Li₂Ni_0.5Mn_0.5SnO₄/C: A Novel Hybrid Composite Electrode for High Rate Applications

A novel Li₂Ni_0.5Mn_0.5SnO₄/C composite electrode, existing as a hybrid consisting of monoclinic Li₂SnO₃ and layered LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂, has been identified and validated for high capacity and high rate lithium battery applications. Of the components, LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ upon discharge forms the corresponding dilithium oxide, viz., Li₂Ni_0.5Mn_0.5O₂, and facilitates the progressive electrochemical performance of the composite electrode. Similarly, Li₂SnO₃ upon discharge forms Li₂O and SnO₂, wherein the unacceptable volume expansion related issues of SnO₂ are addressed by the buffering activity of Li₂O phase. A combination of alloying/dealloying, conversion, and redox mechanism is responsible for the excellent electrochemical behavior of Li₂Ni_0.5Mn_0.5SnO₄/C electrode. With this newer formulation of dilithium stannate composite, a superior capacity of >3000 mAh g^–1 at 100 mA g^–1 current density has been demonstrated. The study opens up a newer gateway for the entry of Li₂SnO₃·LiM₁M₂O₂ hybrid formulations for exploitation up to 1 A g^–1 rate, thus ensuring the sustainable development of potential electrode materials for high rate applications

LiVP₂O₇/C: A New Insertion Anode Material for High-Rate Lithium-Ion Battery Applications

LiVP₂O₇/C, popularly known so far as an environmentally compatible and economically viable lithium battery cathode material, was exploited for the first time as an anode through the current study. LiVP₂O₇/C was synthesized by adopting oxalyl dihydrazide assisted solution combustion method and explored as an anode material in rechargeable lithium cell assembly. Notably, an initial capacity of 600 mAh g^–1 was exhibited by LiVP₂O₇/C anode, at the rate of 0.5 C along with an excellent Coulombic efficiency of 99% up to 150 cycles. The title anode demonstrates its suitability for high capacity and high rate applications by way of exhibiting appreciable capacity values of 200, 150, 120, and 110 mAh g^–1, under the influence of 2, 4, 6, and 8 C rates, respectively. Further, LiVP₂O₇/C anode, when subjected to a high current 10 C rate, exhibits an acceptable capacity of 107 mAh g^–1 up to 500 cycles, which is closer to its theoretical capacity value of 117 mAh g^–1. The study demonstrates the possibility of exploiting LiVP₂O₇/C as yet another potential anode and thereby opens a newer avenue to explore wide variety of LiMP₂O₇/C composites for their probable anode behavior in rechargeable lithium batteries

Sn-Fe5(PO4)4(OH)3.2H2O/graphene: A new electrode for superior rate applications in Li/Na ion batteries

A novel Sn-Fe5(PO4)4(OH)3.2H2O, otherwise known as (Sn-FeHP) is prepared by hydrothermal method and subsequently, Sn-FeHP/G composite containing graphene is obtained by adopting a simple mechanothermal approach. Not requiring the addition of surfactant or template, the currently adopted hydrothermal strategy produces flower like morphology with a polyhedral rod assembly. When it is explored as Li-ion battery anode, a steady state capacity of 1000 mA h g−1 is demonstrated by Sn-FeHP/G under the influence of 100 mA g−1 current density with an excellent Coulombic efficiency of 99% up to 100 cycles. The title anode demonstrates its suitability for high capacity and high rate applications by exhibiting appreciable capacity values of 520, 450, and 350 mA h g−1 , under the influence of 2, 3 and 5 A g−1 respectively. Further, Sn-FeHP/G composite anode demonstrates the suitability for Na-ion batteries by exhibiting 195 and 160 mA h g−1 of capacity under the influence of 50 and 100 mA g−1 up to 1000 and 100 cycles respectively. The study recommends Sn-FeHP/G composite for its exploitation as an alternative anode for high-performance lithium-ion and sodium-ion batterie

Study of moisture management properties of bamboo, wool and cotton trilayer knitted fabrics

Moisture management is a critical feature of any sportswear, as it improves the fabric's comfort level. Comfort differs from person to person depending upon the perception of the wearer. Comfort is the relation between a psychological and physiological behavior of the wearer. The moisture transmission of the fabric is the key determinant of thermophysiological comfort. The moisture management features of trilayer knitted fabrics constructed of a range of yarns on the inner and outer sides, including micro denier filament polyester, Monofilament, wool, bamboo, and cotton, are examined in this article. The sample B/MDPF/C, which included an inner layer of bamboo, a middle layer of Micro denier Filament polyester, and an outer layer of cotton shows appreciable moisture management property, providing an excellent comfort nature due to its appreciable property required for a moisture management fabric

Xpert negative means no TB: A mixed-methods study into early implementation of Xpert in Puducherry, India

Introduction: Xpert MTB/RIF was implemented in 2016 as the initial diagnostic test for extrapulmonary, pediatric, and human immunodeficiency virus–associated tuberculosis (TB) and as an add-on test for sputum microscopy–negative patients under Revised National TB Control Programme, Puducherry, India. We intended to study the change in TB case notification rates (CNRs) after 2015 and explore the enablers and barriers for implementation of Xpert. Materials and Methods: Sequential mixed-methods study, quantitative phase followed by a descriptive qualitative phase (key informant interviews with healthcare providers in the program). Results: The TB (all forms) CNR increased in 2016 followed by a drop to 2015 levels in 2017. There was a reduction in patients notified as sputum-negative pulmonary TB and pediatric TB during 2016–2017. Healthcare providers used a negative Xpert result in ruling out TB among patients who would previously get diagnosed clinically. Perceived benefits of Xpert were efficiency, rapid results, and detecting resistance. Barriers included poor awareness among medical colleges and the private sector, difficulty in motivating sputum microscopy–negative patients for Xpert, and incompletely filled referral forms. Conclusion: Xpert-negative results should be interpreted cautiously after clinical assessment. Identified barriers should be addressed to ensure that all eligible undergo testing