SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “dendrites”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 37 records · Page 2

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2025

Mitigating Battery Cell Failure: Role of Ag‐Nanoparticle Fillers in Solid Electrolyte Dendrite Suppression

Abstract The development of solid‐state batteries (SSBs) with lithium Li metal anodes holds significant promise for enhancing the energy density and safety of next‐generation energy storage systems. However, their commercialization is hindered by challenges related to Li dendrite formation, which can lead to short circuits and battery failure. In this study, the role of Ag nanoparticles embedded within solid electrolytes (SE) is investigated in suppressing dendrite propagation. The results demonstrate that Ag nanoparticles effectively mitigate two key failure mechanisms: (1) dendrite growth within porous networks at low current densities and (2) stress intensification‐induced SE fracture at higher current densities (12 mA cm −2 ). Ex situ characterization using focused‐ion beam – scanning electron microscopy (FIB–SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS,) reveals that Ag nanoparticles migrate alongside advancing Li dendrites, promoting homogeneous dendrite growth and reducing the likelihood of localized stress concentrations. Additionally, the incorporation of Ag nanoparticles is shown to facilitate a more uniform Li distribution toward the anode side, which can potentially enable the use of higher charging rates in SSBs. This study provides a new perspective on Li dendrite suppression and presents new opportunities for enhancing the performance and safety of SSBs.

Diallo, Mouhamad Said↗

DOE OSTI2025

A Modified Sand’s Time Incorporating Li-Ion Transport Across the SEI: Basis for Understanding Li Dendrite Formation and Li-Metal Battery Electrolyte Selection

Abstract Understanding the initiation of lithium dendrites remains elusive, largely due to the intricate role of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) which forms on the Li surface during electrodeposition. Many studies have utilized the classical Sand’s equation to estimate the onset time when lithium dendrites begin to form. The Sand’s equation provides the time when the cation (Li+) concentration at the electrode-electrolyte interface approaches zero under diffusion-limited conditions in galvanostatic Li electrodeposition. However, recent experimental studies have revealed that the observed lithium dendrite onset time deviates considerably from the Sand’s time. Here, we show that this deviation from classical theory is likely due to the transport of Li+ ions through the SEI - a transport limitation that is much more dominant in controlling dendrite formation. We develop a ‘modified’ Sand's equation, incorporating the SEI layer and the diffusional transport across it to predict Li dendrite onset times. To validate this approach, we conducted Li electrodeposition experiments at various current densities using two distinct organic electrolytes. Analysis of the results demonstrates that the modified Sand's equation provides a more accurate prediction of dendrite onset times, highlighting the importance of incorporating SEI into transport models of Li plating in next-generation rechargeable Li-metal batteries.

Ma, Yuanman (ORCID:0000000200444811)↗

NASA NTRS1976

Web-dendritic ribbon growth

A web furnace was constructed for pulling dendritic-web samples. The effect of changes in the furnace thermal geometry on the growth of dendritic-web was studied. Several attempts were made to grow primitive dendrites for use as the dendritic seed crystals for web growth and to determine the optimum twin spacing in the dendritic seed crystal for web growth. Mathematical models and computer programs were used to determine the thermal geometries in the susceptor, crucible melt, meniscus, and web. Several geometries were determined for particular furnace geometries and growth conditions. The information obtained was used in conjunction with results from the experimental growth investigations in order to achieve proper conditions for sustained pulling of two dendrite web ribbons. In addition, the facilities for obtaining the following data were constructed: twin spacing, dislocation density, web geometry, resistivity, majority charge carrier type, and minority carrier lifetime.

Hilborn, R. B., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Dendritic web silicon for solar cell application

The dendritic web process for growing long thin ribbon crystals of silicon and other semiconductors is described. Growth is initiated from a thin wirelike dendrite seed which is brought into contact with the melt surface. Initially, the seed grows laterally to form a button at the melt surface; when the seed is withdrawn, needlelike dendrites propagate from each end of the button into the melt, and the web portion of the crystal is formed by the solidification of the liquid film supported by the button and the bounding dendrites. Apparatus used for dendritic web growth, material characteristics, and the two distinctly different mechanisms involved in the growth of a single crystal are examined. The performance of solar cells fabricated from dendritic web material is indistinguishable from the performance of cells fabricated from Czochralski grown material.

