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At least 19 records

A Solution-Processable High-Modulus Crystalline Artificial Solid Electrolyte Interphase for Practical Lithium Metal Batteries

The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) has been identified as a key challenge for Li metal anodes. The brittle and inhomogeneous native SEI generated by parasitic reactions between Li and liquid electrolytes can devastate battery performance; therefore, artificial SEIs (ASEIs) have been proposed as an effective strategy to replace native SEIs. Herein, as a collaboration between academia and industrial R&D teams, a multifunctional (crystalline, high modulus, and robust, Li + ion conductive, electrolyte-blocking, and solution processable) ASEI material, LiAl-FBD (where “FBD” refers to 2,2,3,3-tetra-fluoro-1,4-butanediol), for improving Li metal battery performance is designed and synthesized. The LiAl-FBD crystal structure consists of Al 3+ ions bridged by FBD 2– ligands to form anion clusters while Li + ions are loosely bound at the periphery, enabling an Li + ion conductivity of 9.4 × 10 –6 S cm –1 . Further, the fluorinated, short ligands endow LiAl-FBD with electrolyte phobicity and high modulus. The ASEI is found to prevent side reactions and extend the cycle life of Li metal electrodes. Specifically, pairing LiAl-FBD coated 50 μm thick Li with industrial 3.5 mAh cm –2 NMC811 cathode and 2.8 μL mAh –1 lean elec-trolyte, the Li metal full cells show superior cycle life compared to bare ones, achieving 250 cycles at 1 mA cm –2 .

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Vickers hardness prediction from machine learning methods

Abstract The search for new superhard materials is of great interest for extreme industrial applications. However, the theoretical prediction of hardness is still a challenge for the scientific community, given the difficulty of modeling plastic behavior of solids. Different hardness models have been proposed over the years. Still, they are either too complicated to use, inaccurate when extrapolating to a wide variety of solids or require coding knowledge. In this investigation, we built a successful machine learning model that implements Gradient Boosting Regressor (GBR) to predict hardness and uses the mechanical properties of a solid (bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, and Poisson’s ratio) as input variables. The model was trained with an experimental Vickers hardness database of 143 materials, assuring various kinds of compounds. The input properties were calculated from the theoretical elastic tensor. The Materials Project’s database was explored to search for new superhard materials, and our results are in good agreement with the experimental data available. Other alternative models to compute hardness from mechanical properties are also discussed in this work. Our results are available in a free-access easy to use online application to be further used in future studies of new materials at www.hardnesscalculator.com .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Changes in rock matrix compressibility during deep CO 2 storage

Geologic carbon storage projects aim to permanently trap large volumes of CO 2 in reservoir rock sealed with low permeability layers. As high-pressure supercritical or liquid CO 2 is injected, hydromechanical and chemical processes caused by the reaction between the rock and acidic mixture of brine and CO 2 are initiated. The compressibility of reservoir rock needs to be properly characterized in order to assess the deformation and stability of the host formations, and there are a number of factors to be considered, including the matrix structure, solid, pores, and fluid. Here this study triggers from a fundamental question whether CO 2 treatment affects the compressibility of the rock matrix and its dominant composing solid minerals. Three different reservoir representatives are selected: Berea sandstone for silica-rich rock, and Apulian limestone and Indiana limestone for calcite-rich rock. Quartz and calcite are the main composing minerals of the reservoir rock, and their crystals are separately examined. Experimental methods are introduced for high-pressure CO 2 treatment of water-saturated materials, and measurements of the unjacketed and solid compressibilities are conducted. No change in the solid compressibility of the sandstone and quartz after CO 2 treatment is observed, whereas it increases by 18–21% for the limestones and by 15% for calcite. The latter observation is inconsistent with the ultrasonic wave velocities measurements and is believed to be due to the local dissolution of the calcite crystal surface. Our results show that only the solid matrix of the limestones becomes more compressible after CO 2 treatment. Consequent microimaging and mercury intrusion porosimetry analyses allowed observations of dissolution and precipitation of calcite, and creation of new connected and non-connected pores. Finally, the changes in limestone solid compressibilities and pore structure could significantly affect the rock properties and behavior during and after CO 2 injection and should be accounted for in the reservoir models.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

