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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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Forum on Materials and Interfaces for Energy Storage and Conversion

This ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces forum on energy storage and conversion contains the topics of research discoveries to advance energy technology development. The topics are focused on the efficient and sustainable use of energy in the fields of fuel cells, CO 2 conversion, water splitting, batteries, and electrochemical capacitor. This forum highlights recent achievements in these emerging technologies through the design and evaluation of novel materials and devices and theoretical study. Additionally, this forum also showcases the technology at all stages of development from “embryonic” conception to industrial adaptation.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Insights into Chemical Prelithiation of SiO x /Graphite Composite Anodes through Scanning Electron Microscope Imaging

Initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) is critical for determining the energy density of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) used for practical applications; however, it is typically disregarded in anode research. We used SiO x and graphite composite anodes for commercial lithium-ion batteries in our preliminary research to achieve a balance between ICE, capacity, and cycling life. ICE reached 88%; however, it needs further improvement for commercial applications. Prelithiation is a process that involves the introduction of extra lithium ions into LIBs during their manufacturing to enhance the overall performance of the LIBs. We applied a chemical prelithiation method on our SiO x /graphite composite anodes, which comprised 95 wt % of the active material mass loading on the electrode. The ICE increased from 88% to 98% using an aryllithium reagent impregnation method within 2 min of prelithiation. The anode’s specific capacity density, rate, and cycle performance also significantly improved. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging enhanced by an osmium tetroxide staining method indicated that the P-anode contained a stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer after the prelithiation process and cycling electrochemical test. The P-anode’s stable charge differential peak over 500 cycles also showcases a robust artificial SEI layer that was generated by the prelithiation procedure. Here, this prelithiation process has significant potential for adoption in the LIB industry’s current electrode manufacturing process.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

APS Science 2020 (Vol. 1)

The U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Photon Source (APS) is one of the world’s most productive x-ray light source facilities. Each year, the APS provides high-brightness x-ray beams to a diverse community of more than 5,000 researchers in materials science, chemistry, condensed matter physics, the life and environmental sciences, and applied research. Researchers using the APS produce over 2,000 publications each year detailing impactful discoveries, and solve more vital biological protein structures than users of any other x-ray light source research facility. APS x-rays are ideally suited for explorations of materials and biological structures; elemental distribution; chemical, magnetic, electronic states; and a wide range of technologically important engineering systems from batteries to fuel injector sprays, all of which are the foundations of our nation’s economic, technological, and physical well-being. The APS occupies an 80-acre site on the Argonne campus, about 25 miles from downtown Chicago, Illinois. It shares a site with the Center for Nanoscale Materials and the Advanced Protein Characterization Facility.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

APS Science 2020 (Vol. 2)

The U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Photn Source (APS) is one of the world’s most productive x-ray light source facilities. Each year, the APS provides high-brightness x-ray beams to a diverse community of more than 5,000 researchers in materials science, chemistry, condensed matter physics, the life and environmental sciences, and applied research. Researchers using the APS produce over 2,000 publications each year detailing impactful discoveries, and solve more vital biological protein structures than users of any other x-ray light source research facility. APS x-rays are ideally suited for explorations of materials and biological structures; elemental distribution; chemical, magnetic, electronic states; and a wide range of technologically important engineering systems from batteries to fuel injector sprays, all of which are the foundations of our nation’s economic, technological, and physical well-being. The APS occupies an 80-acre site on the Argonne campus, about 25 miles from downtown Chicago, Illinois. It shares a site with the Center for Nanoscale Materials and the Advanced Protein Characterization Facility.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Flywheel Technology

