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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 577 records · Page 32
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Spatial quantum-interference landscapes of multi-site-controlled quantum dots coupled to extended photonic cavity modes

Abstract A compact platform to integrate emitters in a cavity-like support is to embed quantum dots (QDs) in a photonic crystal (PhC) structure, making them promising candidates for integrated quantum photonic circuits. The emission properties of QDs can be modified by tailored photonic structures, relying on the Purcell effect or strong light-matter interactions. However, the effects of photonic states on spatial features of exciton emissions in these systems are rarely explored. Such effect is difficult to access due to random positions of self-assembled QDs in PhC structures, and the fact that quantum well excitons’ wavefunctions resemble photonic states in a conventional distributed Bragg reflector cavity system. In this work, we instead observe a spatial signature of exciton emission using site-controlled QDs embedded in PhC cavities. In particular, we observe the detuning-dependent spatial repulsion of the QD exciton emissions by polarized imaging of the micro-photoluminescence, dependent on the controlled QD’s position in a spatially extended photonic pattern. The observed effect arises due to the quantum interference between QD decay channel in a spatially-extended cavity mode. Our findings suggest that integration of site-controlled QDs in tailored photonic structures can enable spatially distributed single-photon sources and photon switches.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2025

Controlling Ligand Excimer Formation with Dipole Changes in Emissive Rare-Earth/Phosphonic Acid Complexes

The interactions between substituted arylvinyl phosphonic acid (AVPA) ligands within a Eu-AVPA complex are shown to influence the outcomes of excited state evolution after photoexcitation. Compared with unfunctionalized AVPAs, pairs of ligands functionalized with CF 3 in the para position preassociate in the ground state of complexes with Eu 3+ according to calculated geometry optimizations. The CF 3 -substituted AVPA complexes show evidence of red-shifted optical absorption and undergo more efficient excimer formation, as revealed by transient absorption spectroscopy. We rationalize this behavior through simulations of excited-state geometry optimizations that reveal evolution toward interligand phenyl-phenyl planarity for specific excited states. Emission from complexed Eu 3+ after energy transfer from the ligand is found to be weaker with CF 3 substitution, which we hypothesize is due to intracomplex, interligand aggregates with excimer-promoting geometries. These observations point to the need to consider ground-state geometries as well as dynamic excited-state processes to understand the flow of energy in rare earth coordination complexes.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Hydrology controls thermokarst and alters carbon cycling and methane emissions in peatlands near the southern limit of permafrost

Permafrost peatlands store vast amounts of frozen carbon across northern landscapes. When ground ice melts, surface subsidence produces thermokarst landforms that expand wetlands at the edges of permafrost plateaus. Thermokarst represents an accelerating climate feedback, but uncertainties remain about how ground ice, hydrology, and vegetation interact to shape landscape change and carbon fluxes. We extended the process-based model ecosys to simulate thermokarst dynamics in laterally coupled 2D transects at a well-characterized boreal peatland site in Canada’s Northwest Territories. After benchmarking against site observations, we varied ground ice content and hydrologic boundary conditions across ranges typical near the southern permafrost limit. Simulations revealed distinct degradation regimes governed by the elevation difference between the frost table and the external water table. Rates of lateral retreat, the thaw-driven encroachment of wetlands into adjacent plateaus, ranged from 0 to >2 m yr −1 under identical weather forcing, consistent with observations and highlighting the strong role of WT and ground ice. Simulated vegetation dynamics indicate that black spruce mortality cannot be explained by anoxia alone, pointing to additional stressors such as root damage, pathogens, or physical destabilization. Despite large hydrologic shifts, net ecosystem CO 2 exchange remained a slight sink after collapse, while methane (CH 4 ) emissions rose by one to two orders of magnitude. As a result, lateral retreat substantially increases the greenhouse warming potential of permafrost peatlands (1.7 million km 2 in area), with simulated emissions of 0.1–10 Mt CO 2 -eq decade −1 depending on hydrology and retreat rates. These results underscore the need to account for both ground ice and hydrologic dynamics when assessing thermokarst-driven climate feedbacks.

