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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 361 records · Page 20
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2011

Loop Heat Pipe Transient Behavior Using Heat Source Temperature for Set Point Control with Thermoelectric Converter on Reservoir

The LHP operating temperature is governed by the saturation temperature of its reservoir. Controlling the reservoir saturation temperature is commonly done by cold biasing the reservoir and using electrical heaters to provide the required control power. With this method, the loop operating temperature can be controlled within 0.5K or better. However, because the thermal resistance that exists between the heat source and the LHP evaporator, the heat source temperature will vary with its heat output even if the LHP operating temperature is kept constant. Since maintaining a constant heat source temperature is of most interest, a question often raised is whether the heat source temperature can be used for LHP set point temperature control. A test program with a miniature LHP was carried out to investigate the effects on the LHP operation when the control temperature sensor was placed on the heat source instead of the reservoir. In these tests, the LHP reservoir was cold-biased and was heated by a control heater. Test results show that it was feasible to use the heat source temperature for feedback control of the LHP operation. In particular, when a thermoelectric converter was used as the reservoir control heater, the heat source temperature could be maintained within a tight range using a proportional-integral-derivative or on/off control algorithm. Moreover, because the TEC could provide both heating and cooling to the reservoir, temperature oscillations during fast transients such as loop startup could be eliminated or substantially reduced when compared to using an electrical heater as the control heater.

Ku, Jentung↗
DOE OSTI2021

Lattice thermal transport in two-dimensional alloys and fractal heterostructures

Abstract Engineering thermal transport in two dimensional materials, alloys and heterostructures is critical for the design of next-generation flexible optoelectronic and energy harvesting devices. Direct experimental characterization of lattice thermal conductivity in these ultra-thin systems is challenging and the impact of dopant atoms and hetero-phase interfaces, introduced unintentionally during synthesis or as part of deliberate material design, on thermal transport properties is not understood. Here, we use non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations to calculate lattice thermal conductivity of $${\mathrm {(Mo|W)Se_2}}$$ ( Mo | W ) Se 2 monolayer crystals including $${\mathrm {Mo}}_{1-x}{\mathrm {W}}_x{\mathrm {Se_2}}$$ Mo 1 - x W x Se 2 alloys with substitutional point defects, periodic $${\mathrm {MoSe_2}|\mathrm {WSe_2}}$$ MoSe 2 | WSe 2 heterostructures with characteristic length scales and scale-free fractal $${\mathrm {MoSe_2}}|{\mathrm {WSe_2}}$$ MoSe 2 | WSe 2 heterostructures. Each of these features has a distinct effect on phonon propagation in the crystal, which can be used to design fractal and periodic alloy structures with highly tunable thermal conductivities. This control over lattice thermal conductivity will enable applications ranging from thermal barriers to thermoelectrics.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1985

The Galileo attitude and articulation control system - A radiation-hard, high precision, state-of-the-art control system

The Galileo mission and spacecraft, consisting of a Jupiter-orbiter and an atmospheric entry probe, are discussed. Components will include: magnetometers and plasma-wave antennas on a boom, high-gain antenna, probe vehicle, two different bus electronics packages, and a radioisotope thermoelectric generator. Instruments, investigators and objectives are tabulated for both probe science and orbiter science investigations. Requirements in the design of the attitude and articulation control system are very stringent because of the complex dynamics, flexible body effects, the need for autonomy, and the severe radiation environment in the Jupiter nighborhood. Galileo was intended to be ready for launch via Space Shuttle in May of 1986.

Stephenson, R. Rhoads↗
NASA NTRS2005

Synthesis and Optimization of Thermoelectric Properties of Zn(x)Sb3

High-performance thermoelectric materials are studied to investigate their abilities to optimize electrical and minimize thermal conductivities. A stoichiometric range of p-type zinc antimonide compounds was synthesized to analyze the trends in their thermoelectric properties. Zn(x)Sb3 (x=3.80, 3.85, 3.90, 3.95, 4.00, 4.05, 4.10) was reacted at 750 C and annealed at 300 C for 24 hours at each temperature. Electronic transport properties such as Seebeck and Hall Effect were measured to analyze possible trends in the set of compositions. SEM, EDS, and XRD were used to quantify both ingots and hot-pressed samples to confirm that they were single-phase and of the expected stoichiometries. Recent SEM data indicated that Zn(3.90)Sb3 and Zn(4.00)Sb3 samples were actually Zn3Sb2. In hopes of further improving the figure-of-merit (ZT) of the binary system, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, In, and Sn were used to dope (Zn(0.95)M(0.05))(3.95)Sb3.