Seidensticker, R. G.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Free dendritic growth

Free dendritic growth refers to the unconstrained development of crystals within a supercooled melt, which is the classical 'dendrite problem'. Great strides have been taken in recent years in both the theoretical understanding of dendritic growth and its experimental status. The development of this field will be sketched, showing that transport theory and interfacial thermodynamics (capillarity theory) were sufficient ingredients to develop a truly predictive model of dendrite formation. The convenient, but incorrect, notion of 'maximum velocity' was used for many years to estimate the behavior of dendritic transformations until supplanted by modern dynamic stability theory. The proper combinations of transport theory and morphological stability seem to able to predict the salient aspects of dendritic growth, especially in the neighborhood of the tip. The overall development of cast microstructures, such as equiaxed zone formation, rapidly solidified microstructures, etc., also seems to contain additional non-deterministic features which lie outside the current theories discussed here.

Glicksman, M. E.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Scientific basis for the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment - A USMP-2 space flight experiment

NASA has planned three flight experiments, designated as the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE), to be performed on three of the United States Microgravity Payload (USMP) flights. IDGE is designed to provide microgravity data on dendritic growth for a critical test of theory. Terrestrial gravity, g sub 0, and the associated phenomenon of buoyancy driven convection, prevent a truly quantitative test of pure, diffusocapillary dendritic growth theory. However, recent theoretical analysis provides a fluid mechanics framework for estimating the effects of reduced gravity on the dendritic solidification of pure succinonitrile (SCN), the model material selected for the first IDGE flight. The results (dendritic tip radii and velocities) of the recent fully integrated ground-based tests on the IDGE prototype engineering hardware is in general agreement with the 'historical' ground based data for SCN. At undercoolings of 0.5 K or less, a microgravity environment of approximately 10 exp -3 g sub 0 or lower would have a significant difference from the g sub 0 dendritic growth of SCN.

Glicksman, M. E.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Off-Axis Drag of Dendrite Fragments at Low Reynolds Number

The aim of the present investigation is to characterize the motion of dendrite fragments falling under the influence of gravity in a uniform liquid medium at low Reynolds number. In an earlier study, Zakhem, Weidman and de Groh (1992) reported on the settling speed of model equiaxed dendrite grains released along their axis of symmetry. In this follow-up study uniaxial model dendrite grains were released off-axis to observe and document their motion at different orientations. It was hypothesized that the dendrite models might rotate when released off-axis in which case an attempt would be made to document the ensuing unsteady motion. This latter event turned out to be in fact true: at the small but finite Reynolds numbers that existed, each uniaxial dendrite slowly rotated towards its equilibrium orientation while failing under the influence of gravity. In addition to completing the original goal, we have made use of a beads-on-a shell Stokes flow code to numerically determine the drag coefficient for capsules, i.e.. uniaxial dendrites without arms. The drag on horizontally and vertically falling capsules are reported and compared with measurements.

Weidman, P. D.↗

NASA NTRS1998

The Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment

The growth of dendrites is one of the commonly observed forms of solidification encountered when metals and alloys freeze under low thermal gradients, as occurs in most casting and welding processes. In engineering alloys, the details of the dendritic morphology directly relates to important material responses and properties. Of more generic interest, dendritic growth is also an archetypical problem in morphogenesis, where a complex pattern evolves from simple starting conditions. Thus, the physical understanding and mathematical description of how dendritic patterns emerge during the growth process are of interest to both scientists and engineers. The Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE) is a basic science experiment designed to measure, for a fundamental test of theory, the kinetics and morphology of dendritic growth without complications induced by gravity-driven convection. The IDGE, a collaboration between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in Troy NY, and NASA's Lewis Research Center (LeRC) was developed over a ten year period from a ground-based research program into a space flight experiment. Important to the success of this flight experiment was provision of in situ near-real-time teleoperations during the spaceflight experiment.

Glicksman, M. E.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Characterization of Optical Lenses to be Considered for the Imaging of Crystal Dendrite Growth

Dynamic fracture is a phenomenon that is extremely sensitive to small perturbations in system parameters. This phenomenon is, in some ways, similar to that of dendritic crystal growth, although it is governed by different physical principles. Crystal dendrite growth patterns are affected by parameters such as temperature, pressure, and gravity. By studying the behavior of crystal dendrites in a controlled, microgravity environment, a greater understanding of dynamic fracture could be revealed. A sealed cubical container contains four stingers, which facilitate the growth of crystal dendrites. The container has five windows and is emersed in a liquid, for thermal isolation. The tip of a dendrite can advance in any direction, therefore three-dimensional images of the process are desired. Furthermore, because of the rapid growth rate, a fast image frame rate is required for accurate tracking of dendrite tip velocity. In addition, optical parameters such as field of view, depth of focus, and resolution are examined, as well as the working distance between a lens and the target of observation.

