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At least 307 records · Page 17

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS2023

Toward Accurate Thermal Modeling of Phase Change Material Based Photonic Devices

Reconfigurable or programmable photonic devices are rapidly growing and have become an integral part of many optical systems. The ability to selectively modulate electromagnetic waves through electrical stimuli is crucial in the advancement of a variety of applications from data communication and computing devices to environmental science and space explorations. Chalcogenide-based phase change materials (PCMs) are one of the most promising material candidates for reconfigurable photonics due to their large optical contrast between their different solid-state structural phases. Although significant efforts have been devoted to accurate simulation of PCM-based devices, in this paper, we highlight three important aspects which have often evaded prior models yet having significant impacts on the thermal and phase transition behavior of these devices: the enthalpy of fusion, the heat capacity change upon glass transition, as well as the thermal conductivity of liquid-phase PCMs. We further investigated the important topic of switching energy scaling in PCM devices, which also helps explain why the three above-mentioned effects have long been overlooked in electronic PCM memories but only become important in photonics. Our findings offer insight to facilitate accurate modeling of PCM-based photonic devices and can inform the development of more efficient reconfigurable optics.

Phase change materials↗

DOE OSTI2020

Heating case for a portable electronic device

A case for an electronic device includes a housing for enclosing the electronic device and a removable heating device that may be placed in or on the housing for warming the electronic device without electricity from the electronic device. The removable heating device includes a pouch enclosing a supersaturated solution and a metal disk. The super saturated solution in the pouch undergoes an exothermic reaction when the disk is actuated.

Coulter, Joshua Oliver↗

DOE OSTI2021

Electromagnetic device having layered magnetic material components and methods for making same

A micro fabricated electromagnetic device and method for fabricating its component structures, the device having a layered magnetic core of a potentially unlimited number of alternating insulating and magnetic layers depending upon application, physical property and performance characteristic requirements for the device. Methods for fabricating the high performing device permit cost effective, high production rates of the device and its component structures without any degradation in device performance resulting from component layering.

Mehrotra, Vivek↗

DOE OSTI2021

Solid phase sampling device and methods for point-source sampling of polar organic analytes

Sampling devices for sampling an aqueous source (e.g., field testing of ground water) for multiple different analytes are described. Devices include a solid phase extraction component for retention of a wide variety of targeted analytes. Devices include analyte derivatization capability for improved extraction of targeted analytes. Thus, a single device can be utilized to examine a sample source for a wide variety of analytes. Devices also include an isotope dilution capability that can prevent error introduction to the sample analysis and can correct for sample loss and degradation from the point of sampling until analysis as well as correction for incomplete or poor derivatization reactions. The devices can be field-deployable and rechargeable.

Boggess, Andrew J.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Retiring environmental risks of marine renewable energy devices: The “habitat change” case

The installation, presence, operation, and decommissioning of marine renewable energy (MRE) devices inevitably alters the surrounding ocean habitats. These changes may include direct effects on the benthos from the installation or removal of foundations and anchors, changes in community composition on and near devices, artificial reef effects, and indirect effects such as alteration of the food web or facilitation of non-native, invasive species dispersal. Although there is no expectation that MRE devices affect marine environments differently than other anthropogenic ocean uses, regulators and stakeholders continue to have questions about potential negative impacts to species and habitats from development. Research studies and survey reports that inform our understanding of habitat changes related to MRE devices and associated equipment were compiled into an evidence base, sorted into categories of effects, and evaluated by a group of international experts to assess potential risk to habitats and biota from small numbers of MRE devices, as well as to identify knowledge gaps. These gaps were organized by category and divided up by relevance to consenting, research, or project development and monitoring responsibilities. Identifying these “known unknowns” allows for study design and collaboration from various perspectives to fill the knowledge gaps. Distribution of the evidence base and remaining uncertainties and knowledge gaps to the MRE community, coupled with new research, will help advance the MRE industry while resolving concerns about the potential risks of habitat change for small numbers of devices.

Hemery, Lenaig G.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Automated control of microfluidic devices based on machine learning

A system is provided to automatically monitor and control the operation of a microfluidic device using machine learning technology. The system receives images of a channel of a microfluidic device collected by a camera during operation of the microfluidic device. Upon receiving an image, the system applies a classifier to the image to classify the operation of the microfluidic device as normal, in which no adjustment to the operation is needed, or as abnormal, in which an adjustment to the operation is needed. When an image is classified as normal, the system may make no adjustment to the microfluidic device. If, however, an image is classified as abnormal, the system may output an indication that the operation is abnormal, output an indication of a needed adjustment, or control the microfluidic device to make the needed adjustment.

