Three-dimensional microstructural changes in the Ni–YSZ solid oxide fuel cell anode during operation
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Structural Underpinnings of the Enhanced Cycling Stability upon Al-Substitution in LiNi 0.45 Mn 0.45 Co 0.1-y Al y O 2 Positive Electrode Materials for Li-ion Batteries
Single-phase LiNi 0.45 Mn 0.45 Co 0.1-y Al y O 2 layered oxide materials with 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.10 were prepared using the glycine-nitrate combustion method. Al-substitution has a minimal effect on the defect concentration and rate capability of the materials, but raises the operating voltage and reduces the capacity fade of the materials during prolonged cycling compared to the unsubstituted system. In situ X-ray diffraction suggests the presence of Al has a significant structural impact during battery operation. It acts to limit the changes in lattice parameters observed during electrochemical charging and cycling of the materials. High-resolution X-ray diffraction reveals structural distortions in the transition metal layers of as-synthesized powders with high Al-contents, as well as a structural evolution seen in all materials after cycling.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Longitudinal Beam Dynamics with a Higher-Harmonic Cavity for Bunch Lengthening
In Sect.1 we review the conditions of operation of an HHC system assuming its stability. We first discuss the longitudinal dynamics with an active HHC and the conditions that lead to a quartic potential in the limit of small oscillations, together with formulae giving the bunch lengthening factor and the synchrotron frequency dependence on the amplitude of the synchrotron oscillations. We discuss next passive HHC operations with uniform fillings, and distinguish the case of normal-conducting HHC, where optimal conditions of operation can be met, from the case of superconducting HHC, where optimal conditions of operation can be satisfied only approximately. In Sect.2 we address the stability of the passive superconducting 3HC system of the NSLS-II storage ring via self-consistent simulations with code SPACE. The case of nominal fractional filling of 80% is compared with the case of fractional filling of 90% and with the uniform filling case. It is shown that for values of the detuning frequency in the neighborhood of the good working point discussed in Sect.2, unstable regimes of oscillation are found, with detuning frequency threshold dependent on the gap in the filling. It is shown that the instability regime is characterized by dipole and quadrupole modes of oscillation exhibiting asymptotically nonlinear saturation. A discussion of the average bunch lengthening, together with the degree of uniformity across the bunch train, achievable under stable conditions as a function of the fractional filling concludes the paper.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Key Laser Technologies for X-Ray FELs
In the final project period, we demonstrated sub femtosecond timing distribution over a 1.2 km polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber-optic link using balanced optical cross-correlators (BOCs) for link stabilization. By eliminating polarization mode dispersion, link operation for 16 days maintained 0.6 fs RMS timing drift and during a 3-day interval only 0.13 fs drift, which corresponds to a stability level of 10-21. To improve the overall system efficiency and robustness, we developed fiber-coupled, hybrid-integrated BOCs using waveguides in periodically-poled KTiOPO4 (PPKTP). The measured second-harmonic conversion efficiency in the waveguides is a factor of 50 higher than that of bulk-optic crystals. Characterization of 1st-generation devices shows performance comparable to free-space BOCs, with the potential for significant improvement in future devices. For optical-to-RF conversion, we developed two balanced optical-microwave phase detectors (BOM-PD) based on the Sagnac and Mach-Zehnder interferometers. RF extraction using BOM-PDs in phase-locked loops yielded sub-10-fs residual timing jitter for locking bandwidths on the order of several hundred kHz. Finally, we characterized the timing jitter of ultralow-noise Ti:Sapphire oscillators, demonstrating an unprecedented 13 as of jitter integrated over the entire Nyquist band. Our measurements agreed well with theory, confirming our models for quantum-limited laser noise. Measurements of commercially available solid-state lasers at 1550 nm showed that there are laser sources already available with sufficiently low noise to achieve sub-femtosecond performance as master oscillators within a timing distribution system.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Prospects for H-mode inhibition in negative triangularity tokamak reactor plasmas