Doan-Nguyen, Vicky V.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Preparation and Thermoelectric Properties of the Skutterudite-Related Phase Ru(0.5)Pd(0.5)Sb3

A new skutterudite phase Ru(0.5)Pd(0.5)Sb3 was prepared. This new phase adds to a large number of already known materials with the skutterudite structure which have shown good potential for thermoelectric applications. Single phase, polycrystalline samples were prepared and characterized by x-ray analysis, electron probe microanalysis, density, sound velocity, thermal-expansion coefficient, and differential thermal analysis measurements. Ru(0.5)Pd(0.5)Sb3 has a cubic lattice, space group Im3 (T(sup 5, sub h)), with a = 9.298 A and decomposes at about 920 K. The Seebeck coefficient, the electrical resistivity, the Hall effect, and the thermal conductivity were measured on hot-pressed samples over a wide range of temperatures. Preliminary results show that Ru(0.5)Pd(0.5)Sb3 behaves as a heavily doped semiconductor with an estimated band gap of about 0.6 eV. The lattice thermal conductivity of Ru(0.5)Pd(0.5)Sb3 is substantially lower than that of the binary isostructural compounds CoSb3 and IrSb3. The unusually low thermal conductivity might be explained by additional hole and charge transfer phonon scattering in this material. The potential of this material for thermoelectric applications is discussed.

Caillat, T.↗
NASA NTRS1988

SP-100 flight qualification testing assessment

The SP-100 is a compact space power system driven by a nuclear reactor that provides 100 kWe to the user at 200 VDC. The thermal energy generated by the nuclear reactor is converted into electrical energy by passive thermoelectric devices. Various options for tailoring the MIL-STD-1540B guidelines to the SP-100 nuclear power system are discussed. This study aids in selecting the appropriate qualification test program based on the cost, schedule, and test effectiveness of the various options.

Jeanmougin, Nanette M.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Blocking Ion Migration Stabilizes the High Thermoelectric Performance in Cu 2 Se Composites

The applications of mixed ionic–electronic conductors are limited due to phase instability under a high direct current and large temperature difference. Here, it is shown that Cu 2 Se is stabilized through regulating the behaviors of Cu + ions and electrons in a Schottky heterojunction between the Cu 2 Se host matrix and in-situ-formed BiCuSeO nanoparticles. The accumulation of Cu + ions via an ionic capacitive effect at the Schottky junction under the direct current modifies the space-charge distribution in the electric double layer, which blocks the long-range migration of Cu + and produces a drastic reduction of Cu + ion migration by nearly two orders of magnitude. Moreover, this heterojunction impedes electrons transferring from BiCuSeO to Cu 2 Se, obstructing the reduction reaction of Cu + into Cu metal at the interface and hence stabilizes the β-Cu 2 Se phase. Furthermore, incorporation of BiCuSeO in Cu 2 Se optimizes the carrier concentration and intensifies phonon scattering, contributing to the peak figure of merit ZT value of ≈2.7 at 973 K and high average ZT value of ≈1.5 between 400 and 973 K for the Cu 2 Se/ BiCuSeO composites. Here, this discovery provides a new avenue for stabilizing mixed ionic–electronic conduction thermoelectrics, and gives fresh insights into controlling ion migration in these ionic-transport-dominated materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Iridium valence variation and carrier sign tuning in ( Ca , Ba ) x La 2 – x CuIrO 6 double perovskites

