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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 433 records · Page 24
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Functionally graded thermal vias for inductor winding heat flow control

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to apparatuses for enhanced thermal management of an inductor assembly using functionally-graded thermal vias for heat flow control in the windings of the inductor. In one embodiment, a PCB for an inductor assembly includes a top surface and a bottom surface. Two or more electrically-conductive layers are embedded within the PCB and stacked vertically between the top surface and the bottom surface. The two or more electrically-conductive layers are electrically connected to form an inductor winding. A plurality of thermal vias thermally connects each of the two or more electrically-conductive layers to a cold plate thermally connected to the bottom surface. A number of thermal vias thermally connecting each electrically-conductive layer to the cold plate is directly proportional to a predetermined rate of heat dissipation from the electrically-conductive layer.

Dede, Ercan↗
NASA NTRS2015

Analysis of Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Their Functional Limits

The world's demand for energy is increasing dramatically, but the best energy conversion systems operate at approximately 30% efficiency. One way to decrease energy loss is in the recovery of waste heat using thermoelectric (TE) generators. A TE generator is device that generates electricity by exploiting heat flow across a thermal gradient. The efficiency of a TE material for power generation and cooling is determined by the dimensionless Figure of Merit (ZT): ZT = S(exp. 2)sigmaT/κ: where S is the Seebeck coefficient, sigma is the electrical conductivity, T is the absolute temperature, and κ is the thermal conductivity. The parameters are not physically independent, but intrinsically coupled since they are a function of the transport properties of electrons. Traditional research on TE materials has focused on synthesizing bulk semiconductor-type materials that have low thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity affording ZT values of 1. The optimization of the σ/κ ratio is difficult to achieve using current material formats, as these material constants are complementary. Recent areas of research are focusing on using nanostructural artifacts that introduce specific dislocations and boundary conditions that scatter the phonons. This disrupts the physical link between thermal (phonon) and electrical (electron) transport. The result is that κ is decreased without decreasing σ. These material formats give ZT values of up to 2 which represent approximately 18% energy gain from waste heat recovery. The next challenge in developing the next generation of TE materials with superior performance is to tailor the interconnected thermoelectric physical parameters of the material system. In order to approach this problem, the fundamental physics of each parameter S, sigma, and κ need to be physically understood in their context of electron/phonon interaction for the construction of new high ZT thermoelectric devices. Is it possible to overcome the physical limit imposed by of the effect of phonon lattice oscillation and energetic electrons towards thermal conductivity? Is the Seebeck coefficient, based on the difference in voltage over temperature gradient ( deltaV/deltaT), an intrinsic parameter of each material? All these parameters were manipulated using nano-bridge and twin-lattice structural concepts at the NASA Langley Research Center. This talk will review the current trend of TE research to optimize the ZT and discuss about new approaches on increasing ZT within functional limits of each parameter.

Kim, Hyun Jung↗
NASA NTRS1992

Generation of dynamo magnetic fields in the primordial solar nebula

The present treatment of dynamo-generated magnetic fields in the primordial solar nebula proceeds in view of the ability of the combined action of Keplerian rotation and helical convention to generate, via alpha-omega dynamo, large-scale magnetic fields in those parts of the nebula with sufficiently high, gas-and magnetic field coupling electrical conductivity. Nebular gas electrical conductivity and the radial distribution of the local dynamo number are calculated for both a viscous-accretion disk model and the quiescent-minimum mass nebula. It is found that magnetic fields can be easily generated and maintained by alpha-omega dynamos occupying the inner and outer parts of the nebula.

