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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 505 records · Page 28
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Beyond electrical conductance: progress and prospects in single-molecule junctions

The idea of using individual molecules as conducting wires, regulators, and interconnects for charges in electronic circuitry has catalyzed the vibrant development of the field of single-molecule electronics. The ability to reliably and repeatedly construct single-molecule junctions (SMJs) has enabled the study of charge transport through a broad spectrum of individual molecules. Over the past decade, the capability of the SMJ platform has been greatly expanded thanks to the development of new experimental techniques and the integration of knowledge and methodologies from other disciplines. New opportunities beyond electrical conductance have emerged at the atomic and molecular scale. It has been demonstrated in many recent studies that the SMJ can now serve as a powerful and versatile tool to address critical physical and chemical questions that are otherwise inaccessible. Furthermore, this perspective focuses on the new capabilities and functionalities of the SMJ beyond conductance measurements and how they have enabled the investigation of crucial single-molecule processes and advanced our understanding beyond molecular electronics.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electronic properties of correlated kagomé metals AV 3 Sb 5 (A = K, Rb, and Cs): A perspective

Following the discovery of a new family of kagomé prototypical materials with structure AV 3 Sb 5 (A=K, Rb, and Cs), there has been a heightened interest in studying the correlation-driven electronic phenomena in these kagomé lattice systems. The study of these materials has gone beyond magneto-transport measurements to reveal exciting features such as Dirac bands, anomalous Hall effect, bulk superconductivity with T c ~0.9–2.5K, and the observation of charge density wave instabilities, suggesting an intertwining of topological physics and new quantum orders. Moreover, very recent works on numerous types of experiments have appeared further examining the unconventional superconductivity and the exotic electronic states found within these kagomé materials. Theories on the strong interactions that play a role in these systems have been proposed to shed light on the nature of these topological charge density waves. In this brief review, we summarize these recent experimental findings and theoretical proposals and envision the materials as new platforms to study the interplay between topological physics and strongly correlated electronic systems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2020

Demonstration of Scale-Invariant Rayleigh-Taylor Instability Growth in Laser-Driven Cylindrical Implosion Experiments

Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth is shown to be hydrodynamically scale-invariant in convergent cylindrical implosions for targets that varied in radial dimension and implosion timescale by a factor of three. The targets were driven directly by laser irradiation providing a short impulse, and instability growth at an embedded aluminum interface occurs as it converges radially inward by a factor of2.25 and decelerates on a central foam core. Late-time growth factors of 14 are observed for a single-modem= 20 azimuthal perturbation at both scales, despite the differences in laser drive conditions between the experimental facilities, consistent with predictions from radiation-hydrodynamics simulations. This platform enables detailed investigations into the limits of hydrodynamic scaling in high-energy-density systems.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Highly Reliable Multi-Port Smart Inverter Modules for PV-Based Energy Systems

Generally, large electrolytic capacitors (E-caps) are required to decouple the double-line frequency power fluctuation inherent in all single-phase dc-ac or ac-dc converters. These E-caps pose the weak link in the photovoltaic (PV) inverter because they have poor reliability as a result of short life expectancy and higher equivalent series resistance (ESR) which leads to lower system efficiency. In this paper, multiport smart dual-inverter modules are proposed for residential PV inverter systems with balanced outputs to eliminate the requirement of large decoupling capacitors, thus leading to more reliable and highly efficient inverter modules. The balanced dual outputs are controlled in phase quadrature such that the double frequency current is completely eliminated. One phase supports the standalone residential loads, and the other phase interfaces with the grid, which is synchronized to the utility grid. Also, the proposed modular configuration is scalable to accommodate higher power rating by stacking and paralleling multiple modules. Simulation results for the dual-inverter modules rated for 1 kW each are presented to validate the proposed concept. Experimental results from a controller hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) platform also verify its feasibility.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Superconducting phase diagram of multilayer square-planar nickelates

The discovery of superconductivity in square-planar nickelates has offered a rich materials platform to explore the origins of high-temperature superconductivity. However, experimental investigations have largely been limited to the infinite-layer R NiO 2 ( R , rare earth) nickelates. For this work we constructed a phase diagram of multilayer square-planar Nd n+1 Ni n O 2n+2 compounds and found signatures of superconductivity for dimensionality n = 4 to 8. Upon decreasing n , the superconducting anisotropy evolves owing to 4ƒ electron effects, and electronic structure characteristics approach cuprate-like behavior. Magnetic fluctuations persist from within the superconducting regime and into the overdoped, nonsuperconducting regime. The superconducting regime overlaps with that of chemically doped infinite-layer nickelates, demonstrating underlying commonalities as well as differences across varying structural realizations of square-planar nickelates. Our work establishes this layered template for creating new nickel-based superconductors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Hydrogen Permeation Analysis Tool

