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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
NASA NTRS2006

Miniature Gas Chromatograph (GC): Penning Ionization Electron Spectroscopy (PIES) Instrument for the Trace Analyses of Extraterrestrial Environments

In situ exploration of the solar system to identify its early chemistry as preserved in icy bodies and to look for compelling evidence of astrobiology will require new technology for chemical analysis. Chemical measurements in space flight environments highlight the need for a high level of positive identification of chemical compounds, since re-measurement by alternative techniques for confirmation will not be feasible. It also may not be possible to anticipate all chemical species that are observed, and important species may be present only at trace levels where they can be masked by complex chemical backgrounds. Up to now, the only techniques providing independent sample identification of GC separated components across a wide range of chemical species have been Mass Spectrometry (MS) and Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS). We describe here the development of a versatile and robust miniature GC detector based on Penning Ionization Electron Spectroscopy (PIES), for use with miniature GC systems being developed for planetary missions. PIES identifies the sample molecule through spectra related to its ionization potential. The combination of miniature GC technology with the primary identification capabilities of PIES provides an analytical approach ideal for planetary analyses.

Kojiro, Daniel R.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Study of nanodiamond photocathodes for MPGD-based detectors of single photons

The proposed new Electron–Ion Collider poses a technical and intellectual challenge for the detector design to accommodate the long-term diverse physics goals envisaged by the program. This requires a 4π detector system capable of reconstructing the energy and momentum of final state particles with high precision. The Electron-Ion Collider also requires identification of particles of different masses over a wide momentum range. A diverse spectrum of Particle IDentification detectors has been proposed. Of the four types of detectors for hadron identification, three are based on Ring Imaging Cherenkov Counter technologies, and one is realized by the Time of Flight method. The quest for a novel photocathode, sensitive in the far vacuum ultraviolet wavelength range and more robust than cesium iodide, motivated an R&D programme to explore nano-diamond (ND) based photocathodes, started by a collaboration between INFN and CNR Bari and INFN Trieste. Systematic measurements of the photoemission in different Ar:CH 4 and Ar:CO 2 gas mixtures with various types of ND powders and Hydrogenated ND (H-ND) powders are reported. A first study of the response of THGEMs coated with different photocathode materials is presented. Additionally, the progress of this R&D programme and the results obtained so far by these exploratory studies are described.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

Optical Microscopy-Guided Laser Ablation Electrospray Ionization Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry: Ambient Single Cell Metabolomics with Increased Confidence in Molecular Identification

Single cell analysis is a field of increasing interest as new tools are continually being developed to understand intercellular differences within large cell populations. Laser-ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LAESI-MS) is an emerging technique for single cell metabolomics. Over the years, it has been validated that this ionization technique is advantageous for probing the molecular content of individual cells in situ. Here, we report the integration of a microscope into the optical train of the LAESI source to allow for visually informed ambient in situ single cell analysis. Additionally, we have coupled this ‘LAESI microscope’ to a drift-tube ion mobility mass spectrometer to enable separation of isobaric species and allow for the determination of ion collision cross sections in conjunction with accurate mass measurements. This combined information helps provide higher confidence for structural assignment of molecules ablated from single cells. Here, we show that this system enables the analysis of the metabolite content of Allium cepa epidermal cells with high confidence structural identification together with their spatial locations within a tissue.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

In situ visualization of multicomponents coevolution in a battery pouch cell

Lithium-ion battery (LIB) is a broadly adopted technology for energy storage. With increasing demands to improve the rate capability, cyclability, energy density, safety, and cost efficiency, it is crucial to establish an in-depth understanding of the detailed structural evolution and cell-degradation mechanisms during battery operation. Here, we present a laboratory-based high-resolution and high-throughput X-ray micro–computed laminography approach, which is capable of in situ visualizing of an industry-relevant lithium-ion (Li-ion) pouch cell with superior detection fidelity, resolution, and reliability. This technique enables imaging of the pouch cell at a spatial resolution of 0.5 μm in a laboratory system and permits the identification of submicron features within cathode and anode electrodes. We also demonstrate direct visualization of the lithium plating in the imaged pouch cell, which is an important phenomenon relevant to battery fast charging and low-temperature cycling. Our development presents an avenue toward a thorough understanding of the correlation among multiscale structures, chemomechanical degradation, and electrochemical behavior of industry-scale battery pouch cells.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Neutral Atomic Beam Techniques for Diagnosis of Edge and Scrape-Off Layer Plasmas (2017-2019) [and subsequently titled] Neutral Atomic Beam Techniques for Diagnosis of Interior and Scrape-Off Layer Plasmas (2019-2022) (Final Report)