A continuum framework for coupled solid deformation–fluid flow through anisotropic elastoplastic porous media

We present a continuum framework for coupled solid deformation–fluid flow in anisotropic elastoplastic porous media. A thermodynamic formulation of the coupled processes gives rise to an anisotropic Biot tensor that is a function of drained elastic tangent moduli tensor of the solid skeleton and the intrinsic bulk modulus of the solid constituent. Two effective stress measures emerge from the formulation, namely, σ', which is energy-conjugate to the elastic strain, and σ'', which is energy-conjugate to the plastic strain. For the special case of transverse isotropy that is commonly encountered in natural rocks, the Biot tensor can be expressed in terms of its normal and tangential components to the bedding plane, along with a microstructure tensor. Apart from its thermodynamic consistency, an advantage of this new formulation is that standard mixed finite element formulation can be employed to discretize the domain and solve initial boundary-value problems. We conduct plane strain simulations of coupled solid deformation–fluid flow in a transversely isotropic porous medium to demonstrate the impacts of material anisotropy, stress history, and the Biot tensor on the system response.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Probing the elastic modulus and hardness of superionic boron cluster solid electrolytes

Polyhedral borane salts are highly tunable compounds with the potential to be used as solid electrolytes due to their high Li and Na superionic conductivity and relatively wide electrochemical stability window. In considering their application to all solid-state batteries, their mechanical properties play a critical role in their operation due to stresses the solid electrolyte is subjected to during battery operation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have provided an initial assessment of bulk and elastic moduli for some selected boron cluster solid electrolytes, but direct measurements are still scarce. Here, in this paper, we report the elastic moduli and hardnesses of LiCB 11 H 12 , LiCB 9 H 10 , NaCB 11 H 12 , and NaCB 9 H 10 for the first time using nanoindentation continuous stiffness method (CSM) measurements under inert atmosphere. Experimental modulus values ranging 8.8–12.3 GPa and hardness values ranging 0.15–0.38 GPa are lower than that of other inorganic solid-state electrolytes such as oxide- and sulfide-based solid electrolytes. DFT calculations on the expected moduli of these compounds are also presented and discussed. Analysis of the indentation plasticity index reveals that these compounds have higher plasticity index compared to other common oxide and sulfide solid electrolytes. According to the calculated Pugh's ratio, all compounds in this study except LiCB 11 H 12 are considered ductile.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Digital Cellular Solid Pressure Vessels: A Novel Approach for Human Habitation in Space

It is widely assumed that human exploration beyond Earth's orbit will require vehicles capable of providing long duration habitats that simulate an Earth-like environment - consistent artificial gravity, breathable atmosphere, and sufficient living space- while requiring the minimum possible launch mass. This paper examines how the qualities of digital cellular solids - high-performance, repairability, reconfigurability, tunable mechanical response - allow the accomplishment of long-duration habitat objectives at a fraction of the mass required for traditional structural technologies. To illustrate the impact digital cellular solids could make as a replacement to conventional habitat subsystems, we compare recent proposed deep space habitat structural systems with a digital cellular solids pressure vessel design that consists of a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) digital cellular solid cylindrical framework that is lined with an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) skin. We use the analytical treatment of a linear specific modulus scaling cellular solid to find the minimum mass pressure vessel for a structure and find that, for equivalent habitable volume and appropriate safety factors, the use of digital cellular solids provides clear methods for producing structures that are not only repairable and reconfigurable, but also higher performance than their conventionally manufactured counterparts.

