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At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2014

Humic Acid Complexation of Th, Hf and Zr in Ligand Competition Experiments: Metal Loading and Ph Effects

The mobility of metals in soils and subsurface aquifers is strongly affected by sorption and complexation with dissolved organic matter, oxyhydroxides, clay minerals, and inorganic ligands. Humic substances (HS) are organic macromolecules with functional groups that have a strong affinity for binding metals, such as actinides. Thorium, often studied as an analog for tetravalent actinides, has also been shown to strongly associate with dissolved and colloidal HS in natural waters. The effects of HS on the mobilization dynamics of actinides are of particular interest in risk assessment of nuclear waste repositories. Here, we present conditional equilibrium binding constants (Kc, MHA) of thorium, hafnium, and zirconium-humic acid complexes from ligand competition experiments using capillary electrophoresis coupled with ICP-MS (CE- ICP-MS). Equilibrium dialysis ligand exchange (EDLE) experiments using size exclusion via a 1000 Damembrane were also performed to validate the CE-ICP-MS analysis. Experiments were performed at pH 3.5-7 with solutions containing one tetravalent metal (Th, Hf, or Zr), Elliot soil humic acid (EHA) or Pahokee peat humic acid (PHA), and EDTA. CE-ICP-MS and EDLE experiments yielded nearly identical binding constants for the metal- humic acid complexes, indicating that both methods are appropriate for examining metal speciation at conditions lower than neutral pH. We find that tetravalent metals form strong complexes with humic acids, with Kc, MHA several orders of magnitude above REE-humic complexes. Experiments were conducted at a range of dissolved HA concentrations to examine the effect of [HA]/[Th] molar ratio on Kc, MHA. At low metal loading conditions (i.e. elevated [HA]/[Th] ratios) the ThHA binding constant reached values that were not affected by the relative abundance of humic acid and thorium. The importance of [HA]/[Th] molar ratios on constraining the equilibrium of MHA complexation is apparent when our estimated Kc, MHA values attained at very low metal loading conditions are compared to existing literature data. Overall, experimental data suggest that the tetravalent transition metal/-actinide-humic acid complexation is important over a wide range of pH values, including mildly acidic conditions, and thus, these complexes should be included in speciation models.

humic acid↗
NASA NTRS1993

Microscopic iron metal on glass and minerals - A tool for studying regolith maturity

A novel method of producing mixtures of glass or minerals with iron metal is presented. A portion of the Fe(2+) in basaltic glass and minerals can be reduced to metal in a few hours at 1100 C and an oxygen fugacity well below the iron-wustite buffer. Part of the iron metals forms rounded submicrometer blebs on the surfaces and in some cases within the grains. A concentration of such blebs equivalent to 20-30 percent of a grain's surface area can totally dominate the reflectance spectra of basaltic glass, pyroxene, and olivine. The production of optically opaque iron metal blebs, combined with the decline in Fe(2+), affects the glass and mineral reflectance spectra in three ways: by lowering the overall reflectivity, reducing the spectral contrast of absorption features, and producing a continuum with a general rise in reflectivity toward longer wavelengths.

Allen, C. C.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Interaction of Porosity with an Advancing Solid/Liquid Interface: a Real-Time Investigation

Problems associated with formation of porosity during solidification continue to have a daily impact on the metal forming industry. Several past investigations have dealt with the nucleation and growth aspects of porosity. However, investigations related to the interaction of porosity with that of a solidification front has been limited mostly to organic analogues. In this paper we report on real time experimental observations of such interactions in metal alloys. Using a state of the art X-Ray Transmission Microscope (XTM) we have been able to observe and record the dynamics of the interaction. This includes distortion of the solid/liquid interface near a poro.sity, solute segr,egation patterns surrounding a porosity and the change in shape of the porosity during interaction with an advancing solid/liquid interface. Results will be presented for different Al alloys and growth conditions. The experimental data will be compared to theory using a recently developed 2D numerical model. The model employs a finite difference approach where the solid/liquid interface is defined through the points at which the interface intersects the grid lines. The transport variables are calculated at these points and the motion of the solidification front is determined by the magnitude of the transport variables. The model accounts for the interplay of the thermal and solutal field and the influence of capilarity to predict the shape of the solid/liquid interface with time in the vicinity of porosity. One can further calculate the perturbation of the solutal field by the presence of porosity in the melt.