Stepinski, Tomasz F.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Tuning the Conductivity of Hexa-Zirconium(IV) Metal–Organic Frameworks by Encapsulating Heterofullerenes

Electrical conductivity in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has a great potential for energy storage applications and electrocatalysis. Zirconium-based MOFs such as NU-901 and NU-1000 have a low electrical conductivity due to the redox innocence of Zr–oxo bonds. Recently, it has been shown that the electrical conductivity of NU-901 can be increased by 11 orders of magnitude by physically encapsulating fullerene (C 60 ) in its diamond pore. This effect is due to the host–guest interaction between the electron-rich 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(p-benzoate)pyrene (TBAPy 4– ) organic linkers of NU-901 (host) and the electron-poor fullerene (guest). Herein, we used density functional theory to study heterofullerene (C 59 X; X = B, Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge, and Sn) encapsulation in NU-901. Furthermore, our study suggests that encapsulated heterofullerenes enhance the electrical conductivity of the NU-901 MOF even further than C 60 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2002

Method and Apparatus for Obtaining a Precision Thickness in Semiconductor and Other Wafers

A method and apparatus for processing a wafer comprising a material selected from an electrical semiconducting material and an electrical insulating material is presented. The wafer has opposed generally planar front and rear sides and a peripheral edge, wherein said wafer is pressed against a pad in the presence of a slurry to reduce its thickness. The thickness of the wafer is controlled by first forming a recess such as a dimple on the rear side of the wafer. A first electrical conducting strip extends from a first electrical connection means to the base surface of the recess to the second electrical connector. The first electrical conducting strip overlies the base surface of the recess. There is also a second electrical conductor with an electrical potential source between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector to form. In combination with the first electrical conducting strip, the second electrical conductor forms a closed electrical circuit, and an electrical current flows through the closed electrical circuit. From the front side of the wafer the initial thickness of the wafer is reduced by lapping until the base surface of the recess is reached. The conductive strip is at least partially removed from the base surface to automatically stop the lapping procedure and thereby achieve the desired thickness.

Okojie, Robert S.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Thermoelectric Properties in the TiO2/SnO2 System

Nanotechnology has provided a new interest in thermoelectric technology. A thermodynamically driven process is one approach in achieving nanostructures in bulk materials. TiO2/SnO2 system exhibits a large spinodal region with exceptional stable phase separated microstructures up to 1400 C. Fabricated TiO2/SnO2 nanocomposites exhibit n-type behavior with Seebeck coefficients greater than -300 .V/K. Composites exhibit good thermal conductance in the range of 7 to 1 W/mK. Dopant additions have not achieved high electrical conductivity (<1000 S/m). Formation of oxygen deficient composites, TixSn1-xO2-y, can change the electrical conductivity by four orders of magnitude. Achieving higher thermoelectric ZT by oxygen deficiency is being explored. Seebeck coeffcient, thermal conductivity, electrical conductance and microstructure will be discussed in relation to composition and doping.

Dynys, F.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Conductivity and electric field variations with altitude in the stratosphere

Data regarding electric field, derived current density, and conductivity are presented for two balloons from the Electrodynamics of the Middle Atmosphere experiment which underwent the longest period of daily altitude variation. The magnetic L values range from 4.3 to 9.5 for the 18 days of Southern Hemisphere statistics, and the average conductivity and vertical electric fields are given. Simultaneous measurements of the average conductivity scale height and the vertical electric-field scale height indicate that vertical current density does not vary with altitude in the 10-28-km range. The measured conductivity varies significantly at a given altitude on a particular day, and some conductivity data sets are similar to other measurements between 10 and 30 km. Comparisons of the measured data to predictions from models of stratospheric conductivity demonstrate significant discrepancies.

Holzworth, Robert H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Efficiency arcjet thruster with controlled arc startup and steady state attachment

An improved efficiency arcjet thruster has a constrictor and electrically-conductive nozzle anode defining an arc chamber, and an electrically-conductive rod having a tip spaced upstream from the constrictor and defining a cathode spaced from the anode by a gap generally coextensive with the arc chamber. An electrical potential is applied to the anode and cathode to generate an electrical arc in the arc chamber from the cathode to anode. Catalytically decomposed hydrazine is supplied to the arc chamber with generation of the arc so as to produce thermal heating and expansion thereof through the nozzle. The constrictor can have a electrically insulative portion disposed between the cathode tip and the nozzle anode, and an electrically-conductive anode extension disposed along the insulative portion so as to define an auxiliary gap with the cathode tip substantially smaller than the gap defined between the cathode and nozzle anode for facilitating startup of arc generation. The constrictor can also include an electrically-conductive electrode with a variable electrical potential to vary the shape of the arc generated in the arc chamber. Also, the cathode is mounted for axial movement such that the gap between its tip and the nozzle anode can be varied to facilitate a generally nonerosive generation of the electrical arc at startup and reliable steady state operation. Further, the arc chamber can have a nonparallel subsonic-to-supersonic transition configuration, or alternatively solely a nonparallel supersonic configuration, for improved arc attachment.

