A Circular Economy of Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems: Critical Review of SOH/RUL Estimation Methods for Second-Life Batteries

Humanity is facing a gloomy scenario due to global warming, which is increasing at unprecedented rates. Energy generation with renewable sources and electric mobility (EM) are considered two of the main strategies to cut down emissions of greenhouse gasses. These paradigm shifts will only be possible with efficient energy storage systems such as Li-ion batteries (LIBs). However, among other factors, some raw materials used on LIB production, such as cobalt and lithium, have geopolitical and environmental issues. Thus, in a context of a circular economy, the reuse of LIBs from EM for other applications (i.e., second-life batteries, SLBs) could be a way to overcome this problem, considering that they reach their end of life (EoL) when they get to a state of health (SOH) of 70–80% and still have energy storage capabilities that could last several years. The aim of this chapter is to make a review of the estimation methods employed in the diagnosis of LIB, such as SOH and remaining useful life (RUL). The correct characterization of these variables is crucial for the reassembly of SLBs and to extend the LIBs operational lifetime

Módulos de entrenamiento para la medición y adquisición de datos (Módulo de visión)

The Project proposes a design for the implementation of a laboratory tool which aims to contribute toward a solution for the current defecit in methods of student training in electrical engineering in the National University of Engineering. As well as in the area of industrial automatization, specifically in the acquisition and processing of images. The system of artificial vision to be implemented has the capacity to allow for different practical studies in the areas of acquisition and image processing. Included in the application are the following: the detection of manufacturing faults in different products, such as, electrical fuses integrated within HSIP capping, circular objects etc; Information on bar codes; Visual character recognition; Visual oversight of analogical, digital indicators (LCD). The hardware components meet the regulation standards IEEE 1394 (Sensor and Acquisition Hardware) and the processing software is implemented using the platform of LabVIEW. Different scenarios have been incorporated into the hardware component. These include, camera position, amount of illumination in relation to the object under scrutiny and guaranteed acquisition of data with which to evaluate and compare use and application. The software exemplifies the different methods and algorithms of image processing, recreating applications which are typically found in Nicaraguan Industry. To ensure the greatest advantage and adequate use, the necessary documentation regarding use and maintainance of the system is included. Keywords: Viewing machines; image processing; quality control; data acquisition.DOI: 10.5377/nexo.v22i2.43Nexo: Revista Científica Vol. 22, No. 02, pp.56-60/Diciembre 2009En este artículo se presenta el proyecto de diseño e implementación de una herramienta de laboratorio, que pretende contribuir a solucionar el déficit existente de medios de entrenamiento para los estudiantes de la carrera de Ingeniería Electrónica de la Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería. El proyecto está enmarcado dentro del área de automatización industrial, específicamente en la adquisición y procesamiento de imágenes. El sistema de Visión Artificial implementado tiene capacidad de permitir la realización de diferentes prácticas en el área de adquisición y procesamiento de imágenes. Entre las aplicaciones que este sistema ofrece se destacan: Detección de fallas en la fabricación de diferentes productos tales como: Fusibles, Integrados con encapsulado HSIP, Objetos circulares, etc; Lectura de códigos de barras; Reconocimiento óptico de caracteres; Supervisión óptica de indicadores digitales (LCD) y analógicos. Los componentes de hardware cumplen con los estándares de la norma IEEE 1394 (Sensor y Hardware de Adquisición) y el software de procesamiento se implementó utilizando la plataforma LabVIEW. Dentro de los componentes del hardware, se diseñaron diferentes escenarios que incluyeron la posición de la cámara y la cantidad de iluminación en función del objeto a inspeccionar y que a su vez garantizó la adquisición adecuada de los datos, lo que permitió evaluar y contrastar sus usos y aplicaciones. Por su parte el software, ejemplifica los diferentes métodos y algoritmos de procesamiento de imágenes, recreando aplicaciones comunes en la industria nicaragüense. Para asegurar el aprovechamiento y uso adecuado del sistema se incluyó la documentación necesaria para conocer el sistema, lo cual es necesario para su correcto uso y mantenimiento. Palabras claves: maquinas de visión; procesamiento de imágenes; control de calidad; adquisición de datos.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v22i2.43Nexo: Revista Científica Vol. 22, No. 02, pp.56-60/Diciembre 200

Módulos de entrenamiento para la medición y adquisición de datos (Módulo de visión)

En este artículo se presenta el proyecto de diseño e implementación de una herramienta de laboratorio, que pretende contribuir a solucionar el déficit existente de medios de entrenamiento para los estudiantes de la carrera de Ingeniería Electrónica de la Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería. El proyecto está enmarcado dentro del área de automatización industrial, específicamente en la adquisición y procesamiento de imágenes. El sistema de Visión Artificial implementado tiene capacidad de permitir la realización de diferentes prácticas en el área de adquisición y procesamiento de imágenes. Entre las aplicaciones que este sistema ofrece se destacan: Detección de fallas en la fabricación de diferentes productos tales como: Fusibles, Integrados con encapsulado HSIP, Objetos circulares, etc; Lectura de códigos de barras; Reconocimiento óptico de caracteres; Supervisión óptica de indicadores digitales (LCD) y analógicos. Los componentes de hardware cumplen con los estándares de la norma IEEE 1394 (Sensor y Hardware de Adquisición) y el software de procesamiento se implementó utilizando la plataforma LabVIEW. Dentro de los componentes del hardware, se diseñaron diferentes escenarios que incluyeron la posición de la cámara y la cantidad de iluminación en función del objeto a inspeccionar y que a su vez garantizó la adquisición adecuada de los datos, lo que permitió evaluar y contrastar sus usos y aplicaciones. Por su parte el software, ejemplifica los diferentes métodos y algoritmos de procesamiento de imágenes, recreando aplicaciones comunes en la industria nicaragüense. Para asegurar el aprovechamiento y uso adecuado del sistema se incluyó la documentación necesaria para conocer el sistema, lo cual es necesario para su correcto uso y mantenimiento. Palabras claves: maquinas de visión; procesamiento de imágenes; control de calidad; adquisición de datos. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v22i2.43 Nexo: Revista Científica Vol. 22, No. 02, pp.56-60/Diciembre 200

