611 research outputs found
Decoupling segmental relaxation and ionic conductivity for lithium-ion polymer electrolytes
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Decoupling segmental relaxation and ionic conductivity for lithium-ion polymer electrolytes
International audienceThe use of polymer electrolytes instead of liquid organic systems is considered key for enhancing the safety of lithium batteries and may, in addition, enable the transition to high-energy lithium metal anodes. An intrinsic limitation, however, is their rather low ionic conductivity at ambient temperature. Nonetheless, it has been suggested that this might be overcome by decoupling the ion transport and the segmental relaxation of the coordinating polymer. Here, we provide an overview of the different approaches to achieve such decoupling, including a brief recapitulation of the segmental-relaxation dependent ion conduction mechanism, exemplarily focusing on the archetype of polymer electrolytes – polyethylene oxide (PEO). In fact, while the understanding of the underlying mechanisms has greatly improved within recent years, it remains rather challenging to outperform PEO-based electrolyte systems. Nonetheless, it is not impossible, as highlighted by several examples mentioned herein, especially in consideration of the extremely rich polymer chemistry and with respect to the substantial progress already achieved in designing tailored molecules with well-defined nanostructures
Dutch disease-cum-financialization booms and external balance cycles in developing countries
We formally investigate the medium-to-long-run dynamics emerging out of a Dutch disease-cum-financialization phenomenon. We take inspiration from the most recent Colombian development pattern. The “pure” Dutch disease first causes deindustrialization by permanently appreciating the economy’s exchange rate in the long run. Financialization, i.e. booming capital inflows taking place in a climate of natural resource-led financial over-optimism, causes medium-run exchange rate volatility and macroeconomic instability. This jeopardizes manufacturing development even further by raising macroeconomic uncertainty. We advise the adoption of capital controls and a developmentalist monetary policy to tackle these two distinct but often intertwined phenomena
Noncommutative geometry and physics: a review of selected recent results
This review is based on two lectures given at the 2000 TMR school in Torino.
We discuss two main themes: i) Moyal-type deformations of gauge theories, as
emerging from M-theory and open string theories, and ii) the noncommutative
geometry of finite groups, with the explicit example of Z_2, and its
application to Kaluza-Klein gauge theories on discrete internal spaces.Comment: Based on lectures given at the TMR School on contemporary string
theory and brane physics, Jan 26- Feb 2, 2000, Torino, Italy. To be published
in Class. Quant. Grav. 17 (2000). 3 ref.s added, typos corrected, formula on
exterior product of n left-invariant one-forms corrected, small changes in
the Sect. on integratio
Noncommutative Geometry of Finite Groups
A finite set can be supplied with a group structure which can then be used to
select (classes of) differential calculi on it via the notions of left-, right-
and bicovariance. A corresponding framework has been developed by Woronowicz,
more generally for Hopf algebras including quantum groups. A differential
calculus is regarded as the most basic structure needed for the introduction of
further geometric notions like linear connections and, moreover, for the
formulation of field theories and dynamics on finite sets. Associated with each
bicovariant first order differential calculus on a finite group is a braid
operator which plays an important role for the construction of distinguished
geometric structures. For a covariant calculus, there are notions of invariance
for linear connections and tensors. All these concepts are explored for finite
groups and illustrated with examples. Some results are formulated more
generally for arbitrary associative (Hopf) algebras. In particular, the problem
of extension of a connection on a bimodule (over an associative algebra) to
tensor products is investigated, leading to the class of `extensible
connections'. It is shown that invariance properties of an extensible
connection on a bimodule over a Hopf algebra are carried over to the extension.
Furthermore, an invariance property of a connection is also shared by a `dual
connection' which exists on the dual bimodule (as defined in this work).Comment: 34 pages, Late
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