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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 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Operando carbon corrosion measurements in fuel cells using boron-doped carbon supports

Carbonaceous materials are the most common catalyst supports in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFCs), yet their corrosion is one of the limiting factors in achieving high durability. Herein, we doped carbon supports with boron (B) to increase the corrosion-resistance of the support. Two types of B-doped carbons were synthesized and studied as platinum support materials. Further, they varied in their morphologies, surface areas, and the types of boron species. The durability of Pt/B-doped carbon catalysts was investigated using the US-DOE catalysts’ supports accelerated stress test (AST) and a mass-spectrometer connected to the fuel cell effluent stream to quantify the mass of corroded carbon support in operando. The addition of boron to the carbon increased the stability of Pt catalysts in long-term usage of PEMFC. After 4000 AST cycles, more than 50% of initial current density was preserved for the boron-containing systems, while less than 30% of it remained with Vulcan carbon (Pt/V). Also, the Pt/B-doped carbon samples demonstrated better electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) stability when compared to Pt/V. Carbon loss measurements showed that B-doped carbons have higher resistance to electrochemical corrosion than unmodified carbon. Specifically, the substitutional boron-doped carbon demonstrated an extremely high stability and low corrosion rate.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Durability of PGM catalyst MEAs of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells for heavy-duty vehicles

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are promising power sources for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) owing to cleanliness and efficiency. However, the degradation of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) under HDV conditions remains a huge challenge. Here, this work investigated MEA durability under HDV conditions using a US Department of Energy standard accelerated stress test for 180,000 cycles (equivalent to 1 million miles of HDV operation). Effects of catalyst Pt content on MEA durability were examined using homemade 30% Pt/C (H-Pt/C) and commercial 46% Pt/C (C-Pt/C) catalysts. Both MEAs experienced H 2 /air and H 2 /O 2 performance loss over cycles. Analysis with scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and mercury intrusion porosimetry revealed severe degradation of Pt nanoparticles (NPs), support structures, and the catalyst layer. Two degradation stages for NPs were proposed: Ostwald ripening dominated the initial 60,000 cycles, followed by combined Ostwald ripening and particle migration. Measurements with ion chromatography, high-frequency resistance, and oxygen-diffusion resistance revealed degradation of membrane and ionomer, respectively.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Nanochannel electrodes facilitating interfacial transport for PEM water electrolysis

Proton-exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) are a promising technology for green hydrogen production; however, interfacial transport behaviors are poorly understood, hindering device performance and longevity. Here, we first utilized finite-gap electrolyzer to demonstrate the possibility of proton transfer through water in PEMWEs. The measured high-frequency resistances (HFRs) exhibit a linear trend with increasing gap distance, where extrapolation shows a lower value compared with HFRs in regular zero-gap electrolyzers, indicating that ohmic resistance could be further reduced. We introduce nanochannels to facilitate mass transport, as evidenced by both liquid-fed and vapor-fed electrolysis. Nanochannel electrodes achieve a voltage reduction of 190 mV at 9 A·cm –2 compared with the Ir-PTEs without nanochannels. Furthermore, nanochannel electrodes show negligible degradation through 100,000 accelerated-stress tests and over 2,000 h of operation at 1.8 A·cm –2 with a decay rate of 11.66 μV·h –1 . These results provide new insights into localized transport dynamics for PEMWEs and highlight the significance of interfacial engineering for electrochemical devices.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Cascading economic losses from port disruptions under capacity constrained multimodal freight networks