Instability to high toroidal mode number ($\textit{n}$) ballooning modes has been proposed as the primary gradient-limiting mechanism for tokamak equilibria with negative triangularity (NT) (δ) shaping, preventing access to strong H-mode regimes when δ is sufficiently negative. To understand how this mechanism extrapolates to reactor conditions, we model the infinite-$\textit{n}$ ballooning stability as a function of internal profiles and equilibrium shape using a combination of the CHEASE and BALOO codes. While the critical δ required for avoiding 2nd stability to high-$\textit{n}$ modes is observed to depend in a complicated way on various shaping parameters, including the equilibrium inverse aspect ratio, elongation and squareness, equilibria with NT are robustly prohibited from accessing the 2nd stability region, offering the prediction that NT reactors should maintain L-mode-like operation. In order to access high-$\textit{n}$ 2nd stability, the local shear over the entire bad curvature region must be sufficiently negative to overcome curvature destabilization on the low field side. Finally, scalings of the ballooning-limited pedestal height are provided as a function of plasma parameters to aid future scenario design.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
SU-E-T-636: ProteusONE Machine QA Procedure and Stabiity Study: Half Year Clinical Operation
Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate the stability of ProteusOne, the 1st commercial PBS proton system, throughout the daily QA and monthly over 6 month clinical operation. Method: Daily QA test includes IGRT position/repositioning, output in the middle of SOBP, beam flatness, symmetry, inplane and crossplane dimensions as well as energy range check. Daily range shifter QA consist of output, symmetry and field size checks to make sure its integrity. In 30 mins Daily QA test, all the measurements are performed using the MatriXXPT (IBA dosimetry). The data from these measurement was collected and compare over the first 6 month of clinical operation. In addition to the items check in daily QA, the summary also includes the monthly QA gantry star shots, absolute position check using a novel device, XRV-100. Results: Average machine output at the center of the spread out bragg peak was 197.5±.8 cGy and was within 1%of the baseline at 198.4 cGy. Beam flatness was within 1% cross plane with an average of 0.67±0.12% and 2% in-plane with an average of 1.08±0.17% compared to baseline measurements of 0.6 and 1.03, respectively. In all cases the radiation isocenter shift was less than or equal to 1mm. Output for the range shifter was within 2% for each individual measurement and averaged 34.4±.2cGy compare to a baseline reading of 34.5cGy. The average range shifter in and cross plane field size measurements were 19.8±0.5cm and 20.5±0.4cm compared with baseline values of 20.19cm and 20.79cm, respectively. Range shifter field symmetry had an average of less 1% for both in-plane and cross plane measurements. Conclusion: All machine metrics over the past 6 months have proved to be stable. Although, some averages are outside the baseline measurement they are within 1% tolerance and the deviation across all measurements is minimal.
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
Mode splitting effect in FEMs with oversized Bragg resonators
Splitting of the fundamental mode in an oversized Bragg resonator with a step of the corrugation phase, which operates over the feedback loop involving the waveguide waves of different transverse structures, was found to be the result of mutual influence of the neighboring zones of the Bragg scattering. Theoretical description of this effect was developed within the framework of the advanced (four-wave) coupled-wave approach. It is shown that mode splitting reduces the selective properties, restricts the output power, and decreases the stability of the narrow-band operating regime in the free-electron maser (FEM) oscillators based on such resonators. The results of the theoretical analysis were confirmed by 3D simulations and “cold” microwave tests. Experimental data on Bragg resonators with different parameters in a 30-GHz FEM are presented. The possibility of reducing the mode splitting by profiling the corrugation parameters is shown. The use of the mode splitting effect for the output power enhancement by passive compression of the double-frequency pulse generated in the FEM with such a resonator is discussed.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve Reliability and Operational Efficiency of Small-Scale Hydroelectric Distributed Generation
Reliability and resilience are critical concerns for distributed generation (DG) at the rural electric level. The integration of renewable energy sources, such as small-scale hydroelectric distributed generators (hydro DGs), introduces operational challenges, particularly regarding aging infrastructure and grid stability. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven Machine Learning (ML) models and applications of Large Language Models (LLMs) offer promising solutions for optimizing DG operations and enhancing resilience. This paper explores AI-based models for improving efficiency, fault resolution, and outage mitigation in small-scale hydro DGs. Furthermore, it highlights the development of a centralized, AI-powered information portal for rural electric cooperatives and municipalities. The research evaluates hydro DG plant models and discusses the applicability of AI-powered question-answering tools for real-time operations, focusing on statistical data, load flow, voltage regulation, and generation power. The findings demonstrate AI’s potential to transform DG management to ensure greater stability and resilience in rural electric grids.
