Energy Storage Research Articles

Design of NI HTS solenoid for PSI positron production experiment

Abstract This paper presents the design of a non-insulated (NI) high-temperature superconductor (HTS) 15 T solenoid with a 72 mm warm bore, intended for use in the PSI Positron Production (P^3) experiment. The P^3 experiment, scheduled to start in Q3 2026, aims to demonstrate a high-yield positron source that is relevant in the context of FCC-ee. 

The coils will be solder-impregnated using techniques developed with a small-bore HTS NI coil stack. This magnet produced a magnetic field of 18 T at 12 K and 2 kA, in a cryogen-free, conduction-cooled setup. Similarly, the P^3 magnet will be conduction-cooled by two cryocoolers. This larger-bore magnet is designed to operate at 15 K with a nominal operating current of 1.2 kA. 

To ensure the protection of the NI magnet, quench prevention is the preferred strategy. Several potential failure modes are analyzed, including thermal runaway in the event of failures in the current leads, power supply, or cryocoolers. By enhancing the cold mass' heat capacity through the addition of a large lead mass, the stored magnetic energy can be safely dissipated in the cold mass through the electrical path formed by the superconductor and the solder.

Mechanical analysis indicates that the hoop, radial and axial stresses are kept below allowable limits.

Enhanced melting dynamics of phase change material (PCM) based energy storage system combining modified fin and nanoparticles under solar irradiation

Enhanced melting dynamics of phase change material (PCM) based energy storage system combining modified fin and nanoparticles under solar irradiation

Performance Enhancement of Carbon Nanotube in Composites: An Analysis of Key Factors in Mechanical, Electrical, and Thermal Properties

Carbon nanotubes are often utilized as reinforcing materials in composites due to their superior properties and extensive application potential. This essay reviews the current research related to carbon nanotubes and their composites, analyzing their superior mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, as well as structural characteristics. The essay explores interactions such as interfacial bonding between carbon nanotubes and matrix, load transfer mechanisms, and the effects of small dimensions, which play a crucial role in enhancing the overall composite performance. Furthermore, the essay discusses practical applications of carbon nanotubes, including their use in electromagnetic shielding, flexible sensors, and advanced electronic devices. In addition, the potential for integrating carbon nanotube composites into energy storage technologies, such as batteries and supercapacitors, is considered. Lastly, this essay proposes various improvement strategies to enhance the performance of carbon nanotube composites, such as optimizing synthesis methods, improving dispersion techniques, and enhancing the interfacial bonding between nanotubes and matrix materials.

Phase‐Transfer Catalyst for Lithium‐Oxygen Batteries Based on Bidirectional Coordination Catalysis: 2‐Aminopyridine

AbstractLi‐O2 batteries are considered promising candidates for next generation high energy storage systems due to their exceptionally theoretical energy density. However, the accumulation of insulating discharge product Li2O2 leads to severe cathode passivation, reduced conductivity, and hindered charge transfer, which seriously compromise the battery performance. This work proposes a novel phase‐transfer catalyst with bidirectional coordination functionality, 2‐aminopyridine (AP). The AP molecule contains a nucleophilic pyridine nitrogen and an electrophilic amino hydrogen, which can interact with Li+ and reactive oxygen intermediates through electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding, respectively. This dual interaction facilitates the liquid‐phase deposition of Li2O2 while enabling efficient product decomposition. The uneven electrostatic potential distribution within the AP molecule generates an internal electric field that stabilizes reduced oxygen species, shields against nucleophilic attacks, and suppresses Li+ deposition at the anode tips, effectively preventing lithium dendrite growth. Therefore, Li‐O2 batteries with AP exhibit an exceptionally high discharge capacity of 36419 mAh g−1, a significantly reduced charge over‐potential of 0.29 V, and an extended cycle life exceeding 2256 h. Through functional molecular structure design, the bidirectional coordination catalytic effect demonstrated by AP molecules effectively regulates the migration and interaction of substances during reactions, significantly improves the electrochemical performance of Li‐O2 batteries.

Nanoscopic Supercapacitance Elucidations of the Graphene-Ionic Interface with Suspended/Supported Graphene in Different Ionic Solutions.

