Letter to the Editor Re “Fractional Modeling and SOC Estimation of Lithium-ion Battery”

Presents letters to the editor for this issue of the publication

Smartphone-based Calorie Estimation From Food Image Using Distance Information

Personal assistive systems for diet control can play a vital role to combat obesity. As smartphones have become inseparable companions for a large number of people around the world, designing smartphone-based system is perhaps the best choice at the moment. Using this system people can take an image of their food right before eating, know the calorie content based on the food items on the plate. In this paper, we propose a simple method that ensures both user flexibility and high accuracy at the same time. The proposed system employs capturing food images with a fixed posture and estimating the volume of the food using simple geometry. The real world experiments on different food items chosen arbitrarily show that the proposed system can work well for both regular and liquid food items

A Process for Utilizing Disposable Face Masks in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Pavement Construction

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a tremendous rise in plastic waste pollution globally. Pollution instigated by plastic has been one of the greatest threats to our world even before the Coronavirus outbreak. It is believed that plastic pollution has worsened due to the disposing of millions of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as surgical face masks. The use of plastic waste as a modifier has significantly lowered the temperature susceptibility of pavements, improved asphalt performance, and lowered construction costs, while the recycling of plastic waste has improved the environmental quality and preserved the non-renewable resources. To reduce pandemic-generated wastes and enhance the asphalt rutting resistance, disposable face mask is used as an as an efficient and non-costly modifier to hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures. The goal of the thesis is to bring an advancement to the field of transportation infrastructure by evaluating the performance of the flexible pavement using shredded face masks (SFM) as a modifier of HMA mixture and developing a cost estimating calculator to estimate the cost of asphalt pavement construction with mask. Modified HMA mixes with SFM content ranging from 0% to 1.5% were prepared and tested for rutting using Asphalt Pavement Analyzer (APA). It was found that by increasing the SFM content from 0% to 1.5%, the modified samples showed admirable resistance to permanent deformation as rutting depth values decreased from 3.0 mm to 0.93 mm. However, this study has resulted in the improvement of the rutting resistance of hot mix asphalt samples by using shredded face masks (SFM) as a modifier of HMA. Specific contributions include the evaluation of face masks in hot mix asphalt (HMA), and the development of a safe collection procedure for disposable face masks and a cost estimation calculator in Excel to estimate the cost of asphalt pavement construction based with and without face masks. Finally, this research opens a new avenue for the development of sustainable asphalt pavements by reducing pollution and energy consumption and increases knowledge in these areas. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into future efforts by industry and government agencies to develop sustainable approaches for the transportation, energy, and environmental industries. Furthermore, this research could provide a solution to reduce the plastic waste that is polluting the environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reveals the scope of a cost-benefit analysis of the process so that economists can assess the socioeconomic benefits of using face masks in pavement construction

Comments on “State of Charge-Dependent Polynomial Equivalent Circuit Modeling for Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy of Lithium-Ion Batteries”

A recent paper by Wang et al proposes a state of charge-dependent polynomial equivalent circuit model for lithium batteries. The model consists of an inductor, a Warburg element, a constant phase element (CPE) and two resistors [1]. Figure 1 shows the equivalent circuit model reproduced from [1

Fractional behaviour of rechargeable batteries

For decades authors have preferred to model batteries with either Thevenin-style models using RLC, or Randlesstyle by adding a Warburg element. These are claimed to model accurately. We present convincing empirical evidence suggesting that a fractional-derivative (constant-phase element) model is required. Our data shows that existing state-of-the-art models may be overly complicated, requiring numerical rather than physical considerations to find parameters