Bhattacharyya, Arjun [ORNL] (ORCID:000900060976046↗
High‐Nickel Heterostructured Cathodes with Local Stoichiometry Control for High‐Voltage Operation
The growing demand for lithium‐ion batteries to power electric vehicles and other energy‐dense devices continues to fuel the need for cathodes of increasingly higher nickel in cathodes. The relentless pursuit of high Ni content, however, raises concerns on compromising cell lifetime and safety, especially under high‐voltage operation. Alternative to the traditional design of uniform or core–shell composition, we report a rational control of local stoichiometry in high‐Ni cathodes, enabling their high thermal and cycling stabilities—up to 258 °C at the fully charged state and 91.4% capacity retention for 100 cycles between 2.7 and 4.4 V. Multimodal synchrotron X‐ray characterization unveils the heterostructure of secondary particles, featuring a high‐Ni core (LiNi 0.90 Mn 0.05 Co 0.05 O 2 ) covered by a thin Ni‐gradient layer that remains stable over prolonged cycling due to suppressed oxygen release and structural deterioration. This work underlines, the intricate interplay between local stoichiometry and redox reactions in stabilizing high‐Ni cathodes for high‐voltage operation while ensuring safety.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Enhanced Stability and Sensitivity for CA-125 Detection Under Microfluidic Shear Flow Using Polyethylene Glycol-Coated Biosensor
The microfluidic-based point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tool has garnered significant interest in recent years, offering rapid and cost-effective disease detection. There is a growing trend toward integrating microfluidic platforms with biosensors, aligning lab-on-a-chip technologies with POC diagnostic devices. Despite numerous efforts to incorporate biosensors into microfluidic systems, researchers have performed very limited investigations on the stability of biomarker detection when biosensors operate under microfluidic shear flow conditions. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are a widely employed material in capacitive biosensors for antibody immobilization and sensitivity enhancement. However, AuNPs have limitations in providing stable detection of biomarkers within microfluidic shear flow due to their agglomeration nature. This study addresses these limitations by employing 2 kDa polyethylene glycol (PEG) as an intermediate biofunctional layer to immobilize CA-125 antibodies on gold-interdigitated electrodes for the stable and accurate detection of CA-125 antigens. The stabilities and sensitivities of AuNPs and PEG-coated biosensors are evaluated under both static drop and microfluidic shear flow conditions for CA-125 antigen detection. The experimental results demonstrate a capacitive signal response (5660 pF at 10 kHz) 2.2 times higher using the PEG-coated biosensor than the signal (2551 pF at 10 kHz) measured by the AuNP-coated biosensor in the detection of CA-125 antigen–antibody conjugation under static drop conditions, indicating the higher sensitivity of the PEG-coated biosensor. Additionally, the PEG-coated biosensor exhibits better consistency for the CA-125 antigen detection between static drop and microfluidic shear flow conditions (Cp decrease in percentage (ΔCp%↓) = 2.9% at 10 kHz) compared to the electrical signals measured using the AuNP-coated biosensor (ΔCp%↓ = 32.4% at 10 kHz), which suggests that the PEG-coated biosensor demonstrates higher stability for CA-125 antigen detection under microfluidic shear flow conditions. With these significant improvements brought by the PEG-coated biosensor, especially under microfluidic conditions, a substantial hurdle in developing electrical biosensors for POC diagnostic applications has been overcome, expediting further advancements in the field.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
An adaptive DC-bus stabilizer for single-phase grid-connected renewable energy source system
This paper proposes an adaptive DC-bus stabilizer for single-phase grid-connected voltage source converter (VSC) with small-scale renewable energy integration. To enhance converter's power density, the conventional active power decoupling (APD) techniques were adopted to reduce the DC capacitance by compensating the inherent second-order harmonic power ripples in the single-phase VSC. However, it would potentially make the DC voltage vulnerable to transient power ripples, which is a critical issue for the grid-connected renewable energy source (RES) system during grid faults. The proposed DC-bus stabilizer can not only compensate the second-order harmonic power ripples at normal operation, but also enhance the fault ride-through capability of the converter. The circuit topology and its corresponding control strategy are presented, and then simulation results are provided to demonstrate the feasibility and validity of the proposed DC-bus stabilizer under normal operation and grid fault condition.
