two types of coatings, namely NiCoCrAlYHfSi and AlSi coatings, used in gas turbines operating in a moderate-temperature sea salt environment. Prior to the corrosion experiment, pre-oxidation treatment was employed to generate a continuous α-Al2O3 thin layer on the surface of the coatings, leading to a significant reduction in coating roughness. The results demonstrated distinct failure behaviors of the two coatings in the presence of sea salt, providing insights into the mechanism of hot corrosion. The NiCoCrAlYHfSi coating effectively resisted corrosion through a mixed oxide layer consisting of Al2O3 and Cr2O3, while the AlSi coating utilized the continuous formation of Al2O3 to combat corrosion. In comparison to the NiCoCrAlYHfSi coating, the AlSi coating exhibited superior resistance to sea salt erosion. In addition, pre-oxidation is able to effectively reduce the erosion of the coating by sea salt, thereby extending the lifespan of the NiCoCrAlYHfSi coating and the AlSi coating by 40 % and 30 % respectively.

FLUID FLOW CONTROL IN POROUS MEDIA WITH CONSIDERATION OF ELECTROKINETIC EFFECTS

The paper presents results of the research on the influence of electrokinetic characteristics of fluids on its flow in porous media. Experimental studies have shown the effect of fluid slippage in the channels of porous media due to the electrically charged boundary "liquid-porous medium". It is shown that the change of flow velocity profile and pressure gradient is caused by the display of electrokinetic effects in the filtration of polar liquids.The investigation has shown that the process of the electrolyte solutions filtration in a porous medium is accompanied by the change in the liquid flow rate and the electro-potential of the flow. The periodic nature of changes in flow characteristics is explained by continuous charge formation and charge interaction in the diffuse layer. Periodic charge accumulation and subsequent charge transfer across the channel cross section depending on the charge sign acquired, as well as compression of the diffuse layer with increasing NaCl electrolyte concentration in aqueous solution may be the cause of fluid flow variations. The observed effects may serve as a tool for controlling fluid flow in water-oil-saturated formations and, in particular, injectivity of injection wells by controlling electrical conductivity of water injected into the formation.

Effect of Water As an Electrolyte Additive for Lithium Plating

Li metal anode is generally referred to as the “holy grail” of battery technology as it can deliver the highest possible energy density, which double the capacity of state of art graphite based cells1. At the heart of this advanced technology is the process of continuous plating and stripping of lithium during the cycling of the battery. Owing to the highly reactive nature of Li, this is a complicated process with several challenges2 during both plating (for e.g., dendrite formation and growth, dead lithium, continuous interface/interphase change, short circuit etc.) and stripping (void formation, pitting, broken interface/interphase layers etc.). The electrode architecture, choice of electrolyte, solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, operating conditions etc. are key factors that determine overall stability of Li metal anodes. These issues get magnified when using liquid electrolytes, where continuous SEI formation leads to dead Lithium (electrically insulating) accumulation.In general, most solvents and salts employed for Li ion cells contain some amount of water as impurity even after maintaining strict conditions to keep them anhydrous. The presence of trace amount of water in combination with fluorine from either salt (LiPF6. LiTFSI, LiFSI) or solvent additives FEC can then lead to in-situ formation of HF, which has detrimental effects on Li plating. However, recently many groups have shown the beneficial effect of small amount of water as additives for Li metal anodes3,4. However, the exact mechanism of functioning of H2O as an additive is not very clear. This is partly because the formation of SEI is quite complex, especially when film forming type solvents/additives are present in the electrolyte addition to trace amounts of water.It is thus important to investigate the nucleation and growth of Li during the initial stages of plating and understand how the presence of H2O in the electrolyte affects the morphology andthe chemical nature of the deposited Li metal films. In this direction, we choose tetraglyme (4G), which is a relatively non-labile solvent towards Li plating conditions (reduction potential ~ 1.49 vs Li+/Li), as the solvent to avoid any contribution from the solvent itself on SEI formation. We then systematically study the effect of H2O on Li plating; both stand alone and in presence of various film forming additives. We show that water can indeed drastically affect the morphology and electrochemical properties of the deposited Li. Acknowledgement: This work is part of FUGELS (Functionally Graded Electrodes for Long-Life Lithium-Sulfur Batteries) project, which is a cconsortium of researchers from University of Hasselt, University of Gent, University of Antwerp, VITO, IMEC and IMOMEC.