Design and Validation of Transversal Competences Assessment Instrument (TCAI) in Compulsory Secondary Education

The basic competences (such as Information Acquisition and Management; Understanding and Expression of Information and Emotions; Competence to Do and Undertake; Competence to Live Together; and Competence to Be) are necessary to achieve adequate personal, social and professional development. This study develops and validates, through Confirmatory Factor Analysis, an instrument for assessing them. Data were collected from 751 secondary students, with ages ranging from 11 to 18. The results confirm the structure of the instrument, comprising five independent scales. The instrument is valid for its application, either as a whole or separately.Las competencias básicas (tales como Búsqueda y gestión de la información; Comprensión y expresión de información y emociones; Competencia para hacer y emprender; Competencia para vivir juntos y Competencia para ser) son necesarias para un adecuado desarrollo personal, social y profesional. Este estudio diseña y valida, con Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio, un instrumento para evaluarlas. Se recopilaron datos de 751 estudiantes de Secundaria, con edades comprendidas entre 11 y 18 años. Los resultados confirman la estructura del instrumento, compuesto por cinco escalas independientes. El instrumento es válido para su aplicación de manera conjunta o separada

Cyrhetrenylaniline and new organometallic phenylimines derived from 4- and 5-nitrothiophene: Synthesis, characterization, X-Ray structures, electrochemistry and in vitro anti-T. brucei activity

A novel series of cyrhetrenyl (3a-4a) and ferrocenyl (3b-4b) Schiff bases were synthesized through a condensation reaction, between the known 4-ferrocenylaniline (2b) or the unreported 4-cyhretrenylaniline (2a) with 4- or 5-nitrothiophenecarboxaldehyde. The structure of 2a and the new Schiff bases have been elucidated using conventional spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR), mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of compounds 2a, 4a and 3b. Cyclic voltammetry of organometallic phenylimines derived from 5-nitrothiophene showed NO2 group reduction potentials (E1/2z 0.575 V) that were more anodic than those registered for their 4-nitro analogues (E1/2z 0.981 V). All organometallic imines were tested against the bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei. Evaluation indicated that the most active complexes are the 5-nitrothiophene derivatives, 4a, which were remarkably more active than nifurtimox. In addition, complex 4b resulted in less toxicity to host L6 cells than nifurtimox. The results revealed that the electronic effects of cyrhetrene and ferrocene are not an influential factor in E1/2 and anti-Trypanosoma brucei activity for these new imines, which is probably due to the non-coplanarity of the [(h5-C5H4)-C6H4-N=CH-(C4H2S)] system

Forage Production is Not Changed in Dwarf Elephantgrass Swards Managed in a Wide Range of Pre-Grazing Canopy Heights

Height corresponding to the critical leaf area index (LAI) has been successfully used to define pre-grazing management targets in pastures subjected to intermittent stocking. However, studies on short/stoloniferous grasses have demonstrated that it is possible to manage pastures at heights below those corresponding to the critical LAI (with a threshold grazing height of approximately 65% of those corresponding to the critical LAI) and achieve a similar forage yield, provided that the severity of defoliation does not exceed 50 percent of the pre-grazing height. In this study, we hypothesized that in tall tussock grasses (such as elephant grass), the amplitude of grazing height required to maintain the same forage yield is lower than that generally observed in small/stoloniferous grasses. Pennisetum purpureum Schum. BRS Kurumi\u27s elephant grass pastures were grazed at three different heights (50, 65, and 80 cm), leaving residual heights of 25, 32, and 40 cm. Our preliminary results suggest that under moderate defoliation and no nutrient limitations, tall tussock-forming grasses exhibit forage accumulation flexibility in the same range of management heights as grasses of smaller size and growth habits. In the present study, elephant grass cv. Kurumi these heights corresponded to a pre-grazing height range of 50 to 80 cm

Small Island Developing States in a post-pandemic world: challenges and opportunities for climate action

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have been impacted by and responded to COVID-19 in ways that give us clues about vulnerabilities under climate change, as well as pathways to resilience. Here, we reflect on some of these experiences drawing on case study examples from the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Ocean SIDS, exploring how SIDS have responded to COVID-19 and considering the potential for coping mechanisms enacted for the pandemic to support long-term resilience to climate change. Island responses to the pandemic highlight both new directions, like tourist schemes that capitalise on the rise of remote working in Barbados and Mauritius, and reliance on tried and tested coping mechanisms, like bartering in Fiji. Some of the actions undertaken to respond to the pressures of the pandemic, such as visa schemes promoting ‘digital nomadism’ and efforts to grow domestic food production have climate resilience and equity dimensions that must be unpacked if their potential to contribute to more sustainable island futures is to be realised. Importantly, the diversity of contexts and experiences described here illustrates that there is no single ‘best’ pathway to climate-resilient post-pandemic futures for SIDS. While the emerging rhetoric of COVID-19 recovery often speaks of ‘roadmaps’, we argue that the journey towards a climate-resilient COVID-19 recovery for SIDS is likely to involve detours, as solutions emerge through innovation and experiment, and knowledge-sharing across the wider SIDS community