Energy Retention Research Articles

Assessment of Metabolic Adaptations in Periparturient Dairy Cows Provided 3-Nitrooxypropanol and Varying Concentrate Proportions by Using the GreenFeed System for Indirect Calorimetry, Biochemical Blood Parameters and Ultrasonography of Adipose Tissues

Methanogenesis in ruminants contributes to both greenhouse gas emissions and feed energy losses whereby the latter becomes specifically important in energy-deficient periparturient cows. It was hypothesized that increased concentrate feed proportions (CFP) and feeding with the methane inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), as well as their potential synergism, improve the energy status of peripartal cows. Periparturient dairy cows were fed low or high dietary CFP either tested without or combined with 3-NOP. The GreenFeed system was used to calculate the metabolic respiration quotient (RQmetabolic) and tissue energy retention (ERtissue) by methods of indirect calorimetry. The calorimetrically estimated ERtissue coincided with a conventionally calculated energy balance except for the antepartal period. Neither CFP nor 3-NOP affected the ultrasonographically assessed lipomobilization in adipose depots. In the group fed 3-NOP and a high concentrate feed proportion, the RQmetabolic significantly rose over the course of the experiment and the ERtissue was also increased. Serum non-esterified fatty acid concentrations were lower in the 3-NOP groups albeit ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) remained unaffected. Higher CFP reduced BHB and increased blood glucose levels. In conclusion, 3-NOP and high CFP improved the energy budget of the cows in an interactive manner, which was, however, not apparent in all of the examined parameters. The application of the GreenFeed system for indirect calorimetry is a promising approach, which needs further validation in the future.

Flower‐like NiCo‐carbonate Hydroxides for High‐performance Solid‐state Hybrid Supercapacitor

AbstractCompared to the traditional transition metal layered double hydroxides, transition metal layered carbonate double hydroxides (TMC‐LDHs) possess superior electrochemical performance in theory. But TMC‐LDHs have not received its deserved attention, especially for application in the energy storage field. In this work, a flower‐like TMC‐LDH (Ni0.75Co0.25(CO3)0.125(OH)2, NCCO) material was successfully prepared by hydrothermal method, which exhibits a high specific capacity of 306.8 mAh g−1 (0.52 mAh cm−2) at 0.5 A g−1 with capacity retention of 70.5 % after 2000 cycles. The solid‐state hybrid supercapacitor device NCCO//PVA/KOH//IHPC based on the prepared NCCO material and an interconnected hierarchical porous carbon (IHPC) delivers a high specific energy of 50.96 Wh kg−1 at a specific power of 1.06 kW kg−1, and a high specific energy of 36.39 Wh kg−1 still can be delivered at a high specific power of 10.49 kW kg−1. More than 181.2 % of initial specific capacity is retained after 12000 cycles. The specific energy, energy retention under large specific power, and the cycle stability of the assembled device are better than most of the solid‐state hybrid supercapacitors that have been reported. These results demonstrate the promising prospect of the TMC‐LDH material in the practical application in advanced solid‐state supercapacitors.

Effect of inclusion levels of low-fat dried distillers grains in finishing diets on protein and energy intake and retention and estimation of protein and energy requirements of young Nellore bulls fed with high concentrate diets.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of including low-fat dried distillers grains (DDG) in finishing diets on protein and energy intake and retention and to estimate the protein and energy requirement of young Nellore bulls. Thirty-five animals were used: baseline (n = 4), maintenance (n = 4), and ad libitum intake (n = 27). Ad libitum animals were divided into four groups: diets with the inclusion of DDG at the levels of 0, 150, 300, and 450 g/kg (dry matter basis). At the end of the experiment, all animals were slaughtered. There was a linear reduction with increasing DDG levels in the total digestible nutrients intake (p = 0.008), metabolizable energy (ME) intake (p < 0.010), in total retained energy (p = 0.065), and in heat production (p < 0.001). Metabolizable protein (MP) intake increased linearly (p < 0.010) but retained protein did not differ (p = 0.499). Daily net energy and ME requirement for maintenance were 75.9 and 122 kcal/kg0.75 EBW, respectively. Daily MP for maintenance was 3.6g/kg0.75 shrunk body weight. DDG inclusion in finishing diets reduces energy intake and deposition, and we recommend the equations of this study to estimate the requirements of young Nellore bulls.

