Capacity Cost Research Articles

Ion‐Exchange Synthesis of Low‐Water Prussian Blue Analogs for Enhanced Sodium Storage

ABSTRACTIron hexacyanoferrate (FeHCF) is a promising cathode material for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity and low cost. Nevertheless, water in FeHCF is likely to take up Na+ sites leading to the reductions in capacity and rate capability. Herein, an ion‐exchange method is proposed to synthesize low‐water potassium‐sodium mixed iron hexacyanoferrate (KNaFeHCF). The ion‐exchange method can preserve the lattice structure with low vacancies and K+ with larger ionic radii can reduce the water content in FeHCF and improve Na+ reaction kinetics. Compared with the NaFeHCF synthesized by co‐precipitation method, the water content of optimal sample KNaFeHCF‐12 h can be decreased by 21.2%. The sample exhibits excellent electrochemical performance, with a discharge capacity of 130.33 at 0.1 and 99.49 mAh g−1 at 30 C. With a full‐cell configuration with a hard carbon anode, the discharge capacity reaches 115.3 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C. This study demonstrates a viable method for producing Prussian blue cathode materials with low water content, high specific capacity, and exceptional cycling stability. image

Strategic expansion of freight transportation hub networks under demand Uncertainty

We focus on freight transportation carriers that transport shipments that are small relative to vehicle capacity and incur transportation costs that exhibit economies of scale. For such carriers, profitability is driven by shipment consolidation, which is achieved by routing shipments through a network of hubs. We consider a carrier that seeks to expand its network into new regions by merging with carriers that already operate in those regions. We focus on how, and by how much, the network that results from such a merger should be redesigned to maximize profitability. We perform a case study based on operations from a multi-regional United States Less-than-truckload freight transportation carrier to derive insights into the profitability of different redesign strategies. We derive insights into how a network that results from a merger should be redesigned. We also study how uncertainty in shipment sizes impacts the structure of the redesigned networks.

AI-Powered Predictive Analytics for Dynamic Cloud Resource Optimization: A Technical Implementation Framework

This article explores the transformative impact of AI-driven predictive analytics on cloud resource optimization, presenting a comprehensive technical implementation framework. The article shows how artificial intelligence and machine learning architectures revolutionize traditional cloud management approaches through advanced predictive capabilities and dynamic resource allocation. It examines the evolution from static threshold-based systems to sophisticated AI-driven solutions, analyzing their implementation strategies across various organizational contexts. The article delves into multiple optimization domains, including capacity provisioning, cost management, performance enhancement, and energy efficiency, while presenting real-world applications and impact analyses across different industries. Through extensive case studies and empirical evidence, the article demonstrates how organizations leverage AI-powered solutions to address complex cloud resource management challenges, achieve operational efficiencies, and maintain competitive advantages in the digital marketplace. The article also explores future developments and provides strategic recommendations for organizations implementing cloud optimization frameworks, emphasizing the importance of standardized approaches, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable practices in cloud resource management.

High Entropy Fine-Tuning Achieves Fast Li+ Kinetics in High-Performance Co-Free High-Ni Layered Cathodes.

Co-free high-Ni layered cathode materials LiNixMeyO2 (Me = Mn, Mg, Al, etc.) are a key part of the next-generation high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high specific capacity and low cost. However, the hindered Li+ kinetics and the high reactivity of Ni4+ result in poor rate performance and unsatisfied cycling stability. This work designs a promising strategy for designing a high-performance high-entropy doping Co-free high-Ni layered cathode LiNi0.9Mn0.03Mg0.02Ta0.02Mo0.02Na0.01O2 (HE-Ni90-1.557) by elemental screening and compositional fine-tuning. Compositional fine-tuning optimizes the synergistic relationship between the high-entropy dopant elements, thereby significantly suppresses the kinetic hysteresis induced by Li+/Ni2+ mixing. The pillar effect significantly enhances the diffusion kinetics of Li+ at the high state of charge (SOC). Meanwhile, the high-entropy fine-tuning significantly postpones the H2-H3 phase transition and reduces the dissolution of transition metals and the loss of lattice oxygen in the cathodes. Consequently, the diffusion kinetics of Li+ at the atomic and electrode particle scales are significantly enhanced. The HE-Ni90-1.557 cathode exhibits an initial capacity of 225.1 mAh g-1 at 0.2 C and a full cell with a high capacity retention of 83.1% after 1500 cycles at 3C. This work provides a promising avenue for commercializing Co-free high-Ni cathodes for next-generation LIBs.

