In situ7Li nuclear magnetic resonance study of the relaxation effect in practical lithium ion batteries

Lithium ion cells comprising actual components of positive electrodes (LiCoO2, LiNixCoyAlz, and LiMn2O4) and negative electrodes (graphite and hard carbon) were assembled for in situ7Li nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. The 7Li NMR measurements of the cells revealed a “relaxation effect” after overcharging: a decrease of the signal assigned to Li metal deposited on the negative electrode surface by overcharging. The reduction of the Li metal signal was inversely proportional to the increase of the signal of lithium stored in carbon. Therefore, the effect was ascribed to absorption of deposited lithium into the carbon of negative electrodes. The effect, which occurred rapidly in a few hours, reached an equilibrium state at 8–15 h. The slight shift of deposited metal suggests that dendritic Li easily re-dissolved, although larger Li particles remained. A hard carbon electrode has a greater effect of Li metal relaxation than graphite electrodes do, which is explainable by the bufferable structure of the carbon. Results are expected to be important for the discussion of the state of lithium, and for safer battery design

Preliminary Clinical Evaluation of Toxicity and Efficacy of A New Astaxanthin-rich Haematococcus pluvialis Extract

Astaxanthin (Ax), a carotenoid ubiquitously distributed in microorganisms, fish, and crustaceans, has been known to be a potent antioxidant and hence exhibit various physiological effects. We attempted in these studies to evaluate clinical toxicity and efficacy of long-term administration of a new Ax product, by measuring biochemical and hematological blood parameters and by analyzing brain function (using CogHealth and P300 measures). Ax-rich Haematococcus pluvialis extracts equivalent to 4, 8, 20 mg of Ax dialcohol were administered to 73, 38, and 16 healthy adult volunteers, respectively, once daily for 4 weeks to evaluate safety. Ten subjects with age-related forgetfulness received an extract equivalent to 12 mg in a daily dosing regimen for 12 weeks to evaluate efficacy. As a result, no abnormality was observed and efficacy for age-related decline in cognitive and psychomotor functions was suggested