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At least 523 records · Page 29

A decade of insights: Delving into calendar aging trends and implications

Lithium-ion batteries remain at rest for extended periods and experience calendar aging. Although lithium-ion batteries are expected to perform for over 10 years at room temperature, long-term calendar aging data are seldom reported over such timescales. We present a dataset from 232 commercial cells across eight cell types and five manufacturers that underwent calendar aging across various temperatures and states of charge (SOCs) for up to 13 years. We analyze calendar aging across these conditions by tracking capacity loss and resistance growth as the cells degrade. This dataset is used to validate simple models, primarily the Arrhenius law and the power law, which explain the temperature and storage time on calendar aging. Certain applications of Arrhenius and power law fail to describe the dependence of capacity loss on temperature and resistance growth on storage time. Through this dataset, we demonstrate the complexity of calendar aging and the challenges in reducing trends into phenomenological models.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Effects of Ce additions on the age hardening response of Mg–Zn alloys

The effects of Ce additions on the precipitation hardening behaviour of Mg–Zn are examined for a series of alloys, with Ce additions at both alloying and microalloying levels. The alloys are artificially aged, and studied using hardness measurement and X-ray diffraction, as well as optical and transmission electron microscopy. It is found that the age-hardening effect is driven by the formation of fine precipitates, the number density of which is related to the Zn content of the alloy. Conversely, the Ce content is found to slightly reduce hardening. When the alloy content of Ce is high, large secondary phase particles containing both Ce and Zn are present, and remain stable during solutionizing. These particles effectively reduce the amount of Zn available as solute for precipitation, and thereby reduce hardening. Combining hardness results with thermodynamic analysis of alloy solute levels also suggests that Ce can have a negative effect on hardening when present as solutes at the onset of ageing. This effect is confirmed by designing a pre-ageing heat treatment to preferentially remove Ce solutes, which is found to restore the hardening capability of an Mg–Zn–Ce alloy to the level of the Ce-free alloy. - Highlights: • The effects of Ce additions on precipitation in Mg–Zn alloys are examined. • Additions of Ce to Mg–Zn slightly reduce the age-hardening response. • Ce-rich secondary phase particles deplete the matrix of Zn solute. • Hardening is also decreased when Ce is present in solution. • Pre-ageing to preferentially precipitate out Ce restores hardening capabilities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Aging behavior of an in-situ TiB{sub 2}/Al-Cu-Li-x matrix composite

Transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and hardness tests have been performed on an in-situ TiB{sub 2}/Al-3.3Cu-1.0Li-0.60Mg-0.40Ag-0.14Zr-0.13Si composite to study its aging behavior at 175 °C. A cubic phase suspected to be the σ (Al{sub 5}Cu{sub 6}Mg{sub 2}) phase or its variant is precipitated at all aging stages studied, and this phase is not typically observed in the Al-Cu-Li alloys. The primary hardening (aging for 3 h) phases consist of δ′ (Al{sub 3}Li), β′ (Al{sub 3}Zr) and the cubic phase. After aging for 18 h, all precipitates including T{sub 1} (Al{sub 2}CuLi), S (Al{sub 2}CuMg), θ′ (Al{sub 2}Cu), δ′, β′ and the cubic phase have appeared, and the formation of T{sub 1} and S results in a rapid increase in hardness. With prolonging of aging time, the apparent coarsening of T{sub 1} and S results in a decline in hardness. - Highlights: •The aging behavior of an in-situ TiB{sub 2}/Al-Cu-Li-x composite was studied. •A cubic phase suspected to be σ (Al{sub 5}Cu{sub 6}Mg{sub 2}) or its variant was precipitated. •The hardness change was dominated by the evolution of T{sub 1} (Al{sub 2}CuLi) and S (Al{sub 2}CuMg).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Microstructural evolution of ω assisted α precipitates in β-CEZ alloy during ageing process