(Invited) Multifunctional Binders for High-Performance Rechargeable Batteries

Secondary battery plays a significant role in our daily life as well as in modern smart grids, which typically consists of an electrolyte and two electrodes determining the key parameters of the battery. Despite a small dose that usually less than 10%, the binder is a crucial component to keep the electrode integrity and ensure the high electrochemical performance. What`s more, the modification of binder could be conducted to alleviate or even eliminate the side effects raised by failure behaviors of the electrode active materials. However, the state-of-the-art binder optimization strategies still fall behind the rapid development of the novel electrode materials.To improve the energy density of secondary batteries, high-capacity electrode materials have been explored, including silicon, sulfur, layered oxides, etc. However, their practical applications are hindered by various failure behaviors. Take Si as an example, though the Si-based anodes exhibit high capacity up to 4200 mA g-1, they undergo huge volumetric expansion (≈400%) during the electrochemical reactions, resulting in the cracking of active material particles, electrode exfoliation, continuous electrolyte consumption and progressive SEI formation. As a consequence, the capacity of Si-based electrode decreases dramatically along with cycling. The conventional binders that have been widely used in the rechargeable battery systems are typically linear polymers, which are unable to endure the high volume change and address other challenges raised by electrode materials such as low conductivity, unstable bulk structure and interface, etc. To increase the mechanical strength and the electrochemical stability of electrodes, the design of multi-functional binders is considered to be an effective strategy to meet various requirements of advanced binders for high-performance batteries simultaneously.In this work, the synthesis and characterization of multifunctional binders for high-capacity electrode materials are demonstrated. By the introduction of intermolecular forces and chemical bonds, 3D networks are constructed and the ability for volume change accommodation are enhanced as well as the binding force. Moreover, the dynamic crossed links also endow the binders with self-healing ability, which could help to remedy the cracking issues in the advanced electrode materials. Due to the merits of the as-synthesized binders, the electrochemcial performance of the high-capacity electrode is significantly improved, demonstrating a promising strategy for next-generation energy storage systems.

Dilatometric Investigation of Si-Rich Contacting Anode Under External Pressure

Silicon with high abundance and high gravimetric capacity around 3579 mAh.g-1 at Li15Si4 fully lithiated state [1] is one of the attractive anode materials in lithium-ion batteries. Volume expansion of around 300% in the fully intercalated state is the Achilles’ heel of silicon, causing particle pulverisation, continuous formation of solid electrolyte interface (SEI), loss of electrical contact and capacity loss.[2] The use of silicon composite instead of pure silicon, [1,3] limited de/lithiation,[4] and boosting the electrical connection between particles by applying optimal external pressure[5] are practical solutions to mitigate these disadvantages. This study investigates the electrochemical performance and the dilatometric behaviour of a multilayer pouch cells (0.06 to 1.5 Ah) under the external mechanical pressure. Using 1/3 of the Si capacity in order to stabilise the electrochemical performance of a high silicon content anode (70 wt% Si). An irreversible electrode expansion of about 20% after 3 cycles of formation at 0.1C and a 75% electrode thickening after 200 cycles at 0.5C were observed.

Factors Improving Lithium Sulfur Battery Performance with Mesoporous Carbon-Sulfur Cathode by Mixing Vinylene Carbonate Electrolyte with Fluoroethylene Carbonate

1. IntroductionLithium-ion batteries (LIB) are used in a variety of applications, including portable devices such as smartphones. More recently, the development of rechargeable batteries is expected for applications such as next-generation electric mobility, requiring energy storage devices with higher energy density than conventional LIB, and lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are attracting attention among these applications. To realize Li-S batteries with high energy density and safety, we have focused on mesoporous carbon-sulfur cathodes and carbonate-based electrolytes. In previous studies, we have reported that Li-S batteries using vinylene carbonate (VC) and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) as electrolyte solvents exhibit superior rate characteristics than using only VC solvent 1). This study investigates the factors that contribute to the improved performance when using a FEC-VC mixed electrolyte.2. Experimental method(1) We assembled the cells using 1.0 M lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide / VC (Only VC electrolyte) or 1.0 M lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide / FEC: VC (FEC-VC electrolyte). The cell was pre-cycled at 0.1C in the voltage range of 1 - 3 V, and then discharged at 10 C or 0.1 C and charged at 0.1 C for three cycles. After discharging and charging, each cell and electrode were evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) or XPS. (2) Radical polymerization of VC with 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) was made by mixing VC and AIBN (VC radical polymer). Anionic polymerization of VC with lithium ethoxide (LiOEt) was also obtained by mixing VC and LiOEt (VC anionic polymer). These polymers were analyzed using XPS and MALDI-TOFMS. (3) The cathode materials after discharging and charging were stripped from the current collector. The powder was analyzed by APCI-TOFMS. (4) The cathode after 10 cycles was analyzed by STEM-EELS.3. Results and discussionWe conducted EIS on Li-S batteries charged and discharged with Only VC electrolyte or FEC-VC electrolyte at 10 C or 0.1 C, respectively. As a result, in the case of Only VC electrolyte, the interfacial resistance increased significantly after charge-discharge at 10 C when compared to that after charge-discharge at 0.1 C. On the other hand, when using FEC-VC electrolyte, the increase in interfacial resistance was suppressed. In addition, XPS investigation of the electrodes after discharging and charging showed that the SEI film thickness increased significantly after discharging and charging at 10 C when using Only VC electrolyte, whereas the increase in SEI film thickness was suppressed when using FEC-VC electrolyte. These suggest that when using FEC-VC electrolyte, a good SEI that suppresses electrolyte decomposition more is formed, and thin and low-resistance SEI is maintained even after rapid discharge, thereby improving rate performance. In addition, the XPS C1s spectra observed on the electrode film showed similar profiles to those of the VC radical polymer when using Only VC electrolyte, and to those of the VC anionic polymer when using FEC-VC electrolyte. Therefore, these polymers were used as models for the assumed SEI organic components when using respective electrolytes and were investigated by MALDI-TOFMS. As a result, the molecular weight of the monomer unit of the polymer was 250 for the VC radical polymer, while it was 60 for the VC anionic polymer. The results of the APCI-TOFMS investigation on the cathode materials after discharging and charging showed that the components with higher molecular weight decreased as using the electrolyte solvent with a higher mixing ratio of FEC to VC. Therefore, we considered that the mixing of FEC makes the SEI organic components less bulky and denser, which suppresses the continuous formation of SEI kinetically and reduces the interfacial resistance. We conducted further investigation about SEI that could suppress electrolyte degradation more when using FEC-VC electrolyte. STEM-EELS investigation of the cathode after 10 cycles of charge-discharge showed that the SEI layer is divided into two layers when using FEC-VC electrolyte, and the SEI inner layer is mainly composed of S, F and Li. The XPS results also revealed the presence of LiF and Li2Sx (x=2-8) inside the SEI. Therefore, it is suggested that when using FEC-VC electrolyte, the formation of a layer that mainly composed of LiF and Li2Sx (x=2-8) inside the SEI acts as a barrier between the electrode and the electrolyte, which can suppress excessive decomposition of the electrolyte.AcknowledgementsThis research was partly performed as a subcontract (JPNP15005) from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) (contractor: GS Yuasa Corporation; subcontractor: Kansai University).Reference1) K. Kishida et al., The 60th Battery Symposium in Japan, The Committee of Battery Technology, The Electrochemical Society of Japan, p. 2D04 (2019).

