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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.

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At least 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Obtaining cryogenic molecular transport data for analysis

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has a primary mirror, made of 18 segments, and a secondary mirror (SM) that are used to direct the light of desired targets. While on orbit, the secondary mirror assembly (SMA) was stowed for approximately 10 days and was subject to molecular contamination outgassing from the cavity of the secondary mirror support structure (SMSS) in-board hinge (IBH) which contains cables, motors, resolvers, and coatings. The main concern during this period before SMA deployment is the accumulation of ice due to the lack of a heater on the SMA. The temperature differentials between the IBH surfaces and SMA could cause redistribution of contaminants. To address this concern, single layer insulation (SLI) was used to create adequate venting and path redirection of outgassing from the IBH. Two separate thermal vacuum tests were performed to quantify this contamination: one Z307 ASTM E 1559 materials test of the radiator paint used on the motor of the IBH and a separate test on a primary mirror backplane assembly (PMBA) qualification engineering test unit (ETU) of the IBH. These tests approximately followed the predicted SMA pre-deployment thermal environment. To quantify source rates in case of a leak, the motor and resolver sides were separated and quartz crystal microbalances (QCM) were used to measure the deposition of water. The SLI redesign and implementation and outgassing measurements to understand leak effects from the IBH were essential to mitigate the deposition of contamination on the SMA.

James Webb Space Telescope, contamination, cleanro↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Obtaining Cryogenic Molecular Transport Data for Analysis

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has a primary mirror, made of 18 segments, and a secondary mirror (SM) that are used to direct the light of desired targets. While on orbit, the secondary mirror assembly (SMA) was stowed for approximately 10 days and was subject to molecular contamination outgassing from the cavity of the secondary mirror support structure (SMSS) in-board hinge (IBH) which contains cables, motors, resolvers, and coatings. The main concern during this period before SMA deployment is the accumulation of ice due to the lack of a heater on the SMA. The temperature differentials between the IBH surfaces and SMA could cause redistribution of contaminants. To address this concern, single layer insulation (SLI) was used to create adequate venting and path redirection of outgassing from the IBH. Two separate thermal vacuum tests were performed to quantify this contamination: one Z307 ASTM E 1559 materials test of the radiator paint used on the motor of the IBH and a separate test on a primary mirror backplane assembly (PMBA) qualification engineering test unit (ETU) of the IBH. These tests approximately followed the predicted SMA pre-deployment thermal environment. To quantify source rates in case of a leak, the motor and resolver sides were separated and quartz crystal microbalances (QCM) were used to measure the deposition of water. The SLI redesign and implementation and outgassing measurements to understand leak effects from the IBH were essential to mitigate the deposition of contamination on the SMA. "

James Webb Space Telescope↗
NASA NTRS1993

Silica Precursors Derived From TEOS

Two high-char-yield polysiloxane polymers developed. Designated as TEOS-A and TEOS-B with silica char yields of 55% and 22%, respectively. These free-flowing polymers are Newtonium liquids instead of thick gels. Easily synthesized by controlled hydrolysis of inexpensive tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). Adhesive properties of TEOS-A suggest its use as binder for fabrication of ceramic articles from oxide powders. Less-viscous and more-fluid lower-molecular-weight TEOS-B used to infiltrate already-formed porous ceramic compacts to increase densities without effecting shrinkage. Also used as paint to coat substrate with silica, and to make highly pure silicate powders.

