Search

All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASSB-LiS batteries) are considered among advanced candidates for next-generation energy storage systems, as they break with restrictions and limitations that liquid electrolytes impose on lithium-ion batteries and lithium-sulfur batteries (LiS-batteries), meaning enhanced safety and higher energy densities. However, investigations under realistic conditions on pouch cell level are challenging, as it is necessary to implement a scalable preparation method for sheet-type cathodes with high sulfur utilization and loading. In this study, a solvent-free process to prepare free-standing cathode sheets with low binder content down to 0.1 wt% PTFE is demonstrated. The contribution of binder and electrolyte on the conversion reaction of sulfur is discussed. Sheet-type cathodes reach nearly theoretical sulfur utilization of 1672 mAh gS-1 and outstanding reversible capacity reten-tion with 72% of initial discharge capacity after 400 cycles by adapting cut-off voltages to the stability window of the electrolyte. Furthermore, an all-solid-state pouch cell is demonstrated using the dry-film cathode, which is suc-cessfully tested for 50 cycles at different C-rates. Thickness monitoring of the cell stack gives fundamental insights into the volume change and breathing behavior of both cathode and anode.

The lithium-sulfur (Li−S) technology is the most promising candidate for next-generation batteries due to its high theoretical specific energy and steady progress for applications requiring lightweight batteries such as aviation or heavy electric vehicles. For these applications, however, the rate capability of Li−S cells requires significant improvement. Advanced electrolyte formulations in Li−S batteries enable new pathways for cell development and adjustment of all components. However, their rate capability at pouch cell level is often neither evaluated nor compared to state of the art (SOTA) LiTFSI/dimethoxyethane/dioxolane (LITFSI: lithium-bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) electrolyte. Herein, the combination of the sparingly polysulfide (PS) solvating hexylmethylether/1,2-dimethoxyethane (HME/DME) electrolyte and highly conductive carbon nanotube Buckypaper (CNT-BP) with low porosity was evaluated in both coin and pouch cells and compared to dimethoxyethane/dioxolane reference electrolyte. An advanced sulfur transfer melt infiltration was employed for cathode production with CNT-BP. The Li+ ion coordination in the HME/DME electrolyte was investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Raman spectroscopy. Additionally, ionic conductivity and viscosity was investigated for the pristine electrolyte and a polysulfide-statured solution. Both electrolytes, DME/DOL-1/1 (DOL: 1,3-dioxolane) and HME/DME-8/2, are then combined with CNT-BP and transferred to multi-layered pouch cells. This study reveals that the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte increases drastically over state of (dis)charge especially for DME/DOL electrolyte and lean electrolyte regime leading to a better rate capability for the sparingly polysulfide solvating electrolyte. The evaluation in prototype cells is an important step towards bespoke adaption of Li−S batteries for practical applications.

Lithium sulfur (Li-S) batteries represent an interesting technology due to the high theoretical capacity of sulfur and the low cost of the cathode material. Li-S cells with graphite electrodes could be an option for low-cost stationary energy storage as graphite is cheap and the electrode production process is well established. Unfortunately, in most Li-S electrolytes, graphite is not stable due to solvent co-intercalation and degrades fast. In this work, a new low density electrolyte based on hexyl methyl ether (HME) and 1,3-dioxalane (DOL) is presented, which allows to use graphite as anode material for Li-S batteries. In symmetric graphite vs. graphite cells an averaged Coulombic efficiency of 99.94% per electrode could be reached. For the first time, cycling conditions like voltage window and balancing were optimized for Li-S cells with graphite anodes and the suitability of the concept could be demonstrated in multilayer pouch cellsunder realistic conditions.

Lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries are among the targeted candidates for future generation secondary batteries with high specific energy. Herein, a scalable synthesis is presented to produce highly porous, nitrogen-doped carbons from a commercial carbon black material by melamine impregnation and subsequent thermolysis. The process up-scaling up was demonstrated at > 100 g batch level. The nitrogen doping was controlled through pyrolysis temperatures and carbon to melamine ratio. The sulfur-carbon cathodes exhibit an enhanced cycle life at a moderate electrolyte to sulfur ratio of 7 μL mgS−1. In particular, under lean conditions at low electrolyte amount of 5 μL mgS−1, the nitrogen functionalities improved active material utilization and capacity retention significantly. The nitrogen-doped scaffold was integrated into five-layered prototype cell (71 × 46 mm2) with a capacity of up to 0.87 Ah reaching a specific energy density of 238 Wh kg−1 on stack level. These results provide new insights into realistic application of nitrogen-doped carbons on pouch cell level.

