Hydrothermal synthesis of LiFePO<Subscript>4</Subscript> as a cathode material for lithium batteries

LiFePO₄ (space group: Pnma) was prepared by hydrothermal method at 170 °C. LiFePO₄ was prepared from precursor solutions consisting of FeSO₄ · 7H₂O, (NH₄)₂HPO₄, and three kinds of Li sources. LiCl, Li(CH₃COO), and LiOH · H₂O were used as Li sources. The pH of the precursor solution varied depending on Li source. The particle size, particle shape, and crystal texture of the obtained LiFePO₄ changed depending on pH. The electrochemical properties of the prepared LiFePO₄ were characterized as a cathode material for lithium batteries in an organic electrolyte at room temperature. The LiFePO₄ particle prepared from the precursor solution with Li(CH₃COO) was flake-like crystal (particle size: 1–2 μm) and had a preferred crystal orientation with a (020) texture. This LiFePO₄ exhibited a discharge capacity of 147 mA h g⁻¹, which was 85% of the theoretical capacity 170 mA h g⁻¹.     

Self-watering system for arid area: A method to combat desertification

One of the reasons for the rapid expansion of arid or semiarid areas is that the decline in the ground water level makes it impossible for plants to get enough water. In order to provide water sustainably for plant life, a self-watering system has been developed. This self-watering system, designed to collect and store rainwater, dew and groundwater, reliably provides water to the surface vegetation. The system consists of two parts: one is the original soil and the other is soil which is replaced by finer soils. The results of laboratory model tests and numerical simulations showed that the system continuously raises the ground water to a level higher than the maximum capillary height of sandy ground without the requirement for any extra energy input. The stable operation of the system mainly depends on unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, the soil water retention curve and the shape and the size of the area of replaced soil. Because the original top soil reduces evaporation, soil salinization is minimal. The evaporation rate is negatively and exponentially correlated to the thickness of the covered original soil. Both the T-type system and suspension-type system have been shown to have a larger net capillary storage capacity than the original sandy ground, with a specific value dependent on the soil water retention curve. The rate of water movement in the T-type system is five to six times higher than that in the suspension-type system. The water content of coarser soil near the finer soil is larger than that of homogeneous coarser soil. The numerical simulation results were in good agreement with the model test, and a case study with various potential transpiration rates was conducted to evaluate the dynamic performance of the system.     

Fabrication of all-solid-state lithium battery with lithium metal anode using Al2O3-added Li7La3Zr2O12 solid electrolyte

Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LLZ) solid electrolyte is one of the promising electrolytes for all-solid-state battery due to its high Li ion conductivity and stability against Li metal anode. However, high calcination temperature for LLZ preparation promotes formation of La₂Zr₂O₇ impurity phase. In this paper, an effect of Al₂O₃ addition as sintering additive on LLZ solid electrolyte preparation and electrochemical properties of Al₂O₃-added LLZ were examined. By the Al₂O₃ addition, sintered LLZ pellet could be obtained after 1000 °C calcination, which is 230 °C lower than that without Al₂O₃ addition. Chemical and electrochemical properties of the Al₂O₃-added LLZ, such as stability against Li metal and ion conductivity, were comparable with the LLZ without Al₂O₃ addition, i.e. σ_bulk and σ_total were 2.4 × 10⁻⁴ and 1.4 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 30 °C, respectively. All-solid-state battery with Li/Al₂O₃-added LLZ/LiCoO₂ configuration was fabricated and its electrochemical properties were tested. In cyclic voltammogram, clear redox peaks were observed, indicating that the all-solid-state battery with Li metal anode was successfully operated. The redox peaks were still observed even after one year storage of the all-solid-state battery in the Ar-filled globe-box. It can be inferred that the Al₂O₃-added LLZ electrolyte would be a promising candidate for all-solid-state battery because of facile preparation by the Al₂O₃ addition, relatively high Li ion conductivity, and good stability against Li metal and LiCoO₂ cathode.     

