Article
Chemistry, Physical
Stephanie Elizabeth Sandoval, John A. Lewis, Bairav S. Vishnugopi, Douglas Lars Nelson, Matthew M. Schneider, Francisco Javier Quintero Cortes, Christopher M. Matthews, John Watt, Mengkun Tian, Pavel Shevchenko, Partha P. Mukherjee, Matthew T. McDowell
Summary: Anode-free solid-state batteries offer improved safety and higher energy density due to the lack of active material at the anode. This study focuses on understanding the influence of alloy interfacial layers on the growth and removal of lithium during battery operation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Robert Bui, Michael A. Brook
Summary: Silicone elastomers are typically difficult to recycle, but thermoplastic silicone elastomers using divanillin as a crosslinker offer better flexibility compared to traditional petroleum-based ones. Pendent-derived elastomers exhibit solvent swelling and dynamic adhesion at interfaces, while telechelic polymer-derived elastomers are more susceptible to heat or solvents.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhou Yu, Jie Zhao, Yinfeng Hua, Xiaoying Li, Qincheng Chen, Guoqing Shen
Summary: The study synthesized binder-free biogas residue biochar-based fertilizer pellets and found that under specific conditions, the physical properties and forming quality can reach optimal levels. Results showed that the biochar-based fertilizer has excellent sustained release properties of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making it a potential green slow-release fertilizer for agricultural production.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuqi Wang, Zheng Ma, Zhen Cao, Tao Cai, Gang Liu, Haoran Cheng, Fei Zhao, Luigi Cavallo, Qian Li, Jun Ming
Summary: Binder in lithium-ion batteries plays a crucial role in ensuring stability by adhering electrode materials tightly. Various binder molecules have been designed to enhance adhesion capability and conductivity. This study reveals that the binder also influences the lithium-ion solvation process on the electrode surface, leading to different side reactions, rate capabilities, and tolerance against solvent insertion.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yongxing Li, Yujing Wu, Tenghuan Ma, Zhixuan Wang, Qifa Gao, Jieru Xu, Liquan Chen, Hong Li, Fan Wu
Summary: Sulfide all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) are considered as promising next-generation energy storage devices due to their improved safety performance and high energy density. Solvent-free dry-film processes have unique advantages, but the current binder used in these processes, polytetrafluoroethylene, has poor voltage stability and low viscosity. In this study, a specially-designed treatment is developed to obtain a new type of dry binder, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), which significantly improves the cycling stability and Coulombic efficiency of sulfide ASSBs.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Giorleo Luca, Varlik Ertugrul, Montesano Lorenzo, Pola Annalisa
Summary: Binder jetting (BJ) is an additive manufacturing technology suitable for rapid tooling applications and casting process. The burnout temperature and time, as well as the pre-heating mould temperature, were investigated in this research to reduce casting defects. The results show that a burnout treatment performed at 250°C for 6 hours guarantees the best casting soundness.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aswani Poosapati, Rohan B. Ambade, Deepa Madan
Summary: This study aims to enhance the performance of a Zn-MnO2 alkaline battery for safe and flexible wearable applications. By utilizing techniques such as fabricating a binder-free MnO2 cathode, zinc/stainless steel composite anode, and calcium hydroxide coated polymer electrolyte, the battery achieved high performance and long cycling stabilities.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Youcun Bai, Heng Zhang, Bin Xiang, Jiangyu Hao, Lijin Yan, Chong Zhu
Summary: By introducing oxygen vacancies, the electrochemical performance of vanadium oxide compounds was improved, enhancing conductivity and interfacial activity, promoting reaction kinetics, and achieving superior cyclic stability and high specific capacity. Vacancy design proved to be an effective strategy for obtaining electrode materials with excellent comprehensive properties.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Swati Dilwale, Athira Babu, Priyanka Pandinhare Puthiyaveetil, Maria Kurian, Meena Ghosh, Sreekumar Kurungot
Summary: This study demonstrates the development of a binder-free and mechanically flexible composite cathode film based on VOPO4 and functionalized carbon nanotubes. The VP/fCNT-F film can adapt to mechanical deformation without compromising the charge storage performance, making it advantageous for AZMBs.