Wing, Frank M.↗

NASA NTRS2002

The AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 regulates dendritic architecture of motor neurons

The morphology of the mature motor neuron dendritic arbor is determined by activity-dependent processes occurring during a critical period in early postnatal life. The abundance of the AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 in motor neurons is very high during this period and subsequently falls to a negligible level. To test the role of GluR1 in dendrite morphogenesis, we reintroduced GluR1 into rat motor neurons at the end of the critical period and quantitatively studied the effects on dendrite architecture. Two versions of GluR1 were studied that differed by the amino acid in the "Q/R" editing site. The amino acid occupying this site determines single-channel conductance, ionic permeability, and other essential electrophysiologic properties of the resulting receptor channels. We found large-scale remodeling of dendritic architectures in a manner depending on the amino acid occupying the Q/R editing site. Alterations in the distribution of dendritic arbor were not prevented by blocking NMDA receptors. These observations suggest that the expression of GluR1 in motor neurons modulates a component of the molecular substrate of activity-dependent dendrite morphogenesis. The control of these events relies on subunit-specific properties of AMPA receptors.

Non-NASA Center↗

NASA NTRS1999

Third and Final Shuttle Mission of the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment Conducted: Highest Supercooling Ever Recorded Achieved

Dendrites describe the treelike crystal morphology commonly assumed in metals and alloys that freeze from supercooled or supersaturated melts. There remains a high level of engineering interest in dendritic solidification because the size, shape, and orientation of the dendrites determine the final microstructure of a material. It is the microstructure that then determines the physical properties of cast or welded products. Although it is well known that dendritic growth is controlled by the transport of latent heat from the moving solid-liquid interface, an accurate and predictive model has not yet been developed. The effects of gravity-induced convection on the transfer of heat from the interface have prevented adequate testing, under terrestrial conditions, of solidification models. The Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE) constituted a series of three microgravity experiments flown aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. The apparatus was used to grow and record dendrite solidification in the absence of gravity-induced convective heat transfer, thereby producing a wealth of benchmark-quality data for testing solidification models and theories.

Glicksman, Martin E.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Leveraging dendritic complexity for neuromorphic computing

Abstract Beyond-von Neumann computing approaches are necessary to sustain the growth of microelectronics and the increasing appetite for artificial intelligence/machine learning algorithms. Neuromorphic computing is an emerging paradigm that takes inspiration from the brain to provide a path forward to improve the computational efficiency and computational density of next-generation computing architectures. In nature, we observe brains performing complex computations with a much smaller energy footprint than conventional computing approaches. Current neuromorphic systems are focused primarily on scalability, namely, increasing the number of computational units (neurons) and connections between units (synapses). However, for brain-like cognition and efficiency in next-generation computing hardware, we need increased complexity in function, as well as improved connection density for scalability. Here, we present our work that aims to incorporate dendrites for ‘compute-on-wire’ in neuromorphic architectures to increase the computational complexity (e.g. number of programmable parameters, nonlinear dynamics) as well as computational efficiency (energy/compute) of artificial neural networks (ANNs). We do this by showcasing neuromorphic dendrite elements that can be leveraged for various applications. We will present examples of neuroscience-inspired direction-selective circuits and an ANN with active dendrites leveraging shunting inhibition. We also demonstrate the benefits of using dendrites in deep neural networks. To conclude, we discuss how we can utilize emerging hardware devices in these systems and design next-generation neuromorphic architectures with dendrites.

Cardwell, Suma G. (ORCID:0000000226575545)↗

NASA NTRS1979

Convection and diffusion effects during dendritic solidification

A report is presented of the first quantitative measurements of dendritic growth at supercooling levels where convection instead of diffusion is the controlling heat transfer mechanism. Precautions similar to that used in an investigation conducted by Glicksman et al. (1976) were taken to insure 'free' dendritic growth conditions. Dendritic growth velocity was measured as a function of growth orientation at seventeen supercoolings which ranged from 0.043 C to 2 C. Selected but representative measurements of velocity versus orientation angle are shown in a graph. The relative growth velocity of a downward growing dendrite is found to be greater than that of a diffusion-limited dendrite. This result is consistent with that expected from the enhanced heat transfer arising from natural convection.