New results for battery impedance at very low frequencies

In search of an equivalent circuit model for rechargeable batteries, many authors start with a measurement of battery impedance, spanning what is presumed to be the frequency range of interest. Various networks have been suggested in the literature to account for the measured impedance characteristic. Most incorporate two or more resistors, at least one capacitor, some include at least one Warburg element, and more recently “constant phase elements”(CPE), otherwise identified as fractional-derivative capacitors. Networks that are more successful at reproducing the measured impedance have from five up to tens of degrees of freedom. The frequency range upon which most models are based extends only to 1mHz. This is surprising since many batteries see a daily or longer usage cycle, corresponding to a frequency of ≈ 11.6 μHz or lower. We show in this manuscript that the most-cited impedance measurement instrument, and one of the few that can operate below 1mHz, can be unreliable at and below this boundary. We present a novel impedance measurement algorithm robust against the issues present while measuring the impedance of electrochemical systems to as low as 1 μHz. Next, we present reliable impedance data extending to a lower frequency limit of 10 μHz. A remarkable characteristic appears at the lower frequencies, suggesting a surprisingly simple and elegant equivalent circuit consisting of a single fractional capacitor. A new model is proposed, which requires only four parameters to predict the measured impedance as a function of frequency

Application of Swingler's Method for Analysis of Multicomponent Exponentials with Special Attention to Non-equispaced Data

Swingler enhanced the work of Gardner to provide an elegant deconvolution method by which multiple summed exponential components might be resolved within time-domain data. Nevertheless, the application of the method remains limited owing to subtle complications that discourage many users. We present a tutorial and extend the approach to handle nonequispaced data. Finally the method’s limits are identified in the case of closely-spaced exponential components with added input noise

Extending randles’s battery model to predict impedance, charge-voltage, and runtime characteristics

The impedance of a battery can be modelled with an elegant fractional-capacitor or “constant phase element” (CPE) equivalent circuit and a series resistor. In this manuscript, we present new evidence that suggests that a linear model similar to Randles’ comprised solely of this impedance network is able to predict both the charge-voltage relationship epitomised by the familiar hysteresis curve of voltage as a function of charge as a battery charges and discharges through its linear region, and the recovery or “equilibration” transient that results from a step change in load current. The proposed model is unique in that it does not contain a source, either voltage or current, nor any purely reactive elements. There are important potential advantages of a passive battery model

Protective effect of Nigella sativa against paracetamol induced hepatic and renal damages

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are very commonly used as an analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet agent. They have significant adverse effect on liver and kidney besides damaging stomach. Their effect on liver and kidney are of serious concern. Hence, we have decided to study the preventive effect of Nigella sativa against paracetamol induced hepatic and renal damages.Methods: Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of N. sativa were prepared with the help of Soxhlet’s apparatus. Totally, 36 wistar albino rats (150-200 g) of either sex were divided into six groups of six each. Group I was administered with distilled water, Group II-VI were treated with paracetamol 750 mg/kg i.p. Group III-VI were test groups also treated with N. sativa aqueous extract (200 and 400 mg/kg p.o) and ethanolic extract (200 and 400 mg/kg p.o), respectively. The treatment was given daily for 7 days and on 8th all the rats were sacrificed and the blood was analyzed for hepatic and renal function tests and tissue was preserved for histopathological examination.Results: Paracetamol administration caused a marked hepatic and renal damage, which is evidenced by the increase in liver and renal function test parameters in the negative control group. N.sativa extracts prevented this damage. The protective was seen maximum in ethanolic extract followed by the aqueous extract in dose-dependent manner.Conclusion: Ethanolic extract showed significant protection against paracetamol-induced and renal damage

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Learning: Assessing Cognitive, Affective, and Psychomotor Skills

The acquisition of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills is highly important for successful learning outcomes. This article aims to evaluate the Three-Domain Model (TDM) of learning (cognitive, affective, and psychomotor) during the COVID-19 online classes for tertiary students in Bangladesh. This current study aims at the psychometric evaluation and validation of tertiary students' learning loss during the pandemic. A survey questionnaire is administered using the Likert scale. The components of the questionnaire are based on the Three-Domain Model reflecting the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills of the students. The article informs of the learning loss due to the pandemic while suggesting the benefits of online classes. The major finding of the article is that learners lost their skills mainly related to the cognitive domain during the pandemic due to online classes. However, at the same time, their skills related to affective and psychomotor domains increased. Therefore, recommendations for minimizing learning loss are also provided to guide future empirical work in the post-pandemic era