Hybrid Solid-State Electrolytes for Lithium Battery Applications.

The translation of inorganic-polymer hybrid battery materials from laboratory-scale to industry-relevant battery manufacturing processes is difficult due to their complexity, scalability, and cost and the limited fundamental knowledge that is available. Herein, we introduce a unique and compelling approach for the preparation of hybrid solid electrolytes based on an synthesized halide electrolyte (LiInCl) in the presence of a non-conducting polymer (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer). This innovative approach delivers flexible self-standing membranes with good ionic conductivity (0.

Tuning Ceramic Surface to Minimize the Ionic Resistance at the Interface between PEO- and LATP-Based Ceramic Electrolyte.

New battery technologies are currently under development, and among them, all-solid-state batteries should deliver better electrochemical performance and enhanced safety. Composite solid electrolytes, combining a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) and a ceramic electrolyte (CE), should then provide high ionic conductivity coupled to high mechanical stability. To date, this synergy has not yet been reached due to the complexity of the Li-ion transport within the hybrid solid electrolyte, especially at the SPE/CE interface currently considered the limiting step.

New Crosslinked Single-Ion Silica-PEO Hybrid Electrolytes.

New single-ion hybrid electrolytes have been synthetized via an original and simple synthetic approach combining Michael addition, epoxidation, and sol-gel polycondensation. We designed an organic PEO network as a matrix for the lithium transport, mechanically reinforced thanks to crosslinking inorganic (SiO) sites, while highly delocalized anions based on lithium vinyl sulfonyl(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (VSTFSILi) were grafted onto the inorganic sites to produce single-ion hybrid electrolytes (HySI). The influence of the electrolyte composition in terms of the inorganic/organic ratio and the grafted VSTFSILi content on the local structural organization, the thermal, mechanical, and ionic transport properties (ionic conductivity, transference number) are studied by a variety of techniques including SAXS, DSC, rheometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

"Non-healing" claw horn lesions in dairy cows: Clinical, histopathological and molecular biological characterization of four cases.

The increasing prevalence of bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) contributes to a higher occurrence of secondary infections of exposed corium with spp. in bovine claws. "Non-healing" claw horn lesions (NHL) clinically resemble BDD lesions.

Dense inorganic electrolyte particles as a lever to promote composite electrolyte conductivity.

Solid-state batteries are seen as key to the development of safer and higher-energy-density batteries, by limiting flammability and enabling the use of the lithium metal anode, respectively. Composite polymer-ceramic electrolytes are a possible solution for their realization, by benefiting from the combined mechanical properties of the polymer electrolyte and the thermal stability and high conductivity of the ceramic electrolyte. In this study we used different liquid electrolyte chemistries as models for the polymer electrolytes, and evaluated the effect of adding a variety of porous and dense ceramic electrolytes on the conductivity.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy of PEO-LATP Model Multilayers: Ionic Charge Transport and Transfer.

Solid-state batteries are seen as a possible revolutionary technology, with increased safety and energy density compared to their liquid-electrolyte-based counterparts. Composite polymer/ceramic electrolytes are candidates of interest to develop a reliable solid-state battery due to the potential synergy between the organic (softness ensuring good interfaces) and inorganic (high ionic transport) material properties. Multilayers made of a polymer/ceramic/polymer assembly are model composite electrolytes to investigate ionic charge transport and transfer.

[Prevalence of metatarsal growth plate lesions in Swiss fattening bulls].

The prevalence of osteochondral changes in the metatarsal growth plates of fattening bulls was investigated. Plantarodorsal radiographic views of the metatarsal region of 204 hind legs from 102 slaughtered fattening bulls were taken. Radiographic lesions in metatarsal growth plates were confirmed in selected cases using computed tomography (n=14) and histology (n=6).

Surgical debridement and primary closure of the oral mucosa for repair of open mandibular pars incisiva fractures in three neonatal calves.

Case Description: 3 neonatal female calves (ages, < 1 to 4 days) were examined because of mandibular trauma.

