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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 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Interface profile optimization for planar stress wave attenuation in bi-layered plates

Stress waves scatter upon entering a new medium. This occurs due to the reflection and transmission of the waves, which depends on the impedance mismatch between the two materials and the angle of incidence. For a bi-layered structure with finite dimensions and constant impedance ratio, the scattering and intensity of the stress waves may be varied by changing the interface profile between the two layers. In this study, a methodology is proposed for optimizing the interface profile between the layers of a finite bi-layered plate for the objective of planar stress wave attenuation. The bi-layered plates are subjected at one end to highly impulsive loadings with various durations, and the geometry of the internal interface is optimized for the purpose of minimizing the amplitude of the maximum reaction force at the opposite fixed end. The optimization methodology is based on a genetic algorithm, which is coupled with a finite element method for analyzing the wave propagation behavior of the plates. Finally, it is observed that the interface profile and the amount of stress wave attenuation depend on the duration of the applied impulsive loading, with higher amounts of attenuation obtained when the wavelength associated with the impulsive load is small compared to the dimensions of the bi-layered plates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

An experimentally validated evaporative phase change heat transfer model for low mass flux applications using R134a in plate heat exchangers

Plate frame heat exchangers are common in liquid-coupled vapor compression systems due to their compactness and ease of maintenance. In some of these systems, the refrigerant within the evaporator can enter the heat exchanger as a subcooled liquid. As a result, the refrigerant passes through three different phases: single-phase liquid, two-phase fluid, and a superheated vapor. Unfortunately, there have been limited prior studies that have identified the best method to predict performance under these circumstances. Furthermore, previous investigations have not evaluated refrigerant evaporation in large industrial sized plate frame heat exchangers under conditions experienced in the present study experimental test facility, especially at mass fluxes below 7 kg m –2 s –1 . In the present investigation, a model was developed to predict the performance of plate and frame heat exchangers when the fluid enters as a subcooled liquid and exits as a superheated vapor. The model used full-sized plate heat exchanger geometry that was discretized into 20 sections to accurately capture local heat transfer and pressure drop effects. The model was validated using an R134a counter flow heat exchanger used in a turbo-compression cooling system test facility that had subcooled liquid entering the evaporator at low mass fluxes. A variety of empirical correlations were evaluated to determine what combination yielded the best predictive capability over the following range of conditions: 5.8 < G < 6.8 kg m –2 s –1 , 2 < q” < 2.8 kW m –2 , and 10 °C < T sat < 15 °C. When the correlations used a fixed control volume length in the heat flux calculation, the most accurate combination resulted in a mean absolute error of 5.5%. Finally, future studies can use the approach described here to optimize heat exchanger size and performance.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Dynamic flow stress of pure polycrystalline aluminum: Pressure-shear plate impact experiments and extension of dislocation-based modeling to large strains

The dynamic thermo-mechanical behavior of pure aluminum has attracted renewed interest lately due to experimental observations of an anomalous increase in Hugoniot Elastic Limit (HEL) at incipient plasticity and elevated temperatures in polycrystalline pure metals. In context of current dislocation-mediated plasticity models for metals, this increase in dynamic strength is indicative of a transition in the rate controlling mechanism for dislocation glide from being thermally assisted to phonon-drag restricted due to increase in phonon viscosity at elevated temperatures. Though these studies have helped to shed light on these important mechanisms operative in FCC metals at incipient plasticity, the extent to which they contribute to flow stress, particularly at larger strains, remains unclear. Here, we address these questions through a combined experimental and modeling effort focused on investigating the evolution of dynamic flow stress in polycrystalline aluminum using experimental data gathered from a series of combined pressure-and-shear plate impact (PSPI) experiments designed to reveal the flow stress of pure aluminum at strain rates ~ 10 5 /s, plastic strains of up to 40% and temperatures ranging from room to 866 K. In all cases, the flow stress of aluminum, as inferred from the measured transverse particle velocity histories at the free surface of an elastic tungsten carbide target plate, reveals saturation with increasing plastic strains at stress levels that decrease with increasing test temperatures. Numerical simulations are performed to correlate the experimentally observed temperature and strain rate dependence of flow stress at small and large plastic strains using the Austin-McDowell dislocation-mediated plasticity model parametrized to normal plate impact experiments conducted in an earlier study by Zaretsky and Kanel (2012). Extensions to the model are made to better represent dynamic behavior of pure aluminum at larger plastic strains as observed in elevated temperature split Hopkinson Pressure bar (SPHB) experiments of Samanta (1971) and Lindholm and Yeakly (1965), and the combined pressure-and-shear plate-impact experiments conducted in the present study. The main theoretical extension to the Austin-McDowell model made in this paper is the introduction of a new rate- and temperature- dependent dynamic recovery function, which can potentially allow for an effective reduction in the rate of accumulation of dislocations at large plastic strains. The numerical predictions of the revised and re-calibrated plasticity model are brought into agreement with the experimental observations, correlating sufficiently well with dynamic yield stress at incipient plasticity and the flow stress levels at larger plastic strains, plastic strain rates in the range 10 3 – 10 6 /s, and elevated temperatures up to near melt. The model, in concert with the experimental measurements, suggests that at incipient plasticity the rate governing mechanism for plastic flow is phonon-drag restricted dislocation glide, whereas, at higher magnitudes of plastic strain, it transitions to stress-assisted thermally activated glide. The transition between these two rate governing mechanisms is controlled by the evolution of dislocations throughout the deformation process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Microstructural evolution of U(Mo)–Al(Si) dispersion fuel under irradiation – Destructive analyses of the LEONIDAS E-FUTURE plates

