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SummaryLipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxemia has been negatively associated with fertility. This study aimed to investigate the effect of LPS-induced inflammation on gene expression associated with bovine fertility in the uterus and oviduct. Sixteen healthy heifers were divided into two groups. The LPS group (n = 8) received two intravenous (i.v.) injections of 0.5 µg/kg of body weight of LPS with a 24-h interval, and the control group (n = 8) received two i.v. injections of saline solution with the same interval of time. All the animals had the follicular wave synchronized. Three days after the second injection of LPS, all animals were slaughtered and uterine and oviduct samples were collected. Gene expression associated with inflammatory response, thermal and oxidative stresses, oviduct environment quality, and uterine environment quality was evaluated. Body temperature and leucogram demonstrated that LPS induced an acute systemic inflammatory response. In the uterus, the expression of PTGS2 and NANOG genes was downregulated by the LPS challenge. However, no change in expression was observed in the other evaluated genes in the uterus, nor those evaluated in the oviduct. In conclusion, the inflammatory process triggered by LPS did not persist in the uterus and oviduct 3 days after challenge with LPS. Nonetheless, reduction in PTGS2 and NANOG expression in the uterus suggested that, indirectly, LPS may have a prolonged effect, which may affect corpus luteum and endometrial functions.

Two-color laser-induced incandescence (LII) measurements are carried out in diffusion flames and at the exhaust of a homemade soot generator, both fueled with ethylene and methane. Two-color prompt LII signals, their ratio and the corresponding temperature have been analyzed as a function of laser fluence. In particular, the effect of fuel, soot load and gas/particle initial temperature on LII measurements have been investigated. LII spectral measurements have also been performed in all conditions for validation. The results suggest that the incandescence is sensitive to both optical and non-optical physical properties of the particles. Moreover, soot volume fraction measurements are dependent on the laser fluence used, indicating that the soot temperature influences the refractive index absorption function. Such issues can be overcome by working at high laser fluences, where the saturation curves are independent from the experimental conditions if the soot absorption function near soot sublimation threshold is known.

Although the two-color laser-induced incandescence technique (2C-LII) has proved to be a significant tool for soot diagnostics, many efforts are still required to gain a whole understanding of the chemical and physical processes involved. Time-resolved two-color LII measurements are carried out in a rich ethylene/air premixed flame at different heights above the burner and by changing the laser fluence. The prompt LII at two wavelengths and the corresponding soot incandescence temperature are obtained at different stages of the soot growth and under different laser irradiations. The decay rate of the LII signals, as a method for soot sizing, is investigated at different laser fluence. The time-resolved LII curves, obtained in the low laser fluence regime, are analyzed by a numerical simulation, available on the web. By considering the gas/particle initial temperature obtained with thermocouple measurements and by knowing soot particle diameter with previous TEM and extinction/scattering measurements, information about soot parameters, such as absorption function and thermal accommodation coefficient are obtained. The presence of the so-called young or mature soot along the flame height is strictly related to different optical and heat-exchange properties necessary to fit all the experimental data available.

In this paper we review the thermodynamics of the stability of n-ZnSe and p-ZnTe in aqueous environments relevant to photoelectrochemical cells: polyiodide and polychalcogenides (polysulphides, polyselenides and polytellurides). The following photoelectrochemical reactions were considered: (i) bond cleavage photoreactions, (ii) direct photooxidation (n-ZnSe) and direct photoreduction (p-ZnTe), (iii) oxidative (n-ZnSe) and reductive, (p-ZnTe) photodecomposition, (iv) oxidative (n-ZnSe) and reductive (p-ZnTe) exchange photoreactions. Chemical chalcogen exchange reactions in the relevant electrolytes were also taken into account. It results that n-ZnSe can undergo the following degradation reactions: (i) bond cleavage photoreactions and direct photooxidation in both neutral and alkaline aqueous solutions, (ii) oxidative photodecomposition in polyiodide, polysulphide, polyselenide and polytelluride electrolytes and (iii) oxidative exchange photoreactions in polysulphide and polytelluride electrolytes. p-ZnTe can undergo the following degradation reactions: (i) reductive exchange photoreactions in polysulphide and polyselenide solutions and (ii) a scarcely probable bond cleavage photoreaction in polytelluride electrolytes. The formation of heterojunctions due to the formation of different semiconducting layers at the electrode/electrolyte interface due to decomposition reactions, and their predictable effects in terms of conversion efficiency were taken into account. It results that n-ZnS layers grown on n-ZnSe, even though they act as window layers as far as their bandgap is concerned, give rise to a barrier at the solid-solid junction hindering the flow of holes generated in n-ZnSe towards the electrolyte. p-ZnTe grown onto n-ZnSe has a smaller bandgap, it does not hinder the transport of holes generated in n-ZnSe to the electrolyte, but electrons are photogenerated in the p-type outer semiconductor layer. n-ZnS and n-ZnSe layers grown onto p-ZnTe have larger bandgaps, they do not tend to hinder the flow of electrons photogenerated in p-ZnTe towards the electrolyte, but give rise to the photogeneration of holes in the external semiconducting layer.