Philipp, Warren H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Experiments with suspended cells on the Space Shuttle

Spaceflight experiments since 1981 have demonstrated that certain cell functions are altered by micro-g. Biophysical models suggest that cell membranes and organelles should not be affected directly by gravity, however, the chemical microenvironment surrounding the cell and molecular transport could be altered by reduced gravity. Most experiments have used suspended live cells in small chambers without stirring or medium exchange. Flight results include increased attachment of anchorage-dependent human cells to collagen coated microcarriers, reduced secretion of growth hormone from pituitary cells, decreased mitogenic response of lymphocytes, increased Interferon-alpha by lymphocytes, increased Interleukin-1 and Tumor Necrosis Factor secretion by macrophages. Related experiments on cells immediately postflight and on procaryotic cells have shown significant changes in secretory capacity, cell proliferation, differentiation and development. Postulated mechanism include altered cell-cell interactions, altered calcium ion transport, effects on cell cytoskeleton, transport of transmitters and interactions with receptors. The discussion includes use of new molecular methods, considerations for cell environmental control and a preview of several experiments planned for the Shuttle and Spacelab flights to study the basic effects of microgravity on cellular physiology and potential interactions of spaceflight with radiation damage and cellular repair mechanisms.

Review↗
DOE OSTI2025

Interactions between Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at the Water–Air Interface

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)--so-called “forever chemicals”--contaminate the drinking water of about 100 million people in the U.S. alone and are inefficiently removed by standard treatment techniques. A key property of these compounds that underlies their fate and transport and the efficacy of several promising remediation approaches is that they accumulate at the water−air interface. This phenomenon remains incompletely understood, particularly under conditions relevant to natural and treatment systems where water−air interfaces often carry significant loads of other organic contaminants or natural organic matter. To understand the impact of organic loading on PFAS adsorption, we carried out molecular dynamics simulations of PFAS at varying interfacial densities. We find that adsorbed PFAS form strong mutual interactions (attraction between perfluoroalkyl chains and electrostatic interactions among charged head groups) that give rise to ordered interfacial coatings. Furthermore, these interactions often involve near-cancellation of hydrophobic attraction and Coulomb repulsion. Our findings explain an apparent paradox whereby PFAS adsorption isotherms often suggest minimal mutual interactions while simultaneously displaying a high sensitivity to the composition and density of interfacial coatings. Consideration of the compounds present with PFAS at the interface has the potential to allow for more accurate predictions of fate and transport and the design of more efficient remediation approaches.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

A novel polymeric lithicone coating for superior lithium metal anodes

Lithium metal (Li) is commonly regarded as the “holy grail” of rechargeable batteries and can serve as anodes for constituting various high-energy lithium metal batteries (LMBs). However, it suffers from two notorious issues: (1) continuous formation of inhomogeneous solid electrolyte interphase and (2) Li dendritic growth. Here, in this study, we developed a novel polymeric lithicone via a new molecular layer deposition (MLD) process, using lithium tert-butoxide (LTB) and hydroquinone (HQ) as precursors. We revealed that such an MLD process enabled the resultant LiHQ to grow linearly in a highly controllable and cyclic mode at a growth rate of 4 Å cycle −1 . Furthermore, its low process deposition temperature of 150 °C made it possible to practice high-quality coatings over Li anodes directly. We demonstrated that, very compellingly, this LiHQ coating could protect Li anodes from corrosion and dendritic growth. As a consequence, this LiHQ coating has enabled Li||Li symmetric cells an extremely long cyclability up to 8000 Li-plating/stripping cycles without failure. More excitingly, we demonstrated that, coupled with LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 (NMC811) cathodes, the LiHQ-modified Li anodes could help the resultant Li||NMC811 realize a much better capacity retention and much longer cyclability. Thus, this study represents a strategic route for developing commercializeable LMBs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1994

Atomic oxygen protective coating with resistance to undercutting at defect sites

Structures composed at least partially of an organic substrate may be protected from oxidation by applying a catalyst onto said substrate for promoting the combination of atomic oxygen to molecular oxygen. The structure may also be protected by applying both a catalyst and an atomic oxygen shielding layer onto the substrate. The structures to be protected include spacecraft surfaces.

