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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 721 records · Page 40
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Redox-active on-surface polymerization of single-site divalent cations from pure metals by a ketone-functionalized phenanthroline

Metallic iron, chromium, or platinum mixing with a ketone-functionalized phenanthroline ligand on a single crystal gold surface demonstrates redox activity to a well-defined oxidation state and assembly into thermally stable, one dimensional, polymeric chains. The diverging ligand geometry incorporates redox-active sub-units and bi-dentate binding sites. The gold surface provides a stable adsorption environment and directs growth of the polymeric chains, but is inert with regard to the redox chemistry. These systems are characterized by scanning tunnelling microscopy, non-contact atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy under ultra-high vacuum conditions. The relative propensity of the metals to interact with the ketone group is examined, and it is found that Fe and Cr more readily complex the ligand than Pt. The formation and stabilization of well-defined transition metal single-sites at surfaces may open new routes to achieve higher selectivity in heterogeneous catalysts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Vibrational spectra of CO adsorbed on oxide thin films: A tool to probe the surface defects and phase changes of oxide thin films

Thin films of iron oxide were grown on Pt(111) single crystals using cycles of physical vapor deposition of iron followed by oxidative annealing in an ultrahigh vacuum apparatus. Two procedures were utilized for film growth of ∼15–30 ML thick films, where both procedures involved sequential deposition+oxidation cycles. In procedure 1, the iron oxide film was fully grown via sequential deposition+oxidation cycles, and then the fully grown film was exposed to a CO flux equivalent to 8 × 10{sup −7} millibars, and a vibrational spectrum of adsorbed CO was obtained using infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy. The vibrational spectra of adsorbed CO from multiple preparations using procedure 1 show changes in the film termination structure and/or chemical nature of the surface defects—some of which are correlated with another phase that forms (“phase B”), even before enough of phase B has formed to be easily detected using low energy electron diffraction (LEED). During procedure 2, CO vibrational spectra were obtained between deposition+oxidation cycles, and these spectra show that the film termination structure and/or chemical nature of the surface defects changed as a function of sequential deposition+oxidation cycles. The authors conclude that measurement of vibrational spectra of adsorbed CO on oxide thin films provides a sensitive tool to probe chemical changes of defects on the surface and can thus complement LEED techniques by probing changes not visible by LEED. Increased use of vibrational spectra of adsorbed CO on thin films would enable better comparisons between films grown with different procedures and by different groups.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Growth, intermixing, and surface phase formation for zinc tin oxide nanolaminates produced by atomic layer deposition

A broad and expanding range of materials can be produced by atomic layer deposition at relatively low temperatures, including both oxides and metals. For many applications of interest, however, it is desirable to grow more tailored and complex materials such as semiconductors with a certain doping, mixed oxides, and metallic alloys. How well such mixed materials can be accomplished with atomic layer deposition requires knowledge of the conditions under which the resulting films will be mixed, solid solutions, or laminated. The growth and lamination of zinc oxide and tin oxide is studied here by means of the extremely surface sensitive technique of low energy ion scattering, combined with bulk composition and thickness determination, and x-ray diffraction. At the low temperatures used for deposition (150 °C), there is little evidence for atomic scale mixing even with the smallest possible bilayer period, and instead a morphology with small ZnO inclusions in a SnO{sub x} matrix is deduced. Postannealing of such laminates above 400 °C however produces a stable surface phase with a 30% increased density. From the surface stoichiometry, this is likely the inverted spinel of zinc stannate, Zn{sub 2}SnO{sub 4}. Annealing to 800 °C results in films containing crystalline Zn{sub 2}SnO{sub 4}, or multilayered films of crystalline ZnO, Zn{sub 2}SnO{sub 4}, and SnO{sub 2} phases, depending on the bilayer period.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

On the formation of nanostructures on a CdTe surface, stimulated by surface acoustic waves under nanosecond laser irradiation

The formation of nanoscale structures in the unirradiated part of a p-CdTe crystal surface irradiated by a nanosecond ruby laser is revealed and investigated. It is shown that their formation is caused by the effect of the long-range action of a laser pulse with an intensity of I = 20 MW/cm{sup 2}. Nanoscale-structure formation is explained by the influence of the pressure gradient of the surface acoustic wave, in particular, within the “vacancy-pump” mechanism on the surface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2021

NASA's Surface Biology and Geology Designated Observable: A Perspective on Surface Imaging Algorithms