Particle size is a crucial parameter in nanopowder use and production. A method to obtain information about this during the particle synthesis would be very valuable in order to optimize the process. In the field of nanoparticles flame synthesis, an extension of the techniques used in soot diagnostics sounds rather obvious, but it is far from being easily accomplished. In this paper investigations on the application of the laser induced incandescence to TiO 2 nanoparticles in a flame reactor are reported. The work basically concerns the effects of laser fluence on the spectral structure of the laser-excited radiation emitted from the particles. It will be shown that in many cases such a radiation cannot be plainly assumed as an incandescence signal. Measurements of the signal time decay are reported and interpreted in the light of the spectral indications. Finally, the dependence of such a time decay on the particle size is experimentally demonstrated.

In this work, laser-induced breakdown spectrosopy is implemented on aerosol particles for absolute concentration analysis. The aim of this work is the investigation of the effect of the bath gas used for nebulizing the aerosol. Nitrogen, air, and 50% O 2 in N 2 mixture have been chosen as carrier gasses in order to analyze the effect of oxygen addition to the gas. LIBS measurements have been carried out on aerosol particles produced from CuCl 2 2H 2 O solutions, and the 324.7 nm Cu line is considered. As a first analysis, plasma parameters, such as temperature and electron density, have been evaluated changing the carrier gas. Measurements to derive the LIBS calibration curve of the 324.7 nm Cu line are carried out in air and in N 2 . The significant difference in the slope of the resulting calibration curves has to be attributed to the oxygen addition to the bath gas. To explore such behavior, time-resolved measurements of the Cu line and peak/base ratio have been performed. The presence of two competitive effects have been observed that becomes significant increasing the amount of oxygen in the carrier gas. One is the oxygen-quenching effect, already observed in the literature, and the other one is the enhancement of the Cu LIBS signal, expecially at short delay times. These effects have been observed also at other Cu lines and changing the analyte source. The results are presented and widely discussed.

Coating electroaccretion on galvanized iron and aluminum 1100 under cathodic polarization in artificial and natural seawaterwas investigated through electrochemical tests and optical imaging techniques. Biofilm affects the current density and the morphologies of gas evolution, particularly the maximum size of the gas bubbles and the interaction between gas evolution and calcareous deposit. Coating mineral composition is related to the type of metallic material and can be different according to growth in natural or artificial seawater. On galvanized iron in ASTM and natural seawater at potential -1.2V versus Ag/AgCl. Coatings grown on aluminum 1100 are different from those on galvanized iron. In ASTM seawater, the coating on aluminum 1100 is composed of aluminum oxide and Mg4Al2(OH)14·2H2O; in natural seawater, only of aluminum oxide. On specimens coupled with magnesium anode, the coating does not contain brucite and is composed of aragonite with Mg6Al2(OH)18·4H2O islands.

Hydrogen permeation through a welded joint of an ASTM A516 grade60 steel immersed in a H2S solution was investigated using the scanning photoelectrochemical microscopy, an in situ technique providing images of the spatial distribution of hydrogen diffusion in real time and with good resolution. The paper presents images of hydrogen spatial distribution in the material including the base metal and heat-affected zone. Electrochemical impedance measurements were also performed in order to complement the information obtained.

The chemical dissolution of anodically grown Si oxides in acidic fluoride medium has been studied in-situ with the Bending Beam Method (BBM). Current and deflection transients were recorded after switching the electrode from the given polarization conditions to zero applied field and monitoring the etchback process. Oxide stress values estimated with this approach are free from contributions due to film electrostriction and to changes in surface tension. Transients recorded after polarization in the regime of current or potential oscillations show dissolution patterns which contain information on the properties of oxide film along its depth profile.