Zeng, Rong↗
Economic model predictive control of nonlinear process systems using empirical models
Economic model predictive control (EMPC) is a feedback control technique that attempts to tightly integrate economic optimization and feedback control since it is a predictive control scheme that is formulated with an objective function representing the process economics. As its name implies, EMPC requires the availability of a dynamic model to compute its control actions and such a model may be obtained either through application of first principles or through system identification techniques. In industrial practice, it may be difficult in general to obtain an accurate first‐principles model of the process. Motivated by this, in the present work, Lyapunov‐based EMPC (LEMPC) is designed with a linear empirical model that allows for closed‐loop stability guarantees in the context of nonlinear chemical processes. Specifically, when the linear model provides a sufficient degree of accuracy in the region where time varying economically optimal operation is considered, conditions for closed‐loop stability under the LEMPC scheme based on the empirical model are derived. The LEMPC scheme is applied to a chemical process example to demonstrate its closed‐loop stability and performance properties as well as significant computational advantages. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J , 61: 816–830, 2015
Alanqar, Anas↗
Mitigating Injection‐Induced Seismicity Along Basement Faults by Extraction: Application to 2016–2018 Pohang Earthquakes
Abstract The risk of induced earthquake is considered as the major obstacle for sustainable subsurface energy activities. As a mitigation approach, mechanistic risk assessment can be essential to minimize the potential of seismic hazard. Coupled hydro‐mechanical modeling approach is integrated with geomechanical analysis to better assess the occurrence of seismicity induced by injection and/or extraction, which will provide a basis to update operational conditions (e.g., number and location of mitigating wells, rate and duration of operations) for mitigating earthquake nucleation. The Coulomb stability analysis and seismicity rate estimates from this generic study indicate that simultaneous extraction can relieve injection‐induced pore‐pressure buildup, but also transfer and accumulate elastic energy along the faults. Field‐scale simulation with variation in well design for the Pohang EGS site, South Korea, show that multiple wells aligned across a preexisting fault form gradients of pressure and stress fields normal to the fault, which can enhance the direct impact of diffusion process and poroelastic stressing on the fault stability perturbation. Our mechanistic study suggests multiphysics‐oriented mitigation strategies that consider (1) possible mechanical deformation, caused by hydro‐mechanical coupling effects, and (2) proper configuration of well operations based on site‐specific geological characteristics.
Chang, K. W.↗
Key materials of vanadium flow batteries: electrolytes
Electrolytes not only dictates the device performance, but also the major part of VRFB system cost, making it as main focus of extensive research efforts in this field. Most research efforts directed towards finding an optimal supporting electrolyte and/or additive materials, which can increase the vanadium cations solubility and stability. Current research efforts were mostly trial and error methods, yielding marginal improvements in chemical/thermal stability while potentially compromising on other functional properties such as conductivity and viscosity. In addition, any supporting electrolyte and/or additives used to enhance vanadium solubility or cell potential will eventually diffuse across the membrane making it necessary to be compatible with both half-cell reactions to ensure long battery life. Another aspect of ensuring longer battery life cycle with minimum self-discharge of VRFB would be the additive/supporting electrolyte should exhibit prolonged thermal and chemical stability, typically over 30 days at battery operating temperature of -5 to 50 C. These practical requirements may limit the implementation of many additives currently under investigation. Despite extensive research, identifying the optimal material for stabilizing the vanadium electrolyte has been rather slow owing to the widely used empirical approach.