Smith, William W.↗
DOE OSTI2024

A computational study of the effects of graphene additions on electrical properties of polycrystalline copper

The addition of graphene has recently shown promise as a route for the significant improvement of the bulk electrical properties of metallic materials. Here, we explore the effects these additions have on the net electrical conductivity of fabricated copper-graphene (Cu-Gr) nanocomposites as a function of grain structure and grain boundary properties. Synthetic 3D microstructures were generated to represent polycrystalline copper with different average grain diameters and twinned grain boundary fractions. Then, the Poisson equation of electrical transport was solved using a finite difference method in order to predict the net electrical conductivity of each microstructure. In this context, the potential effect of graphene on the conductivity of the composite was evaluated as a function of the number of affected grain boundaries. The results of these calculations indicate that 1.) as supported by literature, net electrical conductivity decreases with decreasing grain size, 2.) the presence of twinned grain boundaries results in smaller loss of conductivity than would otherwise be expected, and 3.) the presence of graphene on the grain boundaries can be expected to lead to improvements in net electrical conductivity. However, we also find that 4.) when the Cu grain structure becomes sufficiently refined, the addition of graphene could conceivably result in significant improvements in electrical conductivity over and above coarse-grained Cu. It is estimated from our calculations that, assuming microstructures with average grain sizes between 100 nm and 100 μm and graphene conductivity 1000 to 10,000 that of a typical Cu grain boundary, an improvement in electrical conductivity of approximately 17% over that of bulk Cu may be attainable. Therefore, by performing this study we suggest a possible route for the improvement of Cu electrical properties through the addition of graphene.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2008

Transdermal delivery of therapeutic agent

A device for the transdermal delivery of a therapeutic agent to a biological subject that includes a first electrode comprising a first array of electrically conductive microprojections for providing electrical communication through a skin portion of the subject to a second electrode comprising a second array of electrically conductive microprojections. Additionally, a reservoir for holding the therapeutic agent surrounding the first electrode and a pulse generator for providing an exponential decay pulse between the first and second electrodes may be provided. A method includes the steps of piercing a stratum corneum layer of skin with two arrays of conductive microprojections, encapsulating the therapeutic agent into biocompatible charged carriers, surrounding the conductive microprojections with the therapeutic agent, generating an exponential decay pulse between the two arrays of conductive microprojections to create a non-uniform electrical field and electrokinetically driving the therapeutic agent through the stratum corneum layer of skin.

Kwiatkowski, Krzysztof C.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Conductivity of a Copper-Carbon Covetic Composite

NASA is currently engaged in the development of highly electrically conductive wire for space and aviation power and propulsion applications. Higher levels of electrical conductivity and lower densities compared to copper and aluminum are needed to improve the efficiency of commercial aviation and space flight. Carbon, in various forms, is being considered as a component in composites to increase conductivity and decrease density in Cu and Al. One form of carbon that is currently receiving much interest is known as covectic. The technology currently known as covetics was first introduced by Shugart and Scherer whose patents claimed "Carbon can be incorporated into any of these metals by melting the metal, mixing the carbon into the molten metal and, while mixing, applying a current of sufficient amperage to the molten mixture such that the carbon becomes incorporated into the metal, thereby forming a single phase metal-carbon material." It is reported that in this process a conversion reaction occurs with the carbon forming covalent bonds with the host metal, and that covetic processing enables higher carbon solubility and improvements in properties. Although there is a growing body of work supporting covetic materials, it is still a very new and somewhat controversial field. Composition, density, and electrical conductivity measurements of a covetically processed alloy ingot of Cu and C, with a nominal composition of Cu-0.4wt.% C, were made. A pure Cu ingot was similarly processed for comparison. Sections of these ingots were worked into wire and tested. Only small amounts of C could be detected in the Cu-0.4wt.% C ingot, and trace amounts (0.006 wt.%) in the wire. All wires had densities very close to the full density of pure Cu, indicating a high level of Cu purity and low void fraction. Finally, the electrical conductivity of the Cu-0.4wt.% C wires were 9% lower than the samples similarly processed but without C additions. The wires made without C additions had conductivities approximately equal to pure Cu. The low conductivity of the Cu-0.4wt.% C material is believed to be due to: (1) a structure of interfaces in the wire created by collapsed voids lined with elemental C, (2) impurities, such as Fe in the Cu, which came from the added C, and (3) a small volume fraction of voids.

