Recent advances on materials for lithium-ion batteries

Environmental issues related to energy consumption are mainly associated with the strong dependence on fossil fuels. To solve these issues, renewable energy sources systems have been developed as well as advanced energy storage systems. Batteries are the main storage system related to mobility, and they are applied in devices such as laptops, cell phones, and electric vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the most used battery system based on their high specific capacity, long cycle life, and no memory effects. This rapidly evolving field urges for a systematic comparative compilation of the most recent developments on battery technology in order to keep up with the growing number of materials, strategies, and battery performance data, allowing the design of future developments in the field. Thus, this review focuses on the different materials recently developed for the different battery components—anode, cathode, and separator/electrolyte—in order to further improve LIB systems. Moreover, solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) for LIBs are also highlighted. Together with the study of new advanced materials, materials modification by doping or synthesis, the combination of different materials, fillers addition, size manipulation, or the use of high ionic conductor materials are also presented as effective methods to enhance the electrochemical properties of LIBs. Finally, it is also shown that the development of advanced materials is not only focused on improving efficiency but also on the application of more environmentally friendly materials.Funding grants UID/FIS/04650/2020, UID/EEA/04436/2020 and UID/QUI/0686/2020; and project PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017. Financial support grants SFRH/BD/140842/2018 (J.C.B.) and Investigator FCT Contracts CEECIND/00833/2017 (R.G.) and 2020.04028.CEECIND (C.M.C.) Financial support ELKARTEK and PIBA (PIBA-2018-06) programs

Chitosan nanoparticles loaded with minocycline targeting osteomyelitis

Effective control of osteomyelitis (bone infection) with reduced toxicity is a current challenge. Targeted and controlled drug delivery systems allow: decreased toxicity, upgraded drug targeting, and improved therapeutic effect. Strategy: a) Innovative chitosan nanoparticulate system: nanoparticles loaded with minocycline (antibacterial), and alternative as a local delivery system; b) Nanoparticles and biofilms: advantages: enhanced bioavailability, targeted delivery of antibiotics magnification, local release of antibiotics, controlled and sustained release, and protection against deactivating enzymes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Narrative change in emotion-focused psychotherapy: a study on the evolution of reflection and protest innovative moments

Innovative moments (IMs) are exceptions to a client’s problematic self-narrative in the therapeutic dialogue. The innovative moments coding system is a tool which tracks five different types of IMs*action, reflection, protest, reconceptualization and performing change. An in-depth qualitative analysis of six therapeutic cases of emotion-focused therapy (EFT) investigated the role of two of the most common IMs*reflection and protest*in both good and poor outcome cases. Through this analysis two subtypes (I and II) of reflection and protest IMs were identified, revealing different evolution patterns. Subtype II of both reflection and protest IMs is significantly higher in the good outcome group, while subtype I of both IMs types does not present statistically significant differences between groups. The evolution from subtype I to subtype II across the therapeutic process seems to reflect a relevant developmental progression in the change process

Cone geometry optimization and thermal behavior for lithium-ion battery separators

A 3D cone separator geometry for lithium-ion batteries has been optimized taking into account the increase of radius size of one side. Theoretical simulations have been carried out for evaluating the influence of radius size in the cone structure at different discharge rates (1 C and 60 C) in which it was also determined the produced ohmic heat. The value of the discharge capacity in the cone structure depends on the increases of the radius, which is correlated with the electrolyte volume and interface between free electrolyte/cathode. The optimum balance of these parameters is essential for obtaining higher battery performance through this geometry that can be used in the next generation of lithium-ion batteriesPortuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT): UID/FIS/04650/2019, PTDC/CTMENE/5387/2014, UID/CTM/50025/2013, PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017, grant SFRH/BPD/112547/2015 (C.M.C.) and contract CEECIND/00833/2017 (R.G.), including FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through FCT. Financial support from the Basque Government Industry Department under the ELKARTEK and HAZITEK programs is also acknowledged. F. Miranda was also supported by Portuguese funds through the CIDMA - Center for Research and Development in Mathematics and Applications, and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (“FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia”), within project UID/MAT/04106/201

Prevention and control of antimicrobial resistant healthcare-associated infections: The microbiology laboratory rocks!

In Europe, each year, more than four milion patients acquire a healthcare-associated infection (HAI) and almost 40 thousand die as a direct consequence of it. Regardless of many stategies to prevent and control HAIs, they remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide with a significant economic impact: a recent estimate places it at the ten billion dollars/year. The control of HAIs requires a prompt and efficient identification of the etiological agent and a rapid communication with the clinician. The Microbiology Laboratory has a significant role in the prevention and control of these infections and is a key element of any Infection Control Program. The work of the Microbiology Laboratory covers microbial isolation and identification, determination of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, epidemiological surveillance and outbreak detection, education, and report of quality assured results. In this paper we address the role and importance of the Microbiology Laboratory in the prevention and control of HAI and in Antibiotic Stewardship Programs and how it can be leveraged when combined with the use of information systems. Additionally, we critically review some challenges that the Microbiology Laboratory has to deal with, including the selection of analytic methods and the proper use of communication channels with other healthcare services.publishersversionpublishe

