Lithium-ion technology has been demonstrated to have high specific energy, high energy density, and relatively long life. In addition, lithium-ion technology is especially attractive since it has the potential to operate over a very wide temperature range, which is particular important for a number of applications. This potential derives from the fact that lithium-ion cells possess organic solv...

In Europe, many technologies with high socio-economic benefits face materials requirements that are often affected by demand-supply disruption. This paper offers an overview of critical raw materials in high value alloys and metal-matrix composites used in critical applications, such as energy, transportation and machinery manufacturing associated with extreme working conditions in terms of tem...

We have developed a multi-wavelength Fast Temperature Readout (FasTeR) spectrometer to capture a sample's transient temperature fluctuations, and reduce uncertainties in melting temperature determination. Without sacrificing accuracy, FasTeR features a fast readout rate (about 100 Hz), high sensitivity, large dynamic range, and a well-constrained focus. Complimenting a charge-coupled device spe...

We use first-principles free-energy calculations to predict a pressure-induced spin crossover in the liquid planetary material (Mg,Fe)O, whereby the magnetic moments of Fe ions vanish gradually over a range of hundreds of GPa. Because electronic entropy strongly favors the nonmagnetic low-spin state of Fe, the crossover has a negative effective Clapeyron slope, in stark contrast to the crystall...

A brief analysis is presented of how heat transfer takes place in porous materials of various types. The emphasis is on materials able to withstand extremes of temperature, gas pressure, irradiation, etc. i.e. metals and ceramics, rather than polymers. A primary aim is commonly to maximize either the thermal resistance (i.e. provide insulation) or the rate of thermal equilibration between the m...

“Physiology in extreme conditions” was concerned with two main issues: (a) to increase knowledge about individual reactions and mechanisms of adaptations in specific extreme environmental conditions; (b) to widen the analytical skills gap created by data generated in extremely severe conditions, and in response to pathological disorders. A wide spectrum of topics was proposed by the included ar...

Just by changing their lifestyle, humans are challenging the respiratory system to an extent never previously reached; by exposing it to extreme conditions. In an article in this issue of the European Respiratory Review, ADIR and BOVE [1] have deciphered the conditions that may promote lung injury when the respiratory system is exposed to low atmospheric pressure, high pressure surrounding the ...

This experimental study tackles the question how oxide ceramics (ZrO2 and HfO2) respond to the simultaneous exposure to two extreme conditions, pressures up to several ten GPa and irradiation with highly energetic (MeV-GeV) heavy ion projectiles. The combination of these two extreme conditions influences the materials in ways none of those two conditions alone could. In both materials, the expo...

An ultrasonic technique, invariant to temperature changes, for a density measurement of different liquids under in situ extreme conditions is presented. The influence of geometry and material parameters of the measurement system (transducer, waveguide, matching layer) on measurement accuracy and reliability is analyzed theoretically along with experimental results. The proposed method is based ...