Rapid Low-Dimensional Li+Ion Hopping Processes in Synthetic Hectorite-Type Li0.5[Mg2.5Li0.5]Si4O10F2

Understanding the origins of fast ion transport in solids is important to develop new ionic conductors for batteries and sensors. Nature offers a rich assortment of rather inspiring structures to elucidate these origins. In particular, layer-structured materials are prone to show facile Li+ transport along their inner surfaces. Here, synthetic hectorite-type Li0.5[Mg2.5Li0.5]Si4O10F2, being a phyllosilicate, served as a model substance to investigate Li+ translational ion dynamics by both broadband conductivity spectroscopy and diffusion-induced 7Li nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin-lattice relaxation experiments. It turned out that conductivity spectroscopy, electric modulus data, and NMR are indeed able to detect a rapid 2D Li+ exchange process governed by an activation energy as low as 0.35 eV. At room temperature, the bulk conductivity turned out to be in the order of 0.1 mS cm-1. Thus, the silicate represents a promising starting point for further improvements by crystal chemical engineering. To the best of our knowledge, such a high Li+ ionic conductivity has not been observed for any silicate yet

Final Report of CBRNEmap : A better preparedness and response for European citizens facing CBRNE Threats

CBRNEmap was a pre-study to the upcoming CBRNE technology demonstrator. Accordingly, considerable efforts were used to describe the feasibility and to sort out a number of basic requirements of the contemplated demonstrator object. This report deals with two areas deemed important when constructing a civilian CBRNE system of systems, its limitations and some suggested specifications: A useful CBRNE system of systems will improve and connect important societal functions vital before, during and after a CBRNE accident and/or attack. CBRNEmap identifies three clusters of activities as the most important when making our society resilient to CBRNE. These are, the cluster of activities making up the response function, the cluster of activities defining the function to protect identified targets and the cluster of societal investments enabling Europe to become more resilient. As examples and as a source of inspiration the three societal functions described above (response, protect and enabling) were used to discuss the CBRNE technology demonstrator. The demonstrator objects were populated by technologies and thereafter discussed with respect to choice of scenarios, choice of parameters to be used for its validation and with respect to its market value. Based on its conclusions, its working process and its interaction with external partners CBRNEmap recommends that: The use of Integrated Project Teams will be given priority when evaluating the upcoming demonstrator objects. The European Commission does everything possible to ensure that the results of previous “EU project” get integrated into the upcoming demonstrator object. Appropriate limitations and projections are made to the CBRNE system of systems perspective, in order to produce a CBRNE demonstrator serving the societal functions responsible or operational active. Considerable efforts are given to validating the improvements and/or added value of the demonstrator object. The cluster of societal investment we refer to as the enabler is further investigated in a future SSA