Evaluation of energy retention capacity of composite CFRP and GFRP in RC beam strength

Evaluation of energy retention capacity of composite CFRP and GFRP in RC beam strength

The Effect of Corn Starch Substitution with Sargassum sp. Starch in Diet on Grow-Out of Cultivated Rabbitfish, (Siganus guttatus) in Floating Net Cages

Corn starch is a source of carbohydrates for most cultivated fish, includes rabbitfish as one of the herbivores with high economic value. Therefore, rabbitfish requires cheaper carbohydrate sources to have a profitable business in its cultivation. This study was aimed to determine the substitution of corn starch with Sargassum sp. starch in the diet on the growth, relative feed intake, FCR and nutrient retention of rabbitfish. The average weight of rabbitfish used was 51.76±0.12 g/fish. Rabbitfish were cultivated in small net cages (1x1x1.5m) with a stocking density of 20 fish/net cage for 90 days reared. This study used an experimental method with a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Corn starch (CM) substitution with Sargassum sp. starch (SM) by 0% (A), 21% (B), 42% (C), 63% (D) and 83% (E) used as the treatments with three replicates each. The measured parameters were weight gain (WG), relative growth (RG), relative feed intake (RFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein retention (PR), energy retention (ER), and condition factor (CF). Data were analyzed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tuckey’s test. The results showed that the lowest FCR in treatment A had no significant effect with treatment B but was significantly different from treatments C, D and E. The WG, RG, RP and CF parameters had the same values at all levels of CM substitution with SM, while RFI and FCR increased with the increasing CM substitution by SM. It also indicated that CM in the rabbitfish diet could be substituted with SM by 83%.

Quantifying the emissions impact of repurposed electric vehicle battery packs in residential settings

The market share of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) is growing, thanks to improvements in battery efficiency, declining production costs, and sustained policy support. Concurrently, concerns are growing over the supply of decommissioned PEV batteries. This has attracted a growing interest among scientists to determine the utility of repurposing PEV batteries for energy storage. Previous work has optimized behind-the-meter (BTM) battery storage systems (BSSs) for self-sufficiency and energy arbitrage, but few have used the system to lessen a home's electricity-related carbon footprint. This study uses high-resolution 2018 electricity demand from energy-efficient homes in Austin, Texas and grid generation data to simulate the daily operations of a 6 kWh BTM-BSS to minimize daily CO2e emissions. Results suggest that such homes with rooftop solar can reduce electricity-related household CO2eemissions by 21%, on average (about 1 ton of CO2e annually), while homes without solar could reduce their CO2e emissions by just 2% (about 0.12 tons per year). Pairing a BSS with rooftop solar increases average annual carbon savings by greater energy retention and lessening demand from the grid during carbon-intense generation periods. To make BTM-BSSs cost-effective for Austin homeowners, the price of repurposed PEV batteries must fall to $5.71/kWh or per-ton carbon pricing must rise to $70.34 for homeowners to reach break-even over an estimated 10-year BSS lifespan.

Metabolizable energy balance in hair sheep lambs artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus

In sheep, infection with Haemonchus contortus may increase the need for energy, and this demand may vary according to the infection level. In this study, the energy intake, digestibility, and energy retention of lambs artificially infected with different levels of H. contortus were estimated. A total of 24 hair sheep lambs reared parasite-free were experimentally infected with H. contortus at one of three infection levels: non-infected (n = 6); infected with 300 infective larvae (L3) of H. contortus/kg body weight (BW) (n = 9); and infected with 500 H. contortus L3/kg BW (n = 9). The lambs were fed for an individual weight gain of 100 g/day, and intake of organic matter (OMI) and gross energy (GEI), digestible (DEI) and metabolizable energy (MEI) were measured weekly. The digestibility of organic matter (OMD) and GE (GED) and the metabolizable energy (ME) balance adjusted to zero nitrogen balance (MEadj) were measured for each lamb during the prepatent and patent periods of infection. From day 21 post-infection (PI), the individual eggs per gram (EPG) of feces and the total number of eggs in feces (TEF) were estimated weekly. After humane slaughter on day 42 PI, the worm burden (WB) was determined. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to estimate the relationships between the parasitological variables (L3, EPG, TEF and WB) and the response variables (OMI, GEI, DEI, MEI, OMD, GED, MEadj). During the prepatent period, there were no significant relationships of L3 with the response variables (OMI, GEI, DEI, MEI, OMD, GED, ME, MEadj). Similarly, during the patent period, no relationship was evident between infection (EPG, TEF or WB) and OMI, GEI, DEI, GED, OMD, ME or MEadj. Thus, the gradient of H. contortus infection examined in the present study did not influence energy balance in hair sheep lambs, and infection did not impose any detectable energy cost. Further studies are needed to fully assess the impact of H. contortus infection on energy metabolism in hair sheep.