Several irradiation experiments have confirmed the positive effect of adding Si to the matrix of an U(Mo) dispersion fuel plate on its in-pile irradiation behavior. E-FUTURE, the first experiment of the LEONIDAS program, was performed to select an optimum Si concentration and fuel plate heat treatment parameters for further qualification. It consisted of the irradiation of 4 distinct (regarding Si content and heat treatments), full size flat fuel plates in the BR2 reactor under bounding conditions (470 W/cm2 peak BOL power, approximately 70% peak burn-up). After the irradiation, the E-FUTURE plates were examined non-destructively and found to have pillowed in the highest burn-up positions. The destructive post-irradiation examination confirmed that the fuel evolves in a stable way up to a burn-up of 60%235U. Even in the deformed area (pillow) the U(Mo) fuel itself shows stable behavior and remaining matrix material was present. From the calculation of the volume fractions, the positive effect of a higher Si amount added to the matrix and the higher annealing temperature can be derived.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Detailed measurements of local thickness changes for U-7Mo dispersion fuel plates with Al-3.5Si matrix after irradiation at different powers in the RERTR-9B experiment

The Materials Management and Minimization program is developing fuel designs to replace highly enriched fuel with fuels of low enrichment. Swelling is an important irradiation behavior that needs to be well understood. Data from high resolution thickness measurements performed on U-7Mo dispersion fuel plates with Al-Si alloy matrices that were irradiated at high power is sparse. This paper reports the results of detailed thickness measurements performed on two dispersion fuel plates that were irradiated at relatively high power to high fission densities in the Advanced Test Reactor in the same RERTR-9B experiment. Both plates were irradiated to similar fission densities, but one was irradiated at a higher power than the other. The goal of this work is to identify any differences in the swelling behavior when fuel plates are irradiated at different powers to the same fission densities. Based on the results of detailed thickness measurments, more swelling occurs when a U-7Mo dispersion fuel with Al-3.5Si matrix is irradiated to a high fission density at high power compared to one irradiated at a lower power to high fission density.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2018

A look into the voltage plateau signal for detection and quantification of lithium plating in lithium-ion cells

Voltage plateau during relaxation or discharge after charging is a distinct signal associated with stripping of deposited Li metal and hence a feasible tool for online detection of Li plating in Li-ion batteries. In this report we present a physics-based model with incorporation of Li plating and stripping to gain a fundamental understanding of the voltage plateau behavior. Specifically, we focus on the internal cell characteristics when voltage plateau occurs and on key factors affecting the shape and duration of voltage plateau. Furthermore, the validity of using the duration of voltage plateau for estimating Li plating amount is assessed. It is found that the duration of voltage plateau depends on the rate of Li stripping, while the stripping rate is restricted by the capability of Li+ intercalation into graphite. Parameters like intercalation kinetics, solid-state diffusivity of graphite and cell temperature can substantially influence the voltage curves even with the same amount of Li plating. Further, we report an interesting phenomenon that during Li stripping one part of anode near the separator has net oxidation current (local stripping rate > intercalation rate), providing Li+ ions and electrons to the other part of anode near the foil which has net reduction current.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Coating developments towards enabling aluminum as a bipolar plate material for PEM fuel cells