There is a rising need for the measurement and understanding of hydrogen transport properties in materials for the energy and transportation industries. The Hydrogen Permeation Analysis Tool (HyPAT) provides a user friendly interface for batch analysis of dynamic hydrogen permeation data to calculate the transport properties permeability, solubility, and diffusivity. A built in literature database provides an easy comparison to known values. A common method for measuring these hydrogen transport properties is dynamic pressure rise permeation experiments, for example, those done in the Static Gas Absorption and Permeation (SGAP) experiment at INL. Most laboratories develop individual, in-house codes for data analysis. HyPAT provides a platform that can be adopted by other user groups for such experimental analysis and significantly reduce personnel time spent performing data analysis.

Fuerst, ThomasF↗
DOE OSTI2025

Transformational Nano-confined Ionic Liquid Membrane for Greater than or Equal to 97 Percent Carbon Dioxide Capture from Natural Gas Combined Cycle Flue Gas

A transformational process based on nano-confined ionic liquid (NCIL) membranes was developed for capturing ≥97% CO 2 from natural gas combined cycle (NCCC) flue gas. The NCIL membranes were prepared by loading amino acid ionic liquid into a framework composed of single-walled carbon nanotube mesh filled with graphene oxide quantum dots. The membranes exhibited CO 2 permeance as high as 2,000 GPU with a CO 2 /N2 selectivity of 2,300 for a typical NGCC flue gas composition. When H 2 O vapor sweep was applied in the permeate side, 96.6% CO2 dry-basis purity and 97.6% CO 2 capture rate were achieved for a simulated NGCC flue gas with single stage. In the process design, a highly H 2 O-selective membrane would be needed to recover majority of the H 2 O vapor, and the recovered H 2 O vapor could be recycled to the permeate side of the NCIL membrane. Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) membranes were successfully developed for this purpose. These membranes exhibited H 2 O permeance great than 11,000 GPU and H 2 O/CO 2 selectivity greater than 1,000 at 70ºC for a feed mixture consisting of 14.5 vol% H2O and balanced CO 2 . A standalone membrane model using MATLAB platform was developed for process simulation. The model was validated with experimental data. Techno-economic analysis based on the testing data collected during the current program suggests this transformational membrane process can achieve 97% CO 2 capture efficiency with a cost of $47.8/tonne of CO 2 , which is a 21% reduction versus DOE’s reference case B31B.97.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Slow control and TDAQ systems installation and tests in the Mu2e experiment

The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab will attempt to detect a coherent neutrinoless conversion of a muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus, with a sensitivity that is 10,000 times greater than existing limits. The Mu2e trigger and data acquisition system (TDAQ) uses the otsdaqframework as its online Data Acquisition System (DAQ) solution. Developed at Fermilab, otsdaq integrates several components, such as an artdaq-based DAQ, an art-based event processing, and an EPICS-based detector control system (DCS), and provides a uniform multi-user interface toits components through a web browser. The data streams from the Mu2e tracker and calorimeter are handled by the artdaq-based DAQ and processed by a one-level software trigger implemented within the art framework. Events accepted by the trigger have their data combined, post-trigger, with the separately read-out data from the Mu2e Cosmic Ray Veto system. The foundation of Mu2e DCS, EPICS, an Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System, is an open-source platform for monitoring, controlling, alarming, and archiving. Over the last three years, a prototype ofthe TDAQ and DCS systems has been built and tested at Fermilab’s Feynman Computing Center.Currently, the production system installation is underway. At the end, this work presents a brief update on the installation of racks and DAQ hardware.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1986

Working group report on beam plasmas, electronic propulsion, and active experiments using beams

The JPL Workshop addressed a number of plasma issues that bear on advanced spaceborne technology for the years 2000 and beyond. Primary interest was on the permanently manned space station with a focus on identifying environmentally related issues requiring early clarification by spaceborne plasma experimentation. The Beams Working Group focused on environmentally related threats that platform operations could have on the conduct and integrity of spaceborne beam experiments and vice versa. Considerations were to include particle beams and plumes. For purposes of definition it was agreed that the term particle beams described a directed flow of charged or neutral particles allowing single-particle trajectories to represent the characteristics of the beam and its propagation. On the other hand, the word plume was adopted to describe a multidimensional flow (or expansion) of a plasma or neutral gas cloud. Within the framework of these definitions, experiment categories included: (1) Neutral- and charged-particle beam propagation, with considerations extending to high powers and currents. (2) Evolution and dynamics of naturally occurring and man-made plasma and neutral gas clouds. In both categories, scientific interest focused on interactions with the ambient geoplasma and the evolution of particle densities, energy distribution functions, waves, and fields.

