Stabilization of lithium anode with ceramic-rich interlayer for all solid-state batteries.

The deposition of thin layers of polymer/ceramic on a lithium surface to produce a strong barrier against dendrites was demonstrated. Different forms (needle, sphere, rod) and types of ceramic (Al2O3, Mg2B2O5) were tested and polymer/ceramic interlayers of a few micrometers (4 µm minimum) between the lithium and the PEO-based solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) were deposited. Interlayers with high amounts of ceramic up to 85 wt% were successfully coated on the surface of lithium foil. Compact "polymer in ceramic" layers were observed when Al2O3 spheres were used for instance, providing a strong barrier against the progression of dendrites as well as a buffer layer to alleviate the lithium deformation during stripping/plating cycles. The electrochemical performance of the lithium anodes was assessed in symmetrical Li/SPE/Li cells and in full all-solid-state LiFePO4 (LFP)/SPE/Li batteries. It was observed for all the cells that the charge transfer resistance was significantly reduced after the deposition of the polymer/ceramic layers on the lithium surface. In addition, the symmetrical cells were able to cycle at higher C-rates and the durability at C/4 was even improved by a factor of 8. Microscopic observations of Li/SPE/Li stacks after cycling revealed that the polymer/ceramic interlayer reduces the deformation of lithium upon cycling and avoids the formation of dendrites. Finally, LFP/SPE/Li batteries were cycled and better coulombic efficiencies as well as capacity retentions were obtained with the modified lithium electrodes. This work is patent-pending (WO2021/159209A1).

Open reduction and tunneled suspensory fixation for lateral end of clavicle fractures: surgical technique.

Unstable distal end clavicle fractures are associated with significant rates of nonunion and poor functional outcomes. Surgical treatment is paramount for unstable fracture patterns; however, treatment options are various, with each having its advantages and drawbacks. Recently, suture-based coracoclavicular fixation techniques using suture buttons have been implemented with high union rates, satisfactory shoulder function, and low rates of complications. In this report, we demonstrate a modified fixation of unstable lateral clavicle fractures. Our technique entails open reduction and suspensory coracoclavicular fixation using suture anchors and suture button devices with supplemental acromioclavicular suspensory fixation.

Behavior of Solid Electrolyte in Li-Polymer Battery with NMC Cathode via in-Situ Scanning Electron Microscopy.

We present the first results of in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of an all-solid Li battery with a nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide (NMC-622) cathode at 50 °C and an operating voltage of 2.7-4.3 V. Experiments were conducted under a constant current at several C rates (nC rate: cycling in 1/n h): C/12, C/6, and C/3. The microstructure evolution during cycling was monitored by continuous secondary electron imaging. We found that the chemical degradation of the solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) was the main mechanism for battery failure. This degradation was observed in the form of a gradual thinning of the SPE as a function of cycling time, resulting in gas generation from the cell. We also present various dynamic electrochemical and mechanical phenomena, as observed by SEM images, and compare the performance of this battery with that of an all-solid Li battery with a LiFePO4 cathode.

Anthropometric correlation with hamstring graft size in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction among males.

PURPOSE: Pre-operative knowledge of hamstring graft size for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL) is of clinical importance and useful in making appropriate decisions about graft choice. This study investigated if there is any correlation between anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, body mass index, thigh length, and circumference with the size of hamstring tendon graft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. METHODS: The anthropometric data of 50 consecutive adult males, who underwent primary ACL reconstruction using quadruple hamstring autograft, were collected prospectively. Data analysis using Pearson's correlation test was performed and multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate any correlation not detected by Pearson's test and to eliminate confounders. RESULTS: Patient's height and thigh length demonstrated a positive correlation with gracilis graft length (r = .464, P = .001, r = .456, P = .001, respectively) and semitendinosus graft length (r = .541, P = 000, r = .578, P = .000, respectively). While the patient's age was the only independent factor which had a positive correlation with the quadrupled hamstring graft diameter (r = .412, P = .004), multiple regression analysis showed abdominal girth had a significant negative correlation with gracilis (P = .04) and semitendinosus (P = .006) graft thickness. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that some anthropometric measurements had a positive correlation with the hamstring graft length and diameter in male patients. Hence, these results provide preliminary support for the use of some anthropometric measurements in the preoperative planning and prediction of the hamstring graft length and diameter in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

High-Capacity and Long-Cycle Life Aqueous Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery with the FePO4 Anode.

Aqueous lithium-ion batteries are emerging as strong candidates for a great variety of energy storage applications because of their low cost, high-rate capability, and high safety. Exciting progress has been made in the search for anode materials with high capacity, low toxicity, and high conductivity; yet, most of the anode materials, because of their low equilibrium voltages, facilitate hydrogen evolution. Here, we show the application of olivine FePO4 and amorphous FePO4·2H2O as anode materials for aqueous lithium-ion batteries. Their capacities reached 163 and 82 mA h/g at a current rate of 0.2 C, respectively. The full cell with an amorphous FePO4·2H2O anode maintained 92% capacity after 500 cycles at a current rate of 0.2 C. The acidic aqueous electrolyte in the full cells prevented cathodic oxygen evolution, while the higher equilibrium voltage of FePO4 avoided hydrogen evolution as well, making them highly stable. A combination of in situ X-ray diffraction analyses and computational studies revealed that olivine FePO4 still has the biphase reaction in the aqueous electrolyte and that the intercalation pathways in FePO4·2H2O form a 2-D mesh. The low cost, high safety, and outstanding electrochemical performance make the full cells with olivine or amorphous hydrated FePO4 anodes commercially viable configurations for aqueous lithium-ion batteries.

