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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Microwave-driven heterogeneous catalysis for activation of dinitrogen to ammonia under atmospheric pressure

This paper presents an innovative approach to producing energy-dense, carbon–neutral liquid ammonia as a means for carrying energy. This approach synergistically integrates microwave reaction chemistry with novel heterogeneous catalysis that decouples dinitrogen activation from high-temperature and high-pressure reactions, altering reaction pathways and increasing ammonia formation rate. Results presented here demonstrate that ammonia synthesis can be conducted at 280 ? and ambient pressure to achieve ~1 mmol ammonia/g cat/h over supported ruthenium catalyst systems utilizing microwave irradiation. It is further shown that adding promoter ions such as potassium, cerium, and barium significantly improves the ammonia production rate over undoped ruthenium-based catalysts. This effect could be attributed to enhanced dielectric loss processes that lead to stronger microwave absorption by the catalyst. Measurement of the equilibrium constant under microwave conditions showed a higher ammonia yield than under thermal equilibrium conditions for both the iron- and ruthenium-based catalysts. Finally, this study also illustrates the advantages of using a variable-frequency microwave reactor for ambient-pressure ammonia synthesis. Mechanistically, investigators believed that the oscillating electric fields of the radiation can couple with adsorbed nitrogen on the surface and accelerate its dissociation. Since dinitrogen dissociation on the surface is rate limiting, this effectively accelerates the reaction.

Hu, Jianli (John)↗
DOE OSTI2021

Direct Measurement of the Selective Microwave-Induced Heating of Agglomerates of Dipolar Molecules: The Origin of and Parameters Controlling a Microwave Specific Superheating Effect

Agglomerates of polar molecules in nonpolar solvents are selectively heated by microwave radiation. The magnitude of the selective heating was directly measured by using the temperature dependence of the intensities of the Stokes and anti-Stokes bands in the Raman spectra of p-nitroanisole (pNA) and mesitylene. Under dynamic heating conditions, a large apparent temperature difference (ΔT) of over 100 °C was observed between the polar pNA solute and the nonpolar mesitylene solvent. This represents the first direct measurement of the selective microwave heating process. The magnitude of the selective microwave heating was affected by the properties of the agglomerated pNA. As the concentration of the pNA increases, the magnitude of the selective heating of the pNA was observed to decrease. This is explained by the tendency of the pNA dipoles to orient in an antiparallel fashion in the aggregates as measured by the Kirkwood g value, which decreased with increasing concentration. This effect reduces the net dipole moment of the agglomerates, which decreases the microwave absorption. After the radiation was terminated, the effective temperature of the dipolar molecules returned slowly to that of the medium. The slow heat transfer was modeled successfully by treating the solutions as a biphasic solvent/solute system. Based on modeling and the fact that the agglomerate can be heated above the boiling temperature of the solvent, an insulating layer of solvent vapor is suggested to form around the heated agglomerate, slowing convective heat transfer out of the agglomerate. Furthermore, this is an effect unique to microwave heating.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Final Report on Development of Microwave Resonant Cavity Transducer for Fluid Flow Sensing: Development of Microwave Cavity Flow Meter for Advanced Reactor High Temperature Fluids