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
M. W. Alkanj, A. Kynast, M. Toepfer, F. Schubert, J. Toepfer
Summary: For the fabrication of competitive lead-free piezoceramic multilayer actuators (MLA) with base metal electrodes (BMEs), precise control of the oven atmosphere is required to maintain the desired phase composition and functional performance of the piezoceramics and electrodes. The debindering process, which is critical for defect-free multilayer laminates and preventing electrode oxidation, has been studied in KNN-based MLAs with Ni electrodes. The results indicate that binder burnout in reducing atmosphere protects the Ni layers, while complete binder removal with little Ni oxidation is achieved at 350°C in air, making it suitable for MLA preparation.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Youcun Bai, Heng Zhang, Bin Xiang, Xinyue Liang, Jiangyu Hao, Chong Zhu, Lijin Yan
Summary: In this study, VSe2 nanosheets supported on stainless-steel with defects were synthesized through a hydrothermal reduction strategy, resulting in improved conductivity and activity. The Se defect was found to adjust the adsorption energy of Zn2+ ions, leading to enhanced reversibility and electrochemical performance of the Zn// VSe2-x-SS battery. The VSe2-x-SS electrode exhibited good specific capacity, rate performance, and cyclic stability, providing insights into the energy-storage mechanism of Zn2+ ions in this material for future electrode design.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ingrid Ariani Belineli Barbosa, Jossano Saldanha Marcuzzo, Ivana Conte Cosentino, Rubens Nunes de Faria Jr
Summary: Among different types of energy storage systems, electrochemical supercapacitors, particularly electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), have attracted considerable attention. This research focused on the synthesis and characterization of activated carbon fiber-felt (ACFF) electrodes derived from textile PAN-based fiber, as well as the electrochemical characterization of EDLCs in both aqueous electrolytes and glycerol-based electrolytes. The results showed that ACFF electrodes are suitable for both types of electrolytes.
WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Satyajeet S. Patil, Pramod S. Patil
Summary: We synthesized electrodes of cobalt phosphate hydrate (CPH) and cobalt pyrophosphate (CPP) on 3D Ni-foam using a hydrothermal approach. The electrochemical performance of CPH and CPP electrodes was studied by varying the hydrothermal reaction time. Structural, morphological, and electrochemical characterizations were conducted on all the electrodes. The CPH2 electrode showed a specific capacity of 244.4 mAh/g (1,173.33 F/g) at a current density of 30 mA/cm2.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Robert Vassen, Emine Bakan, Sigrid Schwartz-Luckge
Summary: Four different methods were used to remove substrates from thermally sprayed ceramic coatings to investigate their properties, with the HCl method resulting in higher porosity and lower modulus in the YSZ coating.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Tianshi Li, Yinghao Zhang, Yifan Jin, Lixia Bao, Lulu Dong, Yuyang Zheng, Jun Xia, Ling Jiang, Yiyang Kang, Jiliang Wang
Summary: This study presents a solvent-free method for preparing sugarcane lignin-based biocomposites with exceptional thermoplasticity, reasonable mechanical properties, acceptable hydrophobicity, and considerable biodegradability, even with lignin content exceeding 60 wt%. The thermoplasticization mechanism of these biocomposites was extensively studied. The developed sugarcane lignin-based biocomposites show optimal tensile strength, hardness, shape stability after water soaking, thermoplasticization temperature, and on-set thermal decomposition temperature of about 14 MPa, 75 D, 99%, 110 degrees C, and 245 degrees C, respectively. These biocomposites have great potential in replacing unsustainable and non-degradable daily use products such as polyethylene-based containers, packaging materials, decoration materials, and furniture.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ellen Roels, Seppe Terryn, Fumiya Iida, Anton W. Bosman, Sophie Norvez, Frank Clemens, Guy Van Assche, Bram Vanderborght, Joost Brancart
Summary: Self-healing soft robots can recover completely from damage and have an extended lifetime, with various techniques used to shape complex structures. Reversible covalent and chemical cross-links provide healing abilities to soft robotic components, addressing current obstacles in soft robotics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
N. A. Conzelmann, M. N. Partl, F. J. Clemens, C. R. Mueller, L. D. Poulikakos
Summary: This study investigates artificial aggregates of engineered shapes that enable structures with high porosities. Numerical and experimental techniques are employed to analyze packings of various shapes of the artificial aggregates. The study establishes a correlation between the porosity of a packing and the sphericity of the aggregates, and confirms the accurate prediction of permeability for a wide range of porosities using the Carman-Kozeny correlation. The establishment of the basic relationship between porosity and permeability in packings is critical for the design of artificial aggregates for novel applications.
