Li distribution characterization in Li-ion batteries positive electrodes containing LixNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 secondary particles

The elemental distribution of as-received (non-charged) and charged Li-ion battery positive electrodes containing LixNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (0.75 ? x ? 1.0) microparticles as active material is characterized by combining μ-PIXE and μ-PIGE techniques. PIGE measurements evidence that the Li distribution is inhomogeneous (existence of Li-rich and Li-depleted regions) in as-received electrodes corresponding with the distribution of secondary particles but it is homogeneous within the studied individual secondary micro-particles. The dependence of the Li distribution on electrode thickness and on charging conditions is characterized by measuring the Li distribution maps in specifically fabricated cross-sectional samples. These data show that decreasing the electrode thickness down to 35 μm and charging the batteries at slow rate give rise to more homogeneous Li depth profiles

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of the in situ Β-Si 3 N 4 /Α′-SiAlON Composite

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65911/1/j.1151-2916.1994.tb04604.x.pd

Solid-Liquid Reaction in the Si 3 N 4 -AlN-Y 2 O 3 System under 1 MPa of Nitrogen

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65585/1/j.1151-2916.1996.tb08793.x.pd

Costimulation through OX40 is crucial for induction of an alloreactive human T-cell response

The alloreactive immune response is a series of events initiated by the interaction of T cells with allogeneic dendritic cells (DCs), involving alloantigen recognition and costimulatory signals. In this study, we investigated the role of OX40 in alloreactivity in vitro. We first demonstrated that anti-OX40 ligand (anti-OX40L) monoclonal antibody (mAb) could markedly suppress the mixed leucocyte reaction (MLR) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). To further define the contribution of the OX40/OX40L system to the MLR, we set up a co-culture system of CD4(+) T cells and allogeneic monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs). After 2 days, OX40 expression was induced on CD4(+) T cells and this induction was strongly inhibited by the addition of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4)–Fc fusion protein, suggesting that the expression of OX40 during alloreaction is dependent on CD28 signalling. Next we examined the effects of anti-OX40L mAb, CTLA-4–Fc fusion protein and anti-human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR mAb on the proliferative response of CD4(+) T cells to allogeneic DCs. The proliferation of T cells was almost completely suppressed by anti-OX40L mAb, which was comparable with that of CTLA-4–Fc. Measurement of interleukin-2 (IL-2) production in the culture supernatants showed that suppression of a proliferative response was at least in part ascribed to reduced IL-2 production. Furthermore, purified OX40L(−) allogeneic DCs could induce considerable proliferation of CD4(+) T cells, which was suppressed by anti-OX40L mAb. These results suggest that the OX40/OX40L system is crucial for induction of the allogeneic T-cell response and the OX40/OX40L system is subsequent to and dependent on CD28 signalling, but is crucial for the end outcome of the human alloreactive T-cell response

SiAlON Composites Containing Rare-Earth Melilite and Neighboring Phases

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66198/1/j.1151-2916.1996.tb08940.x.pd