Dawson, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Comparison of land surface temperatures derived from satellite observations with ground truth during FIFE

Surface temperatures of the FIFE (First ISLSCP Field Experiment) experimental area derived from thermal infrared radiances recorded from different satellite platforms at different scales were compared with reference observations by means of infrared thermometers at ground stations distributed over the area. FIFE was conducted during late spring, summer and fall over an area of 15 km by 15 km in a hilly tall-grass prairie region in northeastern Kansas. The data available for this purpose were produced by AVHRR and TOVS instruments aboard NOAA-9 and NOAA-10, the TM instrument aboard Landsat-5, and VISSR instrument aboard GOES-7. The scales covered by these instruments span a wide range, namely between hundreds of meters (Landsat TM) and hundreds of kilometers (TOVS). The data are analyzed both with and without the application of an atmospheric correction.

Sugita, M.↗
NASA NTRS2008

A Software Framework for Aircraft Simulation

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center has a long history in developing simulations of experimental fixed-wing aircraft from gliders to suborbital vehicles on platforms ranging from desktop simulators to pilot-in-the-loop/aircraft-in-the-loop simulators. Regardless of the aircraft or simulator hardware, much of the software framework is common to all NASA Dryden simulators. Some of this software has withstood the test of time, but in recent years the push toward high-fidelity user-friendly simulations has resulted in some significant changes. This report presents an overview of the current NASA Dryden simulation software framework and capabilities with an emphasis on the new features that have permitted NASA to develop more capable simulations while maintaining the same staffing levels.

Curlett, Brian P.↗
NASA NTRS2018

In Situ Thermal Inspection of Automated Fiber Placement Operations for Tow and Ply Defect Detection

The advent of Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) systems have aided the rapid manufacturing of composite aerospace structures. One of the challenges that AFP systems pose is the uniformity of the deposited prepreg tape layers, which complicates detection of laps, gaps, overlaps and twists. The current detection method used in industry involves halting fabrication and performing a time consuming, visual inspection of each tape layer. Typical AFP systems use a quartz lamp to heat the base layer to make the surface tacky as it deposits another tape layer. The innovation proposed in this paper is to use the preheated base layer as a through-transmission heat source for inspecting the newly added tape layer in situ using a thermographic camera mounted on to the AFP hardware. Such a system would not only increase manufacturing throughput by reducing inspection times, but it would also aid in process development for new structural designs or material systems by providing data on as-built parts. To this end, a small thermal camera was mounted onto an AFP robotic research platform at NASA, and thermal data was collected during typical and experimental layup operations. The data was post processed to reveal defects such as tow overlap/gap, wrinkling, and peel-up. Defects that would have been impossible to detect visually were also discovered in the data, such as poor/loss of adhesion between plies and the effects of vacuum debulking. This paper will cover the results of our experiments, and the plans for future versions of this inspection system.

Juarez, Peter D.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Evaluation of Correction Methods for NASA GeneLab Transcriptomic Datasets

Conducting space biology experiments aboard the International Space Station, particularly those utilizing complex model organisms like mice, is expensive and difficult due to limited crew availability, hardware, and space. As a result, sample numbers from these studies are low, reducing the statistical power of any one experiment. Aggregating spaceflight datasets serves as a method to increase sample numbers, allowing for novel insights through bioinformatic analysis of ‘omics data from merged datasets. However, aggregating datasets can introduce unwanted variation including 1) differences in sample handling, processing, and sequencing platforms between datasets (technical variation) as well as 2) differences in experimental design between datasets. In the present study, NASA GeneLab-hosted RNAseq datasets from mouse liver tissues were used to evaluate several statistical methods to correct for this unwanted variation through two approaches, reference-based and standard. The following correction algorithms were applied with (reference-based) and/or without (standard) considering Universal Mouse RNA Reference samples: ComBat and ComBat_seq from the SVA package, median polish, empirical Bayes, and ANOVA-based algorithms from the MBatch package, and negative binomial regression normalization in the DESeq2 package. For each approach, after the correction algorithm was applied, differential gene expression (DGE) analysis of flight and ground control samples was performed with the combined data. The robustness of each tool was evaluated using BatchQC to determine statistical differences between datasets before and after correction, Principal Component Analysis to evaluate global gene expression in samples before and after correction, and by comparing DGE analysis of individual datasets and combined datasets before and after correction. The results showed that the reference-based approach introduced several additional (and likely artificial) DEGs when compared with the respective standard approach. Of the methods tested, standard ComBat and DESeq2 were identified as the most robust correction methods for combining spaceflight mouse liver RNAseq datasets hosted on GeneLab.