Here, we report the structure and properties of ( Ca , Ba ) x La 2 – x CuIrO 6 . The rock-salt double perovskite structure goes through a P 1 ¯ to P 2 1 / n phase transition with increasing Ba content but not with Ca content. In both cases, the Ir ion is oxidized from 4 + to 5 + with increasing substitution. Transport and magnetic properties measurements reveal that all compositions are insulating with hysteretic spin-freezing magnetic behavior. Seebeck coefficient measurements reveal a large thermopower change from + 176 μ V /K in La 2 CuIrO 6 to – 223 μ V /K with increasing Ba content in Ba x La 2 – x CuIrO 6 . This behavior is modeled well by the Heikes formula for correlated hopping conduction. ( Ca , Ba ) x La 2 – x CuIrO 6 provides a model system for investigations of other systems with similar carrier sign tuning, with applications toward semiconductors and thermoelectric materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Evolution of nontrivial Fermi surface features in the band structures of the homologous members Pb 5 Bi 6 Se 14 and Pb 5 Bi 12 Se 23

High-quality single crystals of (PbSe) 5 (Bi 2 Se 3 ) 3m were grown and analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. We report on 77 Se and 207 Pb NMR shifts and nuclear spin-lattice relaxation measurements in the naturally formed heterostructure homology (PbSe) 5 (Bi 2 Se 3 ) 3m with m = 1 (Pb 5 Bi 6 Se 14 ) and m = 2 (Pb 5 Bi 12 Se 23 ). A distinct site-specific contribution has been detected for both nuclei as a function of temperature, which reveals an electronic changeover from a semiconducting (Pb 5 Bi 6 Se 14 ) to a semimetalliclike (Pb 5 Bi 12 Se 23 ) system with nontrivial band structure features near the Fermi level. The temperature dependences of the relaxation rates are dominated by significant changes in the topology of energy dispersions accompanied with band edges and crossings in the region of the Fermi surface. These results, which interrogate nuclear spin interactions from selected atomic sites, clearly expose the effects of the added Bi 2 Se 3 layer on the crystal and electronic structure of (Pb 5 Bi 12 Se 23 ). These findings provide direct microscopic insight into the unconventional and dual nature of the electronic structure of these homologous thermoelectric and topologically nontrivial compounds.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1996

Properties of Single Crystalline Semiconducting CoSb3

A study of the thermoelectric properties of the skutterudite compound CoSb3 was carried out on single crystals grown by the Bridgman gradient freeze technique. p- and n-type samples were obtained over a wide range of carrier concentration. Undoped As-grown crystals show p-type conductivity while n-type samples were obtained by addition of Te or Pd. Samples were characterized by x-ray diffractometry, electron microprobe analysis, and density measurements. The physical properties of CoSb3 such as linear thermal expansion coefficient, sound velocity, and Debye temperature were also determined and are presented. Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, and Hall effect measurements were performed between room temperature and about 900 K. Exceptionally high Hall mobilities were obtained on p-type samples with a maximum room-temperature Hall mobility of 3300 sq cm/V.s at a carrier concentration of 1 x 10(exp 17)/cc. The results of the transport property measurements are discussed and are in agreement with some recent predictions based on band structure calculations. The potential of CoSb3 for thermoelectric applications is evaluated.

Caillat, T.↗
DOE OSTI2020

2-D moving mesh modeling of lithium dryout in open surface liquid metal flow applications

Liquid lithium displays increasing promise as a replacement for solid plasma facing components (PFCs) in fusion device applications. The Liquid Metal Infused Trench (LiMIT) system, developed at the University of Illinois (UIUC), has demonstrated how thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamics (TEMHD) can be harnessed to drive liquid lithium flow in an open surface PFC. However, in the highest heat flux applications, large local acceleration is created via TEMHD, and the sudden increase in velocity can cause the liquid level to expose the underlying solid, eliminating the protective benefits of the lithium. In order to study potential mitigation strategies, a 2-D COMSOL Multiphysics model was developed using the moving mesh module to capture free surface flow. The model depicts the development of the dryout phenomenon for 2 test cases – slow (1 cm/s) and medium (10 cm/s) flow in 5 mm deep trenches – including the liquid level reduction under the high heat flux and the pileup of slower flow both upstream and downstream of the heat stripe. The effectiveness of trench shaping dryout mitigation strategies is examined. For the slow flow case, it is shown that a 1.8 mm ledge placed under the heat stripe will stop dryout, and for the medium flow case, a 2.7 mm ledge is required to mitigate the effect. This model can be used to identify strategies for increasing the viable heat load for open surface liquid lithium PFCs.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Colossal Nernst power factor in topological semimetal NbSb 2

