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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
NASA NTRS2017

Interconnect and Packaging Technologies for Terahertz Communication Systems

Using newly developed silicon micromachining technology that enables low-loss and highly integrated packaging solutions, we are developing vertically stacked transmitters and receivers at terahertz frequencies that can be used for communication and other terahertz systems. Although there are multiple ways to address the problem of interconnect and packaging solutions at these frequencies, such as system-on-package (SOP), multi-chip modules (MCM), substrate integrated waveguide (SIW), liquid crystal polymer (LCP) based multilayer technologies, and others, we show that deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) based silicon micromachining with vertical integration allows the most effective solutions at terahertz frequencies.

Micromachining↗
DOE OSTI2020

Grid Code Essentials and Streamlining Process for Interconnections

This presentation was part of a webinar entitled "A Practitioner's Guide to Implementing Solar Rooftop Programs and Navigating Net-Metering Policies," hosted by USAID Clean Power Asia and included speakers the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute as well as NREL. This presentation outlines grid codes in general, and IEEE Std 1547-2018 specifically, and discusses their adoption into interconnection requirements. Key capabilities, now enabled by IEEE Std 1547-2018, such as voltage regulation and frequency ride-through are described.

DER↗
DOE OSTI2023

Grid Strength Analysis for Integrating 30 GW of Offshore Wind Generation by 2030 in the U.S. Eastern Interconnection: Preprint

Offshore wind is a key player in the transition to a decarbonized electric gird, and the United States has set ambitious goals of integrating 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 110 GW by 2050. To facilitate this integration, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are conducting the Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study to assess transmission solutions. To achieve the 110-GW target by 2050, meticulous planning for network expansion and resource allocation is essential; however, meeting the 2030 goals requires integrating offshore wind power with minimal system upgrades, thus necessitating a careful study of grid strength and stability. The study team developed the Grid Strength Analysis Tool (GSAT) to assess system strength under various operating conditions and contingencies, focusing on the proposed integration of 30 GW of offshore wind power by 2030. In this paper, we provide a summary of key features of the GSAT software and results of the grid strength analysis for integrating 30 GW of offshore wind generation by 2030 in the U.S. Eastern Interconnection.

Automated System-wide Strength Evaluation Tool (AS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Key Insights: Interconnecting Behind-the-Meter Microgrids

This technical brief explores the interconnection challenges and evolving standards associated with behind-the-meter (BTM), facility-scale microgrids. It clarifies key functions related to customer microgrids and backup systems while addressing critical questions regarding certification coverage, operational impacts, customer relationships, and testing requirements for BTM microgrid systems. The document emphasizes the need for updated standards and additional witness testing to ensure safe and effective microgrid operation as well as improved grid integration and compliance with power quality standards.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Surface-Mediated Interconnections of Nanoparticles in Cellulosic Fibrous Materials toward 3D Sensors

Fibrous materials serve as an intriguing class of 3D materials to meet the growing demands for flexible, foldable, biocompatible, biodegradable, dis- posable, inexpensive, and wearable sensors and the rising desires for higher sensitivity, greater miniaturization, lower cost, and better wearability. The use of such materials for the creation of a fibrous sensor substrate that interfaces with a sensing film in 3D with the transducing electronics is however difficult by conventional photolithographic methods. Here, a highly effective pathway featuring surface-mediated interconnection (SMI) of metal nanoclusters (NCs) and nanoparticles (NPs) in fibrous materials at ambient conditions is demon- strated for fabricating fibrous sensor substrates or platforms. Bimodally distrib- uted gold–copper alloy NCs and NPs are used as a model system to demonstrate the semiconductive-to-metallic conductivity transition, quantized capacitive charging, and anisotropic conductivity characteristics. Upon coupling SMI of NCs/NPs as electrically conductive microelectrodes and surface-mediated assembly (SMA) of the NCs/NPs as chemically sensitive interfaces, the resulting fibrous chemiresistors function as sensitive and selective sensors for gaseous and vaporous analytes. Finally, this new SMI–SMA strategy has significant implications for manufacturing high-performance fibrous platforms to meet the growing demands of the advanced multifunctional sensors and biosensors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

High-Rate, Durable Sodium-Ion Battery Cathode Enabled by Carbon-Coated Micro-Sized Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 Particles with Interconnected Vertical Nanowalls

