Non-segregating electrolytes for molten carbonate fuel cells

Current MCFCs use a Li/K carbonate mixture; the segregation increases the K concentration near the cathode, leading to increase cathode solubility and performance decline. ANL is developing molten carbonates that have minimal segregation; the approach is using Li-Na carbonates. In screening tests, fully developed potential distributions were obtained for 4 Li/Na compositions, and performance data were used to compare these

Lithium-ferrate-based cathodes for molten carbonate fuel cells

Argonne National Laboratory is developing advanced cathodes for pressurized operation of the molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) at approximately 650 degrees Centigrade. These cathodes are based on lithium ferrate (LiFeO[sub 2]) which is attractive because of its very low solubility in the molten (Li,K)[sub 2]CO[sub 3] electrolyte. Because of its high resistivity, LiFeO[sub 2] cannot be used as a direct substitute for NiO. Cation substitution is, therefore, necessary to decrease resistivity. The effect of cation substitution on the resistivity and deformation of LiFeO[sub 2] was determined. The substitutes were chosen because their respective oxides as well as LiFeO[sub 2] crystallize with the rock-salt structure

Design of a high-current downlink using Bi-based superconductors

Recent processing developments in Bi{sub 1.8}Pb{sub 0.4}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}0{sub x} (BSCCO-2223) bars have produced bulk BSCCO-2223 bars with properties advantageous for power applications. Cold isostatically pressed (CIP) and sinter-forged BSCCO-2223 both have low AC loss, which make them desirable for use in power devices. Thermal conductivity of the CIP bars is lower than that of the previously used sinter-forged samples by a factor of 2. CIP bars with cross-sectional areas of =0.75 cm{sup 2} and carrying 250 A RMS transport current have AC loss values of 30 pJ/cycle-cm at 50 Hz and 77 K. A pair of prototype downlinks were designed and built with sinter forged bars to deliver a continuous AC current of 1500 A over a temperature gradient of 77 to 4.2 K while delivering about -200 MW of heat to the liquid-helium-cooled end. This paper will discuss the design considerations and modeling of downlinks, which supply high AC currents over the 77 to 4.2 K temperature gradient with low thermal losses

Mechanical properties of high-temperature superconducting wires

Bending strength, fracture toughness, and elastic modulus data were acquired for YBa2Cu3O(x), Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(x) (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O(x), and Tl2Ba2Ca2Cu3O(x) bars. These data and thermal expansion coefficients strongly suggest that the maximum possible tensile strain without fracture of bulk tapes or wires is approximately equals 0.2%. In Ag-clad conductors, residual stresses will be of limited benefit, but fractures produced by larger strains can be accommodated by shunting current through the Ag

Fabrication and characterization of (Bi,Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (2223) bars

Bulk bars for current lead applications were fabricated from (Bi,Pb)- Sr-Ca-Cu-O (Bi-2223) for low thermal conductivity and high critical current. Bars measuring 17.8 cm in length were made by uniaxially pressing Bi-2223 powder of controlled (1.7/0.34)223 and (1.8/0.4)223 phase composition. The bulk bars were densified by subjecting them to a schedule of alternate liquid-phase sintering and cold isostatic pressing. Liquid phase sintering temperatures were optimized from differential thermal analysis and microstructure morphology. Phase purity and microstructure were evaluated by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Low-resistance silver contacts were applied to the bars by hot-pressing at 820{degrees}C and 3 MPa. Critical current densities {approx} 1000 A/cm{sup 3} (critical currents of 750 A at 77 K in self-field conditions) were achieved

Processing and properties of hot-forged bulk superconductors

(Bi,Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} (Bi-2223) and TlBa{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} (Tl-1223) bars were hot forged in air at 820--850C. Final stresses of 2--3 MPa were sufficient to produce >95% dense Bi-2223 bars. In contrast, stresses to {approx}42 MPa were able to produce only 75--80% dense Tl-1223 bars. The Bi-2223 bars were more phase-pure and exhibited much stronger c-axis textures than the Tl-1223. Maximum critical current densities at 77 K were 8 {times} 10{sup 4} A/cm{sup 2} for the Bi-2223 and 2 {times} 10{sup 4}/cm{sup 2} for the Tl-1223. Fracture strength and toughness values were 140 MPa and 2.9 MPa{radical}m for the Bi-2223 and 50 MPa and 0.5 MPa{radical}m for the Tl-1223

An Investigation Demonstrating the Feasibility of Microwave Sintering of Base-Metal-Electrode Multilayer Capacitors

Abstract. A microwave sintering technique has been developed for base-metal electrode (BME) multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs). Commercial green chips of size 0603 MLC with nickel electrodes were sintered in a microwave field. With a specially designed susceptor/insulation package to optimize coupling and uniformity of heating, a number of sintering experiments were conducted in the temperature range of 1200 to 1250 • C in a multimode microwave cavity operating at 2.45 GHz under a partially reducing atmosphere. Microstructure of the microwave processed MLCCs was investigated with both SEM and TEM techniques. The dielectric properties of the microwave sintered MLCCs were measured and compared with those sintered using conventional process at 1320 • C and lower pO 2 's ≈ 10 −9 atms. The results demonstrate that nickel electrodes remain metallic after microwave sintering even though the pO 2 's were relatively high and would thermodynamically favor NiO. The microwave sintered samples showed a dense, fine and uniform microstructure. The properties of the microwavesintered samples were comparable to the conventionally sintered samples. The microwave processing was found to have enhanced sintering kinetics of the BME MLCCs, lowering sintering temperature by about 100 • C and also the processing time by about 90%

Superconducting wires

The requirement of high critical current density has prompted extensive research on ceramic processing of high-T/sub c/ superconductors. An overview of wire fabrication techniques and the limitations they impose on component design will be presented. The effects of processing on microstructure and critical current density will also be discussed. Particle alignment has been observed in extruded samples which is attributed to high shear stresses during plastic forming. Composites of superconductor and silver in several configurations have been made with little deleterious effect on the superconducting properties. 35 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab

Questioning policy, youth participation and lifestyle sports

Young people have been identified as a key target group for whom participation in sport and physical activity could have important benefits to health and wellbeing and consequently have been the focus of several government policies to increase participation in the UK. Lifestyle sports represent one such strategy for encouraging and sustaining new engagements in sport and physical activity in youth groups, however, there is at present a lack of understanding of the use of these activities within policy contexts. This paper presents findings from a government initiative which sought to increase participation in sport for young people through provision of facilities for mountain biking in a forest in south-east England. Findings from qualitative research with 40 young people who participated in mountain biking at the case study location highlight the importance of non-traditional sports as a means to experience the natural environments through forms of consumption which are healthy, active and appeal to their identities. In addition, however, the paper raises questions over the accessibility of schemes for some individuals and social groups, and the ability to incorporate sports which are inherently participant-led into state-managed schemes. Lifestyle sports such as mountain biking involve distinct forms of participation which present a challenge for policy-makers who seek to create and maintain sustainable communities of youth participants

Strength and flexibility of bulk high-{Tc} superconductors

Strength, fracture toughness, and elastic modulus data have been gathered for bulk high-temperature superconductors, commercial 99.9% Ag, and a 1.2 at.% Mg/Ag alloy. These data have been used to calculate fracture strains for bulk conductors. The calculations indicate that the superconducting cores of clad tapes should begin to fracture at strains below 0.2%. In addition, residual strains in Ag-clad (Bi,Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} tapes have been measured by neutron diffraction. An explanation is offered for why many tapes appear to be able to tolerate large strains before exhibiting a reduction in current transport