carbon cycling↗
NASA NTRS1984

Direct evidence for solar wind control of Jupiter's hectometer-wavelength radio emission

Observations of the solar wind close to Jupiter by the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1978 and 1979 are compared with the hectometer-wavelength radio emission from the planet. A significant positive correlation is found between variations in the solar wind plasma density at Jupiter and the level of Jovian radio emission output. During the 173-day interval studied for the Voyager 2 data the radio emission displayed a long-term periodicity of about 13 days, identical to that shown by the solar wind density at Jupiter and consistent with the magnetic sector structure association already proposed for ground-based observations of the decameter-wavelength emission.

Desch, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Direct evidence for solar wind control of Jupiter's hectometer-wavelength radio emission

Observations of the solar wind close to Jupiter, by the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1978 and 1979, are compared with the hectometer wavelength radio emission from the planet. A significant positive correlation is found between variations in the solar wind plasma density at Jupiter and the level of Jovian radio emission output. During the 173-day interval studied for the Voyager 2 data, the radio emission displayed a long term periodicity of about 13 days, identical to that shown by the solar wind density at Jupiter and consistent with the magnetic sector structure association already proposed for groundbased observations of the decameter wavelength emission.

Desch, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Chandra Observation of an X-ray Flare at Saturn: Evidence for Direct Solar Control on Saturn's Disk X-ray Emissions

Saturn was observed by Chandra ACIS-S on 20 and 26-27 January 2004 for one full Saturn rotation (10.7 hr) at each epoch. We report here the first observation of an X-ray flare from Saturn s non-auroral (low-latitude) disk, which is seen in direct response to an M6-class flare emanating from a sunspot that was clearly visible from both Saturn and Earth. Saturn s X-ray emissions are found to be highly variable on time scales of tens of minutes to weeks. Unlike Jupiter, X-rays from Saturn s polar (auroral) region have characteristics similar to those from its disk and varies in brightness inversely to the FUV auroral emissions observed by the Hubble Space Telescope. This report establishes that disk X-ray emissions of the giant planets Saturn and Jupiter are directly regulated by processes happening on the Sun. We suggest that these emissions could be monitored to study X-ray flaring from solar active regions when they are on the far side and not visible to Near-Earth space weather satellites.

Bhardwaj, Anil↗
DOE OSTI2020

Development of intelligent control module for the J-TEXT electron cyclotron emission imaging system

An Electron Cyclotron Emission Imaging (ECEI) system has been developed on the J-TEXT tokamak and employed for the multi-dimensional electron temperature fluctuation imaging measurement in 2019 campaign. The intelligent control module has been developed and been used to flexibly setup the 256-channel ECEI system configurations for different plasma scenarios. The adjustments of key parameters are merged in this module including size and position of the geometric observation window, and the dynamic range of the signal and image resolution. The user-friendly interface is also developed for the tokamak operator to set the ECEI system focusing on physics interested region. Furthermore, this module is installed close to the diagnostic system around the J-TEXT tokamak, which can be remotely controlled by authorized operators in the control room. It significantly improves ECEI flexibility and stability, and also keeps the operation technician away from the harsh radiation environment.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1993

Spray combustion experiments and numerical predictions

The next generation of commercial aircraft will include turbofan engines with performance significantly better than those in the current fleet. Control of particulate and gaseous emissions will also be an integral part of the engine design criteria. These performance and emission requirements present a technical challenge for the combustor: control of the fuel and air mixing and control of the local stoichiometry will have to be maintained much more rigorously than with combustors in current production. A better understanding of the flow physics of liquid fuel spray combustion is necessary. This paper describes recent experiments on spray combustion where detailed measurements of the spray characteristics were made, including local drop-size distributions and velocities. Also, an advanced combustor CFD code has been under development and predictions from this code are compared with experimental results. Studies such as these will provide information to the advanced combustor designer on fuel spray quality and mixing effectiveness. Validation of new fast, robust, and efficient CFD codes will also enable the combustor designer to use them as additional design tools for optimization of combustor concepts for the next generation of aircraft engines.