Light-assisted delithiation of lithium iron phosphate nanocrystals towards photo-rechargeable lithium ion batteries.

Recently, intensive efforts are dedicated to convert and store the solar energy in a single device. Herein, dye-synthesized solar cell technology is combined with lithium-ion materials to investigate light-assisted battery charging. In particular we report the direct photo-oxidation of lithium iron phosphate nanocrystals in the presence of a dye as a hybrid photo-cathode in a two-electrode system, with lithium metal as anode and lithium hexafluorophosphate in carbonate-based electrolyte; a configuration corresponding to lithium ion battery charging. Dye-sensitization generates electron-hole pairs with the holes aiding the delithiation of lithium iron phosphate at the cathode and electrons utilized in the formation of a solid electrolyte interface at the anode via oxygen reduction. Lithium iron phosphate acts effectively as a reversible redox agent for the regeneration of the dye. Our findings provide possibilities in advancing the design principles for photo-rechargeable lithium ion batteries.

Transition-Metal Carbodiimides as Molecular Negative Electrode Materials for Lithium- and Sodium-Ion Batteries with Excellent Cycling Properties.

We report evidence for the electrochemical activity of transition-metal carbodiimides versus lithium and sodium. In particular, iron carbodiimide, FeNCN, can be efficiently used as negative electrode material for alkali-metal-ion batteries, similar to its oxide analogue FeO. Based on (57)Fe Mössbauer and infrared spectroscopy (IR) data, the electrochemical reaction mechanism can be explained by the reversible transformation of the Fe-NCN into Li/Na-NCN bonds during discharge and charge. These new electrode materials exhibit higher capacity compared to well-established negative electrode references such as graphite or hard carbon. Contrary to its oxide analogue, iron carbodiimide does not require heavy treatments (such as nanoscale tailoring, sophisticated textures, or coating) to obtain long cycle life with current density as high as 9 A g(-1) for hundreds of charge-discharge cycles. Similar to the iron compound, several other transition-metal carbodiimides M(x)(NCN)y with M=Mn, Cr, Zn can cycle successfully versus lithium and sodium. Their electrochemical activity and performance open the way to the design of a novel family of anode materials.

Tracking Sodium-Antimonide Phase Transformations in Sodium-Ion Anodes: Insights from Operando Pair Distribution Function Analysis and Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy.

Operando pair distribution function (PDF) analysis and ex situ (23)Na magic-angle spinning solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS ssNMR) spectroscopy are used to gain insight into the alloying mechanism of high-capacity antimony anodes for sodium-ion batteries. Subtraction of the PDF of crystalline NaxSb phases from the total PDF, an approach constrained by chemical phase information gained from (23)Na ssNMR in reference to relevant model compounds, identifies two previously uncharacterized intermediate species formed electrochemically; a-Na(3-x)Sb (x ≈ 0.4-0.5), a structure locally similar to crystalline Na3Sb (c-Na3Sb) but with significant numbers of sodium vacancies and a limited correlation length, and a-Na(1.7)Sb, a highly amorphous structure featuring some Sb-Sb bonding. The first sodiation breaks down the crystalline antimony to form first a-Na(3-x)Sb and, finally, crystalline Na3Sb. Desodiation results in the formation of an electrode formed of a composite of crystalline and amorphous antimony networks. We link the different reactivity of these networks to a series of sequential sodiation reactions manifesting as a cascade of processes observed in the electrochemical profile of subsequent cycles. The amorphous network reacts at higher voltages reforming a-Na(1.7)Sb, then a-Na(3-x)Sb, whereas lower potentials are required for the sodiation of crystalline antimony, which reacts to form a-Na(3-x)Sb without the formation of a-Na(1.7)Sb. a-Na(3-x)Sb is converted to crystalline Na3Sb at the end of the second discharge. We find no evidence of formation of NaSb. Variable temperature (23)Na NMR experiments reveal significant sodium mobility within c-Na3Sb; this is a possible contributing factor to the excellent rate performance of Sb anodes.

Better cycling performances of bulk Sb in Na-ion batteries compared to Li-ion systems: an unexpected electrochemical mechanism.

Pure micrometric antimony can be successfully used as negative electrode material in Na-ion batteries, sustaining a capacity close to 600 mAh g(-1) at a high rate with a Coulombic efficiency of 99 over 160 cycles, an extremely high capacity compared to any other compound tested against both Li and Na. The reaction mechanism with Na does not simply go through the alloying mechanism observed for Li where the intermediate species are those expected from the phase diagram. In the case of Na, the intermediate phases are mostly amorphous and could not be precisely identified. Surprisingly, we evidenced that a competition takes place at the end of the discharge of the Sb/Na cell between the formation of the hexagonal and the cubic polymorphs of Na(3)Sb, the last being described in the literature as unstable at atmospheric pressure and only synthesized under high pressure (1-9 GPa). In addition, fluoroethylene carbonate added to the electrolyte combined with an appropriate electrode formulation based on carboxymethyl cellulose, carbon black, and vapor ground carbon fibers seems to be determinant in the excellent performances of this material.