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Marius A. Wagner, Amir Hadian, Tutu Sebastian, Frank Clemens, Thomas Schweizer, Mikel Rodriguez-Arbaizar, Efrain Carreno-Morelli, Ralph Spolenak
Summary: This study presents the development of a multi-component binder system for 3D printing of 316 L stainless steel, allowing precise control of the mechanical and rheological properties of the material.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jakob Langenbach, Camille Bakkali-Hassani, Quentin-Arthur Poutrel, Antonia Georgopoulou, Frank Clemens, Francois Tournilhac, Sophie Norvez
Summary: Hybrid networks synthesized from biosourced fatty acid fragments can tune the mechanical properties and incorporate strain sensors. These materials exhibit good thermostimulated welding ability and tunability, while maintaining the mechanical and electrical integrity of conductive fibers.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Antonia Georgopoulou, Frank Clemens
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of pellet-based FDM printers to print soft robotic structures with integrated sensor structures. The integration of the printed thread on a soft substrate is affected by the softness and relaxation of the substrate. A soft compliant gripper structure with an integrated sensing layer was successfully printed using styrene based thermoplastic elastomers (TPS). The sensitivity of the sensing element varied with different Shore hardness values.
FLEXIBLE AND PRINTED ELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Robotics
Leone Costi, Arturo Tagliabue, Perla Maiolino, Frank Clemens, Fumiya Iida
Summary: The mechanical properties of a sensor have a strong impact on its tactile sensing capabilities. This study proposes an online stiffening adaptation approach to improve the classification accuracy of the sensor.
IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Frank Clemens, Fateme Sarraf, Aurelio Borzi, Antonia Neels, Amir Hadian
Summary: Thermoplastic extrusion based additive manufacturing (MEX-AM) is an interesting method for fabricating large ceramic parts. Three commercial yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) filaments provided by Fabru GmbH, SiCeram GmbH, and PT+A GmbH were investigated. The flexibility and rheological properties of YSZ filaments were found to vary greatly. The Fabru filament exhibited higher flexibility but required significantly higher extrusion pressure to be printed through a 0.25 mm nozzle. In the SiCeram filament, a grain orientation effect was observed. STA analysis suggested that the polymer decomposing at a high temperature in the Fabru filament could be removed by solvent debinding (SD). Finally, the printing and post-processing of YSZ filaments were evaluated using a 70 mm tall cup structure.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Fateme Sarraf, Amir Hadian, Sergey V. Churakov, Frank Clemens
Summary: The low processing temperature of preceramic polymers makes them attractive for additive manufacturing. Mixing ethylene vinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol successfully generates open porosity before crosslinking. The melt flow index and vinyl acetate content of the ethylene vinyl acetate affect printability and debinding behavior.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Boripat Sripornsawat, Antonia Georgopoulou, Sarttrawut Tulaphol, Anoma Thitithammawong, Jobish Johns, Yeampon Nakaramontri, Frank Clemens
Summary: This research develops strain sensors based on conductive natural rubber composites filled with carbon nanotubes and conductive carbon black, and achieves an ionic pathway for electron moving through a modified deep eutectic solvent. The use of the solvent improves the electrical signal sensation of the conductive rubber composite and eliminates inconsistent behavior under different loadings.
EXPRESS POLYMER LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Marius A. Wagner, Jose L. Ocana-Pujol, Amir Hadian, Frank Clemens, Ralph Spolenak
Summary: Integrated additive manufacturing of functional NiTi shape memory alloys is demonstrated via 3D printing of filaments consisting of thermoplastic binder and metal powder. The fabricated alloys show superelastic and shape memory properties at room temperature, and their microstructures and thermo-mechanical properties are characterized. Actuator geometries are designed, fabricated, and tested to enlarge the shape memory strain. The use of metallic materials in additive manufacturing could overcome the limitations of poor mechanical properties and durability seen in polymeric materials commonly used in active structures.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Antonia Georgopoulou, Sasitorn Srisawadi, Panithi Wiroonpochit, Frank Clemens
Summary: Soft piezoresistive sensing composite made of renewable material natural rubber and acetylene black was developed for monitoring human joint motion. Sensors produced through stereolithography-based method showed successful detection of small strains, while those fabricated by mold casting were not reliable for low strain detection. The homogeneous distribution and monotonic sensor response of the 3D printed sensors provided the ability to withstand large elongations.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Tony Lusiola, Arun Ichangi, Daniel Weil, Tutu Sebastian, Christos Aneziris, Thomas Graule, Frank Clemens
Summary: This study successfully synthesized zirconia nanofibers without sol-gel precursors using low-cost inorganic materials, and improved the stability of nanofiber diameter by adjusting electrospinning parameters. The calcination of different precursors resulted in different crystal phases of the fibers, with a higher tetragonal phase content in those based on nanoparticles. Zirconia nanofibers with polygranular microstructure across the diameter were successfully produced.
