Future Battery for the Electric Car

Future Battery for the Electric Car Future Battery for the Electric Car Future Battery for the Electric CarThe price tag notwithstanding, theres one reason that drivers arent lining up to purchase a Tesla Model S, or a Chevrolet Volt, or a ZAP Alias, or a Fisker Karma for that matter. The hurdle is the very thing that puts those cars on the road in the first place the battery. In a cell phone, lithium ion batteries seem pretty small and nifty. In a car, theyre massive and will only get you so far. Thats not likely to change soon. GMs chief technology officer,Jon Lauckner, has said recently that increased and more efficient manufacturing is not likely to reduce the price or increase the capacity of lithium ion batteries. To see a change, well need a sea change. Thats likely to come in the form of the lithium sulfur battery. This chemistry has long been poised to vanquish the lithium ion battery. With a pure lithium anode rather than graphite, these batteries can store as much as five and half times the energy that a lithium ion battery can hold. And sulfur is cheap and plentiful. The small downside is that the battery dies after 50 or so cycles. Short Life Span For some time now researchers have thought they understood why lithium sulfur batteries had such short life spans. During use, crystalline sulfur particles would form higher order polysulfides. As these sulfides are all soluble, they would dissolve into the electrolyte, and go anywhere the electrolyte can goincluding the anode side of the battery where they would interact directly with he lithium metal. Working with scientists at SLAC and Stanford University, Johanna Nelson uses powerful X-ray imaging to study lithium sulfur batteries. Image Slac.stanford.edu The misconception arose thanks to a flaw in how sulfur batteries were examined. The usual M.O. welches to first cycle the battery until it was useless, or almost so, then take it apart and examine it with an electron microscope. To prepare the disass embled battery for examination, they had to first wash the elements. Once under the microscope, it appeared that polysfulfides had entirely fled the cathode to ruin the battery elsewhere. In fact, the researchers themselves had inadvertently removed polysulfides from the cathode during their preparations. Johanna Nelson, a researcher at Stanfords SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, had a better microscope. The labs X-ray microscope allowed Nelson and her colleagues to look inside a battery while it was in use. They were able to zero in on sulfur particles and monitor their behavior as the battery was discharged. What we found is that a tiny bit of these polysfulfides went into the electrolyte, says Nelson. This tiny amount produces large capacity loss. Hardly any polysfulfides had left the cathode. Imaging Results The result flew so hard in the face of what the battery establishment assumed that Nelson and her colleagues doubted what they were seeing. When we first got the imaging results, we actually thought they were wrongthey were so opposite of what we expected, says Nelson. We said, OK this is wrong, lets repeat it. Convincing ourselves was one of the hardest things. With the new knowledge in hand, electric car and battery manufacturers (who have indeed been calling Nelsons lab) need only find a way to trap those polysuflites on the cathode. One possibility is a yoke-like sheath that can stretch to allow the sulfur to expand. These mere technical challenges mean the higher capacity lithium sulfur batteryand a farther driving carare soon to hit the streets. Talking to industry, it sounds like at most ten years, unless something better comes along, says Nelson. Pretty much if youve solved this problem, youve solved it. Michael Abrams is an independent writer.When we first got the imaging results, we actually thought they were wrong.Johanna Nelson, researcher, Stanford

Video Past President Terry Shoup on ASME and Globalization

Video Past President Terry Shoup on ASME and Globalization Video Past President Terry Shoup on ASME and Globalization Video Past President Terry Shoup on ASME and GlobalizationPast President Terry E. Shoup (2006-07) was one of many presidents of the post-war era to believe that ASME had to respond actively and skillfully to the increasing globalization of both the engineering profession and of the worlds economy more generally.As Shoup related it in his Oral History interview, ASMEs steps toward international involvement might best be described as a relay, with decisions and initiatives over many years through different ASME presidencies. The result Shoup and his colleagues hoped for? An ASME that recognized and pursued its mission both in the U.S. and globally for the benefit of the engineering profession, the Societys membership, and the wider world. As Shoup says in his oral history, ASME accomplished these goals, and its presidents deserve significant credit for leading the Socie ty in an increasingly interconnected world.Read more about Past President Terry Shoup on ASME and Globalization The copyright of this program is owned by ASME.