Graphene-based supercapacitors have gained significant attention due to their exceptional energy storage capabilities. Despite numerous research efforts trying to improve the performance, the challenge of experimentally elucidating the nanoscale-interface molecular characteristics still needs to be tackled for device optimizations in commercial applications. To address this, we have conducted a series of experiments using substrate-free graphene field-effect transistors (SF-GFETs) and oxide-supported graphene field-effect transistors (OS-GFETs) to elucidate the graphene-electrolyte interfacial arrangement and corresponding capacitance under different surface potential states and ionic concentration environments. For SF-GFET, we observed that the hysteresis of the Dirac point changes from 0.32 to -0.06 V as the ionic concentration increases. Moreover, it results in the interfacial capacitance changing from 4 to 2 F/g. For OS-GFET, the hysteresis of the Dirac point remains negative (-0.15 to -0.07 V). Furthermore, the corresponding capacitance of OS-GFET decreases (53-16 F/g) as the ionic concentration increases. These suggest that the orderly oriented water structure at the graphene-water interface is gradually replaced by ionic hydration clusters and results in the difference of capacitance. The relationship between Dirac-point hysteresis value and ionic concentration can be modeled by using the first-order Hill equation to obtain the half occupation value (K = 1.0131 × 10-4 for KCl solution and K = 6.6237 × 10-5 for MgCl2 solution). This also agrees with the variances of two minerals in ion hydration within the inner water layer at the interface. This work illustrates the influence of interfacial nanoscale arrangement on interface capacitance formation and layout implications for the development of supercapacitors.

A Review of Renewable Energy and Power System Integration

Wind and solar energy are two examples of the renewable energy that nations around the world are accelerating their development of in response to global climate change and energy scarcity. However, current power networks face new difficulties as a result of these energy sources' volatility and intermittency. Based on the existing literature and data, this article reviews the latest research advances in the integration of renewable energy sources (such as solar and wind) with conventional power systems. The paper discusses the main technical challenges faced in the integration process, including intermittency, stability and other issues. At the same time, this paper discusses the development of demand response, load management, machine learning, energy storage technology and smart grid technology, of which smart grid technology is the main content of this article review. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the existing smart grid technology, explain the help of smart grid for renewable energy grid connection, and provide a reference direction for future research. Finally, according to the existing policies, the paper looks forward to the future and believes that the share of renewable energy in the future grid will be increasing.

Balancing pH and Pressure Allows Boosting Voltage and Power Density for a H2-I2 Redox Flow Battery.

The decoupled power and energy output of a redox flow battery (RFB) offers a key advantage in long-duration energy storage, crucial for a successful energy transition. Iodide/iodine and hydrogen/water, owing to their fast reaction kinetics, benign nature, and high solubility, provide promising battery chemistry. However, H2-I2 RFBs suffer from low open circuit potentials, iodine crossover, and their multiphase nature. We demonstrate a H2-I2 operation with a combined neutral-pH catholyte (I3 -/I-) and an alkaline anolyte (KOH), producing an open circuit cell voltage of 1.28 V. Additionally, we incorporate a pressure-balanced gas diffusion electrode (GDE) to mitigate mass transport limitations at the anode. These improvements result in a maximum power density of 230 W/m2 when allowing a mild breakthrough of H2 through the GDE. While minimal crossover occurs, side reactions of permeating active species were found reversible, enabling long-term operation. Future work should address the stability of the GDE and optimization of the electrolyte thickness and concentration to fully leverage the potential unlocked by balancing the pressure and pH in the H2-I2 RFB.

Electrochemical dendrite management via voltage-controlled rearrangement

Abstract The pursuit of advanced energy storage solutions has highlighted the potential of rechargeable batteries with metal anodes due to their high specific capacities and low redox potentials. However, the formation of metal dendrites remains a critical challenge, compromising both safety and operational stability. For zinc-based batteries (ZBs), traditional methods to suppress dendrite growth have shown limited success and often entail performance compromise. Here, we propose a novel strategy termed dendrite rearrangement (DR) that leverages the electrochemical self-discharge process to controllably address the dendrite issues. By temporarily increasing the input voltage within a single cycle, this strategy resets the cell stability without precipitating undesirable side reactions during normal operation. This pioneering technique extends operational lifespans to over three times their original duration, facilitating 80,000 cycles for Zn-ion hybrid capacitors and 3,000 hours for Zn symmetrical cells. Even in scaled-up pouch cells, Ah-level symmetrical cells demonstrate a cumulative capacity nearing 200,000 mAh, significantly surpassing that of reported metal symmetrical cells. Additionally, the electrolytic Zn-MnO2 battery demonstrates a high capacity approaching 10 Ah, setting a new benchmark among reported ZB devices. These results mark a significant advance towards resolving dendrite-related issues in metal anode batteries, paving the way for their sustainable development and potential commercialization.