The 2017–2027 National Academies’ Decadal Survey, Thriving on Our Changing Planet, recommended Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) as a “Designated Targeted Observable” (DO). The SBG DO is based on the need for capabilities to acquire global, high spatial resolution, visible to shortwave infrared (VSWIR; 380–2500 nm; ~30 m pixel resolution) hyperspectral (imaging spectroscopy) and multispectral midwave and thermal infrared (MWIR: 3–5 μm; TIR: 8–12 μm; ~60 m pixel resolution) measurements with sub-monthly temporal revisits over terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal marine habitats. To address the various mission design needs, an SBG Algo-rithms Working Group of multidisciplinary researchers has been formed to review and evaluate the algorithms applicable to the SBG DO across a wide range of Earth science disciplines, including terrestrial and aquatic ecology, atmospheric science, geology, and hydrology. Here, we summarize current state-of-the-practice VSWIR and TIR algorithms that use airborne or orbital spectral imaging observations to address the SBG DO priorities identified by the Decadal Survey: (i) terrestrial vegetation physiology, functional traits, and health; (ii) inland and coastal aquatic ecosystems physiology, functional traits, and health; (iii) snow and ice accumulation, melting, and albedo; (iv) active surface composition (eruptions, landslides, evolving landscapes, hazard risks); (v) effects of changing land use on surface energy, water, momentum, and carbon fluxes; and (vi) managing agriculture, natural habitats, water use/quality, and urban development. We review existing algorithms in the following categories: snow/ice, aquatic environments, geology, and terrestrial vegetation, and summarize the community-state-of-practice in each category. This effort synthesizes the findings of more than 130 scientists.

Aquatic↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Lunar Surface Relay - Mobile: Concept to Provide Relay Links to Surface Assets

At the request of NASA’s Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) program, the Glenn Research Center’s (GRC) Compass concurrent engineering team developed a conceptual design of a Lunar Surface Relay- Mobile (LSR-M) system to provide a variety of surface and relay communication links in support of future Artemis sorties. The team determined that a mobile asset, with its ability to relocate to support a variety of surface sites and leverage more hospitable winter locations on the lunar south pole, would be of particular use in the architecture. Following the design of a solar array and battery powered baseline case, a quick look design further investigated adding a multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG) to the system to reduce battery requirements to survive the lunar night and remove the need to relocate to favorable night locations during the lunar winter.

Lunar Surface Relay↗
DOE OSTI2017

Potential for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Applications for Identifying Groundwater-Surface Water Exchange in a Meandering River Reach: sUAS in Groundwater-Surface Water Study

The exchange of groundwater and surface water (GW-SW), including dissolved constituents and energy, represents a critical yet challenging characterization problem for hydrogeologists and stream ecologists. Here we describe the use of a suite of high spatial resolution remote sensing techniques, collected using a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS), to provide novel and complementary data to analyze GW-SW exchange. sUAS provided centimeter-scale resolution topography and water surface elevations, which are often drivers of exchange along the river corridor. Additionally, sUAS-based vegetation imagery, vegetation-top elevation, and normalized difference vegetation index mapping indicated GW-SW exchange patterns that are difficult to characterize from the land surface and may not be resolved from coarser satellite-based imagery. We combined these data with estimates of sediment hydraulic conductivity to provide a direct estimate of GW “shortcutting” through meander necks, which was corroborated by temperature data at the riverbed interface.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Tungsten Catalyst Incorporating a Well‐Defined Tetracoordinated Aluminum Surface Ligand for Selective Metathesis of Propane, [(≡Si−O−Si≡)(≡Si−O−) 2 Al−O−W(≡C t Bu) (H) 2 ]

Abstract A well‐defined aluminium‐bound hydroxyl group on the surface of mesoporous SBA‐15, [(≡Si−O−Si≡) (≡Si−O) 2 Al−OH], 3 was obtained by reacting di‐isopropyl aluminium hydride with SBA‐15 treated at 700 °C. The resulting surface [(≡Si−O−Si≡) (≡Si−O) 2 Al (isobutyl) fragment undergoes β‐H elimination at 400 °C leading to [(≡Si−O−Si≡)(≡Si−O−) 2 Al−O) Al−H]. Further oxidation of this Al‐hydride with N 2 O leads to 3 . This acidic support was used to create a well‐defined surface organo‐tungsten fragment [(≡Si−O−Si≡)(≡Si−O−) 2 Al−O−W(≡C t Bu)(CH 2 tBu) 2 ] by reacting 3 with W(≡C‐ t Bu)(CH 2 ‐ t Bu) 3 . A further reaction with hydrogen under mild conditions afforded the tungsten carbyne bis‐hydride [(≡Si−O−Si≡)(≡Si−O−) 2 Al−O−W(H) 2 (≡C‐ t Bu)]. The performance of each of the W‐supported catalysts was assessed for propane metathesis in a flow reactor at 150 °C. [(≡Si−O−Si≡)(≡Si−O−) 2 Al−O−W(≡C t Bu)(H) 2 ] was found to be a single‐site catalyst, giving the highest turnover number (TON=800) and the highest reported selectivity for butane (45 %) vs . ethane (32 %) known for oxide‐supported tungsten complex catalysts (with the supports being silica, silica‐alumina, and alumina). The results demonstrate that modification of the oxide ligands on silica via the creation of Al Lewis acid center as an anchoring site for organometallic complexes opens up new catalytic properties, markedly enhancing the catalytic performance of supported organo‐tungsten species.