Mularz, Edward J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Spray combustion experiments and numerical predictions

The next generation of commercial aircraft will include turbofan engines with performance levels significantly better than those in the current fleet. Control of particulate and gaseous emissions will also be an integral part of the engine design criteria. These performance and emission requirements present a technical challenge for the combustor: control of the fuel and air mixing and control of the local stoichiometry will have to be maintained much more rigorously than with combustors in current production. A better understanding of the flow physics of liquid fuel spray combustion is necessary. This paper describes recent experiments on spray combustion where detailed measurements of the spray characteristics were made, including local drop-size distributions and velocities. Also, an advanced combustor CFD code has been under development and predictions from this code are compared with experimental results. Studies such as these will provide information to the advanced combustor designer on fuel spray quality and mixing effectiveness. Validation of new fast, robust, and efficient CFD codes will also enable the combustor designer to use than as valuable additional design tools for optimization of combustor concepts for the next generation of aircraft engines.

Mularz, Edward J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Spray Combustion Experiments and Numerical Predictions

The next generation of commercial aircraft will include turbofan engines with performances significantly better than those in the current fleet. Control of particulate and gaseous emissions will also be an integral part of the engine design criteria. These performance and emission requirements present a technical challenge for the combustor: control of the fuel and air mixing and control of the local stoichiometry will have to be maintained much more rigorously than combustors in current production. A better understanding of the flow physics of liquid fuel spray combustion is necessary. This presentation describes recent experiments on spray combustion where detailed measurements of the spray characteristics were made, including local drop-size distributions and velocities. In addition, an advanced combustor CFD code has been under development and predictions from this code are presented and compared with measurements. Studies such as these will provide information to the advanced combustor designer on fuel spray quality and mixing effectiveness. Validation of new fast, robust, and efficient CFD codes will also enable the combustor designer to use them as valuable design tools for optimization of combustor concepts for the next generation of aircraft engines.

Mularz, Edward J.↗
NASA NTRS2011

A High-Resolution Measurement of Ball IR Black Paint's Low-Temperature Emissivity

High-emissivity paints are commonly used on thermal control system components. The total hemispheric emissivity values of such paints are typically high (nearly 1) at temperatures above about 100 Kelvin, but they drop off steeply at lower temperatures. A precise knowledge of this temperature-dependence is critical to designing passively-cooled components with low operating temperatures. Notable examples are the coatings on thermal radiators used to cool space-flight instruments to temperatures below 40 Kelvin. Past measurements of low-temperature paint emissivity have been challenging, often requiring large thermal chambers and typically producing data with high uncertainties below about 100 Kelvin. We describe a relatively inexpensive method of performing high-resolution emissivity measurements in a small cryostat. We present the results of such a measurement on Ball InfraRed BlackTM(BIRBTM), a proprietary surface coating produced by Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp (BATC), which is used in spaceflight applications. We also describe a thermal model used in the error analysis.

Tuttle, Jim↗
DOE OSTI2024

High Penetration Microgrids Providing Grid Stability Using Frequency-Watt Control Presentation

The U.S. grid is rapidly transitioning towards utilizing inverter-based renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, and batteries, reducing the carbon emission footprint.Inverter-based microgrid control architectures remain a critical focus to address power system stability issues in future high penetration markets lacking spinning generation assets. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is researching an active layered inverter based frequency-Watt control scheme that provides distribution level stability in high-penetration markets where grid inertia is lacking. Hardware in the loop case study was implemented using INL’s Microgrid Testbed to combat scalable frequency deviations ranging from 60 Hz down to 50 Hz initialized by a hydropower model implementing step loads using a 540-kW grid emulator. Our research findings demonstrate the importance of distribution level, inverter-based active frequency-Watt controls utilizing a battery energy storage system (BESS) to provide adequate frequency support at the point of common coupling without major power infrastructure upgrades.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Hierarchical multi-time-scale predictive thermal management and fuel optimization for heavy-duty compression ignition engines

