Metal Ions versus Protons: Tracking of Charge-Carrier Insertion into a Cathode Oxide in Aqueous Rechargeable Batteries

Protons in aqueous electrolytes can perform as an additional type of charge carrier for insertion/extraction in addition to the primary carrier cations in aqueous rechargeable batteries. Despite many diverse claims regarding the effect of protons, mutually conflicting experimental results and their interpretations without direct evidence have been reported over the last decade. Systematic examinations and analyses are thus imperative to clarify the conditions of proton insertion in aqueous rechargeable batteries. Utilizing V₂O₅ as a model cathode and beaker-type cells with a sufficient amount of ZnSO₄ aqueous electrolytes in this work, it is demonstrated that protons are inserted into the cathode prior to Zn-ions in low-pH conditions (pH ≤ 3.0). In stark contrast, the influence of protons on the discharge voltage and capacity is insignificant, when either the pH becomes higher (pH ≥ 4.0) or the electrolyte volume is considerably low in coin-type cells. Similar behavior of pH-dependent proton insertion is also verified in Na–, Mg–, and Al-ion electrolytes. Providing a resolution to the controversy regarding proton insertion, the present study emphasizes that the influence of protons substantially varies depending on the pH and relative volume of electrolytes in aqueous batteries.     

New disposable microfluidic chip without evaporation effect for semen analysis in clinics and homes

The number of infertile couples considering using assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) is growing. Several key indices, such as sperm concentration and motility, are considered when determining an appropriate technique among the existing ARTs. While microscopy is the only way to observe sperms, this method tends to overlook the actual swimming ability of sperms because sperms can be observed only within a very narrow field of view (FOV). In this paper, we propose a microfluidic chip capable of measuring the motility of sperms by inducing the actual swimming ability of sperms in microchannels. To determine whether sperms swim by themselves and reach the target point, 5–10 min is required in an incubator at 37 °C, which inevitably causes the evaporation of the fluid at the microfluidic chip inlet or outlet. A unique structure has been added to the microfluidic chip to prevent unwanted fluid flow due to evaporation, and counting and sorting capabilities of the fabricated device have been experimentally demonstrated. The microfluidic chip is shown to have a good agreement with commercial chips in total sperm counting. Another feature of sorting motile and progressive sperm to 95% on one chip is also verified. This feature differentiates our solution from the existing commercial chips and can help increase the success rate of ARTs. The developed MFC can provide a way to determine the actual swimming motility of sperms using a microscope in small clinics or a portable kit which is publicly available without the expensive sperm analysis equipment.

     

Characterization of an antioxidant polylactic acid (PLA) film prepared with α-tocopherol,BHT and polyethylene glycol using film cast extruder

Polylactic acid (PLA) films were prepared with α-tocopherol, buthylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) using a cast film extruder in an effort to create an antioxidant film. Film properties were characterized by radical scavenging activity and thermal, physical, and gas barrier properties. Final resin compounding and pelletization was achieved by a twin screw extruder and a pelletizator to permit the homogenization of all resin components prior to film casting. Three different PLA films were fabricated for this study: pure PLA film, PLA film with BHT and PEG 400 (BP-PLA film), PLA film with α-tocopherol, BHT, and PEG 400 (ABP-PLA film). The addition of PEG 400 into the pure PLA film decreased the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the film. The BP-PLA and ABP-PLA film had around 51 °C of T_g while pure PLA film had 66 °C. Due to the decreased T_g of both the BP-PLA and ABP-PLA film, both films had an increased elongation at break (%E). The addition of plasticizer into the pure PLA film also caused increased water vapor permeability (WVP) and decreased oxygen permeability (OP). The ABP-PLA film had highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, 90%, while pure PLA and BP-PLA film had only 0 and 14%, respectively.     

