Meeting of GOP Governors

An original ink cartoon depicting GOP governors as Abraham Lincoln look-alikes. The cartoon was originally published in the Boston Herald, 1994. Original ink cartoon by Jerry Holbert, originally published in Boston Herald,1994.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/fvw-artifacts/2445/thumbnail.jp

Spectroscopic Studies of Low Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Fuel cell technology is one of the many competing technologies in the future of energy conversion and transport. With a growing demand for efficient, versatile and environmental friendly alternatives to the internal combustion engine, fuel cells show promising potential where batteries and grid-electricity are not available. For portable and transport applications, the low temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is the most promising candidate. With a simple design, high power density and fast start-up, this technology have advanced quickly during the last decade with numerous field trials of several big automotive companies. However, two important challenges still remain. The current PEMFC system is still several times more expensive than competing technologies, even in serial production. Alternative cheaper materials, as well as improved design and manufacturing techniques can ultimately lower the cost. The durability of the PEMFC system must also be improved to compete with current technologies. The US Department of Energy estimates that the durability of a fuel cell stack need to reach no less than 5000 operating hours to be a competitive option. In the fuel cell stack, the membrane electrode assembly is known to be the limiting factor in durability tests. In this thesis, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) are used to detect and identify degradation mechanisms in membranes and electrodes used in PEMFC. The two main degradation mechanisms detected in poly-fluorosulfonic acid-based (PFSA) membranes are loss of active end groups and degradation of the polymer backbone (cutting of the polymer chain). Both these mechanisms are quantified by Raman spectroscopy. Degradation of the backbone, and carbon migration from the electrodes into the membrane are certain signs of an upcoming failure of the membrane, this degradation is measured in detail with micro-Raman spectroscopy. Finally, XPS is used to measure the oxidation state and particle distribution in the interface between the electrodes and the membrane. A lowered concentration of active catalyst in electrodes lowers the efficiency of the fuel cell and leads to rapid degradation

Spectroscopic Studies of Low Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Fuel cell technology is one of the many competing technologies in the future of energy conversion and transport. With a growing demand for efficient, versatile and environmental friendly alternatives to the internal combustion engine, fuel cells show promising potential where batteries and grid-electricity are not available.For portable and transport applications, the low temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is the most promising candidate. With a simple design, high power density and fast start-up, this technology have advanced quickly during the last decade with numerous field trials of several big automotive companies.However, two important challenges still remain. The current PEMFC system is still several times more expensive than competing technologies, even in serial production. Alternative cheaper materials, as well as improved design and manufacturing techniques can ultimately lower the cost. The durability of the PEMFC system must also be improved to compete with current technologies. The US Department of Energy estimates that the durability of a fuel cell stack need to reach no less than 5000 operating hours to be a competitive option. In the fuel cell stack, the membrane electrode assembly is known to be the limiting factor in durability tests. In this thesis, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) are used to detect and identify degradation mechanisms in membranes and electrodes used in PEMFC. The two main degradation mechanisms detected in poly-fluorosulfonic acid-based (PFSA) membranes are loss of active end groups and degradation of the polymer backbone (cutting of the polymer chain). Both these mechanisms are quantified by Raman spectroscopy. Degradation of the backbone, and carbon migration from the electrodes into the membrane are certain signs of an upcoming failure of the membrane, this degradation is measured in detail with micro-Raman spectroscopy. Finally, XPS is used to measure the oxidation state and particle distribution in the interface between the electrodes and the membrane. A lowered concentration of active catalyst in electrodes lowers the efficiency of the fuel cell and leads to rapid degradation

Meeting of GOP Governors

An original ink cartoon depicting GOP governors as Abraham Lincoln look-alikes. The cartoon was originally published in the Boston Herald, 1994. Original ink cartoon by Jerry Holbert, originally published in Boston Herald,1994.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/fvw-cartoons/1062/thumbnail.jp

Full of Hot Air? Evaluating the Airgas Court’s Reservations About Shareholders’ Short-Term and Long-Term Interests in Takeovers

This Note explores the incentives and preferences of shareholders in takeovers. This analysis is conducted in the context of the Delaware Chancery Court’s February 2011 decision in Air Products & Chemicals v. Airgas. In that case, the court’s decision largely turned on whether certain short-term and long-term shareholders have different preferences and incentives in takeovers. This Note adopts a similar focus but frames the question in terms of whether Hedge Funds, shareholders perceived as short-term motivated, and Institutional Investors, shareholders perceived as long-term motivated, evince different preferences and incentives in takeovers. This Note’s analysis relies on both academic inquiries into the shareholders’ investment strategies and empirical data about the shareholders’ actual investment choices. This Note also compares and contrasts its findings with existing academic takeover analysis. Overall, this Note finds limited evidence of similarities between these shareholders’ incentives and preferences in the takeover context