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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 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Electrochemical stability, physical, and electronic properties of thermally pre-formed oxide compared to artificially sputtered oxide on Fe thin films in aqueous chloride

Here the electrochemical stability and corrosion behavior of the thermally pre-oxidized and sputter deposited variant of an oxide single-crystalline Fe thin film were compared. Thermal oxides formed Fe 2 O 3 over an inner layer of Fe 3 O 4 while the sputtered oxides were found to have grown Fe 3 O 4 instead of the target stoichiometry of Fe 2 O 3 . Oxide films of both types were stable in pH=9.3 borate buffer solution, however, were altered in pH=9.3, 0.1 M NaCl solution in the case of thermally pre-oxidized Fe thin film. The stability of the oxide differed in pH=4, 0.1 M NaCl where sputtered Fe films were more stable against acidic chemical dissolution than the thermally formed Fe oxide film. These differences were traced by AC/DC electrochemical analysis including electronic defect densities, and molecular identity characterized by ex-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

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

Application of electrodialysis pretreatment to enhance boron removal and reduce fouling during desalination by nanofiltration/reverse osmosis

we report membranes have emerged as promising technologies for treatment of non-traditional waters, but fouling and poor rejection of small, neutral solutes (e.g., boric acid) impede their further implementation for water purification. Boron rejection is increased by raising the pH to convert boric acid to borate ion, but this change often leads to calcite supersaturation. This study investigated the use of a hybrid electrodialysis-nanofiltration/reverse osmosis (ED-NF/RO) system to reduce fouling from calcite precipitation and calcium-polysaccharide sorption to NF/RO membranes. Also, the study examined the potential of the hybrid process to increase permeate flux and boron rejection during NF/RO of synthetic saline water. ED pretreatment reduced calcite oversaturation and reduced flux decline during NF/RO. Low alginate concentrations (25 mg/L) limited NF/RO fouling, but high concentrations (100 mg/L) appeared to promote calcite scaling. ED pretreatment reduced the osmotic pressure of the NF/RO feed water, enabling lower operating pressures or greater permeate water fluxes. Boron rejection during NF/RO increased with ED pretreatment, probably due to stronger electrostatic repulsion and an increase in the fraction of total boron present as B(OH)4- following ED. This hybrid ED-NF/RO system shows promise as a novel approach to enhancing the performance of current membrane systems for treating complex feed waters.

alginate↗
DOE OSTI2015

Additive Effect on the Electrochemical Performance of Lithium–Sulfur Battery

Lithium difluoro(oxalato) borate (LiDFOB) was investigated as an electrolyte additive for the Li-S battery. This additive was identified to be an efficient electrolyte additive to suppress the polysulfide shuttling effect existing in the conventional Li-S chemistry. To detect the positive impact of the new additive, oligo (ethylene glycol) functionalized silane was employed as the electrolyte solvent due to its high solvation capability with the lithium polysulfides. The electrochemical results and the SEM data of Li-S battery using the new electrolyte confirmed the role of the LiDFOB as a critical component to eliminate the shuttling of the dissolved polysulfides thus enabling a high coulombic efficiency. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Additive↗
DOE OSTI2018

Aqueous geochemistry at gigapascal pressures: NMR spectroscopy of fluoroborate solutions

Aqueous geochemistry could be extended considerably if nuclear-magnetic resonance (NMR) methods could be adapted to study solutions at elevated temperatures and pressures. We therefore designed an NMR probe that can be used to study aqueous solutions at gigapascal pressures. Fluoride solutions were chosen for study because 19 F couples to other nuclei in the solutions ( 31 P and 11 B) in ways that make peak assignments unequivocal. Correspondingly, NMR spectra of 19 F- and 11 B were collected on aqueous HBF 4 -NH 4 PF 6 solutions to pressures up to 2.0 GPa. At pressure, peaks in the 19 F spectra were clear and assignable to the BF 4 – (aq), F – (aq) and BF 3 OH – (aq) ions, and these aqueous complexes varied in signal intensity with pressure and time, for each solution. Peaks in the 11 B spectra at pressure could be assigned to the BF 4 – (aq) and BF 3 OH – (aq) species. Additionally, there is a single peak that is assignable to H 3 BO 3 o (aq) and B(OH) 4 – (aq) in rapid-exchange equilibria. These peaks broaden and move with pressure in ways that suggest reversible interconversion of borate and fluoroborate species. The PF 6 – ion was found to provide a suitable 19 F shift and intensity standard for high-pressure spectra because it was chemically inert. Here, the positions and intensities of the doublet peak also remains constant as a function of pressure and pH. Addition of electrolytes considerably distorts the phase diagram of water such that the stability region of the aqueous solution expands to well beyond the 0.8 GPa freezing pressure of pure water; some fluoroborate solutions remain liquid until almost 2.0 GPa.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Synthesis, characterization and thermochemistry of Cs-, Rb- and Sr-substituted barium aluminium titanate hollandites