Binder MIMO Channels

This paper introduces a multiple-input multiple-output channel model for the characterization of a binder of telephone lines. This model is based on multiconductor transmission line theory, and uses parameters that can be obtained from electromagnetic theory or measured data. The model generates frequency-dependent channel/binder transfer function matrices as a function of cable type, geometric line-spacing and twist-length parameters, and source--load configurations. The model allows the extraction of the magnitude and the phase of individual near end crosstalk, far end crosstalk, split-pair, and phantom transfer functions from the transfer function matrix of the binder. These individual crosstalk transfer functions are often found to be very sensitive to small imperfections in the binder. Examples of category 3 twisted pair American telephone lines and ldquoquadrdquo telephone cables are also presented.     

WC-reinforced (Ti,W)(CN)

A ceramic microstructure of WC-reinforced (Ti,W)(CN) was designed using thermodynamic instability among the constituent elements and gas species involved in the sintering process. During sintering WC in the shape of platelets formed in (Ti,W)(CN) solid-solution ceramics, which were synthesized from milled mixtures of oxides with carbon. The WC platelets separated from the (Ti,W)(CN) ceramics due to the low chemical affinity of tungsten for nitrogen. The shape of WC varies depending on the composition of the binder phase and the sintering conditions. With increasing binder content, the WC platelet shape became more irregular. This change was attributed not only to surface energy but also to the formation mechanism. The presence of WC platelets toughened (Ti,W)(CN) significantly at excellent hardness value (H_v: 18.5–20.0 GPa, K_IC: 6.0–6.8 MPa m^1/2) as compared to those of recently reported advanced structural ceramics.     

A single-electrode capacitive sensor using incremental delta–sigma architecture

This paper presents a single-electrode capacitive sensor using a single-bit second-order incremental delta–sigma architecture. In order to achieve high accuracy in this capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC), the shielding signal and the digitally controlled offset capacitors are used in combination with the delta–sigma CDC. The designed sensor is suitable for capacitive transducers for ±10 pF input range with sub-fF resolution.     

TEM characterization of super-hydrophilic Ni-Ti thin film

A super-hydrophilic Ni-Ti thin film is evaluated using cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Following sputter deposition and annealing, the Ni-Ti thin films are chemically treated with buffered oxide etchant, nitric acid and 30% hydrogen peroxide solution to produce a 100-nm-thick surface oxide layer. The fabricated Ni-Ti thin films show a 10- to 15-nm TiO₂ thick layer on its surface with a ~ 67° wetting angle. For the surface treated sample, a porous oxide 100 nm TiO layer is found with a < 5°. It is believed that TiOOH(H₂O)_n complex forms on the surface to produce the observed super-hydrophilic behavior.     

Natural frequencies of Euler-Bernoulli beam with open cracks on elastic foundations

A study of the natural vibrations of beam resting on elastic foundation with finite number of transverse open cracks is presented. Frequency equations are derived for beams with different end restraints. Euler-Bernoulli beam on Winkler foundation and Euler-Bernoulli beam on Pasternak foundation are investigated. The cracks are modeled by massless substitute spring. The effects of the crack location, size and its number and the foundation constants, on the natural frequencies of the beam, are investigated.     

Enhancement of the thermal stability,mechanical properties and morphologies of recycled PVC/clay nanocomposites

Summary Recycled PVC/clay nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing of recycled PVCs and modified clays. Characterization of the nanostructure of the nanocomposites was carried out using wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). In case of 10wt.%, the characteristic peak of modified clay was perfectly disappeared, because of aids of plasticizers as co-intercalator. Thermal stability was evaluated from the thermal decomposition behaviors and linear dimension changes by TGA and TMA system. Coefficients of thermal expansion of the nanocomposites were also observed from TMA analysis. Dynamic mechanical properties were evaluated using DMA system. The thermal and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were improved simultaneously for varied clay loadings, 1,3,5,10wt.%, compared to recycled PVC. Especially, the storage modulus of the nanocomposites with 10wt.% clay loading was increased 11 times compared to that of recycled PVC.