Werghi, Baraa↗
DOE OSTI2016

Tunable Oxygen Functional Groups as Electrocatalysts on Graphite Felt Surfaces for All‐Vanadium Flow Batteries

Abstract A dual oxidative approach using O 2 plasma followed by treatment with H 2 O 2 to impart oxygen functional groups onto the surface of a graphite felt electrode. When used as electrodes for an all‐vanadium redox flow battery (VRB) system, the energy efficiency of the cell is enhanced by 8.2 % at a current density of 150 mA cm −2 compared with one oxidized by thermal treatment in air. More importantly, by varying the oxidative techniques, the amount and type of oxygen groups was tailored and their effects were elucidated. It was found that O−C=O groups improve the cells performance whereas the C−O and C=O groups degrade it. The reason for the increased performance was found to be a reduction in the cell overpotential after functionalization of the graphite felt electrode. This work reveals a route for functionalizing carbon electrodes to improve the performance of VRB cells. This approach can lower the cost of VRB cells and pave the way for more commercially viable stationary energy storage systems that can be used for intermittent renewable energy storage.

Estevez, Luis↗
DOE OSTI2023

Path-Integrated X-Ray Images for Multi-Surface Digital Image Correlation (PI-DIC)

X-ray imaging offers unique possibilities for Digital Image Correlation (DIC), opening the door for full-field deformation measurements of a test article in complex environments where optical DIC suffers severe biases or is impossible. While X-ray DIC has been performed in the past with standard DIC codes designed for optical images, the path-integrated nature of X-ray images places constraints on the experimental setup, predominantly that only a single surface of interest moves/deforms. These requirements are difficult to realize for many practical situations and limit the amount of information that can be garnered in a single test. Other X-ray based diagnostics such as Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) and Projection DVC (P-DVC) overcome these obstacles, but DVC is limited to quasi-static tests, and both DVC and P-DVC necessitate high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scan(s) and often require a potentially invasive pattern throughout the volume of the specimen. Here this work presents a novel approach to measure time-resolved displacements and strains on multiple surfaces from a single series of 2D, path-integrated (PI) X-ray images, called PI-DIC. The principle of optical flow or conservation of intensity—the foundation of DIC—was reframed for path-integrated images, for an exemplar setup comprised of two plates moving and deforming independently. Synthetic images were generated for rigid translations, rigid rotations, and uniform stretches, where each plate underwent a unique motion/deformation. Experimental specimens were fabricated (either an aluminum plate with tantalum features or a plastic plate with steel features) and the two specimens were independently translated. PI-DIC was successfully demonstrated with the synthetic images and validated with the experimental images. Prescribed displacements were recovered for each plate from the single set of path-integrated, deformed images. Errors were approximately 0.02 px for the synthetic images with 1.5% image noise, and 0.05 px for the experimental images. These results provide the foundation for PI-DIC to measure motion and deformation of multiple, independent surfaces with subpixel accuracy from a single series of path-integrated X-ray images.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2019

Mechanical Surface Treatments of AISI 304 Stainless Steel: Effects on Surface Microrelief, Residual Stress, and Microstructure

The surface roughness, residual stress, and microstructure of AISI 304 stainless steel specimens after laser shock peening (LSP), water jet cavitation peening (WjCP), water jet shot peening (WjSP), and multi-pin ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT) were studied in this work. Compared to the initial state, the surface roughness (Ra) was, respectively, decreased by approx. 5.5, 7.8, 38.2, and 91.1% after the LSP, WjCP, WjSP, and UIT processes. The volume fraction of ε-martensite of ~ 3-5% was observed in all treated specimens except for the LSP-treated ones. The volume fraction of α′-martensite was increased in the following sequence: WjCP (~ 5%), LSP (~ 5%), WjSP (~ 25%), UIT (~ 50%). The studied mechanical surface treatments promote a significant reduction in grains size of both austenite (~ 15-20 nm) and martensite (~ 20-37 nm) leading to essential hardening. All studied processes result in the formation of compressive residual stresses (− 377…693 MPa) and the improvement in the bearing curve parameters. The microhardness estimated accounting for the contributions of different hardening mechanisms to the yield strength magnitude correlates well with the experimental data. The grain boundary hardening and dislocation hardening are concluded to be the most influential mechanisms.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Temperature Dependence of Ar{sub n}{sup +} Cluster Backscattering from Polymer Surfaces: a New Method to Determine the Surface Glass Transition Temperature

In this work, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was used to study the intensity variations of the backscattered Ar{sub n}{sup +} clusters as a function of temperature for several amorphous polymer surfaces (polyolefins, polystyrene, and polymethyl methacrylate). For all these investigated polymers, our results show a transition of the ratio Ar{sub 2}{sup +}/(Ar{sub 2}{sup +} + Ar{sub 3}{sup +}) when the temperature is scanned from –120 °C to +125 °C (the exact limits depend on the studied polymer). This transition generally spans over a few tens of degrees and the temperature of the inflection point of each curve is always lower than the bulk glass transition temperature (T{sub g}) reported for the considered polymer. Due to the surface sensitivity of the cluster backscattering process (several nanometers), the presented analysis could provide a new method to specifically evaluate a surface transition temperature of polymers, with the same lateral resolution as the gas cluster beam. .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