Degroh, Henry C.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Elucidating Design Rules toward Enhanced Solid-State Charge Transport in Oligoether-Functionalized Dioxythiophene-Based Alternating Copolymers

This study investigates the solid-state charge transport properties of the oxidized forms of dioxythiophene-based alternating copolymers consisting of an oligoether-functionalized 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene (ProDOT) copolymerized with different aryl groups, dimethyl ProDOT (DMP), 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), and 3,4-phenylenedioxythiophene (PheDOT), respectively, to yield copolymers P(OE3)-D, P(OE3)-E, and P(OE3)-Ph. At a dopant concentration of 5 mM FeTos 3 , the electrical conductivities of these copolymers vary significantly (ranging between 9 and 195 S cm –1 ) with the EDOT copolymer, P(OE3)-E, achieving the highest electrical conductivity. UV–vis–NIR and X-ray spectroscopies show differences in both susceptibility to oxidative doping and extent of oxidation for the P(OE3) series, with P(OE3)-E being the most doped. Wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements indicate that P(OE3)-E generally demonstrates the lowest paracrystallinity values in the series, as well as relatively small π–π stacking distances. The significant (i.e., order of magnitude) increase in electrical conductivity of doped P(OE3)-E films versus doped P(OE3)-D or P(OE3)-Ph films can therefore be attributed to P(OE3)-E exhibiting both the highest carrier ratios in the P(OE3) series, along with good π–π overlap and local ordering (low paracrystallinity values). Furthermore, these trends in the extent of doping and paracrystallinity are consistent with the reduced Fermi energy level and transport function prefactor parameters calculated using the semilocalized transport (SLoT) model. Observed differences in carrier ratios at the transport edge (c t ) and reduced Fermi energies [η(c)] suggest a broader electronic band (better overlap and more delocalization) for the EDOT-incorporating P(OE3)-E polymer relative to P(OE3)-D and P(OE3)-Ph. Ultimately, we rationalize improvements in electrical conductivity due to microstructural and doping enhancements caused by EDOT incorporation, a structure–property relationship worth considering in the future design of highly electrically conductive systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1997