Blisters and their surrounding crack-tip areas in AISI 304 stainless steel have been imaged by Scanning Photo-Electrochemical Microscopy (SPEM), a technique providing photo-electrochemical images of hydrogen trapping and detrapping into blisters in real time, in situ and in continuous under hydrogen charging. The increased hydrogen concentration has also been imaged in the plastic enclave at the crack tip around a blister during its growth. The images acquired in time sequence can be examined as a single frame or assembled in a 2D or 3D movie, both in grey scale or false colour.

A new photoelectrochemical (PEC) technique is reported to image in real time the hydrogen diffusion into a metal in situ and continuously by means of a scanning laser spot. When a metal such as iron, stainless steel or nickel covered by a passive film is loaded with hydrogen and illuminated, the photoresponse of the passive film (the electrode is anodically polarized in an alkaline solution) is improved owing to the hydrogen photooxidation. This photoresponse is proportional to the hydrogen concentration in the metal. Scanning the metal surface by a laser spot in real time a well-detailed image is obtained of the diffusing hydrogen into the metal at a microscopic level. The present report describes the scanning photoelectrochemical microscopy (SPEM) of hydrogen diffution into an AISI 304 stainless steel foil.

Lithium insertion reactions have been investigated in (PbS) 1.13 TaS 2 and (SnS) 1.16 TaS 2 by means of chemical and electrochemical procedures. A small expansion of the interlayer spacing was observed in the lithiated compounds. Chemical potential of lithium in (MS) 1 + δ TaS 2 ( M = Pb , Sn ) was measured by a galvanic cell method in the composition range 0 x

The effect of hydrogen addition to fuel in soot formation and growth mechanisms is investigated in a rich ethylene/air premixed flame. To this purpose, three-angle scattering and extinction measurements are carried out in flames with different hydrogen contents. By applying the Rayleigh–Debye–Gans theory and the fractal-like description, soot concentration and morphology, with the evaluation of radius of gyration, volume-mean diameter and primary particle diameter are retrieved. To derive fractal parameters such as fractal dimension and fractal prefactor to be used for optical measurements, sampling technique and TEM analysis are performed. In addition, data concerning soot morphology obtained from TEM analysis are compared with the optical results. A good agreement in the value of the primary particle diameter between optical and ex-situ measurements is found. Significant effects of hydrogen addition are detected and presented in this work. In particular, hydrogen addition to fuel is responsible for a reduction in soot concentration, radius of gyration and primary particle diameter.

In this work chemiluminescence emission from the main radical species are measured in a meso-scale combustor. Global and two-dimensional analysis is performed in order to gain information on the combustion processes occurring in the non-premixed swirled combustor fuelled with CH4/air and working at 0.3 MPa. The investigation is carried out by changing the equivalence ratio in the range of the stability limits, keeping constant the total mass flow rate. The behavior of OH*, CH* and CH*/CH* chemiluminescence as a function of the equivalence ratio are discussed both for global and spatially-resolved measurements. The twodimensional results evidence the significant role of mixing and turbulence with respect to the chemical kinetic mechanisms.

A study of cadmium telluride electrodeposition under potentiostatic conditions on a nickel electrode in an ethylene glycol-based bath containing 1 M CdCl2, 0.01 M TeCl4 and 0.3 M KI at 160 °C is reported. A deposition mechanism is proposed based on steady-state polarization characteristics. The influence of the deposition potential on the deposit morphology, composition and structure was also investigated by SEM and X-ray analysis. It is shown that the observed trends agree with the proposed mechanism of electrodeposition, and that surface processes and chemical reactions play a fundamental role. The experimental operative conditions to obtain stoichiometric thin films with uniform granular morphology are clearly outlined.

The effect of multiple laser pulses reaching soot particles before an actual laser-induced incandescence (LII) measurement is investigated in order to gain some insights on soot morphological and fine structure changes due to rapid laser heating. Soot, extracted from a premixed and a quenched diffusion flames, is flowing through a tubular cell and undergoes a variable number of pulses at different fluence. The response of soot is studied by the two-color LII technique. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of laser-modified soot aggregates from the diffusion flame is also presented. The results indicate that even at low laser fluences a permanent soot transformation is induced causing an increase in the absorption function E(m). This is interpreted as an induced graphitization of soot particles by the laser pulse heating. At high fluences the vaporization process and a profound restructuring of soot particles affect the morphology of the aggregates. Soot from diffusion and premixed flames behaves in a similar way although this similarity occurs at different fluence levels indicating a different initial fine structure of soot particles.