Effects of Heat Transport Characteristics and Chemical Reaction in Unsteady Flow of Williamson Fluid and Entropy Generation: The Keller‐Box Numerical Scheme

ABSTRACTThe study of heat and mass transport in non‐Newtonian fluid flow over a stretching surface accompanying relevant characteristics is important in several engineering and industrial processes like annealing and thinning of copper wires, aerodynamic extrusion of plastic and rubber sheet, glass fiber, and so forth. Based on significant practical applications, the objective of this investigation is to assess the time‐dependent flow of Williamson fluid influenced by porous sheet stretching in exponential manner accompanied by thermal and mass transport and entropy generation. Various factors affecting fluid flow, thermal and mass transport (viscous dissipation, non‐linear radiation, porous media, chemical reaction, and heat source) are considered. The regulating PDEs are turned into ODEs in nondimensional form utilizing adequate similarity transformation relations. The problem is solved numerically on MATLAB adopting the Keller‐Box scheme. On fluid flow, temperature, and concentration distribution the effects of relevant parameters are depicted by drawing sketches and discussed. Besides, second law analysis is also evoked in the study in terms of entropy generation accompanying the Bejan number. Moreover, quantities of physical significance such as skin friction coefficient, Sherwood number, and Nusselt number are computed, compared with prior research and found in excellent agreement. It is concluded that temperature profile magnifies due to radiation and heat generation effects. The reaction coefficient and order of the reaction exhibited opposite effects on concentration profile. It is also concluded that entropy production reduces with increasing slips and temperature difference parameter, while opposite effect is observed due to Brinkman number. Furthermore, it is observed that skin‐friction coefficient at the surface decreases with velocity slip and non‐Newtonian parameter however, trend is reversed due to unsteadiness parameter. The results of the study may find applications of practical importance in engineering fields such as designing heat exchangers, cooling processes, improving energy storage systems, and so forth.

Comparison of Different Nanomaterials in Anode Materials of Lithium Battery

The increasing demand for sustainable energy necessitates the enhancement of lithium-ion battery technology, especially in the advancement of superior anode materials. Contemporary lithium-ion batteries exhibit specific constraints, including comparatively poor energy density and restricted cycle life, which have stimulated growing interest in alternative battery materials with superior performance. This research conducts a literature analysis to investigate the potential of several nanomaterialsgraphene, clay mineral-derived materials, and transition metal sulfidesas improved anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The study analyzes their characteristics, including energy storage capacity, charging speed, and cycling stability, emphasizing both their benefits and drawbacks. The study concludes that although these materials enhance battery performance considerably, obstacles persist regarding their commercialization and long-term stability. This research provides significant insights into the advancement of more efficient and sustainable lithium-ion battery technology, facilitating the global shift to renewable energy.

Naphthalene Diimide and Pyromellitic Diimide Networks as Cathode Materials in Lithium-ion Batteries: on the Instability of Pyromellitic Diimide.

Aromatic diimides such as naphthalene diimide (NDI) and pyromellitic diimide (MDI) are important building blocks for organic electrodematerials. They feature a two-electron redox mechanism that allows for energy storage. Due to the smaller size of MDI compared to NDI its theoretical capacity is higher. Studies on MDI-based small molecule and linear polymer electrodes indicate that MDI is unstable, yet the origin of instability remains unclear. Herein, two cross-linked networks of NDI and MDI are designed. The polymers, termed PNDI-EG and PMDI-EG, are synthesized via cationic polymerization of vinyl ethylene glycol-functionalized NDI and MDI monomers. The cross-linked structures preclude extrinsic degradation pathways (e.g., dissolution in the electrolyte), and thereby facilitate the investigation of intrinsic degradation mechanisms. PMDI-EG-based cathodes are less stable, and the performance of PMDI-EG/Li half cells is markedly inferior compared to PNDI-EG/Li cells. Our comprehensive experimental and quantum-chemical investigation reveals that PMDI-EG undergoes irreversible diimide ring opening upon prolonged charge-discharge cycles, while PNDI-EG remains intact. It is hypothesized that the smaller ring size of the five-membered imide renders MDI more susceptible to side reactions with nucleophiles in the electrolyte, causing rapid loss of capacity during the first cycles.