For heavy-duty diesel engines, NO X emissions reduction is strongly constrained by fuel efficiency. This paper presents a hierarchical model predictive controller (H-MPC) for coordinated control of tailpipe NO X emissions and fuel consumption. The H-MPC uses the separation of slow and fast dynamics that exist in the engine and its aftertreatment system. The controller is synthesized with an architecture in which a high-level MPC uses a longer prediction horizon compared to the low-level predictive controller which tracks the high-level controller command and manages the thermal dynamics of the aftertreatment system. Engine load preview enables the high-level controller to estimate the desired catalyst temperature ahead of time and addresses the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) slow thermal dynamics. Calculated by the high-level controller, the intake manifold pressure, and the start of injection (SOI) crank angle is used as reference trajectories in the low-level controller that regulates fast dynamical behaviors such as engine out NO X emissions. Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation of this integrated H-MPC on a rapid prototype controller shows that when the SCR catalyst temperature is above light-off temperature (warmed-up condition), the engine operation is shifted to operate with the best fuel economy since the warmed-up SCR can efficiently reduce the engine-out NO X emissions. Results indicate that up to 0.8% benefit in cycle averaged BSFC along with a 13% reduction in tailpipe NO X compared to a stock engine calibration can be achieved with the coordinated engine and aftertreatment system through H-MPC.

Engineering↗
NASA NTRS1971

Methods for reducing pollutant emissions from jet aircraft

Pollutant emissions from jet aircraft and combustion research aimed at reducing these emissions are defined. The problem of smoke formation and results achieved in smoke reduction from commercial combustors are discussed. Expermental results of parametric tests performed on both conventional and experimental combustors over a range of combustor-inlet conditions are presented. Combustor design techniques for reducing pollutant emissions are discussed. Improved fuel atomization resulting from the use of air-assist fuel nozzles has brought about significant reductions in hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions at idle. Diffuser tests have shown that the combustor-inlet airflow profile can be controlled through the use of diffuser-wall bleed and that it may thus be possible to reduce emissions by controlling combustor airflow distribution. Emissions of nitric oxide from a shortlength annular swirl-can combustor were significantly lower than those from a conventional combustor operating at similar conditions.

Butze, H. F.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Methods for reducing pollutant emissions from jet aircraft.

The purpose of this paper is to define the problem of pollutant emissions from jet aircraft and to review NASA-Lewis combustion research aimed at reducing these emissions. The problem of smoke formation and results achieved in smoke reduction from commercial combustors are discussed. Experimental results of parametric tests performed on both conventional and experimental combustors over a range of combustor-inlet conditions are presented. Combustor design techniques for reducing pollutant emissions are discussed. Improved fuel atomization resulting from the use of air-assist fuel nozzles has brought about significant reductions in hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions at idle. Diffuser tests have shown that the combustor-inlet airflow profile can be controlled through the use of diffuser-wall bleed and that it may thus be possible to reduce emissions by controlling combustor airflow distribution. Emissions of nitric oxide from a shortlength annular swirl-can combustor were significantly lower than those from a conventional combustor operating at similar conditions.

Butze, H. F.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Effect of fuel nitrogen and hydrogen content on emissions in hydrocarbon combustion

The results of an investigation of the effect of operating conditions and fuel properties on emission for the two-stage combustion of fuels with significant organic nitrogen content are presented. The way in which the emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide are affected by the decreased hydrogen content and the increased organic nitrogen content of coal-derived fuels is discussed. Limited measurements of smoke from the rich-lean combustion of simulated syncrude fuels indicate relatively high smoke emissions in spite of the very lean second-stage burning. This fact, together with the high observed carbon monoxide emissions, suggests that trade-offs will be necessary between the conditions that minimize NOx and those that control CO and smoke emissions.

Bittker, D. A.↗