In this work a three-angle scattering and extinction technique has been applied in order to study soot formation and growth in a rich ethylene/air premixed flame (F = 2.34). The Rayleigh-Debye-Gans theory together with the fractal-like approach has been applied to derive soot parameters, in terms of volume concentration and morphology. A mathematical procedure is presented to obtain the radius of gyration by considering scattering signals collected at two supplementary angles. TEM measurements, carried out at different locations on the flame axis, are used to derive some parameters, such as fractal prefactor, fractal dimension and size distribution, to be entered in the mathematical treatment of optical data. The radius of gyration and the primary particle size as obtained by TEM and by optical measurements are compared. Good agreement has been found in the upper part of the flame investigated. Discrepancies observed low in the flame are discussed.

The effects of lithium insertion in MMo 2 S 4 (M: V, Cr, Fe) have been studied by means of chemical and electrochemical insertion methods. The reaction has a topotactic character and a higher degree of lithium insertion was found for the compound FeMo 2 S 4 which has a greater unit cell volume. For this compound the changes in lattice parameters with lithium content are also more pronounced. The voltage composition curves show a smooth voltage decrease with a quasi-plateau located at around 1.3 V. For discharge at lithium content higher than 0.8, the voltage decreases quickly followed by an extended plateau below 1 V, a region where electrolyte decomposition may occur. The X-ray powder diffraction patterns of the electrochemical lithiated compounds show that the original monoclinic structure is maintained up to 0.8 e − per mole, but with a significant change in the intensity of the peaks, indicative of an alteration of cation distribution for this degree of insertion. For high lithium content, such disorder promotes the collapse of the structure, resulting in the loss of long-range order of the material.

Theoretical papers predict that prompt LII signals are weakly dependent on the soot size due to the fact that larger particles reach higher temperatures during the heating process by nanosecond laser pulses. This question is of crucial importance for establishing LII as a practical technique for soot volume fraction measurements. In this work two-color prompt LII measurements have been performed in several locations of diffusion and rich premixed ethylene-air flames. The experimental apparatus was carefully designed with a probe volume of uniform light distribution and sharp edges, a 4 ns integration time around the signal pulse peak and narrow spectral bandwidth. Measurements did not confirm the theoretical predictions concerning an increase of temperature for larger particles. On the contrary, larger particles in richer premixed flames exhibit a lower 400/700 signal ratio. This can probably be attributed to small differences in the refractive index of soot.

Electrochemical lithiation in BaFe 12 O 19 pellets was performed for the first time, also in view of utilizing low cost materials in room temperature lithium cells. The electrochemical, morphological, structural and magnetostructural aspects of the process were investigated, the last two by X-ray diffraction and Mossbauer spectroscopy. Experimental results showed that very large lithium quantities (up to 30 equivalents per mole of the hexaferrite at a cut-off voltage of 0.5 V) may be discharged in the material, in spite of the low lithium diffusion coefficient (around 10 -12 cm 2 s -1 ). According to X-ray data, the BaFe 12 O 19 particles progressively decreased in size and an amorphous material was obtained after discharge of more than 15 lithium equivalents per mole. Mossbauer analysis substantially confirmed these data. Lithium ions did not enter the M structure and small-volume magnetically ordered regions were obtained which could be associated to the formation of very small single domain particles of barium hexaferrite whose size decreased with increasing lithium discharge until they became superparamagnetic. Lithium appeared not to be readily inserted into BaFe 12 O 19 in spite of the presence of spinel blocks in its structure.

The electrochemical lithiation of a new layered quaternary sulphide of Hg 0.76 Ga 1.27 In 1.44 S 5 average composition having substantial structural identity to Zn 2 In 2 S 5 was investigated. The discharge behaviour in lithium cells with 1M LiClO 4 solution in propylene carbonate/dimethoxyethane (1:1) was examined by means of galvanostatic measurements. The discharge curves showed a continuous voltage decrease as no plateaux were observed, and the performance was superior to that of a similar layered compound, previously analyzed, CdIn 2 S 2 Se 2 . Due to lithium discharge, the X-ray diffraction spectrum of the cathode pellet changed, above all the relative peak intensities, and such behaviour was partly related to the typical defective structure of the sulphide having a highly disordered cation sublattice. Thermogravimetric analyses, differential scanning calorimetry, morphological and structural measurements were also carried out on the original compound in order to better characterize this new material.