Highlights: • Ultrafine Athermal ω precipitates were formed in β-CEZ alloy by quenching from above the β transus temperature. • In the ageing process, these ω precipitates coarsen, accompanied by the form of needle-like α phase. • ω precipitates were formed by {111}β planes shift 0.5d222 along the direction. • The superfine α particles are formed in close proximity of the ω/β interface. - Abstract: The microstructural evolution in β-CEZ (Ti-5Al-2Sn-4Zr-4Mo-2Cr-1Fe wt%) alloy, after quenching and ageing, has been investigated by combining results from orientation imaging microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution TEM (HRTEM). Ultrafine Athermal ω precipitates (about 1 nm) are formed in this alloy by quenching from above the β transus temperature. In the ageing process, these ω precipitates coarsen, accompanied by the form of needle-like α phase. The scale of ω assisted α increased from 5 to 10 nm in width and about 50 nm in length to 10 nm in width and 100–300 nm in length while extending ageing time from 2 h to 5 h at 350 °C. However, when going on extending the ageing time from 5 h to 20 h at 350 °C, the scale of α didn't grow dramatically but the density of α increased clearly. When increasing the ageing temperature from 350 °C to 450 °C, the scale of ω assisted α grow dramatically. Furthermore, the structural relationship of ω and α is observed by HRTEM images. It can be found that ω precipitates were formed by {111}β planes shift 0.5d222 along the <111> direction, and the superfine α particles are formed in close proximity of the ω/β interface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of aging treatment on microstructures, tensile properties and intergranular corrosion behavior of Al–Cu–Li alloy

Highlights: • T8 duplex aging greatly promoted the precipitation of strengthening phases. • Heavy precipitation of strengthening phases led to enhancing of tensile properties. • Intergranular corrosion sensibility can be reduced by T8 duplex aging greatly. - Abstract: The influence of aging treatment on microstructures, tensile properties and corrosion properties of Al–Cu–Li alloy was investigated. The results show that the T8 duplex aging treatment was more effective than T6 and T8 single aging treatment in enhancing the tensile properties and improving the intergranular corrosion (IGC) resistance. Based on the microstructure observation, tensile test, electrochemical experiment and IGC measurement, the factors which affect the microstructures, tensile properties and IGC behavior changing of Al–Cu–Li alloy during aging treatments were discussed in detail.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Cu/Sn/Ag TLP-bonded joint during thermal aging

Highlights: • The thermal reliability of the Cu/Sn/Ag TLP-bonded joint was investigated through high-temperature storage. • A diffusion reaction occurred at the interface between Cu{sub 3}Sn and Ag{sub 3}Sn during thermal aging. • The mechanism of the Cu{sub 3}Sn/Ag{sub 3}Sn interfacial reaction was investigated from thermodynamics and kinetics. - Abstract: Low-temperature transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding is a promising joining technology for high-temperature electronic devices packaging. However, the effect of thermal aging on the joint microstructure and performance has been rarely studied so far. In this paper, the relationship between microstructural evolution and mechanical property was developed for the Cu/Sn/Ag TLP-bonded joint during 350 °C aging. Experimental results show that an interfacial reaction occurs between the intermetallic compounds (IMCs) of Cu{sub 3}Sn and Ag{sub 3}Sn, which induces that a great amount of Cu{sub 3}Sn particles or wedges embed into the Ag-Sn phase layer. The reaction process is controlled by a volume diffusion of Cu elements from the Cu substrate, and capable of promoting the transformation from Ag{sub 3}Sn into Ag(Sn) solid solution. Cu{sub 41}Sn{sub 11} phase can be formed at the expense of Cu{sub 3}Sn and Cu, of which transformation process is completely achieved after aging for 480 h, and the Cu(Sn) solid solution intimately contacts with the opposite Ag(Sn) solid solution in many areas after aging for 960 h. The joint mechanical property initially declines due to the formation of Cu{sub 41}Sn{sub 11} phase and Cu-Sn IMCs grain coarsening, and then increases because of the complete depletion of Cu{sub 3}Sn and substantial precipitation of Cu(Sn) solid solution. After aging for nearly 1000 h, the joint still maintains a high shear strength of >40 MPa, indicating an excellent thermal reliability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effects of Zn addition on the age hardening behavior and precipitation evolution of an Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy

Highlights: • The Zn addition enhances the age hardening response of Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy. • The major of Zn remains in the Al matrix during artificial aging at 170 °C. • The Zn addition prompts the formation of solute clusters, GP zones and β″ precipitates. - Abstract: The effects of Zn on the age hardening behavior and corresponding microstructure of an Al-0.9Mg-0.8Si-0.2Cu (wt%) alloy were investigated by hardness testing, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and three-dimensional atom probe (3DAP). During aging for up to 8 h at 170 °C (peak hardness condition), the addition of Zn does not alter the precipitation sequence of the Al-Mg-Si alloy, which can be expressed as: supersaturated solid solution → solute clusters → GP zones → β″. The Zn does not significantly partition into clusters or precipitates, and the majority of Zn remains in the Al matrix, prompting the formation of solute clusters during the early stage of aging and subsequently stimulating the transformation from solute clusters to GP zones to β″ precipitates. The characterization of precipitation evolution caused by Zn addition correlates well with the observed enhanced age hardening response.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

PET Imaging of Tau Deposition in the Aging Human Brain

Tau pathology is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) but also occurs in normal cognitive aging. In this study, using the tau PET agent 18 F-AV-1451, we examined retention patterns in cognitively normal older people in relation to young controls and AD patients. Age and β-amyloid (measured using PiB PET) were differentially associated with tau tracer retention in healthy aging. Older age was related to increased tracer retention in regions of the medial temporal lobe, which predicted worse episodic memory performance. PET detection of tau in other isocortical regions required the presence of cortical β-amyloid and was associated with decline in global cognition. Furthermore, patterns of tracer retention corresponded well with Braak staging of neurofibrillary tau pathology. In conclusion, the present study defined patterns of tau tracer retention in normal aging in relation to age, cognition, and β-amyloid deposition.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

The aging proteostasis decline: From nematode to human

The aging proteostasis decline manifests in a failure of aging cells and organisms to properly respond to proteotoxic challenges. This proteostasis collapse has long been considered a hallmark of aging in nematodes, and has recently been shown to occur also in human cells upon entry to senescence, opening the way to exploring the phenomenon in the broader context of human aging. Cellular senescence is part of the normal human physiology of aging, with senescent cell accumulation as a prominent feature of aged tissues. Being highly resistant to cell death, senescent cells, as they accumulate, become pro-inflammatory and promote disease. Here we discuss the causes of human senescence proteostasis decline, in view of the current literature on nematodes, on the one hand, and senescence, on the other hand. We review two major aspects of the phenomenon: (1) the decline in transcriptional activation of stress-response pathways, and (2) impairments in proteasome function. We further outline potential underlying mechanisms of transcriptional proteostasis decline, focusing on reduced chromatin dynamics and compromised nuclear integrity. Finally, we discuss potential strategies for reinforcing proteostasis as a means to improve organismal health and address the relationship to senolytics.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Balancing DNA repair to prevent ageing and cancer

DNA damage is a constant stressor to the cell. Persistent damage to the DNA over time results in an increased risk of mutation and an accumulation of mutations with age. Loss of efficient DNA damage repair can lead to accelerated ageing phenotypes or an increased cancer risk, and the trade-off between cancer susceptibility and longevity is often driven by the cell's response to DNA damage. High levels of mutations in DNA repair mutants often leads to excessive cell death and stem cell exhaustion which may promote premature ageing. Stem cells themselves have distinct characteristics that enable them to retain low mutation rates. However, when mutations do arise, stem cell clonal expansion can also contribute to age-related tissue dysfunction as well as heightened cancer risk. In this review, we will highlight increasing DNA damage and mutation accumulation as hallmarks common to both ageing and cancer. We will propose that anti-ageing interventions might be cancer preventative and discuss the mechanisms through which they may act.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Evaluation of the effect of organic pro-degradant concentration in polypropylene exposed to the natural ageing