6 Dumb Things Interviewers Do

6 Dumb Things Interviewers Do6 Dumb Things Interviewers DoMany interviewers, including hiring managers, recruiters, and HR generalists, seem to forget what it was like when they were job seekers and dealt with the schwimmbadeanstalt behaviors some interviewers put them through. Good interviewers are prepared, on time, and treat every applicant with respect. Bad interviewers dont. So its important to pay attention to bad interviewer behaviors they can reveal a lot about the culture of the organization and its leadership.Heres a list of six really dumb things bad interviewers do, and how you can deal with them.1. Spending most of the time talking.The least skilled interviewers talk the most, but never realize it. Theyre simply nervous and dont know what to ask or how to even conduct an interview, so they just talk, talk, talk about things they do know.What to do Interrupt the interviewer using a technique called clipping. Clipping allows you to interrupt the interview respectfully, and refocus the conversation on the talents you bring to the position. When it becomes clear that the interviewer is doing most of the talking, try one of these phrases to clip or interruptI appreciate I understand I agree with For example, your clipping technique might sound like thisI appreciate all the details youve just given me. Ive had experiences accomplishing similar things for my current company, like when I had to deliver a project under a very tight deadline while juggling several other initiatives. Would you like to know more about that?2. Being silent.Some interviewers use silence as a technique. After you respond to a question, they just sit there looking at you in silence, trying to pressure you into saying more perhaps something you might not otherwise disclose.What to do If the interviewer is staring at you in silence, return their gaze and ask a simple question such asDid I give you enough details? orDoes that answer your question?By turning it around and respectfully questioning the interviewer, you facilitate a conversation and use the power you have to influence the interview.3. Saying Tell me about yourself.When interviewers use this ancient line, its a clear sign theyre unskilled at conducting an effective interview. Skilled interviewers open the interview by introducing themselves and their roles. Then they unterlass so that you can respond to the greeting. Then, they ask you specific questions about different areas of your experience that relate to the requirements of the positions they want to fill.What to do Be prepared to answer, because its an all-too-common tactic. Actually, this is your perfect cue to provide a 30-second overview of your experience that relates to the position, followed by one of the following two questionsWhat part of my background would you like to discuss first? orWhat do you feel are the most important skills someone must bring to this position?Again, youre using your power to direct the interview in a way that benefits your candidacy. 4. Being late and making you wait.I really hate it when interviewers are late. Its just disrespectful. As a job candidate, you have spent hours researching and preparing for the interview. You also commuted to the interviewers office and got there on time. The least they can do is be on time for the meeting that they requested.What to do Suck it up. Simply be gracious and respectful. Treat interviewers the way youd like to be treated and maybe theyll get the message. While youre waiting, use the extra time to your advantage. Review your questions, silence your cell phone, and maybe go to the restroom to check your appearance.5. Allowing interruptions.Interviewers can be pretty rude at times. Taking phone calls, texting, or allowing other types of interruptions is a sure sign that youre not their top priority.What to do An interview gives you an opportunity to evaluate whether or not this is the right environment or boss for you. How youre treated in an inter view is a good indication of what you can expect if youre hired. If the interviewer is interrupted, use the time to assess how the interview is proceeding, and if its off track, how to direct the conversation to highlight your best qualifications for this position. Youre representing yourself and must stay focused and professional even when others are not.6. Engaging in off-topic questioning. Some interviewers try to impress and weaken the applicant by asking questions theyre sure the applicant cannot answer. (Ive seen this especially in interviews for technical occupations such as engineering, science, mathematics, and information technology. Maybe its a left-brain thing.What to do Ask the interviewer how the question relates to the position. For example, you might say the followingIm very interested in providing the information you need to assess my talents. Can you tell me how this question relates to assessing individuals for this position?In the end, dumb interviewer behavior is not about you. It simply makes the interviewer look like an idiot. Your job is to remain focused and professional in order to best represent yourself. And if you get a job offer after a bad interview, think about it carefully. Bad interviews can lead to bad jobs.