Toyota Motor Corporation (Canada)

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) with silicon anodes offer high energy density and mitigate issues such as continuous solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation in lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes. However, the evolution of the mechanical contact interface between silicon (Si) and the rigid solid electrolyte during cycling remains poorly understood. This study utilized operando synchrotron X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and nano-computed tomography (nano-CT) to achieve high-resolution, 3D visualization of the silicon-electrolyte interface during lithiation and delithiation. Micro-CT revealed that silicon particles retain partial contact with the solid electrolyte as they delithiate and shrink to form shell voids, preserving ionic conduction pathways. High-resolution nano-CT further revealed a thin, previously undetectable solid electrolyte layer that adheres to the surfaces of the silicon particles and helps maintain these contact points. Additionally, interfacial delamination of the silicon was found to be highly anisotropic, initiating from sides that were laterally unconstrained due to uneven mechanical pressure and reaction inhomogeneity. Meanwhile, the vertically compressed interface remained largely intact. These findings elucidate the morphological evolution of the Si/electrolyte interface in ASSBs and demonstrate that continuous ion transport can be partially maintained despite significant volume changes.

There is a trend in electric drive systems for the voltage of inverters to become higher. And the shaft voltages generated by the potential between the motor shaft and the case increases in proportion to the inverter voltages. Shaft voltages are known to cause problems such as electromagnetic noises. To select the reduction methods for electromagnetic noises, we need to understand the shaft voltages generated in the motor. Commonly, we use the brush when measuring shaft voltage. However, in some motors, it may not be possible to measure shaft voltage due to the lack of a contact surface for the brush. This paper develops the antenna that can measure the shaft voltage in a non-contact. We design the antenna using the electromagnetic field simulation (ANSYS Q3D). The antenna creates electrostatic coupling by facing it towards the rotor. One of the problems is the electrostatic coupling between the coils and the antenna, which results in the generation of voltage in the antenna from the coils. This is the noise for the measurement of shaft voltage. Therefore, we design the antenna stay to reduce the electrostatic coupling between the coils and the antenna, thereby reducing the voltage from the coils. With the above structural design, the antenna capable of receiving the shaft voltage from 100 kHz to 30 $\mathbf{M H z}$ with an error of $\mathbf{6 d B}$ or less has been completed.

The goal of meat alternatives, specifically plant-based and cultured meat, is to provide an environmentally friendly food source that has the same cost, taste, and nutritional value as real meat. Currently, the main issue for alternative meat sources is the production expenses that contribute to the elevated prices observed by consumers in the market. This paper focuses on maintaining a high-quality product in terms of nutritional value while minimizing the production expenses associated with raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, and storage for a single serving (142 g) of a plant-based beef patty. Raw material constraints were established from a dataset of 20 different plant-based beef patty products currently found on the market. Transportation and storage costs and constraints were based on literature values with a variable market share. Additionally, the maximum amount of allowable greenhouse gas emissions per year was set. Optimal formulations of one plant-based beef patty were determined with a raw material cost of around $3.54 per serving and $0.41 per second in distribution and storage costs. The optimal market size was 0.083% of a total market consumption of 84.6 million kg of meat alternatives consumed annually in 2021.

Understanding and the control of Li-ion (Li+) transport across the interface between the anode and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film or electrolyte is a key issue in battery electrochemistry and interface science. In this study, we investigated the structural, electronic and free energy properties of Li+ migration between a Li-intercalated graphite anode LiCx and Li2CO3 SEI film, by using ab initio molecular dynamics and free energy calculations. We compared three types of graphite edges: H-, OH- and mixed (H, OH, COOH)-terminations, and three cases of transferred Li-ions: Li+ constructing the SEI, excess Li+ and excess Li0 (excess Li+ + e- in anode). After validation of our calculations with Li2CO3 and LiCx bulk systems, we sampled the interfacial structures under thermodynamic equilibrium and demonstrated that the OH- and mixed-terminations had larger binding energies. The calculated free energy profiles of Li+ intercalation from the Li2CO3 SEI to LiC24 showed barriers larger than 1.2 eV irrespective of the terminations and Li+ cases. We also clarified that the charges of Li ions did not change much upon the intercalation. Based on these results and the calculated Li chemical potential, we constructed the probable free energy profile of Li+ between the anode and cathode under charging and discharging. This profile model suggest a possible electric field approximation for the charging stage, and the resultant free energy profiles with such fields gave a ca. 0.5 eV barrier under charging, which was consistent with the experimental values. The present picture will give a crucial insight into Li-ion transport at the battery interfaces.

Purpose To examine factors associated with Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) results in patients with painful musculoskeletal conditions, with focus on social factors across multiple countries. Methods International cross-sectional study was performed within care as usual. Simple and multiple multilevel linear regression analyses which considered measurement’s dependency within clinicians and country were conducted: FCE characteristics and biopsychosocial variables from patients and clinicians as independent variables; and FCE results (floor-to-waist lift, six-minute walk, and handgrip strength) as dependent variables. Results Data were collected for 372 patients, 54 clinicians, 18 facilities and 8 countries. Patients’ height and reported pain intensity were consistently associated with every FCE result. Patients’ sex, height, reported pain intensity, effort during FCE, social isolation, and disability, clinician’s observed physical effort, and whether FCE test was prematurely ended were associated with lift. Patient’s height, Body Mass Index, post-test heart-rate, reported pain intensity and effort during FCE, days off work, and whether FCE test was prematurely ended were associated with walk. Patient’s age, sex, height, affected body area, reported pain intensity and catastrophizing, and physical work demands were associated with handgrip. Final regression models explained 38‒65% of total variance. Clinician and country random effects composed 1–39% of total residual variance in these models. Conclusion Biopsychosocial factors were associated with every FCE result across multiple countries; specifically, patients’ height, reported pain intensity, clinician, and measurement country. Social factors, which had been under-researched, were consistently associated with FCE performances. Patients’ FCE results should be considered from a biopsychosocial perspective, including different social contexts.

A heat flux measurement method was developed to analyze heat flow on heat radiating surfaces. Thermal resistances made of plastic plates were attached to the surface. The heat flux was obtained by measuring the temperature difference between the radiating surface and thermal resistance surface. The surface temperature was measured using thermography. Unlike conventional heat flux sensors which are made of thermopiles, this method does not require installing wiring. It also enables the multipoint measurement of heat flux. The heat flux measurement method was applied to model evaluation and proved the potential of measuring heat flux distribution.

not Available.

A pressurized Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) / Micro Gas Turbine (MGT) hybrid system has been developing to demonstrate high efficiency and very low NOx and SOx emission. The 300kWe MCFC / MGT hybrid Co-generation system is in test at the TOYOTA Environmental Center. An inferred system efficiency has been nearly achieved, and this system has been possible to operate with no firing of MGT combustor in the range of 75% to 100% load. The developed MGT and control method of this system are focused in this paper.