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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 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2018

Aerogel-Based Insulation Materials for Cryogenic Applications

Many different aerogel-based materials are now being used in thermal insulation systems for cryogenic applications. These materials include flexible composite blankets, bulk-fill particles, and polymer composites in both evacuated and non-evacuated environments. In ambient environments, aerogels provide superior thermal performance compared to conventional polymeric foam and cellular glass insulations while offering unique advantages in solving problems with weathering, moisture, and mechanical damage. Aerogels are also used as spacer materials in multilayer insulation systems. These layered systems provide combined structural-thermal capability for cryogenic systems in either vacuum-jacketed or externally-applied insulation designs. Test data (effective thermal conductivity) include a wide range of both commercial and experimental aerogel materials. Testing was performed using laboratory cryostats and standard methods including full range vacuum (from ambient pressure to high vacuum) and boundary temperatures 293 K and 78 K. Examples of aerogel-based insulation systems are given for both evacuated and non-evacuated applications.

aerogel layered composites↗
NASA NTRS2006

Engine System Model Development for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion

In order to design, analyze, and evaluate conceptual Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) engine systems, an improved NTP design and analysis tool has been developed. The NTP tool utilizes the Rocket Engine Transient Simulation (ROCETS) system tool and many of the routines from the Enabler reactor model found in Nuclear Engine System Simulation (NESS). Improved non-nuclear component models and an external shield model were added to the tool. With the addition of a nearly complete system reliability model, the tool will provide performance, sizing, and reliability data for NERVA-Derived NTP engine systems. A new detailed reactor model is also being developed and will replace Enabler. The new model will allow more flexibility in reactor geometry and include detailed thermal hydraulics and neutronics models. A description of the reactor, component, and reliability models is provided. Another key feature of the modeling process is the use of comprehensive spreadsheets for each engine case. The spreadsheets include individual worksheets for each subsystem with data, plots, and scaled figures, making the output very useful to each engineering discipline. Sample performance and sizing results with the Enabler reactor model are provided including sensitivities. Before selecting an engine design, all figures of merit must be considered including the overall impacts on the vehicle and mission. Evaluations based on key figures of merit of these results and results with the new reactor model will be performed. The impacts of clustering and external shielding will also be addressed. Over time, the reactor model will be upgraded to design and analyze other NTP concepts with CERMET and carbide fuel cores.

Nelson, Karl W.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(maleic Anhydride)s Cross-linked Polyimide Aerogels

With the development of technology for aerospace applications, new thermal insulation materials are required to be flexible and capable of surviving high heat flux. For instance, flexible insulation is needed for inflatable aerodynamic decelerators which are used to slow spacecraft for entry, descent and landing (EDL) operations. Polyimide aerogels have low density, high porosity, high surface area, and better mechanical properties than silica aerogels and can be made into flexible thin films, thus they are potential candidates for aerospace needs. The previously reported cross-linkers such as octa(aminophenyl)silsesquioxane (OAPS) and 1,3,5-triaminophenoxybenzene (TAB) are either expensive or not commercially available. Here, we report the synthesis of a series of polyimide aerogels cross-linked using various commercially available poly(maleic anhydride)s, as seen in Figure 1. The amine end capped polyimide oligomers were made with 3,3,4,4-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and diamine combinations of dimethylbenzidine (DMBZ) and 4, 4-oxydianiline (ODA). The resulting aerogels have low density (0.12 gcm3 to 0.16 gcm3), high porosity (90) and high surface area (380-554 m2g). The effect of the different poly(maleic anhydride) cross-linkers and polyimide backbone structures on density, shrinkage, porosity, surface area, mechanical properties, moisture resistance and thermal properties will be discussed.

poly(maleic anhydride)↗
NASA NTRS1991

SRB thermal curtain design support

The objective of the program during this time period was to evaluate candidate materials that could be used to design an improved Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) Aft Skirt Thermal Curtain (ASTC). The ASTC is a flexible, high temperature, cloth and insulation composite that is used to protect the hardware located inside the aft skirt of the shuttle solid rocket booster. The current ASTC consists of nine layers of insulating materials and is 2.58 inches thick. The ASTC is made up of twenty four segments. The segments are hand sewn together during installation on the aft skirt. The weight of the current ASTC is approximated at about six hundred pounds. This weight does not include the weight of the mounting hardware and ties required to install the twenty four ASTC segments (which is significant). The current effort entailed measuring the thermophysical properties of six candidate materials (quartz, S glass, and Kevlar woven into nominal 0.25 inch thick layers by angle interlock and polar-weave) and then using these properties in a computer program to predict the thermal performance of various curtain configurations subjected to an SRM heat flux.