Facile Surface Chemical Tailoring of Industrial Carbon Waste for Improved Sodium Storage

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have emerged as promising supplementary for energy storage devices. Among various anode materials, carbon‐based materials have been considered ideal for SIBs due to their excellent electronic conductivity, great mechanical strength, and large surface area. However, the small interlayer distance and slower reaction kinetics significantly limit their practical application in SIBs. The study of carbon materials in SIBs found that heteroatom doping could help enlarge interlayer distance and adsorb more Na+ simultaneously. Hence, petroleum coke (PC), an industrial waste, is chosen as a precursor. A straightforward oxidation and carbonization process is employed to introduce oxygen atoms into the carbon skeleton (OPC). The heteroatom‐doped OPC exhibits a unique microcrystalline structure comprising both graphitic and disordered regions. This structure improves rate performance and enhances initial columbic efficiency (ICE) for sodium storage. Consequently, it can deliver a better cycling capacity of 209 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and a high ICE of 51.3% (vs 66.9 mAh g−1 with ICE of PC 12.6%). This study shows that heteroatom doping and microstructural tailoring of materials derived from petroleum coke provide a viable approach for enhancing the electrochemical performance of SIBs, paving the way for sustainable and efficient sodium storage.

Amorphization Stabilizes Te‐based Aqueous Batteries via Confining Free Water

Tellurium (Te), with its rich valence states (–2 to +6), could endow aqueous batteries with potentially high specific capacity. However, achieving complete and stable hypervalent Te0/Te4+ electrochemistry in an aqueous environment poses significant challenges, owing to the sluggish reduction kinetics, the easy dissolution of Te4+ species, and a controversial energy storage mechanism. Herein, for the first time, we demonstrate an amorphous strategy for robust aqueous TeO2/Te electrochemistry. With strong hydrogen bonding, NH4Ac confines free water, prompting TeO2 amorphous (a‐TeO2). In‐situ synchrotron characterization, spectroscopy analysis, electrochemical evaluation, and theoretical calculations reveal a specific 4 e− solid‐solid transition pathway (Te to a‐TeO2) with accelerated diffusion and charge transfer kinetics, attributed to a closer unoccupied electron orbital to the Fermi level and a reduced water desorption energy barrier in a‐TeO2. Impressively, the a‐TeO2/Te electrochemistry exhibits a high reversible capacity of 834 mAh g−1 (99% of Te redox utilization), superior rate performance (644 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1), and an ultralong lifespan (over 3000 cycles). These findings prove a new tactic to advance aqueous Te electrochemistry toward high‐energy aqueous batteries.

A Numerical Investigation of the Thermal Behavior of Different Phase Change Materials in Thermal Energy Storage Systems

A Numerical Investigation of the Thermal Behavior of Different Phase Change Materials in Thermal Energy Storage Systems

Amorphization Stabilizes Te-based Aqueous Batteries via Confining Free Water.

Tellurium (Te), with its rich valence states (-2 to +6), could endow aqueous batteries with potentially high specific capacity. However, achieving complete and stable hypervalent Te0/Te4+ electrochemistry in an aqueous environment poses significant challenges, owing to the sluggish reduction kinetics, the easy dissolution of Te4+ species, and a controversial energy storage mechanism. Herein, for the first time, we demonstrate an amorphous strategy for robust aqueous TeO2/Te electrochemistry. With strong hydrogen bonding, NH4Ac confines free water, prompting TeO2 amorphous (a-TeO2). In-situ synchrotron characterization, spectroscopy analysis, electrochemical evaluation, and theoretical calculations reveal a specific 4 e- solid-solid transition pathway (Te to a-TeO2) with accelerated diffusion and charge transfer kinetics, attributed to a closer unoccupied electron orbital to the Fermi level and a reduced water desorption energy barrier in a-TeO2. Impressively, the a-TeO2/Te electrochemistry exhibits a high reversible capacity of 834 mAh g-1 (99% of Te redox utilization), superior rate performance (644 mAh g-1 at 10 A g-1), and an ultralong lifespan (over 3000 cycles). These findings prove a new tactic to advance aqueous Te electrochemistry toward high-energy aqueous batteries.

Synergistic physical and chemical effects of MOF-derived porous Fe3C–NC to boost the performance of Li–S batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are one of the key objects of next-generation energy storage systems due to their high energy density and low-cost characteristics. However, the slow reaction kinetics and serious shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) have hindered their practical application. In this work, metal-organic framework-derived Fe3C decorated nitrogen-doped carbon matrix (Fe3C–NC) composites were prepared to modify the separator to promote the reaction kinetics of Li–S batteries. The porous and conductive NC facilitates the trapping of LiPSs, rapid transfer of charge, and alleviated volume expansion, while the Fe3C–NC with optimum Fe3C content can significantly reduce the energy barrier of the electrochemical conversion reaction, accelerate the transport of lithium ions, and enhance the reaction kinetics of LiPSs, which are conducive to inhibit the shuttle effect through synergistic physical and chemical interactions. The Li–S battery with Fe3C–NC separator exhibits excellent cycle stability with an initial discharge specific capacity of 1099.19 mAh g−1 at 1 C and a low-capacity decay of 0.068% per cycle over 500 cycles. Even at a high S loading of 5.93 mg cm−2, it still delivers reliable cyclic stability with an initial discharge specific capacity of 903.65 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C. This work provides a convenient and effective method for the application of metallic materials combined with nitrogen-doped carbon matrix in high-performance Li–S batteries.