Giera, Brian↗

DOE OSTI2021

Methods and devices for fabricating and assembling printable semiconductor elements

The invention provides methods and devices for fabricating printable semiconductor elements and assembling printable semiconductor elements onto substrate surfaces. Methods, devices and device components of the present invention are capable of generating a wide range of flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices and arrays of devices on substrates comprising polymeric materials. The present invention also provides stretchable semiconductor structures and stretchable electronic devices capable of good performance in stretched configurations.

Nuzzo, Ralph G.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Method of making a photovoltaic device on a substrate at high speed with perovskite solution

A continuous inline method for production of photovoltaic devices at high speed includes: providing a substrate; depositing a first carrier transport solution layer with a first carrier transport deposition device to form a first carrier transport layer on the substrate; depositing a Perovskite solution comprising solvent and perovskite precursor materials with a Perovskite solution deposition device on the first carrier transport layer; drying the deposited Perovskite solution to form a Perovskite absorber layer; and depositing a second carrier transport solution with a second carrier transport deposition device to form a second carrier transport layer on the Perovskite absorber layer, wherein the deposited Perovskite solution is dried at least partially with a fast drying device which causes a conversion reaction and the Perovskite solution to change in optical density by at least a factor of 2 in less than 0.5 seconds after the fast drying device first acts on the Perovskite solution.

Christensen, Scott Kenneth↗

DOE OSTI2023

Structure and Electronic Properties of Mesopores in Si PV Devices with PLEO Contacts

All current state-of-the-art silicon photovoltaic (PV) devices employ some flavor of passivating contact structure to minimize detrimental recombination while providing good conductivity. These properties are most often provided by a dielectric layer (SiNx, Al2O3, or SiOx) that is in contact with the crystalline silicon (c-Si) substrate. The effectiveness of these layers is heavily dependent on the nanoscale structure of both the dielectric layers and the crystalline silicon interface. As an example, the tunneling probability for charge carriers across thin SiOx layers, a process that is critical to maintain high conductivity, is extremely sensitive to the SiOx thickness. SiOx with a thickness below 2 nm readily allows charge carrier tunneling, whereas it is impeded for greater thicknesses. In the latter case it has been shown that modifications to the thermal processing schedule can induce disruptions, or pinholes, in thick SiOx layers that allow transport of charge carriers while maintaining excellent passivation. However, this requires higher temperatures processes that may inhibit widespread adoption by industry. Recently, another option has been presented that may circumvent the necessity for high temperature processing, namely metal assisted chemical etching (MACE). MACE relies on deposition of Ag nanoparticles onto the SiOx layers with subsequent electroless etching to form mesopores in the SiOx layers that are analogous to the pinholes created with high temperature processing. The size and density can be controlled based on the Ag nanoparticle deposition conditions. The resulting contact structure is known as polysilicon on locally etched oxide (PLEO) contacts. The nanoscale structure of the mesopores in PLEO contacts define the device level observables such as recombination current (Jo) and junction resistance. In this work we present atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of mesopores in PLEO contacts formed with a different processing conditions to connect provide insight into how the nanoscale structure of the SiOx layer influences PV device properties. Additionally, we have previously used electron beam induced current (EBIC) to probe local transport properties in Si PV devices with a SiOx layer containing pinholes due to high temperature processing. Using EBIC we were able to directly show the enhance charge carrier transport through the pinholes. Here we also employ EBIC to study non-uniformities in charge carrier recombination and transport associated with mesopores in PLEO contacts and compare these results with our previous work on devices with pinholes in the SiOx formed through high temperature processes. The products of this work provide critical information that is required to both further optimize performance of Si PV devices with PLEO contact and to drive future adoption of this technology by industry.

ENGINEERING,SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2023

Robotic surgical devices, systems and related methods

Various medical devices and related systems, including robotic and/or in vivo medical devices, and various robotic surgical devices for in vivo medical procedures. Included herein, for example, is a robotic surgical system having a support beam positionable through an incision, and a robotic device having a device body, first and second rotating shoulder components coupled to the device body, and first and second robotic arms coupled to the first and second shoulder components, respectively.

