In the paper presented here the optimization of Halbach arrays as storage media for mechanical potential energy is investigated with numerical simulations using FEMM and analytical calculations using the Maxwell stress tensor. Two opposing Halbach arrays form a “magnetic spring” and mechanical potential energy is stored when this structure is compressed. It is here seen that the wavelength of t...

the mechanical aspect of entropy-exergy relationship, together with the thermal aspect usually consid-ered, leads to an extended formulation of physical exergy based on both maximum useful work and maximum useful heat that are the outcome of available energy of a thermodynamic system. this approach suggests that a mechanical entropy can be studied, in addition to the already used thermal entrop...

Current collector accounts for more than 90% of the electric conductivity and 90% of the mechanical strength of the electrode in lithium-ion battery (LIB). Usually, current collectors are smooth metallic thin films. In the current study, we show that if the current collector is heterogeneous, the heat generation becomes negligible when the LIB cell is subjected to mechanical abuse. The phenomen...

The feasibility of inertial energy storage in a spacecraft power system is evaluated on the basis of a conceptual integrated design that encompasses a composite rotor, magnetic suspension, and a permanent magnet (PM) motorlgenerator for a 3-kW orbital average payload at a bus distribution voltage of 250 volts dc. The conceptual design, which evolved at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), is...

The distal muscle-tendon units of cursorial species are commonly composed of short muscle fibres and long, compliant tendons. It is assumed that the ability of these tendons to store and return mechanical energy over the course of a stride, thus avoiding the cyclic absorption and regeneration of mechanical energy by active muscle, offers some metabolic energy savings during running. However, th...