Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “multiple”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Structural Evolution of ε-LiVOPO 4 over Multiple Lithium Intercalation

ε -Li x VOPO 4 is a promising multi-electron cathode for rechargeable lithium-ion bat- teries that has an extremely high theoretical capacity of 318 mAh/g. In this w ork, we demonstrate the stable cycling of more than one Li in solid-state-syn thesized ε - LiVOPO 4 over more than 20 cycles for the first time. Using a combination of densit y functional theory (DFT) calculations, X-ray pair distribution funct ion (PDF) analy- sis and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) measurements, we pre sent a comprehensive analysis of the thermodynamics, kinetics and stru ctural evolution of ε -Li x VOPO 4 over the entire lithiation range. We identify two intermediate ph ases at x = 1 . 5 and 1.75 in the low-voltage regime using DFT calculations, and the comput ed and electrochemically measured voltage profiles are in excellent agree ment. Operando PDF techniques show a reversible hysteretic change in the short ( < 2° A) V-O bond lengths coupled with an irreversible extension of the long V-O bond ( > 2.4 °A) dur- ing low-voltage cycling. These observations are confirmed with EXAFS spe ctra. We identify hydrogen intercalation from the electrolyte decomposition as a likely explana- tion for the ~ 2 . 4°A V-O bond and its irreversible extension. In terms of electronic conductivity, we find Li x VOPO 4 to be a large band gap insulator across the entire lithiation range, and calculated small polaron migration barriers are similar to those of the olivine LiMPO 4 cathodes. Finally, we demonstrate that ε -LiVOPO 4 is likely to be a one-dimensional diffuser using climbing-image nudged elastic ban d calculations. These results highlight the importance of nano-sizing and carbon coating in achieving good electrochemical performance in this material.

Lin, Yuh-Chieh↗
DOE OSTI2016

Effect of Multiple Cation Electrolyte Mixtures on Rechargeable Zn–MnO 2 Alkaline Battery

A Bi 2 O 3 in β-MnO 2 composite cathode material has been synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method and cycled in a mixed KOH–LiOH electrolyte with a range of concentrations. We show that, at a KOH:LiOH molar ratio of 1:3, both proton insertion and lithium insertion occur, allowing access to a higher fraction of the theoretical capacity of the MnO 2 while preventing the formation of ZnMn 2 O 4 . This enables a capacity of 360 mAh/g for over 60 cycles, with cycling limited more by anode properties than traditional cathodic failure mechanisms. The structural changes occurring during cycling are characterized using electron microscopy and in situ synchrotron energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDXRD) techniques. This mixed electrolyte shows exceptional cyclability and capacity and can be used as a drop-in replacement for current alkaline batteries, potentially drastically improving their cycle life and creating a wide range of new applications for this energy storage technology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Nonadiabatic Derivative Couplings through Multiple Franck–Condon Modes Dictate the Energy Gap Law for Near and Short-Wave Infrared Dye Molecules

Near infrared (NIR, 700–1000 nm) and short-wave infrared (SWIR, 1000–2000 nm) dye molecules exhibit significant nonradiative decay rates from the first singlet excited state to the ground state. While these trends can be empirically explained by a simple energy gap law, detailed mechanisms of nearly universal behavior have remained unsettled for many cases. Theoretical and experimental results for two representative NIR/SWIR dye molecules reported here clarify the key mechanism for the observed energy gap law behavior. It is shown that the first derivative nonadiabatic coupling terms serve as major coupling pathways for nonadiabatic decay processes from the first excited singlet state to the ground state for these NIR and SWIR dye molecules and that vibrational modes other than the highest frequency modes also make significant contributions to the rate. Finally, this assessment is corroborated by further theoretical comparison with possible alternative mechanisms of intersystem crossing to triplet states and also by comparison with experimental data for deuterated molecules.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Multiple Redox Modes in the Reversible Lithiation of High-Capacity, Peierls-Distorted Vanadium Sulfide

Vanadium sulfide VS4 in the patronite mineral structure is a linear chain compound comprising vanadium atoms coordinated by disulfide anions [S2]2–. 51V NMR shows that the material, despite having V formally in the d1 configuration, is diamagnetic, suggesting potential dimerization through metal–metal bonding associated with a Peierls distortion of the linear chains. This is supported by density functional calculations, and is also consistent with the observed alternation in V–V distances of 2.8 and 3.2 Å along the chains. Partial lithiation results in reduction of the disulfide ions to sulfide S2–, via an internal redox process whereby an electron from V4+ is transferred to [S2]2– resulting in oxidation of V4+ to V5+ and reduction of the [S2]2– to S2– to form Li3VS4 containing tetrahedral [VS4]3– anions. On further lithiation this is followed by reduction of the V5+ in Li3VS4 to form Li3+xVS4 (x = 0.5–1), a mixed valent V4+/V5+ compound. Eventually reduction to Li2S plus elemental V occurs. Despite the complex redox processes involving both the cation and the anion occurring in this material, the system is found to be partially reversible between 0 and 3 V. The unusual redox processes in this system are elucidated using a suite of short-range characterization tools including 51V nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), S K-edge X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES), and pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of X-ray data.