Glicksman, M. E.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Transport Processes in Dendritic Crystallization

Free dentritic growth refers to the unconstrained development of crystals within a supercooled melt, which is the classical dendrite problem. The development of theoretical understanding of dendritic growth and its experimental status is sketched showing that transport theory and interfacial thermodynamics (capillarity theory) are insufficient ingredients to develop a truly predictive model of dendrite formation. The convenient, but incorrect, notion of maximum velocity was used for many years to estimate the behavior of dendritic transformations until supplanted by modern dynamic stability theory. The proper combinations of transport theory and morphological stability seem to be able to predict the salient aspects of dendritic growth, especially in the neighborhood of the tip.

Glicksman, M. E.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Cellular and dendritic growth in a binary melt - A marginal stability approach

A simple model for the constrained growth of an array of cells or dendrites in a binary alloy in the presence of an imposed positive temperature gradient in the liquid is proposed, with the dendritic or cell tip radius calculated using the marginal stability criterion of Langer and Muller-Krumbhaar (1977). This approach, an approach adopting the ad hoc assumption of minimum undercooling at the cell or dendrite tip, and an approach based on the stability criterion of Trivedi (1980) all predict tip radii to within 30 percent of each other, and yield a simple relationship between the tip radius and the growth conditions. Good agreement is found between predictions and data obtained in a succinonitrile-acetone system, and under the present experimental conditions, the dendritic tip stability parameter value is found to be twice that obtained previously, possibly due to a transition in morphology from a cellular structure with just a few side branches, to a more fully developed dendritic structure.

Laxmanan, V.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Vertical solidification of dendritic binary alloys

Three numerical techniques are employed to analyze the influence of thermosolutal convection on defect formation in directionally solidified (DS) alloys. The finite-element models are based on the Boussinesq approximation and include the plane-front model and two plane-front models incorporating special dendritic regions. In the second model the dendritic region has a time-independent volume fraction of liquid, and in the last model the dendritic region evolves as local conditions dictate. The finite-element models permit the description of nonlinear thermosolutal convection by treating the dendritic regions as porous media with variable porosities. The models are applied to lead-tin alloys including DS alloys, and severe segregation phenomena such as freckles and channels are found to develop in the DS alloys. The present calculations and the permeability functions selected are shown to predict behavior in the dendritic regions that qualitatively matches that observed experimentally.

Heinrich, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1992

On the drag of model dendrite fragments at low Reynolds number

An experimental study of low Reynolds number drag on laboratory models of dendrite fragments has been conducted. The terminal velocities of the dendrites undergoing free fall along their axis of symmetry were measured in a large Stokes flow facility. Corrections for wall interference give nearly linear drag vs Reynolds number curves. Corrections for both wall interference and inertia effects show that the dendrite Stokes settling velocities are always less than that of a sphere of equal mass and volume. In the Stokes limit, the settling speed ratio is found to correlate well with the primary dendrite arm aspect ratio and a second dimensionless shape parameter which serves as a measure of the fractal-like nature of the dendrite models. These results can be used to estimate equiaxed grain velocities and distance of travel in metal castings. The drag measurements may be used in numerical codes to calculate the movement of grains in a convecting melt in an effort to determine macrosegregation patterns caused by the sink/float mechanism.

Zakhem, R.↗

NASA NTRS1993

On the drag of model dendrite fragments at low Reynolds number

An experimental study of low Reynolds number drag on laboratory models of dendrite fragments has been conducted. The terminal velocities of the dendrites undergoing free fall along their axis of symmetry were measured in a large Stokes flow facility. Corrections for wall interference give nearly linear drag vs Reynolds number curves. Corrections for both wall interference and inertia effects show that the dendrite Stokes settling velocities are always less than that of a sphere of equal mass and volume. In the Stokes limit, the settling speed ratio is found to correlate well with primary dendrite arm aspect ratio and a second dimensionless shape paremeter which serves as a measure of the fractal-like nature of the dendrite models. These results can be used to estimate equiaxed grain velocities and distance of travel in metal castings. The drag measurements may be used in numerical codes to calculate the movement of grains in a convecting melt in an effort to determine macrosegregation patterns caused by the sink/float mechanism.

Zakhem, R.↗