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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
DOE OSTI2024

Solvation and oxidation effects on the crystal structure and morphology of tetraoxolene-based materials

Owing to their rich redox behavior and strong metal chelating ability, tetraoxolene ligands have been established as one of the foundational building blocks for multifunctional metal–organic materials. Here, we show how simple and often overlooked synthetic parameters can be used to control the structures of transition metal and lanthanide-based metal–tetraoxolene materials across multiple length scales. Through the synthesis of twelve new compounds, we provide a comprehensive survey detailing how the choice of solvent, initial ligand redox state, and in situ oxidant impact the local coordination geometry and chain architecture, as well as the crystal size and shape (e.g., rods vs. platelets). This work represents an important step towards the synthesis of new metal–tetraoxolene materials with predictable architectures and, therefore, targeted functionality.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2009

Origin and Evolution of Organic Matter Preserved in Stardust Cometary Aerogel Tracks

The STARDUST spacecraft captured dust samples from Comet 81P/Wild 2 at a relative velocity of 6.1 km/s in a low density silica aerogel and returned them to the Earth. One of the main of the scientific goals established for the mission was to determine whether comets contained complex organic materials and, contingently, the nature and abundance of this material. [1] Although contamination concerns due to carbonaceous impurities intrinsic to the flight aerogel remain, it is generally accepted that at least a fraction of the captured dust particles contain an indigenous organic component. [2] However, understanding the nature and abundance of this material is complicated by nature of the collection process. The rapid dissipation of particle s kinetic energy during its impact and deceleration cause both the particle and surrounding aerogel to experience an intense thermal pulse of upwards of 2000K for a period up to several hundred nanoseconds [3]. During this period thermal alteration and or destruction of organic species present in the impacting particle are likely to occur. We have used the technique of ultrafast two-step laser mass spectrometry (ultra L2MS) [4] to investigate how the nature and distribution of aromatic and conjugated organic species varies between and within aerogel cometary tracks and their associated terminal particles.

McKay, D.S.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Oxides and Nitrides with Asymmetric Pore Structure from Block Copolymer Co–Assembly and Non–Solvent Induced Phase Separation

Materials combining an asymmetric pore structure with mesopores everywhere enable high surface area accessibility and fast transport, making them attractive for e.g., energy conversion and storage applications. Block copolymer (BCP)/inorganic precursor co-assembly combined with non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) provides a route to materials in which a mesoporous top surface layer merges into an asymmetric support with graded porosity along the film normal and mesopores throughout. Here, the co-assembly and non-solvent-induced phase separation (CNIPS) of poly(isoprene)-b-poly(styrene)-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (ISV) triblock terpolymer and titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) sol-gel nanoparticlesare reported. Heat-treatment in air results in free-standing asymmetric porous TiO 2 . Further thermal processing in ammonia results in free-standing asymmetric porous titanium nitride (TiN). processing changes alter structural membrane characteristics is demonstrated. Changing the CNIPS evaporation time results in various membrane cross-sections ( finger-like to sponge-like). Further, oxide and nitride material composition, crystallinity, and porosity are tuned by varying thermal processing conditions. Finally, thermal processing condition effects are probed on phase-pure asymmetric nitride membrane behavior using cyclic voltammetry to elucidate their influence, e.g., on specific capacitance. Results provide further insights into improving asymmetric and porous materials for applications including energy conversion and storage, separation, and catalysis and motivate a further expansion of CNIPS to other (in)organic materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1992

Plasma reactor waste management systems

The University of North Dakota is developing a plasma reactor system for use in closed-loop processing that includes biological, materials, manufacturing, and waste processing. Direct-current, high-frequency, or microwave discharges will be used to produce plasmas for the treatment of materials. The plasma reactors offer several advantages over other systems, including low operating temperatures, low operating pressures, mechanical simplicity, and relatively safe operation. Human fecal material, sunflowers, oats, soybeans, and plastic were oxidized in a batch plasma reactor. Over 98 percent of the organic material was converted to gaseous products. The solids were then analyzed and a large amount of water and acid-soluble materials were detected. These materials could possibly be used as nutrients for biological systems.

