Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “loss reduction”

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.

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

At least 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Sulfonated Diels–Alder Poly(Phenylene)s in Membrane Electrode Assemblies for Fuel Cells

The transition to environmentally sustainable materials in fuel cells requires alternatives to persistent polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) like Nafion. This study investigates the performance-limiting factors of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) utilizing sulfonated Diels–Alder poly(phenylene)s (sDAPPs) as PFAS-free polymer electrolytes. Among the configurations evaluated, the greatest performance loss occurred when sDAPP is used as the cathode binder, primarily due to phenyl group adsorption on catalyst surfaces, which reduces oxygen reduction reaction activity and impedes oxygen transport. Additional performance degradation arises from membrane-electrode interfacial incompatibility and insufficient ionomer hydrophobicity. By addressing ionomer adsorption and improving interfacial contact, an sDAPP-based cathode achieved a current density of 1.57 A cm −2 at 0.6 V under fully humidified H 2 /air conditions at 80 °C and 150 kPa abs . These results offer key insights for advancing high-performance, PFAS-free fuel cell technologies.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Vapor Deposition Process for Engineering of Dispersed PEMFC ORR Pt/NbO x /C Catalysts

With support from the Department of Energy, and in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Exothermics, Northeastern University, the University of Michigan, and IRD Fuel Cells, Ford has led an effort to use physical vapor deposition (PVD) to produce oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Conventional ORR catalysts are made by wet chemical processes, and experience loss of electrochemical surface area and activity over voltage cycling due to Pt dissolution and Pt particle coalescence. Not only was PVD processing researched as a means to reduce solvent waste and enhance reproducibility in catalyst manufacturing, but it was also perceived as a means to deposit preferential phases of niobium oxide onto the catalyst, which would then serve to prevent Pt particle movement and extend PEMFC lifetime.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Site-Differentiated Iron–Sulfur Cluster Ligation Affects Flavin-Based Electron Bifurcation Activity

Electron bifurcation is an elegant mechanism of biological energy conversion that effectively couples three different physiologically relevant substrates. As such, enzymes that perform this function often play critical roles in modulating cellular redox metabolism. One such enzyme is NADH-dependent reduced-ferredoxin: NADP+ oxidoreductase (NfnSL), which couples the thermodynamically favorable reduction of NAD+ to drive the unfavorable reduction of ferredoxin from NADPH. The interaction of NfnSL with its substrates is constrained to strict stoichiometric conditions, which ensures minimal energy losses from non-productive intramolecular electron transfer reactions. However, the determinants for this are not well understood. One curious feature of NfnSL is that both initial acceptors of bifurcated electrons are unique iron–sulfur (FeS) clusters containing one non-cysteinyl ligand each. The biochemical impact and mechanistic roles of site-differentiated FeS ligands are enigmatic, despite their incidence in many redox active enzymes. Herein, we describe the biochemical study of wild-type NfnSL and a variant in which one of the site-differentiated ligands has been replaced with a cysteine. Results of dye-based steady-state kinetics experiments, substrate-binding measurements, biochemical activity assays, and assessments of electron distribution across the enzyme indicate that this site-differentiated ligand in NfnSL plays a role in maintaining fidelity of the coordinated reactions performed by the two electron transfer pathways. Given the commonality of these cofactors, our findings have broad implications beyond electron bifurcation and mechanistic biochemistry and may inform on means of modulating the redox balance of the cell for targeted metabolic engineering approaches.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Selectivity Control in Catalytic Reductive Amination of Furfural to Furfurylamine on Supported Catalysts

Abstract Amines are widely used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, polymers, and surfactants. However, amines are mostly produced via petrochemical means, which motivates amine production from renewable resources, such as biomass. However, biomass compounds present added challenges involving poor carbon balances. We show that furfural reacts homogeneously with ammonia to produce reactive primary imines, which form large side products and leads to significant carbon losses. The carbon balance is improved by mixing furfural with furfurylamine prior to reaction to form a secondary imine for use as the reaction substrate. While controlling the primary to secondary amine selectivity is a common challenge in reductive amination, supported metal catalysts, including Ni/SiO 2 , Co/SiO 2 , and Ru/SiO 2 optimize the primary amine yield to 90 to 94 % by using the secondary imine as the reaction substrate. A qualitative correlation between the primary to secondary amine selectivity with the nitrogen binding energy of metals is identified.