Ab Initio Studies of the Discharge Mechanism of CuO Cathodes Modified with Bi2O3 in Rechargeable Alkaline Zn/CuO Batteries

Abstract Rechargeable alkaline Zn/CuO batteries are a promising candidate for energy storage applications due to their high capacity and low cost. Recent studies have shown that the addition of Bi2O3 and the implementation of carbon coating on CuO cathodes enhances the performance and improves the cyclability of Zn/CuO batteries. However, the mechanism of influence of Bi2O3 on the electrochemical performance of CuO cathodes in rechargeable Zn/CuO batteries is not fully understood. We apply density functional computational methods to investigate the electrochemical discharge of CuO cathodes modified with a Bi2O3 additive. Our calculations suggests that the improved performance of Zn/CuO-Bi2O3 cells could be partially attributed to the formation of stable mixed Cu-Bi oxides, such as CuBi2O4, which suppress the accumulation of highly resistive Cu2O in the battery cathode. The results of our study are consistent with the experimental observations that confirm the presence of CuBi2O4 in CuO cathodes modified with Bi2O3.

Cost-effective dynamic sampling in high dimensional online monitoring with advantage actor-critic

Industry 5.0 puts a spotlight on the team effort between people and machines, making the fast-paced development of IoT technology and sensor systems crucial. However, limitations such as the high cost of data acquisition, constrained bandwidth, and computational capacity can often hinder the real-time processing needed for human machine collaboration. To address this issue, we propose an integrated framework using Advantage Actor-Critic (A2C) and statistical process control (SPC) for economically monitoring high-dimensional data streams online. Our method leverages deep reinforcement learning with SPC charts to quickly identify system issues by smartly watching a few essential data streams. This approach not only saves resources but also boosts both the sustainability and efficiency of monitoring systems. Specifically, we construct a nonparametric monitoring statistic for each stream and develop a reinforcement learning framework to automatically identify the most informative and minimal number of data streams for observation at each time epoch. Our strategy is proven effective through simulations and a practical example in smart manufacturing, showcasing its superiority in reducing detection delay and minimising resources use compared to state-of-the-art algorithms.

Innovations in Evaluating Ambulatory Costs of Cystic Fibrosis Care: A Comparative Study Across Multidisciplinary Care Centers in Ireland and the United States

Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects more than 160,000 individuals globally and has seen improved survival rates due to multidisciplinary care models and pharmacotherapy innovations. However, the associated costs remain substantial, prompting the authors to study and evaluate the expense of CF ambulatory care to understand how care structure influences costs. People with CF (PwCF) at large pediatric CF centers in both the United States and Ireland were recruited for parallel observational, prospective studies. Based upon the process of care, the lead clinicians at both sites identified and agreed on three strata of patients (0–11 months, 1–5 years, and 6–17 years of age). Process maps were developed for each of the age cohorts at each site, and the costs of ambulatory care — with emphasis on routine CF clinic visits — were measured utilizing time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC). A dollar-per-minute capacity cost rate (CCR) was calculated for all resources used in the care cycle. The total direct cost was obtained by multiplying the CCR for each resource by the time the resource was used during the patient’s care cycle. The cost was summed across all resource types to obtain the cost over the entire care cycle for each site. Service operations were benchmarked to one site and variance analysis was performed. In total, 58 PwCF were included in the analysis (49 in the United States and 9 in Ireland); 4 were 0–11 months, 17 were 1–5 years, and 37 were 6–17 years of age. Physicians (United States) and respiratory consultants (Ireland) had the highest CCRs. Physicians and registered dietitians spent the most time with patients in the United States, compared with the clinical nurse specialists and dietitians in Ireland. The total variance in cost for clinical visits was largest in the 6- to 17-year-old group (28% variance, with 100% in the United States vs. 128% in Ireland). In the 6- to 17-year-old group, the largest drivers in total variance were quantity variance (variance in duration of time spent with patients), which was 108% greater in Ireland); the skill mix variance (variance in clinician type performing service for a given time), which was 49% greater in the United States; and the rate variance (variance in compensation levels across sites), which was 31% greater in the United States. The authors’ use of TDABC to characterize the cost of multidisciplinary care during ambulatory clinic visits for PwCF, in combination with variance analysis (the quantitative investigation of the difference between actual and expected costs), provides new and innovative ways to compare costs across similar health care service delivery sites, providing insights into the distinctive features of each. A granular understanding of cost and comparison of resource utilization between centers provides valuable, organizationally relevant insights.

Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing Analysis of Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve Assessment with Regadenoson Stress Echocardiography

Objective: Accurate measurement of healthcare costs is required to assess and improve the value of Regadenoson stress echocardiography (RSE). The purpose of this study was to determine the costs associated with Regadenoson stress echocardiography. Methods: Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) was used to calculate the non-directly traceable cost of RSE. Data were collected between January 2021 and December 2023. TDABC steps involved (1) constructing process maps for the RSE pathway; (2) determining capacity cost rates for staff, medical equipment, space, water and electricity; (3) measuring the time required for each process through direct observation and participation and (4) calculating the total non-directly traceable cost of RSE. Finally, the total costs of RSE were obtained by summing up the direct retroactive cost and non-directly traceable cost. Results: Total costs of RSE were 1306.18 Chinese Yuan ($181.60), of which Regadenoson, human resources and equipment accounted for 61.09%, 19.96% and 13.17%, respectively. Conclusion: Regadenoson expense was the greatest contributor to the costs of RSE, followed by labor cost. Understanding the actual costs and cost drivers of RSE may better inform resource utilization to lower the cost and improve the quality of RSE.

Structural Design and Challenges of Micron-Scale Silicon-Based Lithium-ion Batteries.

Currently, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are at the forefront of energy storage technologies. Silicon-based anodes, with their high capacity and low cost, present a promising alternative to traditional graphite anodes in LIBs, offering the potential for substantial improvements in energy density. However, the significant volumetric changes that silicon-based anodes undergo during charge and discharge cycles can lead to structural degradation. Furthermore, the formation of excessive solid-electrolyte interphases (SEIs) during cycling impedes the efficient migration of ions and electrons. This comprehensive review focuses on the structural design and optimization of micron-scale silicon-based anodes from both materials and systems perspectives. Significant progress is made in the development of advanced electrolytes, binders, and conductive additives that complement micron-scale silicon-based anodes in both half and full-cells. Moreover, advancements in system-level technologies, such as pre-lithiation techniques to mitigate irreversible Li+ loss, have enhanced the energy density and lifespan of micron-scale silicon-based full cells. This review concludes with a detailed classification of the underlying mechanisms, providing a comprehensive summary to guide the development of high-energy-density devices. It also offers strategic insights to address the challenges associated with the large-scale deployment of silicon-based LIBs.

Riveting Nucleation Enabled Long Cycling Life Calcium Metal Anodes.

Calcium metal batteries with high capacity and low cost are promising alternatives to Li-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage. However, its development is crucially impeded by the irreversible Ca metal anode, which is highly associated with uncontrollable Ca plating/stripping. Here, we report a new riveting strategy to regulate the nucleation and growth of a Ca metal anode in the 3D structure of a carbon nanotube film (CNF) by introducing in situ-formed Na metal mediators. Na metal mediators are found to first deposit in the CNF substrate prior to Ca nucleation and subsequently induce dense and uniform Ca plating due to their thermodynamically favorable kinetics. Therefore, even at a high current density of 10mA cm-2 and a high capacity of 5 mAh cm-2, it realizes the uniform nucleation and growth of dendrite-free Ca metal. Moreover, an unprecedented cycling life of over 800 cycles is also achieved for Ca metal batteries with a high coulombic efficiency above 98.4%. This work demonstrates the significance of a riveting strategy to enable the superior performance of Ca metal batteries by regulating the plating/stripping behaviors of Ca metal anodes and paves a new way for the development of Ca metal batteries.