Article
Electrochemistry
Diwakar Karuppiah, Dmitrii Komissarenko, Nur Sena Yuezbasi, Yang Liu, Pradeep Vallachira Warriam Sasikumar, Amir Hadian, Thomas Graule, Frank Clemens, Gurdial Blugan
Summary: In this work, a simple two-step thermal treatment process was used to synthesize Ta-doped LLZO discs as solid electrolytes. The process parameters were carefully controlled to achieve nucleation and sintering of LLZO. The prepared Ta-LLZO discs exhibited good crystallinity and electrical conductivity.
Review
Polymer Science
Fateme Sarraf, Sergey V. Churakov, Frank Clemens, Li Ye
Summary: The utilization of preceramic polymers to produce ceramics with exceptional characteristics and the application of additive manufacturing techniques provide new opportunities for manufacturing complex ceramic structures.
Proceedings Paper
Robotics
Antonia Georgopoulou, Louisa Marie Eckey, Somashree Mondal, Frank Clemens
Summary: This study utilizes additive manufacturing to create sensorized soft actuator modules and investigates the impact of Shore hardness and design aspects on gripper structures. The study also finds that grippers with higher Shore hardness have a larger functional range and better controllability.
2022 IEEE 5TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOFT ROBOTICS (ROBOSOFT)
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shitong Fang, Houfan Du, Tao Yan, Keyu Chen, Zhiyuan Li, Xiaoqing Ma, Zhihui Lai, Shengxi Zhou
Summary: This paper proposes a new type of nonlinear VIV energy harvester (ANVEH) that compensates for the decrease in peak energy output at low wind speeds by introducing an auxiliary structure. Theoretical and experimental results show that ANVEH performs better than traditional nonlinear VIV energy harvesters under various system parameter variations.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wei Jiang, Shuo Zhang, Teng Wang, Yufei Zhang, Aimin Sha, Jingjing Xiao, Dongdong Yuan
Summary: A standardized method was developed to evaluate the availability of solar energy resources in road areas, which combined the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Geographic Information System (GIS). By analyzing critical factors and using a multi-indicator evaluation method, the method accurately evaluated the utilization of solar energy resources and guided the optimal location selection for road photovoltaic (PV) projects. The results provided guidance for the application of road PV projects and site selection for route corridors worldwide, promoting the integration of transportation and energy.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Chang Liu, Jacob A. Wrubel, Elliot Padgett, Guido Bender
Summary: The study investigates the effects of coating defects on the performance of the anode porous transport layer (PTL) in water electrolyzers. The results show that an increasing fraction of uncoated regions on the PTL leads to decreased cell performance, with continuous uncoated regions having a more severe impact compared to multiple thin uncoated strips.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Marcos Tostado-Veliz, Xiaolong Jin, Rohit Bhakar, Francisco Jurado
Summary: In this paper, a coordinated charging price mechanism for clusters of parking lots is proposed. The research shows that enabling vehicle-to-grid characteristics can bring significant economic benefits for users and the cluster coordinator, and vehicle-to-grid impacts noticeably on the risk-averse character of the uncertainty-aware strategies. The developed pricing mechanism can reduce the cost for users, avoiding to directly translate the energy cost to charging points.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Duan Kang
Summary: Building an energy superpower is a key strategy for China and a long-term goal for other countries. This study proposes an evaluation system and index for measuring energy superpower, and finds that China has significantly improved its ranking over the past 21 years, surpassing other countries.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Fucheng Deng, Yifei Wang, Xiaosen Li, Gang Li, Yi Wang, Bin Huang
Summary: This study investigated the synergistic blockage mechanism of sand and hydrate in gravel filling layer and the evolution of permeability in the layer. Experimental models and modified permeability models were established to analyze the effects of sand particles and hydrate formation on permeability. The study provided valuable insights for the safe and efficient exploitation of hydrate reservoirs.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hao Wang, Xiwen Chen, Natan Vital, Edward Duffy, Abolfazl Razi
Summary: This study proposes a HVAC energy optimization model based on deep reinforcement learning algorithm. It achieves 37% energy savings and ensures thermal comfort for open office buildings. The model has a low complexity, uses a few controllable factors, and has a short training time with good generalizability.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Moyue Cong, Yongzhuo Gao, Weidong Wang, Long He, Xiwang Mao, Yi Long, Wei Dong