We are investigating a microwave resonant cavity transducer for flow sensing in the vessel of a high temperature fluid advanced reactor (AR), such as a molten salt cooled reactor (MSCR) or a sodium fast reactor (SFR). This transducer is a hollow metallic cylindrical cavity, with one of the flat walls of the cylinder flexible enough to undergo microscopic deflection due to dynamic fluid pressure. Membrane deflection leads to a shift in the microwave resonant frequency, which can be detected with a spectrum analyzer. We have developed a continuum electromechanics model of the microwave resonant cavity transducer performance. The deflection of the membrane is calculated using equations from the theory of plates and shells for deflection of radially constrained thin circular disk under uniform load. The microwave frequency shift is calculated using the equations from the microwave cavity perturbation theory. The transducer model was validated with proof-of-concept experimental data of water flow sensing with a Brass 360 right circular cylinder with 22.2mm diameter and 203µm thick wall. The cavity was excited through a subwavelength hole in TE 011 mode with resonant frequency f ≈ 17.8GHz. Subsequently, we have performed a preliminary proof-of-principle test of flow sensing in high temperature liquid sodium in environment. For this test, we have developed a cylindrical resonator with the same dimensions as for the Brass 360 cavity. The resonator for high temperature liquid sodium test was machined from stainless steel 316 and electroplated with silver on the interior surfaces. We have also developed and insertion probe consisting of a 50cm WR-42 brass waveguide enclosed in a protective SS316 tube. The cavity was excited through a subwavelength hole on the side of the wall of the cylinder in the TE 011 mode with resonant frequency f ≈ 17.8GHz. The liquid sodium setup consists of a cylindrical vessel with a center feed line, where a transducer inserted through the top cap of the vessel measures velocity of the impinging liquid jet. The sodium flow sensing study was performed in a liquid sodium vessel at 340°C temperature and ambient pressure. The flow rate was changed by varying sodium pump power, and a frequency shift of several hundred kHz was observed. The transducer was removed after 70 days of testing. No visual damage was observed, and the electromagnetic response remained the same. As a calibration experiment, we have assembled a water vessel with a center feed, and with dimensions similar to those of the liquid sodium setup. Water flow sensing was performed before and after liquid sodium test. The responses in both cases are similar and agree with COMSOL computer simulations. Because long-term (multi-year) experimental tests of transducer resilience to harsh environment are not practical, we have developed a probabilistic model of creep to estimate transducer resilience to the harsh environment. The probabilistic model considers diffusion creep under the condition of high temperature and low stress, where the stress and temperature are allowed to be random variables with Gaussian distributions. Using the probabilistic model, we estimate inelastic membrane deflections due to creep for several temperature ranges. We conclude that for temperatures less than 650°C, creep has negligible long-term effect on the transducer performance.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Microwave soft x-ray microscopy for nanoscale magnetization dynamics in the 5–10 GHz frequency range

We present a scanning transmission x-ray microscopy setup combined with a novel microwave synchronization scheme for studying high frequency magnetization dynamics at synchrotron light sources. The sensitivity necessary to detect small changes in the magnetization on short time scales and nanometer spatial dimensions is achieved by combining the excitation mechanism with single photon counting electronics that is locked to the synchrotron operation frequency. Our instrument is capable of creating direct images of dynamical phenomena in the 5-10 GHz range, with high spatial resolution. When used together with circularly polarized x-rays, the above capabilities can be combined to study magnetic phenomena at microwave frequencies, such as ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and spin waves. We demonstrate the capabilities of our technique by presenting phase resolved images of a ∼6 GHz nanoscale spin wave generated by a spin torque oscillator, as well as the uniform ferromagnetic precession with ∼0.1° amplitude at ∼9 GHz in a micrometer-sized cobalt strip.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Power combination of two phase-locked high power microwave beams from a new coaxial microwave source based on dual beams

The new coaxial high power microwave source based on dual beams has demonstrated two phase-locked output microwave beams generated by its two sub-sources. In order to achieve a single higher output power, we present a three-port waveguide-based power combiner to combine the two microwave beams. Particle-in-cell simulation results show that when the diode voltage is 675 kV and the guiding magnetic field is 0.8 T, a combined microwave with an average power of about 4.0 GW and a frequency of 9.74 GHz is generated; the corresponding power conversion efficiency is 29%. The combination effect of the combiner is further validated in the diode voltage range from 675 kV to 755 kV as well as in the pulse regime. The simulations indicate that the maximum surface axial electric field strength of the electrodynamic structure is 720 kV/cm, which is relatively low corresponding to an output power of 4.0 GW. The stable combined output suggests the probability of long-pulse operation for the combined source.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Diamond synthesis at atmospheric pressure by microwave capillary plasma chemical vapor deposition

Polycrystalline diamond has been synthesized on silicon substrates at atmospheric pressure, using a microwave capillary plasma chemical vapor deposition technique. The CH{sub 4}/Ar plasma was generated inside of quartz capillary tubes using 2.45 GHz microwave excitation without adding H{sub 2} into the deposition gas chemistry. Electronically excited species of CN, C{sub 2}, Ar, N{sub 2}, CH, H{sub β}, and H{sub α} were observed in the emission spectra. Raman measurements of deposited material indicate the formation of well-crystallized diamond, as evidenced by the sharp T{sub 2g} phonon at 1333 cm{sup −1} peak relative to the Raman features of graphitic carbon. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images reveal that, depending on the growth conditions, the carbon microstructures of grown films exhibit “coral” and “cauliflower-like” morphologies or well-facetted diamond crystals with grain sizes ranging from 100 nm to 10 μm.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Low-noise heterodyne receiver for electron cyclotron emission imaging and microwave imaging reflectometry