Gould, Nicholas S.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Asymmetric nanoparticle oxidation observed in-situ by the evolution of diffraction contrast

Abstract The use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to observe real-time structural and compositional changes has proven to be a valuable tool for understanding the dynamic behavior of nanomaterials. However, identifying the nanoparticles of interest typically require an obvious change in position, size, or structure, as compositional changes may not be noticeable during the experiment. Oxidation or reduction can often result in subtle volume changes only, so elucidating mechanisms in real-time requires atomic-scale resolution or in-situ electron energy loss spectroscopy, which may not be widely accessible. Here, by monitoring the evolution of diffraction contrast, we can observe both structural and compositional changes in iron oxide nanoparticles, specifically the oxidation from a wüstite-magnetite (FeO@Fe 3 O 4 ) core – shell nanoparticle to single crystalline magnetite, Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle. The in-situ TEM images reveal a distinctive light and dark contrast known as the ‘Ashby-Brown contrast’, which is a result of coherent strain across the core – shell interface. As the nanoparticles fully oxidize to Fe 3 O 4 , the diffraction contrast evolves and then disappears completely, which is then confirmed by modeling and simulation of TEM images. This represents a new, simplified approach to tracking the oxidation or reduction mechanisms of nanoparticles using in-situ TEM experiments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Oxygen Vacancies in Niobium Pentoxide as a Source of Two-Level System Losses in Superconducting Niobium

We identify a major source of quantum decoherence in three-dimensional superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) resonators and two-dimensional transmon qubits composed of oxidized niobium: oxygen vacancies in the niobium pentoxide, which drive two-level system (TLS) losses. By probing the effect of sequential in situ vacuum-baking treatments on the rf performance of bulk Nb SRF resonators and on the oxide structure of a representative Nb sample using TOF SIMS, we find a nonmonotonic evolution of cavity quality factor Q0, which correlates with the interplay of Nb2O5 vacancy generation and oxide-thickness reduction. We localize this effect to the oxide itself and present the insignificant role of diffused interstitial oxygen in the underlying Nb by regrowing the oxide via wet oxidation, which reveals a mitigation of aggravated TLS losses. We hypothesize that such vacancies in the pentoxide serve as magnetic impurities and are a source of TLS-driven rf loss.

Bafia, Daniel P. [Fermilab]↗
DOE OSTI2024

Simulated Start-Stop and the Impact of Catalyst Layer Redox on Degradation and Performance Loss in Low-Temperature Electrolysis

Stress tests are developed that focus on anode catalyst layer degradation in proton exchange membrane electrolysis due to simulated start-stop operation. Ex situ testing indicates that repeated redox cycling accelerates catalyst dissolution, due to near-surface reduction and the higher dissolution kinetics of metals when cycling to high potentials. Similar results occur in situ, where a large decrease in cell kinetics (>70%) is found along with iridium migrating from the anode catalyst layer into the membrane. Additional processes are observed, however, including changes in iridium oxidation, the formation of thinner and denser catalyst layers, and platinum migration from the transport layer. Increased interfacial weakening is also found, adding to both ohmic and kinetic loss by adding contact resistances and isolating portions of the catalyst layer. Repeated shutoffs of the water flow further accelerate performance loss and increase the frequency of tearing and delamination at interfaces and within catalyst layers. These tests were applied to several commercial catalysts, where higher loss rates were observed for catalysts that contained ruthenium or high metal content. These results demonstrate the need to understand how operational stops occur, to identify how loss mechanisms are accelerated, and to develop strategies to limit performance loss.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Ozone depletion in the Arctic and Antarctic stratosphere induced by wildfire smoke