Ness, Robert O., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Abundant Solar Nebula Solids in Comets

Comets have been proposed to consist of unprocessed interstellar materials together with a variable amount of thermally annealed interstellar grains. Recent studies of cometary solids in the laboratory have shown that comets instead consist of a wide range of materials from across the protoplanetary disk, in addition to a minor complement of interstellar materials. These advances were made possible by the return of direct samples of comet 81P/Wild 2 coma dust by the NASA Stardust mission and recent advances in microscale analytical techniques. Isotopic studies of 'cometary' chondritic porous interplanetary dust particles (CP-IDPs) and comet 81P/Wild 2 Stardust samples show that preserved interstellar materials are more abundant in comets than in any class of meteorite. Identified interstellar materials include sub-micron-sized presolar silicates, oxides, and SiC dust grains and some fraction of the organic material that binds the samples together. Presolar grain abundances reach 1 weight percentage in the most stardust-rich CP-IDPs, 50 times greater than in meteorites. Yet, order of magnitude variations in presolar grain abundances among CP-IDPs suggest cometary solids experienced significant variations in the degree of processing in the solar nebula. Comets contain a surprisingly high abundance of nebular solids formed or altered at high temperatures. Comet 81P/Wild 2 samples include 10-40 micron-sized, refractory Ca- Al-rich inclusion (CAI)-, chondrule-, and ameboid olivine aggregate (AOA)-like materials. The O isotopic compositions of these refractory materials are remarkably similar to their meteoritic counterparts, ranging from 5 percent enrichments in (sup 16) O to near-terrestrial values. Comet 81P/Wild 2 and CP-IDPs also contain abundant Mg-Fe crystalline and amorphous silicates whose O isotopic compositions are also consistent with Solar System origins. Unlike meteorites, that are dominated by locally-produced materials, comets appear to be composed of materials that were formed across a wide swath of the early protoplanetary disk.

Messenger, S.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Is Water Necessary for Life?

The universality of water as the solvent for life is usually justified by its role in supporting the rich organic chemistry. It has been pointed out, however, that even richer synthetic chemistry is possible in other organic solvents. Does it mean that water is not necessary for life? Here, other, essential criteria for solvent for life that have not been sufficiently considered are discussed. In biological systems, complex molecules are not only constantly synthesized but also degraded. Solvent-mediated degradation is essential for regulating cell content, preventing overcrowding and allowing for recycling organic material. Achieving a balance between synthetic and degradative processes is facile in water, but not in many other organic liquids. Thus, the so-called “water paradox” according to which water is both necessary to life and toxic to biopolymer synthesis might not be paradoxical at all. The machinery of life is based on non-covalent interactions that do not involve making or breaking chemical bonds. Their strength needs to be properly tuned. If they are too weak, there might be undesired response to natural fluctuations of physical or chemical parameters. If they are too strong, the kinetics and energetics of cellular processes could adversely influenced. The solvent must allow for balancing these interactions, which provides strong, universal constraints on the medium for life. Water influences non-covalent interactions mainly by two mechanisms. First, it reduces strong, electrostatic interactions between molecules, chemical groups or atoms carrying electric charge or dipole. Second, it induces the hydrophobic effect, the tendency to remove non-polar (hydrophobic) molecules and groups from direct contact with aqueous solution and, instead, interact with each other. In living systems, the hydrophobic effect is largely responsible for self-organization of molecules to more complex structures, such as aggregation of lipid molecules to form biological membranes and protein folding. Water exists as stable liquid in a large temperature range, and the hydrophobic effects are a consequence of the temperature insensitivity of essential properties of its liquid state. In summary, water accomplishes an amazing feat – it reduces strong interactions between dissolved species and simultaneously increases the strength of weak interactions, bringing all of them to the right range. Once we consider not only synthetic capabilities but also other required traits of the solvent for life, no viable alternative to water is currently known.

