Presentation of a mixed reality software with a HoloLens headset for a nutrition workshop

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Microsoft has recently released a mixed reality headset called HoloLens. This semi-transparent visor headset allows the user who wears it to view the projection...     

Synthesis and characterization of olivine LiNiPO4 for aqueous rechargeable battery

LiNiPO₄ belongs to a family of olivine type compounds, with members LiMPO₄ where M = Fe, Mn, Co or Ni are transition metals. The lithium nickel phosphate was prepared and characterized in order to evaluate a new potential cathode material for our ongoing research in aqueous rechargeable batteries. Annealing the final product is critical in obtaining the stoichiometric LiNiPO₄ pure phase; conventional cooling to a room temperature leads to an indication of Li₃PO₄ and NiO secondary phases as impurities. The synchrotron infrared radiation (SR-IR) as a source for IR spectroscopy pins down the differences in the chemical bonding for annealed and conventional cooled LiNiPO₄ samples. The cyclic voltammetric and galvanostatic studies showed annealed LiNiPO₄ is electrochemically active from which lithium ions can be de-intercalated during oxidation process leading to an amorphous NiPO₄ and a minor product of nickel(II) hydroxide (β-NiOOH). During subsequent reduction, lithium ions are not fully intercalated, however, the structure is reversible and adequate for multiple cycles. The high potential in LiNiPO₄ looks to be very attractive in terms of high energy density, given the efficiency is improved.     

Microstructural and spectroscopic investigations into the effect of CeO2 additions on the performance of a MnO2 aqueous rechargeable battery

The influence of CeO₂ additions on the electrochemical behaviour of the MnO₂ cathode in a Zn-MnO₂ battery using lithium hydroxide (LiOH) as an electrolyte is investigated using microscopy and spectroscopic techniques. The results showed that such additions greatly improve the discharge capacity of the battery (from 155 to 190 mAh g⁻¹) but only from the second discharge cycle onwards. Capacity fade with subsequent cycling is also greatly reduced. With an aim to understand the role of CeO₂ on the discharge-charge characteristics of MnO₂ and its mechanism, we have used a range of microscopy, spectroscopy and diffraction-based techniques to study the process. The CeO₂ is not modified by multiple discharged and charged cycles. The CeO₂ may enhance the discharge-charge performance of the battery by raising the oxygen evolution potential during charging but does not take part directly in the redox reaction.