Sen, S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Iron and alloys of iron

All lunar soil contains iron in the metallic form, mostly as an iron-nickel alloy in concentrations of a few tenths of 1 percent. Some of this free iron can be easily separated by magnetic means. It is estimated that the magnetic separation of 100,000 tons of lunar soil would yield 150-200 tons of iron. Agglutinates contain metallic iron which could be extracted by melting and made into powder metallurgy products. The characteristics and potential uses of the pure-iron and iron-alloy lunar products are discussed. Processes for working iron that might be used in a nonterrestrial facility are also addressed.

Sastri, Sankar↗
NASA NTRS2006

Electron Beam Brazing of Titanium for Construction in Space

An extended presence of humans in space requires an in-situ capability to construct various permanent structures to support scientific research, power generation, communication, radiation shielding and other functions. Electron Beam (EB) vacuum brazing has been identified as one of the best joining processes for in-space joining, particular for making a large quantity of permanent joints as required for construction of the sizeable truss structures. Thin wall titanium tubes are perhaps the best choice because of their high stiffness, excellent strength-to-weight ratio and great metal forming and joining ability. An innovative EB vacuum spot brazing process is being developed at Goddard Space Flight Center to be used for robotic as well as human-assisted construction in space. This paper describes experimental results obtained during the initial effort of EB brazing of titanium tubes with the special emphasis on low temperature aluminum filler metals.

Flom, Yury↗
NASA NTRS2012

Chondritic Models of 4 Vesta: Comparison of Data from the Dawn Mission with Predicted Internal Structure and Surface Composition/Mineralogy

While the HEDs provide an extremely useful basis for interpreting data from the Dawn mission, there is no guarantee that they provide a complete vision of all possible crustal (and possibly mantle) lithologies that are exposed at the surface of Vesta. With this in mind, an alternative approach is to identify plausible bulk compositions and use mass-balance and geochemical modelling to predict possible internal structures and crust/mantle compositions and mineralogies. While such models must be consistent with known HED samples, this approach has the potential to extend predictions to thermodynamically plausible rock types that are not necessarily present in the HED collection. Nine chondritic bulk compositions are considered (CI, CV, CO, CM, H, L, LL, EH, EL). For each, relative proportions and densities of the core, mantle, and crust are quantified. This calculation is complicated by the fact that iron may occur in metallic form (in the core) and/or in oxidized form (in the mantle and crust). However, considering that the basaltic crust has the composition of Juvinas and assuming that this crust is in thermodynamic equilibrium with the residual mantle, it is possible to calculate a single solution to this problem for a given bulk composition. Of the nine bulk compositions tested, solutions corresponding to CI and LL groups predicted a negative metal fraction and were not considered further. Solutions for enstatite chondrites imply significant oxidation relative to the starting materials and these solutions too are considered unlikely. For the remaining bulk compositions, the relative proportion of crust to bulk silicate is typically in the range 15 to 20% corresponding to crustal thicknesses of 15 to 20 km for a porosity-free Vesta-sized body. The mantle is predicted to be largely dominated by olivine (greater than 85%) for carbonaceous chondrites, but to be a roughly equal mixture of olivine and pyroxene for ordinary chondrite precursors. All bulk compositions have a significant core, but the relative proportions of metal and sulphide can be widely different. Using these data, total core size (metal+ sulphide) and average core densities can be calculated, providing a useful reference frame within which to consider geophysical/gravity data of the Dawn mission. Further to these mass-balance calculations, the MELTS thermodynamic calculator has been used to assess to what extent chondritic bulk compositions can produce Juvinas-like liquids at relevant degrees of partial melting/crystallization. This work will refine acceptable bulk compositions and predict the mineralogy and composition of the associated solid and liquid products over wide ranges of partial melting and crystallization, providing a useful and self-consistent reference frame for interpretation of the data from the VIR and GRaND instruments onboard the Dawn spacecraft.

Toplis, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Ultrasonic Low-Friction Containment Plate for Thermal and Ultrasonic Stir Weld Processes

The thermal stir welding (TSW) process is finding applications in fabrication of space vehicles. In this process, workpieces to be joined by TSW are drawn, by heavy forces, between "containment plates," past the TSW tool that then causes joining of the separate plates. It is believed that the TSW process would be significantly improved by reducing the draw force, and that this could be achieved by reducing the friction forces between the workpieces and containment plates. Based on use of high-power ultrasonics in metal forming processes, where friction reduction in drawing dies has been achieved, it is believed that ultrasonic vibrations of the containment plates could achieve similar friction reduction in the TSW process. By applying ultrasonic vibrations to the containment plates in a longitudinal vibration mode, as well as by mounting and holding the containment plates in a specific manner such as to permit the plates to acoustically float, friction between the metal parts and the containment plates is greatly reduced, and so is the drawing force. The concept was to bring in the ultrasonics from the sides of the plates, permitting the ultrasonic hardware to be placed to the side, away from the equipment that contains the thermal stir tooling and that applies clamping forces to the plates. Tests demonstrated that one of the major objectives of applying ultrasonics to the thermal stir system, that of reducing draw force friction, should be achievable on a scaled-up system.

