Question

    Mya Le Thai is a scientist studying at the University of California. She recently discovered a process that may result in batteries that last forever. Thai said she had been frustrated that the batteries for her wireless devices degrade(退化). Over time, they fail to charge fully. She decided to do something about that problem.

At first, she and her team thought about inventing a new battery. But as they experimented, Thai discovered something that might permit lithium-ion batteries(锂电池) to last forever. Lithium-ion batteries power most wireless devices. Over time, the batteries lose the ability to hold a charge. One of the reasons lithium-ion batteries degrade is their use of nanowires(纳米线) to carry electricity. Nanowires are extremely thin. Nanowires are extremely efficient carriers of electricity, which makes them useful in batteries. But Thai said their thinness also makes them weak. “Nanowires break over time,” she said. “That’s why they lose capacity.”

But, Thai had a theory: The nanowires might last longer if covered with a gel(凝胶). She and the team tested her theory. The team tried many coverings for the wires. PMMA was one of them. The PMMA coated nanowires showed no evidence of damage. The results suggest that batteries could last forever, without losing charging ability. Thai hopes to continue her research to understand why this gel works so well and to see if any other gel could create better results.

Mya Le Thai told VOA she is enjoying the publicity about her discovery. She said she never expected her research to get media coverage. “It’s kind of cool,” she said. “I’m really glad people are showing interest in my work and not just in the work itself, but also in technology and energy.”

1.Why did Mya Le Thai make up her mind to settle the problem about her wireless devices degrade?

A.Because her wireless devices couldn’t work at all.

B.Because she discovered a new kind of battery.

C.Because the batteries for her wireless devices couldn’t last long.

D.Because she wanted to show her new research.

2.What prevents lithium-ion batteries from lasting forever?

A.PMMA. B.Nanowires.

C.Electricity. D.Power.

3.How can the scientist make the nanowires last longer?

A.By using a gel to cover them. B.By cutting them shorter.

C.By making them longer. D.By using a gel to make wire.

4.What kind of person is Mya Le Thai?

A.Generous and wise. B.Honest and wise.

C.Honest and hard-working. D.Modest and creative.

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.A

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。主要介绍了加利福尼亚大学的科学家Mya Le Thai因为自己的手机电池问题而促使她发明了一项可以让手机电池持续时间长的程序，并受到很多人的关注。

1.推理判断题。根据第一段中Thai said she had been frustrated that the batteries for her wireless devices degrade. Over time, they fail to charge fully. She decided to do something about that problem.可知Thai说，她的无线设备的电池会退化，这让她很沮丧。久而久之，它们就不能充份充电了。她决定做点什么。由此可知，促使Mya Le Thai 下决心解决她的无线设备退化的问题的原因是她的无线设备的电池不持久。故选C。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段中One of the reasons lithium-ion batteries degrade is their use of nanowires(纳米线) to carry electricity.(锂离子电池退化的原因之一是使用纳米线来输送电力)及最后两句But Thai said their thinness also makes them weak. “Nanowires break over time,” she said. “That’s why they lose capacity.”(但Thai说，他们的细薄也使他们脆弱。“纳米线会随着时间断裂，”她说。“这就是他们丧失能力的原因”)由此可知，导致锂电池不能持久的原因是因为纳米线脆弱，容易断。故选B。

3.细节理解题。根据第三段中But, Thai had a theory: The nanowires might last longer if covered with a gel.可知但是，Thai有一个理论：如果用凝胶覆盖纳米线，它的寿命可能会更长。由此可知，通过往纳米线上涂胶的方式可以延长电池使用寿命。故选A。

4.推理判断题。根据文章内容由于自己的手机电池退化，使Mya Le Thai产生了发明一种新电池的想法，后来通过实验，她发现在纳米线上涂上一层胶，可以延长电池的寿命。但是，她并没有就此止步，而是继续研究去寻找其他类型的胶，已达到更理想的效果。由此可以推出Mya Le Thai具有创造精神。当她的发现受到人们的欢迎的时候，她不希望媒体采访她。由此可以推出她是谦虚的。故选D。