Titanate hollandites are of considerable interest for immobilization of radioactive Cs, its daughter product Ba and related radionuclides Rb and Sr. In this work, we synthesized three hollandites, Ba 1.18 Cs 0.21 Al 2.44 Ti 5.53 O 16 , Ba 1.17 Rb 0.19 Al 2.46 Ti 5.53 O 16 and Ba 1.14 Sr 0.10 Al 2.38 Ti 5.59 O 16 , using sol–gel methods. Rietveld analysis of synchrotron XRD data shows that they adopt the tetragonal structure (space group I4/m ), and their cell parameters increase with increasing cation size (Sr 2+ → Rb + → Cs + ). Standard enthalpies of formation of these hollandites were determined from drop solution calorimetric measurements with lead borate as the solvent at 973 K. Their formation enthalpies are similar, consistent with the occurrence of extensive cation substitutions in hollandites. Further energetic analysis with respect to BaTiO 3 and SrTiO 3 perovskites and other oxides reveals decreased thermodynamic stability from Cs- to Rb- to Sr-hollandite. Lastly, this trend is consistent with the phase assemblage observed in Synroc, where Cs + , Rb + and Ba 2+ enter into hollandite, whereas Sr 2+ occurs in perovskite.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Effects of temperature and pH on the electrochemical behaviour of alloy 600 in simulated pressurized water reactor primary water

The effects of temperature and pH on the electrochemical properties of Alloy 600 were studied in oxygenated borate buffer solutions by the measurements of open circuit potential (OCP), anodic potentiostatic polarization, Mott-Schottky analysis (MSA), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). At each temperature and pH, the stabilized anodic passive current density was independent of the formation potential, and the slope of the M - S plot for the passive film formed at +0.3 V OCP (OCP + 0.3 V) is positive, indicating that the passive films formed on Alloy 600 have n-type semiconductor character. With increasing temperature (in each solution), the OCP and the impedance modulus decreased, while the passive current density and the defect density calculated from MSA increased, indicating a significant reduction in corrosion resistance. With the increase in pH value, the passive current density decreased, the absolute value of impedance increased slightly, revealing a slight increase in corrosion resistance. According to the optimization of Mixed Potential Model (MPM) on the experimentally measured EIS data for Alloy 600 at OCP and +0.3 V OCP , a series of fundamental parameters related to the micro-characteristic of passive film were extracted. In the barrier layer of the passive film, the concentration of cation interstitials is much higher than that of anion vacancies, indicating that the former was a dominant defect. With increasing temperature, the linear increase in the defect density and film thickness resulted in a linear increase of the anodic current density. However, with increasing pH, the decrease of defect density and the slight increase of film thickness caused a linear reduction in anodic current density. Elevated temperature has a more significant deterioration effect on the corrosion resistance of Alloy 600 than the increased pH value. Additionally, all the kinetics parameters describing the generation of cation interstitials and oxygen vacancies at the substrate/film were obtained.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Glass-bonded ceramic waste forms for immobilization of radioiodine from caustic scrubber wastes