Graff, Karl↗
DOE OSTI2025

Benchmark Gap Assessment for the Manufacturing of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium Fuels

This document develops basic critical conditions for spheres—moderated and unmoderated, as well as reflected and unreflected—in consideration of nuclear criticality safety of a potential fuel production facility producing high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel of several different types like tristructural-isotropic (TRISO), uranium metal and alloys, oxide and non-metallic forms. In addition to spherical arrangements, TRISO particle manufacturing process–specific equipment is modeled as it would be for the criticality safety analysis. The objective is to develop representative systems that can then be used for comparison with existing benchmarks. SCALE/TSUNAMI is used to assess the similarity index between these systems to assess validation gaps for possible fuel production applications of proposed advanced reactors. Several different fuel types were evaluated, including TRISO, uranium metal, uranium molybdenum, uranium zirconium, uranium dioxide, uranium nitride, uranium hydride, U-ZrH, and uranium chloride. This selection of fuel types covers a breadth of proposed reactor types, as well as intermediate steps in the production and fabrication of the fuel

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1977

Reactions between NO/+/ and metal atoms using magnetically confined afterglows

A new method of studying thermal energy ion-neutral collision processes involving nongaseous neutral atoms is described. A long magnetic field produced by a solenoid in a vacuum chamber confines a thermal-energy plasma generated by photoionization of gas at very low pressure. As the plasma moves toward the end of the field, it is crossed by a metal atom beam. Ionic products of ion-atom reactions are trapped by the field and both the reactant and product ions move to the end of the magnetic field where they are detected by a quadrupole mass filter. The cross sections for charge transfer between NO(+) and Na, Mg, Ca, and Sr and that for rearrangement between NO(+) and Ca have been obtained. The charge-transfer reaction is found strongly dominant over the rearrangement reaction that forms metallic oxide ions.

Lo, H. H.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Sulfur Saturation Limits in Silicate Melts and their Implications for Core Formation Scenarios for Terrestrial Planets

This study explores the controls of temperature, pressure, and silicate melt composition on S solubility in silicate liquids. The solubility of S in FeO-containing silicate melts in equilibrium with metal sulfide increases significantly with increasing temperature but decreases with increasing pressure. The silicate melt structure also exercises a control on S solubility. Increasing the degree of polymerization of the silicate melt structure lowers the S solubility in the silicate liquid. The new set of experimental data is used to expand the model of Mavrogenes and O'Neill(1999) for S solubility in silicate liquids by incorporating the influence of the silicate melt structure. The expected S solubility in the ascending magma is calculated using the expanded model. Because the negative pressure dependence of S solubility is more influential than the positive temperature dependence, decompression and adiabatic ascent of a formerly S-saturated silicate magma will lead to S undersaturation. A primitive magma that is S-saturated in its source region will, therefore, become S-undersaturated as it ascends to shallower depth. In order to precipitate magmatic sulfides, the magma must first cool and undergo fractional crystallization to reach S saturation. The S content in a metallic liquid that is in equilibrium with a magma ocean that contains approx. 200 ppm S (i.e., Earth's bulk mantle S content) ranges from 5.5 to 12 wt% S. This range of S values encompasses the amount of S (9 to 12 wt%) that would be present in the outer core if S is the light element. Thus, the Earth's proto-mantle could be in equilibrium (in terms of the preserved S abundance) with a core-forming metallic phase.

Holzheid, Astrid↗
DOE OSTI2025

Effect of thermal oxidation on helium implanted pure iron

The impact of thermal oxidation on Helium (He) implanted pure iron (Fe) was investigated to experimentally evaluate how thermal oxidation influences the diffusion and distribution of He within the material. In case of the sample with the lowest dose (2 × 10 17 ions/cm 2 ), the thinnest oxide layer was observed compared to the non-implanted pure Fe. It is due to He nano bubbles implanted in the material, which hinder the diffusion of Fe ions necessary for forming the oxide layer. For the medium dose sample (5 × 10 17 ions/cm 2 ), the oxide layer was slightly thicker than that of the lowest dose, however it had more porous structure due to the numerous nano He bubbles. In addition, a large bubble region around 150–200 nm depth was generated. Here, the highest dose sample (1 × 10 18 ions/cm 2 ) was observed that the escape of He was accelerated by the large amount of nano He bubbles from within the metal, forming a porous Fe matrix on the top surface and an oxide layer that is very porous but thicker than those of lower doses.