Na-ion batteries have been regarded as promising alternatives for Li-ion batteries due to the extensive sodium reserves in the world. Na3V2(PO4)3 has been proved to be a good candidate of the cathode materials in Na-ion batteries but the intrinsic low electrical conductivity and sluggish kinetics handicapped its application. Here, 3D hierarchical Na3V2(PO4)3 particles are synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method, constructed by carbon-coated 2D Na3V2(PO4)3 nanowalls. Superior cell performance of high rate capability and cycle stability are observed in the well-defined structure. As the cathode in Na-ion batteries, it delivers a high capacity almost reaching the theoretical one and exhibits high capacity retention. The enhanced rate capability and cycle performance can be attributed to the improved electrical conductivity from the interconnected carbon layer and the shortened ion diffusion length and high specific surface area from the nanowalls.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Magnetic Solitons and Thickness‐Dependent Magnetization Reversal in Interconnected Helical Nanowire Arrays

By expanding magnetic nanostructures into the third dimension, it is possible to introduce new interactions and realize new forms of magnetic textures and emergent phenomena. Consequently, this unlocks new opportunities for applications in data storage, unconventional computing and sensing by utilizing 3D devices with enhanced functionalities. Connected magnetic nanowires offer a unique platform for applications such as neuromorphic computing due to their tunability and the presence of multiple transport pathways. However to realize this promise, it is necessary to further our understanding of how to locally control the magnetization in 3D, nanowire-based geometries. In this work we show the formation of magnetic domain walls, vortices, anti-vortices, and linked vortex-anti-vortex pairs in interconnected helical nanowire arrays. We show how wire diameter and 3D geometric design can control the states that form and reveal the magnetization reversal mechanism. Hence, we demonstrate this to be a highly tunable system, where the magnetization can be readily reconfigured by an external magnetic field.

3D Nanomagnetism↗
DOE OSTI2020

Climate-Water Impacts on Interconnection-Scale Electricity System Planning

A growing literature emphasizes the importance of integrating climate change impacts into electricity system planning. Rising average temperatures can increase and shift electricity demand while reducing generator and transmission efficiency. Changes to water availability and quality can reduce the output of thermally cooled generators and hydropower. Electric power grids across the US and globally are undergoing transformational changes that present new opportunities and challenges to reliability assurance. However, electric utilities and system operators have limited internal capabilities to incorporate these effects into planning practices. This work addresses gaps in utility and system planner practices by integrating climate-water-electricity expertise from universities and U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories with electricity system planners and stakeholders in the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). Using a highly collaborative approach, global climate model data, high-resolution hydrology models, and long-term electric sector capacity expansion tools are employed to analyze a range of climate outcomes for future electricity scenarios aligned with recent WECC planning studies. Doing so allows WECC to expand its climate-agnostic planning assessments to consider how future temperature and precipitation patterns could influence generation and transmission planning. We explore how changes to climate-water conditions can affect power plant investment and operation, system economics, and environmental impacts, providing an expanded perspective on interconnection-wide decision making under climate uncertainty.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Synthesis, Processing and Properties of Calcium- and Nickel-Doped Yttrium Chromates(III) Y{sub 0.8}Ca{sub 0.2}Cr{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x}O{sub 3} (x = 0-0.3) and Studies on Their Potential Application as Coatings for SOFC Interconnects

In the present study, a calcium- and nickel-doped yttrium chromates (YCCN)-based, conductive–protective layers for metallic interconnects used in the intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) were investigated. Synthesis of Y{sub 0.8}Ca{sub 0.2}Cr{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x}O{sub 3} (x = 0; 0.15 and 0.3) powders was performed using a wet chemistry method with two different complexing agents: ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and glycine. Based on the result of thermal analysis of obtained precursors, optimal conditions of the calcination process were determined. Powders were then milled, compacted and sintered at different temperatures using free sintering method, into series of dense, polycrystalline sinters. The use of glycine precursor allowed obtaining a single-phase material in all cases. Based on the electrical and sintering properties, the Y{sub 0.8}Ca{sub 0.2}Cr{sub 0.85}Ni{sub 0.15}O{sub 3} material was selected for further studies. It was deposited using cost-effective screen-printing method on the Crofer 22APU ferritic stainless steel. To investigate properties and suitability of the resulting layer/steel system for IT-SOFCs applications, the high-temperature, dual-atmosphere studies were carried out for the first time for ceramic/metallic system, in conditions as close as possible to actual working conditions of the fuel cell. The layer exhibited high stability and good protective properties. The area-specific resistance of the studied ceramic layer/metallic substrate composite was determined, with the obtained value of 0.0366 Ω cm{sup 2} being within the arbitrary limit set for these materials (0.1 Ω cm{sup 2}). The results show that the investigated materials are suitable for the projected application.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Fracture, failure and compression behaviour of a 3D interconnected carbon aerogel (Aerographite) epoxy composite