Throughout the summer of 2004, I am working on a number of different projects. While located in the Space Power and Propulsion Test Engineering branch, my main area of study is flywheel technology. I have been exposed to flywheels, their components, and their uses in today's society. I have been able to experience numerous flywheels here in the flywheel lab at NASA Glenn. My first main project was to explore the attributes and physical characteristics of a flywheel. Our branch was constructing a flywheel demonstration to be presented at the public open house taking place in June. Our Flywheel Interactive Demo, or FIDO, represents a real life multi-flywheel system here at NASA. I was given the opportunity to learn about how these flywheels store energy and are able to position a satellite. With all of this new knowledge, I was able to create the posters that explained how our demonstration worked. I also composed a step-by-step process made up of four experiments that any visitor could follow and perform on FIDO. By stepping through these experiments, the individual learns how a flywheel works. They not only read the explanation of what is happening, but they are also able to see it happen. Creating these two posters not only taught me, but also helped teach the general public during the open house, how flywheel technology is a very important part of our future. Through my research, I have learned that flywheels are able to store massive amounts of energy. They can be described as an electro-mechanical battery that stores kinetic energy while rotating. The faster it rotates, the more energy it stores. Their lifetime is about triple that of an ordinary battery. Flywheels also have the ability to combine energy storage with attitude control all in a single system. Attitude control is the ability to position a satellite as required. FIDO helps us to understand the rotational force (torque) that is applied upon a turn-table or satellite during wheel acceleration/deceleration. My other main project that I have just begun is to create a flywheel presentation, brochure, and video all explaining the history, applications, early attempts, and working processes of modem flywheels. These items are all usefull tools for educating school children and even adults about flywheels. This task will require a large amount of research and skills in the use of multiple applications. My goal this summer is to learn the dynamics and uses of a flywheel in today s society, and then inform and encourage the public about flywheels. I am able to express my knowledge by creating some effective as well as attractive posters, presentations, brochures, videos, etc. that are able to explain how a flywheel works along with how our FIDO demonstration simulates a real flywheel. My goal is underway, and should be successfully reached with the help of my mentor, other coworkers, and fellow interns.

Ritchie, Lisa M.↗

Construction and Analysis of Electronic circuits

The Aviation Environmental Technical Branch produces many various types of aeronautical research that benefits the NASA mission for space exploration and in turn, produces new technology for our nation. One of the present goals of the Aviation Environmental Technical Branch is to create better engines for airplanes by testing supersonic jet propulsion and safe fuel combustion. During the summer of 2004, I was hired by Vincent Sattenvhite Chief executive of the Aviation Environmental Technical Branch to Assist Yves Lamothe with a fuel igniter circuit. Yves Lamothe is an electrical engineer who is currently working on safe fuel combustion testing. This testing is planned to determine the minimum ignition energy for fuel and air vapors of current and alternative fuels under simulated flight conditions. An air temperature bath will provide simulated flight profile temperatures and the heat fluxes to the test chamber. I was assigned with Yves to help complete the igniter circuit which consists of a 36k voltage supply an oscilloscope, and a high voltage transistor switch. During my tenure in the L.E.C.I.R.P. program I studied the basics of electricity and circuitry along with two other projects that I completed. In the beginning of my internship, I devote all of my time to research the aspects of circuitry so that I would be prepared for the projects that I was assigned to do. I read about lessons on; the basic physical concepts of electronics, Electrical units, Basic dc circuits, direct current circuit analysis, resistance and cell batteries, various types of magnetism , Alternating current basics, inductance, and power supplies. I received work sheets and math equations from my Mentor so that I could be able to apply these concepts into my work. After I complete my studies, I went on to construct a LED chaser circuit which displays a series of light patterns using a 555 timer. I incorporated a switch and motion detector into the circuit to create basic alarm system. This project challenged my ability to interpret a schematic and expand it. While I was still completing the LED chaser circuit I Also was given A Basic Stamp Toddler Robot to build and program. The Toddler robot can walk in 36 various styles using advanced robotics. I used many different programs to create movement and direction of the robot. Also the Toddler can use infrared vision to sense objects. This enables the robot to maneuver indefinitely without running into objects. During my tenure at the NASA Glen Research Center I definite utilized the NASA mission to educate. I learned valuable information to help in my up coming year as a freshman in college.

Thomas, Ashley N.↗

Development of the command data system and ground software for the SEDSAT-1 microsatellite