Bipolar plates represent a significant portion of the cost and weight of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack. As a result, there has been significant interest in using low weight and cost materials, such as aluminum. Aluminum has good mechanical and physical properties; however, it performs poorly in the corrosive environment within the fuel cell stack. To overcome the corrosion performance issue, there have been efforts towards developing coating processes to enable aluminum to attain corrosion targets. In an effort to enable aluminum as a viable bipolar plate material, a solid phase processing (diffusion bonding) approach for bonding a titanium foil to aluminum is investigated in this study. The microstructure, corrosion performance, mechanical properties and electrical resistance are investigated. To avoid the known reduction in contact resistance performance of titanium after exposure to bipolar plate media, the effect of addition of highly conductive gold particles after diffusion bonding, on contact resistance and corrosion behavior, is also studied and compared with diffusion bonded Ti to Al. In conclusion, the results indicate that diffusion bonded Ti to Al provides a viable alternative material combination for bipolar plate that avoids the micro pores and crevasses that are associated with vapor deposition or electroplating.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Analyzing the scale of the bainitic ferrite plates by XRD, SEM and TEM

Since the major strengthening mechanisms in nanocrystalline bainitic steels arise from the exceptionally small size of the bainitc ferrite plate, accurate determination of this parameter is fundamental for quantitative relating the microstructure to the mechanical properties. In this work, the thickness of the bainitic ferrite subunits obtained by different bainitic heat treatments was determined in two steels, with carbon contents of 0.3 and 0.7 wt.%, from SEM and TEM micrographs. As these measurements were made on 2D images taken from random sections, the method includes some stereological correction factors to obtain accurate information. Finally, the determined thicknesses of bainitic ferrite plates were compared with the crystallite size calculated from the analysis of X-ray diffraction peak broadening. Although in some case the values obtained for crystallite size and plate thickness can be similar, this study confirms that indeed they are two different parameters. - Highlights: •Bainitic microstructure in a nanostructured and sub-micron steel •Bainitic ferrite plate thickness measured by SEM and TEM •Crystallite size determined by X-ray analysis.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Influence of Heave Plate Topology on Reaction Force

In this study, we explore the role of heave plate topology on fluid reaction forces using three, representative shapes: a hexagonal flat plate, a hexagonal conic with an open top, and the same with a closed top that encloses a fluid mass. We force each test article sinusoidally in a quiescent tank and decompose the reaction force using forms of the Morison equation for phase-invariant and phase-dependent parameterizations. We find that a flat plate generates 5.3 % more fluid reaction force than the open conic topology, and 21.4% more than the enclosed conic. Asymmetric topologies generate asymmetric reaction forces, but the magnitude of asymmetry is limited by nearly symmetric fluid inertia forces, which dominate over drag for these test articles. Additionally, we observe asymmetric vortex dynamics for the flat plate when the Keulegan-Carpenter number is between 1 and 2, accompanied by a shift in the phase of the peak force by of the oscillation period. As a consequence of this shift, the hydrodynamic coefficients estimated from the phase-dependent Morison equation decomposition are asymmetric, suggesting that phase-dependent representations may not provide physical insight in some hydrodynamic regimes.

added mass↗
DOE OSTI2021

3D Detection of Lithiation and Lithium Plating in Graphite Anodes during Fast Charging

A barrier to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles is enabling fast charging lithium-ion batteries. At normal charging rates, lithium ions intercalate into the graphite electrode. At high charging rates, lithiation is inhomogeneous, and metallic lithium can plate on the graphite particles, reducing capacity and causing safety concerns. We have built a cell for conducting high-resolution in situ X-ray microtomography experiments to quantify three-dimensional lithiation inhomogeneity and lithium plating. Our studies reveal an unexpected correlation between these two phenomena. During fast charging, a layer of mossy lithium metal plates at the graphite electrode–separator interface. The transport bottlenecks resulting from this layer lead to underlithiated graphite particles well-removed from the separator, near the current collector. These underlithiated particles lie directly underneath the mossy lithium, suggesting that lithium plating inhibits further lithiation of the underlying electrode.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Single-Layer Plasmonic Metasurface Half-Wave Plates with Wavelength-Independent Polarization Conversion Angle