He implantation↗
DOE OSTI2024

First principles density functional theory study of tritium species adsorption on Ni(111) surface and diffusion in nickel-sublayer for tritium storage

The nickel-plated zircaloy-4 is used as a tritium ( 3 H) getter in the tritium-producing burnable absorber rods (TPBARs) to capture 3 H produced in the 6 Li-riched annular γ-LiAlO 2 pellet under neutron irradiation. The experimental data and our previous theoretical results showed that the 3 H species produced from the γ-LiAlO 2 pellet were mainly 3 H 2 and 3 H 2 O. These 3 H species diffuse from the surface of the LiAlO 2 pellet across vacuum to the nickel-plated zircaloy-4 getter and then further diffuse into the getter to chemically form metal hydrides. While a number of studies show that oxygen binds strongly as compared to 3 H on the nickel (Ni) layer, the detailed mechanism of 3 H species absorption and diffusion across the Ni plate and Ni/Zr interface are still unclear. By employing density functional theory calculations, here we explored the 3 H 2 and 3 H 2 O species adsorption and dissociation on the Ni(111) surface and diffusion into the Ni sublayer. Our results indicated that the 3 H 2 and 3 H 2 O dissociate on the Ni(111) surface. The NiO x and Ni(O 3 H) x could be formed in the Ni layer due to the higher oxygen (O) diffusion energy barrier and formation of Ni vacancy defects. The oxygen was found to be retained in the Ni layer from diffusing across the Ni–Zr interface. This was revealed by comparing the diffusion barriers for 3 H with O. 3 H was found to have nearly three times smaller diffusion barrier than for O, making 3 H comparatively easier to diffuse through the Ni layer. In conclusion, the obtained results provide guidelines for experimental measurements on 3 H retention behavior in TPBARs and may open further avenues to explore the impurity effects on 3 H diffusion and storage at the Ni/zircaloy interfaces.

Tafen, De Nyago [National Energy Technology Lab. (↗
NASA NTRS1999

Vibration-Induced Droplet Atomization

Thermal management is critical to a number of technologies used in a microgravity environment and in Earth-based systems. Examples include electronic cooling, power generation systems, metal forming and extrusion, and HVAC (heating, venting, and air conditioning) systems. One technique that can deliver the large heat fluxes required for many of these technologies is two-phase heat transfer. This type of heat transfer is seen in the boiling or evaporation of a liquid and in the condensation of a vapor. Such processes provide very large heat fluxes with small temperature differences. Our research program is directed toward the development of a new, two-phase heat transfer cell for use in a microgravity environment. In this paper, we consider the main technology used in this cell, a novel technique for the atomization of a liquid called vibration-induced droplet atomization. In this process, a small liquid droplet is placed on a thin metal diaphragm that is made to vibrate by an attached piezoelectric transducer. The vibration induces capillary waves on the free surface of the droplet that grow in amplitude and then begin to eject small secondary droplets from the wave crests. In some situations, this ejection process develops so rapidly that the entire droplet seems to burst into a small cloud of atomized droplets that move away from the diaphragm at speeds of up to 50 cm/s. By incorporating this process into a heat transfer cell, the active atomization and transport of the small liquid droplets could provide a large heat flux capability for the device. Experimental results are presented that document the behavior of the diaphragm and the droplet during the course of a typical bursting event. In addition, a simple mathematical model is presented that qualitatively reproduces all of the essential features we have seen in a burst event. From these two investigations, we have shown that delayed droplet bursting results when the system passes through a resonance condition. This occurs when the initial acceleration of the diaphragm is higher than the critical acceleration and the driving frequency is larger than the initial resonance frequency of the diaphragm-droplet system. We have incorporated this droplet atomization device into a design for a new heat transfer cell for use in a microgravity environment. The cell is essentially a cylindrical container with a hot surface on one end and a cold surface on the other. The vibrating diaphragm is mounted in the center of the cold surface. Heat transfer occurs through droplet evaporation and condensation on the hot and cold ends of the cell. A prototype of this heat transfer cell has been built and tested. It can operate continuously and provides a modest level of heat transfer, about 20 W/sq cm. Our work during the next few years will be to optimize the design of this cell to see if we can produce a device that has significantly better performance than conventional heat exchangers and heat pipes.