SEDSAT-1 is designed to be a low cost scientific satellite which is to be used to perform a minimum of five tasks which include: (1) the acquisition of a number of important parameters associated with the tethering processes from the payloads perspective (such as accelerations incurred and imaging data of the tether during deployment), (2) to act as a remote sensing platform for making measurements of the Earth's Atmosphere (allowing research to be performed in such areas as vertical lightning observation, visible light spectrography, and cloud cover studies, (3) to act as a general purpose amateur radio communication satellite relaying information back to earth, (4) to demonstrate the feasibility of the deployment in low earth orbit of advanced technology such as the Gallium Arsenide Solar Cells, Nickel Metal Hydride batteries, and multi-chip module technology and, (5) to support student's active participation in applying the disciplines of engineering and science to space-based hardware platforms. The project includes the Three-axis Accelerometer System, TAS, Experiment which is designed to report the accelerations that the satellite undergoes during the tethering operations and during the second phase of the mission when the free floating satellite comes in contact with orbit debris. The SEASIS (SEDS Earth, Atmosphere, and Space Imaging System) is another SEDSAT experiment designed to provide images of the tether during its deployment and the earth during the second phase of the mission. To control these experiments and virtually all other satellite operations the Command Data System, CDS is employed. This system utilizes a moderate complexity micro-controller controlled by tasks operating under a real-time operating system to dynamically monitor and control the satellite. The scope of this researchers efforts has been in the general area of coordinating and assisting the student researchers with the development of the CDS and ground station interfaces. This included the low level CDS hardware design and the formulization of a general software plan and schedule for both the CDS and ground station portions of the project.

Wells, B. Earl↗

Modeling Analysis of Ball-Milling Process for Battery-Electrode Synthesis

The mechanical alloying process is a promising method for synthesizing electrode materials for batteries owing to its benefits such as the ability to produce nanostructured, high-performing electrode alloys, no adverse effects on the solid electrolyte for solid-state batteries, stable production of thick electrodes, simple processing steps, and low processing costs. It is gaining intensive attention in the battery industry as one of the best methods to replace the conventional wet-slurry-solvent method, and its application is rapidly increasing these days. However, the operation is currently conducted purely based on trial-and-error methods without fully utilizing the features of its functions. Here, this may be attributed to a lack of understanding of the effect of operating parameters on the alloying process and final products. Surprisingly, there is a scarcity of the literature conducting fundamental research to comprehend the underlying physics of the entire mechanical alloying process, resulting in a significant knowledge gap. To address this knowledge gap, extensive research was conducted. The existing literature on mechanical alloying was reviewed to comprehend the current state of understanding and to discuss the direction for future research. Mathematical expressions were developed to create physics-based models capable of capturing the entire mechanical alloying process, including milling kinetics and defect-enhanced phase evolution. These methods were then applied to investigate the impact of operating parameters such as milling frequency, initial mole ratio of the alloyed materials, density of grinding balls, and energy required for the powders to become amorphous (i.e., the amorphization energy threshold). This research aimed not only to comprehend the direct effects of these operating parameters but also to unveil the physics underlying the ball-milling process. The results of our study can serve as crucial information for the battery industry in designing or operating the ball-milling process.

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An Overview of the NASA Aerospace Flight Battery Systems Program

The NASA Aerospace Flight Battery Systems Program is an agency-wide effort aimed at ensuring the quality, safety, reliability and performance of flight battery systems for NASA applications. The program provides for the validation of primary and secondary cell and battery level technology advances to ensure their availability and readiness for use in NASA missions. It serves to bridge the gap between the development of technology advances and the realization and incorporation of these advances into mission applications. The program is led by the Glenn Research Center and involves funded task activities at each of the NASA mission centers and JPL. The overall products are safe, reliable, high quality batteries for mission applications. The products are defined along three product lines: 1. Battery Systems Technology - Elements of this task area cover the systems aspects of battery operation and generally apply across chemistries. This includes the development of guidelines documents, the establishment and maintenance of a central battery database that serves a central repository for battery characterization and verification test data from tests performed under the support of this program, the NASA Battery Workshop, and general test facility support. 2. Secondary Battery Technology - l h s task area focuses on the validation of battery technology for nickel-cadmium, nickel-hydrogen, nickel-metal-hydride and lithium-ion secondary battery systems. Standardized test regimes are used to validate the quality of a cell lot or cell design for flight applications. In this area, efforts are now concentrated on the validation and verification of lithium-ion battery technology for aerospace applications. 3. Primary Battery Technology - The safety and reliability aspects for primary lithium battery systems that are used in manned operations on the Shuttle and International Space Station are addressed in the primary battery technology task area. An overview of the task areas supported under this program will be presented.