The critical component enabling electron cyclotron emission imaging (ECEI) and microwave imaging reflectometry (MIR) to resolve 2D and 3D electron temperature and density perturbations is the heterodyne imaging array that collects and downconverts radiated emission and/or reflected signals (50–150 GHz) to an intermediate frequency (IF) band (e.g. 0.1–18 GHz) that can be transmitted by a shielded coaxial cable for further filtering and detection. New circuitry has been developed for this task, integrating gallium arsenide (GaAs) monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) mounted on a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate. The improved topology significantly increases electromagnetic shielding from out-of-band interference, leads to 10× improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio, and dramatic cost savings through integration. The current design, optimized for reflectometry and edge radiometry on mid-sized tokamaks, has demonstrated >20 dB conversion gain in upper V-band (60-75 GHz). Implementation of the circuit in a multi-channel electron cyclotron emission imaging (ECEI) array will improve the diagnosis of edge-localized modes and fluctuations of the high-confinement, or H-mode, pedestal.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Microwave conductance properties of aligned multiwall carbon nanotube textile sheets

Understanding the conductance properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) textile sheets in the microwave regime is essential for their potential use in high-speed and high-frequency applications. To expand current knowledge, complex high-frequency conductance measurements from 0.01 to 50 GHz and across temperatures from 4.2 K to 300 K and magnetic fields up to 2 T were made on textile sheets of highly aligned MWNTs with strand alignment oriented both parallel and perpendicular to the microwave electric field polarization. Sheets were drawn from 329 and 520 μm high MWNT forests that resulted in different DC resistance anisotropy. For all samples, the microwave conductance can be modeled approximately by a shunt capacitance in parallel with a frequency-independent conductance, but with no inductive contribution. Finally, this is consistent with diffusive Drude conduction as the primary transport mechanism up to 50 GHz. Further, it is found that the microwave conductance is essentially independent of both temperature and magnetic field.

Brown, Brian L.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Second Generation Readout For Large Format Photon Counting Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors

We present the development of a second generation digital readout system for photon counting microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID) arrays operating in the optical and near-infrared wavelength bands. Our system retains much of the core signal processing architecture from the first generation system but with a significantly higher bandwidth, enabling the readout of kilopixel MKID arrays. Each set of readout boards is capable of reading out 1024 MKID pixels multiplexed over 2 GHz of bandwidth; two such units can be placed in parallel to read out a full 2048 pixel microwave feedline over a 4 GHz–8 GHz band. As in the first generation readout, our system is capable of identifying, analyzing, and recording photon detection events in real time with a time resolution of order a few microseconds. Here, we describe the hardware and firmware, and present an analysis of the noise properties of the system. We also present a novel algorithm for efficiently suppressing IQ mixer sidebands to below −30 dBc.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1997

Cloud Liquid Water Path Comparisons from Passive Microwave and Solar Reflectance Satellite Measurements: Assessment of Sub-Field-of-View Cloud Effects in Microwave Retrievals

Satellite observations of the cloud liquid water path (LWP) are compared from special sensor microwave imager (SSM/I) measurements and GOES 8 imager solar reflectance (SR) measurements to ascertain the impact of sub-field-of-view (FOV) cloud effects on SSM/I 37 GHz retrievals. The SR retrievals also incorporate estimates of the cloud droplet effective radius derived from the GOES 8 3.9-micron channel. The comparisons consist of simultaneous collocated and full-resolution measurements and are limited to nonprecipitating marine stratocumulus in the eastern Pacific for two days in October 1995. The retrievals from these independent methods are consistent for overcast SSM/I FOVS, with RMS differences as low as 0.030 kg/sq m, although biases exist for clouds with more open spatial structure, where the RMS differences increase to 0.039 kg/sq m. For broken cloudiness within the SSM/I FOV the average beam-filling error (BFE) in the microwave retrievals is found to be about 22% (average cloud amount of 73%). This systematic error is comparable with the average random errors in the microwave retrievals. However, even larger BFEs can be expected for individual FOVs and for regions with less cloudiness. By scaling the microwave retrievals by the cloud amount within the FOV, the systematic BFE can be significantly reduced but with increased RMS differences of O.046-0.058 kg/sq m when compared to the SR retrievals. The beam-filling effects reported here are significant and are expected to impact directly upon studies that use instantaneous SSM/I measurements of cloud LWP, such as cloud classification studies and validation studies involving surface-based or in situ data.