Organometallic Polymeric Conductors

For aerospace applications, the use of polymers can result in tremendous weight savings over metals. Suitable polymeric materials for some applications like EMI shielding, spacecraft grounding, and charge dissipation must combine high electrical conductivity with long-term environmental stability, good processability, and good mechanical properties. Recently, other investigators have reported hybrid films made from an electrically conductive polymer combined with insulating polymers. In all of these instances, the films were prepared by infiltrating an insulating polymer with a precursor for a conductive polymer (either polypyrrole or polythiophene), and oxidatively polymerizing the precursor in situ. The resulting composite films have good electrical conductivity, while overcoming the brittleness inherent in most conductive polymers. Many aerospace applications require a combination of properties. Thus, hybrid films made from polyimides or other engineering resins are of primary interest, but only if conductivities on the same order as those obtained with a polystyrene base could be obtained. Hence, a series of experiments was performed to optimize the conductivity of polyimide-based composite films. The polyimide base chosen for this study was Kapton. 3-MethylThiophene (3MT) was used for the conductive phase. Three processing variables were identified for producing these composite films, namely time, temperature, and oxidant concentration for the in situ oxidation. Statistically designed experiments were used to examine the effects of these variables and synergistic/interactive effects among variables on the electrical conductivity and mechanical strength of the films. Multiple linear regression analysis of the tensile data revealed that temperature and time have the greatest effect on maximum stress. The response surface of maximum stress vs. temperature and time (for oxidant concentration at 1.2 M) is shown. Conductivity of the composite films was measured for over 150 days in air at ambient temperature. The conductivity of the films dropped only half an order of magnitude in that time. Films aged under vacuum at ambient temperature diminished slightly in conductivity in the first day, but did not change thereafter. An experimental design approach will be applied to maximize the efficiency of the laboratory effort. The material properties (initial and long term) will also be monitored and assessed. The experimental results will add to the existing database for electrically conductive polymer materials. Attachments: 1) Synthesis Crystal Structure, and Polymerization of 1,2:5,6:9,10-Tribenzo-3,7,11,13-tetradehydro(14) annulene. 2) Reinvestigation of the Photocyclization of 1,4-Phenylene Bis(phenylmaleic anhydride): Preparation and Structure of (5)Helicene 5,6:9,10-Dianhydride. 3) Preparation and Structure Charecterization of a Platinum Catecholate Complex Containing Two 3-Ethynyltheophone Groups. and 4) Rigid-Rod Polymers Based on Noncoplanar 4,4'-Biphenyldiamines: A Review of Polymer Properties vs Configuration of Diamines.

Youngs, Wiley J.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of LSCo/mullite composite contact materials for solid oxide fuel cells

Lanthanum strontium cobaltite (LSCo) is considered as a good candidate cathode contact material for solid oxide fuel cells, due to high electrical conductivity. However, LSCo has a very large coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than the cells and metallic interconnects. As a result, poor mechanical stability is expected during thermal cycling. To minimize the CTE mismatch, we investigate a composite approach involving mixing LSCo with an inert material of low CTE, such as mullite at volume fractions from 0.1 to 0.4. Composite’s CTE shows a decreasing trend with increasing mullite volume fractions, and is consistent with model predictions. X-ray powder diffraction analysis of sintered LSCo/mullite composites exhibits no presence of other phases for samples aged for 500h at 800oC, indicating chemical compatibility. Electrical conductivity by a 4-pt method shows a decreasing trend with increasing mullite content. Contact strength of as-sintered and thermally cycled samples show that only the composite with 0.4 volume fraction has a measurable strength; the other composites have no strength. Overall, the composite approach is demonstrated in the LSCo/mullite system to lower the CTE and hence achieve thermal cycle stability. The addition of the inert phase to the LSCo matrix; however, also reduces the electrical conductivity.

Contact materials, LSCo, mullite, CTE, electrical ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Plasma confinement system with outer electrode having liquifiable material and methods for use

An example plasma confinement system includes an inner electrode having a rounded first end that is disposed on a longitudinal axis of the plasma confinement system and an outer electrode that at least partially surrounds the inner electrode. The outer electrode includes a solid conductive shell and an electrically conductive material disposed on the solid conductive shell and on the longitudinal axis of the plasma confinement system. The electrically conductive material has a melting point within a range of 170° C. to 800° C. at 1 atmosphere of pressure. Related plasma confinement systems and methods are also disclosed herein.

Shumlak, Uri↗
NASA NTRS1961

A Study of Laminar Compressible Viscous Pipe Flow Accelerated by an Axial Body Force, with Application to Magnetogasdynamics

A study is made of the steady laminar flow of a compressible viscous fluid in a circular pipe when the fluid is accelerated by an axial body force. The application of the theory to the magnetofluidmechanics of an electrically conducting gas accelerated by electric and magnetic fields is discussed. Constant viscosity, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity are assumed. Fully developed flow velocity and temperature profiles are shown, and detailed results of the accelerating flow development, including velocity and pressure as functions of distance, are given for the case where the axial body force is constant and for the case where it is a linear function of velocity. From these results are determined the pipe entry length and the pressure difference required.

Martin, E. Dale↗