Today solid-state cooling technologies below liquid nitrogen boiling temperature (77 K), crucial to quantum information technology and probing quantum state of matter, are greatly limited due to the lack of good thermoelectric and/or thermomagnetic materials. Here, we report the discovery of colossal Nernst power factor of 3800 × 10 -4 W m -1 K -2 under 5 T at 25 K and high Nernst figure-of-merit of 71 × 10 -4 K -1 under 5 T at 20 K in topological semimetal NbSb 2 single crystals. The observed high thermomagnetic performance is attributed to large Nernst thermopower and longitudinal electrical conductivity, and relatively low transverse thermal conductivity. The large and unsaturated Nernst thermopower is the result of the combination of highly desirable electronic structures of NbSb 2 having compensated high mobility electrons and holes near Fermi level and strong phonon-drag effect. This discovery opens an avenue for exploring material option for the solid-state heat pumping below liquid nitrogen temperature.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1973

OGO-6 gas-surface energy transfer experiment

The kinetic energy flux of the upper atmosphere was analyzed using OGO-6 data. Energy transfer between 10 microwatts/sq cm and 0.1 W/sq cm was measured by short-term frequency changes of temperature-sensitive quartz crystals used in the energy transfer probe. The condition of the surfaces was continuously monitored by a quartz crystal microbalance to determine the effect surface contamination had on energy accommodation. Results are given on the computer analysis and laboratory tests performed to optimize the operation of the energy transfer probe. Data are also given on the bombardment of OGO-6 surfaces by high energy particles. The thermoelectrically-cooled quartz crystal microbalance is described in terms of its development and applications.

Mckeown, D.↗
DOE OSTI2021

When band convergence is not beneficial for thermoelectrics

Abstract Band convergence is considered a clear benefit to thermoelectric performance because it increases the charge carrier concentration for a given Fermi level, which typically enhances charge conductivity while preserving the Seebeck coefficient. However, this advantage hinges on the assumption that interband scattering of carriers is weak or insignificant. With first-principles treatment of electron-phonon scattering in the CaMg 2 Sb 2 -CaZn 2 Sb 2 Zintl system and full Heusler Sr 2 SbAu, we demonstrate that the benefit of band convergence can be intrinsically negated by interband scattering depending on the manner in which bands converge. In the Zintl alloy, band convergence does not improve weighted mobility or the density-of-states effective mass. We trace the underlying reason to the fact that the bands converge at a one k-point, which induces strong interband scattering of both the deformation-potential and the polar-optical kinds. The case contrasts with band convergence at distant k-points (as in the full Heusler), which better preserves the single-band scattering behavior thereby successfully leading to improved performance. Therefore, we suggest that band convergence as thermoelectric design principle is best suited to cases in which it occurs at distant k-points.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Crystal Structure and Atomic Vacancy Optimized Thermoelectric Properties in Gadolinium Selenides

Thermoelectric materials enable the energy conversion of waste heat into electricity, helpful to relieve global energy crisis. Here, we report a systematic investigation on high-temperature thermoelectric gadolinium selenides, cubic Gd 3-x Se 4 (x = 0.16, 0.21 and 0.25) and orthorhombic Gd 2 Se 3-y (y = 0.02, 0.06 and 0.08). High energy synchrotron x-ray diffraction and total scattering have been used to investigate the crystallographic and local structures. Atomic-scale clusters of Gd vacancy in the cubic phase are observed by employing the reverse Monte Carlo simulation. For cubic Gd 3-x Se 4 , adjusting Gd vacancy triggers the effect of multiple conduction bands, confirmed by the increase in effective masses and theoretical calculations. A reasonable peak zT value of 0.27 is achieved at 850 K for Gd 3-x Se 4 (x = 0.16). On the other hand, tuning Se vacancy enables the optimization of electron concentration for the orthorhombic Gd 2 Se 3-y . More significantly, its low deformation potential (Ξ = 12eV) gives rise to enhanced electron mobility and higher peak zT value of 0.54 at 850 K for Gd 2 Se 3-y (y = 0.02). Intriguingly, a higher zT of 1.2 at 1200 K is reasonably predicted by quality factor analysis. Finally, this work extends the scope of high-temperature thermoelectric materials and facilitates the exploration of novel high-temperature thermoelectric materials

