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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 613 records · Page 34
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Plasticizer-Free Gradient-Crosslinked Polyurethane Electrolyte for Room-Temperature Solid-State Lithium Batteries

Polymer-based solid-state electrolytes are promising for next-generation lithium metal batteries, yet their limited ionic conductivity and mechanical stability at ambient conditions remain key challenges. Herein, we report a novel gradient crosslinked polymer electrolyte (PU/PUA/PU) synthesized via a sequential in situ UV-curing process that integrates a mechanically robust polyurethane acrylate (PUA) core with soft linear polyurethane (PU) interfaces. This all-solid membrane operates without any liquid plasticizer and the interfacial PU layers ensure low interfacial resistance and intimate electrode contact, while the PUA core provides enhanced dimensional stability and dendrite suppression. As a result, the gradient electrolyte delivers an impressive ∼2.6 × 10 −4 S cm −1 ionic conductivity at 25 °C (two orders of magnitude higher than conventional PEO) and remains electrochemically stable >5 V (vs Li + /Li). Structural analysis confirms the formation of a well-defined crosslinked network with suppressed crystallinity and expanded interchain spacing. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) further validate these properties. When applied in a Li||NMC811 cell, the PU/PUA/PU electrolyte delivers stable cycling with high capacity at both 60 °C and 25 °C, demonstrating its potential for room-temperature solid-state battery applications without reliance on plasticizers or heating. In conclusion, this gradient design offers a practical path toward ambient-condition operation of solid-state lithium batteries, providing a paradigm for overcoming the traditional trade-off between ionic conductivity and mechanical robustness.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Nir/ai Identification Of Waste Plastics

The program reads a near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectrum from an item of plastic waste, and identifies the type of plastic using an AI model. The spectra and results are displayed to the operator, and recorded in a database.

Bonebright, PatrickN [Idaho National Laboratory (I↗
DOE OSTI2023

plastic-abm [SWR 23-74]

The plastic agent-based model (ABM) built with the MESA python library simulates agents decisions to recycle plastic waste according to an extended version of the theory of planned behavior.

Walzberg, Julien↗
DOE OSTI2023

Low-velocity repeated impact behaviors of Polymer Fiber Reinforced Plastics (PFRPs)

Modern fiber-reinforced composites have become ubiquitous across multiple industries due to their excellent weight-to-strength ratio. Typically glass or carbon fibers are widely used. While Glass or Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastics (GFPRs or CFPRs) have good stiffness, strength, and fatigue life, they are expensive and difficult to recycle. Researchers are exploring Polymer Fiber-Reinforced Plastics (PFRPs) as an alternative solution. PFRPs utilize polymer fibers and a polymer matrix. A wide range of materials options is available, including low-cost thermoplastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene. These thermoplastics are easy to handle and recyclable without special methods. Manufacturing parts using thermoplastics are well-established as well. However, their mechanical performances have not been extensively studied compared to GFRPs or CFRPs. This study examines the low-velocity impact resistance of PFRPs made of different thermoplastics. The low-velocity impacts are applied through a drop-weight tower. The experiment is divided into two cases: a single perforation impact and low-energy repeated impacts. Energy absorption and the number of impacts to failure are measured. The results are compared to traditional CFRPs which have a thermoset matrix. The PFRPs demonstrate energy absorption capabilities comparable to or greater than those of CFRPs with respect to specimen thickness and density. Additionally, the PFRPs show significantly higher impacts-to-failure than the CFRPs in low-energy repeated impact tests. This is particularly noteworthy considering that the PFRPs are much simpler and more economical to manufacture than CFRPs. To further

Ko, Seunghyun↗
DOE OSTI2023

Resolving intragranular stress fields in plastically deformed titanium using point-focused high-energy diffraction microscopy