Ageing and Post-Mortem Study of LNMO-Based Lithium Ion Battery Pouch Cells

Lithium ion batteries are nowadays widely employed in a variety of applications from consumer electronics to electric vehicles. Due to the rising demand for batteries, more affordable and sustainable batteries are needed that exhibit at the same time high energy densities, high power capabilities, long cycle life, and increased safety. One concept to meet these requirements is to develop cobalt-free cathode materials of which the high-voltage spinel LNMO (LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4) is a promising material due to its high energy density and high operating voltage of 4.7 V. However, the high operating voltage has also its drawbacks. Commonly used carbonate-based electrolytes oxidize at high voltages, leading to the continuous formation of a cathode-electrolyte interface (CEI). Additionally, LNMO is prone to transition metal dissolution which not only leads to a reduced stability of the cathode active material but due to migration and deposition of the transition metals on the anode surface also to an altered solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formation and significant impedance rise of the anode.1 Both ageing mechanisms provoke increased lithium loss and high resistances and thus a poor cycling performance.2, 3 In the Horizon 2020 LC-BAT5 project HYDRA, LNMO-based prototype pouch cells are developed and built. Herein, we want to present the results from the comprehensive analysis of their performance and cycling behavior. The influence of upper cut-off voltage, charge and discharge current rate as well as temperature on the degradation are thoroughly investigated by electrochemical methods such as differential voltage analysis and impedance spectroscopy. After cycling, selected cells are opened under argon atmosphere followed by electrochemical characterization as well as physical analysis such as SEM-EDX and XPS in order to get further insights into the underlying ageing mechanisms. We thereby reveal the main degradation mechanisms as a function of the cycling conditions and derive solutions on how to increase the cycle life.1. C. Zhan, T. Wu, J. Lu and K. Amine, Energy Environ. Sci.,11 (2), 243-257 (2018).2. J. Ma, P. Hu, G. Cui and L. Chen, Chem. Mater.,28 (11), 3578-3606 (2016).3. W. Li, Y.-G. Cho, W. Yao, Y. Li, A. Cronk, R. Shimizu, M. A. Schroeder, Y. Fu, F. Zou, V. Battaglia, A. Manthiram, M. Zhang and Y. S. Meng, J. Power Sources,473, (2020).Pseudo-OCV (a) and differential voltage analysis curves (b) of LNMO-graphite pouch cell cycled with 0.3C CCCV charge and 0.1C discharge at 25°C Figure 1

“Zapatista” as a Case of Impossible Identification: Subjectification in Rancière and the EZLN

The Zapatista movement that went public on January 1st, 1994, as a national liberation army occupying several towns in Chiapas, Mexico had long-lasting effects. Apart from inspiring other movements all over the world, the Zapatista movement introduced an alternative to the objective of taking political power through electoral victory or armed struggle. The alternative politics in question was based on equality that entailed a subjectification process. In this way, what allowed for the emergence of the alternative was, in Rancière's terms, politics as subject formation against the police order that attributes the proper places of the parts of society as well as defining the parts themselves. While there is a constant risk of cooptation of the moment of politics by the police order, the continuous subject formation through impossible identification in the Zapatista movement could make the movement the movement of all the excluded by reflecting the struggles of the other excluded groups into the movement and reflecting the movement into those other struggles. Key Words: Zapatista Movement, Jacques Rancière, Politics, Subjectification, Impossible Identification JEL Classification: H77, P32