Robotics↗

Calibration and validation of the foundation for a multiphase strength model for tin

In this work, the Common Model of Multi-phase Strength and Equation of State (CMMP) model was applied to tin. Specifically, calibrations of the strength-specific elements of the CMMP foundation were developed with a combination of experiments and theory, and then the model was validated experimentally. The first element of the foundation is a multi-phase analytic treatment of the melt temperature and the shear modulus for the solid phases. These models were parameterized for each phase based on ab initio calculations using the software VASP (Vienna Ab initio Simulations Package) based on density functional theory. The shear modulus model for the ambient phase was validated with ultrasonic sound speed measurements as a function of pressure and temperature. The second element of the foundation is a viscoplastic strength model for the phase, upon which strength for inaccessible higher-pressure phases can be scaled as necessary. The stress–strain response of tin was measured at strain rates of 10 -3 to 3 x 10 3 s -1 and temperatures ranging from 87 to 373 K. The Preston–Tonks–Wallace (PTW) strength model was fit to that data using Bayesian model calibration. For validation, six forward and two reverse Taylor impact experiments were performed at different velocities to measure large plastic deformation of tin at strain rates up to ⁠10 5 s -1 . The PTW model accurately predicted the deformed shapes of the cylinders, with modest discrepancies attributed to the inability of PTW to capture the effects of twinning and dynamic recrystallization. Some material in the simulations of higher velocity Taylor cylinders reached the melting temperature, thus testing the multiphase model because of the presence of a second phase, the liquid. In simulations using a traditional modeling approach, the abrupt reduction of strength upon melt resulted in poor predictions of the deformed shape and non-physical temperatures. With CMMP, the most deformed material points evolved gradually to a mixed solid–liquid but never a fully liquid state, never fully lost strength, stayed at the melt temperature as the latent heat of fusion was absorbed, and predicted the deformed shape well.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Calibration and validation of the foundation for a multiphase strength model for tin

In this work, the Common Model of Multi-phase Strength and Equation of State (CMMP) model was applied to tin. Specifically, calibrations of the strength-specific elements of the CMMP foundation were developed with a combination of experiments and theory, and then the model was validated experimentally. The first element of the foundation is a 10 multi-phase analytic treatment of the melt temperature and the shear modulus for the solid phases. These models were parameterized for each phase based on ab initio calculations using the software VASP (Vienna Ab initio Simulations Package) based on density functional theory (DFT). The shear modulus model for the ambient β phase was validated with ultrasonic sound speed measurements as a function of pressure and temperature. The second element of the foundation is a viscoplastic strength model for the β phase, upon which strength for inaccessible higher-pressure phases can be scaled as necessary. The stress-strain response of tin was measured at strain rates of 10 -3 to 3 x 10 3 s -1 and temperatures ranging from 87 to 373 K. The Preston-Tonks-Wallace (PTW) strength model was fit to that data using Bayesian model calibration. For validation, six forward and two reverse Taylor impact experiments were performed at different velocities to measure large plastic deformation of tin at strain rates up to 10 5 s -1 . The PTW model accurately predicted the deformed shapes of the cylinders, with modest discrepancies attributed to the inability 20 of PTW to capture the effects of twinning and dynamic recrystallization. Some material in the simulations of higher velocity Taylor cylinders reached the melting temperature, thus testing the multiphase model because of the presence of a second phase, the liquid. In simulations using a traditional modeling approach, the abrupt reduction of strength upon melt resulted in poor predictions of the deformed shape and non-physical temperatures. With CMMP, the most deformed material points evolved gradually to a mixed solid-liquid but never fully liquid state, never fully lost strength, 25 stayed at the melt temperature as the latent heat of fusion was absorbed, and predicted the deformed shape well.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Accelerated Self-Healing and Property Recovery in Brush Particle Solids Featuring Brush Dispersity