Clinical Findings: Physical examination indicated that each calf had an open fracture of the mandibular pars incisiva (rostral mandibular fracture) with ventral displacement of the incisors at the affected region. Oral radiographs were obtained for 1 calf and revealed that 5 incisors were fractured at the level of the apical dental buds.

Quantification of the Local Topological Variations of Stripped and Plated Lithium Metal by X-ray Tomography.

Lithium (Li) metal is the most promising negative electrode to be implemented in batteries for stationary and electric vehicle applications. For years, its use and subsequent industrialization were hampered because of the inhomogeneous Li ion reduction upon recharge onto Li metal leading to dendrite growth. The use of solid polymer electrolyte is a solution to mitigate dendrite growth.

Clinical and laboratory findings in 60 cows with type-3 abomasal ulcer.

This study involved 60 cows aged 1.9 to 13 years (mean 4.8 ± 2.

Lateral radioulnar subluxation in three cattle: clinical findings, treatment, and outcome.

Objective: To describe the clinical signs, conservative treatment, and short- and long-term outcomes of lateral radioulnar subluxation in cattle.

Animals: Three cattle with lateral radioulnar subluxation.

Study Design: Case series.

Phenome of pearl quality traits in the mollusc transplant model Pinctada margaritifera.

The bivalve Pinctada margaritifera exhibits three main transplant phenotypes derived from the donor (from which a mantle graft tissue, the saibo, is excised), the recipient (into which the saibo is implanted with a nucleus, leading to the formation of a pearl sac "chimera") and the cultured pearls themselves. This first phenome study on the species derived from a large experimental graft. Transplant phenotype was assessed at three scales: 1) macro, pearl size, colour, grade, 2) micro, pearl surface microstructure, and 3) molecular, biomineralisation gene expression level in saibo and pearl sac tissues.

[Open digit amputation in cattle: Surgery, wound healing and follow-up].

The aim of this retrospective study was to document secondary wound healing and outcome in 20 cattle that had undergone digit amputation at the level of the distal metaphysis of the first phalanx between April 2009 and June 2015. The surgical technique for amputation was simple and fast, and granulation tissue covered the stump of the first phalanx 9 to 30 days postoperatively. Complications associated with wound healing were seen in 7 animals and in 3, a second surgery was required; all 20 cattle were discharged from the clinic.

Liquid Sulfur Impregnation of Microporous Carbon Accelerated by Nanoscale Interfacial Effects.

Impregnation of porous carbon matrices with liquid sulfur has been exploited to fabricate composite cathodes for lithium-sulfur batteries, aimed at confining soluble sulfur species near conducting carbon to prevent both loss of active material into the electrolyte and parasitic reactions at the lithium metal anode. Here, through extensive computer simulations, we uncover the strongly favorable interfacial free energy between liquid sulfur and graphitic surfaces that underlies this phenomenon. Previously unexplored curvature-dependent enhancements are shown to favor the filling of smaller pores first and effect a quasi-liquid sulfur phase in microporous domains (diameters <2 nm) that persists ∼30° below the expected freezing point.

The Mendelian inheritance of rare flesh and shell colour variants in the black-lipped pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera).

Pinctada margaritifera is French Polynesia's most economically important aquaculture species. This pearl oyster has the specific ability to produce cultured pearls with a very wide range of colours, depending on the colour phenotypes of donor oysters used. Its aquaculture is still based on natural spat collection from wild stocks.

Compliant glass-polymer hybrid single ion-conducting electrolytes for lithium batteries.

Despite high ionic conductivities, current inorganic solid electrolytes cannot be used in lithium batteries because of a lack of compliance and adhesion to active particles in battery electrodes as they are discharged and charged. We have successfully developed a compliant, nonflammable, hybrid single ion-conducting electrolyte comprising inorganic sulfide glass particles covalently bonded to a perfluoropolyether polymer. The hybrid with 23 wt% perfluoropolyether exhibits low shear modulus relative to neat glass electrolytes, ionic conductivity of 10(-4) S/cm at room temperature, a cation transference number close to unity, and an electrochemical stability window up to 5 V relative to Li(+)/Li.