Life↗
DOE OSTI2023

Dynamic structural and microstructural responses of a metal–organic framework type material to carbon dioxide under dual gas flow and supercritical conditions

The structural and microstructural responses of a model metal–organic framework material, Ni(3-methyl-4,4'-bipyridine)[Ni(CN) 4 ] (Ni-BpyMe or PICNIC-21), to CO 2 adsorption and desorption are reported for in situ small-angle X-ray scattering and X-ray diffraction measurements under different gas pressure conditions for two technologically important cases. These conditions are single or dual gas flow (CO 2 with N 2 , CH 4 or H 2 at sub-critical CO 2 partial pressures and ambient temperatures) and supercritical CO 2 (with static pressures and temperatures adjusted to explore the gas, liquid and supercritical fluid regimes on the CO 2 phase diagram). The experimental results are compared with density functional theory calculations that seek to predict where CO 2 and other gas molecules are accommodated within the sorbent structure as a function of gas pressure conditions, and hence the degree of swelling and contraction in the associated structure spacings and void spaces. Furthermore, these predictions illustrate the insights that can be gained concerning how such sorbents can be designed or modified to optimize the desired gas sorption properties relevant to enhanced gas recovery or to addressing carbon dioxide reduction through carbon mitigation, or even direct air capture of CO 2 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Hierarchical Cellulose Superinsulation Membrane

The environment-friendly components coupled with the ability to mimic the simplicity and originality of nature necessitate advanced sustainable materials with structural capabilities for energy-efficient applications. The use of feedstock deriving from plant-based, renewable organic material to produce nanofibril that embodies enhanced insulating properties and high mechanical strength constitutes an efficient development strategy. In this work, a free-standing, hierarchical superinsulation membrane by leveraging the principle of the bottom-up method is reported. The electrospun cellulose nanofibrils/aerogel-based core layer provides exceptional thermal properties with its thermal conductivity of 10.2 mW m –1 K –1 . The lightweight, flexible, and durable paper-like membrane features a tensile strength of 11.3 MPa and a bending rigidity in the order of 4.6 cN mm –1 . The hydrophobic superinsulation membrane material also exhibits a ΔT of ≈25 °C under continuous sunlight illumination and allows thermal runaway mitigation of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. All the aforementioned properties position this hybrid superinsulation membrane as a promising material for energy-saving thermal management applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1976

A preliminary assessment of the feasibility of deriving liquid and gaseous fuels from grown and waste organics

The anticipated depletion of our resources of natural gas and petroleum in a few decades has caused a search for renewable sources of fuel. Among the possibilities is the chemical conversion of waste and grown organic matter into gaseous or liquid fuels. The overall feasibility of such a system is considered from the technical, economic, and social viewpoints. Although there are a number of difficult problems to overcome, this preliminary study indicates that this option could provide between 4 and 10 percent of the U.S. energy needs. Estimated costs of fuels derived from grown organic material are appreciably higher than today's market price for fossil fuel. The cost of fuel derived from waste organics is competitive with fossil fuel prices. Economic and social reasons will prohibit the allocation of good food producing land to fuel crop production.

Graham, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS2008

GRC Supporting Technology for NASA's Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG)

From 1999 to 2006, the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) supported a NASA project to develop a high-efficiency, nominal 110-We Stirling Radioisotope Generator (SRG110) for potential use on NASA missions. Lockheed Martin was selected as the System Integration Contractor for the SRG110, under contract to the Department of Energy (DOE). The potential applications included deep space missions, and Mars rovers. The project was redirected in 2006 to make use of the Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) that was being developed by Sunpower, Inc. under contract to GRC, which would reduce the mass of the generator and increase the power output. This change would approximately double the specific power and result in the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG). The SRG110 supporting technology effort at GRC was replanned to support the integration of the Sunpower convertor and the ASRG. This paper describes the ASRG supporting technology effort at GRC and provides details of the contributions in some of the key areas. The GRC tasks include convertor extended-operation testing in air and in thermal vacuum environments, heater head life assessment, materials studies, permanent magnet characterization and aging tests, structural dynamics testing, electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic compatibility characterization, evaluation of organic materials, reliability studies, and analysis to support controller development.