Abstract. A record-breaking stratospheric ozone loss was observed over the Arctic and Antarctica in 2020. Strong ozone depletion occurred over Antarctica in 2021 as well. The ozone holes developed in smoke-polluted air. In this article, the impact of Siberian and Australian wildfire smoke (dominated by organic aerosol) on the extraordinarily strong ozone reduction is discussed. The study is based on aerosol lidar observations in the North Pole region (October 2019–May 2020) and over Punta Arenas in southern Chile at 53.2∘ S (January 2020–November 2021) as well as on respective NDACC (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change) ozone profile observations in the Arctic (Ny-Ålesund) and Antarctica (Neumayer and South Pole stations) in 2020 and 2021. We present a conceptual approach on how the smoke may have influenced the formation of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs), which are of key importance in the ozone-depleting processes. The main results are as follows: (a) the direct impact of wildfire smoke below the PSC height range (at 10–12 km) on ozone reduction seems to be similar to well-known volcanic sulfate aerosol effects. At heights of 10–12 km, smoke particle surface area (SA) concentrations of 5–7 µm2 cm−3 (Antarctica, spring 2021) and 6–10 µm2 cm−3 (Arctic, spring 2020) were correlated with an ozone reduction in terms of ozone partial pressure of 0.4–1.2 mPa (about 30 % further ozone reduction over Antarctica) and of 2–3.5 mPa (Arctic, 20 %–30 % reduction with respect to the long-term springtime mean). (b) Within the PSC height range, we found indications that smoke was able to slightly increase the PSC particle number and surface area concentration. In particular, a smoke-related additional ozone loss of 1–2 mPa (10 %–20 % contribution to the total ozone loss over Antarctica) was observed in the 14–23 km PSC height range in September–October 2020 and 2021. Smoke particle number concentrations ranged from 10 to 100 cm−3 and were about a factor of 10 (in 2020) and 5 (in 2021) above the stratospheric aerosol background level. Satellite observations indicated an additional mean column ozone loss (deviation from the long-term mean) of 26–30 Dobson units (9 %–10 %, September 2020, 2021) and 52–57 Dobson units (17 %–20 %, October 2020, 2021) in the smoke-polluted latitudinal Antarctic belt from 70–80∘ S.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Oxygen vacancies in niobium pentoxide as a source of two-level system losses in superconducting niobium

We identify a major source of quantum decoherence in three-dimensional superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) resonators and two-dimensional transmon qubits composed of oxidized niobium: oxygen vacancies in the niobium pentoxide, which drive two-level system (TLS) losses. By probing the effect of sequential in situ vacuum-baking treatments on the rf performance of bulk Nb SRF resonators and on the oxide structure of a representative Nb sample using TOF SIMS, we find a nonmonotonic evolution of cavity quality factor Q 0 , which correlates with the interplay of Nb 2 O 5 vacancy generation and oxide-thickness reduction. We localize this effect to the oxide itself and present the insignificant role of diffused interstitial oxygen in the underlying Nb by regrowing the oxide via wet oxidation, which reveals a mitigation of aggravated TLS losses. We hypothesize that such vacancies in the pentoxide serve as magnetic impurities and are a source of TLS-driven rf loss.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electron energy levels determining cathode electrolyte interphase formation

Cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) has a significant impact on the performance of rechargeable batteries and is gaining increasing attention. Understanding the fundamental and detailed CEI formation mechanism is of critical importance for battery chemistry. Herein, a diverse of characterization tools are utilized to comprehensively analyze the composition of the CEI layer as well as its formation mechanism by LiCoO 2 (LCO) cathode. We reveal that CEI is mainly composed of the reduction products of electrolyte and it only parasitizes the degraded LCO surface which has transformed into a disordered spinel structure due to oxygen loss and lithium depletion. Based on the energy diagram and the chemical potential analysis, the CEI formation process has been well explained, and the proposed CEI formation mechanism is further experimentally validated. This work highlights that the CEI formation process is nearly identical to that of the anode-electrolyte-interphase, both of which are generated due to the electrolyte directly in contact with the low chemical potential electrode material. This work can deepen and refresh our understanding of CEI.