This study quantifies how throughput disruptions at major seaports cascade through capacity-constrained multimodal freight networks and interregional production systems. We couple an agent-based model (ABM) multimodal freight simulation that resolves rerouting, terminal queueing, and inventory drawdown under binding modal and facility capacities with a multiregional output loss input-output (MRIIM) model that propagates realized delivery shortfalls across regions and sectors. The framework is demonstrated for the Port of Los Angeles using Freight Analysis Framework flows and Bureau of Economic Analysis input-output accounts and is evaluated over a 52-week horizon under deterministic sector targeted shocks and stochastic disruption realizations with uncertain severity and duration. Results indicate nonlinear amplification: realized national losses concentrate in manufacturing and transportation/warehousing even when exogenous port shocks are dispersed, suggesting that congestion spillback and limited short-run substitution can dominate the initial shock allocation. We further evaluate a tabular reinforcement-learning (Q-learning) intervention layer that selects among a small set of implementable system level levers (truck-to-rail and truck-to-barge shift settings) without overriding shipper routing, finding that such interventions reduce total losses for moderate disruptions but yield diminishing returns once substitute modes approach capacity. By linking operational freight behavior to system wide impacts under uncertainty, the proposed ABM-MRIIM pipeline provides a reusable workflow for port disruption stress testing, identification of structurally critical sectors/corridors, and evaluation of resilience interventions under realistic capacity limits.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2026

Phosphonic-Acid-Reinforced Polymer Hole Transport Layers for Deployable p-i-n Perovskite Photovoltaics

The long-term durability prospects of halide perovskite solar cells are rapidly improving; however, the interface between the hole transport layer (HTL) and the perovskite remains a source of degradation. Alone, polymer- or carbazole-based HTLs suffer from incomplete coverage of the underlying indium tin oxide glass, leading to degradation and compromised performance. Here, we show a multi-HTL approach whereby a polymer HTL is reinforced using a phosphonic acid modification leading to better protection of the buried perovskite interface and more columnar growth of perovskite film, resulting in an ~40-mV open-circuit voltage (VOC) improvement indicative of suppressed interfacial recombination across multiple p-i-n device architectures. Solar cells with this reinforced HTL show higher tolerance to several accelerated stress tests. We report, among the best durabilities for unencapsulated cells, a T90 ~3,000 h (T80 ~5,900 h) at 65 degrees C under continuous 1.2 sun AM 1.5G illumination and maximum power point tracking, representing a nearly 4-fold increase compared with [2-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethyl]phosphonic acid (2PACz)-only devices. Furthermore, we deployed a device with this reinforced HTL on a cube satellite, with long-duration operational space testing results exceeding T80 for the complete mission duration of ~100 days in low Earth orbit.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Water Electrolysis: Cell-Level Considerations for Gigawatt-Scale Deployment

Hydrogen produced with no greenhouse gas emissions is termed “green hydrogen” and will be essential to reaching decarbonization targets set forth by nearly every country as per the Paris Agreement. Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) are expected to contribute substantially to the green hydrogen market. However, PEMWE market penetration is insignificant, accounting for less than a gigawatt of global capacity. Achieving substantive decarbonization via green hydrogen will require PEMWEs to reach capacities of hundreds of gigawatts by 2030. This paper serves as an overarching roadmap for cell-level improvements necessary for gigawatt-scale PEMWE deployment, with insights from three well-established hydrogen technology companies included. Analyses will be presented for economies of scale, renewable energy prices, government policies, accelerated stress tests, and component-specific improvements.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Inverse Consequences of the SnO 2 Protection Layers on Pt/C Catalysts in Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are promising energy-conversion systems, offering an appealing blend of high energy efficiency and low environmental impact. However, carbon corrosion of PEMFCs is known to significantly degrade their performance, remaining a critical challenge to overcome. In this study, we applied a Nb-doped SnO 2 (Nb-SnO 2 ) nanoparticle coating on Pt/C catalysts as a protective layer, with the Sn/C ratio in the precursors varying from 0.25:1 to 2.0:1. Contradictory behaviors of the coated Pt/C catalysts were observed at different Sn/C ratios. The Sn/C = 1.0 sample exhibited improved electrochemically active surface area retention after 500 cycles of accelerated stress testing (AST) but with more significant polarization and resistance increase observed in the polarization curves. In addition, agglomeration of Nb-SnO 2 particles was observed at a higher Sn/C ratio in the AST of a membrane electrode assembly, with less shrinkage of the total thickness of the Nb-SnO 2 -coated Pt/C electrode. We speculate that formation of Nb-SnO 2 agglomerates occurs once the protective layer is broken down or the unprotected carbon surface is corroded and that these Nb-SnO 2 agglomerates increase the tortuosity of the electron pathways and significantly increase the cell polarization.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Mechanism-Informed Breakdown: Understanding Degradation by Controlling Voltage-Hold Patterns in Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers

Low catalyst loadings pose challenges to performance stability in proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis over extended operation. To study the impact of degradation mechanisms and voltage loss rates, different stress tests are applied to membrane electrode assemblies. Potential cycling conditions were observed to induce higher degrees of iridium (Ir) oxide crystallization, ionomer degradation, and catalyst layer (CL) thinning, which likely contributed to higher kinetic loss rates. On the other hand, while Ir migrating into the PEM (Ir band) generally impairs performance, the interconnected and more uniform Ir band formed under a constant 2 V hold may allow for Ir at the catalyst/membrane interface to remain electronically connected and kinetically accessible, as well as indicate greater Ir site access during the applied stressor. The 2 V hold also demonstrates improved kinetic durability through a lower Tafel slope, faster polarization kinetics, and reduced charge transfer resistance. In contrast, potential cycling caused the migration of disconnected Ir agglomerates into the membrane bulk and created a steady increase in charge transfer resistance, a more dramatic decrease in capacitance (46.7% loss), and significant damage to the surrounding ionomer, indicating a decline in both the quality and quantity of active sites in the anode CL. This work underscores the distinct degradation pathways associated with load holds versus cycling, highlighting the role of catalyst-ionomer interactions in kinetic performance and long-term stability. These insights can inform operational strategies for PEM electrolyzers powered by intermittent energy sources, aiming to minimize efficiency losses over extended operation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Electrospun Ti–Zr Oxide Heterostructures Enable Strongly Anchored Ultralow-Ir Anodes for Durable Acidic Oxygen Evolution

Proton-exchange-membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) requires acidic oxygen-evolution-reaction (OER) anodes that combine high activity, high durability, and low Ir loading. Here, we report a Ti-Zr composite electrospun oxide (ESO) nanorod support that enables ultralow-Ir anodes for high-performance PEMWE. Zr-containing Ti oxide heterostructures stabilize anatase-rich TiO2, tune the local oxygen-coordination environment, and strengthen interfacial anchoring of IrOx under acidic anodic conditions. The electrospun nanorod network further creates an open, mechanically coherent catalyst layer that improves Ir utilization, ionomer penetration, and mass transport. At an anode loading of 0.2 mgIr cm-2, the optimized Ir/TiZr20-ESO anode delivers a PEMWE mass activity of 0.99 A mgIr-1 at 1.45 V, 28.3 and 43.0 times higher than commercial Ir black and commercial IrO2/TiO2, respectively. The same anode reaches 3.0 and 4.0 A cm-2 at 1.75 and 1.83 V, respectively, and sustains 2000 h operation at 2.0 A cm-2. Also, accelerated stress tests up to 525 hours over 31,500 cycles confirm promising long-term durability, with an insignificant performance decay of 0.4 μV per cycle. Density functional theory indicates that the Ti-Zr oxide heterostructure suppresses Ti demetallation and strengthens IrO2 interfacial binding, rationalizing the improved high-current-density stability.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Identifying Robust Decarbonization Pathways for the Western U.S. Electric Power System Under Deep Climate Uncertainty