Britto, Sylvia↗
DOE OSTI2018

Separation of Xylene Isomers through Multiple Metal Site Interactions in Metal–Organic Frameworks

Purification of the C 8 alkylaromatics o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, and ethylbenzene remains among the most challenging industrial separations, due to the similar shapes, boiling points, and polarities of these molecules. We report the evaluation of the metal-organic frameworks Co 2 (dobdc) (dobdc 4- = 2,5-dioxido-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate) and Co 2 ( m-dobdc) ( m-dobdc 4- = 4,6-dioxido-1,3-benzenedicarboxylate) for the separation of xylene isomers using single-component adsorption isotherms and multicomponent breakthrough measurements. Remarkably, Co 2 (dobdc) distinguishes among all four molecules, with binding affinities that follow the trend o-xylene > ethylbenzene > m-xylene > p-xylene. Multicomponent liquid-phase adsorption measurements further demonstrate that Co 2 (dobdc) maintains this selectivity over a wide range of concentrations. Structural characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that both frameworks facilitate the separation through the extent of interaction between each C 8 guest molecule with two adjacent cobalt(II) centers, as well as the ability of each isomer to pack within the framework pores. Moreover, counter to the presumed rigidity of the M 2 (dobdc) structure, Co 2 (dobdc) exhibits an unexpected structural distortion in the presence of either o-xylene or ethylbenzene that enables the accommodation of additional guest molecules.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Amyloid structure exhibits polymorphism on multiple length scales in human brain tissue

Although aggregation of Aβ amyloid fibrils into plaques in the brain is a hallmark of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the correlation between amyloid burden and severity of symptoms is weak. One possible reason is that amyloid fibrils are structurally polymorphic and different polymorphs may contribute differentially to disease. However, the occurrence and distribution of amyloid polymorphisms in human brain is poorly documented. Here we seek to fill this knowledge gap by using X-ray microdiffraction of histological sections of human tissue to map the abundance, orientation and structural heterogeneities of amyloid within individual plaques; among proximal plaques and in subjects with distinct clinical histories. A 5 µ x-ray beam was used to generate diffraction data with each pattern arising from a scattering volume of only ~ 450 µ3 , making possible collection of dozens to hundreds of diffraction patterns from a single amyloid plaque. X-ray scattering from these samples exhibited all the properties expected for scattering from amyloid. Amyloid distribution was mapped using the intensity of its signature 4.7 Å reflection which also provided information on the orientation of amyloid fibrils across plaques. Margins of plaques exhibited a greater degree of orientation than cores and orientation around blood vessels frequently appeared tangential. Variation in the structure of Aβ fibrils is reflected in the shape of the 4.7 Å peak which usually appears as a doublet. Variations in this peak correspond to differences between the structure of amyloid within cores of plaques and at their periphery. Examination of tissue from a mismatch case - an individual with high plaque burden but no overt signs of dementia at time of death - revealed a diversity of structure and spatial distribution of amyloid that is distinct from typical AD cases. As a result, we demonstrate the existence of structural polymorphisms among amyloid within and among plaques of a single individual and suggest the existence of distinct differences in the organization of amyloid in subjects with different clinical presentations.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Assigning value to energy storage systems at multiple points in an electrical grid

The ability to define the potential value that energy storage systems (ESS) could generate through various applications in electric power systems, and an understanding of how these values change due to variations in locations, ESS performance and parameters, market structure, utility structures, and valuation methodologies is highly important in advancing ESS deployment. This paper presents the outcome of an effort to assign benefits values, or more precisely ranges of values, to major ESS applications, and summarize and evaluate the capabilities of several available tools currently used to estimate value for specific ESS deployments.

energy storage valuation, balducci, energy storage↗
DOE OSTI2014

Communication: Active space decomposition with multiple sites: Density matrix renormalization group algorithm

We extend the active space decomposition method, recently developed by us, to more than two active sites using the density matrix renormalization group algorithm. The fragment wave functions are described by complete or restricted active-space wave functions. Numerical results are shown on a benzene pentamer and a perylene diimide trimer. It is found that the truncation errors in our method decrease almost exponentially with respect to the number of renormalization states M, allowing for numerically exact calculations (to a few μE{sub h} or less) with M = 128 in both cases. This rapid convergence is because the renormalization steps are used only for the interfragment electron correlation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