GeneLab↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Combining RNA-SEQ Datasets from NASA GENELAB: An Evaluation of Correction Methods

Background: Conducting space biology experiments aboard the International Space Station, particularly those utilizing complex model organisms like mice, is expensive and difficult due to limited crew availability, hardware, and space. As a result, sample numbers from these studies are low, reducing the statistical power of any one experiment. Aggregating spaceflight datasets serves as a method to increase sample numbers, allowing for novel insights through bioinformatic analysis of ‘omics data from merged datasets. However, aggregating datasets can introduce unwanted variation including 1) differences in sample handling, processing, and sequencing platforms between datasets (technical variation) as well as 2) differences in experimental design between datasets. Methods: In the present study, NASA GeneLab-hosted RNAseq datasets from mouse liver tissues were used to evaluate several statistical methods to correct for this unwanted variation through two approaches, reference-based and standard. The following correction algorithms were applied with (reference-based) and/or without (standard) considering Universal Mouse RNA Reference samples: ComBat and ComBat_seq from the SVA package, the median polish, empirical Bayes, and ANOVA-based algorithms from the MBatch package, and negative binomial regression normalization in the DESeq2 package. For each approach, after the correction algorithm was applied, differential gene expression (DGE) analysis of flight and ground control samples was performed with the combined data. The robustness of each tool was evaluated using BatchQC to determine statistical differences between datasets before and after correction, Principal Component Analysis to evaluate global gene expression in samples before and after correction, and by comparing DGE analysis of individual datasets and combined datasets before and after correction. Results: The results showed that the reference-based approach introduced several additional (and likely artificial) differentially expressed genes when compared with the respective standard approach. Conclusions: Of the methods tested, standard ComBat_seq and DESeq2 were identified as the most robust correction methods for combining spaceflight mouse liver RNAseq datasets hosted on GeneLab.

Finsam Samson↗
DOE OSTI2023

EXPERIMENTAL AND MODELING STUDY OF MOLECULAR TRANSPORT PHENOMENA IN COMPLEX LIQUID MIXTURES USING COVALENT ORGANIC FRAMEWORK MEMBRANES

Currently, 10-15% of the world’s energy is consumed by chemical separations, and more than 80% of that is used to purify organic liquids and recover rare earth elements and critical minerals. Membrane nanofiltration presents an energy-efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative to current separation technologies. These complex liquid environments require high- performance, chemically-resistant membrane materials. Recently discovered Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) possess desirable properties as membrane materials for complex liquid separations. COFs are highly crystalline, chemically and thermally stable, with tunable size and charge. COFs, especially two-dimensional highly crystalline COFs, possess narrow pore-size distribution and controlled porous structures. Two-dimensional COFs are also resistant to swelling, another feature beneficial in complex liquid separations. Molecular interactions in complex liquid systems often dictate final membrane performance, resulting in a discrepancy between designed and apparent COF properties. Understanding and resolving this discrepancy is critical in utilizing COF membranes as a viable alternative to energy-intensive separations. The primary objective of this thesis was to use a commercially available COF TpPa-1 as a platform to investigate how mixed solvent environment affects COF membrane performance via experimental and molecular modeling studies. Specifically, the effects of solution pH, solvent- solvent-solute interactions in mixed solvents, and COF chemistry were carefully examined on apparent TpPa-1 pore size and permeability and targeted solute rejection of COF membranes for neat and mixed solvents. Experimental COF filtration performance was compared and corroborated with modeling predication. Findings from this study will provide guidance for future COF design, synthesis, and desired functional COF membrane performance.