Schreiber, Jeffrey G.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Interstellar Organics, the Solar Nebula, and Saturn's Satellite Phoebe

The diffuse interstellar medium inventory of organic material (Pendleton et al. 1994, Pendleton Allamandola 2002) was likely incorporated into the molecular cloud in which the solar nebula condensed. This provided the feedstock for the formation of the Sun, major planets, and the smaller icy bodies in the region outside Neptune's orbit (transneptunian objects, or TNOs). Saturn's satellites Phoebe, Iapetus, and Hyperion open a window to the composition of one class of TNO as revealed by the near-infrared mapping spectrometer (VIMS - Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) on the Cassini spacecraft at Saturn. Phoebe (mean diameter 213 kilometers) is a former TNO now orbiting Saturn. VIMS spectral maps of Phoebe's surface reveal a complex organic spectral signature consisting of prominent aromatic (CH) and aliphatic hydrocarbon (CH2, CH3) absorption bands (3.2-3.6 meters). Phoebe is the source of a huge debris ring encircling Saturn, and from which particles (5-20 meter size) spiral inward toward Saturn. They encounter Iapetus and Hyperion where they mix with and blanket the native H2O ice of those two bodies. Quantitative analysis of the hydrocarbon bands on Iapetus demonstrates that aromatic CH is 10 times as abundant as aliphatic CH2 plus CH3, significantly exceeding the strength of the aromatic signature in interplanetary dust particles, comet particles, and in carbonaceous meteorites (Cruikshank et al. 2013). A similar excess of aromatics over aliphatics is seen in the qualitative analysis of Hyperion and Phoebe itself (Dalle Ore et al. 2012). The Iapetus aliphatic hydrocarbons show CH2/CH3 4, which is larger than the value found in the diffuse ISM (InterStellar Matter - (2-2.5). Insofar as Phoebe is a primitive body that formed in the outer regions of the solar nebula and has preserved some of the original nebula inventory, it can be key to understanding the content and degree of processing of that nebular material. There are other Phoebe-like TNOs that are presently beyond our ability to study in the organic spectral region, but JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) will open that possibility for a number of objects. We now need to explore and understand the connection of this organic-bearing Solar System material to the solar nebula and the inventory of ISM (Interstellar Medium) materials incorporated therein.

Phoebe↗
DOE OSTI2024

Excitonic Shockley-Read-Hall recombination in organic semiconductors

Trap-mediated recombination influences the performance of a wide range of electronic devices. The well-known Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) expression for inorganic semiconductors is often invoked to describe the recombination rate in organic materials, although without a clear understanding of how its parameters relate to the underlying material properties or how it should be modified to account for the finite lifetime of exciton intermediates in, for example, the doped emissive layer of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED). Here, we formalize SRH recombination for organic semiconductors based on diffusive trapping and Langevin recombination. We show that including the exciton state suppresses the recombination rate in host-guest systems with type II energy level alignment whenever the interfacial gap between the host and guest molecular orbitals is comparable to the exciton energy. Furthermore, these results quantify the balance between bimolecular and trap-mediated recombination in doped OLED emissive layers, and indicate that devices with type II host-guest pairings can, in principle, beat the thermodynamic limit of their neat guest counterparts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Many-body reactive force field development for carbon condensation in C/O systems under extreme conditions