Abstract The response of a polycrystalline material to a mechanical load depends not only on the response of each individual grain, but also on the interaction with its neighbors. These interactions lead to local, intragranular stress concentrations that often dictate the initiation of plastic deformation and consequently the macroscopic stress–strain behavior. However, very few experimental studies have quantified intragranular stresses across bulk, three-dimensional volumes. In this work, a synchrotron X-ray diffraction technique called point-focused high-energy diffraction microscopy (pf-HEDM) is used to characterize intragranular deformation across a bulk, plastically deformed, polycrystalline titanium specimen. The results reveal the heterogenous stress distributions within individual grains and across grain boundaries, a stress concentration between a low and high Schmid factor grain pair, and a stress gradient near an extension twinning boundary. This work demonstrates the potential for the future use of pf-HEDM for understanding the local deformation associated with networks of grains and informing mesoscale models. Graphical abstract

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Discovering New Biodegradable Plastics [Slides]

Single use conventional plastics are extremely durable, rarely recycled and a source of pollution in nature. We help discover new biodegradable plastics to replace the highly polluting ones!

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Achieving high-ZT in Te/Se-based thermoelectric materials via volume-constrained shear-induced plastic deformation

This study investigated the correlation between severe plastic deformation and microstructural evolution, along with the corresponding response in the thermoelectric performance. Specifically, severe plastic deformation introduced into intrinsically brittle thermoelectric materials like Bi 2 Te 3 - x Se x leads to microstructural changes ranging from nano- to micro- scales, including phase transformation, phase segregation, and stacking faults. The resultant residual strain and lattice defects in the Bi 2 Te 3-x Se x materials led to engineering of electronic bands, which increases the effective mass of electrons while controlling their concentration, thereby enhancing the power factor.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microwave-Assisted Catalytic Gasification of Various Biomass with Mixed Plastic Wastes for H2-Rich Syngas Production

Co-gasification of plastics mixture with biomass has shown synergistic effects in Microwave (MW) reactor resulting in higher H2-rich syngas yield and reduced char/tar. This study investigates a microwave-assisted catalytic gasification of variable feedstock such as various biomass blended with mixed plastics waste using Fe-based catalyst to produce H2 rich syngas as a primary product.

catalysis, biomass gasification↗
DOE OSTI2025

Plastic Additive, Sorbent-Coated, Thermally Integrated Contactor for CO 2 Capture (PLASTIC4CO2) (Final Report)

Final report for Plastic Additive, Sorbent-Coated, Thermally Integrated Contactor for CO2 Capture (PLASTIC4CO2) DE-FE-0032132. The goal of the work was to investigate at a technology readiness level of 3 (TRL 3), the proof of concept of an additively printed plastic 2-channel heat exchanger/sorbent contactor system to achieve a 15% lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) than a baseline liquid phase amine adsorber system for 90% and 95% capture of CO 2 from both a 7F02 2x1CC and 7HA02 2x1CC natural gas turbines.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2024

On the Onset of Plasticity

The onset of plasticity can be assessed and related to ensuing plastic deformation up to the structural instability using one constitutive relationship that incorporates both behaviors of rapid work hardening (Stage 3) and the asymptotic leveling of stress (Stage 4). Results are presented wherein the work hardening variation of Stages 3 and 4 are found to be dependent through a constitutive relationship and useful in a Hall-Petch formulation of strength.

Jankowski, Alan F.↗
DOE OSTI2026

New Enzymes for Plastics Recycling from Biosensor-Guided Evolution and Machine Learning: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-23-24335

The Agile BioFoundry (ABF) is a consortium of national laboratories dedicated to accelerating biomanufacturing and enabling the bioeconomy. The ABF operates a flexible biotechnology platform that can adjust to the needs of numerous government, academic, and industrial partners, thus enabling them to rapidly develop and optimize the production of a wide range of bioproducts. In this project, the ABF partnered with Birch Biosciences, Inc. to use ABF technology to assist in the development of high-performance enzymes that enable circular, sustainable recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) plastics. A primary goal of this project is to enable cost-effective, high yield, sustainable recycling of PET plastic packaging products.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Selective consolidation of learning and memory via recall-gated plasticity

