Search Results (3,813)

Potassium–selenium (K-Se) batteries have emerged as a promising energy storage system in view of their high theoretical energy density and low cost. However, their practical application is restricted due to challenges such as polyselenide shuttling, low redox activity, and significant cathode volume expansion during cycling, leading to inferior Coulombic efficiency and a short cycling lifespan. Carbon-based materials, with their superior electronic conductivity, adjustable pore structures, and robust chemical stability, have been extensively studied and employed as cathode materials in K-Se batteries, demonstrating remarkable potential in addressing the above-mentioned issues. Considering the rapidly growing research interest in this topic in recent years, herein, we comprehensively summarize recent advances in the application of carbon-based materials as cathodes in K-Se batteries. First, we introduce the properties, key challenges, and optimization strategies of K-Se batteries, including encapsulating Se within carbon materials, engineering chemisorptive hosts, and electrocatalyzing redox reactions. Furthermore, we discuss the relationship between fabrication strategies, micro/nanostructures, and electrochemical performances. Finally, we propose future prospects for the rational design and application of carbon-based cathodes in K-Se batteries and other alkaline metal–chalcogen batteries. Full article

The ongoing energy transition and decarbonization efforts have prompted the development of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) capable of integrating multiple generation and storage technologies to enhance energy autonomy. Among the available options, hydrogen has emerged as a versatile energy carrier, yet most studies have focused either on stationary applications or on mobility, seldom addressing their integration withing a single framework. In particular, the potential of Metal Hydride (MH) tanks remains largely underexplored in the context of sector coupling, where the same storage unit can simultaneously sustain household demand and provide in-house refueling for light-duty fuel-cell vehicles. This study presents the design and analysis of a residential-scale HRES that combines photovoltaic generation, a PEM electrolyzer, a lithium-ion battery and MH storage intended for direct integration with a fuel-cell electric microcar. A fully dynamic numerical model was developed to evaluate system interactions and quantify the conditions under which low-pressure MH tanks can be effectively integrated into HRES, with particular attention to thermal management and seasonal variability. Two simulation campaigns were carried out to provide both component-level and system-level insights. The first focused on thermal management during hydrogen absorption in the MH tank, comparing passive and active cooling strategies. Forced convection reduced absorption time by 44% compared to natural convection, while avoiding the additional energy demand associated with thermostatic baths. The second campaign assessed seasonal operation: even under winter irradiance conditions, the system ensured continuous household supply and enabled full recharge of two MH tanks every six days, in line with the hydrogen requirements of the light vehicle daily commuting profile. Battery support further reduced grid reliance, achieving a Grid Dependency Factor as low as 28.8% and enhancing system autonomy during cold periods. Full article

One of the main challenges faced by DC microgrid (DCMG) is their low inertia, which leads to rapid and significant voltage fluctuations during load or generation changes. These fluctuations can negatively impact sensitive loads and protection devices. Previous studies have addressed this by enabling battery converters to mimic the behavior of synchronous generators (SGs), but this approach becomes ineffective when the converters or batteries reach their current or energy limits, leading to a loss of inertia and potential system instability. In interconnected multi-microgrid (MMG) systems, the presence of multiple batteries offers the potential to enhance system inertia, provided there is a coordinated control strategy. This research introduces a hierarchical control method that combines decentralized and centralized approaches. Decentralized control allows individual converters to emulate SG behavior, while the centralized control uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology to enable real-time coordination among all Energy Storage Units (ESUs). This coordination improves inertia across the DCMMG system, enhances energy management, and strengthens overall system stability. IoT integration ensures real-time data exchange, monitoring, and collaborative decision-making. The proposed scheme is validated through MATLAB simulations, with results confirming its effectiveness in improving inertial response and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources within DCMMGs. Full article

As a critical technological foundation for electric vehicles, power battery state estimation primarily involves estimating the State of Charge (SOC), the State of Health (SOH) and the Remaining Useful Life (RUL). This paper systematically categorizes battery state estimation methods into three distinct generations, tracing the evolutionary progression from single-state to multi-state cooperative estimation approaches. First-generation methods based on equivalent circuit models offer straightforward implementation but accumulate SOC-SOH estimation errors during battery aging, as they fail to account for the evolution of microscopic parameters such as solid electrolyte interphase film growth, lithium inventory loss, and electrode degradation. Second-generation data-driven approaches, which leverage big data and deep learning, can effectively model highly nonlinear relationships between measurements and battery states. However, they often suffer from poor physical interpretability and generalizability due to the “black-box” nature of deep learning. The emerging third-generation technology establishes transmission mechanisms from microscopic electrode interface parameters via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to macroscopic SOC, SOH, and RUL states, forming a bidirectional closed-loop system integrating estimation, prediction, and optimization that demonstrates potential to enhance both full-operating-condition adaptability and estimation accuracy. This progress supports the development of high-reliability, long-lifetime electric vehicles. Full article