In this paper, we describe the development of a reactive force field for C/O systems under extreme temperatures and pressures, based on the many-body Chebyshev Interaction Model for Efficient Simulation (ChIMES). The resulting model, which targets carbon condensation under thermodynamic conditions of 6500 K and 2.5 g cm –3 , affords a balance between model accuracy, complexity, and training set generation expense. We show that the model recovers much of the accuracy of density functional theory for the prediction of structure, dynamics, and chemistry when applied to dissociative condensed phase systems at 1:1 and 1:2 C:O ratios, as well as molten carbon. Our C/O modeling approach exhibits a 104 increase in efficiency for the same system size (i.e., 128 atoms) and a linear system size scalability over standard quantum molecular dynamics methods, allowing the simulation of significantly larger systems than previously possible. We find that the model captures the condensed-phase reaction-coupled formation of carbon clusters implied by recent experiments, and that this process is susceptible to strong finite size effects. Overall, we find the present ChIMES model to be well suited for studying chemical processes and cluster formation at pressures and temperatures typical of shock waves. We expect that the present C/O modeling paradigm can serve as a template for the development of a broader high pressure–high temperature force-field for condensed phase chemistry in organic materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Aircraft Measurements from a U.S. Western Wildfire Demonstrating Day and Night Differences in the Chemical Composition and Optical Properties of Biomass Burning Aerosols and Their Atmospheric Evolution

The composition and transformations of biomass burning aerosols (BBA) have been measured onboard the NOAA Twin Otter research aircraft during the Fire Influence on Regional to Global Environments and Air Quality field study. Here, we analyze real-time aerosol mass spectrometry measurements across three flights during the afternoon, late afternoon, and night of August 28, 2019, for one midsized wildfire. Analysis of several metrics showed that the aerosol composition and optical properties varied depending on the burning conditions at the fire zone and the time of day the BBA was emitted, with substantial variations in the available sunlight. The total aerosol mass loadings were dominated by organic components with a much smaller contribution from inorganic species. A gradual buildup of organic material was observed during the afternoon as the plume aged, indicating the condensation of photochemically formed low-volatility oxidized organic compounds. Highly hygroscopic ammonium nitrate was the main inorganic component, suggesting potential water content in BBA particles and the likelihood of their aqueous-phase reactivity. Depletions of particle-phase NO 3 – and Cl – relative to carbon monoxide were observed in the late afternoon and nighttime plumes, respectively, aligning with known gas-particle partitioning thermodynamics and the heterogeneous chemistry of dissolved nitrate and chloride. The wavelength-dependent light absorption by aerosol species was higher for the plume sampled at night and showed no significant changes with plume age, despite observed trends in composition and mass downwind. These differences in particle composition and optical properties demonstrate that the processes involved in BBA aging are not uniform for the same wildfire over the course of the day and depend highly on when the BBA was emitted, as well as the burning phase at the emissions source.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1991

Etching method for photoresists or polymers

A method for etching or removing polymers, photoresists, and organic contaminants from a substrate is disclosed. The method includes creating a more reactive gas species by producing a plasma discharge in a reactive gas such as oxygen and contacting the resulting gas species with a sacrificial solid organic material such as polyethylene or polyvinyl fluoride, reproducing a highly reactive gas species, which in turn etches the starting polymer, organic contaminant, or photoresist. The sample to be etched is located away from the plasma glow discharge region so as to avoid damaging the substrate by exposure to high energy particles and electric fields encountered in that region. Greatly increased etching rates are obtained. This method is highly effective for etching polymers such as polyimides and photoresists that are otherwise difficult or slow to etch downstream from an electric discharge in a reactive gas.

