Probable Evolutions Research Articles

Survey on Battery Technologies and Modeling Methods for Electric Vehicles

The systematic transition of conventional automobiles to their electrified counterparts is an imperative step toward successful decarbonization. Crucial advances in battery storage systems (BSS) and related technologies will enable this transition to proceed smoothly. This requires equivalent developments in several interconnected areas, such as complete battery cycles and battery management systems (BMS). In this context, this article critically examines state-of-the-art battery technologies from the perspective of automakers, provides insightful discussions, and poses open questions with possible answers. The generations of BSS (traditional, current, and futuristic) are first reviewed and analyzed via two distinct qualitative factors (DQFs): key design markers and performance indicators. Based on the introduced DQFs, major development trends and probable evolutions are forecasted. Thereafter, recent modeling and state estimation methods are comprehensively reviewed in relation to high-performance BMS. Accordingly, promising modeling methods are identified as futuristic solutions, leading to an accurate and timely decision for reliable and safer user experience. This article is concluded by presenting a techno-economic assessment of what to expect, as well as highlighting future challenges and opportunities for industry, academia, and policy makers.

Reversible and Fast (De)fluorination of High‐Capacity Cu2O Cathode: One Step Toward Practically Applicable All‐Solid‐State Fluoride‐Ion Battery

AbstractAll‐solid‐state fluoride‐ion batteries (FIBs) are regarded as promising energy storage devices; however, currently proposed cathodes fail to meet the requirements for practical applications in terms of high energy density and high rate capability. Herein, the first use of stable and low‐cost cuprous oxide (Cu2O) as a cathode material for all‐solid‐state FIBs with reversible and fast (de)fluorination behavior is reported. A phase‐transition reaction mechanism involving Cu+/Cu2+ redox for charge compensation is confirmed, using the combination of electrochemical methods and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy. The first discharge capacity is approximately 220 mAh g−1, and fast capacity fading is observed in the first five cycles, which is ascribed to partial structural amorphization. Compared with those of simple metal/metal fluoride systems, the material shows a superior rate capability, with a first discharge capacity of 110 mAh g−1 at 1 C. The rate‐determining step and probable structural evolutions are investigated as well. It is believed that the comprehensive investigations of Cu2O as a cathode material described in this work can lead to an improved understanding of all‐solid‐state FIBs.

Safety concept, FEP catalogue and scenario development as fundamentals of a long-term safety demonstration for high-level waste repositories in German clay formations

Abstract A safety concept and a safety demonstration concept for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste in German clay formations have been developed. The main safety objective is to retain the radionuclides inside a ‘Containment Providing Rock Zone’. Thus, the radionuclide transport should be restrained by adequate safety functions of the geological and geotechnical barriers. The compliance with legal dose constraints has to be demonstrated for probable evolutions and less probable evolutions. As a basis for system analysis, generic geological reference models, disposal concepts and repository designs have been developed for northern and southern Germany. All data relevant for future system evolution were compiled in two FEP (features, events and processes) catalogues. They provide information on FEP characteristics, their probabilities of occurrence, their interactions and identify ‘initial FEP’ that impair the safety functions of relevant barriers. A probable reference scenario has been deduced systematically from the probable ‘initial FEP’, and from probable processes relevant for radionuclide mobilization and transport. Four different starting points to develop alternative scenarios (i.e. less probable evolutions) were identified. The scenario development methodology is applicable to different kinds of host rock and therefore may be a basis for the preliminary safety analyses necessary in the future site selection process in Germany.

On the Assessment of Tree-Based and Chance-Constrained Predictive Control Approaches applied to Drinking Water Networks

Water systems are a challenging problem because of their size and exposure to uncertain influences such as the unknown demands or the meteorological phenomena. In this paper, two different stochastic programming approaches are assessed when controlling a drinking water network: chance-constrained model predictive control (CC-MPC) and tree-based model predictive control (TB-MPC). Under the former approach, the disturbances are modelled as stochastic variables with non-stationary uncertainty description, unbounded support and quasi-concave probabilistic distribution. A deterministic equivalent of the related stochastic problem is formulated using Boole's inequality and a uniform allocation of risk. In the latter approach, water demand is modelled as a disturbance rooted tree where branches are formed by the most probable evolutions of the demand. In both approaches, a model predictive controller is used to optimise the expectation of the operational cost of the disturbed system.