A Mechanism Framework for Clearing Prices in Electricity Market Based on Trusted Capacity of Power Generation Resources

A reasonable capacity market mechanism is conducive to exploring the capacity value of different power generation resources and ensuring the adequacy of power supply capacity in power systems. In response to the challenges faced by the existing capacity market mechanism under the background of energy transformation, such as the unreasonable quantification of the support effect of different power generation resources on the power capacity of power system and the imperfect pricing mechanism of power capacity, a capacity market mechanism for power systems with high proportion renewable energy has been designed. To quickly clarify the capacity support effect of different power generation resources, a capacity credibility factor is introduced to quantify the actual contribution of different power generation resources in capacity supply and to deeply explore the capacity value of power generation resources. Based on the uniform marginal clearing price in the capacity market, the marginal clearing price of different power generation resources is corrected by using the cost ratio factor, which includes the difference in the cost structure of power generation resources. By comparing and analyzing examples, the proposed cost ratio factor can effectively optimize the capacity price; the maximum price difference is 18.2 yuan/MW, the overall capacity cost of the system is reduced by 53.70%, and the effective connection between fixed cost and variable cost of power generation resources is realized.

The well-defined three-dimensional matrix of a micro-sized silicon/carbon composite promoting lithium-ion transportation.

Micro-sized silicon is a promising anode material due to its high theoretical capacity and low cost. However, its bulk particle size poses a challenge during electrochemical cycling, and the long ion/electron transport paths within it limit the rate capability. Herein, we propose a structural engineering approach for establishing a well-defined three-dimensional (3D) micro-sized silicon/carbon matrix to achieve efficient omnidirectional ionic and electronic conductivity within micro-sized silicon and effectively mitigate the volume changes. The prepared materials, comprising ordered two-dimensional porous silicon nanosheets, offer direct two-dimensional electrolyte transport channels aligned parallel to the layer plane and porous channels oriented perpendicular to the layer plane. These well-defined omnidirectional pathways enable more efficient electrolyte mass transport than the disordered paths within the traditional 3D porous silicon anodes. A robust carbon shell, securely bonded to silicon through dual covalent bonding, effectively shields these pathways, buffering the volume changes and offering an electronically conductive 3D carbon network.

Precise control of the resin-based hard carbon pseudo graphite and closed pores structure to enhance sodium storage capacity.

Hard carbon is recognized as one of the most promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries due to its high specific capacity and low cost. Enhancing the closed-pore structure, pseudo-graphite structure, and defects in hard carbon represents an effective strategy for improving the performance of hard carbon anodes. Thermosetting phenolic resin is considered one of the most promising precursors for hard carbon materials, owing to its multifunctional and tunable microstructure. In this study, hard carbon is designed to have a high proportion of pseudo-graphite structure and closed pores at the molecular level. It is found that urea promotes the formation of sp3-hybridized carbon and defects. The microcrystalline structure of hard carbon can be precisely tuned by controlling the sp3C/sp2C ratio. This evolution involves the formation of long-range ordered graphite-like structures, short-range pseudo-graphite structures, and ultimately an amorphous structure with a cross-linked graphite. A successful relationship is established between the evolution of the hard carbon microstructure and the formation of closed pores. The optimized HCUP-40 hard carbon material exhibits a high initial coulombic efficiency of 94.44% at a current density of 0.1 A g-1, a reversible specific capacity of 418.90mAh g-1, and excellent cycle stability, maintaining 184.80mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles at a current density of 5 A g-1. This study provides valuable insights into the regulation of hard carbon microstructure and the design of high-capacity anode materials.

Experimental and computational analysis of SnSx encapsulated into carbonized chitosan as electrode material for potassium ion batteries

Tin sulphide compounds (SnSx, x = 1, 2) are potential anode materials for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) due to their characteristic layered structure, high theoretical capacity, non-toxicity and low production cost. However, they suffer from significant volume changes resulting in poor performance of such anodes. In this work incorporation of SnSx into the carbon structure was expected to overcome these disadvantages. Two SnS-based electrode materials encapsulated into chitosan, as a natural carbon source, are fabricated by two different synthesis routes: (a) solvothermal, and (b) solvothermal followed by pyrolysis. The results indicate that the synthesis route is a crucial factor affecting the composition and electrochemical performance of the negative electrode. The electrode material, exhibiting a high reversible capacity (304 mAh/g at 50 mA/g), and good rate capability (128 mAh/g at 1000 mA/g for 500 cycles) is produced by the solvothermal method. The relationship between specific capacity and synthesis procedure is analyzed using the results obtained from XRD, XPS. Additionally, density functional theory is employed to provide deeper insights into the underlying mechanisms governing the electrochemical performance of the SnSx@C electrode materials.

