Characterization of Iron Phthalocyanine as the Cathode Active Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

The developed thermodynamic functions for the determination of Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy of formation of solid lithium-iron phthalocyanine (LixFePc) from solid lithium and iron phthalocyanine as a function of x, defined as g-moles of the intercalated lithium per g-mole of iron phthalocyanine, at a fixed set of temperature and pressure conditions are presented. In addition, a proposed expression for the evaluation of lithium diffusion coefficient in solid iron phthalocyanine as a function of both x and temperature, and the experimental results from the ongoing research/development work on the lithium/iron phthalocyanine cells are included

Effects of package and storage conditions on the keeping quality of Perlette grapes

Einfluß der Verpackungs- und Lagerungsbedingungen auf die Haltbarkeit von Perlette-TraubenUm die Verluste zwischen Ernte und Verkauf von Perlette-Trauben zu verringern, wurde jeweils 1/4 eines SO2-Spenders („Dual Release" SO2 generator) in die 2 kg Trauben fassenden Polyäthylenbeutel gelegt; die Verpackungsbeutel waren mit Perforationen versehen, die 0,56; 0,84; 1,12; 1,40 und 1,68 % der Folienfläche ausmachten. Die gefüllten Beutel wurden bei 5, 15, 25, 30 und 35 °C (Freilandtemperatur) in belüftete 2-kg-Kartons aus Wellpappe verpackt und 60 d lang kühl gelagert (0-3 °C). Bei der Verkostung wurden die Trauben mit einer Verpackungstemperatur von 35 °C und 1,12%iger Perforation der Verpackungsqeutel am besten beurteilt. Die niedrigste Verpackungstemperatur (5 °C) und der niedrigste Perforationsgrad (0,56 %) verringerten beide den physiologischen Gewichtsverlust (PLW) und das Abfallen der Beeren am stärksten. PLW nahm mit der Dauer der Lagerung zu. Bis zu einer Lagerungsdauer von 40 d in zu 0,56 %, 0,85 % und 1,12 % perforierten Beuteln trat keine Beerenfäulnis auf; diese war jedoch auch bei erhöhter Perforation noch zu vernachlässigen. Die höchsten Mostgewichte wurden bei Verpakkungstemperaturen von 30 oder 35 °C nach 40tägiger Lagerung festgestellt; danach nahm das Mostgewicht ab. Die höchsten Säurewerte wurden bei Verpackungstemperaturen von 25 und 35 °C nach einer Lagerungsdauer von 40 d, bei 15 und 30 °C nach 60 d ermittelt. Demzufolge können PerletteTrauben durch beigepackte SO2-Spender in Folienbeuteln, die zu 1,12 % perforiert sind und Verpacken bei 35 °C bis zu 40 d erfolgreich gelagert werden

Social status modulates prosocial behavior and egalitarianism in preschool children and adults

Humans are a cooperative species, capable of altruism and the creation of shared norms that ensure fairness in society. However, individuals with different educational, cultural, economic, or ethnic backgrounds differ in their levels of social investment and endorsement of egalitarian values. We present four experiments showing that subtle cues to social status (i.e., prestige and reputation in the eyes of others) modulate prosocial orientation. The experiments found that individuals who experienced low status showed more communal and prosocial behavior, and endorsed more egalitarian life goals and values compared with those who experienced high status. Behavioral differences across high- and low-status positions appeared early in human ontogeny (4-5 y of age)

Metal nanoplasmas as bright sources of hard x-ray pulses

We report significant enhancements in light coupling to intense-laser-created solid plasmas via surface plasmon and "lightning rod" effects. We demonstrate this in metal nanoparticle-coated solid targets irradiated with 100 fs, 806 nm laser pulses, focused to intensities ~1014-1015Wcm-2. Our experiments show a 13-fold enhancement in hard x-ray yield (10-200 keV) emitted by copper nanoparticle plasmas formed at the focal volume. A simple model explains the observed enhancement quantitatively and provides pointers to the design of structured surfaces for maximizing such emissions

Magnetically Targeted Endothelial Cell Localization in Stented Vessels

ObjectivesA novel method to magnetically localize endothelial cells at the site of a stented vessel wall was developed. The application of this strategy in a large animal model is described.BackgroundLocal delivery of blood-derived endothelial cells has been shown to facilitate vascular healing in animal models. Therapeutic utilization has been limited by an inability to retain cells in the presence of blood flow. We hypothesized that a magnetized stent would facilitate local retention of superparamagnetically labeled cells.MethodsCultured porcine endothelial cells were labeled with endocytosed superparamagnetic iron oxide microspheres. A 500:1 microsphere-to-cell ratio was selected for in vivo experiments based on bromo-deoxyuridine incorporation and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling assays. Stents were magnetized and implanted in porcine coronary and femoral arteries using standard interventional equipment. Labeled endothelial cells were delivered locally during transient occlusion of blood flow.ResultsThe delivered cells were found attached to the stent struts and were also distributed within the adjacent denuded vessel wall at 24 h.ConclusionsMagnetic forces can be used to rapidly place endothelial cells at the site of a magnetized intravascular stent. The delivered cells are retained in the presence of blood flow and also spread to the adjacent injured vessel wall. Potential applications include delivering a cell-based therapeutic effect to the local vessel wall as well as downstream tissue

Short laser pulse induced generation of hot electrons and their anomalous stopping in overdense plasmas

In the fast ignition (FI) scheme of inertial confinement fusion, the igniter pulse falls on a precompressed overdense target and hence is unable to penetrate it. Thus, for the task of hot spot generation one has to rely on energetic electrons which are produced by the laser pulse at the critical surface. These electrons subsequently move towards the target core and deposit their energy in a sufficiently localized region. It is thus clear that the production of hot electrons by the incident sub-picosecond laser pulse at the critical surface and their subsequent transport in the overdense plasma region are the two main physics issues which are of relevance to the FI scheme. An experimental study and theoretical analysis which may be of relevance to these two issues are presented here. The study shows that the production of energetic electrons occurs through the wave breaking of plasma waves excited at the critical surface by the incident laser beam. Further, the propagation of hot electrons through the overdense region is influenced by electrostatically induced and/or by turbulence induced anomalous resistivity