The lithium-sulfur (Li-S) cell system is promising to satisfy the increasing need for cost-efficient energy storage with high theoretical energies due to the enormous theoretical gravimetrical capacity and the abundance of sulfur. Furthermore, the technology readiness level of Li-S batteries increased steadily in recent years due to extensive research, as well as the number of reported prototype cells. However, an often ignored test parameter is the application of external pressure to the cell stack. In this study, the influence of external pressure on the performance of Li-S cells is investigated. Therefore, five-layered pouch cells with solvent-free processed cathodes are assembled. These cells are tested under lean electrolyte conditions (electrolyte to sulfur ratio of 4.5 µl mg(S)−1). To evaluate the influence of the used electrolyte system either the state-of-the-art 1,2-dimethoxyethane/1,3-dioxolane electrolyte or the sparing polysulfide solvating hexyl methyl ether/1,3-dioxolane electrolyte is deployed. The impact of pressure application is evaluated electrochemically as well as by post-mortem focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy of the cycled electrodes. Moreover, a technique for infiltration of sulfur into the carbon host matrix is presented, discussed, and successfully implemented.

In the market for next-generation energy storage, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) technology is one of the most promising candidates due to its high theoretical specific energy and cost-efficient ubiquitous active materials. In this study, this cell system was combined with a cost-efficient sustainable solvent-free electrode dry-coating process (DRYtraec®). So far, this process has been only feasible with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based binders. To increase the sustainability of electrode processing and to decrease the undesired fluorine content of Li-S batteries, a renewable, biodegradable, and fluorine-free polypeptide was employed as a binder for solvent-free electrode manufacturing. The yielded sulfur/carbon dry-film cathodes were electrochemically evaluated under lean electrolyte conditions at coin and pouch cell level, using the state-of-the-art 1,2-dimethoxyethane/1,3-dioxolane electrolyte (DME/DOL) as well as the sparingly polysulfide-solvating electrolytes hexylmethylether (HME)/DOL and tetramethylene sulfone/1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (TMS/TTE). These results demonstrated that the PTFE binder can be replaced by the biodegradable sericin as the cycle stability and performance of the cathodes was retained.

Applications of advanced cathode materials with well designed chemical components and or optimized nanostructures promoting the sulfur redox kinetics and suppressing the shuttle effect of polysulfides are highly valued. However, in the case of actual lithium sulfur Li amp; 8722;S batteries under practical working conditions, one long term obstacle still exists, which is mainly due to the difficulties in massive synthesis of such nanomaterials with low cost and ease of control on the nanostructure. Herein, we develop a facile synthesis of carbon coated Ti4O7 hollow nanoparticles C amp; 8722;Ti4O7 using spherical polymer electrolyte brush as soft template, which is scalable via utilizing a minipilot reactor. The C amp; 8722;Ti4O7 hollow nanoparticles provide strong chemical adsorption to polysulfides through the large polar surface and additional physical confinement by rich micro amp; mesopores and have successfully been employed as an efficient sulfur host for multilayer pouch cells. Besides, the sluggish kinetics of the sulfur and lithium sulfide redox mechanism can be improved by the highly conductive Ti4O7 via catalyzation of the conversion of polysulfides. Consequently, the C amp; 8722;Ti4O7 based pouch cell endows a high discharge capacity of 1003 amp; 8197;mAh amp; 8201;g amp; 8722;1 at 0.05 amp; 8197;C, a high capacity retention of 83.7 amp; 8201; after 100 amp; 8197;cycles at 0.1 amp; 8197;C, and a high Coulombic efficiency of 97.5 amp; 8201; at the 100th cycle. This work proposes an effective approach to transfer the synthesis of hollow Ti4O7 nanoparticles from lab to large scale production, paving the way to explore a wide range of advanced nanomaterials for multilayer Li amp; 8722;S pouch cells