In a variety of species and behavioral contexts, learning and memory formation recruits two neural systems, with initial plasticity in one system being consolidated into the other over time. Moreover, consolidation is known to be selective; that is, some experiences are more likely to be consolidated into long-term memory than others. Here, we propose and analyze a model that captures common computational principles underlying such phenomena. The key component of this model is a mechanism by which a long-term learning and memory system prioritizes the storage of synaptic changes that are consistent with prior updates to the short-term system. This mechanism, which we refer to as recall-gated consolidation, has the effect of shielding long-term memory from spurious synaptic changes, enabling it to focus on reliable signals in the environment. We describe neural circuit implementations of this model for different types of learning problems, including supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and autoassociative memory storage. These implementations involve synaptic plasticity rules modulated by factors such as prediction accuracy, decision confidence, or familiarity. We then develop an analytical theory of the learning and memory performance of the model, in comparison to alternatives relying only on synapse-local consolidation mechanisms. We find that recall-gated consolidation provides significant advantages, substantially amplifying the signal-to-noise ratio with which memories can be stored in noisy environments. We show that recall-gated consolidation gives rise to a number of phenomena that are present in behavioral learning paradigms, including spaced learning effects, task-dependent rates of consolidation, and differing neural representations in short- and long-term pathways.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Selective consolidation of learning and memory via recall-gated plasticity

In a variety of species and behavioral contexts, learning and memory formation recruits two neural systems, with initial plasticity in one system being consolidated into the other over time. Moreover, consolidation is known to be selective; that is, some experiences are more likely to be consolidated into long-term memory than others. Here, we propose and analyze a model that captures common computational principles underlying such phenomena. The key component of this model is a mechanism by which a long-term learning and memory system prioritizes the storage of synaptic changes that are consistent with prior updates to the short-term system. This mechanism, which we refer to as recall-gated consolidation, has the effect of shielding long-term memory from spurious synaptic changes, enabling it to focus on reliable signals in the environment. We describe neural circuit implementations of this model for different types of learning problems, including supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and autoassociative memory storage. These implementations involve synaptic plasticity rules modulated by factors such as prediction accuracy, decision confidence, or familiarity. We then develop an analytical theory of the learning and memory performance of the model, in comparison to alternatives relying only on synapse-local consolidation mechanisms. We find that recall-gated consolidation provides significant advantages, substantially amplifying the signal-to-noise ratio with which memories can be stored in noisy environments. We show that recall-gated consolidation gives rise to a number of phenomena that are present in behavioral learning paradigms, including spaced learning effects, task-dependent rates of consolidation, and differing neural representations in short- and long-term pathways.

Lindsey, Jack W. (ORCID:0000000309307327)↗
NASA NTRS1969

Microwave interferometer controls cutting depth of plastics

Microwave interferometer system controls the cutting of plastic materials to a prescribed depth. The interferometer is mounted on a carriage with a spindle and cutting tool. A cross slide, mounted on the carriage, allows the interferometer and cutter to move toward or away from the plastic workpiece.

Heisman, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1969

Conductive plastics

Electrically conductive plastics fabrication and applications limitations, discussing plastic matrix materials loaded with various conductive fillers

Litant, I.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Development, fabrication and testing of a magnetically connected plastic vacuum probe surface sampler

The sampler utilizes permanent magnets and soft metal pole pieces to connect the cone/filter assembly to the sampling head and vacuum supply. The cone/filter assembly is packaged in a plastic container and presterilized so that the need for any human contact during the sampling procedure is completely eliminated. Microbiological tests have demonstrated that the sampling efficiency is not affected by the magnetic coupling apparatus and that the probe appears to function as efficiently as the conventional plastic and Sandia vacuum probes.

Phillips, G. B.↗