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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

Intensified atomic utilization efficiency of single-atom catalysts for nitrate conversion via electrified nanoporous membrane

Conventional electrochemical reactors for nitrate reduction typically suffer from limited reaction efficiency when applied for real-world water treatment due to poor utilization of electrocatalytic active sites. Here, we applied nanoporous electrofiltration to intensify atomic utilization by incorporating single-atom catalysts into an electrified membrane for reducing low-concentration nitrate to ammonia under realistic water conditions. We enhance the exposure of single atoms in nanopores by coating the catalysts on a carbon nanotube–interwoven membrane framework. Electrofiltration intensifies the transport and adsorption of nitrate in confined nanopores with highly exposed single-atom active sites to enhance reduction. The membrane enables a superior ammonia turnover frequency of 15.1 grams of nitrogen per gram of metal per hour, up to four orders of magnitude higher than that reported in the literature, under both high removal efficiency and Faradaic efficiency of over 86% when treating influents with a low nitrate concentration of 100 milligrams of nitrogen per liter in a residence time on the order of seconds.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

An Approach to High-Performance Affordable Housing Using Point-Source Space Conditioning

This project explored the use of minisplit ductless heat pumps in combination with small through-wall transfer fans to provide space conditioning in small single-story homes, including manufactured homes and homes built by Habitat for Humanity. The objectives were to reduce space-conditioning energy consumption by 50% compared to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (ICC 2009) while maintaining home affordability and thermal comfort. The strategy to achieve this goal also included a highly efficient thermal envelope to reduce space-conditioning loads.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Effects of tip clearance on overall performance of transonic fan stage with and without casing treatment

The overall performance of a transonic fan stage is presented for various tip clearances, with and without casing treatment. The stage was tested with a solid casing, and with open skewed slots and closed skewed slots in the casing over the rotor blade tips. Four nominal nonrotating rotor blade tip clearances from 0.061 to 0.178 centimeter were used. For all three casings, the pressure ratio and efficiency decreased with increasing tip clearance. The stall margin for a given casing also decreased with increasing clearance. At design speed and a given tip clearance, the highest stall margin was obtained with the open-slot casing, and the lowest stall margin was obtained with the solid casing.

Moore, R. D.↗

Effect of casing treatment on performance of a two-stage high-pressure-ratio fan

A two-stage fan, previously tested with a solid casing, was tested with a casing with circumferential grooves over the tips of both rotors (casing treatment). Tests were conducted at 80 and 100 percent of design speed with uniform flow. The casing treatment improved the flow range and stall margin significantly without changing the characteristics overall performance curves of total-pressure and efficiency as functions of weight flow, other than extending them to lower weight flows.

Urasek, D. C.↗

GaAs shallow-homojunction solar cells

With the objective of demonstrating the feasibility of fabricating 2 x 2 cm efficient, shallow homojunction GaAs solar cells for space applications, this program addresses the basic problems of material preparation and device fabrication. Significant progress was made and conversion efficiencies close to 16 percent at AM0 were obtained on 2 x 2 cm cells. Measurements and computer analyses on the n(+)/p/p(+) shallow homojunction cells indicate that such cell configuration should be very resistant to 1 MeV electron irradiation.

Fan, J. C.↗

Control of large cryogenic tunnels

For the efficient and economic operation of large cryogenic wind tunnels, automatic control is necessary to precisely regulate the temperature, pressure, and Mach number. The features of the control system currently in operation at the U.S. National Transonic Facility are presented. Some unique features of the tunnel temperature control law are the automatic tunnel cool down utilizing structural temperature feedback and the fan power based liquid nitrogen nozzle switching logic that have played a key role in realizing good automatic tunnel control.

Balakrishna, S.↗

Performance of single-stage compressor designed on basis of constant total enthalpy with symmetrical velocity diagram at all radii and velocity ratio of 0.7 at rotor hub / Jack R. Burtt and Robert J. Jackson

A typical inlet axial-flow compressor inlet stage, which was designed on the basis of constant total enthalpy with symmetrical velocity diagram at all radii, was investigated. At a tip speed of 1126 feet per second, a peak pressure ratio of 1.28 was obtained at an efficiency of 0.76. At a tip speed, the highest practical flow was 28 pounds per second per square foot frontal area with an efficiency of 0.78. Data for a rotor relative inlet Mach number range of from 0.5 to 0.875 indicates that the critical value for any stage radial element is approximately 0.80 for the stage investigated.

FANS↗

Cold-air investigation of first stage of 4-1/2-stage, fan drive turbine with average stage-loading factor of 4.66

The design procedure and the development of the blading geometry for the 4 and 1/2 stage turbine are discussed. Results obtained with the first stage, operated as a single stage turbine, are presented. A free vortex design meets the design requirements without incurring problems such as excessive turning, negative reaction, or high Mach number. Cold air tests of the single stage turbine showed that the turbine developed design work (stage loading factor of 5.26) at an efficiency of 0.86, which was the efficiency predicted by a reference method. The mass flow at this condition was 0.88, which occurred at design speed and a pressure ratio of 1.407, corresponding to a stage loading factor of 4.35. The efficiency at this condition was 0.003 higher than that predicted by the reference method.