Manzo, Michelle A.↗

Next-Level Energy Management in Manufacturing: Facility-Level Energy Digital Twin Framework Based on Machine Learning and Automated Data Collection

This research introduces an energy prediction framework at the facility level supported by automated data collection and machine learning models. It investigates whether reducing the prediction time scale allows for applying more complex machine learning techniques and if those techniques improve the prediction accuracy. The primary advantages of this framework lie in its automation of the energy prediction process and its provision of real-time energy data suitable for use in energy dashboards or digital twins. A sitewide dataset was created by combining 15 min energy and daily production data of five shops—assembly, battery, body (electric), body (gas), and paint—from a globally recognized electric vehicle manufacturer. Various machine learning models were evaluated on daily, weekly, and monthly datasets, including, in increasingly complex order: naïve, simple linear regression, net regularized generalized linear regression, principal component regression, k-nearest neighbor, random forest, and Bayesian regularized neural network. Compared to the current state-of-the-art energy consumption prediction for the industrial facility level, this research investigates more complex models and smaller time intervals for higher accuracy. The findings revealed that the more complex monthly models require a minimum of a year and a half of data to operate, while weekly models demand a year of data to achieve improved accuracy. Daily models can operate with only six months of data but exhibit poor performance due to reduced prediction accuracy of production. Key challenges identified include access to reliable, high-quality energy and production data and the initial demand for human labor.

digital twin↗

Design of a GaAs/Ge Solar Array for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are being proposed for many applications including surveillance, mapping and atmospheric studies. These applications require a lightweight, low speed, medium to long duration airplane. Due to the weight, speed, and altitude constraints imposed on such aircraft, solar array generated electric power is a viable alternative to air-breathing engines. Development of such aircraft is currently being funded under the Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program. NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) is currently building a Solar Electric Airplane to demonstrate UAV technology. This aircraft utilizes high efficiency Applied Solar Energy Corporation (ASEC) GaAs/Ge space solar cells. The cells have been provided by the Air Force through the ManTech Office. Expected completion of the plane is early 1995, with the airplane currently undergoing flight testing using battery power.

Scheiman, David A.↗

On-Chip Tuning of Superconductivity in Fullerides via Current-Driven Rb + Intercalation

An in-operando electro-intercalation method for the on-chip synthesis of alkali-metal-intercalated materials and their Raman spectroscopic and transport characterization in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) is developed. We apply this method to synthesize fulleride superconductors via Rb + intercalation into a C 60 film. During the intercalation, we monitor the stoichiometry via UHV-Raman spectroscopy and probe superconductivity via transport measurements. An increase of the superconducting transition temperature from 7.0 K to 14.5 K is observed when the stoichiometry is tuned from Rb 2.7 C 60 to Rb 3 C 60 . In our experiment, an ionic Rb+ flux into the host material is induced by an applied electronic current via a Butler–Volmer-type mechanism. Electro-intercalation captivates through improved stoichiometric precision, the ability to smoothly vary stoichiometry via duration of current application, and the absence of a lower limit of the volume of the host material. It represents a powerful concept for the on-chip synthesis of intercalated materials, battery research, and beyond.

Raman↗

Baseline tests of the Volkswagen transporter electric delivery van

The Volkswagen Transporter, an electric delivery van, was tested as part of an Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) project to characterize the state of the art of electric vehicles. The Volkswagen Transporter is a standard Volkswagen van that has been converted to an electric vehicle. It is powered by a 144-volt traction battery. A direct current (dc) chopper controller, actuated by a conventional accelerator pedal, regulates the voltage or power applied to the 16-kilowatt (21-hp) motor. The braking system uses conventional hydraulic braking in combination with an electric regenerative braking system. The Volkswagen vehicle performance test results are presented.

Soltis, R. F.↗

Accelerating Discovery to Deployment: Argonne's Materials Engineering Research Facility (MERF) and Its Role in Scaling Materials Technologies for Water and Resource Solutions

