Sanjoy Banerjee

On the Three-Dimensional Central Moment Lattice Boltzmann Method

A three-dimensional (3D) lattice Boltzmann method based on central moments is derived. Two main elements are the local attractors in the collision term and the source terms representing the effect of external and/or self-consistent internal forces. For suitable choices of the orthogonal moment basis for the three-dimensional, twenty seven velocity (D3Q27), and, its subset, fifteen velocity (D3Q15) lattice models, attractors are expressed in terms of factorization of lower order moments as suggested in an earlier work; the corresponding source terms are specified to correctly influence lower order hydrodynamic fields, while avoiding aliasing effects for higher order moments. These are achieved by successively matching the corresponding continuous and discrete central moments at various orders, with the final expressions written in terms of raw moments via a transformation based on the binomial theorem. Furthermore, to alleviate the discrete effects with the source terms, they are treated to be temporally semi-implicit and second-order, with the implicitness subsequently removed by means of a transformation. As a result, the approach is frame-invariant by construction and its emergent dynamics describing fully 3D fluid motion in the presence of force fields is Galilean invariant. Numerical experiments for a set of benchmark problems demonstrate its accuracy.

Real-time materials evolution visualized within intact cycling alkaline batteries

The scientific community has focused on the problem of inexpensive, safe, and sustainable large-scale electrical energy storage, which is needed for a number of emerging societal reasons such as stabilizing intermittent renewables-based generation like solar and wind power. The materials used for large-scale storage will need to be low cost, earth-abundant, and safe at the desired scale. The Zn–MnO2 “alkaline” battery chemistry is associated with one-time use, despite being rechargeable. This is due to material irreversibilities that can be triggered in either the anode or cathode. However, as Zn and MnO2 have high energy density and low cost, they are economically attractive even at limited depth of discharge. As received, a standard bobbin-type alkaline cell costs roughly

Regenerable Cu-intercalated MnO2 layered cathode for highly cyclable energy dense batteries.

20 per kW h. The U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-E

Computation of transitional flow past a circular cylinder using multiblock lattice Boltzmann method with a dynamic subgrid scale model

100 per kW h cost target for grid storage is thus close to the cost of alkaline consumer primary cells if re-engineered and/or cycled at 5–20% nominal capacity. Herein we use a deeply-penetrating in situ technique to observe ZnO precipitation near the separator in an alkaline cell anode cycled at 5% DOD, which is consistent with cell failures observed at high cycle life. Alkaline cells designed to avoid such causes of cell failure could serve as a low-cost baseload for large-scale storage.

Renaissance of Nuclear Energy in the USA: Opportunities, Challenges and Future Research Needs

Manganese dioxide cathodes are inexpensive and have high theoretical capacity (based on two electrons) of 617 mAh g−1, making them attractive for low-cost, energy-dense batteries. They are used in non-rechargeable batteries with anodes like zinc. Only ∼10% of the theoretical capacity is currently accessible in rechargeable alkaline systems. Attempts to access the full capacity using additives have been unsuccessful. We report a class of Bi-birnessite (a layered manganese oxide polymorph mixed with bismuth oxide (Bi2O3)) cathodes intercalated with Cu2+ that deliver near-full two-electron capacity reversibly for >6,000 cycles. The key to rechargeability lies in exploiting the redox potentials of Cu to reversibly intercalate into the Bi-birnessite-layered structure during its dissolution and precipitation process for stabilizing and enhancing its charge transfer characteristics. This process holds promise for other applications like catalysis and intercalation of metal ions into layered structures. A large prismatic rechargeable Zn-birnessite cell delivering ∼140 Wh l−1 is shown.

Zinc morphology in zinc–nickel flow assisted batteries and impact on performance

Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is a kinetic based numerical scheme for the simulation of fluid flow. While the approach has attracted considerable attention during the last two decades, there is a need for systematic investigation of its applicability for complex canonical turbulent flow problems of engineering interest, where the nature of the numerical properties of the underlying scheme plays an important role for their accurate solution. In this paper, we discuss and evaluate a LBM based on a multiblock approach for efficient large eddy simulation of three-dimensional external flow past a circular cylinder in the transitional regime characterized by the presence of multiple scales. For enhanced numerical stability at higher Reynolds numbers, a multiple relaxation time formulation is considered. The effect of subgrid scales is represented by means of a Smagorinsky eddy-viscosity model, where the model coefficient is computed locally by means of a dynamic procedure, providing better representation of flow physics with reduced empiricism. Simulations are performed for a Reynolds number of 3900 based on the free stream velocity and cylinder diameter for which prior data is available for comparison. The presence of laminar boundary layer which separates into a pair of shear layers that evolve into turbulent wakes impose particular challenge for numerical methods for this condition. The relatively low numerical dissipation introduced by the inherently parallel and second-order accurate LBM is an important computational asset in this regard. Computations using five different grid levels, where the various blocks are suitably aligned to resolve multiscale flow features show that the structure of the recirculation region is well reproduced and the statistics of the mean flow and turbulent fluctuations are in satisfactory agreement with prior data.

An indicator of zinc morphology transition in flowing alkaline electrolyte

The future of nuclear energy is an important issue for many countries intending to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and achieve the reduction targets for green house gas (GHG) emissions. As of June, 2008, there were 439 operating nuclear reactors with a total generating capacity of 372 GWe and 42 power reactors under construction in 15 countries. In the USA, a total of 104 nuclear reactors currently produce 20% of the electricity and account for at least 70% of all GHG-free electricity generation. Their performance has been improving steadily over the past 20 years and has now reached 90% capacity factor. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorized future nuclear R&D and provided incentives for construction of new nuclear plants. As a result, there are now 17 COL applications for construction of as many as 26 new reactors in the USA. This paper summarizes some of the opportunities, challenges and future research needs for achieving and sustaining nuclear renaissance in the USA.