Murugesan, Vijayakumar↗
A hollow cathode ion source for production of primary ions for the BNL electron beam ion source
A hollow cathode ion source, based on one developed at Saclay, has been modified significantly and used for several years to produce all primary 1+ ions injected into the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS) at Brookhaven. Currents of tens to hundreds of microamperes have been produced for 1+ ions of He, C, O, Ne, Si, Ar, Ti, Fe, Cu, Kr, Xe, Ta, Au, and U. The source is very simple, relying on a glow discharge using a noble gas, between anode and a solid cathode containing the desired species. Ions of both the working gas and ionized sputtered cathode material are extracted, and then the desired species is selected using an ExB filter before being transported into the EBIS trap for charge breeding. The source operates pulsed with long life and excellent stability for most species. Reliable ignition of the discharge at low gas pressure is facilitated by the use of capacitive coupling from a simple toy plasma globe. The source design, and operating experience for the various species, is presented.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
Recent developments in catalyst-related PEM fuel cell durability
Cost and durability remain the two major barriers to the widespread commercialization of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)-based power systems, especially for the most impactful but challenging fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) application. Commercial FCEVs are now on the road; however, their PEMFC systems do not meet the cost targets established by the U.S. Department of Energy, primarily due to the high platinum loading needed on the cathode to achieve the requisite performance and lifetime. Furthermore, while the activities of a number of commercial Pt-based alloy cathode catalysts exceed the beginning-of-life (BOL) targets, these activities, and the overall cathode performance, degrade via a variety of mechanisms described herein. Degradation is mitigated in current FCEVs by utilizing a cathode catalyst with a lower BOL activity (e.g., much lower transition metal alloy content and larger BOL nanoparticle size), necessitating higher catalyst loadings, and through the utilization of system controls that avoid conditions known to exacerbate degradation processes, such as limiting the fuel cell stack voltage range. The design and development of active and robust materials and eliminating the need for vehicle mitigation strategies would greatly simplify the operating system, allowing for greater transient operation, avoiding large hybridization, and curtailing of fuel cell power. Although system mitigation strategies have provided the near-term pathway for FCEV commercialization, material-specific solutions are required to further reduce costs and improve operability and efficiency. Future material developments should focus on stabilization of the electrode structure and minimization of the catalyst particle susceptibility to dissolution caused by oxide formation and reduction over PEMFC cathode-relevant operating potentials plus minimization of support corrosion. Ex situ accelerated stress tests have provided insight into the processes responsible for material and performance degradation and will continue to provide useful information on the relative stability of materials and benchmarks for robust and stable materials-based solutions not requiring system mitigation strategies to achieve adequate lifetime.
25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
Techno-Economic Analysis for the Addition of Thermal Energy Storage to a Campus With Existing Battery Storage
Rising global temperatures and increasing energy demands pose significant challenges for energy management, particularly in institutional and commercial settings. As cooling needs grow, campuses must balance operational efficiency, cost control, and grid stability. Energy storage solutions, such as thermal energy storage (TES) systems, offer a promising approach to shifting energy consumption from peak to off-peak periods, alleviating peak demand, reducing utility costs, and enhancing grid resilience. When integrated with existing battery energy storage systems (BESS), TES can further optimize load management and improve energy savings, especially in buildings with diverse energy needs. This article presents a techno-economic analysis of integrating a chilled water TES system into the central plant at California State University, Dominguez Hills, which already operates a BESS. We assess three TES sizing strategies—full storage, load leveling, and peak demand limiting—by modeling and simulations based on historical energy loads. Our findings show that we can control TES systems to complement BESS operation, with campus-level load leveling providing the greatest cost savings by reducing peak demands. Furthermore, the study also evaluates the long-term economic viability of TES, considering installation costs, energy savings, and payback periods under varying tariffs. This research offers practical guidance for institutions seeking to enhance energy resilience and reduce operational costs through energy storage solutions.
25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
Substrate-Driven Catalyst Reducibility for Oxygen Evolution and Its Effect on the Operation of Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers
To increase the efficiency of hydrogen production by proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs), the relationships between the specific activity and stability of the membrane–electrode assembly (MEA) must be clarified. Ir oxide electrodeposited on Ti substrate is used as an oxygen electrode, and its electronic properties and electrochemical behavior in PEMWE operation are observed. The electrode, fabricated through a facile strategy based on annealing in the air atmosphere, enhances the specific oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity and stability in PEMWE operation. Furthermore, the electronic catalyst–substrate interactions associated with different reducibilities in the heteroatom system are studied. The morphology, electronic properties, and chemical state of the oxygen electrode are investigated through X-ray spectroscopy, microscopy techniques, and computational analyses. Thermal treatment of the catalyst-coated substrate decreases the bulk oxidation state of Ir and increases the surface oxidation state. According to the electrochemical and physical behavior analyses of PEMWEs, the oxygen content in the Ir oxide structure, which defines the OER activity and its stability, is influenced by the crystalline structure and formation of a stable interface between the catalyst and substrate. The outcomes can facilitate the development of strategies for enhancing the performance of PEMWEs and designing rational MEAs.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