Oak Ridge National Laboratory

About: Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a facility organization based out in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Neutron & Ion. The organization has 31868 authors who have published 73724 publications receiving 2633689 citations. The organization is also known as: ORNL.

Theoretical Model for Nanoporous Carbon Supercapacitors

Abstract: The unprecedented anomalous increase in capacitance of nanoporous carbon supercapacitors at pore sizes smaller than 1 nm [Science 2006, 313, 1760.] challenges the long-held presumption that pores smaller than the size of solvated electrolyte ions do not contribute to energy storage. We propose a heuristic model to replace the commonly used model for an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) on the basis of an electric double-cylinder capacitor (EDCC) for mesopores (2 {50 nm pore size), which becomes an electric wire-in-cylinder capacitor (EWCC) for micropores (< 2 nm pore size). Our analysis of the available experimental data in the micropore regime is confirmed by 1st principles density functional theory calculations and reveals significant curvature effects for carbon capacitance. The EDCC (and/or EWCC) model allows the supercapacitor properties to be correlated with pore size, specific surface area, Debye length, electrolyte concentration and dielectric constant, and solute ion size. The new model not only explains the experimental data, but also offers a practical direction for the optimization of the properties of carbon supercapacitors through experiments.

Critical points and transitions in an electric power transmission model for cascading failure blackouts

Abstract: From the analysis of a 15-year time series of North American electric power transmission system blackouts, we have found that the frequency distribution of the blackout sizes does not decrease exponentially with the size of the blackout, but rather has a power law tail. The existence of a power tail suggests that the North American power system has been operated near a critical point. To see if this is possible, here we explore the critical points of a simple blackout model that incorporates circuit equations and a process through which outages of lines may happen. In spite of the simplifications, this is a complex problem. Understanding the different transition points and the characteristic properties of the distribution function of the blackouts near these points offers a first step in devising a dynamical model for the power transmission systems.

Centrality Dependence of the Charged-Particle Multiplicity Density at Midrapidity in Pb-Pb Collisions at root s(NN)=2.76 TeV

Abstract: The centrality dependence of the charged-particle multiplicity density at midrapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 2: 76 TeV is presented. The charged-particle density normalized per participating nucleon pair increases by about a factor of 2 from peripheral (70%-80%) to central (0%-5%) collisions. The centrality dependence is found to be similar to that observed at lower collision energies. The data are compared with models based on different mechanisms for particle production in nuclear collisions.

Design and Synthesis of Bimetallic Electrocatalyst with Multilayered Pt-Skin Surfaces

Abstract: Advancement in heterogeneous catalysis relies on the capability of altering material structures at the nanoscale, and that is particularly important for the development of highly active electrocatalysts with uncompromised durability. Here, we report the design and synthesis of a Pt-bimetallic catalyst with multilayered Pt-skin surface, which shows superior electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This novel structure was first established on thin film extended surfaces with tailored composition profiles and then implemented in nanocatalysts by organic solution synthesis. Electrochemical studies for the ORR demonstrated that after prolonged exposure to reaction conditions, the Pt-bimetallic catalyst with multilayered Pt-skin surface exhibited an improvement factor of more than 1 order of magnitude in activity versus conventional Pt catalysts. The substantially enhanced catalytic activity and durability indicate great potential for improving the material properties by fine-tunin...

Ecological Principles and Guidelines for Managing the Use of Land

Abstract: Decision-making levels in the United States and examples of their land-use management powers, both regulatory and nonregulatory (Dale et al, 2000, Reproduced with permission of Ecological Society of America, Redraivn by Travis Witt, 2014).