This is the Final Technical Report for the DOE Measurement Innovation grant DE-SC0017998 titled Neutral Atomic Beam Techniques for Diagnosis of Edge and Scrape-Off Layer Plasmas (2017-2019) and subsequently titled Neutral Atomic Beam Techniques for Diagnosis of Interior and Scrape-Off Layer Plasmas (2019-2022). The grant was funded by the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) for the period 1 September 2017 – 31 May 2022. Work performed through the grant has resulted in diagnostic innovations and new measurement capabilities that could improve understanding of magnetic equilibrium, edge localized modes in tokamaks, and bootstrap and Pfirsch-Schlüter currents in stellarators. We have performed simulations of a novel non-hydrogen beam-based diagnostic that would determine a local value (in the plasma) of the poloidal flux function by measuring the toroidal angle of the beam particles' velocity at a detector external to the plasma. The approach is similar to that of a Heavy Ion Beam Probe (HIBP), but would be able to operate with a smaller, more economical detection systems and, in doing so, may enable substantial extension of scenarios in which beam-based diagnostics are deployed. Key results include: Identification of the neutral and singly charged atoms that are most appropriate for use in the beam based diagnostic and the ionization cross-sections that are important for studying the plasma edge of a large device; Development of a promising geometry for operation in which the beam is injected horizontally near the torus midplane; Implementation of simulations using banana orbit trajectories of secondary beam ions to access plasma regions that are commonly in-accessible to an HIBP diagnostic, including sample volumes near the X-point of a diverted tokamak; Assessment of the ability of the diagnostic concept (originally developed under the assumption of, and reliant on, symmetry) to work in stellarators by performing simulations with both quasi-symmetric fields and non-quasi-symmetric fields; Measurement of noise levels with a prototype detector on a stellarator and exploration of techniques to minimize effects of noise on a diagnostic.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Identification and characterization of the dominant thermal resistance in lithium-ion batteries using operando 3-omega sensors

Poor thermal transport within lithium-ion batteries fundamentally limits their performance, safety, and lifetime, in spite of external thermal management systems. All prior efforts to understand the origin of batteries' mysteriously high thermal resistance have been confined to ex situ measurements without understanding the impact of battery operation. Here, we develop a frequency-domain technique that employs sensors capable of measuring spatially resolved intrinsic thermal transport properties within a live battery while it is undergoing cycling. Our results reveal that the poor battery thermal transport is due to high thermal contact resistance between the separator and both electrode layers and worsens as a result of formation cycling, degrading total battery thermal transport by up to 70%. We develop a thermal model of these contact resistances to explain their origin. These contacts account for up to 65% of the total thermal resistance inside the battery, leading to far-reaching consequences for the thermal design of batteries. Finally, our technique unlocks new thermal measurement capabilities for future battery research.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Crystallographic Characterization of Sodium Ions in a Bacterial Leucine/Sodium Symporter

Na + is the most abundant ion in living organisms and plays essential roles in regulating nutrient uptake, muscle contraction, and neurotransmission. The identification of Na + in protein structures is crucial for gaining a deeper understanding of protein function in a physiological context. LeuT, a bacterial homolog of the neurotransmitter:sodium symporter family, uses the Na + gradient to power the uptake of amino acids into cells and has been used as a paradigm for the study of Na + -dependent transport systems. We have devised a low-energy multi-crystal approach for characterizing low-Z (Z ≤ 20) anomalous scattering ions such as Na + , Mg 2+ , K + , and Ca 2+ by combining Bijvoet-difference Fourier syntheses for ion detection and f” refinements for ion speciation. Using the approach, we experimentally identify two Na + bound near the central leucine binding site in LeuT. Using LeuT microcrystals, we also demonstrate that Na + may be depleted to study conformational changes in the LeuT transport cycle.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

