Novel Phosphonium-Based Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Battery Applications

In this study, we address the fundamental question of the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of phosphonium-based ionic liquids containing the counter-ions bis(trifluoromethanesul fonyl)imide ([TFSI]−) and bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide ([FSI]−). To clarify these structure–property as well as structure–activity relationships, trimethyl-based alkyl- and ether-containing phosphonium ILs were systematically synthesized, and their properties, namely density, flow characteristics, alkali metal compatibility, oxidative stability, aluminum corrosivity as well as their use in Li-ion cells were examined comprehensively. The variable moiety on the phosphonium cation exhibited a chain length of four and five, respectively. The properties were discussed as a function of the side chain, counter-ion and salt addition ([Li][TFSI] or [Li][FSI]). High stability coupled with good flow characteristics were found for the phosphonium IL [P1114][TFSI] and the mixture [P1114][TFSI] + [Li][TFSI], respectively

Novel Phosphonium-Based Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Battery Applications

In this study, we address the fundamental question of the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of phosphonium-based ionic liquids containing the counter-ions bis(trifluoromethanesul fonyl)imide ([TFSI]) and bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide ([FSI]). To clarify these structure–property as well as structure–activity relationships, trimethyl-based alkyl- and ether-containing phosphonium ILs were systematically synthesized, and their properties, namely density, flow characteristics, alkali metal compatibility, oxidative stability, aluminum corrosivity as well as their use in Li-ion cells were examined comprehensively. The variable moiety on the phosphonium cation exhibited a chain length of four and five, respectively. The properties were discussed as a function of the side chain, counter-ion and salt addition ([Li][TFSI] or [Li][FSI]). High stability coupled with good flow characteristics were found for the phosphonium IL [P1114][TFSI] and the mixture [P1114][TFSI] + [Li][TFSI], respectively

Structure-Property Relation of Trimethyl Ammonium Ionic Liquids for Battery Applications

Ionic liquids are attractive and safe electrolytes for diverse electrochemical applications such as advanced rechargeable batteries with high energy densities. Their properties that are beneficial for energy storage and conversion include negligible vapor-pressure, intrinsic conductivity as well as high stability. To explore the suitability of a series of ionic liquids with small ammonium cations for potential battery applications, we investigated their thermal and transport properties. We studied the influence of the symmetrical imide-type anions bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([TFSI]−) and bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide ([FSI]−), side chain length and functionalization, as well as lithium salt content on the properties of the electrolytes. Many of the samples are liquid at ambient temperature, but their solidification temperatures show disparate behavior. The transport properties showed clear trends: the dynamics are accelerated for samples with the [FSI]− anion, shorter side chains, ether functionalization and lower amounts of lithium salts. Detailed insight was obtained from the diffusion coefficients of the different ions in the electrolytes, which revealed the formation of aggregates of lithium cations coordinated by anions. The ionic liquid electrolytes exhibit sufficient stability in NMC/Li half-cells at elevated temperatures with small current rates without the need of additional liquid electrolytes, although Li-plating was observed. Electrolytes containing [TFSI]− anions showed superior stability compared to those with [FSI]− anions in battery tests

PU.1 controls fibroblast polarization and tissue fibrosis

Fibroblasts are polymorphic cells with pleiotropic roles in organ morphogenesis, tissue homeostasis and immune responses. In fibrotic diseases, fibroblasts synthesize abundant amounts of extracellular matrix, which induces scarring and organ failure. By contrast, a hallmark feature of fibroblasts in arthritis is degradation of the extracellular matrix because of the release of metalloproteinases and degrading enzymes, and subsequent tissue destruction. The mechanisms that drive these functionally opposing pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory phenotypes of fibroblasts remain unknown. Here we identify the transcription factor PU.1 as an essential regulator of the pro-fibrotic gene expression program. The interplay between transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms that normally control the expression of PU.1 expression is perturbed in various fibrotic diseases, resulting in the upregulation of PU.1, induction of fibrosis-associated gene sets and a phenotypic switch in extracellular matrix-producing pro-fibrotic fibroblasts. By contrast, pharmacological and genetic inactivation of PU.1 disrupts the fibrotic network and enables reprogramming of fibrotic fibroblasts into resting fibroblasts, leading to regression of fibrosis in several organs