Dixon, Carl A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Modeling of rolling element bearing mechanics. Computer program user's manual

This report provides the user's manual for the Rolling Element Bearing Analysis System (REBANS) analysis code which determines the quasistatic response to external loads or displacement of three types of high-speed rolling element bearings: angular contact ball bearings, duplex angular contact ball bearings, and cylindrical roller bearings. The model includes the defects of bearing ring and support structure flexibility. It is comprised of two main programs: the Preprocessor for Bearing Analysis (PREBAN) which creates the input files for the main analysis program, and Flexibility Enhanced Rolling Element Bearing Analysis (FEREBA), the main analysis program. This report addresses input instructions for and features of the computer codes. A companion report addresses the theoretical basis for the computer codes. REBANS extends the capabilities of the SHABERTH (Shaft and Bearing Thermal Analysis) code to include race and housing flexibility, including such effects as dead band and preload springs.

Greenhill, Lyn M.↗
DOE OSTI2025

A review of Geological Thermal Energy Storage for seasonal, grid-scale dispatching

Energy storage is essential for the decarbonization of the U.S. energy grid, especially with the increasing deployment of variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Geological thermal energy storage (GeoTES) has emerged as a promising long duration, grid scale solution, providing stability and security through flexible operations and valuable grid services. GeoTES utilizes subsurface reservoirs to store thermal energy for power generation and direct-use heating and cooling. This approach significantly enhances the use of low-temperature reservoirs, which would otherwise be unsuitable for geothermal power plants. It also aligns well with depleted oil and gas reservoirs, concentrating solar power, non-flexible renewables (photovoltaic and wind), and geothermal-related power cycles. Given the favorable marginal costs of GeoTES as storage duration increases, it becomes particularly competitive for seasonal, grid-scale dispatch, where few technologies are viable. This paper provides a comprehensive review of GeoTES systems and the research underpinning itsr development. This analysis begins by defining and categorizing the unique characteristics of thermal energy storage techniques, setting GeoTES apart from other technologies. The various components, configurations, subsurface characteristics, and modeling efforts that guide GeoTES development are then explored. Finally, challenges in GeoTES research, development, and deployment are discussed, along with mitigation strategies and lessons from related technologies. Beyond their economic benefits, GeoTES systems support grid resilience and decarbonize industrial processes. Their scalability, broad distribution, seasonal storage potential, and flexible dispatch capacity make GeoTES a valuable tool for expanding renewable energy deployment and addressing climate change.

15 - GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
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 NTRS2015

Conformal Ablative Thermal Protection System for Small and Large Scale Missions: Approaching TRL 6 for Planetary and Human Exploration Missions and TRL 9 for Small Probe Missions

In 2011, NASAs Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) funded an effort to develop an ablative thermal protection system (TPS) material that would have improved properties when compared to Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) and AVCOAT. Their goal was a conformal material, processed with a flexible reinforcement that would result in similar or better thermal characteristics and higher strain-to-failure characteristics that would allow for easier integration on flight aeroshells than then-current rigid ablative TPS materials. In 2012, NASAs Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) began funding the maturation of the best formulation of the game changing conformal ablator, C-PICA. Progress has been reported at IPPW over the past three years, describing C-PICA with a density and recession rates similar to PICA, but with a higher strain-to-failure which allows for direct bonding and no gap fillers, and even more important, with thermal characteristics resulting in half the temperature rise of PICA. Overall, C-PICA should be able to replace PICA with a thinner, lighter weight, less complicated design. These characteristics should be particularly attractive for use as backshell TPS on high energy planetary entry vehicles. At the end of this year, the material should be ready for missions to consider including in their design, in fact, NASAs Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is considering incentivizing the use of C-PICA in the next Discovery Proposal call. This year both scale up of the material to large (1-m) sized pieces and the design and build of small probe heatshields for flight tests will be completed. NASA, with an industry partner, will build a 1-m long manufacturing demonstration unit (MDU) with a shape based on a mid LD lifting body. In addition, in an effort to fly as you test and test as you fly, NASA, with a second industry partner, will build a small probe to test in the Interactive Heating Facility (IHF) arc jet and, using nearly the same design, build the aeroshell and TPS, with instrumentation, for a small probe flight test article, due to fly in 2017. At the end of the year, the C-PICA will be at TRL 5+, and with the flight data in 2017, it will be at TRL 9 for missions needs with C-PICA at a small scale (12 diameter). The scale-up and small probe efforts will be de-scribed in this presentation.

Conformal Ablative↗
NASA NTRS1991

Ion beam textured and coated surfaces experiment (IBEX)

The IBEX, with 36 samples of various materials, was placed aboard the LDEF. Twenty-seven of the samples had surfaces modified using ion beam technology, and nine were made up of commercially available materials. The materials are in some way useful in space power systems. The various types of materials tested included six categories: (1) ion beam structured surfaces suitable for solar thermal (concentrator) or space radiators; (2) ion beam sputtered conductive coatings for thermal and space charge control; (3) solar reflector surfaces; (4) flexible thin film coatings and solar array blanket material for protection of spacecraft polymers; (5) painted and/or state-of-the-art solar thermal materials; and (6) micrometeoroid sensitive detector. Data analysis presented include the optical properties of each surface before and after exposure to the space environment and the respective backup surfaces.

