Tom Weier

Bio: Tom Weier is an academic researcher from Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. The author has contributed to research in topics: Liquid metal & Lorentz force. The author has an hindex of 25, co-authored 94 publications receiving 1769 citations.

Experimental evidence for a transient Tayler instability in a cylindrical liquid-metal column.

Abstract: In the current-driven, kink-type Tayler instability (TI) a sufficiently strong azimuthal magnetic field becomes unstable against nonaxisymmetric perturbations. The TI has been discussed as a possible ingredient of the solar dynamo mechanism and a source of the helical structures in cosmic jets. It is also considered as a size-limiting factor for liquid metal batteries. We report on a liquid metal TI experiment using a cylindrical column of the eutectic alloy GaInSn to which electrical currents of up to 8 kA are applied. We present results of external magnetic field measurements that indicate the transient occurrence of the TI in good agreement with numerical predictions. The interference of TI with the competing large-scale convection, resulting from Joule heating, is also discussed.

Fluid Mechanics of Liquid Metal Batteries

Abstract: The design and performance of liquid metal batteries, a new technology for grid-scale energy storage, depend on fluid mechanics because the battery electrodes and electrolytes are entirely liquid. Here we review prior and current research on the fluid mechanics of liquid metal batteries, pointing out opportunities for future studies. Because the technology in its present form is just a few years old, only a small number of publications have so far considered liquid metal batteries specifically. We hope to encourage collaboration and conversation by referencing as many of those publications as possible here. Much can also be learned by linking to extensive prior literature considering phenomena observed or expected in liquid metal batteries, including thermal convection, magnetoconvection, Marangoni flow, interface instabilities, the Tayler instability, and electro-vortex flow. We focus on phenomena, materials, length scales, and current densities relevant to the liquid metal battery designs currently being commercialized. We try to point out breakthroughs that could lead to design improvements or make new mechanisms important.

Matrix iterative analysis (2nd edn), by Richard S. Varga. Springer Series in Computational Mathematics 27. Pp. 358. £55. 2000. ISBN 3 540 66321 5 (Springer Verlag).

Abstract: a 'sleeper', receiving only modest attention for 50 years before emerging as a cornerstone of communications engineering in more recent times. Roughly one in six of Walsh's 281 publications are included, photographically reproduced. Reproduction is excellent except for one paper from 1918. The book also reproduces three brief papers about Walsh and his work, by W. E. Sewell, D. V. Widder and Morris Marden. The first two were written for a special issue of the SIAM Journal celebrating Walsh's 70th birthday; the third is an obituary.

The intensification technologies to water electrolysis for hydrogen production - A review

Abstract: Water electrolysis derived by renewable energy such as solar energy and wind energy is a sustainable method for hydrogen production due to high purity, simple and green process. One of the challenges is to reduce energy consumption of water electrolysis for large-scale application in future. Cell voltage, an important criterion of energy consumption, consists of theoretical decomposition voltage (U-theta), ohmic voltage drop (i*Sigma R) and reaction overpotential (eta). The kinetic and thermodynamic roots of high cell voltage are analyzed systemically in this review. During water electrolysis, bubble coverage on electrode surface and bubble dispersion in electrolyte, namely bubble effect, result in high ohmic voltage drop and large reaction overpotential. Bubble effect is one of the most key factors for high energy consumption. Based on the theoretical analysis, we summarize and divide recent intensification technologies of water electrolysis into three categories: external field, new electrolyte composition and new thermodynamic reaction system. The fundamentals and development of these intensification technologies are discussed and reviewed. Reaction overpotential and ohmic voltage drop are improved kinetically by external field or new electrolyte composition. The thermodynamic decomposition voltage of water is also reduced by new reaction systems such as solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) and carbon assisted water electrolysis (CAWE). (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Liquid metals: fundamentals and applications in chemistry

Abstract: Post-transition elements, together with zinc-group metals and their alloys belong to an emerging class of materials with fascinating characteristics originating from their simultaneous metallic and liquid natures. These metals and alloys are characterised by having low melting points (i.e. between room temperature and 300 °C), making their liquid state accessible to practical applications in various fields of physical chemistry and synthesis. These materials can offer extraordinary capabilities in the synthesis of new materials, catalysis and can also enable novel applications including microfluidics, flexible electronics and drug delivery. However, surprisingly liquid metals have been somewhat neglected by the wider research community. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals underlying liquid metal research, including liquid metal synthesis, surface functionalisation and liquid metal enabled chemistry. Furthermore, we discuss phenomena that warrant further investigations in relevant fields and outline how liquid metals can contribute to exciting future applications.