Glass-bonded sodalite composite waste forms have been developed for the immobilization of liquid radioactive wastes resulting from off-gas treatment during aqueous reprocessing of used nuclear fuel, with a particular focus on 129I. The proposed composite waste form is comprised of aluminosilicate ceramic phases containing volatile radionuclides bonded with a glassy matrix. In this work, a suite of ten candidate low-temperature glass binders (ZnO-Bi2O3-based glasses and a Na2O-B2O3-SiO2 glass) were examined. Six glasses were mixed with caustic scrubber waste simulant previously converted into a sodalite-rich material (to provide glass fractions of 10 and 20 wt.%), uniaxially pressed into pellets, and sintered at 350 °C or 550 °C for 8 h in air. Iodine retention after heat treatment was assessed by neutron activation analysis, showing retention of 67-100 % of expected iodine. The aqueous durabilities of the resulting materials were then determined, following the ASTM C1308 standard test, showing iodine releases of 1 to 23 g m-2 after 4 d. The cumulative iodine release for the best performing system (a zinc-bismuth-borate glass binder) was <1 g m-2, and its iodine retention from processing was 67 %. The iodine releases compared favorably with other waste forms. In parallel, this best-performing composition was also consolidated via hot isostatic pressing (HIP) in a stainless-steel canister at 550 °C for 2 h under 100 MPa pressure. The HIPed sample was produced at the ~20 g scale and showed improved densification and minimal reaction with the canister.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Synthesis and structural characterization of [eta superscript 3]-allyl([alpha]-diimine)nickel(II) complexes bearing trimethylsilyl groups

A set of isomeric para- and meta-trimethylsilylphenyl ortho-substituted N,N-phenyl {alpha}-diimine ligands [(Ar-N C(Me)-(Me)C N-Ar) Ar=2,6-di(4-trimethylsilylphenyl)phenyl (16); Ar=2,6-di(3-trimethylsilylphenyl)phenyl (17)] have been synthesized through a two-step procedure. The palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between 2,6-dibromophenylamine (7) and 4-trimethylsilylphenylboronic acid (8), 3-trimethylsilylphenylboronic acid (9) was used to prepare 4,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-[1,1;3,1]terphenyl-2-ylamine (10) and 3,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)-[1,1;3,1]terphenyl-2-ylamine (11). The di-1-adamantylphosphine oxide Ad{sub 2}P(O)H (13) and di-tert-butyl-trimethylsilylanylmethylphosphine tert-Bu{sub 2}P-CH{sub 2}-SiMe{sub 3} (14) were used for the first time as ligands for the Suzuki coupling. The condensation of 2,2,3,3-tetramethoxybutane (15) with anilines 10 and 11 afforded {alpha}-diimines 16 and 17. The reaction of {pi}-allylnickel chloride dimer (18), {alpha}-diimines (16), (17) and sodium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (BAF) (19) or silver hexafluoroantimonate (20) led to two sets of isomeric complexes [{eta}{sup 3}-allyl(Ar-N C(Me)-(Me)C N-Ar)Ni]{sup +} X{sup -}, [Ar=2,6-di(4-trimethylsilylphenyl)phenyl, X=BAF (3), X=SbF6 (4); Ar=2,6-di(3-trimethylsilylphenyl)phenyl, X=BAF (5), X=SbF6 (6)]. The steric repulsion of closely positioned trimethylsilyl groups in 4 caused the distortion of the nickel square planar coordination by 17.6{sup o} according to X-ray analysis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

The site-selective excitation and the dynamical electron–lattice interaction on the luminescence of YBO₃: Sb³⁺

The phosphor of YBO₃: Sb³⁺ was synthesized by solid state reaction. Its crystal structure was examined by using X-ray diffraction analysis. The morphology and particle size were characterized with a scanning electron microscopy. The properties of YBO₃: Sb³⁺ luminescence was systematically studied by exciting borate host, the ¹P₁ and ³P₁ levels of Sb³⁺ at the Cᵢ and C₁ sites with 168, 203, 218, 252 and 262 nm, respectively, measured on the synchrotron radiation instruments. The different configurations of emission spectra excited with variant wavelengths show the character of wavelength-selective excitation, which was attributed to different occupations of the Sb³⁺ site in the YBO₃ crystal lattice. Moreover, strong electron–lattice interaction (i.e., the Jahn–Teller effect) between Sb³⁺ and YBO₃ host was discriminated by comparing low temperature and room temperature spectra. The site-selective luminescence was confirmed by YBO₃ activated with multiple Sb³⁺concentrations. The spectral assignment was verified with fluorescence lifetime achieved by using the Time-Correlated Single-Photon Counting method. - Graphical abstract: The dynamical Jahn–Teller effect (electron–lattice interaction) between Sb³⁺ and YBO₃ host was revealed from hyperfine structure in excitation spectra measured on the synchrotron radiation instruments combined with cryogenic technique. Highlights: • The site-selective excitation of YBO₃: Sb³⁺ was demonstrated. • The temperature-dependent luminescence of YBO₃: Sb³⁺ was observed. • Strong electron–lattice interaction between the Sb³⁺and YBO₃ host was revealed. • Superposition of the Jahn–Teller effect and site-selective excitation was discriminated. • Optical parameters were calculated by using a molecular orbital approximation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Surface working of 304L stainless steel: Impact on microstructure, electrochemical behavior and SCC resistance