Whitney, W. J.↗

Application of an Aligned and Unaligned Signal Processing Technique to Investigate Tones and Broadband Noise in Fan and Contra-Rotating Open Rotor Acoustic Spectra

The study of noise from a two-shaft contra-rotating open rotor (CROR) is challenging since the shafts are not phase locked in most cases. Consequently, phase averaging of the acoustic data keyed to a single shaft rotation speed is not meaningful. An unaligned spectrum procedure that was developed to estimate a signal coherence threshold and reveal concealed spectral lines in turbofan engine combustion noise is applied to fan and CROR acoustic data in this paper (also available as NASA/TM-2015-218865). The NASA Advanced Air Vehicles Program, Advanced Air Transport Technology Project, Aircraft Noise Reduction Subproject supported the current work. The fan and open rotor data were obtained under previous efforts supported by the NASA Quiet Aircraft Technology (QAT) Project and the NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project of the Integrated Systems Research Program in collaboration with GE Aviation, respectively. The overarching goal of the Advanced Air Transport (AATT) Project is to explore and develop technologies and concepts to revolutionize the energy efficiency and environmental compatibility of fixed wing transport aircrafts. These technological solutions are critical in reducing the impact of aviation on the environment even as this industry and the corresponding global transportation system continue to grow.

Aeroacoustics↗

Construction of Nitrogen-abundant Graphyne Scaffolds via Mechanochemistry-Promoted Cross-Linking of Aromatic Nitriles with Carbide Toward Enhanced Energy Storage

The 2D graphyne-related scaffolds linked by carbon–carbon triple bonds have demonstrated promising applications in the field of catalysis and energy storage due to their unique features including high conductivity, permanent porosity, and electron-rich properties. However, the construction of related scaffolds is still mainly limited to the cross-linking of CaC 2 with multiple substituted aromatic halogens and there is still a lack of efficient methodology capable of introducing high-concentration heteroatoms within the architectures. The development of alternative and facile synthesis procedures to afford nitrogen-abundant graphyne materials is highly desirable yet challenging in the field of energy storage, particularly via the facile mechanochemical procedure under neat and ambient conditions. Here, in this study, graphyne materials with abundant nitrogen-containing species (nitrogen content of 6.9–29.3 wt.%), tunable surface areas (43–865 m 2 g -1 ), and hierarchical porosity are produced via the mechanochemistry-driven pathway by deploying highly electron-deficient multiple substituted aromatic nitriles as the precursors, which can undergo cross-linking reaction with CaC 2 to afford the desired nitrogen-doped graphyne scaffolds efficiently. Unique structural features of the as-synthesized materials contributed to promising performance in supercapacitor-related applications, delivering high capacitance of 254.5 F g -1 at 5 mV s -1 , attractive rate performance, and good long-term stability.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Reduced-order CFD modeling of cryogenic hydrogen isotope extrusion for pellet fueling

This study presents a reduced-order model (ROM) for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of cryogenic hydrogen isotope extrusions, focusing on protium (H₂) and deuterium (D₂) piston extruders. Using a 2D axisymmetric ROM in ANSYS-Polyflow, significant computational savings were achieved (runtime reduced from 9∼24 h to 3∼5 min), with extrusion force discrepancies between the 2D ROM and 3D models being on the order of 1%. Parametric studies identified optimal cutoff shear rates in the viscosity model (0.01/s for H₂ and 0.001/s for D₂), providing recommendations for future simulations. Finally, a comprehensive comparison of ROM results with experimental data was performed across varying geometries, cryogenic materials, temperatures, extrusion lengths, and piston velocities. Predictions at low extrusion temperatures met the objective of providing quick and efficient solutions with an acceptable extrusion force error of approximately 10% or less, validating the effectiveness of the 2D ROM approach. However, at high temperatures closer to the triple point, extrusion force error grows, which necessitates developing an improved model that accounts for temperature effects, e.g. melting. Nevertheless, the findings still represent a significant improvement in efficiency of CFD modeling of cryogenic hydrogenic extrusion. The ROM framework can also be extended to tritium (T2) and screw extruders, which will ultimately provide a fast and effective tool for optimizing pellet injector design for ITER and future reactor systems.