Assessment of the excretion time of electronic capsules placed in the intestinal lumen of cows with cecal dilatation-dislocation, healthy control cows, and cows with left displacement of the abomasum.

Objective: To analyze the transit time from various locations in the intestines of cows with cecal dilatation-dislocation (CDD), healthy control cows, and cows with left displacement of the abomasum (LDA).

Animals: 15 cows with naturally occurring CDD (group 1), 14 healthy control cows (group 2), and 18 cows with LDA (group 3).

Procedures: 5 electronic transmitters were encased in capsules and placed in the lumen of the ileum, cecum, proximal portion of the colon, and 2 locations in the spiral colon (colon 1 and colon 2) and used to measure the transit time (ie, time between placement in the lumen and excretion of the capsules from the rectum).

Morphology-Conductivity Relationship of Single-Ion-Conducting Block Copolymer Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries.

A significant limitation of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries arises because most of the ionic current is carried by the anion, the ion that does not participate in energy-producing reactions. Single-ion-conducting block copolymer electrolytes, wherein all of the current is carried by the lithium cations, have the potential to dramatically improve battery performance. The relationship between ionic conductivity and morphology of single-ion-conducting poly(ethylene oxide)--polystyrenesulfonyllithium(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (PEO-PSLiTFSI) diblock copolymers was studied by small-angle X-ray scattering and ac impedance spectroscopy.

Nonflammable perfluoropolyether-based electrolytes for lithium batteries.

The flammability of conventional alkyl carbonate electrolytes hinders the integration of large-scale lithium-ion batteries in transportation and grid storage applications. In this study, we have prepared a unique nonflammable electrolyte composed of low molecular weight perfluoropolyethers and bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide lithium salt. These electrolytes exhibit thermal stability beyond 200 °C and a remarkably high transference number of at least 0.

Dopamine replacement therapy and deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nuclei induce modulation of emotional processes at different spatial frequencies in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nuclei (STN-DBS) is an effective treatment for the most severe forms of Parkinson's disease (PD) and is intended to suppress these patients' motor symptoms. However, be it in association with Dopamine Replacement Therapy (DRT) or not, STN-DBS may in some cases induce addictive or emotional disorders.

Objective: In the current study, we suggest that PD patients suffer from emotional deficits that have not been revealed in previous studies because in those experiments the stimuli were displayed for a time long enough to allow patients to have recourse to perceptual strategies in order to recognize the emotional facial expressions (EFE).

Rapid Presentation of Emotional Expressions Reveals New Emotional Impairments in Tourette's Syndrome.

Objective: Based on a variety of empirical evidence obtained within the theoretical framework of embodiment theory, we considered it likely that motor disorders in Tourette's syndrome (TS) would have emotional consequences for TS patients. However, previous research using emotional facial categorization tasks suggests that these consequences are limited to TS patients with obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OCB).

Method: These studies used long stimulus presentations which allowed the participants to categorize the different emotional facial expressions (EFEs) on the basis of a perceptual analysis that might potentially hide a lack of emotional feeling for certain emotions.

Single-ion BAB triblock copolymers as highly efficient electrolytes for lithium-metal batteries.

Electrochemical energy storage is one of the main societal challenges of this century. The performances of classical lithium-ion technology based on liquid electrolytes have made great advances in the past two decades, but the intrinsic instability of liquid electrolytes results in safety issues. Solid polymer electrolytes would be a perfect solution to those safety issues, miniaturization and enhancement of energy density.

Are coarse scales sufficient for fast detection of visual threat?

It has recently been suggested that low-spatial-frequency information would provide rapid visual cues to the amygdala for basic but ultrarapid behavioral responses to dangerous stimuli. The present behavioral study investigated the role of different spatial-frequency channels in visually detecting dangerous stimuli belonging to living or nonliving categories. Subjects were engaged in a visual detection task involving dangerous stimuli, and subjects' behavioral responses were assessed in association with their fear expectations (induced by an aversive 90-dB white noise).