ENDF/B-VII.0: Next Generation Evaluated Nuclear Data Library for Nuclear Science and Technology

We describe the next generation general purpose Evaluated Nuclear Data File, ENDF/B-VII.0, of recommended nuclear data for advanced nuclear science and technology applications. The library, released by the U.S. Cross Section Evaluation Working Group (CSEWG) in December 2006, contains data primarily for reactions with incident neutrons, protons, and photons on almost 400 isotopes. The new evaluations are based on both experimental data and nuclear reaction theory predictions. The principal advances over the previous ENDF/B-VI library are the following: (1) New cross sections for U, Pu, Th, Np and Am actinide isotopes, with improved performance in integral validation criticality and neutron transmission benchmark tests; (2) More precise standard cross sections for neutron reactions on H, {sup 6}Li, {sup 10}B, Au and for {sup 235,238}U fission, developed by a collaboration with the IAEA and the OECD/NEA Working Party on Evaluation Cooperation (WPEC); (3) Improved thermal neutron scattering; (4) An extensive set of neutron cross sections on fission products developed through a WPEC collaboration; (5) A large suite of photonuclear reactions; (6) Extension of many neutron- and proton-induced reactions up to an energy of 150 MeV; (7) Many new light nucleus neutron and proton reactions; (8) Post-fission beta-delayed photon decay spectra; (9) New radioactive decay data; and (10) New methods developed to provide uncertainties and covariances, together with covariance evaluations for some sample cases. The paper provides an overview of this library, consisting of 14 sublibraries in the same, ENDF-6 format, as the earlier ENDF/B-VI library. We describe each of the 14 sublibraries, focusing on neutron reactions. Extensive validation, using radiation transport codes to simulate measured critical assemblies, show major improvements: (a) The long-standing underprediction of low enriched U thermal assemblies is removed; (b) The {sup 238}U, {sup 208}Pb, and {sup 9}Be reflector biases in fast systems are largely removed; (c) ENDF/B-VI.8 good agreement for simulations of highly enriched uranium assemblies is preserved; (d) The underprediction of fast criticality of {sup 233,235}U and {sup 239}Pu assemblies is removed; and (e) The intermediate spectrum critical assemblies are predicted more accurately. We anticipate that the new library will play an important role in nuclear technology applications, including transport simulations supporting national security, nonproliferation, advanced reactor and fuel cycle concepts, criticality safety, medicine, space applications, nuclear astrophysics, and nuclear physics facility design. The ENDF/B-VII.0 library is archived at the National Nuclear Data Center, BNL. The complete library, or any part of it, may be retrieved from www.nndc.bnl.gov

Experimentally determined models for high-power lithium batteries

Lithium batteries are increasingly being considered for installation as power sources in electric and hybrid vehicles, because of their high specific energy and power. To effectively size the vehicle Rechargeable Energy Storage System, it is very important to be able to mathematically model their behaviour. Battery modelling is also very useful for on-line management of electric and hybrid vehicles. This paper presents a dynamic model of lithium batteries based on experimental tests on high power Lithium-polymer models. The results can be adapted, with suitable parameter evaluation, to other lithium batteries as well

State of charge estimation of high power lithium iron phosphate cells

This paper describes a state of charge (SOC) evaluation algorithm for high power lithium iron phosphate cells characterized by voltage hysteresis. The algorithm is based on evaluating the parameters of an equivalent electric circuit model of the cell and then using a hybrid technique with adequate treatment of errors, through an additional extended Kalman filter (EKF). The model algorithm has been validated in terms of effectiveness and robustness by several experimental tests

High Fidelity Electrical Model with Thermal Dependence for Characterization and Simulation of High Power Lithium Battery Cells

The growing need for accurate simulation of advanced lithium cells for powertrain electrification demands fast and accurate modeling schemes. Additionally, battery models must account for thermal effects because of the paramount importance of temperature in kinetic and transport phenomena of electrochemical systems. This paper presents an effective method for developing a multi-temperature lithium cell simulation model with thermal de-pendence. An equivalent circuit model with one voltage source, one series resistor, and a single RC block was able to account for the discharge dynamics observed in the ex-periment. A parameter estimation numerical scheme using pulse current discharge tests on high power lithium (LiNi-CoMnO2 cathode and graphite-based anode) cells under different operating conditions revealed dependences of the equivalent circuit elements on state of charge, average cur-rent, and temperature. The process is useful for creating a high fidelity model capable of predicting electrical cur-rent/voltage performance and estimating run-time state of charge. The model was validated for a lithium cell with an independent drive cycle showing voltage accuracy within 2%. The model was also used to simulate thermal buildup for a constant current discharge scenari

Lithium-ion Starting-Lighting-Ignition Batteries: Examining the Feasibility

Rapid developments in the lithium-ion battery technology in the last decade have made it the overwhelming choice over lead-acid batteries, especially for advanced vehicles like hybrid and electric vehicles. However, for the traditional starting-lighting-ignition (SLI) application, the lead-acid technology continues to be dominant due to its low costs, despite its shortcomings. This could change in the future as a consequence of the introduction of newer, cheaper and safer lithium technologies. This paper examines the feasibility of using lithium-ion batteries for SLI application in conventional vehicles, over the lifetime of the vehicle, along with their battery management and thermal management systems and various related issues

Consolidated criteria for strengthening reporting of health research involving indigenous peoples: the CONSIDER statement

BACKGROUND: Research reporting guidelines are increasingly commonplace and shown to improve the quality of published health research and health outcomes. Despite severe health inequities among Indigenous Peoples and the potential for research to address the causes, there is an extended legacy of health research exploiting Indigenous Peoples. This paper describes the development of the CONSolIDated critERtia for strengthening the reporting of health research involving Indigenous Peoples (CONSIDER) statement. METHODS: A collaborative prioritization process was conducted based on national and international statements and guidelines about Indigenous health research from the following nations (Peoples): Australia (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders), Canada (First Nations Peoples, Métis), Hawaii (Native Hawaiian), New Zealand (Māori), Taiwan (Taiwan Indigenous Tribes), United States of America (First Nations Peoples) and Northern Scandinavian countries (Sami). A review of seven research guidelines was completed, and meta-synthesis was used to construct a reporting guideline checklist for transparent and comprehensive reporting of research involving Indigenous Peoples. RESULTS: A list of 88 possible checklist items was generated, reconciled, and categorized. Eight research domains and 17 criteria for the reporting of research involving Indigenous Peoples were identified. The research reporting domains were: (i) governance; (ii) relationships; (iii) prioritization; (iv) methodologies; (v) participation; (vi) capacity; (vii) analysis and findings; and (viii) dissemination. CONCLUSIONS: The CONSIDER statement is a collaborative synthesis and prioritization of national and international research statements and guidelines. The CONSIDER statement provides a checklist for the reporting of health research involving Indigenous peoples to strengthen research praxis and advance Indigenous health outcomes

Adjusting protocols in clinical research: finding the point of cultural/clinical fusion

The Hauora Manawa/Heart Health: Community Heart Study is a research project currently being undertaken at the University of Otago, Christchurch. The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence of cardiovascular risk within three cohorts: a rural Maori (Wairoa, Hawkes Bay), an urban Maori (Christchurch) with an age- and gender-matched non-Maori cohort (Christchurch). Participants (aged 20–64 years) were randomly selected through the electoral roll and invited to take part in a 1.5–2-hour cardiovascular screening clinic (undertaken in Wairoa in 2007, Christchurch in 2008) then to participate in a 20-minute follow-up visit two years later to further measure and monitor any changes to their cardiovascular risk