Effect of CO2 on layered Li1+zNi1−x−yCoxMyO2 (M = Al,Mn) cathode materials for lithium ion batteries

We investigated the effect of CO₂ on layered Li_1+zNi_1−x−yCo_xM_yO₂ (M = Al, Mn) cathode materials for lithium ion batteries which were prepared by solid-state reactions. Li_1+zNi_(1−x)/2Co_xMn_(1−x)/2O₂ (Ni/Mn mole ratio = 1) singularly exhibited high storage stability. On the other hand, Li_1+zNi_0.80Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ samples were very unstable due to CO₂ absorption. XPS and XRD measurements showed the reduction of Ni³⁺ to Ni²⁺ and the formation of Li₂CO₃ for Li_1+zNi_0.80Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ samples after CO₂ exposure. SEM images also indicated that the surfaces of CO₂-treated samples were covered with passivation films, which may contain Li₂CO₃. The relationship between CO₂-exposure time and CO₃²⁻ content suggests that there are two steps in the carbonation reactions; the first step occurs with the excess Li components, Li₂O for example, and the second with LiNi_0.80Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ itself. It is well consistent with the fact that the discharge capacity was not decreased and the capacity retention was improved until the excess lithium is consumed and then fast deterioration occurred.     

Potential of renewable energy sources and its applications in Yakushima Island

A study was carried out to see if the potential of renewable energy sources other than hy droelectric power, such as wind, photovoltaic, solar thermal, biomass and waste energy sources, can meet the current energy consumption in Yakushima. The current electricity consumption can be covered by wind and photovoltaic energy sources. The total potential of wind and photovoltaic energy sources is 5.4 times as much as the current electricity consumption. LP gas and kerosene can be replaced by solar thermal and biogas energy. The potential of plant biomass and municipal waste is not sufficient (approximately one third) to cover the rest of the fossil fuels (gasoline, diesel oil and heavy oil). Also, plant biomass and municipal waste must be converted into fluid form. This shortage can be covered by the po tential of wind and photovoltaic energy sources. We also investigated the possibility of tourism expansion using the potential of wind and photovoltaic energy sources. Taking into account three types of capacity (energy, accommodation and transportation), Yakushima can accept approximately four times as many tourists as the current number of tourists.     

Experimental and numerical analysis of channel-length-dependent electrical properties in bottom-gate,bottom-contact organic thin-film transistors with Schottky contact

Channel length dependence of field-effect mobility and source/drain parasitic resistance in pentacene thin-film transistors with a bottom-gate, bottom-contact configuration was investigated. Schottky barrier effect such as nonlinear behaviors in transistor output characteristics appeared and became more prominent for shorter channel length less than 10 μm, raising some concerns for a simple utilization of conventional parameter extraction methods. Therefore the gate-voltage-dependent hole mobility and the source/drain parasitic resistance in the pentacene transistors were evaluated with the aid of device simulation accounting for Schottky contact with a thermionic field emission model. The hole mobility in the channel region shows smaller values with shorter channel length even after removing the influence of Schottky barrier, suggesting that some disordered semiconductor layers with low carrier mobility exist near the contact electrode. This experimental data analysis with the simulation enables us to discuss and understand in detail the operation mechanism of bottom-gate, bottom-contact transistors by considering properly each process of charge carrier injection, carrier flow near the contact region, and actual channel transport.     

Quantum Phase Transition in the Infinite Dimensional Hubbard Model

We investigated the ground state of the infinite dimensional Hubbard model for both attractive and repulsive interactions by applying Gutzwiller type variational wave functions. Our variational wave functions have lower energies than the simple BCS wave function for the attractive case, and lower energies than the Brinkman-Rice state for the repulsive case. We found that the system has several phases depending on the density of electrons and the interaction strength. Investigated phases include antiferromagnetic, Fermi liquid, superconducting, charge density wave, and supersolid phases. The last one is a coexistence phase of superconducting and charge density wave states.     