Summary: This study introduces a multi-strategy ultra-wideband energy harvesting device that achieves high power output without the need for external power input. By utilizing asymmetry, stagger array, magnetic coupling, and nonlinearity strategies, the device maintains a stable output voltage and high power density output at non-resonant frequencies. Temperature and humidity monitoring are performed using Bluetooth sensors to adaptively assess the device.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Tianshu Dong, Xiudong Duan, Yuanyuan Huang, Danji Huang, Yingdong Luo, Ziyu Liu, Xiaomeng Ai, Jiakun Fang, Chaolong Song
Summary: Electrochemical water splitting is crucial for hydrogen production, and improving the hydrogen separation rate from the electrode is essential for enhancing water electrolyzer performance. However, issues such as air bubble adhesion to the electrode plate hinder the process. Therefore, a methodology to investigate the two-phase flow within the electrolyzer is in high demand. This study proposes using a microfluidic system as a simulator for the electrolyzer and optimizing the two-phase flow by manipulating the micro-structure of the flow.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shuo Han, Yifan Yuan, Mengjiao He, Ziwen Zhao, Beibei Xu, Diyi Chen, Jakub Jurasz
Summary: Giving full play to the flexibility of hydropower and integrating more variable renewable energy is of great significance for accelerating the transformation of China's power energy system. This study proposes a novel day-ahead scheduling model that considers the flexibility limited by irregular vibration zones (VZs) and the probability of flexibility shortage in a hydropower-variable renewable energy hybrid generation system. The model is applied to a real hydropower station and effectively improves the flexibility supply capacity of hydropower, especially during heavy load demand in flood season.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zhen Wang, Kangqi Fan, Shizhong Zhao, Shuxin Wu, Xuan Zhang, Kangjia Zhai, Zhiqi Li, Hua He
Summary: This study developed a high-performance rotary energy harvester (AI-REH) inspired by archery, which efficiently accumulates and releases ultralow-frequency vibration energy. By utilizing a magnetic coupling strategy and an accumulator spring, the AI-REH achieves significantly accelerated rotor speeds and enhanced electric outputs.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yi Yang, Qianyi Xing, Kang Wang, Caihong Li, Jianzhou Wang, Xiaojia Huang
Summary: In this study, a novel hybrid Quantile Regression (QR) model is proposed for Probabilistic Load Forecasting (PLF). The model integrates causal dilated convolution, residual connection, and Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) for multi-scale feature extraction. In addition, a Combined Probabilistic Load Forecasting System (CPLFS) is proposed to overcome the inherent flaws of relying on a single model. Simulation results show that the hybrid QR outperforms traditional models and CPLFS exceeds the best benchmarks in terms of prediction accuracy and stability.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wen-Jiang Zou, Young-Bae Kim, Seunghun Jung
Summary: This paper proposes a dynamic prediction model for capacity fade in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). The model accurately predicts changes in electrolyte volume and capacity fade, enhancing the competitiveness of VRFBs in energy storage applications.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yuechao Ma, Shengtie Wang, Guangchen Liu, Guizhen Tian, Jianwei Zhang, Ruiming Liu
Summary: This paper focuses on the balance of state of charge (SOC) among multiple battery energy storage units (MBESUs) and bus voltage balance in an islanded bipolar DC microgrid. A SOC automatic balancing strategy is proposed considering the energy flow relationship and utilizing the adaptive virtual resistance algorithm. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy in achieving SOC balancing and decreasing bus voltage unbalance.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Raad Z. Homod, Basil Sh. Munahi, Hayder Ibrahim Mohammed, Musatafa Abbas Abbood Albadr, Aissa Abderrahmane, Jasim M. Mahdi, Mohamed Bechir Ben Hamida, Bilal Naji Alhasnawi, A. S. Albahri, Hussein Togun, Umar F. Alqsair, Zaher Mundher Yaseen
Summary: In this study, the control problem of the multiple-boiler system (MBS) is formulated as a dynamic Markov decision process and a deep clustering reinforcement learning approach is applied to obtain the optimal control policy. The proposed strategy, based on bang-bang action, shows superior response and achieves more than 32% energy saving compared to conventional fixed parameter controllers under dynamic indoor/outdoor actual conditions.