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories represent a unique class of government‐owned, contractor‐operated research institutions dedicated to conducting research and development (R&D) related activities that address national priorities, supporting and advancing the DOE mission. They play a vital role in sustaining U.S. innovation capacity, stewarding the nation's technical base, and nurturing science and technologies. In this perspective, we highlight the processing science and scaleup capabilities of the Materials Engineering Research Facility (MERF) at DOE's Argonne National Laboratory to demonstrate how DOE National Laboratories bridge fundamental science and applied technology development to accelerate deployment. Case studies are presented on selective membranes for critical mineral recovery, sensors for per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) detection, surface functionalization via atomic layer deposition (ALD) and sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS), and lithium recovery from battery recycling waste streams using a novel electrodialysis process. These examples underscore MERF's role in translating innovative technologies into practical solutions for renewable water and critical resource recovery, which also leverage Argonne's analytical and computational capabilities. This perspective also outlines mechanisms for collaborating with the DOE national laboratories to strengthen partnerships across government, the national laboratories, academia, and industry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Wilberforce Power Technology in Education Program

The Wilberforce Power Technology in Education Program is a multipart program. Three key parts of this program will be described. They are: (1) WISE-The Wilberforce Summer Intensive Experience. This annual offering is an educational program which is designed to provide both background reinforcement and a focus on study skills to give the participants a boost in their academic performance throughout their academic careers. It is offered to entering Wilberforce students. Those students who take advantage of WISE learn to improve important skills which enable them to work at higher levels in mathematics, science and engineering courses throughout their college careers, but most notably in the first year of college study. (2) Apply technology to reaming. This is being done in several ways including creating an electronic chemistry text with hypertext links to a glossary to help the students deal with the large new vocabulary required to describe and understand chemistry. It is also being done by converting lecture materials for the Biochemistry class to PowerPoint format. Technology is also being applied to learning by exploring simulation software of scientific instrumentation. (3) Wilberforce participation in collaborative research with NASA's John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field. This research has focused on two areas in the past year. The first of these is the deposition of solar cell materials. A second area involves the development of polymeric materials for incorporation into thin film batteries.

Gordon, Edward M.↗

Primitive Cubic Cation-Disordered Niobium Tungsten Oxides

In recent years, metastable cation-disordered oxides have had a significant impact on both fundamental and application-driven materials science research. Along this direction, developing new and simple structural types that can accommodate cation disorder at the same crystallographic site has yet to receive extensive research focus. In this work, we use niobium tungsten oxides (NbWOs), a series of materials encompassing diverse structural features, as a material platform to explore new cation-disordered structural types. Relying on mechanochemistry, we realized primitive cubic cation-disordered NbWOs with a ReO 3 -type structure, featuring unique electronic and vibrational properties. Furthermore, when applied as a Li-ion battery anode, the materials undergo a unique perovskite-rock salt structural change mechanism, different from that of complex ordered NbWOs. All these advancements suggest a rich opportunity in developing other new material structural types and realizing new material properties based on the methodology of the work.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Baseline tests of the C. H. Waterman DAF electric passenger vehicle

An electric vehicle was tested as part of an Energy Research Development Administration (ERDA) project to characterize the state-of-the-art of electric vehicles. The Waterman vehicle performance test results are presented in this report. The vehicle is a converted four-passenger DAF 46 sedan. It is powered by sixteen 6-volt traction batteries through a three-step contactor controller actuated by a foot throttle to change the voltage applied to the 6.7 kW motor. The braking system is a conventional hydraulic braking system.

Sargent, N. B.↗

Mechanochemically Enabled Metastable Niobium Tungsten Oxides

Metastable compounds have greatly expanded the synthesizable compositions of solid-state materials and have attracted enormous amounts of attention in recent years. Especially, mechanochemically enabled metastable materials synthesis has been very successful in realizing cation-disordered materials with highly simple crystal structures, such as rock salts. Application of the same strategy for other structural types, especially for non-close-packed structures, is peculiarly underexplored. Niobium tungsten oxides (NbWOs), a class of materials that have been under the spotlight because of their diverse structural varieties and promising electrochemical and thermoelectric properties, are ideally suited to fill such a knowledge gap. In this work, we develop a new series of metastable NbWOs and realize one with a fully cation-disordered structure. Furthermore, we find that metastable NbWOs transform to a cation-disordered cubic structure when applied as a Li-ion battery anode, highlighting an intriguing non-close-packed–close-packed conversion process, as evidenced in various physicochemical characterizations, in terms of diffraction, electronic, and vibrational structures. Lastly, by comparing the cation-disordered NbWO with other trending cation-disordered oxides, we raise a few key structural features for cation disorder and suggest a few possible research opportunities for this field.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