Manipulation of polarization state is of great fundamental importance and plays a crucial role in modern photonic applications such as optical communication, imaging, and sensing. Metamaterials and metasurfaces have attracted increasing interest in this area because they facilitate designer optical response through engineering the composite subwavelength structures. In this paper, we propose a general methods of designing half-wave plate and demonstrate in the near-infrared wavelength range an optically thin plasmonic metasurface half-wave plates that rotate the polarization direction of the linearly polarized incident light with a high degree of linear polarization. Finally, the half-wave plate functionality is realized through arranging the orientation of the nanoantennas to form an appropriate spatial distribution profile, which behave exactly as in classical half-wave plates but over in a wavelength-independent way.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Efficiency of plasma actuator ionization in shock wave modification in a rarefied supersonic flow over a flat plate

This paper describes experimental and numerical investigations focused on the shock wave modification, induced by a dc glow discharge, of a Mach 2 flow under rarefied regime. The model under investigation is a flat plate equipped with a plasma actuator composed of two electrodes. The glow discharge is generated by applying a negative potential to the upstream electrode, enabling the creation of a weakly ionized plasma. The natural flow (i.e. without the plasma) exhibits a thick laminar boundary layer and a shock wave with a hyperbolic shape. Images of the flow obtained with an ICCD camera revealed that the plasma discharge induces an increase in the shock wave angle. Thermal effects (volumetric, and at the surface) and plasma effects (ionization, and thermal non-equilibrium) are the most relevant processes explaining the observed modifications. The effect induced by the heating of the flat plate surface is studied experimentally by replacing the upstream electrode by a heating element, and numerically by modifying the thermal boundary condition of the model surface. The results show that for a similar temperature distribution over the plate surface, modifications induced by the heating element are lower than those produced by the plasma. This difference shows that other effects than purely thermal effects are involved with the plasma actuator. Measurements of the electron density with a Langmuir probe highlight the fact that the ionization degree plays an important role into the modification of the flow. The gas properties, especially the isentropic exponent, are indeed modified by the plasma above the actuator and upstream the flat plate. This leads to a local modification of the flow conditions, inducing an increase in the shock wave angle.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Finite element analysis of an extended end-plate connection using the T-stub approach

Beam-to-column end-plate bolted connections are usually used as moment-resistant connections in steel framed structures. For this joint type, the deformability is governed by the deformation capacity of the column flange and end-plate under tension and elongation of the bolts. All these elements around the beam tension flange form the tension region of the joint, which can be modeled by means of equivalent T-stubs. In this paper a beam-to-column end-plate bolted connection is substituted with a T-stub of appropriate effective length and it is analyzed using the commercially available finite element software ABAQUS. The performance of the model is validated by comparing the behavior of the T-stub from the numerical simulation with the behavior of the connection as a whole. The moment-rotation curve of the T-stub obtained from the numerical simulation is compared with the behavior of the whole extended end-plate connection, obtained by numerical simulation, experimental tests and analytical approach.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Broadband acoustic trapping of a particle by a soft plate with a periodic deep grating

We investigated the acoustic radiation force (ARF) acting on a cylindrical brass particle near an acoustically soft plate patterned with a periodic deep grating. The existence of a negative ARF by which the particle can be pulled towards the sound source is confirmed. In addition, the bandwidth for negative ARF in this soft-plate system is found to be considerably broader than in the stiff-plate systems typically used in previous studies. It is further demonstrated by field distribution analysis that the negative ARF is caused by the gradient force induced by the gradient vortex velocity field near the surface, which stems from the collective resonance excitation of the antisymmetric coupling of Scholte surface waves in the thin plate. The effects of particle location and size on the ARF were also investigated in detail. The negative ARF has potential use in applications requiring particle manipulation using acoustic waves.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2020

Underpotential lithium plating on graphite anodes caused by temperature heterogeneity

Rechargeability and operational safety of commercial lithium (Li)-ion batteries demand further improvement. Plating of metallic Li on graphite anodes is a critical reason for Li-ion battery capacity decay and short circuit. It is generally believed that Li plating is caused by the slow kinetics of graphite intercalation, but in this paper, we demonstrate that thermodynamics also serves a crucial role. We show that a nonuniform temperature distribution within the battery can make local plating of Li above 0 V vs. Li 0 /Li + (room temperature) thermodynamically favorable. This phenomenon is caused by temperature-dependent shifts of the equilibrium potential of Li 0 /Li + . Supported by simulation results, we confirm the likelihood of this failure mechanism during commercial Li-ion battery operation, including both slow and fast charging conditions. This work furthers the understanding of nonuniform Li plating and will inspire future studies to prolong the cycling lifetime of Li-ion batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effect of tilt on circular zone plate performance