Soil composite-concrete systems : characterization of the geocomposite-soil interface

O conhecimento dos mecanismos de interacção entre solos e geossintéticos é fundamental para o dimensionamento de obras em solo reforçado. Com o objectivo de caracterizar a interface entre um solo e um geossintético, foram realizados ensaios de corte directo e de arranque de um geocompósito drenante disponível no mercado. Os ensaios de corte directo foram realizados em conformidade com a norma NP EN ISO 12957-1:2007. Para a determinação da resistência do geocompósito ao arranque no solo foi concebida e utilizada uma caixa de arranque em laboratório, tendo os ensaios sido realizados de acordo com os procedimentos referidos na norma NP EN 13738:2007.The knowledge of the interaction mechanism between soils and geosynthetics is crucial for the design of construction in reinforced soil. With the purpose of characterising the mechanical behaviour of the interface between a soil and a geosynthetic, direct shear tests and pullout tests were carried out with a geocomposite available in the market. The direct shear tests were performed in compliance with the NP EN ISO 12957-1:2007 standard. For the determination of the pullout resistance of the geocomposite in the soil, a pullout box was conceived and used in the laboratory, and the tests were carried out in accordance with the NP EN 13738:2007 standard

Soil composite-concrete systems : characterization of geocomposite-concrete interface

Com o objectivo de caracterizar mecanicamente a interface entre um geocompósito, disponível no mercado, e um tipo de betão procedeu-se a um programa de ensaios experimentais. Este estudo foi iniciado com a realização de ensaios de determinação das propriedades em tracção do geocompósito, em conformidade com a norma NP EN ISO 10319:2005. A caracterização da ligação entre geocompósito e betão foi efectuada com recurso a ensaios de arranque directo, com diferentes níveis de tensão de confinamento, no sentido de ser obtida a envolvente de rotura da interface. Neste trabalho, a metodologia e os procedimentos adoptados nos diversos ensaios são descritos e os principais resultados obtidos são apresentados e analisados.In order to characterize the mechanical interface between a geocomposite available in the market and a type of concrete, an experimental program was carried out. This study was initiated with a series of tests for the determination of the tensile properties of the geocomposite, according to the NP EN ISO 10319:2005 standard. The characterization of bond between geocomposite and concrete was carried out using direct pullout tests with different levels of confinement, in order to define the yield surface of the interface. In this work the methodology and procedures followed in the different experimental tests are described and the main results are presented and analysed

Theoretical simulation of different 3D separator geometries for lithium-ion batteries

The battery separator is an essential component of batteries and affects their cycling performance. In this work, the effect of different 3D geometries of the battery separator on battery performance was studied keeping the same volume. It was observed that the different geometries affect the cycling performance, the best geometry being the perforated one that cycled up to 90 C. The cycling performance is affected by parameters such as the separator thickness and the electrolyte volume. Through the control of the battery separator geometry it is possible to obtain high performance lithium-ion batteries.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT): UID/FIS/04650/2019, PTDC/CTMENE/5387/2014, UID/CTM/50025/2013, PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017, grant SFRH/BPD/112547/2015 (C.M.C.) and contract CEECIND/00833/2017 (R.G.), including FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through FCT. Financial support from the Basque Government Industry Department under the ELKARTEK and HAZITEK programs is also acknowledged. F. Miranda was also supported by Portuguese funds through the CIDMA - Center for Research and Development in Mathematics and Applications, and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (“FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia”), within project UID/MAT/04106/2013

The cranial anatomy and relationships of Cardiocorax mukulu (Plesiosauria: Elasmosauridae) from Bentiaba, Angola

We report a new specimen of the plesiosaur Cardiocorax mukulu that includes the most complete plesiosaur skull from sub-Saharan Africa. The well-preserved three-dimensional nature of the skull offers rare insight into the cranial anatomy of elasmosaurid plesiosaurians. The new specimen of Cardiocorax mukulu was recovered from Bentiaba, Namibe Province in Angola, approximately three meters above the holotype. The new specimen also includes an atlas-axis complex, seventeen postaxial cervical vertebrae, partial ribs, a femur, and limb elements. It is identified as Cardiocorax mukulu based on an apomorphy shared with the holotype where the cervical neural spine is approximately as long anteroposteriorly as the centrum and exhibits a sinusoidal anterior margin. The new specimen is nearly identical to the holotype and previously referred material in all other aspects. Cardiocorax mukulu is returned in an early-branching or intermediate position in Elasmosauridae in four out of the six of our phylogenetic analyses. Cardiocorax mukulu lacks the elongated cervical vertebrae that is characteristic of the extremely long-necked elasmosaurines, and the broad skull with and a high number of maxillary teeth (28-40) which is characteristic of Aristonectinae. Currently, the most parsimonious explanation concerning elasmosaurid evolutionary relationships, is that Cardiocorax mukulu represents an older lineage of elasmosaurids in the Maastrichtian.publishersversionpublishe