Dietary soluble non-starch polysaccharide level and xylanase influence the gastrointestinal environment and nutrient utilisation in laying hens

ABSTRACT 1. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of dietary soluble non-starch polysaccharide (sNSP) level and xylanase supplementation on productive performance, viscosity and pH along the gastrointestinal tract in laying hens. Excreta moisture content, ileal and caecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) composition and apparent total tract nutrient utilisation were measured. 2. Hyline Brown laying hens (n = 144) were housed individually at 25 weeks of age and allocated to one of the four wheat-based dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, consisting of two levels of sNSP (High 13.40 g/kg or Low 11.22 g/kg), with or without xylanase (0 or 12,000 BXU/kg). Birds were fed the dietary treatments for 56 d. 3. Increasing dietary sNSP increased jejunum viscosity, degradability of total NSP, total tract flow of insoluble arabinose, and succinic acid concentration in the caeca (P < 0.05). Feeding high sNSP decreased excreta moisture content, total tract energy retention and free oligosaccharide, total tract flow of soluble and insoluble galactose and insoluble rhamnose and fucose, and ileal acetic and lactic acid concentrations (P < 0.05), and tended to reduce egg production (P = 0.058). 4. Supplementation with xylanase resulted in reduced jejunum and ileum viscosity, caecal pH, excreta moisture, flow of soluble arabinose and glucose and insoluble arabinose and xylose, caecal concentration of Lactobacillus sp. and isobutyric and succinic acid, and ileal concentration of Bacillus sp. and total anaerobic bacteria (P < 0.05). Xylanase application also increased energy retention and insoluble and total NSP degradation, and caecal abundance of Bifidobacteria sp. and valeric acid (P < 0.05). 5. These results reiterated the ability of xylanase to improve nutrient digestibility and reduce excreta moisture content in laying hens, and highlighted the importance of considering dietary sNSP level in laying hen diets.

Self-Assembly of Pulverized Nanoparticles: An Approach to Realize Large-Capacity, Long-Lasting, and Ultra-Fast-Chargeable Na-Ion Batteries.

The fabrication of battery anodes simultaneously exhibiting large capacity, fast charging capability, and high cyclic stability is challenging because these properties are mutually contrasting in nature. Here, we report a rational strategy to design anodes outperforming the current anodes by simultaneous provision of the above characteristics without utilizing nanomaterials and surface modifications. This is achieved by promoting spontaneous structural evolution of coarse Sn particles to 3D-networked nanostructures during battery cycling in an appropriate electrolyte. The anode steadily exhibits large capacity (∼480 mAhg-1) and energy retention capability (99.9%) during >1500 cycles even at an ultrafast charging rate of 12 690 mAg-1 (15C). The structural and chemical origins of the measured properties are explained using multiscale simulations combining molecular dynamics and density functional theory calculations. The developed method is simple, scalable, and expandable to other systems and provides an alternative robust route to obtain nanostructured anode materials in large quantities.

Bioconversion of Terminalia arjuna bark powder into a herbal feed for Labeo rohita: Can it be a sustainability paradigm for Green Fish production?