Smith, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1966

Sheet metal strip unrolls to form circular boom

Preformed metal strip, coiled flat on a storage drum, unrolls to form a cylindrical boom. Tabs and slots on opposite sides of the strip interlock to form a continuous circular cross section. This retractable boom can be used as a spacecraft antenna, gravity gradient, or positioning device.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1988

Auger electron spectroscopy of contrast-forming layers on metals

As shown by Auger electron spectroscopy, the layers formed during contrasting metallographic polished Cu and Ni with an apparatus using intense electron bombardment consist of metal sputtered from the Au, Fe, or Pb cathode. This layer takes up oxygen from the residual atmosphere. The mechanism of contrast enhancement is the same as that of vapor-deposited interference layers.

Hoffmann, Siegfried↗
DOE OSTI2025

Hygroscopic Metal-Complex Coated Metal Foam for Moisture Management

Moisture management for improving indoor air quality is critical for health and thermal comfort. Recently, the use of desiccant-coated heat exchangers (HXs) has emerged as a promising dehumidification approach to reduce energy consumption as compared with conventional vapor compression-based air dehumidification. The desiccant material is a key component of dehumidification performance. However, currently used desiccant materials have a low moisture uptake capability and require a high temperature for regeneration. The current study investigated the dehumidification performance of a metal-complex-based hygroscopic desiccant-coated metal foam HX. Furthermore, the results revealed that the desiccant-coated foams display increased hydrophilicity compared with the uncoated metal surfaces. Additionally, the desiccant coating had superior moisture absorption capability of more than 2 g/g desiccant , which is much higher than commonly used zeolite and silica gels. Wind tunnel experiments showed that the coating absorbs moisture from humid air and can be effectively regenerated at low temperatures. Additionally, the coating did not increase the pressure drop of the HX. Overall, the results of this study suggest that this desiccant-coated metal form can potentially be used for moisture management in the building sector.

Atmospheric chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2025

Unsupported and carbon-supported silver catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media

Quick and easy Ag catalysts preparation via wet chemical synthesis method using only reducing agent (pure-Ag); reducing agent and citric acid as the capping agent (Ag-CA); and carbon support (KetjenBlack 600J), capping agent, and the reducing agent (Ag/C) is demonstrated. The Ag-based electrocatalysts are characterized by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrocatalytic activity of Ag catalysts for O 2 reduction reaction (ORR) in 1 M KOH is evaluated using the rotating (ring)-disc electrode method. SEM and HAADF-STEM results show that the unsupported pure-Ag and Ag-CA catalysts consist mainly of big agglomerates, and Ag/C has the smallest agglomerates and some sub-3 nm Ag nanoparticles. The XPS results reveal that Ag in all the catalysts is in the metallic form (Ag 0 ). Despite consisting of big agglomerates, the Ag-CA catalyst exhibits similar ORR electrocatalytic activity to that of Ag/C. Ag-CA (unsupported) shows the lowest hydrogen peroxide yield. These results are of great importance for the development of Ag-based catalysts that can be prepared in a fast, simple and easily up scalable fashion, for anion exchange membrane fuel cells.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Thermochemical measurements of FeCl 2 in LiCl via electromotive force, coulometric titration, and cyclic voltammetry

The thermochemical properties of FeCl 2 in the LiCl-FeCl 2 binary system were determined at 913 K using electromotive force (emf) cells containing pre-made and coulometrically titrated molten salt compositions. Coulometric titration to in-situ change the salt composition utilizes the multiple valences of Fe ions and the tendency of Fe 3+ ions to comproportionate with Fe metal, forming additional Fe 2+ . The emf results were used to define the compositions in which Henry’s law is applicable, up to approximately 2 mol% FeCl 2 . Thermochemical quantities were determined from emf using a Standard Lithium Chloride Electrode (SLiCE) which defines 0 V as the reduction of Li + in pure LiCl at all temperatures. Validation of emf measurements was performed by comparing the formal potential measured by using cyclic voltammetry (2.224 ± 0.013 V vs SLiCE) and emf measurements (2.236 ± 0.004 V). In conclusion, this work shows that coulometric titration of an electroactive species that undergoes comproportionation can be used to rapidly obtain granular emf data in molten salt systems.

Coulometric titration↗