The effect of surface working operations on the microstructure, electrochemical behavior and stress corrosion cracking resistance of 304L stainless steel (SS) was investigated in this study. The material was subjected to (a) solution annealing (b) machining and (c) grinding operations. Microstructural characterization was done using stereo microscopy and electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) technique. The electrochemical nature of the surfaces in machined, ground and solution annealed condition were studied using potentiodynamic polarization and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) in borate buffer solution. The stress corrosion cracking resistance of 304L SS in different conditions was studied by exposing the samples to boiling MgCl{sub 2} environment. Results revealed that the heavy plastic deformation and residual stresses present near the surface due to machining and grinding operations make 304L SS electrochemically more active and susceptible to stress corrosion cracking. Ground sample showed highest magnitude of current density in the passive potential range followed by machined and solution annealed 304L SS. Micro-electrochemical studies established that surface working promotes localized corrosion along the surface asperities which could lead to crack initiation. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Machining/grinding produce extensive grain fragmentation near the surface of 304L SS. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Machining/grinding result in martensitic transformation near the surface of 304L SS. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Machining/grinding drastically reduce the SCC resistance of 304L SS in chloride. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Machining/grinding make the surface of 304L SS electrochemically much more active. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer SECM study reveal that preferential dissolution takes place along surface asperities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Thermal behaviour of NaBH{sub 4}-sodalites with alumosilicate framework: Influence of cage water content and the surrounding conditions

Research highlights: {yields} Thermal behaviour of NaBH{sub 4} enclathrated sodalites with alumosilicate framework. {yields} Influence of mixed cage fillings (H{sub 2}O, H{sub 3}O{sub 2}{sup -}, CO{sub 3}{sup 2-}) on thermal behaviour of BH{sub 4}{sup -}. {yields} Extend of intra cage reactions depend on templates and experimental surroundings. {yields} Formation of B(OH){sub 4}{sup -}/BH{sub 3}OH{sup -}, BO(OH){sub 2}{sup -} and finally BO{sub 2}{sup -} inside the cages. {yields} Formation of nepheline with boron in its structure after framework destruction. -- Abstract: Sodalites Na{sub 8}[AlSiO{sub 4}]{sub 6}(BH{sub 4}){sub 1.8}(H{sub 3}O{sub 2}){sub 0.2} and Na{sub 8}[AlSiO{sub 4}]{sub 6}(BH{sub 4})(H{sub 3}O{sub 2}){sub 0.5}(CO{sub 3}){sub 0.25}(H{sub 2}O) were examined to characterize the influence of the mixed cage fillings and the surroundings on the thermal behaviour of enclathrated BH{sub 4}{sup -} and the stability of the alumosilicate framework. The samples were investigated in a NaCl matrix during temperature dependent IR-measurements (TIR) and by thermal analysis in inert atmosphere (helium) and in synthetic air. The thermal products were further characterized by XRD and SEM/EDS. It could be shown that the extent of the BH{sub 4}{sup -} decomposition strongly depends on the cage-fillings of the individual sodalite phase and on the environmental experimental conditions. At low to medium temperatures hydrolysis of BH{sub 4}{sup -} by water molecules from decomposition of H{sub 3}O{sub 2}{sup -} and H{sub 2}O/CO{sub 3}{sup 2-} templates leads to B(OH){sub 4}{sup -}/BH{sub 3}OH{sup -} and via subsequent dehydration to BO(OH){sub 2}{sup -} and finally BO{sub 2}{sup -}. At elevated temperatures direct oxidation of BH{sub 4}{sup -} to BO{sub 2}{sup -} occurs inside the sodalite cages. Further heating results in sodalite framework destruction and finally formation of nepheline with some boron in its structure besides some unknown polymeric borates outside the alumosilicate phase. Framework stability of the sodalites was found to decrease in the direction {yields} heating in NaCl {yields} heating in He-atmosphere {yields} heating in air.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Photoactive transparent nano-crystalline glass-ceramic for remazole red dye degradation