Surging demand of fish production for nutritional and livelihood security manifested with irrational use of synthetic growth enhancer and immunostimulants which are fostering the awful health concerned to human being and negatively affecting the beneficial micro-biota in aquatic ecosystem. The need of hour is to use environment friendly herbal therapy, as an alternate to those chemicals and compounds. The Terminalia arjuna is known for its excellent array of ethnomedicinal properties including antimicrobial, antioxidant and was reported to have positive effects on metabolomics of the animals. A 90-day experiment was conducted to ensure effective valorization of Terminalia arjuna bark powder (TABP) based feed in Labeo rohita. Four iso-nitrogenous {305.74 g crude protein (CP)/ kg diet} and iso-caloric {18.15 MJ gross energy (GE)/kg diet} experimental diets were formulated incorporating 0.0, 5.00, 10.00 and 15.0 g TABP /kg feed and designated as TABP0, TABP5, TABP10 and TABP15, respectively. 540 juveniles (average weight, 20.7 g, 45 fish per tank) were randomly stocked in 12 fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) tank (500 L water capacity). Fish were fed twice at 9.30 h and 5.00 h to satiation level. Results of this study revealed the highest growth rates {weight gain percentage (WGP) and specific growth rate (SGR)}, nutrient utilization {protein efficiency ratio (PER), apparent net protein utilization (ANPU), fat retention (FR) and energy retention (ER)} and survival percentage (SRP) in L. rohita at 10 g TABP/ kg feed. While feed conversion ratio (FCR) followed an inverse trend (P < 0.05) to growth rates. Growth rates, feed conversion, and nutrient utilization were similar in TABP0 and TABP15 group (P > 0.05). Viscerosomatic index (VSI) and craniosomatic index (CSI) were significantly affected (P < 0.05) while hepatosomatic index (HSI) was insignificant (P > 0.05). Whole body composition was influenced (P < 0.05) excluding ash content (P > 0.05). RNA content and RNA: DNA ratio were positively correlated to growth rates and nutrient retentions (P < 0.05). Thus, present study advocated that TABP at 12.3 g/kg could be utilized efficiently to produce healthy fish for human consumption thereby called Green Fish. Also, paved a prolific way to produce an effective TABP based medicated feed on large scale, having tried in field conditions individually and with commercial feed.

Investigation of Electrochemical Performance and Gas Swelling Behavior on Li4Ti5O12/Activated Carbon Lithium-Ion Capacitor with Acetonitrile-Based and Ester-Based Electrolytes

Lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) have gained significant attention due to the combination on the advantages of electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, the LIC pouch cell was fabricated by an activated carbon (AC) cathode and a Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) anode. Two organic electrolytes (1 mol L−1 LiBF4/acetonitrile (AN) and 1 mol L−1 LiPF6/ ethylene carbonate (EC) + ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) + dimethyl carbonate (DMC)) were chosen and the gas swelling behavior was studied. Compared with the ester-based LIC, the AN-based LIC displays higher energy density of 13.31 Wh kg−1 at 11.4 W kg−1 and even provides a value of 9.1 Wh kg−1 at 1075 W kg−1. Because of the lower DC Resistance of 0.761 mΩ, the maximum power density of the AN-based LIC reaches 12.5 kW kg−1. The AN-based LIC delivers good stability with an energy retention of 88.3% after 900 cycles. It is discovered that the swelling behavior of AN-based LICs is more serious and the major component is H2. The difference of swelling behavior among the LICs, lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NCM)/LTO LIB and AC/AC EDLC is proposed to be caused by the AC electrode and the interfacial reaction of LTO.

Energy Retention in Thin Graphite Targets after Energetic Ion Impact.

High energy ion irradiation is an important tool for nanoscale modification of materials. In the case of thin targets and 2D materials, which these energetic ions can pierce through, nanoscale modifications such as production of nanopores can open up pathways for new applications. However, materials modifications can be hindered because of subsequent energy release via electron emission. In this work, we follow energy dissipation after the impact of an energetic ion in thin graphite target using Geant4 code. Presented results show that significant amount of energy can be released from the target. Especially for thin targets and highest ion energies, almost 40% of deposited energy has been released. Therefore, retention of deposited energy can be significantly altered and this can profoundly affect ion track formation in thin targets. This finding could also have broader implications for radiation hardness of other nanomaterials such as nanowires and nanoparticles.

Sponges facilitate primary producers in a Bahamas seagrass system

Seagrass beds are important coastal ecosystems worldwide that are shaped by facilitative interactions. Consequently, it is important to identify which taxa facilitate seagrasses. In other ecosystems, sponges contribute to the maintenance of diverse and productive systems through their facilitation of foundation species (e.g., mangroves) and the retention and recycling of energy and nutrients. Sponges are common in tropical and subtropical seagrass beds, yet we know little about how their presence impacts these communities. Here, we examine the impact of the sponge Ircinia felix on primary producers in a Thalassia testudinum dominated seagrass bed using a long-term field experiment in The Bahamas. We transplanted live sponges into the center of 5 × 5 m plots and monitored the response of seagrasses and macroalgae. Sponge presence increased seagrass nutrient content and growth, as well as the abundance of macroalgae and non-dominant seagrass species (Syringodium filiforme and Halodule wrightii). These changes were not seen in the control (unmanipulated) or structure (where we placed a polypropylene sponge replica) plots. We conclude that I. felix facilitates seagrass bed primary producers in oligotrophic systems, likely due to nutrients supplied by the sponge. Our study shows that sponges can have a positive influence on seagrass bed foundation species. Since recent theoretical work emphasizes the potential for facilitative interactions involving foundation species to be destabilized in the face of anthropogenic change, further work, is needed to understand how this facilitation impacts the stability of seagrass beds in areas where human activities have increased ambient nutrient levels.