Climate change threatens the resource adequacy of future power systems. Existing research and practice lack frameworks for identifying decarbonization pathways that are robust to climate-related uncertainty. We create such an analytical framework, then use it to assess the robustness of alternative pathways to achieving 60% emissions reductions from 2022 levels by 2040 for the Western U.S. power system. Our framework integrates power system planning and resource adequacy models with 100 climate realizations from a large climate ensemble. Climate realizations drive electricity demand; thermal plant availability; and wind, solar, and hydropower generation. Among five initial decarbonization pathways, all exhibit modest to significant resource adequacy failures under climate realizations in 2040, but certain pathways experience significantly less resource adequacy failures at little additional cost relative to other pathways. By identifying and planning for an extreme climate realization that drives the largest resource adequacy failures across our pathways, we produce a new decarbonization pathway that has no resource adequacy failures under any climate realizations. This new pathway is roughly 5% more expensive than other pathways due to greater capacity investment, and shifts investment from wind to solar and natural gas generators. Our analysis suggests modest increases in investment costs can add significant robustness against climate change in decarbonizing power systems. Our framework can help power system planners adapt to climate change by stress testing future plans to potential climate realizations, and offers a unique bridge between energy system and climate modeling.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Exploring Water System Vulnerabilities in California's Central Valley Under the Late Renaissance Megadrought and Climate Change

Abstract California faces cycles of drought and flooding that are projected to intensify, but these extremes may impact water users across the state differently due to the region's natural hydroclimate variability and complex institutional framework governing water deliveries. To assess these risks, this study introduces a novel exploratory modeling framework informed by paleo and climate‐change based scenarios to better understand how impacts propagate through the Central Valley's complex water system. A stochastic weather generator, conditioned on tree‐ring data, produces a large ensemble of daily weather sequences conditioned on drought and flood conditions under the Late Renaissance Megadrought period (1550–1580 CE). Regional climate changes are applied to this weather data and drive hydrologic projections for the Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Tulare Basins. The resulting streamflow ensembles are used in an exploratory stress test using the California Food‐Energy‐Water System model, a highly resolved, daily model of water storage and conveyance throughout California's Central Valley. Results show that megadrought conditions lead to unprecedented reductions in inflows and storage at major California reservoirs. Both junior and senior water rights holders experience multi‐year periods of curtailed water deliveries and complete drawdowns of groundwater assets. When megadrought dynamics are combined with climate change, risks for unprecedented depletion of reservoir storage and sustained curtailment of water deliveries across multiple years increase. Asymmetries in risk emerge depending on water source, rights, and access to groundwater banks.

Gupta, Rohini S. [School of Civil and Environmenta↗
DOE OSTI2025

Durability Research Is Pivotal for Perovskite Photovoltaics

Metal halide perovskite solar cells have shown promising power conversion efficiencies, but commercialization requires that decent durability is also demonstrated. Under normal operation, solar cells are subject to a complex combination of stressors, such as visible light, ultraviolet light, heat, humidity, mechanical stress and electric potential, which complicates the understanding of failure mechanisms. Existing stress tests do not act as a time machine. In new materials systems such as perovskite photovoltaics, the tests have no known relationship to field service. In this Perspective we recommend following a durability learning cycle that interleaves photovoltaic module engineering with field testing; accelerated testing; and preconditioning and performance engineering. We advocate for field testing to demonstrate real-world performance and identify field-relevant failure modes, and urge the community to develop accelerated and qualification tests that account for device metastability, variations in material composition and different/various processing methods. In conclusion, these practices are more difficult, but more important, than the simple pursuit of higher initial efficiencies.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Regulating in situ gaseous deposition to construct highly durable Fe–N–C oxygen-reduction fuel cell catalysts