LiCoO2↗
DOE OSTI2025

De-Risking High-Recovery Brackish Water Desalination via Flow Reversal and Feed Flushing Using Techno-Economic Assessment

Novel desalination technologies have demonstrated enhanced performance and improved financial metrics over existing processes adopted by industry. Establishing quantitative performance targets is essential for achieving financial benefits over the current state of the art. Herein, we demonstrate how WaterTAP, a techno-economic assessment (TEA) tool, can be used to identify minimum performance metrics necessary to achieve financial benefit over using existing processes. This study evaluates the feasibility of increasing water recovery at the Chino Desalter I above 90 % through the addition of a third variable configuration reverse osmosis (VCRO) stage. Sensitivity analyses revealed flow reversal frequency, feed flushing volume (used as a cleaning step), and membrane lifespan are key factors influencing the financial viability of the VCRO process. The TEA analysis demonstrated that the system must achieve a recovery of 84 % and a 1-year membrane lifespan to have a breakeven LCOW, while achieving 90 % recovery can ultimately reduce the LCOW by 16 %. Notably, a trade-off between decreasing frictional losses and increased osmotic pressure across the recovery range, resulted in a stable specific energy consumption across the recovery range, enabling meaningful LCOW reductions without an energy penalty, a key finding that contrasts with conventional RO. This work demonstrates how TEA can guide system design by identifying key performance targets and exploring trade-offs, enabling data-driven decisions to de-risk innovative processes. These findings underscore the importance of leveraging TEA to evaluate scaling mitigation strategies and optimize inland desalination systems for sustainable and cost-effective operation.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Toward Spatial Control of Reaction Selectivity on Photocatalysts Using Area-Selective Atomic Layer Deposition on the Model Dual Site Electrocatalyst Platform

Photocatalytic water splitting is a promising route to low-cost, green H 2 . However, this approach is currently limited in its solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. One major source of efficiency loss is attributed to the high rates of undesired side and back reactions, which are exacerbated by the proximity of neighboring oxidation and reduction sites. Nanoscopic oxide coatings have previously been used to selectively block undesired reactants from reaching active sites; however, a coating encapsulating the entire photocatalyst particle limits activity as it cannot facilitate both half-reactions. In this work, area selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD) was used to selectively deposit semipermeable TiO 2 films onto model metallic cocatalysts for enhancing reaction selectivity while maintaining a high overall activity. Pt and Au were used as exemplary reduction and oxidation cocatalyst sites, respectively, where Au was deactivated toward ALD growth through self-assembled thiol monolayers while TiO 2 was coated onto Pt sites. Electroanalytical measurements of monometallic thin film electrodes showed that the TiO 2 -encapsulated Pt effectively suppressed undesired H 2 oxidation and Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox reactions while still permitting the desired hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). A planar model photocatalyst platform containing patterned interdigitated arrays of Au and Pt microelectrodes was further assessed using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), demonstrating the successful use of AS-ALD to enable local reaction selectivity in a dual-reaction-site (photo)electrocatalytic system. Finally, interdigitated microelectrodes having independent potential control were used to show that selectively deposited TiO 2 coatings can suppress the rate of back reactions on neighboring active sites by an order of magnitude compared with uncoated control samples.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2023

Ultra-thin ZrO 2 overcoating on CuO-ZnO-Al 2 O 3 catalyst by atomic layer deposition for improved catalytic performance of CO 2 hydrogenation to dimethyl ether