Mirtich, Michael J.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Expanding market opportunities: cogeneration strategies for integrated PWR and thermal energy storage systems

We assess the economic viability of nuclear cogeneration by investigating three different modes—fixed dispatch, fully flexible dispatch, and flexible dispatch with minimum heat supply requirements. The analysis focuses on an existing pressurized water reactor (PWR) integrated with thermal energy storage (TES). Heat production costs are estimated under these modes for two U.S. electricity markets: the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Pennsylvania–New Jersey–Maryland Interconnection (PJM). A sensitivity analysis examines profitability at varying heat market prices. Results indicate that fixed heat dispatch inflates heat production costs, often rendering projects economically feasible only at higher heat price levels. Fully-flexible dispatch lowers heat production costs by an average of 43 % compared to fixed dispatch. However, the current 30 % thermal dispatch limit may be insufficient to serve high baseline industrial demands cost‐effectively; higher maximum dispatch rates could enhance project economics. Markets with higher and more volatile electricity prices (e.g., ERCOT) offer greater total energy sales potential (i.e., heat and electricity), but also increase opportunity costs when heat production scheduling restrictions are imposed. In contrast, lower-price, less volatile markets (e.g., PJM) experience smaller impacts from such constraints and provide greater flexibility in accommodating varying cogeneration modes. In conclusion, these findings provide a framework to guide nuclear plant operators in aligning cogeneration strategies with industrial process requirements and electricity market conditions.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Enhancing mobility and interface state engineering via UV-ozone treatment in BEOL-compatible ultrathin TiO 2 transistors

It has emerged as a potential candidate to improve the performance of monolithic-three-dimensional (M3D) integration of fused logic and memories through low-temperature in situ synthesis of high-performance metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) transistors. Here, we report the demonstration of the BEOL-compatible low thermal budget (350 °C) fabrication process of ultrathin-TiO2 transistors by the combination of RTA and UV-ozone treatment (RTA-UVOz). UV–ozone (UVOz) treatment of TiO2 anatase films significantly enhances stability, boosting ION current and field effect mobility (μ FE ) by two times of magnitude in TiO2 TFTs. UV ozone treatment helps to eliminate pre-existing oxygen vacancies and carbon contamination on TiO2 channels even at low temperature (100 °C), resulting in high-quality channel/dielectric interfaces with low interface states (D it ). During UVOz treatment, oxygen species (O x ) passivate the oxygen vacancies ($V$$^{2+}_{o}$), and hence low concentration of $V$$^{2+}_{o}$ would be left for ionization/de-ionization under PBS/NBS, leading to improved bias stress stability. Furthermore, the TiO 2 TFTs with thin ZrO 2 gate dielectric exhibited excellent performance including a lower subthreshold swing (SS) of 98 mV/dec with high drive I ON current ∼ 4.5 μA/μm, a high I ON /I OFF > 10 9 , and mobility μFE of 7 cm 2 /V-s under a battery powered voltage of 1 V. UV–ozone treatment enables high-performance, CMOS-compatible TiO 2 transistors with a low thermal budget, ideal for next-generation flexible, energy-efficient electronics.

BEOL↗
DOE OSTI2023

Two-dimensional patterning of mesoscale fibers using acoustophoresis

The performance of functional composites can rely critically on the arrangement of secondary phases; for example, patterned networks of conductive particles can impart anisotropic thermal, electric or ionic conductivity while preserving flexibility in the matrix. We demonstrate the use of standing acoustic waves to generate periodic patterns of short fibers. We extend the range of possible patterns with the first demonstration of both rectangular grids and arrays of octagons interspersed with rectangles. These newly demonstrated patterns are rationalized using theoretical models of acoustic forces and torques on fibers that account for two-dimensional spatial variations arising from applied acoustic fields. The models enable simulations of fiber motion, which are used to (i) map out final fiber positions as a function of initial position and orientation, and (ii) corroborate experiments visualizing fiber motion and final patterns. This approach provides a fast and accurate way to predict emergent fiber patterns as a function of excitation modality and fiber length. The theory and experiments clearly indicate strong coupling between the length of the fibers and the spacing of the acoustic nodes. Furthermore, this coupling is used to estimate reductions in percolation thresholds associated with the ratio of fiber length and acoustic wavelength.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Enhanced critical axial tensile strain limit of CORC ® wires: FEM and analytical modeling