Brush particles, hybrid materials consisting of polymer chains tethered to particle surfaces, offer tunable properties that make them promising candidates for advanced functional materials. This study investigated the role of chain dispersity in the viscoelastic self-healing of poly (methyl acrylate) (PMA)-based brush particle solids. Increasing the molecular weight dispersity of grafted chains significantly enhanced both strain-to-fracture and toughness of brush particle solids, while the elastic modulus and glass transition temperature were independent of chain dispersity. Cut-and-adhere testing revealed a significant acceleration of the rate of toughness recovery in high-dispersity systems as compared to low-dispersity analogs for which toughness recovery markedly lagged the recovery of Young’s modulus. The results suggest that structure and property recovery in brush particle solids are sensitive to the dynamical heterogeneity of brush canopies and highlight the role of molecular weight dispersity as a design parameter to enable hybrid materials with advanced self-healing ability.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dynamic measurement of bulk modulus

Technique based on measuring phase difference between microwave reference and test signals and has been used to determine change in bulk modulus of solid-fuel rocket propellants should be useful in studying other dielectric materials.

Dowler, W. L.↗

Graph neural networks predict energetic and mechanical properties for models of solid solution metal alloy phases

Here, we developed a PyTorch-based architecture called HydraGNN that implements graph convolutional neural networks (GCNNs) to predict the formation energy and the bulk modulus for models of solid solution alloys for various atomic crystal structures and relaxed volumes. We trained the GCNN surrogate model on a dataset for nickel–niobium (NiNb) generated by the embedded atom model (EAM) empirical interatomic potential for demonstration purposes. The dataset was generated by calculating the formation energy and the bulk modulus as a prototypical elastic property for optimized geometries starting from initial body-centered cubic (BCC), face-centered cubic (FCC), and hexagonal compact packed (HCP) crystal structures, with configurations spanning the possible compositional range for each of the three types of initial crystal structures. Numerical results show that the GCNN model effectively predicts both the formation energy and the bulk modulus as function of the optimized crystal structure, relaxed volume, and configurational entropy of the model structures for solid solution alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Processing-Dependent Structure and Poroelasticity of Nafion in Liquid Water

Ionomers act as the solid polymer electrolyte membrane in many modern electrochemical devices, yet the role of their nanostructure in modulating the poroelastic response remains poorly understood, especially in liquid water, where few techniques can measure simultaneous transport-mechanical properties. Poroelastic Relaxation Indentation (PRI) is uniquely suited for measuring time-dependent transport-mechanical properties of porous solids, specifically hydraulic diffusivity, elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and intrinsic permeability, for porous solids. While ionomers such as Nafion are not porous in the typical sense, Nafion has a nanophase-segregated structure that, when fully swollen in liquid water, behaves as a poroelastic solid with a coupled mechanical-transport response. Using a poroelastic framework, we investigate how casting and pretreatment of Nafion membranes alter their poroelastic response in liquid environments. We characterize both extruded and dispersion-cast Nafion membranes pretreated in water at 25 or 100 °C and relate the mechanical-transport properties to the ionomer structure via hydrophilic and intercrystalline domain spacing measured using Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS). At 25 °C, dispersion-cast membranes exhibit distinctly lower hydraulic diffusivity and intrinsic permeability than extruded membranes but with comparable mechanical properties. Pretreatment at 100 °C increases hydrophilic domain spacing, improving transport but at the expense of mechanical stiffness. Dispersion-cast membranes respond more strongly to pretreatment than extruded membranes. Using the Carman-Kozeny pore network model and the hydrophilic domain-spacing, we estimate the pore radius and tortuosity to show how pretreatment reduces structure-related tortuosity differences between dispersion-cast and extruded membranes. Here, in this work, we show that nanophase-segregated materials such as Nafion can be rigorously characterized using poroelasticity, resulting in physically meaningful transport-mechanical properties. Coupling PRI with SAXS provides insights into the nanostructural features that govern the coupled mechanical-transport response. By establishing PRI for a nanophase-segregated material, this approach opens avenues for this technique’s application in other hydrated polymeric materials not typically considered to be poroelastic.