In recent years, the technology readiness level of next generation lithium sulfur Li S batteries has shifted from coin cell to pouch cell dimensions. Promising optimizations of the electrodes, electrolytes, active materials, and additives lead to improved performance and cycling stability. However, new challenges arise with the pouch cell design and engineering including electrode stacking and electrolyte filling , which influence the mechanistic processes of the cell. This study presents an unprecedented multimodal operando investigation of Li S batteries on a pouch cell level and provides an inside view of material transformations during battery cycling, using X ray radiography, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and spatially resolved temperature monitoring. With the comparison of two different electrolytes, new experimental details about sulfur and lithium sulfide deposition and dissolution processes are revealed and related to electrolyte and temperature distribution. Operando impedance measurements on monolayer pouch cells yield a clear correlation of electrochemical and macroscopic radiographic observations. Understanding the monolayer cells behavior represents an optimal foundation for further studies on multilayer pouch cell prototypes and demonstrators with the developed operando setup. Herein the proof of principle for correlated measurement methods on pouch cell level is shown, and the experimental proof of concept for sulfur crystal suppression in sparingly solvating electrolyte is visualized

We report expansion-tolerant architectures in ultrahigh-loading sulfur cathodes inspired by particle agglomeration theories., Lithium-sulfur batteries can displace lithium-ion by delivering higher specific energy. Presently, however, the superior energy performance fades rapidly when the sulfur electrode is loaded to the required levels—5 to 10 mg cm−2— due to substantial volume change of lithiation/delithiation and the resultant stresses. Inspired by the classical approaches in particle agglomeration theories, we found an approach that places minimum amounts of a high-modulus binder between neighboring particles, leaving increased space for material expansion and ion diffusion. These expansion-tolerant electrodes with loadings up to 15 mg cm−2 yield high gravimetric (>1200 mA·hour g−1) and areal (19 mA·hour cm−2) capacities. The cells are stable for more than 200 cycles, unprecedented in such thick cathodes, with Coulombic efficiency above 99%.

Application-relevant data such as cycle life, rate capability, and energy density are inaccessible via electrochemical standard tests in today's Li-S-lab cells due to electrolyte and anode excess masking major degradation mechanisms. Because of the gap of lab cell characterization and prototype cell development, misinterpretations and false expectations of material development are frequently reported, and electrode porosity as well as pressure on cell stack are neglected. Rapid transfer of new concepts on multilayer-pouch cell level is essential, especially for electrolytes working in lean electrolyte regime. Fundamental studies should concentrate on fundamental scientific questions related to the main bottlenecks of Li-S-cells: first, understanding anode and electrolyte degradation phenomena and realistic evaluation of stabilizing interfaces is crucial. Further, new analytical tools allowing electrochemical studies under lean electrolyte conditions and in situ studies of electrolyte and additive depletion pose tremendous chances for impactful research. In addition, tap density and the accompanied swelling and compaction behavior of cathodes in different electrolytes should be further addressed. Consequently, pressure distribution in pouch cells should be monitored and adapted to the respective mechanical properties of the cathode and anode. These guidelines help to realize a breakthrough of the Li-S technology as a sustainable, safe, and lightweight energy storage option in the near future.

To examine the role of the CHARetrospective analyses.A single-center study in a tertiary care academic medical center.The study comprised all adult patients with NOAF admitted to noncardiac intensive care units (ICUs) at a tertiary care academic institution between January 2009 and March 2016.None.The authors retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of all adult patients admitted to noncardiac ICUs at a tertiary care academic institution between January 2009 and March 2016. Patients with NOAF were identified and their CHANew-onset atrial fibrillation is common in critically ill patients and is associated with high in-hospital mortality. The authors found that the CHA

Antimony doped tin oxide thin films show outstanding optical, electrical and thermal properties. Here, we report the preparation of 100–500 nm thick undoped and antimony doped tin oxide films on glass substrates by aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition in order to evaluate the films for solar control glazing applications. The structural, electrical and optical properties are studied for variable antimony doping levels (0 at%–22.5 at% in the film) and deposition temperatures (300–600 °C). The influence of antimony doping levels on absorption and reflection is evaluated with respect to tune optical properties in the visible and near infrared range. Compared to commercially available glazing (e.g. from Saudi-Arabian glass companies) an improved solar blocking behavior is observed for nanostructured ATO thin films.