Banks, Bruce A.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Interfacial engineering of plasmonic nanoparticle metasurfaces

This paper reports how the interfacial engineering of plasmonic nanoparticle (NP) lattices with desired surface characteristics can control plasmon-molecule interactions for tunable nanolasing thresholds. Compared to bare Cu NP lattices, graphene-coated Cu NPs surrounded by aromatic dye molecules gain support lasing with lower thresholds and at lower dye concentrations. This lasing enhancement is attributed to favorable molecular arrangements in electromagnetic hotspots through π–π interactions between graphene and IR-140 (5,5'-dichloro-11-diphenylamine-3,3'-diethyl-10,12-ethylene-thiatricarbocyanine-perchlorate) and 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)-4H-pyran (DCM) dyes. Besides the chemical interactions mediated by few-layer graphene, nanoscale dielectric layers such as fluoropolymer and alumina can also tailor the thresholds by modifying the spatial overlap of the dye near the NP surface. Our work lays the foundation for interfacial engineering of the surface of resonator units in plasmonic metasurfaces for exquisite control of light-matter interactions.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1985

Evaluation of colorless polyimide film for thermal control coating applications

A series of essentially colorless aromatic polyimide films was synthesized and characterized with the objective of obtaining maximum optical transparency for applications in space. Optical transparency is a requirement for high performance polymeric films used in second surface mirror coatings on thermal control systems. The intensity in color of aromatic polyimide films was lowered by reducing the electronic interaction between chromophoric centers in the polymer molecular structure and by using highly purified monomers. The resulting lightly colored to colorless polyimide films were characterized by UV-visible and infrared spectroscopy before and after exposure to 300 equivalent solar hours UV irradiation and varying doses of 1 MeV electron irradiation. After irradiation, the films were found to be 2 to 2.5 times more transparent than commercial polyimide film of the same thickness.

St.clair, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Evaluation of colorless polyimide film for thermal control coating applications

A series of essentially colorless aromatic polyimide films was synthesized and characterized with the objective of obtaining maximum optical transparency for applications in space. Optical transparency is a requirement for high performance polymeric films used in second surface mirror coatings on thermal control systems. The intensity in color of aromatic polyimide films was lowered by reducing the electronic interaction between chromophoric centers in the polymer molecular structure and by using highly purified monomers. The resulting lightly colored to colorless polyimide films were characterized by UV-visible and infrared spectroscopy before and after exposure to 300 equivalent solar hours UV irradiation and varying doses of 1 MeV electron irradiation. After irradiation, the films were found to be 2 to 2.5 times more transparent than commercial polyimide film of the same thickness.

St. Clair, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Evaluation of colorless polyimide film for thermal control coating applications

A series of essentially colorless aromatic polyimide films has been synthesized and characterized with the objective of obtaining maximum optical transparency for applications in space. Optical transparency is a requirement for high performance polymeric films used in second surface mirror coatings on thermal control systems. The intensity in color of aromatic polyimide films was lowered by reducing the electronic interaction between chromophoric centers in the polymer molecular structure and by using highly purified monomers. The resulting lightly colored to colorless polyimide films have been characterized by UV-visible and infrared spectroscopy before and after exposure to 300 equivalent solar hours UV irradiation and varying doses of 1 MeV electron irradiation. After irradiation, the films were found to be 2 to 2.5 times more transparent than commercial polyimide film of the same thickness.

St. Clair, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Waterproof Silicone Coatings of Thermal Insulation and Vaporization Method

Thermal insulation composed of porous ceramic material can be waterproofed by producing a thin silicone film on the surface of the insulation by exposing it to volatile silicone precursors at ambient conditions. When the silicone precursor reactants are multi-functional siloxanes or silanes containing alkenes or alkynes carbon groups higher molecular weight films can be produced. Catalyst are usually required for the silicone precursors to react at room temperature to form the films. The catalyst are particularly useful in the single component system e.g. dimethylethoxysilane (DNMS) to accelerate the reaction and decrease the time to waterproof and protect the insulation. In comparison to other methods, the chemical vapor technique assures better control over the quantity and location of the film being deposited on the ceramic insulation to improve the waterproof coating.

