Computational model of 18650 lithium-ion battery with coupled strain rate and SOC dependencies

Highly nonlinear structures and constituent materials and hazardous experiment situations have resulted in a pressing need for a numerical mechanical model for lithium-ion battery (LIB). However, such a model is still not well established. In this paper, an anisotropic homogeneous model describing the jellyroll and the battery shell is established and validated through compression, indentation, and bending tests at quasi-static loadings. In this model, state-of-charge (SOC) dependency of the LIB is further included through an analogy with the strain-rate effect. Moreover, with consideration of the inertia and strain rate effects, the anisotropic homogeneous model is extended into the dynamic regime and proven capable of predicting the dynamic response of the LIB using the drop-weight test. The established model may help to predict extreme cases with high SOCs and crashing speeds with an over 135% improved accuracy compared to traditional models. The established coupled strain rate and SOC dependencies of the numerical mechanical model for the LIB aims to provide a solid step toward unraveling and quantifying the complicated problems for research on LIB mechanical integrity. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Combining task-evoked and spontaneous activity to improve pre-operative brain mapping with fMRI

Noninvasive localization of brain function is used to understand and treat neurological disease, exemplified by pre-operative fMRI mapping prior to neurosurgical intervention. The principal approach for generating these maps relies on brain responses evoked by a task and, despite known limitations, has dominated clinical practice for over 20years. Recently, pre-operative fMRI mapping based on correlations in spontaneous brain activity has been demonstrated, however this approach has its own limitations and has not seen widespread clinical use. Here we show that spontaneous and task-based mapping can be performed together using the same pre-operative fMRI data, provide complimentary information relevant for functional localization, and can be combined to improve identification of eloquent motor cortex. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of our approach are quantified through comparison with electrical cortical stimulation mapping in eight patients with intractable epilepsy. Broad applicability and reproducibility of our approach are demonstrated through prospective replication in an independent dataset of six patients from a different center. In both cohorts and every individual patient, we see a significant improvement in signal to noise and mapping accuracy independent of threshold, quantified using receiver operating characteristic curves. Collectively, our results suggest that modifying the processing of fMRI data to incorporate both task-based and spontaneous activity significantly improves functional localization in pre-operative patients. Because this method requires no additional scan time or modification to conventional pre-operative data acquisition protocols it could have widespread utility

Spatial variability of soil salinity in Bohai Sea coastal wetlands, China: Partition into four management zones

Soil salinization constitutes an environmental hazard worldwide. The Bohai Sea coastal wetland area is experiencing dramatic soil salinization, which is affecting its economic development. This study focused on the spatial variation and distribution characteristics of soil salinity in this area using geostatistical analysis combined with the kriging interpolation method, based on a large-scale field investigation and layered soil sampling (0-30, 30-60 and 60-100cm). The results revealed that soil salinity in these layers demonstrated strong variability, obvious spatial structure characteristics and strong spatial autocorrelation. Soil salinity displayed a significant zonal distribution, gradually decreasing with increasing distance from the coastline. Apart from the northern part of the study area, which appeared to be not affected by soil salinization, there were varying degrees of soil salinization in nearly 70% of the total area. With increasing soil depth, the areas of non-salinized and mild salinized soil gradually decreased, while those of moderate salinized and strong salinized soils increased. The area of saline soil first decreased and then increased. The study area could be divided into four management zones according to soil salinities in the top 1-m soil body, and utilization measures, adapted to local conditions, were proposed for each zone. The results of our study present an important theoretical basis for the improvement of saline soils, for wetland re-vegetation and for the sustainable utilization of soil resources in the Bohai Sea coastal wetland.Soil salinization constitutes an environmental hazard worldwide. The Bohai Sea coastal wetland area is experiencing dramatic soil salinization, which is affecting its economic development. This study focused on the spatial variation and distribution characteristics of soil salinity in this area using geostatistical analysis combined with the kriging interpolation method, based on a large-scale field investigation and layered soil sampling (0-30, 30-60 and 60-100cm). The results revealed that soil salinity in these layers demonstrated strong variability, obvious spatial structure characteristics and strong spatial autocorrelation. Soil salinity displayed a significant zonal distribution, gradually decreasing with increasing distance from the coastline. Apart from the northern part of the study area, which appeared to be not affected by soil salinization, there were varying degrees of soil salinization in nearly 70% of the total area. With increasing soil depth, the areas of non-salinized and mild salinized soil gradually decreased, while those of moderate salinized and strong salinized soils increased. The area of saline soil first decreased and then increased. The study area could be divided into four management zones according to soil salinities in the top 1-m soil body, and utilization measures, adapted to local conditions, were proposed for each zone. The results of our study present an important theoretical basis for the improvement of saline soils, for wetland re-vegetation and for the sustainable utilization of soil resources in the Bohai Sea coastal wetland