Lattice Strain-Modulated Trifunctional CoMoO4 Polymorph-Based Electrodes for Asymmetric Supercapacitors and Self-Powered Water Splitting.

Developing efficient, multifunctional electrodes for energy storage and conversion devices is crucial. Herein, lattice strains are reported in the β-phase polymorph of CoMoO4 within CoMoO4@Co3O4 heterostructure via phosphorus doping (P-CoMoO4@Co3O4) and used as a high-performance trifunctional electrode for supercapacitors (SCs), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline electrolytes. A tensile strain of +2.42% on the β-phase of CoMoO4 in P-CoMoO4@Co3O4 results in superior electrochemical performance compared to CoMoO4@Co3O4. The optimized P-CoMoO4@Co3O4 achieves a high energy density of 118Wh kg-1 in an asymmetric supercapacitor and low overpotentials of 189mV for the HER and 365mV for the OER at a current density of 500mA cm-2. This results in a low overall water splitting voltage of 1.71V at the same current density making it an effective bifunctional electrode in a 1m KOH freshwater electrolyte. Theoretical analysis shows that the excellent performance of P-CoMoO4@Co3O4 can be attributed to interfacial interactions between CoMoO4 and Co3O4, and the β-phase of CoMoO4, which lead to strong OH- adsorption and low energy barriers for reaction intermediates. Practical application is demonstrated by using P-CoMoO4@Co3O4-based ASCs to self-generate hydrogen (H2) in a P-CoMoO4@Co3O4||P-CoMoO4@Co3O4 alkaline seawater electrolyzer, showcasing its potential for future energy technologies.

Minireview on Exploring MAX Phases for Hydrogen Energy Storage: Strategies, Development, and Future Perspectives

Minireview on Exploring MAX Phases for Hydrogen Energy Storage: Strategies, Development, and Future Perspectives

Regulating the solvation environment of hybrid electrolytes towards high-temperature zinc-ion storage

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are being explored as a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries owing to the growing demand for safer, more sustainable, cost-effective energy storage technologies. In such systems, electrolytes, as one of the key components, have a decisive impact on their electrochemical performance. However, Zn anodes in traditional aqueous electrolytes exhibit drawbacks such as severe hydrogen evolution reactions, Zn corrosion and passivation especially at high temperatures, leading to poor cycling performance of ZIBs. Herein, we designed and evaluated a series of hybrid electrolytes consisting of zinc tetrafluoroborate hydrate [Zn(BF4)2·xH2O] as the solute and various organic solvents [tetraglyme (G4), propylene carbonate, and dimethylformamide] for high-temperature ZIBs. Comparative analysis revealed that G4-based hybrid electrolytes exhibit a unique Zn2+ solvation structure primarily surrounded by organic solvent rather than H2O, which substantially reduces H2O-related side reactions and thus promotes more reversible Zn deposition than propylene carbonate-based and dimethylformamide-based hybrid electrolytes. The superiority of G4-based hybrid electrolyte is further confirmed by long stable cycling life of the corresponding Zn||Zn symmetric cell (> 350 h) and Zn-ion capacitor full cell (over 1,400 cycles with 90.7% capacity retention) at 60 °C.

Polysaccharides: The Sustainable Foreground in Energy Storage Systems

Polysaccharides offer a perfect option as raw materials for the development of a new generation of sustainable batteries and supercapacitors. This is due to their abundance and inherent structural characteristics. Polysaccharides can be chemically functionalized and engineered, offering a wide range of possibilities as electrode materials (as precursors of porous nanocarbons), binders and separators. Their hierarchical morphology also enables their exploitation as aerogel and hydrogel structures for quasi-solid and solid polymer electrolytes with high conductivity and wide voltage stability windows. In this review, we discuss how different polysaccharides, such as lignocellulosic biomass, starch, chitosan, natural gums, sugars and marine polysaccharides, can be applied in different components of energy storage systems (ESSs). An overview of the recent research work adhering to each functionality of different polysaccharides in various storage systems is provided.