Enhancing scalable reconfigurable manufacturing systems through robust optimisation: energy efficiency and cost minimisation under uncertainty

Reconfigurable manufacturing systems are dynamic systems designed with scalable and flexible production capabilities to address changing market demands. This paper presents a novel multi-objective integer programming model aimed at optimising the configuration and capacity scalability of reconfigurable machine tools in uncertain environments. The model focuses on minimising three key objectives: total energy consumption, unused capacity, and total cost. It incorporates critical manufacturing constraints such as peak power thresholds and limited tool availability. To effectively manage uncertainty, particularly in demand fluctuations, a scenario-based robust optimisation approach is applied, striking a balance between solution robustness and model adaptability. A comprehensive case study demonstrates the model's effectiveness, comparing deterministic and uncertain solutions. Additionally, sensitivity analyses are performed on parameters such as peak power thresholds, risk coefficients, and infeasibility weights, highlighting their impact on system performance. The results provide insights into the efficient design and operation of scalable reconfigurable manufacturing systems under uncertainty, with recommendations for future research directions.

A Single‐Atom Interface Engineering Strategy to Promote Hydrogen Sorption Performances of Magnesium Hydride

AbstractMagnesium hydride (MgH2) is regarded as a promising hydrogen storage material owing to its high gravimetric and volumetric capacity and low cost. However, its large‐scale application is hampered by high stability leading to elevated temperature and slow kinetics for ab/desorption. To address these problems, herein, a composite having MgH2 nanoconfined in a 3D nickel single atoms doped porous carbon (MgH2@3D Ni SA‐pC) is successfully prepared. Benefitting from the nondestructive synthetic method, strong coupling between MgH2 and 3D Ni SA‐pC is achieved, and the composite exhibits superior hydrogen sorption performances as compared to blank MgH2. An onset desorption temperature down to 170 °C and the complete dehydrogenation at 250 °C within 60 min are observed. In particular, thermodynamics of MgH2 is improved (ΔHab = 67.9 kJ mol−1 H2) and the heterogenous interfaces are stable during cycling without the formation of an intermetallic Mg2Ni catalytic phase. Experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations show that the robust interfaces induce charge transfer from Mg/MgH2 to Ni SA‐pC, which contributes to the weakened Mg─H bonds and thereby improves kinetic and even thermodynamics. Such an interface engineering strategy using single‐atom Ni catalyst to simultaneously nano‐confine and catalyze MgH2 paves a way to the design of high‐performance hydrogen storage materials.

Busbar Design for High-Power SiC Converters

Busbars are critical components that connect high-current and high-voltage subcomponents in high-power converters. This paper reviews the latest busbar design methodologies and offers design recommendations for both laminated and PCB-based busbars. Silicon Carbide (SiC) power devices switch at much higher speeds compared to traditional silicon devices, making them more susceptible to parasitic elements within the busbar. In high-frequency SiC converters, using thicker copper offers limited improvement in high-frequency current handling due to the reduced skin depth at such frequencies. PCB busbars, however, provide several advantages, including reduced loop inductance, enhanced high-frequency current capacity, simplified assembly, and lower costs. Additionally, they enable the integration of components such as sensors, capacitors, and resistors, which can further optimize overall system performance. This paper also presents optimized busbar designs for both module-based and discrete device-based SiC high-power converters, comparing various SiC power module packages and offering design insights. Finally, this paper showcases a 75 kW three-phase inverter utilizing a PCB busbar, demonstrating its potential for achieving high power density and cost-effectiveness in discrete SiC device-based high-power converters.

