Effects of microstructure on fracture strength and conductivity of sintered NMC333

Sintering of LiNi_0.33Mn_0.33Co_0.33O₂ cathode material was investigated for potential application in all-electric aerospace propulsion systems utilizing new architectural concepts. All-solid-state batteries, while inherently safe, may not reach the high energy density required for next generation propulsion systems. To meet this performance requirement, multifunctionality of sintered active material may achieve systems level weight savings through simultaneous load bearing and electrochemical energy storage performance. The effects of sintering conditions on structural stability, chemistry, densification, grain size, fracture strength and electrical conductivity were quantified for the active cathode material. X-ray diffraction and inductively coupled plasma results indicated the structure and stoichiometry were maintained across the range of processing conditions to facilitate intercalation. Densification was achieved by sintering at 1050°C in ambient atmosphere, but grain coarsening was observed for higher temperatures and longer hold times. Mechanical strength was improved with reduction in porosity, but excessive grain growth decreased strength, providing a maximum of 50 MPa for samples sintered at 1050°C for 10 hours. Electrical conductivity initially improved with densification, but significantly diminished as the microstructure coarsened. The optimal sintering condition of 1050°C maximized mechanical fracture strength and electrical conductivity, with shorter sintering times preferred.     

Male Rat Offspring Are More Impacted by Maternal Obesity Induced by Cafeteria Diet than Females—Additive Effect of Postweaning Diet

Maternal obesity increases the risk of health complications in offspring, but whether these effects are exacerbated by offspring exposure to unhealthy diets warrants further investigation. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either standard chow (n = 15) or ‘cafeteria’ (Caf, n = 21) diets across pre-pregnancy, gestation, and lactation. Male and female offspring were weaned onto chow or Caf diet (2–3/sex/litter), forming four groups; behavioural and metabolic parameters were assessed. At weaning, offspring from Caf dams were smaller and lighter, but had more retroperitoneal (RP) fat, with a larger effect in males. Maternal Caf diet significantly increased relative expression of ACACA and Fasn in male and female weanling liver, but not CPT-1, SREBP and PGC1; PPARα was increased in males from Caf dams. Maternal obesity enhanced the impact of postweaning Caf exposure on adult body weight, RP fat, liver mass, and plasma leptin in males but not females. Offspring from Caf dams appeared to exhibit reduced anxiety-like behaviour on the elevated plus maze. Hepatic CPT-1 expression was reduced only in adult males from Caf fed dams. Post weaning Caf diet consumption did not alter liver gene expression in the adult offspring. Maternal obesity exacerbated the obesogenic phenotype produced by postweaning Caf diet in male, but not female offspring. Thus, the impact of maternal obesity on adiposity and liver gene expression appeared more marked in males. Our data underline the sex-specific detrimental effects of maternal obesity on offspring.     

A method to determine resin flow during curing of composite laminates

An experimental method is presented to determine the amount of resin flow within a composite laminate during cure. The method is analogous to the use of radioactive tracers in other applications. Heavier elements such as chlorine and bromine, which may be naturally present in small amounts in epoxy resins are used to follow resin flow and mixing. The presence and the quantity of these “tags” is determined using wavelength dispersive X-ray analysis in a scanning electron microscope. With the resins in this study, it is shown that it is possible to measure volume fractions of resin with accuracies ranging from ±0.5 to ±3 volume %. By using brominated resin in only one layer of a laminate, the degree of flow and mixing can be followed accurately. The results suggest that there is considerable resin mixing as well as flow.