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Lithium-ion batteries with high active material loading can yield a high energy density at low C-rates. However, the sluggish ion transport caused by longer and more tortuous pathways hinders high energy delivery when extracting high power. This study presents the implementation of neural networks to optimize the gradient active material distribution profile throughout the thickness of electrodes to enhance energy density. The profiles were randomly generated, while maintaining a constant average active material in each electrode. An electrochemical–thermal model was used to investigate the impact of different profiles. A neural network model was then developed to establish the connection between the profiles and the resulting energy density for various electrode thicknesses and C-rates, utilizing a limited amount of simulation data. The neural network model could replicate the performance of the electrochemical–thermal model, but with significantly reduced computational time. This enabled the possibility of efficiently exploring a vast number of candidate profiles to identify the most optimal one for each of the positive and negative electrodes. The results showed that the gradient profiles were mostly influenced by the average active material, rather than the thickness of the electrode. Finally, at high currents, the optimal gradient profiles increased the energy density by over four times compared to uniform electrodes.

In recent years, the policy of attracting population to border areas and strengthening the security of these areas by residents has been adopted by the Government. Located in the west Iranian Kermanshah province, Ghasr-e Shirin county is one of the areas earmarked for the implementation of this policy. Planning the development of this county faces complexities, conflicts and uncertainties, which must be taken into account in order to adapt the plan to realities and appropriately implement it. The Strategic Choice approach, makes it possible to manage complexities, conflicts and uncertainties in the decision-making process and its product in a balanced position. It is done through the application of simple and clear techniques in a cyclic process including four modes of configuration, design, comparison and choice. Bearing in mind the tendency of recent Iranian urban and regional planning system towards strategic planning, and thereby neglecting complexities, conflicts and uncertainties in mainstream plans, the strategic choice approach is adopted here as a methodology to plan the development of Ghasr-e Shirin border county, with its mainly qualitative techniques employed based on scientific, logical methods. This research intends to show how complexities, conflicts and uncertainties are managed in planning the development of Ghasr-e Shirin county. The areas concerning each of these issues have been identified at specific stages and in the decision-making process, as well as in designing the progress package as the end product. Balances have been struck according to the problem situation. Facing the complexities of the decision-making process, a more elaborate, narrowly focused approach is adopted as opposed to a simplistic treatment less focused alternative; and in the end product, a sequence of slow and steady steps has been designed according to the decision links. In order to manage the conflicts in the management of process and product, a more interactive treatment has been preferred to a more reactive treatment, with the uncertainties managed through the acceptance or reduction of uncertainties based on the flexibility of the decision-making process