Complementary experiments carried out in lithium cells did not show any reversibility either, thus pointing at intrinsic structural/migration constraints in the oxidized phase rather than slow kinetics of high desolvation energies associated with divalent ion charge carriers.Lithium-metal batteries employing concentrated glyme-based electrolytes and two different cathode chemistries are herein evaluated in view of a safe use of the highly energetic alkali-metal anode. Indeed, diethylene-glycol dimethyl-ether (DEGDME) and triethylene-glycol dimethyl-ether (TREGDME) dissolving lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and lithium nitrate (LiNO3) in concentration approaching the solvents saturation limit are used in lithium batteries employing either a conversion sulfur-tin composite (SSn 8020 w/w) or a Li+ (de)insertion LiFePO4 cathode. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) clearly show the suitability of the concentrated electrolytes in terms of process reversibility and low interphase resistance, particularly upon a favorable activation. Galvanostatic measurements performed on lithium-sulfur (Li/S) batteries reveal promising capacities at room temperature (25 °C) and a value as high as 1300 mAh gS -1 for the cell exploiting the DEGDME-based electrolyte at 35 °C. On the other hand, the lithium-LiFePO4 (Li/LFP) cells exhibit satisfactory cycling behavior, in particular when employing an additional reduction step at low voltage cutoff (i.e., 1.2 V) during the first discharge to consolidate the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). This procedure allows a Coulombic efficiency near 100%, a capacity approaching 160 mAh g-1, and relevant retention particularly for the cell using the TREGDME-based electrolyte. Therefore, this work suggests the use of concentrated glyme-based electrolytes, the fine-tuning of the operative conditions, and the careful selection of active materials chemistry as significant steps to achieve practical and safe lithium-metal batteries.Fluctuations in the fuel flow rate may occur in practical combustion systems and result in flame destabilization. selleck This is particularly problematic in lean and ultralean modes of burner operation. In this study, the response of a ceramic porous burner to fluctuations in the flow rate of different blends of methane and hydrogen is investigated experimentally. Prior to injection into the porous burner, the fuel blend is premixed with air at equivalence ratios below 0.275. The fuel streams are measured and controlled separately by programmable mass flow controllers, which impose sinusoidal fluctuations on the flow rates. To replicate realistic fluctuations in the fuel flow rate, the period of oscillations is chosen to be on the order of minutes. The temperature inside the ceramic foam is measured using five thermocouples located at the center of the working section of the burner. The flame embedded in porous media is imaged while the fuel flow is modulated. Analysis of the flame pictures and temperature traces shows that the forced oscillation of the fuel mixture leads to flame movement within the burner. This movement is found to act in accordance with the fluctuations in methane and hydrogen flows for both CH4(90%)-H2(10%) and CH4(70%)-H2(30%) mixtures. However, both fuel mixtures are noted to be rather insensitive to hydrogen flow fluctuation with a modulation amplitude below 30% of the steady flow. For the CH4(70%)-H2(30%) mixture, the flame in the porous medium can be modulated by fluctuations between 0 and 30% of steady methane flow without any noticeable flame destabilization.The term “globalization” doesn’t refer to a current epoch of world history, but to an undulated process interrupted by harsh setbacks. Its phases of upswing are characterized by exponential growth. They end when tipping points arrive. For globalization inevitably has its winners and losers, these phases are paralleled by processes of fragmentation in other countries, macro-regions and societies. The article provides a sketch of both types of processes, illustrated by examples from world history. It thereby shows that they must not be considered mere byproducts of technological development in transport and communication, but also depend on institutions that guarantee “International Public Goods” (IPGs), above all safety, stability and connectivity. Only great powers can provide this type of goods, for only they have the resources to do so, then again for only they are confronted with a volunteer’s dilemma. Moreover globalization depends on a grand narrative that marginalizes competing schools of thought. Crises emerge either when transactions driving the process reach a tipping point, or when great powers decline and are no longer ready or able to provide IPGs. Now critical discourses emerge and become hegemonic in the face of successive crises undermining the grand narrative. This results in social division between cosmopolitans and populists. Both “big players” currently face different dilemmas conditioned by their positions as hegemonic power (USA) and freerider (China), in each case causing them to act neo-isolationist. The result IPGs are no longer guaranteed, globalization is in crisis. This development has been catalysed by the Corona-pandemic.Stress and its complex effects have been researched since the beginning of the 20th century. The manifold psychological and physical stressors in the world of work can, in sum, lead to disorders of the organism and to illness. Since the physical and subjective consequences of stress vary individually, no absolute threshold values can be determined. Machine learning (ML) methods are used in this article to research the systematic recognition of patterns of physiological and subjective stress parameters and to predict stress. The logistics sector serves as a practical application case in which stress factors are often rooted in the activity and work organisation. One design element of the prevention of stress is the work break. ML methods are used to investigate the extent to which stress can be predicted on the basis of physiological and subjective parameters in order to recommend breaks individually. The article presents the interim status of a software solution for dynamic break management for logistics.Practical Relevance The aim of the software solution “Dynamic Break” is to preventively prevent stress resulting from mental and physical stress factors in logistics and to keep employees healthy, satisfied, fit for work and productive in the long term.