Electrochemical energy storage device for securing future renewable energy

An electrochemical cell comprising molten sodium and molten sulphur as the anode and cathode, respectively, with beta alumina electrolyte has never found extensive use. An approach to develop large energy storage device based on aqueous sodium electrolyte at low temperature is described. An electrochemical cell with low cost, safe and utilizing sustainable manganese dioxide (MnO2) cathode coupled with zinc (Zn) anode in aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) electrolyte is reported. The cyclic voltammetric (CV) profiles are found to be quite different in terms of peak position and current response depending on concentration of NaOH electrolyte. Among the concentrations of NaOH studied (2, 5, 7 and 10 M) the best performance was found to be between 5 and 7 M. The CV curves exhibits a pair of reversible redox peaks (within 1e- region) corresponding to sodium ion insertion and extraction but while extending the potential window to second electron reduction resulted in irreversible nature. This is explained to the formation of inhomogeneous reduction reaction due to slow electron diffusion. CV experiments at various scan rates revealed that the MnO2 material may not be suitable enough for higher scan rates indicating a sluggish kinetics occurring in the bulk material. Our study highlights the MnO2 cathode in NaOH electrolyte features a flat discharge voltage of 1.3 V vs. Zn with discharge capacity of 220 mAh/g

To What Extent do Reading Strategies have an Impact on Students’ Reading Motivations?

This study investigates the relationship between employing extrinsic reading motivations and the impact they have on students’ intrinsic reading motivations. Within this study, two rewarding motivations were introduced in a secondary school over a period of three months where in the final month there were no rewards implemented. This study particularly focused on Year Seven students and how their motivations to read have been influenced by the set rewards or motivations employed. Evidently, through the student questionnaires and teacher interviews, these motivations may not have the same effect on students’ motivations to read on a long-term basis as when the motivations were taken away, some students were de-motivated. Interestingly, both teachers and students seem to play a role in reading for pleasure. Using teachers to support reading through promoting and encouraging it in their classroom had its benefits, yet it is down to the individual student to choose to work towards the rewards in place by reading. There is evidence that employing these motivations does play a part in motivating students intrinsically to read, however only to a short-term degree as when the motivations had been removed, the students’ intrinsic motivation to read declined slightly. Throughout this study, it was clear that these motivations had some impact on encouraging students to read even when these motivations were taken away. This study also provides scope for further, long-term study.

Exploring the potential connection between place capital and health capital in the post COVID-19 city

Great places have the potential to create enhanced health outcomes and improve quality of life. The positive connection between the built environment and the social determinants of health is well documented as is the role of the built environment in establishing place quality and sense of place. However, the relationship between the concepts of place capital and health capital is less understood and specifically the extent to which high levels of place capital confer a protective and restorative health benefit across the whole of life. COVID-19 changed our appreciation of the role that both health and place play in supporting our quality and way of life and has revealed the negative impact on wellness and wellbeing that arises when our connection to place is fractured. To contribute to the debate surrounding the post-COVID-19 city, this paper explores the intrinsic connection between place and health; it proposes a conceptual model that positions place capital as a tool for enhancing whole of life health capital at a neighbourhood scale. The Framework for measuring this place capital is created from traditional place literature and the new place context literature on the need to be inclusive, equitable and sustainable. It suggests that by building great places that are based on these measurable factors, there can be a reduction in the growth of medical spending and burden of disease over time