Peer to Peer (P2P) IR Optical Communication used for Underwater or Open Air Medium

Although the hydrosphere protects most of the world, scientists and researchers from all over the world think that the world is underwater because it is difficult to know the concept of underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) has recently received a lot of attention is not new , seawater's reduced blue-green light absorption window has rekindled interest in it recently, but the security issues surrounding it have received little attention. In this paper, we show how messages sent using UWOCs can be heard without the intention of the sender or receiver, using diffraction collision. This is attributed to its high data exchange capacity and low cost. Therefore, we organize this review around various aspects of the Underwater Optical Remote Switching (UOWC) field; here we introduce the main communication techniques and present their shortcomings and merits. Underwater optical wireless communications can support higher data rates with lower latency than their acoustic and RF counterparts. We also show for the first time that UWOC is possible even in the ultra-saline Dead Sea by analyzing how many Gaussian beams propagate through the water. We will review the connections and project plans and present a summary of the most prominent works from 1992 to the present. The paper is focused on those who need to embrace and concentrate on UOWC. [2] It ours an outline of the ongoing innovations and those possibly accessible soon. Specific consideration has been given to obring a new reference index, particularly on the utilization of single-photon collectors. We measure how far away the receiver can hear the message. Many theoretical studies and experiments focus on achieving effective communication strategies. This is important for optimization, military and security purposes, and for the management of maritime assets. Underwater communication technology, which uses acoustic or electromagnetic waves (in the radio frequency spectrum or light spectrum), has made great progress with the use of telephones and wireless. Although acoustic communication accepts long-distance communication, its low data rate, high speed, and negative effects on sea air have made people aware of communication based on electric waves. Electromagnetic waves provide high data and high speed communication. Also, the turbidity of the water does not affect underwater RF communication, air and water exchange. [2] However, they are very expensive. Surprisingly, none of the above methods can match the performance of wireless communication in the spectrum. We also examine the most important moments affecting light propagation and consider them together with coding techniques.

Mass balance of nickel manganese cobalt cathode battery recycle process

Batteries made from lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt are widely used, especially in the electrical industry, because they have high specific capacity, high safety, and low production costs. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the consumption of batteries used for electric vehicles will increase from 8 million in 2019 to 50 million in 2025 and to 140 million in 2030. As a result, the waste produced is also increasing. This type of lithium ion battery (LIB) which contains heavy metal elements such as nickel, manganese and cobalt can be recycled. This research aims to calculate the mass balance of the recycling process for nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery cathodes. The processing process begins with mixing, leaching, filtration, drying the results of the filtration process, molarity adjustment, Flame Assisted Spray Pyrolysis, and calcination. Based on the results of mass balance calculations for the NMC recycle battery cathode, the amount obtained was 43.427 kg/batch from 100 kg of cathode waste raw material. Apart from that, data was obtained on the metals that were successfully recycled, namely NiO, MnO, CoO, Fe2O3, MgO, Al2O3, Cr2O3, and Li2O. The research results provide information that NMC battery waste can be an opportunity for the NMC metal supply chain and can reduce environmental pollution.

Triple modifications of Li-rich manganese-based cathode materials using LiMnPO4 one-step method

Li-rich manganese-based layered oxide (LMR) is one of the most promising cathode materials for lithium batteries owing to its high specific capacity and low cost. Unfortunately, its commercial application is hindered by voltage decay, capacity diminishing, and poor rate performance during cycling. Thus, a facile surface triple modification method for Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 has been proposed. This method constructs a protective LiMnPO4 coating layered, a spinel interface, and introduces some oxygen vacancies. The construction of the coating layer and oxygen vacancies alleviates interface side reactions and irreversible loss of O, ultimately suppressing voltage decay and improving cycling performance. The spinel phase constructs a 3D Li+ diffusion pathway, which improves the rate performance. As expected, electrochemical tests indicate that the materials coated by 3 wt% LiMnPO4 exhibit a mitigated voltage attenuation from 2.204 mV to 1.626 mV, an enhanced capacity retention of 85.60 % at 1C after 100 cycles, and a discharge capacity of 171.6 mAh·g−1 at 5C, which is better than that of bare materials (163.9 mAh·g−1 at 5C). This one-step processing method provides a simple and efficient method for modifying LMR materials.