Abstract An ultra-thin overcoating of zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ) film on CuO-ZnO-Al 2 O 3 (CZA) catalysts by atomic layer deposition (ALD) was proved to enhance the catalytic performance of CZA/HZSM-5 (H form of Zeolite Socony Mobil-5) bifunctional catalysts for hydrogenation of CO 2 to dimethyl ether (DME). Under optimal reaction conditions (i.e. 240 °C and 2.8 MPa), the yield of product DME increased from 17.22% for the bare CZA/HZSM-5 catalysts, to 18.40% for the CZA catalyst after 5 cycles of ZrO 2 ALD with HZSM-5 catalyst. All the catalysts modified by ZrO 2 ALD displayed significantly improved catalytic stability of hydrogenation of CO 2 to DME reaction, compared to that of CZA/HZSM-5 bifunctional catalysts. The loss of DME yield in 100 h of reaction was greatly mitigated from 6.20% (loss of absolute value) to 3.01% for the CZA catalyst with 20 cycles of ZrO 2 ALD overcoating. Characterizations including hydrogen temperature programmed reduction, x-ray powder diffraction, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that there was strong interaction between Cu active centers and ZrO 2 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Using Energy Storage-Based Grid Forming Inverters for Operational Reserve in Hybrid Diesel Microgrids

In remote arctic communities, where access to a bulk electrical grid interconnection is not available, the implementation of islanded microgrids has been the most viable way to produce and distribute electricity services to their inhabitants. Historically, these islanded grids have relied primarily on diesel generators or hydropower resources to supply the baseload. However, this practice can result in increased expense due to the high costs associated with fuel transportation and the significant amounts of on-site storage necessary when fuel transportation is unavailable during winter months. In order to mitigate this problem, arctic microgrids have started to transition to a hybrid-source operational mode by incorporating renewable energy sources that are inherently variable in nature, such as wind or solar. Due to their highly stochastic behavior, these hybrid-source islanded microgrids can pose potential issues related to power quality due to introduction of rapid net load fluctuations and inability of diesel generators to respond rapidly. In addition, non-firm stochastic sources can require significant idling diesel generator resources to serve as spinning reserves, which is inefficient and wasteful. This work studies the problems that may arise in the transient dynamics of a real-world hybrid diesel microgrid when subjected to a loss of wind generation. Moreover, this work proposes a transition from a diesel spinning reserve to a battery energy-storage system (BESS) operating reserve scheme. The study of the proposed transition is important in establishing the fundamental implication of transient dynamics and the potential benefits of integrating a BESS as a spinning reserve in terms of stability, frequency nadir, and transient voltage deviation. The methods to investigate and validate the transient dynamics relied on both electromagnetic simulation models of GFMIs and a commercially available GFMI in an experimental power hardware-in-the-loop setup. The simulation results showed that the proposed operating reserve scheme improves the power quality of the system in terms of voltage deviation and frequency nadir when the microgrid is subjected to a loss of wind generation scenario. Depending on the simulation cases, adding a GFMI reduced the frequency nadir between 65.3% and 86.7%. Moreover, the reductions in the voltage deviations improved between 3.6% and 23.0%. From these results it can be concluded that the integration of a GFMI can reduce the frequency nadir in a hybrid diesel microgrid, and in turn, reduce diesel consumption, which improves system reliability while reducing fuel expenses. Furthermore, the novelty of this work relies on the fact that the offline simulation results were validated using a power hardware-in-the-loop platform that incorporated a 100 kVA commercially available GFMI as the device under test.

Hernandez-Alvidrez, Javier↗
DOE OSTI2022

Crosslinked Polyethyleneimine Gel Polymer Interface to Improve Cycling Stability of RFBs

Redox flow batteries are considered a promising technology for grid energy storage. However, capacity decay caused by crossover of active materials is a universal challenge for many flow battery systems, which are based on various chemistries. In this paper, using the vanadium redox flow battery as an example, we demonstrate a new gel polymer interface (GPI) consisting of crosslinked polyethyleneimine with a large amount of amino and carboxylic acid groups introduced between the positive electrode and the membrane. The GPI functions as a key component to prevent vanadium ions from crossing the membrane, thus supporting stable long-term cycling. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were conducted to investigate the effect of GPI on the electrochemical properties of graphitic carbon electrodes (GCFs) and redox reaction of catholyte. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra demonstrated that the crosslinked GPI is chemically stable for 100 cycles without dissolution of polymers and swelling in the strong acidic electrolytes. Results from inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy proved that the GPI is effective in maintaining the concentration of vanadium species in their respective half-cells, resulting in improved cycling stability because of it prevents active species from crossing the membrane and stabilizes the oxidation states of active species.