Farritor, Shane↗

DOE OSTI2023

Organic electroluminescent materials and devices

A compound of Formula X wherein ring A is absent, or present and selected from a 5-membered or 6-membered, carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, which is optionally substituted; ring B is absent, or present and selected from a 5-membered or 6-membered, carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, which is optionally substituted; and at least one of ring A or ring B is present, and the hash line represents ring A fused to ring N—W 1 —W 3 and ring B fused to ring N—W 4 —W 6 ; W 1 , W 2 , W 3 , W 4 , W 5 , and W 6 are independently selected from CR 1 or N; Z is selected from CR Z or N; and Y is selected from a group consisting of C(R 2 ) 2 , B(R 2 ) 2 , Al(R 2 ) 2 , Si(R 2 ) 2 , and Ge(R 2 ) 2 . An optoelectronic device selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic device, a photodetector device, a photosensitive device, and an OLED, the optoelectronic device including an organic layer that comprises a compound of Formula X. A consumer product that includes the optoelectronic device.

Thompson, Mark E.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Solid-phase sampling device and methods for point-source sampling of polar organic analytes

Boggess, Andrew J.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Organic electroluminescent materials and devices

A compound of Formula X wherein ring A is absent, or present and selected from a 5-membered or 6-membered, carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, which is optionally substituted; ring B is absent, or present and selected from a 5-membered or 6-membered, carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, which is optionally substituted; and at least one of ring A or ring B is present, and the hash line represents ring A fused to ring N—W 1 —W 2 and ring B fused to ring N—W 3 —W 4 ; W 1 , W 2 , W 3 , W 4 , W 5 , and W 6 are independently selected from CR 1 or N; Z is selected from CR Z or N; and Y is selected from a group consisting of C(R 2 ) 2 , B(R 2 ) 2 , Al(R 2 ) 2 , Si(R 2 ) 2 , and Ge(R 2 ) 2 . An optoelectronic device selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic device, a photodetector device, a photosensitive device, and an OLED, the optoelectronic device including an organic layer that comprises a compound of Formula X. A consumer product that includes the optoelectronic device.

Thompson, Mark E.↗

DOE OSTI2024

InP- and GaAs-Based 0.6 eV GaInAs Devices for Thermophotovoltaics and Laser Power Conversion

Emerging applications such as thermal energy grid storage, waste heat recovery and portable power generation require efficient thermophotovoltaic (TPV) converters tuned to temperatures near 1000 Degrees Celsius or below. Metamorphic GaInAs with larger lattice constants than InP present a promising option for these needs. The ability to grow these devices on GaAs substrates instead of more expensive InP would enhance the scalability of these devices. In this talk, we present inverted metamorphic Ga0.3In0.7As photovoltaic converters with sub-0.60 eV bandgaps grown on InP and GaAs substrates. These devices are realized using InAsP or GaInP/InAsP compositionally graded buffers which exhibit threading dislocation densities of 1.3 +/- 0.6 x 106 cm-2 and 8.9 +/- 1.7 x 106 cm-2 on InP and GaAs, respectively. Despite this difference in defect density, the devices generate similar open-circuit voltages of 0.386 V and 0.383 V, respectively, under irradiance producing a short-circuit current density of -10 A/cm2, with bandgap-voltage offsets of 0.20 and 0.21 V. We estimate their thermophotovoltaic efficiency using these measurements coupled with broadband reflectance measurments. The InP-based cell is estimated to yield 1.09 W/cm2 at 1100 Degrees Celsius vs. 0.92 W/cm2 for the GaAs-based cell, with TPV efficiencies of 16.8 vs. 9.2%. Both devices are limited by sub-bandgap absorption, which we assess largely occurs in the graded buffers. We estimate that the 1100 Degrees Celsius thermophotovoltaic efficiencies would increase to 24.0% and 20.7% in structures with the graded buffer removed, if previously demonstrated reflectance is achieved. These devices also have application as laser power converters in the 2.0-2.3 um atmospheric window. We estimate efficiencies of 36.8% and 32.5% under 2.0 um monochromatic irradiance of 1.86 W/cm2 and 2.81 W/cm2, respectively.

ENGINEERING,MATERIALS SCIENCE,SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Wide bandgap optical switch circuit breaker for controlling propagation of current therethrough a wide bandgap optical device

A high-voltage switch is adapted for use as a medium-voltage direct current circuit breaker, which provides a low-cost, small-footprint device to mitigate system faults. In one example, a method for operating a wideband optical device includes illuminating the wide bandgap optical device with a light within a first range of wavelengths and a first average intensity, allowing a current to propagate therethrough without substantial absorption of the current, illuminating the wide bandgap optical device with light within the first range of wavelengths and a second average intensity that is lower than the first average intensity to allow a sustained current flow though the wide bandgap optical device, and illuminating the wide bandgap optical device with light within a second range of wavelengths to stop or substantially restrict propagation of the current through the wide gap material.