Fresnel zone plates are frequently used as focusing and imaging optics in x-ray microscopy, as they provide the ease of use of normal incidence optics. We consider here the effects of tilt misalignment on their optical performance, both in the thin optics limit and in the case of zone plates that are sufficiently thick so that volume diffraction effects come into play. Using multislice propagation, we show that simple analytical models describe the tilt sensitivity of thin zone plates and the thickness at which volume diffraction must be considered, and examine numerically the performance of example zone plates for soft x-ray focusing at 0.5 keV and hard x-ray focusing at 10 keV.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2014

Neutron Diffraction Measurement of Residual Stresses, Dislocation Density and Texture in Zr-bonded U-10Mo ''Mini'' Fuel Foils and Plates

Aluminum clad monolithic uranium 10 weight percent molybdenum (U-10Mo) fuel plates are being considered for conversion of several research and test nuclear reactors from high-enriched to low-enriched uranium fuel due to the inherently high density of fissile material. Comprehensive neutron diffraction measurements of the evolution of the textures, residual phase stresses, and dislocation densities in the individual phases of the mini-foils throughout several processing steps and following hot-isostatic pressing to the Al cladding, have been completed. Recovery and recrystallization of the bare U-10Mo fuel foil, as indicated by the dislocation density and texture, are observed depending on the state of the material prior to annealing and the duration and temperature of the annealing process. In general, the HIP procedure significantly reduces the dislocation density, but the final state of the clad plate, both texture and dislocation density, depends strongly on the final processing step of the fuel foil. In contrast, the residual stresses in the clad fuel plate do not depend strongly on the final processing step of the bare foil prior to HIP bonding. Rather, the residual stresses are dominated by the thermal expansion mismatch of the constituent materials of the fuel plate.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Electroless Plated Nanodiamond Coating for Stainless Steel Passivation

Tritium gas sample bottles and manifold components require passivation surface treatments to minimize the interaction of the hydrogen isotopes with surface contamination on the stainless steel containment materials. This document summarizes the effort to evaluate electroless plated nanodiamond coatings as a passivation layer for stainless steel. In this work, we developed an electroless nanodiamond (ND)-copper (Cu) coating process to deposit ND on stainless steel parts with the diamond loadings of 0%, 25% and 50% v/v in a Cu matrix. The coated Conflat Flanged Vessel Assemblies (CFVAs) were evaluated on surface morphology, composition, ND distribution, residual hydrogen release, and surface reactivity with deuterium. For as-received Cu and ND-Cu coated CFVAs, hydrogen off-gassing is rapid, and the off-gas rates of H 2 was one to two orders of magnitude higher than that for both untreated and electropolished stainless steel CFVAs, and hydrogen and deuterium reacted to form HD as well. These results indicated that residual H 2 was entrapped in the Cu and ND-Cu coated CFVAs during the coating process, and moisture was adsorbed on the surface, and ND and/or Cu might facilitate catalytic isotope exchange reaction for HD formation. However, hydrocarbons (i.e., CH 3 ) did not form, and did not appear to be an issue for the Cu and ND-Cu coated CFVAs. After vacuum heating, residual H 2 and adsorbed H 2 O in the Cu and ND-Cu coated CFVAs were dramatically reduced. The H 2 off-gassing rate after the vacuum treatment of Cu and 50% ND-Cu coated CFVAs was on the level of 10 -14 l mbar/s cm 2 , while H 2 O off-gas rate was on the level of 10 -15 l mbar/s cm 2 , consistent with the untreated or electropolished stainless steel CFVA, but the HD formation remained. The Restek EP bottle was used as a reference for this work. The Restek Electro-Polished (EP) bottle and their SilTek coated bottles tested under a different research project exhibited very little hydrogen off-gassing and unmeasurable HD formation. ND and Cu were initially chosen to develop improved passivation technology, because Cu has a lower permeability of hydrogen, and diamond is more inert than other materials under a hydrogen atmosphere. However, our tests demonstrated that even after an 8-18 day vacuum extraction heat treatment, the electroless plated Cu and ND-Cu coated stainless steel CFVAs exhibited H 2 off-gassing rates that were just comparable to those for the untreated or electropolished stainless steel CFVA, and the HD formation was still observed. Thus, the Restek Electro-Polished (EP) bottle outperformed the electroless plated Cu and ND-Cu coated stainless steel CFVAs, and the electroless plated nanodiamond coating is not promising as a surface passivation technology. However, the ND-Cu coating may be beneficial to another application in which catalyzing the H 2 -D 2 exchange reaction is desired.

08 HYDROGEN↗