Lerner, Narcinda R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Multiple dataset water-quality analyses in the vicinity of an ocean wastewater plume

The White's Point ocean outfall is the method of disposal for approximately 374 million gallons of treated wastewater per day from Los Angeles County. The photosynthetic characteristics and particle distributions have well-defined properties that can be exploited to yield information on transport of the plume, mixing dynamics, and resuspension of bottom sediments during periods of bottom current velocity in excess of ca. 0.1 m/s. This plume of particles serves as a conservative tracer, which was studied using a number of sampling platforms and strategies, including underway sawtooth, or 'tow-yo' sampling, moored arrays of instruments, stationary profiling, and now for the first time with remotely-sensed multispectral color imagery. Research in this area previously focused on examination of the plume as it relates to the local current field and transport of particles, and on the resuspension of bottom sediments during periods of increased currents. In addition, Wu et al elucidated techniques for separating the particle signal into photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic components, based on the beam attenuation to chlorophyll fluorescence ratio. High-frequency time series measurements of the current field and bio-optical characteristics at a site close to the waste diffusers were also collected. These are being analyzed for the spectral characteristics of the longer-timescale variability, in order to predict particle transport through simple meteorological measurements. With the advent of high spectral and spatial resolution imaging spectrometers such as AVIRIS, it is now possible to construct causal relationships between particle distributions and signature of the upwelled radiance from the surface. The availability of a constant and well-characterized source of material lends itself well to models which predict upwelled radiance from the surface. The availability of a constant and well-characterized source of material lends itself well to models which predict upwelled light as a function of particle distributions, photosynthetic pigments, colored dissolved organic material, and detrital and degradation products of photosynthesis. In addition, the spatial coverage provided by the tow-yo sampling device, combined with the profile measurements of the light field, should facilitate the best inverse modeling attempts possible thus far.

Hamilton, Michael↗
NASA NTRS2007

Final Results for the GRC Supporting Technology Development Project for the 110-Watt Stirling Radioisotope Generator (SRG110)

From 1999-2006, the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) supported the development of a high-efficiency, nominal 110-We Stirling Radioisotope Generator (SRG110) for potential use on NASA missions, including deep space missions, Mars rovers, and lunar applications. Lockheed Martin (LM) was the system integrator for the SRG110, under contract to the Department of Energy (DOE). Infinia Corporation (formerly Stirling Technology Company) developed the Stirling convertor, first as a contractor to DOE and then under subcontract to LM. The SRG110 development has been redirected, and recent program changes have been made to significantly increase the specific power of the generator. System development of an Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) has now begun, using a lightweight, advanced convertor from Sunpower, Inc. This paper summarizes the results of the supporting technology effort that GRC completed for the SRG110. GRC tasks included convertor extended-duration testing in air and thermal vacuum environments, heater head life assessment, materials studies, permanent magnet aging characterization, linear alternator evaluations, structural dynamics testing, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) characterization, organic materials evaluations, reliability studies, and development of an end-to-end system dynamic model. Related efforts are now continuing in many of these areas to support ASRG development.

Schreiber, Jeffrey G.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Final Results for the GRC Supporting Technology Development Project for the 110-Watt Stirling Radioisotope Generator (SRG110)

From 1999 to 2006, the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) supported the development of a high-efficiency, nominal 110-We Stirling Radioisotope Generator (SRG110) for potential use on NASA missions, including deep space missions, Mars rovers, and lunar applications. Lockheed Martin (LM) was the system integrator for the SRG110, under contract to the Department of Energy (DOE). Infinia Corporation (formerly Stirling Technology Company) developed the Stirling convertor, first as a contractor to DOE and then under subcontract to LM. The SRG110 development has been redirected, and recent program changes have been made to significantly increase the specific power of the generator. System development of an Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) has now begun, using a lightweight, advanced convertor from Sunpower, Inc. This paper summarizes the results of the supporting technology effort that GRC completed for the SRG110. GRC tasks included convertor extended-duration testing in air and thermal vacuum environments, heater head life assessment, materials studies, permanent magnet aging characterization, linear alternator evaluations, structural dynamics testing, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) characterization, organic materials evaluations, reliability studies, and development of an end-to-end system dynamic model. Related efforts are now continuing in many of these areas to support ASRG development.

Schreiber, Jeffrey G.↗