Greenwald, Thomas J.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Visualization of the microwave beam generated by a plasma relativistic microwave amplifier

A method based on the detection of emission of a dielectric screen with metal microinclusions in open air is applied to visualize the transverse structure of a high-power microwave beam. In contrast to other visualization techniques, the results obtained in this work provide qualitative information not only on the electric field strength, but also on the structure of electric field lines in the microwave beam cross section. The interpretation of the results obtained with this method is confirmed by numerical simulations of the structure of electric field lines in the microwave beam cross section by means of the CARAT code.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Influence of Plasma Unsteadiness on the Spectrum and Shape of Microwave Pulses in a Plasma Relativistic Microwave Amplifier

Dependence of the shape of a microwave pulse in a plasma relativistic microwave amplifier (PRMA) on the initial plasma electron density in the system is detected experimentally. Depending on the plasma density, fast disruption of amplification, stable operation of the amplifier during the relativistic electron beam (REB) pulse, and its delayed actuation can take place. A reduction in the output signal frequency relative to the input frequency is observed experimentally. The change in the shape of the microwave signal and the reduction in its frequency are explained by a decrease in the plasma density in the system. The dynamics of the plasma density during the REB pulse is determined qualitatively from the experimental data by using the linear theory of a PRMA with a thin-wall hollow electron beam. The processes in a PRMA are analyzed by means of the KARAT particle-in-cell code. It is shown that REB injection is accompanied by an increase in the mean energy of plasma electrons and a significant decrease in their density.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

Temperature Homogeneity under Selective and Localized Microwave Heating in Structured Flow Reactors

Selective heating of different phases of multiphase systems via microwaves can result in energy savings and suppression of side reactions. However, materials properties and operating conditions that maximize temperature gradients are poorly understood. Here we utilize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations and temperature measurements in structured flow reactors (monoliths) in a monomodal microwave cavity to assess the temperature difference between the walls and the fluid and develop a simple lumped model to estimate when temperature gradients exist. We also explore the material’s thermal and electrical properties of structured reactors for isothermal catalyst conditions. We propose that CFD simulations can be used as a nonintrusive, predictive tool of temperature homogeneity. Importantly, we demonstrate that localized heating in the bed under several conditions rather than selective heating is responsible for the selectivity enhancement. Furthermore, our results indicate that structured beds made of high thermal conductivity materials avoid arcing and enable temperature homogeneity and low electrical conductivity materials allow microwaves to penetrate the domain.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Design and characterization of a solar-enhanced microwave plasma reactor for atmospheric pressure carbon dioxide decomposition

The decomposition of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is a main step in carbon re-utilization approaches aimed to fulfill fuels and chemicals demands and mitigate environmental emissions. Plasmachemical CO 2 decomposition processes can be highly efficient; however, their reliance on electrical energy can limit their economic viability and sustainability advantage. In contrast, solar thermochemical CO 2 decomposition approaches can have limited efficiency, but their direct use of the most abundant form of renewable energy affords them the greatest sustainability potential. Solar-Enhanced Microwave Plasma (SEMP) chemical synthesis, based on the direct interaction between microwave plasma and concentrated solar radiation, is investigated as a novel approach to combine the advantages of plasmachemical and solar thermochemical processes. SEMP is motivated by the potential for synergistic effects between solar photons and plasma species, implied by the markedly greater spectral absorption of nonequilibrium CO 2 plasma compared to that of equilibrium CO 2 , to lead to enhanced chemical decomposition. The design, development, and characterization of a SEMP reactor for atmospheric pressure CO 2 decomposition is presented. The reactor is powered by a 1.25 kW magnetron and by up to 525 W of incident radiative power from a high-flux solar simulator. Experimental results reveal that the microwave plasma absorbs up to 20% of concentrated solar radiation at a solar-to-electrical power ratio of 0.5, and that relative absorption decreases with increasing solar input power. Yet, conversion efficiency and plasma energy efficiency increase with increasing solar power, up to 9% and 25% respectively, for a solar-to-electrical power ratio of 0.75. The enhanced process performance appears to be a consequence of the greater power density in the plasma caused by the direct absorption of solar radiation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1981

Microwave remote sensing: Active and passive. Volume 1 - Microwave remote sensing fundamentals and radiometry

The three components of microwave remote sensing (sensor-scene interaction, sensor design, and measurement techniques), and the applications to geoscience are examined. The history of active and passive microwave sensing is reviewed, along with fundamental principles of electromagnetic wave propagation, antennas, and microwave interaction with atmospheric constituents. Radiometric concepts are reviewed, particularly for measurement problems for atmospheric and terrestrial sources of natural radiation. Particular attention is given to the emission by atmospheric gases, clouds, and rain as described by the radiative transfer function. Finally, the operation and performance characteristics of radiometer receivers are discussed, particularly for measurement precision, calibration techniques, and imaging considerations.

Ulaby, F. T.↗