A mental map of the substrate of Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland, compiled from interviews with local fishermen, is compared with maps produced by science-based techniques. The comparison reveals that the mental map is highly accurate. This finding contrasts with the spatial distortion characteristic of the classic mental map. The accuracy of the Lough Neagh map is attributed to the fact that it is a compendium of the knowledge of several generations, rather than an individual perception. Individual distortions are filtered out, and accuracy is promoted by economic self-interest. High accuracy may be characteristic of the mental maps held by artisanal exploiters of natural resources.

The effects of sulfuric acid concentration in VO2+ solutions were investigated via electrochemical methods and electron paramagnetic resonance. The viscosity of solutions containing 0.01 M VOSO4 in 0.1–7.0 M H2SO4 was measured. Diffusion coefficients were independently measured via electrochemical methods and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), with excellent agreement between the techniques employed and literature values. Analysis of cyclic voltammograms suggest the oxidation of VO2+ to VO2+ is quasi-reversible at high H2SO4 concentrations (>5 mol/L), and approaching irreversible at lower H2SO4 concentrations. Further analysis reveals a likely electrochemical/chemical (EC) mechanism where the H2SO4 facilitates the electrochemical step but hinders the chemical step. Fundamental insights of VO2+/H2SO4 solutions can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the concentration effects in electrolyte solutions.

No abstract

Superconcentrated nonaqueous electrolytes have recently received considerable attention for their various unusual functionalities within rechargeable batteries.1,2 These include high reductive and oxidative stabilities and enhanced thermal stability of the solvent. Our research focuses on the interfacial effects of superconcentrated lithium salts in aprotic solvents, on ceramic Li-ion conductive membranes of varying porosity. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was employed with a four-electrode setup to study the interfacial kinetics, and was processed by analyzing the Nyquist plots. These methods revealed promising trends that may lead to the finding an optimal concentration range of LiTFSI in DMC solvent with high porosity ceramic membranes, that would minimize interfacial impedance. This presentation will highlight some of our recent findings. 1. Y. Yamada, M. Yaegashi, T. Abe, and A. Yamada, Chem. Commun., 49, 11194–11196 (2013) http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C3CC46665E. 2. Y. Yamada and A. Yamada, J. Electrochem. Soc., 162, A2406–A2423 (2015) http://jes.ecsdl.org/content/162/14/A2406.abstract.