Barnes, Anastasia↗
DOE OSTI2023

The reactive flow evolution of the polymer-bonded explosive PBX 9502: Experiments and model validation in extreme pressure regimes

The shock-to-detonation transition properties of the triaminotrinitrobenzene based PBX 9502 high explosive (HE) are experimentally and computationally explored in extremely high input pressure conditions. These include both slightly sub-Chapman–Jouguet and overdriven input pressure conditions, namely, ∼25 and ∼31 GPa, respectively. Our experiments capture the transient buildup of a shock-induced reaction via measurement of HE and polymethyl methacrylate window interface particle velocity profiles for a variety of sample thicknesses for this insensitive HE. These observations necessitate extremely thin explosive samples, and the high rates of reaction provide a considerable challenge to optical diagnostics. Samples at these thicknesses also provide an opportunity for evaluation of potential micro-structure effects on the resulting shock-to-detonation-transition measurements. To address this, the thin samples are also characterized via x-ray micro-computed tomography. Finally, a pair of previously established continuum-level detonation performance modeling approaches for PBX 9502 were used to analyze the experiments. The employed model variants crucially differ in their definition of each model’s empirical reaction rate functional form, utilization of shock state quantities, and local flow variable dependencies. As a result, the present experiments provide a novel platform to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative consequences stemming from these modeling choices in a challenging initiation scenario, largely beyond the chosen calibration range of either model. This new experimental information will provide a platform for both improved physics and model parameterizations for this well-studied explosive.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The BioSensor Instrument Beyond LEIA: a Versatile Platform for Lunar Biology

Introduction: The BioSensor is a deep-space-compatible automated microfluidic culturing instrument. While originally designed to measure the effects of deep space radiation on yeast growth for the BioSentinel mission, it has the potential to host a diverse range of life science experiments with single- and/or multi-celled organisms and can be adapted to interface with a diverse range of platforms in both crewed and uncrewed settings. It is therefore a leading candidate for hosting life sciences experimentation associated with a lunar surface habitat. BioSensor design: The function of the BioSensor is to monitor the growth and metabolic activity of samples in batch fluidic culture, without the need for crew involvement. The current configuration houses organisms in 16 wells within 16 microfluidic cards, accommodating a total of 256 samples, replicates, and controls. Each well has an optical system including three LEDs and a photodiode detector to measure absorbance at three wavelengths, enabling measurement of optical density, color change in dyes such as alamarBlue, and bioproduction of pigmented compounds. Organisms are loaded into fluidic wells and air-dried for storage during integration, launch, and transit, then activated by the introduction of culture medium from storage bags via manifolds that fill one card at a time. Temperature is controlled by individual card heaters, and timing of all activities (fluidics fills, optical measurements, temperatures) is directed by an experiment script. The self-contained BioSensor payload is roughly 4U in volume; with electrical/mechanical/thermal interface, e.g. for operation on ISS or a lunar lander, as well as a linear energy-transfer (LET) charged-particle radiation spectrometer, the entire system is closer to 6U. BioSentinel and LEIA: Flown on the ISS and in a deep-space free flyer for BioSentinel, the BioSensor has been modified for use in the LEIA mission, including improvements to reduce the sensitivity to lengthy launch delays. LEIA will monitor yeast growth in the radiation and reduced-gravity environment of the lunar surface no earlier than 2026, on a CLPS lander [4]. Changes include accommodating additional culture media and an additional LED color for a new biological assay (bioproduction of carotenoids-- dietary antioxidants), as well as modifications to the housing to allow late-load biology changeout and improved isolation between fluidics and electronics. Future prospects: Future work with the BioSensor, beyond LEIA, will include expanding the range and diversity of organisms and assays accommodated. Preliminary work has demonstrated the growth of Arabidopsis seedlings in BioSensor fluidic cards, including optical measurements of growth rate over time. Minor modifications could allow measurement of phenotypes related to photosynthetic capacity in both plants and cyanobacteria. The experimental capabilities of the BioSensor could be dramatically increased by introducing the capability for fluorescence measurements, and/or the design of novel biological assays using luminescence. The BioSensor can also be adapted for new platforms and experiment settings; in addition to free-flyer, ISS, and CLPS lander, a preliminary design concept has been developed for crewed deployment directly to the lunar surface. The instrument could be accommodated inside a lunar habitat, where its automated operation would make it an excellent candidate for experiments from fundamental investigations into the response of organisms to lunar surface conditions to applied-science purposes such as screening engineered strains of various organisms for bioproduction capability.

J A Lee↗