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are a promising technology for large-scale energy storage due to their safety, scalability, and design flexibility. This study investigated a tiron-A (4,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,3-disulfonic acid)/tungstosilicic acid (TSA) RFB system, focusing on optimizing the supporting electrolyte and the volumetric ratio of the catholyte (tiron-A) to anolyte (TSA). Electrochemical characteristics, confirmed by CV and EIS, showed that sulfuric acid was the most suitable supporting electrolyte due to its excellent cell potential and lower ohmic resistance compared to sodium chloride and sodium hydroxide electrolytes. To address the inherent electron capacity imbalance between tiron-A (two electrons) and TSA (four electrons), various volumetric ratios were evaluated. The cell with the 3:1 tiron-A:TSA ratio exhibited optimal performance, achieving the highest discharge capacity, excellent cycle stability, and consistent energy efficiency. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results revealed that the ohmic resistance was minimized at the 3:1 ratio. This stable, low-ohmic resistance, coupled with a significant reduction in charge transfer resistance after cycling, was confirmed as the dominant factor for the improved long-term performance. These findings demonstrate an effective strategy for developing a high-performance performance tiron-A/TSA RFB system. Full article

The transition to electric mobility has intensified efforts to develop battery technologies that are not only high-performing but also environmentally sustainable. A critical element in battery system design is the structural housing, which must provide effective impact protection to ensure passenger safety and prevent catastrophic failures. This study examines the impact response of an innovative sheet molding compound (SMC) composite battery housing, manufactured from an Elium resin modified with Martinal ATH matrix, reinforced with glass fibers, that combines fire resistance and recyclability, unlike conventional thermoset and metallic housings. The material was characterized through standardized mechanical tests, and its impact performance was evaluated via drop-weight experiments on plates and a full-scale housing. The impact tests were conducted at varying energy levels to induce barely visible impact damage (BVID) and visible impact damage (VID). A finite element model was developed in LS-DYNA using the experimentally derived material properties and was validated against the impact tests. Parametric simulations of ground and pole collisions revealed the critical velocity thresholds at which housing deformation begins to affect the first battery cells, while lower-energy impacts were absorbed without compromising the pack. The study provides one of the first combined experimental and numerical assessments of Elium SMC in battery enclosures, emphasizing its potential as a sustainable alternative for next-generation battery systems for transport applications. Full article

This study systematically investigated the structural damage and electrochemical performance changes in 18650 cylindrical lithium-ion batteries under multiple impacts through a 10 kg drop-hammer impact test. The experimental results showed that as the state of charge (SOC) increased from 25% to 75%, the battery’s stiffness increased and its impact resistance improved, but the electrolyte leakage intensified, with a higher risk of leakage at high SOCs. An increase in the impact force led to enhanced voltage fluctuations and a continuous increase in deformation. After an impact of 500 mm, the voltage decreased about 0.02 V, while after an impact of 1000 mm, it dropped about 0.04 V. Axial impacts caused a sudden voltage drop to 1.96 V, resulting in permanent failure; compared with planar impacts, cylindrical surface impacts are more likely to cause compression in the middle and warping at both ends, significantly increasing the risk of internal short circuits. CT scans revealed that the battery porosity can reach up to 3.09% under high impact energy, and the deformation rate can reach 28.39%. The research results provide a quantitative experimental basis for the impact-resistant design and safety assessment of power batteries. Full article

While synthetic biology has traditionally focused on creating biological systems often through genetic engineering, emerging technologies, for example, implantable pacemakers with integrated piezo-electric and tribo-electric materials are beginning to enlarge the classical domain into what we call symbiotic synthetic biology. These devices are permanently attached to a body, although non-living or genetically unaltered, and closely mimic biological behavior by harvesting biomechanical energy and providing functions, such as autonomous heart pacing. They form active interfaces with human tissues and operate as hybrid systems, similar to synthetic organs. In this context, the present paper first presents a short summary of previous in vivo studies on piezo-electric composites in relation to their deployment as battery-less pacemakers. This is then followed by a summary of a recent theoretical work using a damped harmonic resonance model, which is being extended to mimic the functioning of such devices. We then extend the theoretical study further to include new solutions and obtain a sum rule for the power output per cycle in such systems. In closing, we present our quantitative understanding to explore the modulation of the quantum vacuum energy (Casimir effect) by periodic body movements to power pacemakers. Taken together, the present work provides the scientific foundation of the next generation bio-integrated intelligent implementation. Full article

With the rapid advancement of energy storage technologies, there is a growing demand for affordable, efficient, and environmentally benign battery systems. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) present a promising alternative to lithium-ion systems due to sodium’s high abundance and similar electrochemical properties. Particular attention is given to developing NASICON -sodium (Na) super ionic conductor, type cathode materials, especially Na3V2(PO4)3, which exhibits high thermal and structural stability. This study focuses on the sol–gel synthesis of Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ using citric acid and ethylene glycol, as well as investigating the effect of annealing temperature (400–1000 °C) on its structural and electrochemical properties. Phase composition, morphology, textural characteristics, and electrochemical performance were systematically analyzed. Above 700 °C, a highly crystalline NASICON phase free of secondary impurities was formed, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Microstructural evolution revealed a transition from a loose amorphous structure to a dense granular morphology, accompanied by changes in specific surface area and porosity. The highest surface area (67.40 m²/g) was achieved at 700 °C, while increasing the temperature to 1000 °C caused pore collapse due to sintering. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the predominant presence of V³⁺ ions and the formation of V⁴⁺ at the highest temperature. The optimal balance of high crystallinity, uniform elemental distribution, and stable texture was achieved at 900 °C. Electrochemical testing in a Na/NVP half-cell configuration delivered an initial capacity of 70 mAh/g, which decayed to 55 mAh/g by the 100th cycle, attributed to solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and irreversible Na⁺ trapping. These results demonstrate that the proposed approach yields high-quality Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathode materials with promising potential for sodium-ion battery applications. Full article

Battery technology plays an increasingly vital role in portable electronic devices, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage. During operation, batteries undergo performance degradation, which not only reduces device efficiency, but may also pose safety risks. The State of Health (SOH) is a crucial indicator for assessing battery condition. Traditional SOH prediction methods face limitations in real-time adjustment and accuracy under complex operating conditions. By determining electrode capacity loss and identifying complex patterns that traditional methods struggle to detect, prediction accuracy can be improved. Based on electrode capacity matching and compensation relationships, this paper proposes an electrode capacity balance model to evaluate battery development trends and degradation during cycling. We use q_Li − q_p state assessment as a trend criterion, q_p to quantify aging, and Q_c to identify thermal runaway risk levels, developing more efficient SOH prediction indicators and methods to ensure battery safety and performance. Full article

MXenes, a rapidly emerging family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, have attracted considerable attention in recent years for their potential in next-generation energy storage technologies. In solid-state batteries (SSBs), they combine metallic-level conductivity (>10³ S cm⁻¹), adjustable surface terminations, and mechanical resilience, which makes them suitable for diverse functions within the cell architecture. Current studies have shown that MXene-based anodes can deliver reversible lithium storage with Coulombic efficiencies approaching ~98% over 500 cycles, while their use as conductive additives in cathodes significantly improves electron transport and rate capability. As interfacial layers or structural scaffolds, MXenes effectively buffer volume fluctuations and suppress lithium dendrite growth, contributing to extended cycle life. In solid polymer and composite electrolytes, MXene fillers have been reported to increase Li⁺ conductivity to the 10⁻³–10⁻² S cm⁻¹ range and enhance Li⁺ transference numbers (up to ~0.76), thereby improving both ionic transport and mechanical stability. Beyond established Ti-based systems, double transition metal MXenes (e.g., Mo₂TiC₂, Mo₂Ti₂C₃) and hybrid heterostructures offer expanded opportunities for tailoring interfacial chemistry and optimizing energy density. Despite these advances, large-scale deployment remains constrained by high synthesis costs (often exceeding USD 200–400 kg⁻¹ for Ti₃C₂T_x at lab scale), restacking effects, and stability concerns, highlighting the need for greener etching processes, robust quality control, and integration with existing gigafactory production lines. Addressing these challenges will be crucial for enabling MXene-based SSBs to transition from laboratory prototypes to commercially viable, safe, and high-performance energy storage systems. Beyond summarizing performance, this review elucidates the mechanistic roles of MXenes in SSBs—linking lithiophilicity, field homogenization, and interphase formation to dendrite suppression at Li|SSE interfaces, and termination-assisted salt dissociation, segmental-motion facilitation, and MWS polarization to enhanced electrolyte conductivity—thereby providing a clear design rationale for practical implementation. Full article

New energy vehicles face a critical challenge in balancing the thermal safety management of high-specific-energy battery systems with the simultaneous improvement of energy density. With the large-scale application of high-energy-density systems such as silicon-based anodes and solid-state batteries, their inherent thermal runaway risks pose severe challenges to battery thermal management systems (BTMS). Currently, the thermal insulation performance, temperature resistance, and fire protection capabilities of flame-retardant materials (e.g., foam cotton, fiber felts) used in automotive batteries are inadequate to meet the demands of intense combustion and high temperatures generated during thermal failure in high-energy-density batteries. Against this backdrop, thermal insulation and fireproof aerogel materials are emerging as a revolutionary solution for the next generation of power battery thermal protection systems. Leveraging their nanoporous structure’s exceptional thermal insulation properties (thermal conductivity of 0.013–0.018 W/(m·K) at room temperature) and extreme fire resistance (temperature resistance > 1100 °C/UL94 V-0 flame retardancy), aerogels are gaining prominence. This article provides a systematic review of thermal runaway phenomena in automotive batteries and corresponding protective measures. It highlights recent breakthroughs in the selection of material systems, optimization of preparation processes, and fiber–matrix composite technologies for automotive fireproof aerogel composites. The core engineering values of these materials, such as blocking thermal runaway propagation, reducing system weight, and improving volumetric efficiency, are quantitatively validated. Furthermore, the paper explores future research directions, including the development of low-cost aerogel composites and the design of organic–inorganic hybrid composite structures, aiming to provide a foundation and industrial pathway for the research and development of next-generation high-performance battery thermal management systems. Full article

As states within the United States respond to future grid development goals, there is a growing demand for reliable and resilient nighttime generation that can be addressed by low-cost, long-duration energy storage solutions. This report studies the potential of including concentrating solar power (CSP) in the technology mix to support California’s goals as defined in Senate Bill 100. A joint agency report study that determined potential pathways to achieve the renewable portfolio standard set by the bill did not include CSP, and our work provides information that could be used as a follow-up. This study uses a capacity expansion model configured to have nodal spatial fidelity in California and balancing-area fidelity in the Western Interconnection outside of California. The authors discovered that by applying current technology cost projections CSP fulfills nearly 15% of the annual load while representing just 6% of total installed capacity in 2045, replacing approximately 30 GWe of wind, solar PV, and standalone batteries compared to a scenario without CSP included. The deployment of CSP in the results is sensitive to the technology’s cost, which highlights the importance of meeting cost targets in 2030 and beyond to enable the technology’s potential contribution to California’s carbon reduction goals. Full article

The sharp increase in Internet of Things (IoT) terminal numbers imposes significant pressure on energy and wireless spectrum resources. Battery-free IoT technology has become an effective solution to address the high power consumption and cost issues of traditional IoT systems. While leveraging backscatter communication, battery-free IoT faces challenges such as low throughput and poor fairness among wireless links. To tackle these problems, this study proposes a low-power hybrid communication mechanism for terminals. Within this mechanism, a time-frame partitioning method for hybrid communication strategies is designed based on sensing results of licensed spectrum channels. Considering terminal power constraints, quality of service (QoS) requirements of primary communication links, and time resource limitations, a hybrid communication strategy model is established to jointly optimize fairness and maximize throughput. To resolve the non-convexity in the Multi-objective Lexicographical Optimization Problem (MLOP), the Block Coordinate Descent (BCD) method and auxiliary variables are introduced. Simulation results demonstrate that, compared to the baseline scheme, the proposed approach reduces the throughput gap between links from 85.4% to 0.32% when the channel gain differences are small, while the total system throughput decreases by only 8.81%. As the channel gain disparity increases, the baseline scheme exhibits a more pronounced disadvantage in terms of throughput fairness, while the proposed approach still reduces the throughput gap between the best and worst links from 91.02% to 0.684% at the cost of a 9.18% decrease in total system throughput. These results demonstrate that the proposed scheme effectively balances fairness and throughput performance across diverse channel conditions, ensuring relatively equitable quality of service for all users in the IoT network. Full article

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are an advanced solution for data collection in Internet of Things (IoT) applications and remote and harsh environments. These networks rely on a collection of distributed sensors equipped with wireless communication capabilities to collect low-cost and small-scale data. WSNs face numerous challenges, including network congestion, slow speeds, high energy consumption, and a short network lifetime due to their need for a constant and stable power supply. Therefore, improving the energy efficiency of sensor nodes through solar energy harvesting (SEH) would be the best option for charging batteries to avoid excessive energy consumption and battery replacement. In this context, modern wireless communication technologies, such as Wi-Fi and Li-Fi, emerge as promising solutions. Wi-Fi provides internet connectivity via radio frequencies (RF), making it suitable for use in open environments. Li-Fi, on the other hand, relies on data transmission via light, offering higher speeds and better energy efficiency, making it ideal for indoor applications requiring fast and reliable data transmission. This paper aims to integrate Wi-Fi and Li-Fi technologies into the SEH-WSN architecture to improve performance and efficiency when used in all applications. To achieve reliable, efficient, and high-speed bidirectional communication for multiple devices, the paper utilizes a Markov model, sleep scheduling, and smart switching algorithms to reduce power consumption, increase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and throughput, and reduce bit error rate (BER) and latency by controlling the technology and power supply used appropriately for the mode, sleep, and active states of nodes. Full article