568 research outputs found
Recovery of graphite and cathode active materials from spent lithium-ion batteries by applying two pretreatment methods and flotation combined with a rapid analysis technique
This work investigates the comprehensive recycling of graphite and cathode active materials (LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2, abbreviated as NMC) from spent lithium-ion batteries via pretreatment and flotation. Specific analytical methods (SPME-GC-MS and Py-GC-MS) were utilized to identify and trace the relevant influencing factors. Two different pretreatment methods, which are Fenton oxidation and roasting, were investigated with respect to their influence on the flotation effectiveness. As a result, for NMC cathode active materials, a recovery of 90% and a maximum grade of 83% were obtained by the optimized roasting and flotation. Meanwhile, a graphite grade of 77% in the froth product was achieved, with a graphite recovery of 75%. By using SPME-GC-MS and Py-GC-MS analyses, it could be shown that, in an optimized process, an effective destruction/removal of the electrolyte and binder residues can be reached. The applied analytical tools could be integrated into the workflow, which enabled process control in terms of the pretreatment sufficiency and achievable separation in the subsequent flotation
Optical properties of coated black carbon aggregates: numerical simulations, radiative forcing estimates, and size-resolved parameterization scheme
The formation of black carbon fractal aggregates (BCFAs) from combustion and subsequent ageing involves several stages resulting in modifications of particle size, morphology, and composition over time. To understand and quantify how each of these modifications influences the BC radiative forcing, the optical properties of BCFAs are modelled. Owing to the high computational time involved in numerical modelling, there are some gaps in terms of data coverage and knowledge regarding how optical properties of coated BCFAs vary over the range of different factors (size, shape, and composition). This investigation bridged those gaps by following a state-of-the-art description scheme of BCFAs based on morphology, composition, and wavelength. The BCFA optical properties were investigated as a function of the radius of the primary particle (ao), fractal dimension (Df), fraction of organics (forganics), wavelength (λ), and mobility diameter (Dmob). The optical properties are calculated using the multiple-sphere T-matrix (MSTM) method. For the first time, the modelled optical properties of BC are expressed in terms of mobility diameter (Dmob), making the results more relevant and relatable for ambient and laboratory BC studies. Amongst size, morphology, and composition, all the optical properties showed the highest variability with changing size. The cross sections varied from 0.0001 to 0.1 ÎŒm2 for BCFA Dmob ranging from 24 to 810nm. It has been shown that MACBC and single-scattering albedo (SSA) are sensitive to morphology, especially for larger particles with Dmobg > 100 nm. Therefore, while using the simplified core-shell representation of BC in global models, the influence of morphology on radiative forcing estimations might not be adequately considered. The Ă
ngström absorption exponent (AAE) varied from 1.06 up to 3.6 and increased with the fraction of organics (forganics). Measurement results of AAE â«1 are often misinterpreted as biomass burning aerosol, it was observed that the AAE of purely black carbon particles can be â«1 in the case of larger BC particles. The values of the absorption enhancement factor (Eλ) via coating were found to be between 1.01 and 3.28 in the visible spectrum. The Eλ was derived from Mie calculations for coated volume equivalent spheres and from MSTM for coated BCFAs. Mie-calculated enhancement factors were found to be larger by a factor of 1.1 to 1.5 than their corresponding values calculated from the MSTM method. It is shown that radiative forcings are highly sensitive to modifications in morphology and composition. The black carbon radiative forcing FTOA (Wgm-2) decreases up to 61% as the BCFA becomes more compact, indicating that global model calculations should account for changes in morphology. A decrease of more than 50% in FTOA was observed as the organic content of the particle increased up to 90%. The changes in the ageing factors (composition and morphology) in tandem result in an overall decrease in the FTOA. A parameterization scheme for optical properties of BC fractal aggregates was developed, which is applicable for modelling, ambient, and laboratory-based BC studies. The parameterization scheme for the cross sections (extinction, absorption, and scattering), single-scattering albedo (SSA), and asymmetry parameter (g) of pure and coated BCFAs as a function of Dmob were derived from tabulated results of the MSTM method. Spanning an extensive parameter space, the developed parameterization scheme showed promisingly high accuracy up to 98% for the cross sections, 97% for single-scattering albedos (SSAs), and 82% for the asymmetry parameter (g). © 2021 The Author(s)
