Fundamental limitations on photoisomerization from thermodynamic resource theories

Al-Air Batteries: Fundamental Thermodynamic Limitations from First-Principles Theory.

The Al-air battery possesses high theoretical specific energy (4140 W h/kg) and is therefore an attractive candidate for vehicle propulsion. However, the experimentally observed open-circuit potential is much lower than what bulk thermodynamics predicts, and this potential loss is typically attributed to corrosion. Similarly, large Tafel slopes associated with the battery are assumed to be due ...

Fundamental limitations on plasma fusion systems not in thermodynamic equilibrium

Toward physical realizations of thermodynamic resource theories

Conventional statistical mechanics describes large systems and averages over many particles or over many trials. But work, heat, and entropy impact the small scales that experimentalists can increasingly control, e.g., in single-molecule experiments. The statistical mechanics of small scales has been quantified with two toolkits developed in quantum information theory: resource theories and one...

Fundamental Thermodynamic Limitations in Wagner’s Equation in Solid State Electrochemistry

The use of samarium-doped ceria (SDC) electrolytes in SOFCs (solid oxide fuel cells) lowers the open circuit voltage (OCV) below the Nernst voltage (Vth), which is obtained using yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes. The OCV is classically calculated with Wagner’s equation. However, using SDC electrolytes requires both qualitative and quantitative experimental verification of leakage c...

Fundamental constraints on theories of phenomenal experience

A central, non-negotiable constraint on any account of phenomenal awareness or experience is that it must be intrinsic to the experiencer, rather than depending on an outside interpretation of its structure or function. When applied to computational accounts of phenomenal awareness that are based on dynamical systems theory, this constraint raises a serious conceptual challenge, namely, the nee...