Fan, Joy [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000229751735)↗

Abstract for CRADA between NETL and West Virginia University Research Corporation

The National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) will collaborate with West Virginia University to develop and demonstrate a dynamically operated modular, microwave-enhanced catalytic process for the co-production of ammonia and olefins. Ammonia and olefins (e.g., ethylene) are the most widely produced chemicals in the U.S. by volume, but their processes are also the most carbon and energy intensive as they rely on fossil-based feedstocks and combustion of fossil fuels for heating. The project will leverage the unique ability of microwaves to intensify process heating by providing pulsed, targeted energy to active sites of a mixed catalyst bed to convert a mixture of CH 4 /N 2 into ethylene and ammonia. The collaboration will facilitate the development of microwave technology that has the potential to utilize distributed waste resources like shale gas or biogas as well as renewable electricity to produce these valuable chemicals. It is expected that the results will decarbonize chemical production by using renewable energy and waste feedstocks, improve efficiency by reducing unit operations (H 2 production), and de-risk microwave technology for chemical production by demonstrating long-term and dynamic operability. This project was funded by an award from the Department of Energy’s EERE IEDO.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Continuous-wave operation of a room-temperature, diode-laser-pumped, 946-nm Nd:YAG laser

Single-stripe diode-laser-pumped operation of a continuous-wave 946-nm Nd:YAG laser with less than 10-mW threshold has been demonstrated. A slope efficiency of 16 percent near threshold was shown with a projected slope efficiency well above a threshold of 34 percent based on results under Rhodamine 6G dye-laser pumping. Nonlinear crystals for second-harmonic generation of this source were evaluated. KNbO3 and periodically poled LiNbO3 appear to be the most promising.

Fan, T. Y.↗

Performance and Durability of Heavy-Duty Fuel Cell Systems with an Advanced Ordered Intermetallic ORR Alloy Catalyst and Novel Support

Ordered PtCo intermetallic (OIM) catalyst (L1 0 -PtCo/C) is a promising candidate as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst in hybrid fuel cell systems (FCS) for class-8 heavy duty (HD) trucks. Compared to a baseline annealed Pt on high surface area carbon (a-Pt/HSC) catalyst, its mass activity (MA) is 71% higher initially and 144% higher after 90,000 potential cycles in an accelerated stress test (AST). Analysis of the AST data indicates that the ORR kinetic constants do not change with aging and the degradation in the OIM catalyst activity is linearly proportional to the loss in the electrochemically active surface area (ECSA). Several operational strategies are investigated to mitigate catalyst degradation and achieve 25,000-h electrode lifetime and 2.5 kW g −1 Pt utilization on a HD truck duty cycle including load sharing with the hybrid battery, regulating the radiator fan power to maintain the coolant temperature close to 60 °C, clipping the maximum cell voltage below 850 mV, limiting the ECSA loss to 55%, and oversizing the active area of the membrane electrode assemblies by 20%. Drive cycle simulations indicate that the lifetime average voltage degradation rate is about 1.8 μV h −1 and the integrated stack and FCS drive cycle efficiencies decrease by 3.5 to 3.9%.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

NASA aeropropulsion research in support of propulsion systems of the 21st century

A review is given of the NASA's ongoing and planned research and technology programs leading to advanced air breathing propulsion systems of the next century. The primary focus is on efforts being performed or sponsored by NASA-Lewis, with emphasis on civil, subsonic, and supersonic transportation systems which should begin to enter service within 10 to 20 years. Subsonic transport propulsion program elements, including ducted UltraHigh Bypass (UHB) engines and high efficiency cores are discussed in terms of goals, technical issues and problems, approaches and plans. Similarly, The Supersonic Cruise Propulsion Program is reviewed via discussion of near term and far term goals; barrier issues such as NOx and noise reduction and the consequent Phase 1 (near term) research plans are described; and finally, emerging technologies such as the supersonic through-flow fan are considered for their potential long term impact.

Ziemianski, Joseph A.↗

Particle Acceleration in Magnetic Reconnection with Ad Hoc Pitch-angle Scattering

Particle acceleration during magnetic reconnection is a long-standing topic in space, solar, and astrophysical plasmas. Recent 3D particle-in-cell simulations of magnetic reconnection show that particles can leave flux ropes due to 3D field-line chaos, allowing particles to access additional acceleration sites, gain more energy through Fermi acceleration, and develop a power-law energy distribution. This 3D effect does not exist in traditional 2D simulations, where particles are artificially confined to magnetic islands due to their restricted motions across field lines. Full 3D simulations, however, are prohibitively expensive for most studies. Here, we attempt to reproduce 3D results in 2D simulations by introducing ad hoc pitch-angle scattering to a small fraction of the particles. We show that scattered particles are able to transport out of 2D islands and achieve more efficient Fermi acceleration, leading to a significant increase of energetic particle flux. We also study how the scattering frequency influences the nonthermal particle spectra. This study helps achieve a complete picture of particle acceleration in magnetic reconnection.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Quiet Clean Short-haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE): Hamilton Standard cam/harmonic drive variable pitch fan actuation system detail design report

A variable pitch fan actuation system was designed which incorporates a remote nacelle-mounted blade angle regulator. The regulator drives a rotating fan-mounted mechanical actuator through a flexible shaft and differential gear train. The actuator incorporates a high ratio harmonic drive attached to a multitrack spherical cam which changes blade pitch through individual cam follower arms attached to each blade trunnion. Detail design parameters of the actuation system are presented. These include the following: design philosophies, operating limits, mechanical, hydraulic and thermal characteristics, mechanical efficiencies, materials, weights, lubrication, stress analyses, reliability and failure analyses.

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