Yaw stability control is essential for the safe operation of a vehicle. This paper presents a robust fuzzy-based integration of active steering with torque vectoring in order to achieve vehicle yaw stability. A single-track vehicle model is used to mathematically model the vehicle, accommodating the active front steering and torque vectoring systems. A fuzzy logic controller is employed to calculate the required corrective steering and differential torque based on the error in yaw rate. The implementation of this system is carried out using MATLAB. Furthermore, an analysis of the effect of the proportion of corrective assistance given by active front steering and torque vectoring is done. The results indicate enhanced vehicle manoeuvrability during cornering, as evidenced by the near alignment of the measured yaw rate with the desired values. The simulations are carried out for two speeds where the effect of the controller was shown significant for both cases. The normalised root mean square error is reducing from 10% to 3.94% in $60 \mathrm{~km} / \mathrm{h}$ case and from 12.9% to 4.01% in $100 \mathrm{~km} / \mathrm{h}$ case. The results also show that corrective active steering has a greater effect on yaw stability than an equivalent amount of corrective torque vectoring.

Coconut based products contributes 6.97% of total merchandise exports of Sri Lanka in 2024 [1]. Deshelling is as a key process step in the manufacturing of coconut-based food products. However, industrial deshelling methods poses serious safety risks, damages to the kernel, and high dependency on skilled labour. This paper presents a novel coconut deshelling approach to address the challenges identified in the current process. A review of literature was used to identify the state-of-the-art of current deshelling methods and to establish the critical parameters involved in deshelling. Morphological analysis was conducted to develop conceptual designs. Industrial visits were conducted to get the real need of the industry to understand the current process. The design concepts were benchmarked against the parameters identified through the review and industrial visits.Finalised design concept is modelled using SolidWorks ® and a prototype was fabricated. The prototype was improved with several iterations and experimented for intended performance. The prototype machine consists of two stations, cutting station and shell removing station. The proposed machine does not require skilled labour thus one operator can oversee several machines simultaneously. The safety threat to the operator is eliminated in the proposed machine and current productivity can be met with multiple machines until the machine gets adequate physical realisation of the design with sufficient use of resources.

Lithium-ion Batteries (LIBs) have come a long way with various improvements to make them more efficient, compact, and safe while simultaneously enhancing the energy density and cycle life. If it is possible to improve the technicalities to lower the cell cost by indicating some potential solutions, the economic issues in LIBs automotive applications can be addressed. This study intends to approach a bottleneck solution for pure Electric Vehicle (EV) cost reduction. The BatPaC 5.0 modeling tool is used to examine different cell chemistries (NMC811-Graphite(Gr), NCA-Gr, LFP-Gr, LMO-Gr, and 50%/50%NMC532/LMO-Gr) and determine the accuracy of the hypothesis made on the effect of positive electrode coating thickness of LIBs, on the cell cost, gravimetric energy density and volumetric energy density in high volume production. Using the above assumption, it is obtained that doubling the coating thickness of the positive electrode from 60 to 120 μm, reduces the cost in all cell types. But the highest by ~20% in LFP-Gr. And it emerges that increasing the positive electrode coating thickness of LIBs, lowers the cell cost whilst improving the gravimetric energy density and volumetric energy density. Therefore, the positive electrode coating thickness can be considered a crucial parameter in cell cost reduction.

We report here the heat generation and impedance characteristics of prototype 18650-sized sodium-ion cells using pristine Na3V2(PO4)3 (P-NVP) and modified Na3.2V1.8Zn0.2(PO4)3 (M-NVP) cathodes, hard carbon (HC) anode and an ether-based non-flammable electrolyte, 1 M NaBF4 in tetraglyme. Comparison of calorimetric studies performed on 18650-sized cells reveals lower heat generation in M-NVP versus HC compared to P-NVP versus HC owing to low internal resistance achieved as a result of Zn2+ doping in M-NVP. Both irreversible heat generation arose due to internal resistance and reversible heat generation caused by entropic changes in the electrode materials are elucidated. Furthermore, variation in subcomponents of internal resistance in both 18650-sized full cells and CR2016-sized half-cells is analysed by fitting electrochemical impedance spectra into equivalent circuit models. Individual contributions of anode and cathode to the impedance characteristics of the cells are determined by analysing impedance data of the half-cells using the distribution of relaxation times method. The results reveal lower diffusion resistance, as well as charge transfer resistance in M-NVP cells compared to P-NVP counterpart, accounting for the observed lower total internal resistance in M-NVP versus HC and thus lower heat generation in M-NVP versus HC cell than P-NVP versus HC cell.

