Chromium electrodes for REDOX cells

An improved electrode having a gold coating for use in the anode compartment of a REDOX cell is described. The anode fluid utilizes a chromic/chromous couple. A carbon felt is soaked in methanol, rinsed in water, dried and then heated in KOH after which it is again washed in deionized water and dried. The felt is then moistened with a methanol water solution containing chloroauric acid and is stored in a dark place while still in contact with the gold-containing solution. After all the gold-containing solution is absorbed in the felt, the latter is dried by heat and then heat treated at a substantially greater temperature. The felt is then suitable for use as an electrode and is wetted with water or up to two molar HCl prior to installation in a REDOX cell. The novelty of the invention lies in the use of KOH for cleaning the felt and the use of alcohol as a carrier for the gold together with the heat treating procedure

Optimization and fabrication of porous carbon electrodes for Fe/Cr redox flow cells

Negative electrode development for the NASA chromous/ferric Redox battery is reported. The effects of substrate material, gold/lead catalyst composition and loading, and catalyzation procedures on the performance of the chromium electrode were investigated. Three alternative catalyst systems were also examined, and 1/3 square foot size electrodes were fabricated and delivered to NASA at the conclusion of the program

Requirements for optimization of electrodes and electrolyte for the iron/chromium Redox flow cell

Improved catalyzation techniques that included a pretreatment of carbon substrate and provided normalized carbon surface for uniform gold deposition were developed. This permits efficient use of different batches of carbon felt materials which initially vary significantly in their physical and surface chemical properties, as well as their electrochemical behavior. Further modification of gold impregnation technique gave the best performing electrodes. In addition to the linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry was used to determine the effects of different activation procedures on the Cr(3)/Cr(2) Redox and H2 evolution reactions. The roles of carbon, gold and lead in the overall Redox cycle are identified. The behavior of the electrodes at both normal battery operating potentials and more extreme potentials is discussed preparing efficient and stable electrodes for the energy storage battery is implicated

Waitlist Priority for Patients with Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: Not Just Horseplay

Acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome of systemic inflammation and multiple organ system failures that is associated with a significantly high 28-day mortality ranging from 15-89%,(1) and which is increasing in prevalence in the United States and globally.(2) Although several definitions for ACLF exist, it is generally agreed upon that this condition yields greater non-transplant mortality than mere decompensated cirrhosis. The EASL-CLIF definition of ACLF categorizes patients according to the number of organ failures present, specifically as 1 organ failure (ACLF-1), 2 organ failures (ACLF-2) and 3 or more organ failures (ACLF-3).(1) Liver transplantation (LT) remains the only life-saving intervention in this population, especially among those with ACLF-3

Development of electrodes for the NASA iron/chromium

This program was directed primarily to the development of the negative (Cr3+/Cr2+) electrode for the NASA chromous/ferric Redox battery. The investigation of the effects of substrate processing and gold/lead catalyzation parameters on electrochemical performance were continued. In addition, the effects of reactant cross-mixing, acidity level, and temperature were examined for both Redox couples. Finally, the performance of optimized electrodes was tested in system hardware (1/3 square foot single cell). The major findings are discussed: (1) The recommended processing temperature for the carbon felt, as a substrate for the negative electrode, is 1650 to 1750 C, (2) The recommended gold catalyzation procedure is essentially the published NASA procedure (NASA TM-82724, Nov. 1981) based on deposition from aqueous methanol solution, with the imposition of a few controls such as temperature (25 C) and precatalyzation pH of the felt (7), (3) Experimental observations of the gold catalyzation process and subsequent electron microscopy indicate that the gold is deposited from the colloidal state, induced by contact of the solution with the carbon felt, (4) Electrodeposited lead appears to be present as a thin uniform layer over the entire surface of the carbon fibers, rather than an discrete particles, and (5) Cross-mixing of reactants (Fe-2+ in negative electrode solution or Cr-3+ in the positive electrode solution) did not appear to produce significant interference at either electrode

Multiplexing-based control of wavefront propagation: the interplay of inter-layer coupling, asymmetry and noise

We show how multiplexing influences propagating fronts in multilayer networks of coupled bistable oscillators. Using numerical simulation, we investigate both deterministic and noise-sustained propagation. In particular, we demonstrate that the multiplexing allows to reduce the intra-layer dynamics to a common regime where the front propagation speed in all the interacting layers attains the same fixed value. In the presence of noise the dynamics is more complicated and is characterized by the ability of the system to adjust to the common propagation speed for varying the multiplexing strength. In addition, we find that the noise-induced stabilization of wavefront propagation in multilayer networks allows to obtain less pronounced deviations of the wavefront compared to the stabilization achieved in the isolated layer. Finally, we demonstrate that the reduction of the wavefront deviations can be enhanced by increasing the number of interacting layers.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Awareness On Effects of Sleep Deprivation Among College Students - A Questionnaire Based Survey

Sleep deprivation is nothing but not getting a required amount of sleep. It can also affect our whole system. This may be due to stress in school, college, family or in a job. It includes behavioural components which may be problematic in the college campuses. Most of the time sleep deprivation is caused due to the intake of alcohol, drugs, caffeine and energy drinks and some other prescribed or non-prescribed stimulants.The main aim of this survey was to create awareness about effects of sleep deprivation among college students.This study was conducted among college students to spread the awareness about effect of sleep deprivation on health status among college students. A self structured questionnaire was prepared and circulated among college students through online survey planet link and the data was obtained and statistically analyzed. From the study population, 100% of the participants gave a positive response when asked if they were aware about sleep deprivation and its effects.. From the results we may conclude that the majority of the college students are suffering from sleep deprivation. Seminars may be conducted in educational institutions, workplaces to create awareness on the deleterious effects of sleep deprivation on health status among the community.Saveetha Dental Colleg

Acute-on-chronic liver failure: A new syndrome that will re-classify cirrhosis.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a recently recognized syndrome characterized by acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis and organ/system failure(s) (organ failure: liver, kidney, brain, coagulation, circulation and/or respiration) and extremely poor survival (28-day mortality rate 30-40%). ACLF occurs in relatively young patients. It is especially frequent in alcoholic- and untreated hepatitis B associated-cirrhosis, in addition it is related to bacterial infections and active alcoholism, although in 40% of cases no precipitating event can be identified. It may develop at any time during the course of the disease in the patient (from compensated to long-standing cirrhosis). The development of ACLF occurs in the setting of a systemic inflammation, the severity of which correlates with the number of organ failures and mortality. Systemic inflammation may cause ACLF through complex mechanisms including an exaggerated inflammatory response and systemic oxidative stress to pathogen- or danger/damage-associated molecular patterns (immunopathology) and/or alteration of tissue homeostasis to inflammation caused either by the pathogen itself or through a dysfunction of tissue tolerance. A scoring system composed of three scores (CLIF-C OFs, CLIF-C AD, and CLIF-C ACLFs) specifically designed for patients with AD, with and without ACLF, allows a step-wise algorithm for a rational indication of therapy. The management of ACLF should be carried out in enhanced or intensive care units. Current therapeutic measures comprise the treatment for associated complications, organ failures support and liver transplantation