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Vortex entropy and superconducting fluctuations in ultrathin underdoped Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+x superconductor

Vortices in superconductors can help identify emergent phenomena but certain fundamental aspects of vortices, such as their entropy, remain poorly understood. Here, we study the vortex entropy in underdoped Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+x by measuring both magneto-resistivity and Nernst effect on ultrathin flakes (≤2 unit-cell). We extract the London penetration depth from the magneto-transport measurements on samples with different doping levels. It reveals that the superfluid phase stiffness p s scales linearly with the superconducting transition temperature T c , down to the extremely underdoped case. On the same batch of ultrathin flakes, we measure the Nernst effect via on-chip thermometry. Together, we obtain the vortex entropy and find that it decays exponentially with T c or p s . We further analyze the Nernst signal above T c in the framework of Gaussian superconducting fluctuations. The combination of electrical and thermoelectric measurements in the two-dimensional limit provides fresh insight into high temperature superconductivity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS2007

Amplified Thermionic Cooling Using Arrays of Nanowires

A class of proposed thermionic cooling devices would incorporate precise arrays of metal nanowires as electron emitters. The proposed devices could be highly miniaturized, enabling removal of heat from locations, very close to electronic devices, that have previously been inaccessible for heat-removal purposes. The resulting enhancement of removal of heat would enable operation of the devices at higher power levels and higher clock speeds. Moreover, the mass, complexity, and bulk of electronic circuitry incorporating these highly miniaturized cooling devices could be considerably reduced, relative to otherwise equivalent circuitry cooled by conventional electromechanical, thermoelectric, and fluidic means. In thermionic cooling, one exploits the fact that because only the highest-energy electrons are thermionically emitted, collecting those electrons to prevent their return to the emitting electrode results in the net removal of heat from that electrode. Collection is effected by applying an appropriate positive bias potential to another electrode placed near the emitting electrode. The concept underlying the proposal is that the thermionic-emission current and, hence, the cooling effect attainable by use of an array of nanowires could be significantly greater than that attainable by use of a single emitting electrode or other electron- emitting surface. The wires in an array according to the proposal would protrude perpendicularly from a planar surface and their heights would be made uniform to within a sub-nanometer level of precision

Yang, Eui-Hyeok↗
DOE OSTI2023

GaSb doping facilitates conduction band convergence and improves thermoelectric performance in n-type PbS

P-type lead chalcogenides have superior thermoelectric performance because they exhibit the energy convergence of several valence bands. However, despite the existence of two conduction bands, there has been no report about conduction band (CB) convergence for n-type counterparts because of the large energy difference between them. Therefore, new strategies are required to manipulate the CBs if enhancing the electrical transport performance of n-type lead chalcogenides is to be achieved. PbS is a highly attractive member of the lead chalcogenides because of its high earth-abundance and low cost. Here, we report that the introduction of GaSb can successfully dope the PbS matrix with Ga and Sb atoms occupying the Pb site in its rock salt structure. GaSb doping leads to conduction band convergence and enlarged effective density of state mass for n-type PbS. This effect results in superior power factor and decreased lattice thermal conductivity caused by the soft phonon modes and point defect scattering of phonons. Consequently, a record-high average power factor PF avg of ~20.4 μW cm –1 K –2 and figure of merit ZT avg of ~0.84 in the temperature range of 400 K to 923 K were obtained, higher than any n- and p-type PbS-based thermoelectric materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