The activity–stability trade-off challenges the design of high-performance atomically dispersed iron–nitrogen–carbon (Fe–N–C) catalysts for the acidic oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Here we develop an in situ chemical vapour deposition approach during catalyst synthesis to break the trade-off, producing highly stable Fe–N–C catalysts while maintaining adequate oxygen reduction reaction activity. The optimal catalyst exhibits a half-wave potential of 0.867 V, remaining unchanged after an accelerated stress test (AST) of 100,000 potential cycles in rotating disk electrode tests. In membrane electrode assemblies under H 2 –air conditions, it delivers 93 mA cm −2 at 0.8 V after a standard AST of 30,000 voltage cycles, and shows minimal current density losses (2.9% at 0.6 V; 14.2% at 0.7 V) after an extended AST up to 120,000 cycles. Furthermore, the catalyst’s durability improvement is primarily due to the in situ chemical vapour deposition, which strengthens Fe–N bonds, increases active-site density, mitigates iron aggregates and reduces surface porosity.

Chemical engineering↗
DOE OSTI2024

Remote operation of the DIII-D National Fusion Facility

Abstract Full remote scientific operation of the DIII-D National Fusion Facility is now possible through significant advances in the computer science hardware and software infrastructure made over the last decade. Capabilities around information visualization, data movement, and communication have all been enhanced. The level of capability deployed to remotely operate DIII-D required an infrastructure advancement over what had previously been achieved in the fusion community. The large quantity of real-time data that is automatically displayed on DIII-D’s control room screens can now be visualized by remote participants via web-based applications. New audio/video solutions using the VoIP and instant messaging application Discord have been implemented to mimic the dynamic and ad-hoc scientific conversations that are critical in successfully operating an experimental campaign. Discord’s ability for a user to rapidly move between audio channels, text with images, and share screens is a significant enhancement over traditional videoconferencing tools. In addition, multiple combinations of broadcast audio are made available via a web-based application to allow remote participants to simultaneously listen to general announcements/sounds while conducting their own specific conversations. Secure methodologies have been put into place to allow remote control of hardware including DIII-D’s plasma control system application. Secure methods also included the ability of the on-site team to closely coordinate their work with remote team members which has been enhanced through extensions to the wireless network and the use of tablet computers for audio/video/screen sharing. However, no amount of software can fully replace the need for ‘hands on hardware.’ This infrastructure was severely stress tested during the COVID-19 pandemic where occupancy of the DIII-D control room was restricted. Operational efficiency during the pandemic, measured in discharges per hour, remained high (3.8 ± 0.8) compared to values obtained pre-pandemic (3.7 ± 0.8).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Decarbonization and technology cost drivers: considerations for potential future thermoelectric water use in the power sector

The power sector is currently undergoing significant changes, driven by a combination of factors, including decarbonization and technology innovation. This study aims to assess implications of these drivers on U.S. power sector technology futures and the associated water and environmental implications for cooling thermoelectric power plants. Specifically, we evaluate four decarbonization scenarios for the contiguous United States that vary in assumptions concerning demand growth and technology costs, with technology costs driving alternative outcomes that prioritize either technologies that require low amounts of water (such as wind, solar, and battery) or high amounts of water (such as nuclear and carbon capture and storage). These scenarios are executed in a power sector capacity expansion model and compared to two reference scenarios that assume status quo with policy and cost drivers. Our analysis indicates that future U.S. thermoelectric water withdrawals could decrease by 25%–60%, but water consumption could more than triple in some scenarios. These changes are driven by a combination of retirement of some power facilities, shifts in cooling technologies, and new technology deployment. The water use patterns vary across the United States, with the eastern regions demonstrating a lot more variability in water consumption across scenarios than western regions. However, local concerns can influence these possible investments, since increased water consumption can exacerbate water scarcity, leading to conflicts among competing users and affecting regional social, environmental, and economic dynamics. Future work should consider possible costs associated with alternate water sources, as well as improve the representation of water constraints within simulations. Inclusion of extreme events and alternate modeling platforms (e.g. production cost modeling and resource adequacy) may also be warranted to further stress test the robustness of these possible technology futures. Such assessments will be critical for ensuring decarbonization and other infrastructure-oriented investments lead to a reliable and resilient power grid.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dark energy survey year 3 results: cosmology from galaxy clustering and galaxy–galaxy lensing in harmonic space