Multilayered nanocoatings allow outstanding properties with broad potential for glazing applications. Here, we report on the development of a multilayer nanocoating for zinc oxide (ZnO) and antimony doped tin oxide (ATO). The combination of ZnO and ATO thin films with their promising optical properties is a cost-efficient alternative for the production of energy-efficient glazing. It is an effective modification of the building envelope to reduce current high domestic demand of electrical power for air conditioning, especially in hot climates like Saudi Arabia. In this paper, we report the development of a nanocoating based on the combination of ZnO and ATO. Principle material and film investigations were carried out on lab-scale by dip coating with chemical solution deposition (CSD), while with regard to production processes, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes were evaluated in a second stage of the film development. It was found that with both processes, high-quality thin films and multilayer coatings with outstanding optical properties can be prepared. While keeping the optical transmission in the visible range at around 80%, only 10% of the NIR (near infrared) and below 1% of UV (ultraviolet) light passes these coatings. However, in contrast to CSD, the CVD process allows a free combination of the multilayer film sequence, which is of high relevance for production processes. Furthermore, it can be potentially integrated in float glass production lines.

A new spectrally selective coating based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for solar thermal applications is demonstrated. For optimized coatings solar absorptance coefficients α>0.92 and thermal emittance coefficients e

In diesem Beitrag werden konventionelle Abscheideverfahren bei Atmospharendruck genutzt um Glas und Kunststoffoberflachen mit transparent und leitfahigen Schichten zu funktionalisieren. Durch die Verwendung eines neu entwickelten Transfer- und Integrationsverfahrens wird der Schichtherstellungsprozess vom zu beschichtenden Substrat getrennt. Mit diesem Verfahren lassen sich somit temperatursensitive Kunststoffe, wie beispielsweise PET-Folien, mit FTO-Schichten veredeln. Neben diesen hoch leitfahigen TCO-Folien fur elektrooptische Anwendungen, lassen sich auch antistatische Kunststoffoberflachen, auf Basis von Kohlenstoffnanorohren, herstellen.

Silicon anodes offer a very promising approach to boost the energy density of lithium-ion batteries. While silicon anodes show a high capacity and, depending on the system, a good cycle stability in half-cells vs lithium, their integration in industrially applicable lithium-ion full-cells is still challenging. Balancing described as the capacity ratio of negative and positive electrode (n/p ratio) is a crucial necessity for the successful design of lithium-ion batteries. In this work, three different silicon based anode systems, namely carbon coated silicon nanowires, columnar silicon thin films and silicon-carbon void structures are compared in LIB full cells containing NMC111 cathodes. By varying the areal capacity of the NMC111 cathode, the influence of the balancing was investigated over a broad n/p range of 0.8−3.2. The aim was to find an ideal compromise between lithium plating suppression, high cycling stability and maximized energy density. To underline the high volumetric energy density, the columnar silicon thin films are additionally analyzed in multilayered pouch cells with NMC622 and NMC811 cathodes resulting in 605 Wh L−1 and 135 Wh kg−1 and even 806 Wh L−1 and 183 Wh kg−1 as demonstrated on stack level.

The PaTH (University of Pittsburgh/UPMC, Penn State College of Medicine, Temple University Hospital, and Johns Hopkins University) clinical data research network initiative is a collaborative effort among four academic health centers in the Mid-Atlantic region. PaTH will provide robust infrastructure to conduct research, explore clinical outcomes, link with biospecimens, and improve methods for sharing and analyzing data across our diverse populations. Our disease foci are idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, atrial fibrillation, and obesity. The four network sites have extensive experience in using data from electronic health records and have devised robust methods for patient outreach and recruitment. The network will adopt best practices by using the open-source data-sharing tool, Informatics for Integrating Biology and the Bedside (i2b2), at each site to enhance data sharing using centrally defined common data elements, and will use the Shared Health Research Information Network (SHRINE) for distributed queries across the network.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be applied to assemble a new type of solar selective coating system for solar thermal applications. In this work the predominant absorption processes occurring by interaction with π-plasmon and Van Hove singularities (VHS) were investigated by UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy and ellipsometry. Not only optical properties for as deposited SWCNT thin films itself, but also the potential for systematic tailoring will be presented. Besides low cost technologies required, the adjustability of optical properties, as well as their thermal stability render CNT based solar selective coatings as promising alternative to commercially available coating systems.