Aerographite (AG) is a mechanically robust, lightweight synthetic cellular material, which consists of a 3D interconnected network of tubular carbon [1]. The presence of open channels in AG aids to infiltrate them with polymer matrices, thereby yielding an electrical conducting and lightweight composite. Aerographite produced with densities in the range of 7–15 mg/cm 3 was infiltrated with a low viscous epoxy resin by means of vacuum infiltration technique. Detailed morphological and structural investigations on synthesized AG and AG/epoxy composite were performed by scanning electron microscopic techniques. Our present study investigates the fracture and failure of AG/epoxy composites and its energy absorption capacity under compression. The composites displayed an extended plateau region when uni-axially compressed, which led to an increase in energy absorption of ~133% per unit volume for 1.5 wt% of AG, when compared to pure epoxy. Preliminary results on fracture toughness showed an enhancement of ~19% in K IC for AG/epoxy composites with 0.45 wt% of AG. Furthermore, our observations of fractured surfaces under scanning electron microscope gives evidence of pull-out of arms of AG tetrapod, interface and inter-graphite failure as the dominating mechanism for the toughness improvement in these composites. These observations were consistent with the results obtained from photoelasticity experiments on a thin film AG/epoxy model composite.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Co-optimizing Generation and Transmission Expansion with Wind Power in Large-Scale Power Grids Implementation in the US Eastern Interconnection

This paper studies the generation and transmission expansion co-optimization problem with a high wind power penetration rate in the US Eastern Interconnection (EI) power grid. In this paper, the generation and transmission expansion problem for the EI system is modeled as a mixed-integer programming (MIP) problem. Our paper also analyzed a time series generation method to capture the variation and correlation of both load and wind power across regions. The obtained series can be easily introduced into the expansion planning problem and then solved through existing MIP solvers. Simulation results show that the proposed planning model and series generation method can improve the expansion result significantly through modeling more detailed information of wind and load variation among regions in the US EI system. Moreover, the improved expansion plan that combines generation and transmission will aid system planners and policy makers to maximize the social welfare in large-scale power grids.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Controlled thermal pre-treatment of ZMG232G10® for corrosion mitigation under simulated SOFC interconnect exposure conditions

The IT-SOFC candidate interconnect material ZMG232G10® was thermally pre-treated in air and in H 2 – 3% H 2 O to mitigate dual atmosphere corrosion. Bare and pre-treated steel samples were exposed to a dual atmosphere exposure condition (dry air/metal/4% H 2 – N 2 (bal.) + 3% H 2 O) for 500h at 600°C. Corrosion products and oxide morphology developed on the air-exposed surfaces were analyzed. Pre-treatments of the metal in oxidizing (air) and reducing (H 2 – 3% H 2 O) gas atmospheres provide improved passivation against dual atmosphere corrosion compared to bare steel. Further, the uniform and iron-free oxide scale developed during the pre-treatment of alloy in the low pO 2 H 2 – 3% H 2 O gas atmosphere provides an effective diffusion barrier against the outward transport of cations and oxidation of iron observed under dual atmosphere conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Long-term oxidation behavior of spinel-coated ferritic stainless steel for solid oxide fuel cell interconnect applications

Long-term tests (>8,000 hours) indicate that AISI 441 ferritic stainless steel coated with a Mn-Co spinel protection layer is a promising candidate material system for IT-SOFC interconnect applications. While uncoated AISI 441 showed a substantial increase in area-specific electrical resistance (ASR), spinel-coated AISI 441 exhibited much lower ASR values (11-13 mOhm-cm2). Formation of an insulating silica sublayer beneath the native chromia-based scale was not observed, and the spinel coatings reduced the oxide scale growth rate and blocked outward diffusion of Cr from the alloy substrate. The structure of the scale formed under the spinel coatings during the long term tests differed from that typically observed on ferritic stainless steels after short term oxidation tests. While short term tests typically indicate a dual layer scale structure consisting of a chromia layer covered by a layer of Mn-Cr spinel, the scale grown during the long term tests consisted of a chromia matrix with discrete regions of Mn-Cr spinel distributed throughout the matrix. The presence of Ti in the chromia scale matrix and/or the presence of regions of Mn-Cr spinel within the scale may have increased the scale electrical conductivity, which would explain the fact that the observed ASR in the tests was lower than would be expected if the scale consisted of pure chromia.

Stevenson, Jeffry W.↗