Impact of the Kuroshio intrusion on the nutrient inventory in the upper northern South China Sea: insights from an isopycnal mixing model

Based on four cruises covering a seasonal cycle in 2009-2011, we examined the impact of the Kuroshio intrusion, featured by extremely oligotrophic waters, on the nutrient inventory in the central northern South China Sea (NSCS). The nutrient inventory in the upper 100m of the water column in the study area ranged from similar to 200 to similar to 290 mmol m(-2) for N+N (nitrate plus nitrite), from similar to 13 to similar to 24 mmol m(-2) for soluble reactive phosphate and from similar to 210 to similar to 430 mmol m(-2) for silicic acid. The nutrient inventory showed a clear seasonal pattern with the highest value appearing in summer, while the N+N inventory in spring and winter had a reduction of similar to 13 and similar to 30 %, respectively, relative to that in summer. To quantify the extent of the Kuroshio intrusion, an isopycnal mixing model was adopted to derive the proportional contribution of water masses from the SCS proper and the Kuroshio along individual isopycnal surfaces. The derived mixing ratio along the isopycnal plane was then employed to predict the genuine gradients of nutrients under the assumption of no biogeochemical alteration. These predicted nutrient concentrations, denoted as N-m, are solely determined by water mass mixing. Results showed that the nutrient inventory in the upper 100m of the NSCS was overall negatively correlated to the Kuroshio water fraction, suggesting that the Kuroshio intrusion significantly influenced the nutrient distribution in the SCS and its seasonal variation. The difference between the observed nutrient concentrations and their corresponding Nm allowed us to further quantify the nutrient removal/addition associated with the biogeochemical processes on top of the water mass mixing. We revealed that the nutrients in the upper 100m of the water column had a net consumption in both winter and spring but a net addition in fall.Based on four cruises covering a seasonal cycle in 2009-2011, we examined the impact of the Kuroshio intrusion, featured by extremely oligotrophic waters, on the nutrient inventory in the central northern South China Sea (NSCS). The nutrient inventory in the upper 100m of the water column in the study area ranged from similar to 200 to similar to 290 mmol m(-2) for N+N (nitrate plus nitrite), from similar to 13 to similar to 24 mmol m(-2) for soluble reactive phosphate and from similar to 210 to similar to 430 mmol m(-2) for silicic acid. The nutrient inventory showed a clear seasonal pattern with the highest value appearing in summer, while the N+N inventory in spring and winter had a reduction of similar to 13 and similar to 30 %, respectively, relative to that in summer. To quantify the extent of the Kuroshio intrusion, an isopycnal mixing model was adopted to derive the proportional contribution of water masses from the SCS proper and the Kuroshio along individual isopycnal surfaces. The derived mixing ratio along the isopycnal plane was then employed to predict the genuine gradients of nutrients under the assumption of no biogeochemical alteration. These predicted nutrient concentrations, denoted as N-m, are solely determined by water mass mixing. Results showed that the nutrient inventory in the upper 100m of the NSCS was overall negatively correlated to the Kuroshio water fraction, suggesting that the Kuroshio intrusion significantly influenced the nutrient distribution in the SCS and its seasonal variation. The difference between the observed nutrient concentrations and their corresponding Nm allowed us to further quantify the nutrient removal/addition associated with the biogeochemical processes on top of the water mass mixing. We revealed that the nutrients in the upper 100m of the water column had a net consumption in both winter and spring but a net addition in fall

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in the equatorial Indian Ocean: Temporal trend, continental outflow and air-water exchange