Dietary replacement of fishmeal with commercial protein blends designed for aquafeeds in hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops ♂× Morone saxatilis ♀): Digestibility, growth, body composition, and nutrient retention

Four commercial protein blends—Elite 60™, Elite 65™, Elite 70™, and Pro-Cision™ (HJ Baker & Bros., Inc., Tuscola, Texas, USA)—were evaluated in hybrid striped bass (HSB) for nutrient digestibility and fishmeal (FM) replacement value. A control diet was formulated like a commercial HSB feed containing 17% FM that met or exceeded the nutritional requirements of HSB. Commercial blends replaced FM in the control diets on an ideal protein basis by supplementing the first-three limiting amino acids (methionine, lysine, threonine). Diets were formulated on a digestible protein basis (38% digestible protein), isolipidic (16%), and contained 10% lipid from marine fish sources. Fish fed the control diet generally exhibited better growth and nutrient utilization responses than the other diets. Responses to the Elite™ products were intermediate, while Pro-Cision™ lagged in both digestibility and growth responses. Digestibility of gross nutrients in each of the test products did not differ significantly from those of FM, but protein was significantly more digestible in Elite 70™ compared to that of FM and Pro-Cision™. Availabilities of leucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and valine in Pro-Cision™ were significantly less (92.2%, 91.3%, 91.0%, and 91.5%, respectively) than those in FM (96.1%, 96.8%, 94.6%, and 94.5%, respectively). Fish fed the Pro-Cision™ diet exhibited significantly lower cumulative feed intake, average weight, and muscle ratio compared to fish fed all other diets. Elite 60™, Elite 65™, and Elite 70™ fish did not differ in intraperitoneal fat or muscle ratio compared to fish fed the control diet. Fish fed all three Elite™ diets had significantly lower average weight (52.5–57.9 g) compared to fish fed the control diet (73.2 g). There were no differences in arginine and histidine whole-body nutrient retention among dietary treatments, while other nutrient retention efficiencies did differ across treatments. Nutrient retention of the averaged essential amino acids was not significantly different in fish fed Elite 70™ compared to fish fed the control diet. There were no significant differences in lysozyme activity and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration among treatments. It appears that Pro-Cision™ is not an attractive alternative to FM in HSB diets considering total feed intake, growth, and nutrient and energy retentions. However, Elite 65™ and Elite 70™ may be potential FM alternatives in HSB diets despite differences in growth performance after 13-weeks.

NeocarbonixTM Electrodes for Li-Ion Batteries: Increased $/Kwh Savings and Scalability

Energy storage electrodes are often limited in their electrochemical stability and electrical performance by polymer binders used in the active material layer. Binders are also used to adhere the active material to the current collector. Binders are usually polymeric resins used in electrodes to mechanically hold active material powders together. Active materials may be graphite, silicon-carbon, silicon oxides for anodes, and lithium metal oxides for cathodes in the case of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). They can also be high surface area activated carbons, in the case of EDLCs. The binders are a passive component in energy storage electrodes and they carry limitations in terms of electrical conductivity, thermal stability and chemical stability.Capacity and C-rate capabilities in LIBs and ESR in EDLCs suffer because electrically insulating inactive binder material takes up space within the electrode material. Meanwhile lifetime at temperature and voltage can suffer as the binder material interacts with the internal electrochemical system of the energy storage device. Additionally, thermal stability of the electrode can be limited both by the electrochemical activity of the binder material as well as phase transitions of the binder material. Performance of energy storage systems using conventional electrodes in particularly high power applications may be limited by the thermal stability of the binder as well. Internal heat dissipation in those applications can be a serious concern when combined with ambient temperatures, especially in space-constrained environments or in applications where thermal management is at a premium. Energy density is also limited by the thickness of active materials that a standard coating process with binder-containing slurry can yield. Finally, cost of electrode production is dramatically impacted by the slurry drying step, as strong solvents with high boiling point (e.g. NMP) must be used to dissolve polymer binders, and are difficult to evaporate.Nanoramic has developed an alternate solution - NeocarbonixTM - an electrode platform technology that effectively replaces polymer high molecule binders PVDF. Results have been demonstrated for both LIB cathodes and EDLC electrodes. Nanoramic's Neocarbonix electrodes have significantly lower ESR, better C-rate capabilities, greater active material thickness for improved energy density, while also retaining or improving specific capacity. Lifetime at high temperature is also significantly improved, because of the increased thermal and chemical stability of the electrodes.Electrode production cost is also dramatically reduced, as the Neocarbonix process is solvent-agnostic. The solvent can be selected to speed up the drying process during coating, which dramatically improves the production throughput. Neocarbonix is compatible with standard roll-to-roll manufacturing equipment and is easily recyclable.In this presentation, Nanoramic will present a Neocarbonix Li-ion battery design combining high areal capacity loading (>5.2 mAh/cm2) Neocarbonix NMP/PVDF binder free NMC811 cathode and Si-C dominant anode electrodes which can achieve 350 Wh/kg and 900 Wh/L in energy density, and the cost of manufacturing such battery cell can be reduced from $97-116/kWh to ~$79/kWh, which improves 30% energy density and reduces 20% cost in $/kWh compared with conventional Li-ion battery NMC||Graphite technology as shown in the figure below. The battery cell prototype shows an excellent cycle life of 1000 cycles with 70% energy retention. Figure 1

Preparation of Efficient Memristive Films (2D materials) for Flexible Devices and Their Electrical Characterisation

2D materials have various properties that make them potential candidates for better applications in electronic, chemical and biosensing devices. Indisputably, so much work have been done on 2D materials. However, the aim of this study is to fabricate a material with a better quality that is capable of creating room for greater opportunities in electronic, chemical and biosensing devices. Thus, in this study, fabrication was performed through exfoliation, and wet chemical means or PVD layer deposition technique. Furthermore, the current state of the electronics industry has necessitated the need for a novel and suitable memory for low cost and large scale flexible electronics materials. These materials should be non-volatile and low-power consuming devices because energy is of global concern. The non-volatility nature and the energy consuming ability of the finally fabrication was investigated from the current vs time curve in order to obtain the energy retention time. After the fabrication of the electronics material, various characterisations were performed on the devices; stability and endurance level was tested from the current vs cycle numbers of the curves. The rationale for these experiments is to take advantage of the Van der Waals multilayer force present in-between the layers of the two-dimensional (2D) materials to form a material with a desirable atomic and accurate quality. The outcome shows an improved 2D memeristive material required to address most challenges experienced by electronic devices, particularly in the multilayer thin film. The result shows performance improvement of the memristors by raising the switching endurance at an elevated temperature of 300 oC and above. Finally, the mechanical flexibility and stability together with its endurance level were tested.

(Invited) Lithium-Ion Batteries for Fast Charging Application

Development of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has dramatically boosted market adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). However, further improvement in LIBs is still needed for EV application, such as fast charging. The state-of-the-art chemistries, such as LiNixMnyCo1-x-yO2 (NMC) and graphite, are capable for fast charging. However, the constraints in mass transport limit the electrode thickness and cell energy density. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has develop a research portfolio with a goal of enabling a 10-minute (6C) recharge time, similar to a typical gasoline engine refueling time while delivering a cell energy density higher than 180 Wh/kg with an energy retention greater than 80% after 500 cycles [1]. When charging a LIB, lithium ions travel from the cathode to the anode via liquid electrolyte, which includes several diffusion steps 1) solid diffusion through active material particles, 2) diffusion across the electrode/electrolyte interface, and 3) through porous electrodes via electrolyte. Each step contributes to the barrier of enabling fast charging [2].In this presentation, the impact of cell components, including anode, cathode, separator, on fast charging will be determined. Some strategies in enhancing the fast charging capability will be discussed. Acknowledgment This research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), managed by UT Battelle, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725, was sponsored by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO).

