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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 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

The BRIAR Dataset: A Comprehensive Whole-Body Biometric Recognition Benchmark at Extreme Distances and Altitudes (Collections 1-6)

The Biometric Recognition and Identification at Altitude and Range (BRIAR) program aims to extend biometric capabilities into severe operational environments characterized by long ranges, atmospheric turbulence, and elevated viewpoints. This paper introduces the program’s two final government collections expanding activities, environments, viewpoints, distances, and modalities, and adding appearance and environmental stressors. We refine curation/evaluation and include sequestered subsets to support controlled assessments. These updates strengthen BRIAR as a comprehensive resource for whole-body, face, and gait recognition at altitude and range, while maintaining privacy-first practices.

Yoon, Rocky [ORNL] (ORCID:0009000491499165)↗
NASA NTRS2012

Examining the Role of Environment in a Comprehensive Sample of Compact Groups

Compact groups, with their high number densities, small velocity dispersions, and an interstellar medium that has not been fully processed, provide a local analog to conditions of galaxy interactions in the earlier universe. The frequent and prolonged gravitational encounters that occur in compact groups affect the evolution of the constituent galaxies in a myriad of ways, for example, gas processing and star formation. Recently, a statistically significant "gap" has been discovered in the mid-infrared (MIR: 3.6-8 μm) IRAC color space of compact group galaxies. This gap is not seen in field samples and is a new example of how the compact group environment may affect the evolution of member galaxies. In order to investigate the origin and nature of this gap, we have compiled a larger sample of 37 compact groups in addition to the original 12 groups studied by Johnson et al. (yielding 174 individual galaxies with reliable MIR photometry). We find that a statistically significant deficit of galaxies in this gap region of IRAC color space is persistent in the full sample, lending support to the hypothesis that the compact group environment inhibits moderate specific star formation rates. Using this expanded sample, we have more fully characterized the distribution of galaxies in this color space and quantified the low-density region more fully with respect to MIR bluer and MIR redder colors. We note a curvature in the color-space distribution, which is fully consistent with increasing dust temperature as the activity in a galaxy increases. This full sample of 49 compact groups allows us to subdivide the data according to physical properties of the groups. An analysis of these subsamples indicates that neither projected physical diameter nor density shows a trend in color space within the values represented by this sample. We hypothesize that the apparent lack of a trend is due to the relatively small range of properties in this sample, whose groups have already been pre-selected to be compact and dense. Thus, the relative influence of stochastic effects (such as the particular distribution and amount of star formation in individual galaxies) becomes dominant. We analyze spectral energy distributions of member galaxies as a function of their location in color space and find that galaxies in different regions of MIR color space contain dust with varying temperatures and/or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission.

Environment↗
NASA NTRS2018

Improved Mars Helicopter Aerodynamic Rotor Model for Comprehensive Analyses

The Mars Helicopter is part of the NASA Mars 2020 rover mission scheduled to launch in July of 2020. Its goal is to demonstrate the viability and potential of heavier-than-air vehicles in the Martian atmosphere. Ultimately, it aims to bridge the resolution gap between orbiters and the rover as well as allow access to otherwise inaccessible regions. The low density of the Martian atmosphere and the relatively small-scale rotor result in very low Reynolds number flows. The low density and low Reynolds numbers reduce the lifting force and lifting efficiency, respectively. This paper describes the generation of the improved Mars Helicopter aerodynamic rotor model. The goal is to generate a performance model for the Mars Helicopter rotor using a free wake analysis, since this has a low computational cost for design. The improvements in the analysis are two-fold and are expanded on from two prior publications. First, the fidelity of the simulations is increased by performing higher-order two-dimensional time-accurate OVERFLOW simulations allowing for higher accuracy aerodynamic coefficients and a better understanding of the boundary layer behavior as well as its transient features. Second, a version of the model is generated to duplicate the exact testing conditions in the 25-ft. diameter Space Simulator at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which allows for better correlation of rotor performance figures. Previous work correlated performance with that test, but did not consider the higher temperatures in the experiment compared to those of the Martian atmosphere. The higher temperatures in the experiment are expected to give conservative performance estimates, as they give rise to an increase in speed of sound and decrease in observed Reynolds numbers.

Analyses↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Pretest Comprehensive Analysis for the Urban Air Mobility Side-by-Side Test Stand

The Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Side-by-Side Test Stand (SBS) is a two-rotor test stand designed and built at NASA Ames Research Center under the Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) Project. The SBS entered service in the wind tunnel in the latter part of 2021 and allows for the experimental analysis of rotor-rotor interactions for UAM vehicles of the side-by-side variety. The SBS will allow investigation of the effect of numerous variables such as rotor lateral separation, rotor collective pitch, model pitch angle (𝛼), rotor rotation direction, and flight speed. This paper presents performance predictions for the SBS. These predictions, which were generated using CAMRAD II, provided increased assurance of the safe operational limits of the system. Additionally, these results, when compared with future data, will be used for validation of the computational models.