We present the joint tomographic analysis of galaxy-galaxy lensing and galaxy clustering in harmonic space (HS), using galaxy catalogues from the first three years of observations by the Dark Energy Survey (DES Y3). We utilize the redMaGiC and MagLim catalogues as lens galaxies and the metacalibration catalogue as source galaxies. The measurements of angular power spectra are performed using the pseudo-$C_\ell$ method, and our theoretical modelling follows the fiducial analyses performed by DES Y3 in configuration space, accounting for galaxy bias, intrinsic alignments, magnification bias, shear magnification bias and photometric redshift uncertainties. We explore different approaches for scale cuts based on non-linear galaxy bias and baryonic effects contamination. Our fiducial covariance matrix is computed analytically, accounting for mask geometry in the Gaussian term, and including non-Gaussian contributions and super-sample covariance terms. To validate our HS pipelines and covariance matrix, we used a suite of 1800 log-normal simulations. We also perform a series of stress tests to gauge the robustness of our HS analysis. In the $\Lambda$CDM model, the clustering amplitude $S_8 =\sigma _8(\Omega _m/0.3)^{0.5}$ is constrained to $S_8 = 0.704\pm 0.029$ and $S_8 = 0.753\pm 0.024$ (68 per cent C.L.) for the redMaGiC and MagLim catalogues, respectively. For the wCDM, the dark energy equation of state is constrained to $w = -1.28 \pm 0.29$ and $w = -1.26^{+0.34}_{-0.27}$, for redMaGiC and MagLim catalogues, respectively. These results are compatible with the corresponding DES Y3 results in configuration space and pave the way for HS analyses using the DES Y6 data.

(cosmology:) cosmological parameters↗
DOE OSTI2024

In-Situ Luminescence Imaging of Perovskite Solar Cells Demonstrates Increasing Spatial Nonuniformity Upon Light-Soaking Degradation

In this work we investigate degradation rates of triplecation mixed-halide perovskite p-i-n solar cells. We present an accelerated stress testing procedure using periodic blue light-soaking at elevated temperatures until devices reach ~80% of their initial efficiency. We track light-induced degradation via in-situ: photoluminescence (PL), current-voltage (I-V) curves, and transient photovoltage. Devices underwent 165 hours of light bias at 65degrees C. Results suggest that spatial uniformity in PL intensity decreases as device degradation increases. This investigation lays the groundwork to address the current gap in understanding the interplay between device performance and the evolution of macroscopic features in perovskite solar cells. Thus, we believe spatial characterization techniques will play a crucial role in the commercialization of perovskite solar cells.

imaging↗
DOE OSTI2024

Progressive Dynamics for Cloth and Shell Animation

We propose Progressive Dynamics, a coarse-to-fine, level-of-detail simulation method for the physics-based animation of complex frictionally contacting thin shell and cloth dynamics. Progressive Dynamics provides tight-matching consistency and progressive improvement across levels, with comparable quality and realism to high-fidelity, IPC-based shell simulations [Li et al. 2021] at finest resolutions. Together these features enable an efficient animation-design pipeline with predictive coarse-resolution previews providing rapid design iterations for a final, to-be-generated, high-resolution animation. In contrast, previously, to design such scenes with comparable dynamics would require prohibitively slow design iterations via repeated direct simulations on high-resolution meshes. We evaluate and demonstrate Progressive Dynamics's features over a wide range of challenging stress-tests, benchmarks, and animation design tasks. Here Progressive Dynamics efficiently computes consistent previews at costs comparable to coarsest-level direct simulations. Its matching progressive refinements across levels then generate rich, high-resolution animations with high-speed dynamics, impacts, and the complex detailing of the dynamic wrinkling, folding, and sliding of frictionally contacting thin shells and fabrics.

Computer Science↗