Ex situ photoacoustic thermal‐wave imaging of hydrogen electropermeated in a titanium and stainless steel (AISI 304) foil has been performed. Both the magnitude and phase of the complex amplitude of the photoacoustic signal have been investigated. The results show a new phase (TiH2) in the case of titanium and typical blisters in the case of stainless steel; both could be imaged deeply below the sample surface.

In situ scanning photoelectrochemical (PEC) microscopy is a technique for mapping the photocurrent stimulated by a focused light at an electrode-electrolyte interface. This technique gives position-sensitive information on the nature of passivating films (composition, type and degree of crystallization, thickness, etc) that cover metal electrodes. In the analysis of PEC images, further aspects related to the surface shape and/or surface irregularities (roughness, slope errors, surface waviness, etc) have to be taken into account. In this paper we present the effects of non-planar surfaces by measuring the photoresponse of passivating oxide films on cylindrical iron rods with different diameters. The variation of the angle of incidence of the light, as the laser beam scans the surface of the rod, implies either a change in the spot size and different optical response of the oxide-metal system, such as the transmittivity of the oxide, the reflectivity of the metal and the light path inside the film. For evaluating the behaviour of the photocurrent, we have simulated these geometrical and optical effects by using a simple model in geometrical optics approximation. Images have been also acquired at various distances from the beam focus for highlighting the degradation of the spatial resolution induced by the focusing misalignment of the curved samples.

Pb 3 O 4 has been investigated as a cathode material for voltage compatible, nonaqueous lithium cells and its good performance has been demonstrated. The mechanism of the process has been elucidated by undertaking X-ray and XPS analyses of the discharge products at significant points of the discharge curve. Pb(II) was unambiguously recognized by the latter technique, thus evidencing a two-step reduction mechanism en route to Pb(O) during lithiation.

The in-situ scanning photoelectrochemical microscopy is a new technique giving images of hydrogen diffusion in the metals in real time with a good resolution. This paper presents some photoelectrochemical images of hydrogen distribution in a low-carbon steel ahead of a crack tip and in the regions submitted to a high deformation such as in the case of the metal bending.

The measure of the hydrogen permeation current through a metal membrane is a well-consolidated electrochemical technique to evaluate the effect of the environment, the polarisation and the type of steel related to hydrogen diffusion. Permeation tests allow to evaluate the stationary flow of hydrogen and the degree of surface coverage. In this work, permeation tests were carried out in a 35g/L NaCl solution at -1.05 V and -2 V vs. SCE on a pipeline micro-alloyed steel. The permeation current was measured on samples without load, with a constant load applied and in slow strain rate conditions. Afterwards, hydrogen permeation parameters were correlated to the results of Slow Strain Rate Tests (SSRT) in order to improve the knowledge on the hydrogen embrittlement mechanism of this type of steels.

Steels with yield strengths below about 900 MPa are essentially immune to hydrogen embrittlement, and almost all pipeline steels have a yield strength below that value. However, same catastrophic failures of pipelines have been reported. Under mechanical stress these failures are due to the local formation of high-hardness martensite (hard spot) during cooling and from the presence of absorbed hydrogen developed under cathodic over-protection. This paper describes a photoelectrochemical, micrographic and fractographic study of the effect of an heat-affected zone (hard spot) on hydrogen permeation and the embrittlement of an API 5L STD X60 steel.

The electrochemical insertion of lithium in the M-type ferrite with formula BaFe 12 O 19 has been investigated. The galvanostatic discharge curves of the (−)Li/electrolyte/Li x BaFe 12 O 19 (+) cell show a quasi-linear voltage decrease from 3.1 V vs. Li Li + at x=0 to about 1.0 V vs. Li Li + at x=1 followed by an extended plateau. After the shallow discharge, indicative of a single-phase reaction, the X-ray diffraction spectrum of the cathode pellet remains unchanged while after a very deep discharge, e.g. when 25 lithium equivalents are inserted per oxide mole, a multiphase region is obtained and the hexagonal phase is no longer visible. The cyclic voltammograms of the compound agree with these results.