Comprehensive Analysis↗
DOE OSTI2021

Deep Learning the Electromagnetic Properties of Metamaterials—A Comprehensive Review

Deep neural networks (DNNs) are empirically derived systems that have transformed traditional research methods, and are driving scientific discovery. Here, artificial electromagnetic materials (AEMs)—including electromagnetic metamaterials, photonic crystals, and plasmonics—are research fields where DNN results valorize the data driven approach; especially in cases where conventional methods have failed. In view of the great potential of deep learning for the future of artificial electromagnetic materials research, the status of the field with a focus on recent advances, key limitations, and future directions is reviewed. Strategies, guidance, evaluation, and limits of using deep networks for both forward and inverse AEM problems are presented.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Polymorphs of the n–Type Polymer P(NDI2OD–T2): A Comprehensive Description of the Impact of Processing on Crystalline Morphology and Charge Transport

A systematic study of the polymorphs emerging in P(NDI2OD-T2) (also commercially known as N2200), a prototypical organic semiconducting n-type polymer, is presented. Using a tightly integrated experimental and computational approach, detailed atomistic-level descriptions are provided investigating the three known P(NDI2OD-T2) polymorphs observed at room temperature as a function of thin-film processing. Importantly, over the course of the work, a missing link is uncovered, a fourth polymorph referred to here as Form I-β; this new form is a morphological intermediary observed upon thermal annealing, which evolves from Form I but tends to disappear upon full polymer chain melting. The computationally derived polymorph structures show excellent agreement with experimental X-ray scattering characterization. The relative stabilities of each polymorph are calculated in terms of both the bulk material and the polymorph-air interface. An energy landscape is then constructed to qualitatively compare the thermodynamic versus kinetic origins of each polymorph, and the factors driving (supra)assembly and associated transformations among polymorphs using an approach generalizable to other organic semiconducting polymers. Lastly, the relationships among preferential polymorphic crystallinity, relative chain orientations, and directional charge transport properties in P(NDI2OD-T2) are explored. Altogether, this work provides unprecedented insights into complex structure-processing-transport relationships in a representative semiconducting organic polymer.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Comprehensive Electrical Control of Metamagnetic Transition of a Quasi-2D Antiferromagnet by In Situ Anisotropic Strain

Effective nonmagnetic control of the spin structure is at the forefront of the study for functional quantum materials. This study demonstrates that, by applying an anisotropic strain up to only 0.05%, the metamagnetic transition field of spin–orbit-coupled Mott insulator Sr 2 IrO 4 can be in situ modulated by almost 300%. Simultaneous measurements of resonant X-ray scattering and transport reveal that this drastic response originates from the complete strain-tuning of the transition between the spin-flop and spin-flip limits, and is always accompanied by large elastoconductance and magnetoconductance. This enables electrically controllable and electronically detectable metamagnetic switching, despite the antiferromagnetic insulating state. The obtained strain-magnetic field phase diagram reveals that C 4 -symmetry-breaking anisotropy is introduced by strain via pseudospin-lattice coupling, directly demonstrating the pseudo-Jahn–Teller effect of spin–orbit-coupled complex oxides. The extracted coupling strength is much weaker than the superexchange interactions, yet crucial for the spontaneous symmetry-breaking, affording the remarkably efficient strain-control.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

A Comprehensive Review on the Development of Solid–State Metal–Air Batteries Operated on Oxide–Ion Chemistry

The recently developed solid oxide metal–air redox battery (SOMARB) operating on oxide-ion chemistry represents an emerging and promising energy storage technology, which is well suited for managing grid stability and efficiently harvesting renewable energy. Compared to widely reported metal–air batteries operating on liquid-phase alkali-ion or alkaline chemistries, the SOMARB uniquely features a direct reduction of the high concentration of O 2 molecules in the gas phase without invoking the detrimental formation of a diffusion-blocking oxide phase on the surface of the oxygen electrode. A typical SOMARB is composed of a reversible solid oxide cell (RSOC) and an energy storage unit (ESU), which is capable of storing a high capacity of energy at high power without safety concerns. In this article, the SOMARB concept birth and development are reviewed and discussed with the fundamental differences separating it from other types of metal–air batteries, along with the challenges and opportunities around commercialization. Particular focus is placed on the functional materials tailored for ESU and RSOC applications, including recent experimental and computational efforts to boost the redox activity of Fe-based ESU materials and the performance of intermediate temperature RSOCs. Lastly, candid opinions are offered on the challenges and opportunities facing the future development of SOMARBs toward large-scale energy storage applications.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Microstructure of Methylammonium Lead iodide Perovskite Thin Films: A Comprehensive Study of the Strain and Texture