The production and consumption of plastics in the last decade has recorded a remarkable increase in the scientific and industrial interest in environmentally degradable polymer (EDPs). Polymers wastes are deposited improperly, such as dumps, landfills, rivers and seas, causing a serious problem by the accumulation in the environment. The abiotic processes, like the photodegradation, are the most efficient occurring in the open environmental, where the polymers undergo degradation from the action of sunlight that result from direct exposure to solar radiation, however depend of the type of chemical ageing, which is the principal component of climatic ageing. The subject of this work is to study the influence of concentration of organic pro-degradant (1, 2 and 3 % w/w) in the polypropylene (PP) exposed in natural ageing. PP samples with and without the additive were processed in plates square form, obtained by thermal compression molding (TCM) using a press at 200°C under 2 tons for 5 min, and then were exposed at natural ageing during 120 days. The presence of organic additive influenced on PP degradability, this fact was assessed by changes in the thermal and morphology properties of the samples after 120 days of natural ageing. Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) results of the morphological surface of the modified PP samples showed greater degradation photochemical oxidative when compared to neat PP, due to increase of rugosity and formation of microvoids. PP samples with different pro-degradant concentration under natural ageing presented a degree of crystallinity, obtained by Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) increases in comparing the neat PP.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Protection of rubbers against aging with the use of structural, diffusion and kinetic effects

Processes of rubber aging in the different kinetic modes and mathematical models of the processes including aging and destruction processes under extreme conditions have been studied. The aging process for rubbers as thermodynamically open nonlinear systems has also been considered in the paper. It has been revealed that the aging process can be controlled by the internal physical-chemical processes organization and by creation of external influences (by organization of thermodynamic forces and flows). According to the Onsager principle, in certain conditions of aging the conjugation of thermodynamic forces and flows is possible. The diffusion and structural aspects of aging in elastomeric rubbers and articles thereof have been considered. The composite antiaging systems of prolonged action based on the use of microparticles with a saturated solution of the antiagers migrating into an elastomeric matrix at the exploitation have been proposed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NEW MEMBERS OF THE SCORPIUS-CENTAURUS COMPLEX AND AGES OF ITS SUB-REGIONS

We have spectroscopically identified {approx}100 G-, K-, and M-type members of the Scorpius-Centaurus complex. To deduce the age of these young stars we compare their Li {lambda}6708 absorption line strengths against those of stars in the TW Hydrae association and {beta} Pictoris moving group. These line strengths indicate that Sco-Cen stars are younger than {beta} Pic stars whose ages of {approx}12 Myr have previously been derived from a kinematic traceback analysis. Our derived age, {approx}10 Myr, for stars in the Lower Centaurus Crux and Upper Centaurus Lupus subgroups of ScoCen is younger than previously published ages based on the moving cluster method and upper main-sequence fitting. The discrepant ages are likely due to an incorrect (or lack of) cross-calibration between model-dependent and model-independent age-dating methods.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Population Aging and Heat Exposure in the 21st Century: Which U.S. Regions Are at Greatest Risk and Why?

Abstract Background and Objectives The co-occurring trends of population aging and climate change mean that rising numbers of U.S. older adults are at risk of intensifying heat exposure. We estimate county-level variations in older populations’ heat exposure in the early (1995–2014) and mid (2050) 21st century. We identify the extent to which rising exposures are attributable to climate change versus population aging. Research Design and Methods We estimate older adults’ heat exposure in 3,109 counties in the 48 contiguous U.S. states. Analyses use NASA NEX Global Daily Downscaled Product (NEX-GDDP-CMIP6) climate data and county-level projections for the size and distribution of the U.S. age 69+ population. Results Population aging and rising temperatures are documented throughout the United States, with particular “hotspots” in the Deep South, Florida, and parts of the rural Midwest. Increases in heat exposure by 2050 will be especially steep in historically colder regions with large older populations in New England, the upper Midwest, and rural Mountain regions. Rising temperatures are driving exposure in historically colder regions, whereas population aging is driving exposure in historically warm southern regions. Discussion and Implications Interventions to address the impacts of temperature extremes on older adult well-being should consider the geographic distribution and drivers of this exposure. In historically cooler areas where climate change is driving exposures, investments in warning systems may be productive, whereas investments in health care and social services infrastructures are essential in historically hot regions where exposures are driven by population aging.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Dielectric and Mechanical Behavior of Thermally Aged EPR/CPE Cable Materials