Experiencing the shadow of the future

This text was written for a panel with the ambitious title “With Bion to the future.” Can we tell something about the future? Can we apply this to the future of psychoanalysis? And are some of Bion's concepts of any help to such questions? Bion, following Freud, tells us that the caesura between present and future is not so great. The shadow of the future is present. So how can we read this shadow with Bion as a companion? We may see the future as consisting of many probable evolutions – like an infinite number of virtual lines, growth curves or probability lines only one of which is becoming real. Which lines will develop; which seeds will grow? And is our mind equipped to have an idea of this?

Réforme de la PAC de 2003 et spécialisation régionale des productions agricoles

In giving the market a leading role, the June 2003’s Common Agricultural Policy reform asks the question of production’s distribution over the territory of the EU. Using recent research on possible impacts the new CAP reform would have, this paper sums up the issues of land abandonment, regional specialisation of production and probable evolutions of field crops. In other respects, the paper underlines some incompatibilities in the reform measures and some contradictions to the stated form objectives.

Proteomic databases and software on the web.

In the wake of sequencing projects, protein function analysis is evolving fast, from the careful design of assays that address specific questions to 'large-scale' proteomics technologies that yield proteome-wide maps of protein expression or interaction. As these new technologies depend heavily on information storage, representation and analysis, existing databases and software tools are being adapted, while new resources are emerging. This paper describes the proteomics databases and software available through the World-Wide Web, focusing on their present use and applicability. As the resource situation is highly transitory, trends and probable evolutions are discussed whenever applicable.

Functioning of the Mediterranean Sea: past and present changes related to freshwater input and climate changes

Mediterranean functioning is linked to continental climate and more particularly to freshwater budget across its surface. In the sediment of the eastern basin, the sapropel layers are signatures of variations in hydrology and climate that have occurred over the last half million years. They may be used to investigate the probable evolutions following global climatic change, and particularly the sensitivity of marine dynamics to freshwater input variations. At the present time, in the water column of the eastern and western basins, there are changes in hydrology originating in evolutions in heat and water budgets across the sea surface. With respect to the water budget of the Mediterranean, some evolutions have occurred as a result of the anthropogenic use of freshwater, and consequently, environmental driving forces must also be considered alongside climatic factors. Marine variations may be used as constraints for the quantification of probable evolutions in external driving forces at the scale of a whole basin. As an example, the previously developed 20-box model provides an explanation for the increasing trends of temperature and salinity observed in the western deep water over the 1960–1996 period by accounting for changes in freshwater and heat budgets, reaching 0.1 m yr −1 and 1.5 W m −2, respectively, in 1995 over the Mediterranean.

EEZ Policing: the role of surface vessels

Many theories are expounded on the most effective means of carrying out policing duties within the EEZ and it would seem that aircraft frequently emerge as the favoured option. Full analysis of probable policing evolutions within an EEZ using a systems approach is, however, likely to show that it is not simply one type of resource that is best, but rather a mix of resources used in a controlled and coordinated way which will determine the effectiveness of any system. This resource mix includes surface vessels and the following comments are intended to show that they can and will continue to have an important role in EEZ policing. Any reference to equipment is to standard use types available from commercial sources and for present purposes the discussion is confined to fixed wing aircraft and conventional surface vessel types. This point is made because it is the author’s view that EEZ policing is not achieved simply by throwing military type hardware at a defined problem. Many agencies and authorities cha...

Photochemical Formation of Self-Sustaining Coacervates

Summary The problem of the origin of life was investigated. The precursors of the present-day cells and probable evolutions were considered and procedures used described.