In this manuscript, the impact of operating conditions such as voltage window, and operating temperature on electrochemical performance and cycle life of Zn-substituted Na3.2V1.8Zn0.2(PO4)3 (NVZP) vs hard carbon (HC) coin cells filled with 1 mol dm−3 NaBF4 in tetraglyme is presented. Initially, the cells are cycled for 500 times at C/2 charge and 1 C discharge in three different voltage windows (4.20–1.00 V, 4.05–1.00 V and 4.05–1.50 V) and at two temperatures (28 °C and 40 °C) and are subjected to periodic internal resistance and impedance measurements. The elemental composition of the electrodes harvested after cycling reveals that vanadium dissolution with accompanying deposition on the HC electrode and irreversible loss of sodium causes increased cell impedance. The identified degradation mechanisms, which causes severe capacity fade, are found to be accelerated in the cells cycled over wider voltage windows, particularly at elevated temperature. The best cycling performance and lowest impedance are recorded for the cells cycled within 4.05–1.50 V at 28 °C owing to negligible vanadium dissolution. Under these optimized testing conditions, a prototype 18650 cell, shows impressive capacity retention of 77% after 1000 cycles.

The draft force and power requirements of tillage equipment are important metrics for agricultural equipment designers. Yet, a theoretical model to find these metrics for combined tillage equipment is lacking. To overcome the aforementioned limitation, this article presents a theoretical model to evaluate the draft force resulting from an implement consisting of both a disc plough and a subsoiler, and estimate the power requirement of dragging such an implement using a tractor. Existing models used to predict draft force for separate implements were incorporated herein to formulate the modified model. The model predictions are validated with discrete element method simulations. Additionally, the results show that implementation of a tandem tool configuration helps to reduce the draft force of the tool that follows the preceding tool in the sequence, albeit by a smaller amount $(\approx 7 -13$%). Further modifications to the theoretical model are needed to generate more accurate results.

Energy plays a crucial role in the human civilization. Today, the whole world is facing an energy crisis with the rising energy demand, fluctuating prices, supply constraints, and environmental concerns. While renewable energy resources can alleviate some of the global energy security challenges, their intermittency and non-dispatchability can cause problems. Therefore, robust energy storage systems (ESSs) are also important in the sustainable energy transition. Among the many ESS technologies, battery energy storage system (BESS) is one of the most popular methods, as they can be easily adapted to distributed applications and quickly deployed. The Lithium-ion battery (LIB) has significant benefits over other batteries. They have a longer life cycle, higher energy density, faster charge and discharge cycles, quick manufacturing and deploying processes, and lower maintenance requirements. LIB technology is one of the best candidates for a BESS, and its market share and R&D efforts are growing fast [1], [2]. Over the last 30 years, the LIB has come a long way with various improvements to make it more compact and safe while simultaneously enhancing the energy density and cycle life.

Here, we present a comprehensive study of choice of electrolyte, anode and cathode to develop commercially viable non-flammable sodium-ion battery. We report hard carbon (HC) vs. Na using ether-based non-flammable electrolyte (1 M NaBF4 in tetraglyme) and compare storage performance, thermal stability and SEI formation with those obtained using carbonate-based electrolyte (1 M NaClO4 in EC:PC = 1:1 v/v). The results shows that 1 M NaBF4 in tetraglyme works as a better electrolyte than carbonate-based electrolyte for HC anode. We present and compare storage performances of pristine and aliovalent-doped Na3V2(PO4)(3) (NVP) vs. Na. Doped-NVP outperforms pristine cathode in terms of specific capacity and rate capability. 18650-type non-flammable sodium-ion cells fabricated using modified NVP vs. HC exhibits energy density of 60 Wh kg(-1). When discharged at a high rate close to 5C, the cell successfully retains 83% of its storage capacity obtained at low rate. When cycled at C/5, doped NVP vs. HC 18650 cell retains 90% of its initial capacity after 200 cycles.

We report here 18650-type sodium-ion battery (NIB) with Prussian Blue Analogue Na2Fe2(CN)(6)in both monoclinic and rhombohedral phases as the cathode and hard carbon (HC) as the anode using the glyme-based non-flammable 1 mol dm(-3)NaBF(4)electrolyte. Rhombohedral-Na2Fe2(CN)(6)(RPB) vs HC 18650-type cell delivered an energy density of 43 Wh kg(-1), achieving good high rate response up to 4.0 C, stable cycling over 100 cycles with 99.99% average coulombic efficiency and 94.8% average round-trip-energy-efficiency. A comparison of the calorimetric studies performed on 18650-type cells revealed lower heat generation in RPB vs HC compared to monoclinic-Na2Fe2(CN)(6).2H(2)O (MPB) vs HC counterpart. Moreover, the RPB vs HC cell demonstrated lower heat generation than commercial NMC vs graphite 18650-type lithium-ion cells. Internal resistance, which is the major contributor to heat generation, is assessed by analysing the impedance spectra of the cells. Furthermore, variation in subcomponents of internal resistance across different depths of discharge determined by fitting impedance data using an equivalent circuit model and analysis using distribution of relaxation times (DRT) method is presented for 18650-type sodium-ion cells for the first time. The obtained results indicate that these efficient and safe 18650-type NIBs open-up new opportunities for exploring innovative storage systems for stationary applications.

Sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) have been emerging as one of the most promising candidates for stationary storage applications such as telecommunication towers, micro-grids etc., mainly because Na is one of the most abundant elements on the Earth’s crust.1,2 NIB operating at ambient temperature is expected to be durable, safe and inexpensive. Regardless of the relatively lower energy density of NIBs, they can be effectively employed for stationary applications, where the weight and footprint requirements are not severe.3 However, identifying appropriate anode, cathode, electrolyte, as well as the combination of these three components have always been challenging to develop robust NIB.4,5 In this talk, we will present investigation of the storage performance, thermal stability6 and SEI layers of four notable anodes, viz., hard carbon, graphite, TiO2 and Na2Ti3O7 7 using ether-based non-flammable electrolyte: 1M NaBF4 in tetraglyme and compare with the results obtained with commonly used carbonate-based electrolyte: 1M NaClO4 in EC:PC. We report better storage performance with higher first cycle coulombic efficiency of above anodes tested against metallic Na using ether-based electrolyte compared to carbonate-based electrolytes. Thermal studies, ATR-FTIR and impedance spectroscopy recorded at fully sodiated and fully desodiated states of these four anodes further confirm that a more stabilized SEI is formed by ether-based electrolyte. Above studies further suggests that the ether-based electrolyte is much safer for NIBs compared to carbonate-based electrolytes such as 1M NaClO4 in EC:PC. For the cathode, Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) was chosen due to a high redox potential of 3.37 V vs. Na/Na+. By employing a highly scalable synthesis procedure8 two types of NVP are prepared: pristine NVP and modified NVP by aliovalent doping. Sodium storage performances (specific capacity, rate performance and cycle life) of modified NVP outperforms the pristine NVP. The observed superior storage performance in modified NVP is attributed to enhanced activity of vanadium (V3+ to V4+ and V4+ to V5+)9 as confirmed by XPS studies and higher chemical diffusion coefficient. We also present storage performance, XPS studies, measurement of heat loss and internal resistance of 18650-type non-flammable NIB cells made using NVP (pristine- and modified- NVP) vs. HC with 1M NaBF4 in tetraglyme as electrolyte. The 18650 cell of pristine NVP vs. HC shows low energy density (47 Wh.kg− 1), moderate rate performance and poor cyclability. On the other hand, the 18650 cell of modified NVP vs. HC exhibits improved energy density (60 Wh.kg− 1) and enhanced rate and cyclic performances. Further, we report lesser heat generation in modified NVP vs. HC cell compared to pristine NVP vs. HC cell. Corresponding internal resistance of these 18650 cells measured at different depths of discharge (DoD) and temperature intervals reveal improved chemical diffusion coefficient, and substantial reduction in charge transfer resistance of the modified NVP vs. HC cell caused by aliovalent doping of NVP. The work presented here for introducing a safe NIB technology for stationary storage application is an illustration of R&D with a long value chain: scale-up production of cathode materials, commercial type cell fabrication, investigation of storage performance, estimation of heat generation, quantification of heat loss in terms of internal resistance. This translational R&D at NUS thus bridges academics and industries. References: B. Dunn, H. Kamath and J.-M. Tarascon, Science, 2011, 334, 928-935. N. Yabuuchi, K. Kubota, M. Dahbi and S. Komaba, Chemical Reviews, 2014, 114, 11636-11682. M. Armand and J.-M. Tarascon, Nature, 2008, 451, 652-657. J. Wang, Y. Yamada, K. Sodeyama, E. Watanabe, K. Takada, Y. Tateyama and A. Yamada, Nature Energy, 2018, 3(1), 22–29. C. Delmas, Advanced Energy Materials, 2018, 8(17), 1–9. A.Ponrouch, E. Marchante, M. Courty, J. M. Tarascon and M. R. Palacin, Energy and Environmental Science, 2012, 5(9), 8572–8583. J. Xu, C. Ma, M. Balasubramanian and Y. S. Meng, Chemical Communications, 2014, 3, 1–4. 8. Saravanan, C. W. Mason, A. Rudola, K. H. Wong, P. Balaya, Advanced Energy Materials, 2013, 3, 444-450. F. Lalère, V. Seznec, M. Courty, R. David, J. N. Chotard and C. Masquelier, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2015, 3, 16198-16205.

Lithium-ion/sodium-ion batteries (LIBs/NIBs) generate heat during the cycling operation as a result of various polarization processes leading to rise in temperature of the cell. Such a rise in temperature due to high internal resistance can sometimes trigger unfavourable exothermic reactions causing thermal runaway [1]. Hong et al. [2] quantified heat generation in 18650-type LIBs through calorimetric studies in terms of reversible and irreversible heat contributions. Manikandan et al. [3] reported in detail, the heat generation and internal resistance of various 18650-type commercial LIBs made of different cathode materials against graphite anode.