Shen, Margaret [University of California, Berkeley↗

Propellant grain dynamics in aft attach ring of shuttle solid rocket booster

An analytical technique for implementing simultaneously the temperature, dynamic strain, real modulus, and frequency properties of solid propellant in an unsymmetrical vibrating ring mode is presented. All dynamic parameters and sources are defined for a free vibrating ring-grain structure with initial displacement and related to a forced vibrating system to determine the change in real modulus. Propellant test data application is discussed. The technique was developed to determine the aft attach ring stiffness of the shuttle booster at lift-off.

Verderaime, V.↗

Universal chemomechanical design rules for solid-ion conductors to prevent dendrite formation in lithium metal batteries

Dendrite formation during electrodeposition while charging lithium metal batteries compromises their safety. Although high-shear-modulus ( G s ) solid-ion conductors (SICs) have been prioritized to resolve the pressure-driven instabilities that lead to dendrite propagation and cell shorting, it is unclear whether these or alternatives are needed to guide uniform lithium electrodeposition, which is intrinsically density-driven. Here, we show that SICs can be designed within a universal chemomechanical paradigm to access either pressure-driven dendrite-blocking or density-driven dendrite-suppressing properties, but not both. This dichotomy reflects the competing influence of the SIC’s mechanical properties and the partial molar volume of Li + $(V_{\mathrm{Li}^+})$ relative to those of the lithium anode ( G Li and V Li ) on plating outcomes. Within this paradigm, we explore SICs in a previously unrecognized dendrite-suppressing regime that are concomitantly ‘soft’, as is typical of polymer electrolytes, but feature an atypically low $(V_{\mathrm{Li}^+})$ that is more reminiscent of ‘hard’ ceramics. Li plating (1 mA cm -2 ; T = 20 °C) mediated by these SICs is uniform, as revealed using synchrotron hard X-ray microtomography. As a result, cell cycle life is extended, even when assembled with thin Li anodes (~30 µm) and either high-voltage NMC-622 cathodes (1.44 mAh cm -2 ) or high-capacity sulfur cathodes (3.02 mAh cm -2 ).

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Single-Specimen Technique to Establish the J-Resistance of Linear Viscoelastic Solids with Constant Poisson's Ratio

A method is developed to establish the J-resistance function for an isotropic linear viscoelastic solid of constant Poisson's ratio using the single-specimen technique with constant-rate test data. The method is based on the fact that, for a test specimen of fixed crack size under constant rate, the initiation J-integral may be established from the crack size itself, the actual external load and load-point displacement at growth initiation, and the relaxation modulus of the viscoelastic solid, without knowledge of the complete test record. Since crack size alone, of the required data, would be unknown at each point of the load-vs-load-point displacement curve of a single-specimen test, an expression is derived to estimate it. With it, the physical J-integral at each point of the test record may be established. Because of its basis on single-specimen testing, not only does the method not require the use of multiple specimens with differing initial crack sizes, but avoids the need for tracking crack growth as well.

Gutierrez-Lemini, Danton↗

First-principles calculations of shear moduli for Monte Carlo-simulated Coulomb solids

The paper presents a first-principles study of the shear modulus tensor for perfect and imperfect Coulomb solids. Allowance is made for the effects of thermal fluctuations for temperatures up to the melting conditions. The present theory treats the cases of the long-range Coulomb interaction, where volume fluctuations should be avoided in the Ewald sums.

Ogata, Shuji↗

Universality relationships in condensed matter - Bulk modulus and sound velocity

New forms for the bulk modulus and sound velocity of solids under compression, based on the universal equation of state of Vinet, Ferrante, Smith, and Rose (1987) are presented. These expressions are compared with a number of bulk modulus formulas previously utilized in high-pressure studies. It is demonstrated that this form yields a superior fit to experimental data to very high compressions, for a very wide range of solids. These solids cover the entire range of values of the pressure derivative of the bulk modulus which has been observed in high-pressure measurements.

Schlosser, Herbert↗