Power and instrumentation cables play a crucial role in the safe operation of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs). Thermal and other stressors present in the reactor environment cause the cable materials to degrade. In this work, dielectric and mechanical properties of cable insulation and jacket materials are studied as they are thermally aged, supporting development of non-destructive evaluation sensors for monitoring cable aging. Materials selected for this study are found in certain types of single-core unshielded power cables. These utilize ethylene propylene rubber (EPR)-based insulation material and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE)-based jacket material. Flat mats of these materials were obtained from the cable manufacturer and thermally aged at 140 °C in an air-circulating oven. Elongation-at-break was measured on tensile specimens stamped from the aged mats, and dielectric properties were measured from 100 Hz to 100 kHz using a parallel plate capacitor and precision LCR meter. In the case of aged EPR-based materials, rapid decrease in elongation at break indicating end of useful life was accompanied by a significant increase in dissipation factor, D, measured at 100 kHz. Capacitive measurement of D shows promise, therefore, as a non-destructive indicator of corresponding mechanical property changes in thermally-aged EPR-based insulation materials.

cable aging, nuclear cables, material degradation,↗

Responsiveness of miscanthus and switchgrass yields to stand age and nitrogen fertilization: A meta‐regression analysis

Abstract Optimal management of the perennial bioenergy crops, miscanthus and switchgrass, requires an understanding of their responsiveness to nitrogen (N) fertilizer at different maturity stages across locations and growing conditions. Earlier studies that have examined the yield response of these crops to N and stand age using field experiments or meta‐analysis techniques provide mixed evidence. We extend earlier studies by applying a multi‐level mixed‐effects (MLME) meta‐regression model to conduct a more extensive multivariate regression of yield response of these crops to N and stand age, while controlling for climate and location conditions and unobserved factors related to study design. Our findings are based on 1403 and 2811 yield observations for miscanthus and switchgrass, respectively, from experiments conducted between 2002 and 2019 across the rainfed region in the United States. We find statistically significant evidence that an additional year of maturity increases miscanthus and switchgrass yields but at a decreasing rate; yields peak at the 7th and 6th year respectively, for the observed range of applied N rates and stands. We also find that an increase in N application increases yield by a statistically significant level, but at a declining rate; the magnitude of the yield response to N is, however, small and varies with the age of the crop. The impact of N is larger on older compared to younger and middle‐aged stands of miscanthus. In contrast, the impact of N on switchgrass is larger on middle‐aged compared to younger and older stands of switchgrass. We do not find a statistically significant effect of soil productivity on yield for either crop. This analysis provides a basis for developing N application recommendations and optimal rotation age for miscanthus and switchgrass and shows that these energy crops can grow just as productively on low productivity land as on high productivity land.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Spatial and temporal patterns in age structure of Golden Eagles wintering in eastern North America

The behavior of wildlife varies seasonally, and that variation can have substantial demographic consequences. This is especially true for long-distance migrants where the use of landscapes varies by season and, sometimes, age cohort. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that distributional patterns of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) wintering in eastern North America are age-structured (i.e., birds of similar ages winter together) through the analysis of 370,307 images collected by motion-sensitive trail cameras set over bait during the winters of 2012–2013 and 2013–2014. At nine sites with sufficient data for analysis, we documented 145 eagle visits in 2012–2013 and 146 in 2013–2014. We found significant between-year variation in age structure of wintering eastern Golden Eagles, driven largely by annual differences in the proportion of first-winter birds. However, although many other species show spatial structure in wintering behavior, our analysis revealed no latitudinal organization among age cohorts of wintering eastern Golden Eagles. The lack of age-related latitudinal segregation in wintering behavior does not exclude the possibility that these eagles have sex-based or other types of dominance hierarchies that could result in spatial or temporal segregation. Alternatively, other mechanisms such as food availability or habitat structure may determine the distribution and abundance of Golden Eagles in winter.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

ARDD 2020: from aging mechanisms to interventions

Aging is emerging as a druggable target with growing interest from academia, industry and investors. New technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced screening techniques, as well as a strong influence from the industry sector may lead to novel discoveries to treat age-related diseases. The present review summarizes presentations from the 7 th Annual Aging Research and Drug Discovery (ARDD) meeting, held online on the 1 st to 4 th of September 2020. The meeting covered topics related to new methodologies to study aging, knowledge about basic mechanisms of longevity, latest interventional strategies to target the aging process as well as discussions about the impact of aging research on society and economy. More than 2000 participants and 65 speakers joined the meeting and we already look forward to an even larger meeting next year. Please mark your calendars for the 8 th ARDD meeting that is scheduled for the 31 st of August to 3 rd of September, 2021, at Columbia University, USA.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