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► Preparation and characterization of novel transparent nanocrystalline glass-ceramic. ► Precipitation of photoactive phases by using controlled heat-treatment. ► Conservation of transparency along with photoactivity. ► Using the prepared nanocrystalline glass-ceramic in water purification. -- Abstract: Transparent glass ceramic material was prepared from alkali-borosilicate glass containing titania by proper heat treatment scheme. The prepared samples were characterized using differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, selected area electron diffraction and UV–visible spectroscopy. The applied heat treatment program allowed the crystallization of nano-crystalline anatase, rutile, barium titanate, titanium borate and silicate phases while maintaining the transparency. The precipitated nano-crystalline anatase and rutile phases were responsible for the observed high photocatalytic activity of the prepared samples. Samples of 24.29 and 32.39 TiO{sub 2} wt% showed better efficiency for the decolorization of remazole red dye compared with commercial-TiO{sub 2} used in preparation of glass-ceramic. The reuse of prepared glass-ceramic photocatalyst with nearly same efficiency for different times was also proved.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Effect of boric acid on the properties of Li{sub 2}MnO{sub 3}·LiNi{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 0.5}O{sub 2} composite cathode powders prepared by large-scale spray pyrolysis with droplet classifier

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► Spherical shape Li{sub 2}MnO{sub 3}·LiNi{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 0.5}O{sub 2} composite cathode powders are prepared by large-scale spray pyrolysis with droplet classifier. ► Boric acid improves the morphological and electrochemical properties of the composite cathode powders. ► The discharge capacity of the composite cathode powders decreases from 217 to 196 mAh g{sup −1} by the 30th cycle. -- Abstract: Spherically shaped 0.3Li{sub 2}MnO{sub 3}·0.7LiNi{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 0.5}O{sub 2} composite cathode powders with filled morphology and narrow size distribution are prepared by large-scale spray pyrolysis. A droplet classification reduces the standard deviation of the size distribution of the composite cathode powders. Addition of boric acid improves the morphological properties of the product powders by forming a lithium borate glass material with low melting temperature. The optimum amount of boric acid dissolved in the spray solution is 0.8 wt% of the composite powders. The powders prepared from the spray solution with 0.8 wt% boric acid have a mixed layered crystal structure comprising Li{sub 2}MnO{sub 3} and LiNi{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 0.5}O{sub 2} phases, thus forming a composite compound. The initial charge and discharge capacities of the composite cathode powders prepared from the 0.8 wt% boric acid spray solution are 297 and 217 mAh g{sup −1}, respectively. The discharge capacity of the powders decreases from 217 to 196 mAh g{sup −1} by the 30th cycle, in which the capacity retention is 90%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Flux growth and optical properties of K7CaY2(B5O10)3 nonlinear crystal

Highlights: • K{sub 7}CaY{sub 2}(B{sub 5}O{sub 10}){sub 3} crystals were grown from new flux. • SHG efficiency for K{sub 7}CaY{sub 2}(B{sub 5}O{sub 10}){sub 3} crystals is comparable to that of KDP. • K{sub 7}CaY{sub 2}(B{sub 5}O{sub 10}){sub 3} crystals have UV cut off edge at 190 nm. - Abstract: Non-centrosymmetric borates K{sub 7}CaY{sub 2}(B{sub 5}O{sub 10}){sub 3} have been synthesized by solid state reaction and the crystals were successfully grown by the top seeded solution growth method using K{sub 2}O-B{sub 2}O{sub 3}-CaF{sub 2} flux. According to the single X-ray diffraction, the structure belongs to the R32 space group with lattice parameters a = 13.2516(2) Å and c = 14.9679(3) Å. IR, Raman, absorption spectra as well as data on melting temperature were obtained for the crystal. The short edge of UV absorption and SHG intensity comparable with KH{sub 2}PO{sub 4} (KDP) suggests that this crystal is a promising nonlinear-optical material.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Viscosity of transient glass-forming melt and its relation to foaming during batch-to-glass conversion