Nutritive value of expeller/cold-pressed canola meal and pre-pressed solvent-extracted carinata meal for broiler chicken

A study was conducted to evaluate standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) values of pre-pressed solvent-extracted carinata meal (SE-carinata meal) and expeller/cold-pressed canola meal (ECP-canola meal) for broilers. Two hundred and forty broiler chicks were divided into 40 groups of 6 birds/group and fed 4 diets in a completely randomized design (10 groups/diet) from 14 to 21 d of age. The diets were cornstarch-based containing SE-carinata meal, ECP-canola meal, or pre-pressed solvent-extracted canola meal (SE-canola meal; reference feedstuff) as the sole protein source, and N-free diet. Digestibility of AA and N retention for feedstuffs was determined by the direct method, whereas energy retention of feedstuffs was determined by difference from the N-free diet. On DM basis, SE-canola meal, ECP-canola meal, and SE-carinata meal contained 43, 36, and 50% CP; 2.60, 2.21, and 1.82% Lys; 32, 29, and 27% neutral detergent fiber, and 1.1, 15.3, and 0.88% ether extract, respectively. On DM basis, the AMEn value was lowest (P < 0.05) for SE-carinata meal (1,295 kcal/kg), intermediate (P < 0.05) for SE-canola meal (1,608 kcal/kg), and greatest (P < 0.05) for ECP-canola meal (1,994 kcal/kg). The SID values of indispensable AA for ECP-canola meal were greater (P < 0.05) than those for SE-canola meal or SE-carinata meal. The SID values of all indispensable AA (except Gly, Lys, and Trp) for SE-carinata meal were greater (P < 0.05) than those for SE-canola meal. The SE-canola meal and SE-carinata meal did not differ in SID of Gly and Trp; however, SE-carinata meal had lower (P < 0.05) SID of Lys than SE-canola meal. The results indicate that ECP-canola meal fed in this study could be a good source of AA and energy for broilers. Results also indicate that SE-carinata meal fed in this study could be an attractive AA source for broiler diet, but could benefit from Lys fortification due it its low SID Lys value.

Heat flow dynamics in planar multilayer antennas excited by far-infrared picosecond laser pulses

Thin metallic buffer layers are commonly used between semiconductor substrates and noble metal films or nanostructures. We propose an extended two-temperature heat transfer model that can be used to investigate the heat flow in multilayer antennas and includes metallic layers, a dielectric substrate, and their respective interfaces. It is demonstrated how the heat flow dynamics in a layered material, excited by short laser pulses, can be controlled by the thermal properties of the buffer layer. A large buffer layer electron-phonon coupling was found to induce a non-intuitive reverse internal heat flow in the layered material and transient energy retention on time scales of a few tens of picoseconds, while the buffer layer-substrate Kapitza conductance was found to be the limiting parameter for the heat dissipation on nanosecond time scales.

Dietary protein requirement of juvenile spotted knifejaw Oplegnathus punctatus

A dietary strategy was conducted with graded crude protein (CP) levels (various from 27.08% to 58.10%) in six semi-purified diets to investigate the appropriate dietary CP supplement for juvenile spotted knifejaw (Oplegnathus punctatus). Experimental diets were respectively offered to the juvenile fish with three replicates (18 individuals each replicate, 19.91 g fish-1) for 8-week. After the feeding trial, the weight gain (WG) was improved by increment of dietary CP levels, but deteriorated slightly when dietary CP over 45.87%. The daily feed intake (DFI) elevated as dietary CP decreasing. Besides, the lowest protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed efficiency (FE) were observed in 27.08% CP treatment. However, the PER and energy retention (ER) were not significantly different among 32.97%, 39.71% and 45.87% CP groups. In the current study, fish fed diet with 58.10% CP obtained slightly lower PER and nitrogen retention (NR), but relatively higher lipid retention (LR) value compared to those fed a diet with 45.87% CP. And the daily nitrogen intake (DNI) in the fish fed on the low CP levels (27.08 to 39.71%) were significantly lower than that in 45.87% CP treatment. The various dietary treatments did not differ in the visceral index (VSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI) and serum glucose, but fish in the lowest CP group had a decreased intraperitoneal fat ratio (IPF). The protein content in the whole body and dorsal muscle of the fish significantly elevated with dietary protein increasing. The aspartate transaminase (AST) in serum increased with increasing dietary CP from 27.08%-52.65 and then decreased. The regression analysis in second order polynomial and two slope broken-line mode based on NR and WG indicated that the optimal protein supplement for juvenile O. punctatus is 42.92%-46.44%. The present study also indicated that O. punctatus had poor ability to utilization dietary carbohydrate.