Methodology of calculation of construction and hydrodynamic parameters of a foam layer apparatus for mass-transfer processes

Промислова реалізація методу стабілізації газорідинного шару дозволяє значно розширити галузь застосування пінних апаратів і відкриває нові можливості інтенсифікації технологічних процесів з одночасним створенням маловідходних технологій. У статті встановлені основні параметри, що впливають на гідродинаміку пінних апаратів, розглянуті основні конструкції та режими роботи пінних апаратів. Виявлено зв'язок гідродинамічних параметрів. Розглянуто гідродинамічні закономірності пінного шару. Вказані фактори, що впливають на процес масообміну, як в газовій, так і в рідкій фазах. Проведений аналіз ряду досліджень показав, що перспективним напрямком інтенсифікації процесу масообміну є розробка апаратів з трифазним псевдозрідженим шаром зрошуваної насадки складних форм із сітчастих матеріалів. Отже, необхідне проведення спеціальних досліджень гідродинамічних режимів роботи апарату з сітчастою насадкою і визначенням параметрів, що впливають на швидкість переходу насадки з одного режиму в інший.Industrial implementation of the stabilization method of the gas-liquid layer can significantly expand the field of use of foaming apparatus and opens up new opportunities for intensifying technological processes with the simultaneous creation of low-waste technologies. The article establishes the basic parameters influencing the hydrodynamics of foam apparatus, considers the basic constructions and operating modes of foam apparatus. The connection of hydrodynamic parameters is revealed. The hydrodynamic laws of the foam layer are considered. The indicated factors affecting the process of mass transfer, both in the gas and in the liquid phases. The conducted analysis of a number of studies showed that the perspective direction of intensification of the mass transfer process is the development of apparatuses with a three-phase fluidized bed of an irrigated nozzle of complex forms with mesh materials

Contrasting perspectives of strategy making: applications in 'Hyper' environments

We revisit the original meaning of turbulence in the socioecological tradition of organization studies and outline a perspective on strategy making grounded in that tradition. This entails a contrast of the socioecological perspective with the more well-known neoclassical perspective on strategy, based on their core decision premises and their different understandings of environmental turbulence. We argue that while some mainstream strategy approaches have taken important strides toward addressing advanced turbulence, many others remain tethered to the neoclassical origins of the strategy discipline and are insufficiently responsive to the new landscape of strategy that now characterizes many industries. This new landscape is construed as the ‘hyper environment’, in which positive feedback processes and emergent field effects produce high volatility. We use two case illustrations from the US healthcare sector to examine how neoclassical and socioecological perspectives contribute to strategizing in hyper environments. Implications for strategic management theory and practice flow from this analysis

Generating Optimal Contiguous Evaluations for Expression DAGs

We consider the NP--complete problem of generating contiguous evaluations for expression DAGs with a minimal number of registers. We present two algorithms that generate optimal contiguous evaluation for a given DAG. The first is a modification of a complete search algorithm that omits the generation of redundant evaluations. The second algorithm generates only the most promising evaluations by splitting the DAG into trees with import and export nodes and evaluating the trees with a modified labeling scheme. Experiments with randomly generated DAGs and large DAGs from real application programs confirm that the new algorithms generate optimal contiguous evaluations quite fast

Optimal Contiguous Expression DAG Evaluations

Generating evaluations for expression DAGs with a minimal number of registers is NP-complete. We present two algorithms that generate optimal contiguous evaluation for a given DAG. The first is a modification of a complete search algorithm that omits redundant evaluations. The second algorithm generates only the most promising evaluations by splitting the DAG into trees with import and export nodes and evaluating the trees with a modified labeling scheme. Experiments with randomly generated DAGs and large DAGs from real application programs confirm that the new algorithms generate optimal contiguous evaluations quite fast