MCP-PMT development at Argonne for particle identification

The proposed high-energy high-luminosity polarized Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) demands excellent particle identification over a wide range of particles momenta to achieve the best separation between signal and background particles. Various Cherenkov imaging detector sub-systems are being considered in EIC detector concepts for hadron identification for particles momenta up to 50 GeV/c. One important challenge in this case is to provide a reliable highly pixelated photosensor working in the high radiation and high magnetic field environment. The recently commercialized Large Area Picosecond Photo-Detector (LAPPD) provides a promising low-cost photosensor solution for the various EIC Cherenkov imaging sub-systems. Optimization of the phtosensor design for high magnetic field tolerance, precision timing resolution, and pixelated readout was performed at Argonne National Laboratory with 6 x 6 cm(2) microchannel plate photomultipliers. The techniques and optimized design parameters would be transferrable to industrial partners for low-cost LAPPD production to achieve the demonstrated performance.

atomic layer deposition↗
DOE OSTI2026

Identification of Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Species by Joint Characterization of Li-Ion Battery Chemistry by Mass Spectrometry and Electrochemical Reaction Networks

The formation and stability of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) play central roles in determining the long-term performance and safety of modern electrochemical energy storage systems. Despite decades of research, the SEI’s heterogeneous, dynamic, and multiphase nature has defied comprehensive molecular-level characterization, creating a critical knowledge gap that limits rational battery design. In this work, we introduce a computational−experimental framework that integrates high-throughput quantum chemistry calculations, data-driven electrochemical reaction networks (eCRNs), stochastic algorithms, and laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (LDI-FTICR-MS) to unravel SEI formation in carbonatebased electrolytes without imposing predefined mechanisms. We constructed the most comprehensive eCRN to date, spanning over 10,000 species and 209 million reactions. Through stochastic network analysis, we successfully recovered 27 species that were previously reported in the literature and predicted 28 novel SEI species nearly doubling our scientific knowledge in this area. Each new species was rigorously confirmed through advanced mass spectral analysis of its distinct molecular and isotopic signatures. We kinetically refined the formation pathways for a select set of both previously reported and novel SEI products, revealing kinetically feasible elementary reaction mechanisms with activation barriers below 1 eV. This computational−experimental approach deepens our molecular-level understanding of SEI chemistry by resolving which species form and through which decomposition mechanisms they emerge. Such knowledge provides the foundation necessary to connect electrolyte composition to the resulting SEI components, a critical step toward a more informed electrolyte development in next-generation lithium-based batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS2006

Inter- and Intra-Chromosomal Aberrations in Human Cells Exposed in vitro to High and Low LET Radiations

Energetic heavy ions pose a health risk to astronauts in extended ISS and future Mars missions. High-LET heavy ions are particularly effective in causing various biological effects including cell inactivation, genetic mutations and cancer induction. Most of these biological endpoints are closely related to chromosomal damage, which can be utilized as a biomarker for radiation insults. Previously, we had studied chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes and fibroblasts induced by both low- and high-LET radiation using FISH and multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (mFISH) techniques. In this study, we exposed human epithelial cells in vitro to gamma rays and energetic particles of varying types and energies and dose rates, and analyzed chromosomal damages using the multicolor banding in situ hybridization (mBAND) procedure. Confluent human epithelial cells (CH184B5F5/M10) were exposed to energetic heavy ions at NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, high energy neutron at the Los Alamos Nuclear Science Center (LANSCE) or Cs-137-gamma radiation source at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center. After colcemid and Calyculin A treatment, cells were fixed and painted with XCyte3 mBAND kit (MetaSystems) and chromosome aberrations were analyzed with mBAND analysis system (MetaSystems). With this technique, individually painted chromosomal bands on one chromosome allowed the identification of interchromosomal aberrations (translocation to unpainted chromosomes) and intrachromosomal aberrations (inversions and deletions within a single painted chromosome). The results of the mBAND study showed a higher ratio of inversion involved with interchromosomal exchange in heavy ions compared to -ray irradiation. Analysis of chromosome aberrations using mBAND has the potential to provide useful information on human cell response to space-like radiation.