Synthesis of sulfonated polynaphthalene,polyanthracene, and polypyrene as strong solid acids via oxidative coupling polymerization

Oxidative coupling polymerization of naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene with FeCl₃ in nitrobenzene under nitrogen gave polynaphthalene (PNP), polyanthracene (PAT), and polypyrene (PPR) in good yields, respectively. PNP, PAT, and PPR were transformed into sulfonated PNP (S‐PNP), S‐PAT, and S‐PPR by the treatment with chlorosulfonic acid in dichloromethane at 25°C for 24 h under nitrogen, respectively. The activities of S‐PPR were higher than those of S‐PNP and S‐PAT. For the hydrolysis of cyclohexyl acetate and oleyl acetate in water, activities of S‐PPR, S‐PAT, and S‐PNP were considerably higher than those of the other conventional solid acids. Rate constants of S‐PPR were 2.8 and 11.7 times larger than those of the sulfonated condensed polynuclear aromatic (S‐COPNA(PR)) resin (PR = pyrene) for the hydrolysis of cyclohexyl acetate and oleyl acetate, respectively. S‐PPR, S‐PAT, and S‐PNP were reused without significant loss of activities. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

The Contribution of Geraniol Metabolism to the Citrus Flavour of Beer: Synergy of Geraniol and β‐Citronellol Under Coexistence with Excess Linalool

The behaviour of hop‐derived monoterpene alcohols during fermentation by lager yeast was previously investigated in this laboratory. It was suggested that the concentration of geraniol and β‐citronellol in the finished beer increased depending on the initial concentration of geraniol in the wort. In addition, an additive effect among linalool, geraniol and β‐citronellol was found and 5 ug/L of geraniol and β‐citronellol was enough for this effect. In this paper, conditions regarding the enrichment of the initial concentration of geraniol in the wort were investigated. From the screening of various hop cultivars, Citra hop was selected as a geraniol‐rich cultivar. In addition, it was observed that coriander seed, which can be used in beer production as a flavourant, contained not only linalool but also geraniol at high levels. The use of Citra hop or coriander seed was effective for enriching the concentration of geraniol and β‐citronellol in the finished beers. In the Citra beer and in the coriander beer, the content of linalool was excess in comparison with the content of geraniol and β‐citronellol. Therefore, the synergy of geraniol and β‐citronellol, under coexistence of excess linalool, was examined. It was found that the flavour impression of excess linalool became more fruity and citrus by coexistence with geraniol and β‐citronellol and that the coexistence of all three monoterpene alcohols was effective for this synergy. The flavour characteristics of the Citra and coriander beer and the importance of geraniol metabolism for a citrus flavour in beer are discussed.     

Study on the curing process for carbon/epoxy composites to reduce thermal residual stress

In this work, a cure monitoring system using dielectrometry and a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor, was devised to measure the dissipation factor and thermal residual stress of carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composite materials. Three rapid-cooling points, which were based on the cure initiation point, were chosen as test variables to investigate the effect of cure cycle on process-induced internal strain. The internal strains generated in the composite specimens were measured using embedded FBG sensors. Three-point bending tests were conducted to investigate the effect of thermal residual stress on the flexural strength of the composite specimens.     

Anti‐windup algorithm with priority to proportional control output of speed PI controller for precision servo system

A robust servo system is important for performance improvement of motion control systems in several industry applications. Generally, a high‐speed positioning servo system consists of robust control systems with integrator, such as PI controller. The industrial servo system always has the limitation for the capacity of the actuator and power amplifier. An ordinary industrial position servo system often has to deal with the saturation of motor current and motor speed. It is difficult for the high‐speed positioning servo system to keep the robust position control against the saturation of motor current and motor speed. This is the case because an ordinary position servo system has a complicated control structure with many control loops. Hence, it sometimes has a large overshoot and an oscillated response due to the limitation of motor current and motor speed. In order to overcome this problem, this paper proposes a new robust high‐speed positioning servo system considering the saturation of torque current and motor speed. The experimental results show that the proposed robust high‐speed positioning servo system has quick and stable position response for the saturation of motor current and motor speed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 170(3): 57–64, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20904