Controlling the microstructure of hybrid halide perovskite thin films is essential for optimizing their performance in optoelectronic devices. It is well established that the strain state of the perovskite layer affects its stability. Likewise, the orientation of the perovskite lattice is a determining parameter as these materials have shown pronounced anisotropies in their physical and mechanical properties. In this work, the authors focus on the understanding of the mechanisms that govern the strain and texture observed in MAPbI 3 thin films deposited on various oxide substrates. A thorough study of the evolution of the strain of the perovskite layer upon cooling down to room temperature from the crystallization temperature (100 °C) shows an essentially relaxed behavior of the perovskite layers. This result contradicts the commonly accepted hypothesis according to which MAPbI 3 layers synthesized above ambient temperature are strained due to the large mismatch in the thermal expansion coefficients of the perovskite and its substrate. The texture in MAPbI 3 layers is investigated by means of synchrotron full-field diffraction X-ray microscopy. This technique allows the direct observation of the [hh0] and [00l]-oriented domains at the origin of the observed textures, demonstrating both their twin and ferroelastic nature. The stability of the different domain orientations is investigated by DFT calculations, illustrating the determining role of the chemical environment at the film-substrate interface. PbI 2- terminated surfaces are found to favor the [hh0] orientations while for MAI-terminated ones, both [hh0] and [00l] domains are equally stabilized. The different results constitute an important step of clarification and understanding from the perspective of controlling the microstructure of perovskite layers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Comprehensive Battery Safety Risk Evaluation: Aged Cells versus Fresh Cells Upon Mechanical Abusive Loadings

Abstract Despite their wide applications, lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have been struggling with their safety risks arising from different lifetime stages. Here, the NCMA pouch cell is taken as an example, and the safety of both fresh and aged cells from three milestone stages, that is, internal short circuit (ISC) triggering risk, ISC mode, and the subsequent thermal runaway (TR) consequence is investigated. By combining mechanical abusive testing and physics‐based models on commercialized cells with various states‐of‐health (SOH) and states‐of‐charge, it is discovered that the ISC triggering delays with the decay of SOH and soft ISC mode will be triggered more frequently, which is mainly due to the mechanical behaviors of the current collectors. The temperature rises and peak temperature during the subsequent TR also become milder for aged cells due to the reduced capacity and deterministic soft ISC process. Results here provide a mechanistic explanation of the safety risk comparison between the fresh and aged cells, offering cornerstone guidance to the evaluation and design of next‐generation safer LIBs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Comprehensive Experimental Study on Microstructure‐Graded Graphite Anodes for Enhancing Fast‐Charging Capability of Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Lithium‐ion batteries with high gravimetric capacity density and improved cycle life performance under fast‐charging conditions are crucial for widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption. This study investigates how designing graphite anode microstructure, specifically porosity, and particle‐size gradients, improves lithium‐ion (Li + ) transport during fast‐charging conditions. Three‐layered graphite anodes with varying porosity (24%, 36%, 46%) and particle size gradients (3, 5, 10 μm) were compared to a conventional single‐layered electrode in half‐cell configurations. At room temperature and high discharge rate (2C), both gradient structures showed significantly enhanced capacity retention (80% and 67% vs. 50%) compared to the conventional electrode, highlighting the effectiveness of microstructure engineering for fast charging. The study also investigated the temperature's impact on cycle life. After 200 cycles at 2°C and 45°C, all gradient structures demonstrated superior capacity retention (≈80%) compared to the conventional electrode (35%), suggesting the gradients mitigate degradation rate at high temperatures. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed superior Li+ diffusion and lower resistivity in gradient electrodes. Simulations explored the influence of gradient profiles on reaction kinetics across the electrode thickness. Overall, this research demonstrates that the fast‐charging capability of graphite electrodes can be greatly enhanced by engineering the electrode microstructure, thereby making EV technology more accessible and appealing.