Hada, M.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Integration of Pumped Heat Energy Storage with Fossil-Fired Power Plant (Final Report)

The project team of Southwest Research Institute ® (SwRI ® ), Malta Inc. (Malta), and Luminant Generation Company LLC (Luminant) completed a feasibility study for the integration of a 100-MW, 10-hour (1000-MWh) Malta Pumped Heat Energy Storage (MPHES) system with multiple full-sized fossil-fired electricity generation units (EGU) in Luminant portfolio. MPHES is a long-duration, molten-salt-energy storage technology that uses turbomachinery and heat exchangers to transfer energy to a thermal storage media when charging, and removes the heat in a similar fashion when discharging. With high round trip efficiency (60-65%) and long lifespan (30+ years), MPHES provides economic benefits to the fossil-asset owners that can be scaled to integrate with assets across their portfolio. This technology uses hardware components, workforce personnel, and skillsets similar to those used by fossil EGUs, allowing for synergy when co-locating the two technologies. Luminant has approximately 39,000 megawatts of generation across 12 states, operating in six of the seven competitive markets in the U.S. and powered by a diverse portfolio of natural gas, nuclear, coal, and solar facilities. The DeCordova plant in Granbury, Texas, a simple cycle natural gas peaker power plant, was used as the fossil-fired asset in this project. The local market in Granbury, Texas has many influences, including several nearby power plants, a Luminant-owned nuclear plant (Comanche Peak), and substantial wind energy, which causes both negative pricing at night and high market volatility. Reducing false starts of the DeCordova plant and better responding to market volatility would be an economic advantage. Luminant is currently integrating battery storage plant on site to begin addressing these challenges. Integrating long-duration storage, like MPHES, would expand this capability beyond one hour of storage and have the potential to greatly reduce the total number of gas turbine starts. The MPHES charging requirement could help offset the overnight operating costs of Comanche Peak, which cannot load follow, and the nearby Luminant-owned Wise County combined cycle plant that cycles too often. Following the assessment of Luminant’s ERCOT-based portfolio for integration compatibility with Malta’s PHES system and the project tasks of conceptual study, technoeconomic analysis, technology gap assessment, and commercialization plan, the project team effort has resulted in several key outcomes: (1) Identification of market trends in a high-wind penetration market outside a major metropolitan area; (2) Creation of a dispatching model for the MPHES system and the pairing of Li-ion battery with a gas turbine in a real time market; (3) Revenue and cost estimations for operating MPHES alongside a gas peaker plant with real dispatching considerations and comparison with variations in the Malta implementation, including doubling the storage capacity and using two discharge drivetrains; (4) Potential carbon emission reductions possible by replacing gas turbine operation with Malta PHES operation; and (5) Summary of literature-based future market predictions for Texas.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS2005

Preparing for the Dawn Mission to Vesta and Ceres

The Dawn project is progressing toward its 2006 launch on a mission to orbit main belt asteroids (4) Vesta and (1) Ceres. Designed to provide insights into important questions about the evolution of the solar system, Dawn will spend more than 0.5 years in orbit about each of these bodies. This challenging mission is enabled by an ion propulsion system. In contrast to missions that use conventional chemical propulsion, the use of this system couples flight system mass and power , thereby requiring different methods of managing these and other technical resources. Now that the project is nearing launch, the refinement of resource estimates allows the identification of excess margin, which is being applied in novel ways to increase the scientific potential of the mission. The unusual relationship of the margins is described, and progress in preparing for the mission is presented.

Dawn↗
DOE OSTI2020

The forward TPC system of the NA61/SHINE experiment at CERN: a tandem TPC concept

This paper presents the Forward Time Projection Chamber (FTPC) system of the NA61/SHINE experiment at the CERN SPS accelerator. This TPC system applies a novel tandem-TPC design to reduce the background originating from particle tracks not synchronous with the event trigger. The FTPC system is composed of three chambers with alternating drift field directions. The chambers were installed directly along the beamline region of the NA61/SHINE detector in a medium- to high-intensity (10-100 kHz) hadron or ion beam. The tandem TPC system has proved to be capable of rejecting out-of-time background tracks not associated with a primary interaction. In addition, the system performs tracking and inclusive dE/dx particle identification for particles at and near the beam momentum. This shows that a tandem-TPC-based chamber design may be used also in other experimental applications with a demand for low material budget, tracking capability, and the need for dE/dx particle identification, all while in the presence of a relatively high particle flux.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1978

A review of electron bombardment thruster systems/spacecraft field and particle interfaces

This paper collates and summarizes information on the field and particle interfaces of electron bombardment ion thruster systems. Major areas discussed are the nonpropellant particles, neutral propellant, ion beam, low energy plasma, and fields. Spacecraft functions and subsystems reviewed are solar arrays, thermal control systems, optical sensors, communications, science, structures and materials, and potential control. An appendix is included to facilitate identification of specific interaction areas.