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Importance of size representation and morphology in modelling optical properties of black carbon: comparison between laboratory measurements and model simulations
Black carbon (BC) from incomplete combustion of biomass or fossil fuels is the strongest absorbing aerosol component in the atmosphere. Optical properties of BC are essential in climate models for quantification of their impact on radiative forcing. The global climate models, however, consider BC to be spherical particles, which causes uncertainties in their optical properties. Based on this, an increasing number of model-based studies provide databases and parameterization schemes for the optical properties of BC, using more realistic fractal aggregate morphologies. In this study, the reliability of the different modelling techniques of BC was investigated by comparing them to laboratory measurements. The modelling techniques were examined for bare BC particles in the first step and for BC particles with organic material in the second step. A total of six morphological representations of BC particles were compared, three each for spherical and fractal aggregate morphologies. In general, the aggregate representation performed well for modelling the particle light absorption coefficient Ïabs, single-scattering albedo SSA, and mass absorption cross-section MACBC for laboratory-generated BC particles with volume mean mobility diameters dp,V larger than 100nm. However, for modelling Ă
ngström absorption exponent AAE, it was difficult to suggest a method due to size dependence, although the spherical assumption was in better agreement in some cases. The BC fractal aggregates are usually modelled using monodispersed particles, since their optical simulations are computationally expensive. In such studies, the modelled optical properties showed a 25% uncertainty in using the monodisperse size method. It is shown that using the polydisperse size distribution in combination with fractal aggregate morphology reduces the uncertainty in measured Ïabs to 10% for particles with dp,V between 60-160nm. Furthermore, the sensitivities of the BC optical properties to the various model input parameters such as the real and imaginary parts of the refractive index (mre and mim), the fractal dimension (Df), and the primary particle radius (app) of an aggregate were investigated. When the BC particle is small and rather fresh, the change in the Df had relatively little effect on the optical properties. There was, however, a significant relationship between app and the particle light scattering, which increased by a factor of up to 6 with increasing total particle size. The modelled optical properties of BC are well aligned with laboratory-measured values when the following assumptions are used in the fractal aggregate representation: mre between 1.6 and 2, mim between 0.50 and 1, Df from 1.7 to 1.9, and app between 10 and 14nm. Overall, this study provides experimental support for emphasizing the importance of an appropriate size representation (polydisperse size method) and an appropriate morphological representation for optical modelling and parameterization scheme development of BC
EPIC 219388192 b - an inhabitant of the brown dwarf desert in the Ruprecht 147 open cluster
We report the discovery of EPIC 219388192 b, a transiting brown dwarf in a
5.3-day orbit around a member star of Ruprecht-147, the oldest nearby open
cluster association, which was photometrically monitored by K2 during its
Campaign 7. We combine the K2 time-series data with ground-based adaptive
optics imaging and high resolution spectroscopy to rule out false positive
scenarios and determine the main parameters of the system. EPIC 219388192 b has
a radius of =~ and mass of
=~, yielding a mean density of
~. The host star is nearly a Solar twin with
mass =~, radius
=~, effective temperature
=~K and iron abundance [Fe/H]=~dex.