Ahmadi, Soma↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Comprehensive Comparative Study of Active Learning Schemes for Nanophotonics Design

We present a benchmarking study of active learning (AL) schemes for designing planar multilayer nanophotonic metamaterials, where the design tasks are formulated as binary optimization problems. Different surrogate models, including factorization machine (FM), Gaussian process regression (GPR), and convolutional neural network (CNN), combined with different optimization methods, including exhaustive enumeration, discrete particle swarm optimization (DPSO), quantum annealing (QA), hybrid QA, and simulated annealing are studied. The benchmark cases investigated range from small problems with short binary lengths (N = 25) to large problems with N up to 100, focusing on the design of two classes of photonic structures, including antireflective coatings for the long-wavelength infrared region and transparent radiative coolers. For small problems, CNN coupled with DPSO in AL achieves the best performance. As N increases, FM with QA outperforms GPR and CNN. For FM-based AL, hybrid QA yields the best optimization results, particularly in high-dimensional cases (N = 100). These results demonstrate that the optimization method can significantly affect in AL performance as N increases, and that QA-based optimization can provide practical routes for mitigating the optimization bottleneck in high-dimensional problems.

Jung, Serang [Kyung Hee University, Korea]↗
DOE OSTI2020

Paradox of sustainability in tobacco control in Thailand: A comprehensive assessment of three-decade experiences

Background: Over the past three decades of tobacco control, Thailand has gained international recognition as a middle-income country with sustained achievement of declining smoking prevalence. However, the number of key FCTC measures implementation is still far away from the highest-level implementation. As a result, we aim to explore explanatory factors for the paradoxical phenomenon of sustainability in tobacco control in Thailand, to understand what the paradox means, why it happens, and how to take further steps in minimizing the paradox. Methods: We used a mixed-method approach comprising qualitative (review of literature and documents plus Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT) guided key informant interviews) and semi-quantitative methods (PSAT scoring, Theory of change (TOC), and causal-loop diagram (CLD)) to synthesize all the findings from the qualitative data. Results: Across all eight domains, sustainability scores at the local level are lower than the national level. The highest total score was in three domains: political support, partnership, and organizational capacity. The lowest total score was for the strategic planning domain. We propose a set of key strategic elements and drivers for future strategic planning. Discussion: Using CLD, we capture a high-level view of tobacco control with dynamic interactions between contexts, mechanisms, interventions, and outcomes. Finally, we believe the deep understanding of tobacco control and the proposed strategy to counteract transnational tobacco companies in Thailand will guide future sustainable actions to reduce the prevalence of smoking, especially in the strategic planning domain that has the lowest PSAT score.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Comprehensive review of combustion ion chromatography for the analysis of total, adsorbable, and extractable organic fluorine

Poly‐ and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of persistent organic pollutants whose high stability and appreciable water solubility have led to near‐global contamination. PFAS are bioaccumulative toxins that have been linked to a myriad of disorders and have been detected nearly universally in human blood. Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry is the most frequent method used for quantitation, though this typically only measures a few dozen of the >14 000 known PFAS and has been shown to account for a small portion of the total organic fluorine present. Sum parameter methods such as total, extractable, and adsorbable organic fluorine have emerged as alternative measurements for PFAS determination. Combustion ion chromatography has become the preferred method for organofluorine measurement where the sorbent or extract containing PFAS is combusted and the emitted hydrofluoric acid (HF) is a measure of the cumulative organofluorine present. Herein we critically review the types of organofluorine measurement, their separation from the sample matrix, and key parameters of the analytical instrument that affect sensitivity, reproducibility, and recovery with regards to PFAS analysis.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2025

A comprehensive review on valorization of chestnut processing wastes into bio‐based composites and bioplastics

Abstract This review examines the characterization and utilization of chestnut processing wastes (35%) in the production of bioplastics and biocomposites. In this review, a Web of Science search without any publishing year restriction on the biochemical compositions of all the components of Castanea sativa . The obtaining of bioplastics and biocomposites based on C. sativa was reviewed. First, it highlights the biochemical composition and antioxidant properties of chestnut fruit, shell, burrs, leaves, flowers, and wood focusing on the most important compounds, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, Klason lignin, cellulose, and glucan, which can enhance the properties of these materials. Then the review covers using several chestnut extracts and fillers in bioplastics production through solvent casting technique. The mechanical, structural, bioactive properties, and moisture content were optimized through the composition and production. The color, UV absorption, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity were also discussed. Biocomposites reinforced with chestnut burs, shells, or wood flour increased the intended properties. The enhancements in tensile strength, elastic modulus, and the effects of a pre‐treatment were evaluated. Additionally, it discusses material recovery, recycling, and reuse, particularly how it affects the biodegradability of composites incorporating chestnut waste residues. Highlights Chestnut fruit, shells, and burrs are rich in starch, lignin, and cellulose. The waste of chestnut processing can be used in bioplastics and biocomposites. Chestnut‐based films and biocomposites exhibit promising mechanical properties. The antimicrobial activity, making films, and composites proper for food packaging. New techniques boost performance, offering alternatives to conventional plastics.

Silva, Simão B. [REQUIMTE/LAQV, ISEP, Polytechnic ↗