Lim, Hyung-Seok↗
DOE OSTI2025

Reduced Erosion Augments Soil Carbon Storage Under Cover Crops

ABSTRACT Cover crops, a promising strategy to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in croplands and mitigate climate change, have typically been shown to benefit soil carbon (C) storage from increased plant C inputs. However, input‐driven C benefits may be augmented by the reduction of C outputs induced by cover crops, a process that has been tested by individual studies but has not yet been synthesized. Here we quantified the impact of cover crops on organic C loss via soil erosion (SOC erosion) and revealed the geographical variability at the global scale. We analyzed the field data from 152 paired control and cover crop treatments from 57 published studies worldwide using meta‐analysis and machine learning. The meta‐analysis results showed that cover crops widely reduced SOC erosion by an average of 68% on an annual basis, while they increased SOC stock by 14% (0–15 cm). The absolute SOC erosion reduction ranged from 0 to 18.0 Mg C −1 ha −1 year −1 and showed no correlation with the SOC stock change that varied from −8.07 to 22.6 Mg C −1 ha −1 year −1 at 0–15 cm depth, indicating the latter more likely related to plant C inputs. The magnitude of SOC erosion reduction was dominantly determined by topographic slope. The global map generated by machine learning showed the relative effectiveness of SOC erosion reduction mainly occurred in temperate regions, including central Europe, central‐east China, and Southern South America. Our results highlight that cover crop‐induced erosion reduction can augment SOC stock to provide additive C benefits, especially in sloping and temperate croplands, for mitigating climate change.

Huang, Wenjuan [Department of Ecology, Evolution, ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Traction Motor Design Trade-Offs with Additively Manufactured Anisotropic Bonded Magnets

Extrusion based big area additive manufacturing (BAAM) has been previously demonstrated for the fabrication of dense anisotropic bonded magnets. This paper reports on design trade-offs when such magnets are employed in a motor designed for electric vehicle applications. An external rotor fractional slot permanent magnet synchronous machine designed with sintered dysprosium free magnets rated for 100kW peak and 50kW continuous power is used as the baseline. The impact of using the bonded BAAM magnets on the motor and inverter volumes, motor loss and cooling systems as well as demagnetization margins is evaluated. It is found that although the motor power density reduces due to the lower energy product of the BAAM magnets, there are other system level benefits including reductions in the cooling system requirement, lower inverter rating and volume, decrease in short circuit current and improved demagnetization marains.

additive manufacturing↗
DOE OSTI2020

Probing the meta-stability of oxide core/shell nanoparticle systems at atomic resolution

Hybrid nanoparticles allow exploiting the interplay of confinement, proximity between different materials and interfacial effects. However, to harness their properties an in-depth understanding of their (meta)stability and interfacial characteristics is crucial. This is especially the case of nanosystems based on functional oxides working under reducing conditions, which may severely impact their properties. Here, the in-situ electron-induced selective reduction of Mn 3 O 4 to MnO is studied in magnetic Fe 3 O 4 /Mn 3 O 4 and Mn 3 O 4 /Fe 3 O 4 core/shell nanoparticles by means of high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Such in-situ transformation allows mimicking the actual processes in operando environments. A multi-stage image analysis using geometric phase analysis combined with particle image velocity enables direct monitoring of the relationship between structure, chemical composition and strain relaxation during the Mn 3 O 4 reduction. In the case of Fe 3 O 4 /Mn 3 O 4 core/shell the transformation occurs smoothly without the formation of defects. However, for the inverse Mn 3 O 4 /Fe 3 O 4 core/shell configuration the electron beam-induced transformation occurs in different stages that include redox reactions and void formation followed by strain field relaxation via formation of defects. This study highlights the relevance of understanding the local dynamics responsible for changes in the particle composition in order to control stability and, ultimately, macroscopic functionality.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