Its age, spectroscopic distance, and reddening are consistent with those of
Ruprecht-147, corroborating its cluster membership. EPIC 219388192 b is the
first brown dwarf with precise determinations of mass, radius and age, and
serves as benchmark for evolutionary models in the sub-stellar regime.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, 4 tables, submitted to AAS Journal
Three Small Planets Transiting a Hyades Star
We present the discovery of three small planets transiting K2-136 (LP 358
348, EPIC 247589423), a late K dwarf in the Hyades. The planets have orbital
periods of , , and
days, and radii of , , and , respectively. With an age of
600-800 Myr, these planets are some of the smallest and youngest transiting
planets known. Due to the relatively bright (J=9.1) host star, the planets are
compelling targets for future characterization via radial velocity mass
measurements and transmission spectroscopy. As the first known star with
multiple transiting planets in a cluster, the system should be helpful for
testing theories of planet formation and migration.Comment: Accepted to The Astronomical Journa
Exoplanets around Low-mass Stars Unveiled by K2
We present the detection and follow-up observations of planetary candidates
around low-mass stars observed by the K2 mission. Based on light-curve
analysis, adaptive-optics imaging, and optical spectroscopy at low and high
resolution (including radial velocity measurements), we validate 16 planets
around 12 low-mass stars observed during K2 campaigns 5-10. Among the 16
planets, 12 are newly validated, with orbital periods ranging from 0.96-33
days. For one of the planets (K2-151b) we present ground-based transit
photometry, allowing us to refine the ephemerides. Combining our K2 M-dwarf
planets together with the validated or confirmed planets found previously, we
investigate the dependence of planet radius on stellar insolation and
metallicity [Fe/H]. We confirm that for periods days, planets
with a radius are less common than planets with a
radius between 1-2. We also see a hint of the "radius valley"
between 1.5 and 2 that has been seen for close-in planets around
FGK stars. These features in the radius/period distribution could be attributed
to photoevaporation of planetary envelopes by high-energy photons from the host
star, as they have for FGK stars. For the M dwarfs, though, the features are
not as well defined, and we cannot rule out other explanations such as
atmospheric loss from internal planetary heat sources, or truncation of the
protoplanetary disk. There also appears to be a relation between planet size
and metallicity: those few planets larger than about 3 are found
around the most metal-rich M dwarfs.Comment: 29 pages, 21 figures, 6 tables, Accepted in Astronomical Journa
The transiting multi-planet system HD3167: a 5.7 MEarth Super-Earth and a 8.3 MEarth mini-Neptune
HD3167 is a bright (V=8.9 mag) K0V star observed by the NASA's K2 space
mission during its Campaign 8. It has been recently found to host two small
transiting planets, namely, HD3167b, an ultra short period (0.96 d)
super-Earth, and HD3167c, a mini-Neptune on a relatively long-period orbit
(29.85 d). Here we present an intensive radial velocity follow-up of HD3167
performed with the FIES@NOT, [email protected], and HARPS-N@TNG spectrographs. We
revise the system parameters and determine radii, masses, and densities of the
two transiting planets by combining the K2 photometry with our spectroscopic
data. With a mass of 5.69+/-0.44 MEarth, radius of 1.574+/-0.054 REarth, and
mean density of 8.00(+1.0)(-0.98) g/cm^3, HD3167b joins the small group of
ultra-short period planets known to have a rocky terrestrial composition.
HD3167c has a mass of 8.33 (+1.79)(-1.85) MEarth and a radius of
2.740(+0.106)(-0.100) REarth, yielding a mean density of 2.21(+0.56)(-0.53)
g/cm^3, indicative of a planet with a composition comprising a solid core
surrounded by a thick atmospheric envelope. The rather large pressure scale
height (about 350 km) and the brightness of the host star make HD3167c an ideal
target for atmospheric characterization via transmission spectroscopy across a
broad range of wavelengths. We found evidence of additional signals in the
radial velocity measurements but the currently available data set does not
allow us to draw any firm conclusion on the origin of the observed variation.Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures, 5 table
Functional analysis of structural variants in single cells using Strand-seq
Somatic structural variants (SVs) are widespread in cancer, but their impact on disease evolution is understudied due to a lack of methods to directly characterize their functional consequences. We present a computational method, scNOVA, which uses Strand-seq to perform haplotype-aware integration of SV discovery and molecular phenotyping in single cells by using nucleosome occupancy to infer gene expression as a readout. Application to leukemias and cell lines identifies local effects of copy-balanced rearrangements on gene deregulation, and consequences of SVs on aberrant signaling pathways in subclones. We discovered distinct SV subclones with dysregulated Wnt signaling in a chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient. We further uncovered the consequences of subclonal chromothripsis in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which revealed c-Myb activation, enrichment of a primitive cell state and informed successful targeting of the subclone in cell culture, using a Notch inhibitor. By directly linking SVs to their functional effects, scNOVA enables systematic single-cell multiomic studies of structural variation in heterogeneous cell populations
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