Voss, Lars F.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Portable and Cost-Effective Device for Reliable Detection of Counterfeit and Non-compliant Refrigerants in Diverse Applications

Counterfeit refrigerants pose significant challenges to safety, system reliability, and operational effectiveness due to their harmful contaminants or incompatible chemical compositions. Utilizing these noncompliant products can lead to reduced efficiency, equipment failures, and expensive repairs. Additionally, heightened demand for alternative refrigerants during the industry's transition has created supply gaps, enabling counterfeit products to proliferate. Accurate detection and analysis tools are therefore essential to verify refrigerant authenticity and ensure system integrity in diverse applications. This paper presents the development of a portable device designed for reliable identification and detailed analysis of refrigerant composition. By integrating precision gas sampling, controlled pressure regulation, and automated sensor technology, the device not only detects deviations from standard refrigerant properties but also provides a comprehensive composition breakdown. Pre-calibrated sensors measure the refrigerant gas to identify specific concentrations and contaminants, with an intuitive LED-based indicator system ensuring quick interpretation of results. The user-friendly interface enables operators to select refrigerant types for targeted testing, further enhancing accuracy and usability for field technicians. Comprehensive testing was conducted on mildly flammable A2L refrigerants, showcasing the device’s robustness and adaptability in analyzing composition and detecting discrepancies. The device demonstrated consistent accuracy across a range of refrigerant samples, affirming its reliability in diverse operational environments. Its design minimizes contamination risks during sampling and provides detailed composition results within 90 seconds, ensuring efficient and precise analysis. With a projected price point under $150, the proposed solution delivers affordability alongside its lightweight portability and straightforward operation. Unlike complex and costly alternatives, such as gas chromatography systems, this device provides an accessible option for technicians, customs personnel, and industry operators in need of quick and effective refrigerant verification. Compatible with both current formulations and emerging refrigerant technologies, the device addresses critical counterfeit detection needs across a range of applications. By delivering accurate composition analysis and counterfeit identification, this innovation enhances system performance, safety, and operational reliability in crucial industries.

Cheekatamarla, Praveen [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000248827↗

DOE OSTI2021

Energy use of residential safety, security, and health devices

Miscellaneous electrical loads (MELs) are responsible for a significant fraction of energy consumption in buildings. This paper addresses one category of MELs: Safety, Security, and Health Devices (SSHDs). Common SSHDs include: electrical life safety equipment, smoke alarms, radon mitigation fans, and home oxygen concentrators. The installation or use of these devices is dictated by building codes, health providers, insurance companies, and other entities—none of which would ordinarily consider energy efficiency a priority. For this project, the most important residential devices were explored in terms of their governing regulations, functions, technologies, and energy use. The power consumption of 41 life safety SSHDs were measured. Individual power consumption of life safety devices is very small but many are typically required in every home. Devices performing the same functions have wide ranges in power use. Opportunities for reducing SSHD energy use were investigated, the results are summarized, and recommendations are made for further actions that could be taken to reduce SSHD energy use. Finally, SSHDs identified in this paper are responsible for at least one percent of current U.S. residential electricity consumption, but that number will climb steadily as existing buildings are upgraded and new types of SSHDs appear.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2022

An implantable biomechanical energy harvester for animal monitoring devices

Insufficient service life and the resulting need for battery replacements have been a great challenge for implantable electronic devices. This is particularly true for animal tracking applications, because recapturing animals is often unlikely once they are released to the wild. To tackle this problem, we developed a biomechanical energy harvester that uses a Macro Fiber Composite™ (MFC) piezoelectric beam to harvest the mechanical energy from animals’ body bending movements as the power source for implantable and wearable devices. Prototypes of an underwater acoustic transmitter using this technology were subdermally implanted into juvenile white sturgeon and their energy harvesting performance was evaluated through the device’s transmissions. Additionally, the fish successfully recovered from the implantation surgery and freely swam inside a tank. The transmitter prototypes in the fish continually transmitted signals for a period up to 5 weeks. A benchtop test setup was also created to emulate the fish’s body bending, estimate the device’s energy harvesting performance in the live fish, and perform accelerated fatigue testing of the energy harvester by applying test parameters learned from a video study of the fish’s body movement and behavior characteristics. The gradual depolarization of the piezoelectric ceramic material in the MFC under cyclic mechanical loading was the main limiting factor for the life span of the energy harvester. Pathways for improvement are proposed to achieve long-term efficacy of powering implantable and wearable electronic devices.

42 ENGINEERING↗