Cagliostro, Domenick E.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Protein Adhesion on Semi-Fluorinated Polystyrene Surfaces in Static and Dynamic Measurements

Reducing protein adhesion is a critical strategy in fouling-resistant material innovation, with broad applications spanning biomedical and healthcare devices, biosensors, industrial and environmental systems, and other important technological domains. Here, in this study, we elucidated protein adhesion behavior on polystyrene-based thin films by neutron reflectometry (NR) and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), using both lysozyme and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as model proteins. To this end, semifluorinated polystyrene thin films with gradient wettability and surface energy were fabricated through dry processing using plasma oxidation and gas-phase deposition. Although it is believed that a fully fluorinated alkyl chain offers extremely low surface energy, thus rejecting foulants, and has been used in many fouling-resistant surface designs, enhanced protein–surface interactions were observed consistently in NR and QCM-D results, due to the combined effects of surface morphology and chemistry. On the contrary, depositing shorter fluorinated silane onto a hydrophilic PS surface contributed to a more homogeneous nanoscale fluorine coating, resulting in less initial protein adsorption and improved surface recovery. Comparative analysis of proteins with different sizes on the nanopatterned semifluorinated surface revealed the influence of molecular characteristics on surface interactions. Lysozyme, being smaller and more compact, showed faster adsorption kinetics and higher surface coverage but largely reversible binding, whereas BSA, with its larger and more flexible structure, formed broader and more stable interfacial layers. This study fills the gap in understanding protein adhesion within the range of hydrophobicity (water contact angle ∼90°), as current strategies often associate with extreme hydrophilic and superhydrophobic surfaces due to hydration or low-surface-energy rejection mechanisms, respectively. It also provides in-depth insights into current combinatorial fouling-resistant surface design.

Yuan, Yue [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), O↗
DOE OSTI2020

Structural plasticity of SARS-CoV-2 3CL Mpro active site cavity revealed by room temperature X-ray crystallography

The COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has become a pandemic health crisis. An attractive target for antiviral inhibitors is the main protease 3CL Mpro due to its essential role in processing the polyproteins translated from viral RNA. Here we report the room temperature X-ray structure of unliganded SARS-CoV-2 3CL Mpro, revealing the ligand-free structure of the active site and the conformation of the catalytic site cavity at near-physiological temperature. Comparison with previously reported low-temperature ligand-free and inhibitor-bound structures suggest that the room temperature structure may provide more relevant information at physiological temperatures for aiding in molecular docking studies.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Electric field dynamics in an atmospheric pressure helium plasma jet impinging on a substrate

Time and spatially resolved electric field measurements by Stark polarization spectroscopy in a nanosecond pulsed atmospheric pressure helium jet operating in ambient air and impinging on a conductive indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass slide are reported. An automatic fitting procedure of the Stark shifted spectra taking into consideration constraints regarding Stark components positions and intensities as well as molecular nitrogen emission subtraction was implemented. This allowed electric field vector components measurements both in the gas phase and at the interface when the jet impinges on the substrate and during the development of a surface ionization wave. The obtained results show an increase of the axial electric field in the jet effluent in the gas phase with a peak magnitude from 12 to 18 kVcm -1 before the ionization wave impinges on the substrate. A steep electric field enhancement to a peak value of about 24 kVcm -1 was observed when the ionization wave impinges on the surface. A peak radial electric field of about 27 kVcm -1 was measured off-axis in the surface ionization wave. These results are consistent with previously reported modelling predictions. While Stark polarization spectroscopy is limited to electric field measurement from regions with emission, we illustrate that the capability to measure near surface electric fields in helium makes it a valuable complementary technique for the electric field-induced second harmonic (E-FISH) technique.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1972

Functionally terminated liquid nitroso fluorocarbon terpolymers

Properties of polymer for conformal coating for electronic circuitry are described. Nitroso fluorocarbon polymers were selected for application. Chemical reactions for production of polymers are discussed. Technique allows regulation of crosslink densities, molecular weight, and viscosity.

Mayes, N.↗