Primary foam, which affects the heat transfer into the glass batch and the final glass quality, occurs when a sufficient quantity of transient glass-forming melt evolves with viscosity low enough to close the open porosity of the reacting glass batch. To better understand how the fraction of transient melt and its viscosity affect the primary foam temperature range, we determined, with x-ray diffraction, the fraction and composition of the transient glass-forming melt in a heated waste glass melter feed as a function of temperature. Then we prepared a set of transient melts that occurred within the foaming temperature interval and measured their viscosities with spindle and falling sphere viscometers. Further, the results agree with the Adam-Gibbs and VFT viscosity-composition models, even for transient melt compositions outside of the models compositional validity range. As silica and other refractory particles dissolved in the predominantly borate transient melt while temperature increased, viscosity increased from the initial value of ~500 Pa s at the onset of foaming (~650°C) to a maximum of ~770 Pa s when silica dissolution was almost complete (~700°C). As temperature increased further, transient melt viscosity decreased to ~220 Pa s (~850°C) when the primary foam collapsed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Anionic multiblock copolymer membrane based on vinyl addition polymerization of norbornenes: Applications in anion-exchange membrane fuel cells

Stable, non-hydrolysable, hydroxide-conducting polymers are of interest for electrochemical devices such as fuel cells, electrolyzers and flow-batteries. In this study, a series of tetrablock copolymers containing an all-hydrocarbon backbone were synthesized. The synthesis is based on vinyl addition polymerization of norbornene using (η 3 -allyl)Pd( i Pr 3 P)Cl as the catalyst and lithium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)-borate·(2.5Et 2 O) (Li[FABA]) as the activator. The tetrablock polymers were cast into membranes with an ion-exchange capacity (IEC) between 1.55 and 2.60 milliequivalents per gram (meq/g). The number of bound and unbound water molecules per ion pair was measured and correlated with conductivity. The membrane with the highest IEC (2.60 meq/g) had 10.6 unbound (i.e. free) and 17.9 bound water molecules per ion pair within the polymer. The presence of excess unbound water has led to flooding of the ion conductive channels and low hydroxide ion conductivity. The optimal anion conductivity was found with about 6.7 unbound and 11.9 bound water molecules per ion pair. Excellent hydroxide conductivity (> 120 mS/cm at 80 °C) was obtained at an ion-exchange capacity of 1.88 meq/g. The results show that hydroxide mobility is aided by phase segregation within the copolymer. The ion conducting polymer was stable in 1M NaOH solution at 80 °C, showing essentially no loss in ion conductivity in 1200 h. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the membrane backbone was stable up to 400 °C, consistent with previous polynorbornene-based materials. The peak power density of a H 2 /O 2 , hydroxide conducting fuel cell containing one of these membranes was 542.57 mW/cm 2 at 0.43 V and current density of 1.26 A/cm2 at 60 °C.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ground calibration and in-flight commissioning of the Gamma-Ray and Neutron Spectrometer (GRNS) for NASA’s Psyche mission

NASA's Psyche spacecraft is currently enroute to the asteroid 16 Psyche, where it will perform an orbital investigation focused on determining the nature of the asteroid. A key part of this investigation is measurements of elemental composition to determine if the asteroid is rich in iron-nickel metal. To that end, the Psyche spacecraft payload includes a Gamma-Ray and Neutron Spectrometer (GRNS). GRNS is composed of two subsystems; a Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) with a high-purity germanium γ-ray sensor surrounded by a borated plastic scintillator Anti-Coincidence Shield (ACS), and a Neutron Spectrometer (NS) with three 3 He-filled gas proportional counters that are sensitive to different neutron energy regimes. We describe results from the pre-launch calibration campaign, along with early in-flight results from post-launch instrument commissioning. The information detailed here is focused on providing future users of GRNS data with the information needed to properly interpret the observations from the instrument.

Peplowski, Patrick N. [Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltim↗