TR1, a new member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, induces fibroblast proliferation and inhibits osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption

A newly identified member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily shows activities associated with osteoclastogenesis inhibition and fibroblast proliferation. This new member, called TR1, was identified from a search of an expressed sequence tag database, and encodes 401 amino acids with a 21-residue signal sequence. Unlike other members of TNFR, TR1 does not contain a transmembrane domain and is secreted as a 62 kDa glycoprotein. TR1 gene maps to chromosome 8q23-24.1 and its mRNA is abundantly expressed on primary osteoblasts, osteogenic sarcoma cell lines, and primary fibroblasts. The receptors for TR1 were detected on a monocytic cell line (THP-1) and in human fibroblasts. Scatchard analyses indicated two classes of high and medium-high affinity receptors with a kD of approximately 45 and 320 pM, respectively. Recombinant TR1 induced proliferation of human foreskin fibroblasts and potentiated TNF-induced proliferation in these cells. In a coculture system of osteoblasts and bone marrow cells, recombinant TR1 completely inhibited the differentiation of osteoclast-like multinucleated cell formation in the presence of several bone-resorbing factors. TR1 also strongly inhibited bone-resorbing function on dentine slices by mature osteoclasts and decreased 45Ca release in fetal long-bone organ cultures. Anti-TR1 monoclonal antibody promoted the formation of osteoclasts in mouse marrow culture assays. These results indicate that TR1 has broad biological activities in fibroblast growth and in osteoclast differentiation and its functions.     

A decentralized control system for stabilizing multimachine power systems

A decentralized control system is studied for stabilizing multimachine power systems. A longitudinal power system with three areas, each having one machine, is considered in this study. A decentralized control design method is proposed, which is based on the optimal regulator theory. First a centralized control system is designed without any consideration on whether state variables are all available or not. Second a pseudo-decentralized control system is designed by omitting control gains corresponding to state variables which give hardly any effects on the power system stability. It is found that only one variable of phase angle of each machine is absolutely necessary for the pseudo-decentralized control system. This leads to an idea based on power system engineering, that is to say, new variables of tieline power flow are introduced in the decentralized control system design to substitute for the phase angle of each machine. Thus a decentralized control system for power system stability can be designed using the new variables of tieline power flow. It is demonstrated from simulation studies that the decentralized control system improves even longitudinal power system stability as well as the centralized control system.     

Preparation of ultrafine zirconium dioxide particles by thermal decomposition of zirconium alkoxide vapour

Ultrafine zirconia particles are produced by thermal decomposition of zirconium tetratertiary butoxide (ZrTB) vapour. The introduction of ZrTB vapour into the cylindrical electric furnace, is achieved by three different methods: (evaporator, pressurized nebulizer and ultrasonic nebulizer). The properties of the fine particles obtained by these methods are mainly analysed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It is found that ultrafine zirconia particles produced at relatively low temperatures from 600 to 700° C are spherical in the diameter range 0.035 to 0.15 μm and of tetragonal phase. Furthermore, two-component fine particles of zirconia-ilver are generated by putting the silver solid inside the furnace containing alkoxide vapour, and are deposited by inertia on to a glass substrate under low pressure to form films having a thickness of 17 to 33 μm. The electrical characteristics of the films are evaluated, and the conductance of the film is found to increase with the content of the silver component.     

Crystallographic evaluation of ZnSe crystals by x-ray diffraction

Crystallographic quality and the lattice constant of ZnSe crystals grown from Te/ Se solutions by the temperature gradient solution growth method were evaluated by using a high resolution x-ray diffractometer. The full width at half maximum of the x-ray rocking curve was 5.7 sec, a value almost equivalent to that of GaAs. The distribution of crystallographic properties along the growth direction was nearly the same excepting just on the heat-sink. The accurate lattice constant of the ZnSe crystal measured by this system was 5.6700 ± 0.000025 A.     

Effect of heat‐sealing temperature on the properties of OPP/CPP heat seals. Part II. Crystallinity and thermomechanical properties

The crystalline structure of the heat‐sealed part of oriented polypropylene (OPP) and cast polypropylene (CPP) films was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal mechanical analysis (TMA). The relationship between the crystalline structure and the mechanical properties was analyzed. It was found that the high total crystallinity of both OPP and CPP gave rise to good mechanical properties and that the orientation of the crystalline structure in the OPP film also was an important factor. The optimum condition for heat sealing was the temperature at which total crystallinity was highest while still retaining the crystalline orientation of OPP. The assessment of crystalline orientation by TMA is an innovation initiated by the authors. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 513–519, 2006