Nineteen pairs of air and seawater samples collected from the equatorial Indian Ocean onboard the Shiyan I from 4/2011 to 5/2011 were analyzed for PCBs and HCB. Gaseous concentrations of Sigma(ICES)PCBs (ICES: International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) and HCB were lower than previous data over the study area. Air samples collected near the coast had higher levels of PCBs relative to those collected in the open ocean, which may be influenced by proximity to source regions and air mass origins. Dissolved concentrations of Sigma(ICES)PCBs and HCB were 1.4-14 pg L-1 and 0.94-13 pg L-1, with the highest concentrations in the sample collected from Strait of Malacca. Fugacity fractions suggest volatilization of PCBs and HCB from the seawater to air during the cruise, with fluxes of 0.45-34 ng m(-2) d(-1) and 0.36-18 ng m(-2) d(-1), respectively. (c) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Nineteen pairs of air and seawater samples collected from the equatorial Indian Ocean onboard the Shiyan I from 4/2011 to 5/2011 were analyzed for PCBs and HCB. Gaseous concentrations of Sigma(ICES)PCBs (ICES: International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) and HCB were lower than previous data over the study area. Air samples collected near the coast had higher levels of PCBs relative to those collected in the open ocean, which may be influenced by proximity to source regions and air mass origins. Dissolved concentrations of Sigma(ICES)PCBs and HCB were 1.4-14 pg L-1 and 0.94-13 pg L-1, with the highest concentrations in the sample collected from Strait of Malacca. Fugacity fractions suggest volatilization of PCBs and HCB from the seawater to air during the cruise, with fluxes of 0.45-34 ng m(-2) d(-1) and 0.36-18 ng m(-2) d(-1), respectively. (c) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Honeytubes: Hollow lattice truss reinforced honeycombs for crushing protection

Lattice truss reinforced honeycombs (LTRHs), termed honeytubes, were developed based on a hybrid design of micro-lattice truss and square honeycomb topologies. Carbon fiber reinforced composite and polymer LTRHs were fabricated using different manufacturing approaches. Out-of-plane compression tests were performed on the LTRHs, and the properties were compared with the conventional square honeycombs. The stiffness and strength values of composite LTRHs didn't surpass those of composite square honeycombs due to the manually induced defects. On the other hand, polymeric LTRHs with perfect geometries were stiffer and stronger than the corresponding polymeric square honeycombs. A parametric study of the buckling resistance was carried out via finite element analysis, and the results indicated that hollow lattice stiffens honeycombs and increases the resistance to buckling, while the specific properties of honeytubes depend on their geometrical parameters. Moreover, the crush force efficiency and specific energy absorption were greater than those of square honeycombs and hollow lattice. This work demonstrates that hybrid designs that capitalize on micro-topologies can populate vacant regions in mechanical property charts, and provide increased energy absorption as crushing protection structures. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Abundant box jellyfish, Chironex sp (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropidae), discovered at depths of over 50 m on western Australian coastal reefs

Box jellyfish cause human fatalities and have a life cycle and habit associated with shallow waters (<5 m) in mangrove creeks, coastal beaches, embayments. In north-western Australia, tow video and epibenthic sled surveys discovered large numbers (64 in a 1500 m tow or 0.05 m(-2)) of Chironex sp. very near to the benthos (<50 cm) at depths of 39-56 m. This is the first record of a population of box jellyfish closely associated with the benthos at such depths. Chironex were not widespread, occurring only in 2 of 33 tow videos and 3 of 41 epibenthic sleds spread over 2000 km(2). All Chironex filmed or captured were on low to medium relief reefs with rich filter feeder communities. None were on soft sediment habitat despite these habitats comprising 49% of all sites. The importance of the reef habitat to Chironex remains unclear. Being associated with filter feeder communities might represent a hazard, and other studies have shown C. fleckeri avoid habitats which represent a risk of entanglement of their tentacles. Most of our observations were made during the period of lowest tidal current flow in the morning. This may represent a period favourable for active hunting for prey close to the seabed

Radionuclide therapy using I-131-labeled anti-epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted nanoparticles suppresses cancer cell growth caused by EGFR overexpression

Introduction Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted nanoparticles can be used to deliver a therapeutic and imaging agent to EGFR-overexpressing tumor cells. I-131-labeled anti-EGFR nanoparticles derived from cetuximab were used as a tumor-targeting vehicle in radionuclide therapy

Stress effects on stability and diffusion behavior of sulfur impurity in nickel: A first-principles study

A systematic investigation regarding the effect of stress on the stability and diffusion behavior of S impurity in Ni was carried out via first-principles methods. A comparison of the formation energy of S in Ni indicated that S more easily forms as a solution atom with increasing S concentration in Ni supercells, but the binding energy showed that as the concentration of S that dissolved into Ni increased, the structure became less stable. The diffusion barrier via the octahedral-tetrahedral-octahedral site path was always lower than that via the octahedral-octahedral site path. The diffusion barrier of single S decreased with increase in tensile stress. S diffusion accelerated under applied tensile stress, which was disadvantageous in suppressing S retention in Ni. These results implied that even at a low concentration, dissolved S still had a tendency of precipitating from the Ni matrix, to further increase the stability of the system. (C) 2014 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved