Hybrid Energy (Norway)

MXenes, a class of two-dimensional (2D) materials, have gathered significant attention as excellent electrode materials for various energy applications owing to their remarkable properties such as superior metallic conductivity, abundant surface functionality, high electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, abundance of surface active sites, enormous cycle life, and ordered lamellar structure. In this study, we present the heterostructured growth of bimetallic Co-NiSe2 on MXene via a simple hydrothermal method. The resulting hybrid structure of Co-NiSe2 exhibits nanorod-like morphology wrapped around MXene sheets. When evaluated as an electrode material for supercapacitors, the Co-NiSe2/MXene composite demonstrates enhanced feasibility, displaying relatively high specific surface area and electrical conductivity, thus exhibiting excellent electrochemical performance. Specifically, the Co-NiSe2/MXene composite exhibits a high specific capacitance of 1394.8 F·g–1 at a current density of 1 A·g–1. Furthermore, the synergetic hybrid material can deliver a high energy density of 20 Wh·kg–1 at a power density of 684 W·kg–1. Importantly, the Co-NiSe2/MXene material exhibits good rate performance and cycle stability, showcasing its potential for advanced energy storage applications.

Abstract The body composition of livestock has been shown to change over time. Generally, bone maturation occurs first, followed by muscle growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate growth patterns of the most economically significant carcass components (pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, thigh, drum, and rack) in a commercial strain of turkeys. Live body weights and carcass component weights were collected on 1688 toms and 1085 hens between 2012 and 2017. Toms and hens were slaughtered between 109–149 days and 91–114 days of age, respectively. Yield values were calculated for each carcass component as a percentage of the live body weight. Regression coefficients (b) were calculated by regressing yield values on the age of the animal at slaughter. P. major and P. minor yield increased with age, though at different rates, for both toms (b=0.120, P < 0.01 and 0.003, P < 0.01, respectively) and hens (b=0.089, P < 0.01 and 0.020, P < 0.01, respectively). Tom drum and rack yield decreased with age (b=-0.012, P < 0.01 and -0.104, P < 0.01, respectively). Hen drum yield also decreased with age (b=-0.018, P < 0.01), while hen rack yield was found to not be significant from zero. Toms and hens showed similar trends of increasing breast yield with age and an equal combined decline in other carcass component yields. Thus resulting in a small significant increase in hen carcass meat yield (b=0.080, P < 0.01) and no significant increase in tom carcass meat yield (b=0.005, P > 0.01) which were both expected to increase with age given expected body composition changes over time. Strong selection for breast meat yield and the observed negative correlations between breast muscle yield and thigh and drum yields are likely the cause of this trend. Further research should investigate the use of carcass meat yield or other carcass component yields in turkey breeding programs.

We report an (e,2e) study on simultaneous ionization-excitation processes of He and H2 at large momentum transfer. The symmetric noncoplanar (e,2e) cross sections have been measured for transitions to excited ion states. It has been found that noticeable higher-order effects are involved even at the rather high impact energies employed, which ranged between 1.2 and 4.3 keV. Second Born approximation calculations satisfactorily account for the experimental results, indicating that the second-order two-step mechanisms serve as a key to understanding the ionization-excitation dynamics. Roles of the two-step mechanisms will be fully discussed.

Multi-body synchronizer and selector mechanism model has been developed and experimentally validated to improve gearshift quality in manual transmissions. The model has been implemented in a commercial multibody program (ADAMS), and it includes simulation of detent mechanism, contact forces on the sleeve, blocker and engagement teeth, as well as jamming on the synchronizer rings. Single, double or triple cone synchronizers can be modeled. The whole selector mechanism from the fork acting on the sleeve to the lever is modeled, including bowden cable. Extensive experimental vehicle and bench tests have been performed to validate the model. To overcome the problem due to the variability of the force and velocity applied by the driver, a dedicated system has been used in bench test rig, where hydraulic force actuator gives repeatable and constant input directly into gearbox. Displacements and axial forces acting on sleeves have been measured on the "Manual Transmission Shiftability Bench". Comparison between numerical results and experimental measures shows good agreement after a preliminary work aimed to rate a number of model parameters (equivalent cone friction, contact stiffness and damping) whose values are not easily available. The model gives a good understanding of gearshift problems, such as double bump and jamming on synchronizer rings, allowing to investigate many potential solutions. Design parameter analysis have been performed for gearshift quality improvement, such as reduction of synchronization effort and duration, and minimization of engagement force (double bump effort). Proposed solutions for multi-cone synchronizer and internal selector mechanism have to be successively tested on the bench. The paper describes the main features of the model together with a discussion on the numerical and experimental results, and new proposals to improve gearshift quality in manual transmissions.