Byers, D. C.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Three-dimensional feature matching improves coverage for single-cell proteomics based on ion mobility filtering

Single-cell proteomics (scProteomics) promises to advance our understanding of cell functions within complex biological systems. However, a major challenge of current methods is their inability to identify and provide accurate quantitative information for low abundance proteins. Herein, we describe an ion mobility-enhanced mass spectrometry acquisition and peptide identification method, TIFF (Transferring Identification based on FAIMS Filtering), to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of label-free scProteomics. TIFF extends the ion accumulation times for peptide ions by filtering out singly charged ions. The peptide identities are assigned by a three-dimensional MS1 feature matching approach (retention time, accurate mass, and FAIMS compensation voltage). TIFF method enabled unbiased proteome analysis to a depth of >1,700 proteins in single HeLa cells with >1,100 proteins consistently identified. As a demonstration, we applied the TIFF method to obtain temporal proteome profiles of >150 single murine macrophage cells during lipopolysaccharide stimulation and identified time-dependent proteome changes.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

A 15-Mev/nucleon Iso-Cyclotron for Security and Radioisotope Production

Cargo inspection systems exploit the broad bremsstrahlung spectrum from a 6-10 MeV, low-duty cycle electron accelerator which in the presence of significant backgrounds presents challenges in image and material identification. An alternative approach is to use ions which can excite nuclear states either directly, or through generation of secondary high-energy signature gammas produced from nuclear interactions in a target. RadiaBeam is designing a compact sector isocyclotron 1.25 m in radius, with high-gradient cavities to accelerate multi-ion species up to 15-20 MeV/u with large turn-to turn, centimeter-level separation for low-loss extraction without lossy foil stripping. A strong-focusing radial field profile will be optimized in a separated-sector format for control over machine tune simultaneous with isochronous orbist requirements for high-current (~0.5 milliamp) operation. Innovation in injection will be introduced to replace the high-loss central region. Non-security applications of the cyclotron include medical isotope production, ion radiobiology, as well as material science research and ion instrumentation development.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRS1982

Measurements by the plasma diagnostics package on STS-3

A comprehensive set of measurements about the orbiter environment are provided by the plasma diagnostics package (PDP). Ion and electron particle densities, energies, and spatial distribution functions; ion mass for identification of particular molecular ion species; and magnetic fields, electric fields and electromagnetic waves over a broad frequency range are studied. Shuttle environmental measurements will be made both on the pallet and, by use of the remote manipulator system (RMS), the PDP will be maneuvered in and external to the bay area to continue environmental measurements and to carry on a joint plasma experiment with the Utah State University fast-pulsed electron generator. Results of orbiter environment EMI measurements and S-band field strengths as well as preliminary results from wake search operations indicating wake boundary identifiers are reported.

Shawhan, S. D.↗
DOE OSTI2026

The ePIC dual-radiator RICH detector

The dual radiator Ring Imaging Cherenkov (dRICH) detector is required to provide continuous hadron identification from ≈3 GeV/c up to ≈50 GeV/c, and to supplement electron and positron identification from a few hundred MeV/c up to about 15 GeV/c, in the forward (ion-side) end-cap of the ePIC experiment. Such an extended momentum range imposes the use of two radiators, gas and aerogel. The common imaging system, that ensures compactness and cost-effectiveness, is based on SiPM sensors to work in a high non-uniform magnetic field. During the R&D phase, the dual radiator principle and the single component performance have been validated. A status overview of the project is presented. The design and technological choices are discussed together with the results obtained from laboratory characterization of the component demonstrators and beam tests of the evolving prototypes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