Abstract Conductor on Round Core (CORC ® ) cables and wires are composed of spiraled high-temperature superconducting (HTS) rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) tapes, wound in multiple layers, and can carry very high currents in background magnetic fields of more than 20 T. They combine isotropic flexibility and high resilience to electromagnetic and thermal loads. The brittle nature of HTS tapes limits the maximum allowable axial tensile strain in superconducting cables. An intrinsic tensile strain above about 0.45% will introduce cracks in the REBCO layer of straight HTS tapes resulting in irreversible damage. The helical fashion at which the REBCO tapes are wound around the central core allows tapes to experience only a fraction of the total axial tensile strain applied to the CORC ® wire. As a result, the critical strain limit of CORC ® wires can be increased by a factor of more than 10 that of REBCO tapes. Finite element (FE) and analytical models are developed to predict the performance of CORC ® wires under axial tensile strain. A parametric analysis is carried out by varying the winding angle, the Poisson’s ratio of the CORC ® wire core, the core diameter, and the tape width. The results show that a small variation in winding angle can have a significant impact on the cable’s axial tensile strain tolerance. While the radial contraction of the helically wound tapes in a CORC ® wire under axial tensile strain depends on its winding angle, it is mostly driven by the Poisson’s ratio of the central core, affecting the tape strain state and thus its performance. Contact pressure from multiple layers within the CORC ® wire also affects the CORC ® wire performance. The FE model can be used to optimize the cable design for specific application conditions, resulting in an irreversible strain limit of CORC ® cables and wires as high as 7%.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Molecular Recognition with Resolution Below 0.2 Angstroms Through Thermoregulatory Oscillations in Covalent Organic Frameworks

Crystalline materials with uniform molecular-sized pores are desirable for a broad range of applications, such as sensors, catalysis, and separations. However, it is challenging to tune the pore size of a single material continuously and to reversibly distinguish small molecules (below 4 angstroms). We synthesized a series of ionic covalent organic frameworks using a tetraphenoxyborate linkage that maintains meticulous synergy between structural rigidity and local flexibility to achieve continuous and reversible (100 thermal cycles) tunability of “dynamic pores” between 2.9 and 4.0 angstroms, with resolution below 0.2 angstroms. This results from temperature-regulated, gradual amplitude change of high-frequency linker oscillations. These thermoelastic apertures selectively block larger molecules over marginally smaller ones, demonstrating size-based molecular recognition and the potential for separating challenging gas mixtures such as oxygen/nitrogen and nitrogen/methane.

crystalline materials↗
DOE OSTI2021

Market Brief: Customer-sited Distributed Energy Resources

This market brief summarizes key takeaways from interviews with vendors and service providers in one or more areas of the DER market: DER controls, battery storage, solar photovoltaic, thermal energy storage, combined heat and power, flexible building loads, and electric vehicle charging. Back-up generators used only in emergencies are not in the scope of this market brief.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Enhancing Building Energy Efficiency through Advanced Sizing and Dispatch Methods for Energy Storage

Energy storage and electrification of buildings hold great potential for future decarbonization. However, there are several technical and economic barriers that prevent large-scale adoption and integration of energy storage in buildings. These barriers include integration with building control systems, high capital costs, and the necessity to identify and quantify value streams for different stakeholders. To overcome these obstacles, it is crucial to develop advanced sizing and dispatch methods to assist planning and operational decision-making for integrating energy storage in buildings. This work develops simple and flexible optimal sizing and dispatch framework for thermal energy storage (TES) and battery energy storage (BES) systems in large-scale office building. The optimal sizes of TES, BES, as well as other building assets are determined in a joint manner instead of sequentially to avoid sub-optimal solutions. The interaction between the sizing at the planning stage and hourly or sub-hourly dispatch at the operating stage is explicitly modeled. The solution is determined considering both capital costs in optimal sizing and operational benefits in optimal dispatch. Comprehensive assessments are performed using simulation studies to quantify potential energy, economic, and emission benefits by different utility tariffs and climate locations, to improve our understanding of the techno-economic performance of different TES and BES systems, and to identify barriers for adopting energy storage for buildings. Finally, the proposed framework will provide guidance to a broad range of stakeholders to properly design energy storage in buildings and maximizes potential benefits, thereby advancing affordable building energy storage deployment and helping us accelerating the transition towards a cleaner and more equitable energy economy.

Yu, Mingyung↗
NASA NTRS1979

Ceramic-to-metal vacuum seal

Knife-edge sealing technique forms reliable, vacuum-tight bonds between materials having very different thermal-expansion characteristics. Seal is thin and flexible and absorb shear, hoop, and bonding stresses at joint so that seal remains vacuum tight.

Sackerlotzky, O. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Thermal seal for high and low temperatures

Composite seal remains flexible between -423 and +500 F. Due to wide temperature capability seal outperforms conventional elastometic seals used in industrial freezers, environmental chambers, refrigerated trucks and railcars, and aircraft doors.

Collipriest, J. E., Jr.↗