Metal-as-Insulation HTS coils

In this article, we summarize what we have learned about Metal-as-Insulation (MI) winding behavior and technical challenges. Bailey et al. first proposed the use of Metallic Insulation (MI) for superconducting magnet in 1988 through a U.S. patent. High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) materials are highly thermally stable. This feature compared to classical Low Temperature Superconductor (LTS) enables the use of MI technology to improve the protection against quenches. Gupta was the first to propose the use of a metallic tape in an HTS winding to avoid too much radial currents in No Insulation (NI) in 2011. Hahn et al. presented preliminary results on a pancake sample the same year. We are proposing here to come back on the work done for about 10 years by research groups worldwide and will focus on the turn-to-turn contact resistivity Rct parameter. We will also give details of our LNCMI-CEA-Néel Institute MI HTS insert built in 2018 in the framework of the French National Research Agency (ANR) funding through the NOUGAT project. We tested this magnet many times between 2018 and 2021 and learnt a lot on this technology. This magnet is the first REBCO solenoid of this size using this technology and tested intensively at such high magnetic field (up to 32.5 T) so far. In this magnet, we firstly include a magnetic shielding technology consisting of REBCO NI turns inside the overbanding of each pancake. We give some details and effect of such technology inside an HTS MI insert in case of a fast discharge, a quench or an outsert failure. Finally, we discuss about the self-protection feature of MI coils and we propose a passive protection way for high Rct values.

Focal seizures are organized by feedback between neural activity and ion concentration changes

Human and animal EEG data demonstrate that focal seizures start with low-voltage fast activity, evolve into rhythmic burst discharges and are followed by a period of suppressed background activity. This suggests that processes with dynamics in the range of tens of seconds govern focal seizure evolution. We investigate the processes associated with seizure dynamics by complementing the Hodgkin-Huxley mathematical model with the physical laws that dictate ion movement and maintain ionic gradients. We show that the disturbance of K+and Cl−homeostasis by the fast discharge of inhibitory interneurons is sufficient to initiate seizures, which are maintained by positive feedback between ion concentration changes and neuronal activity. Gradual Na+accumulation increases the rate of the Na+/K+-pump, creating negative feedback which slows down and terminates ictal discharges and contributes to the postictal state. Our results emphasize ionic dynamics as elementary processes behind seizure generation and indicate targets for new therapeutic strategies.

Fast discharge–charge properties of FePS3 electrode for all-solid-state batteries using sulfide electrolytes and its stable diffusion path

We report the fast discharge–charge cycle of micro-sized FePS3 electrode particles in all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) using sulfide electrolytes at 80[Formula: see text]C. At a current density of 2.04 mA cm[Formula: see text], corresponding to approximately 1 C, the capacity of the FePS3 electrodes reached [Formula: see text]180 mAh g[Formula: see text] without any electron or lithium-ion conductive additives. Galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) measurements showed a stable diffusion path of FePS3 represented by the product of the diffusion coefficient and square of the surface area. These electrochemical properties were compared with those of FeS, whose capacity was lower because of its unstable diffusion path.

Multi-length scale microstructural design of lithium-ion battery electrodes for improved discharge rate performance

Fast discharge capability of automotive batteries not only affects the acceleration and climbing performance of electric vehicles, but also the accessible driving range under complex driving cycles. Understanding the intricate...

A DFT study on the molecular properties of synthetic ester under the electric field

Synthetic ester can replace the mineral oil traditionally used in transformers to avoid the environmental problems caused by oil leakage. However, the fast discharge phenomenon in a high electric field in transformers using synthetic ester seems to indicate its insulation property is inferior to that of mineral oil. In this paper, typical molecular models of synthetic ester, including F2, F4, F6, F8, and F10, are constructed. We studied the effect of electric fields on the molecular properties of the five molecules by density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory. According to the electric field intensity required for discharge initiation and propagation in insulating oil, the electric field intensity applied in this study varied from 108 to 109 V/m. The results showed that the molecular bond lengths are obviously dependent on the electric field. The ionization potential (IP) of the F8 and F10 molecules decreases sharply under electric field intensities of 3.1 × 109 and 4.0 × 109 V/m. It can be inferred that the IP reduction of the long carbon chain molecules, such as F8 and F10, is the reason for the formation of fast discharge in the case of synthesis ester. Calculations for excited states show that the introduction of an electric field makes the electron transition more active. The results obtained by this work improve our understanding of the discharge mechanism in synthetic ester dielectrics and provide theoretical support for improvement in the performance of synthetic ester insulating oil.