Das bescheidene Einfamilienhaus aus den 1950er Jahren ordnete sich in zweiter Reihe unter die Nachbarbauten der lockeren Siedlungserweiterung. Mit einer Aufstockung in Holzbauweise von Niedrigenergie-Standard entstand daraus ein Zweifamilienhaus von hohem Wohnwert, wobei der schone Obstgarten unangetastet bleiben konnte. Der Grundriss der Obergeschoswohnung teilt sich in drei parallele Zonen, wobei die mittlere von der Inselkuche in eine Diele und den Essbereich geteilt wird. Die nach Norden und nach Suden anschliesenden Zonen mit Zimmern und Nebenraumen wie Treppe und Bad werden je von einem eingeschnittenen Ausenraum unterbrochen: breit nach Suden, entsprechend der darunter befindlichen Gartenterrasse, und etwas schmaler nach Norden fur sommerliche Nachmittage und Abende. Nach Westen bietet ein vorwitzig kragender Austrittsbalkon einen uberblick auf den Garten und dient etwa der Blick- und Rufbeziehung zu den spielenden Kindern. Das flach geneigte Grabendach lasst die Gebaudeecken starker hervortreten, wahrend seine Raumwirkung in Schlafzimmern und Bad genutzt wird. Von gestalterischem Engagement und Sinn fur Proportionen zeugt die hinterluftete Fassade aus geolten, vertikalen Larchenbrettern, in drei unterschiedlichen Breiten. Hinter dieser dennoch bescheidenen Holzfassade vermag die raumliche Vielfalt des Obergeschoses jedenfalls zu uberraschen.

not Available.

not Available.

Electrification is progressing significantly within the present and future vehicle sectors such as large commercial vehicles (e.g., trucks and buses), high‐altitude long endurance (HALE), high‐altitude pseudosatellites (HAPS), and electric vertical take‐off and landing (eVTOL). The battery systems’ performance requirements differ across these applications in terms of power, cycle life, system cost, etc. However, the need for high gravimetric energy density, 400 Wh kg−1 and beyond, is common across them all, as it enables vehicles to achieve extended range, a longer mission duration, lighter weight, or increased payload. The system‐level requirements of these emerging applications are broken down into the component‐level developments required to integrate Li–S technology as the power system of choice. To adapt batteries’ properties, such as energy and power density, to the respective application, the academic research community has a key role to play in component‐level development. However, materials and component research must be conducted within the context of a viable Li–S cell system. Herein, the key performance benefits, limitations, modeling, and recent progress of the Li–S battery technology and its adaption toward real‐world application are discussed., The advantages, limitations, and progress of Li–S batteries are described. Approaches to extend cycle life, energy, power, and safety are further discussed. Recent advances regarding modelling and battery management of these batteries are summarized, and the requirements for as well as the integration of Li–S prototype cells in present and future real world applications is elaborated.© 2020 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Lithium-sulfur batteries are promising candidates to satisfy the growing demand for high gravimetric, as well as high volumetric energy density batteries, due to their abundant and cost-efficient raw-materials. Consequently, this cell system has become an active subject of academic and industrial research. Therefore, new records for gravimetric, as well as volumetric energy densities have been reported in recent years. To further increase the volumetric energy density of the cells, the electrodes are often densified. Hence, the influence of the cathode density on the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries is still not fully understood. Herein, dry-processed (DRYtraec) sulfur carbon cathodes with varying electrode densities are tested with ether-based electrolytes under lean electrolyte (5 μL mg(s)-1) conditions. The electrochemical evaluation reveals that the density does not influence the performance of the cathodes at coin-cell level as their density is altered upon electrolyte contact due to swelling. To monitor this, dynamic swelling experiments via confocal microscopy are conducted. Subsequently, the findings are transferred to investigate the influence of cathode swelling on the volumetric energy density. The influence of cathode swelling on the volumetric energy density of pouch cells is calculated based on the cathodes investigated at coin-cell level.