Yellow β-PbO (massicot) and β-PbO 2 (plattnerite) have been investigated as cathode materials in organic electrolyte lithium cells. The main cha

Anodic and cathodic polarization curves have been determined in the current density range of 0.005 to 1 A/cm 2 and in the temperature range of 40 to 80°C in 30% KOH, using a measuring method that allows direct ohmic drop correction at zero distance from the electrode surface. Tafel linearity has been confirmed on all the materials tested, as well as the presence of films whose considerable ohmic resistance depends on temperature but remains unchanged throughout the cd range investigated. The possible nature of such films, whose resistance is to be included among the basic parameters of electrode performance, is discussed.

The exhaust plasma processing plant, proposed a few years ago as an alternative to the Tritium Systems Test Assembly plant in operation at Los Alamos National Laboratory, required further research in such areas as low liquid inventory electrolytic cell and the types of separator or membrane resistant to beta radiation. Moreover, it was suggested that the value of the separation factors among H/sub 2/, D/sub 2/, and T/sub 2/ should be checked during electrolysis at high D/sub 2/O concentration in a alkaline medium by using different materials for the cathode. The results of experimental work carried out in these directions have shown the feasibility of the process, although some improvements can still be made in the optimization of the separators and in the design of the cell. The research carried out at the Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy, with support from other institutes, is described.

Polyphenylene sulfide sulphonic acid is an amorphous, non melting solid which dissolves only in SOCl2, dehydrates at 40–180°C and degrades with heavy weight loss starting from 270°C. The polymer has been tested as solid state component of electrochemical devices in the 20–160°C range with the following results: conductivity (ohm−1 cm−1) = 10−1 in 30% KOH aq., 10−2 in 5 atm steam pressure and 10−5 in air; transport number in KCl (t +) ∼ 1. Possible applications are discussed in relation to the performance of other established material.

Polydivinylbenzene-4-vinyl-N-methylpyridinium iodide (MeVP+-DVBI−) membranes are obtained by solvent evaporation from dispersions of copolymer powder in polysulfone dichloroethane solutions. The membranes' macroporosity increases from 2.5 to 46.4% and the pore size distribution concentrates in the 103–105 A range upon varying the concentration of polypyridinium polymer from 0 to 67% w/w. Similarly, the specific conductivity increases from 10−11 to 10−4 ohm−1 cm−1 and the mechanical strength decreases from 500 to 8.8 kg/cm2. The ion selectivity is maximum at 40–50% MeVP+-DVBI− and lower above or below this concentration range. The properties are discussed in relation to the membrane chemical and physical parameters.

Asbestos reinforced with 11-47% polyphenylene sulfide is 2.5-8 times more stable than plain asbestos or asbestos-brucite composites of equivalent composition when aged in boiling concentrated alkali. SEM and Ir spectroscopy show that asbestos hydrolysis is the main cause of material loss. Composites pressed between electrodes at 1 A/cm2 in 95 °C 50% KOH however undergo principal mechanical erosion and the minimum poly phenylene sulfide load to achieve satisfactory performance is ∼ 29%.

Electrochemical lithium insertion in pure and (PTFE-and/or C-) mixed CdIn 2 S 2 Se 2 has been investigated by galvanostatic discharge experiments in the (−) Li/organic electrolyte/CdIn 2 S 2 Se 2 (+) cell, also considering the behaviour in quasi-equilibrium open-circuit conditions, and by cyclic voltammetry. Structural changes induced by lithium insertion have been observed by powder X-ray diffraction measurements. The reversibility of the process is poor in the whole range explored, but differences in behaviour are noticed. During a galvanostatic discharge of the cell up to about 0.7 F.mol −1 no structural change takes place and the lithium diffusion process is slow, as shown by the very low value of the chemical diffusion coefficient (around 10 −12 cm 2 .s −1 , at 30 °C) determined according to a current-pulse relaxation technique. During a deeper discharge up to 5.35 F.mol −1 two plateaux — a short and an extended one — are noted in the experimental curve, while pseudocrystalline phases are formed. As a consequence of these structural rearrangements, the time needed to reach open-circuit quasi-equilibrium conditions after a galvanostatic discharge is high, particularly in the region of the first plateau. Analyses of the results evidence that CdIn 2 S 2 Se 2 is a very interesting new compound, more significant for its fundamental properties than in view of its application as cathode material in aprotic solvent lithium cells.