Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “thermally conductive”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 739 records · Page 41

Regeneration efficiency, shuttle heat loss and thermal conductivity in epoxy-composite annualr gap regenerators from 4K to 80K

A test apparatus designed to simulate a section of a Stirling cycle cryocooler was built. Measurements of regeneration efficiency, shuttle heat loss and thermal conductivity reported for several regenerator test sections. The test composites were epoxy glass, epoxy glass with lead particles, epoxy glass with activated charcoal and epoxy graphite. Losses measured for these materials were approximately the same. Losses are in good agreement with those calculated theoretically for an epoxy glass (C-10) composite. The implications of these results on cryocooler design are discussed.

Myrtle, K.↗

Effect of anisotropic thermal conductivity on the morphological stability of a binary alloy

A linear morphological stability analysis is presented for a planar interface during unidirectional solidification of a binary alloy, in the case of a crystal having an anisotropic thermal conductivity. A dispersion relation shows that the onset of instability depends on the orientation of the growth direction with respect to principal crystallographic axes and on the orientation of the wavevector of the perturbation. The onset of instability can be either oscillatory (traveling waves) or nonoscillatory in time. For growth along a principal axis of the crystal there is an exchange of stabilities, and the onset of instability is nonoscillatory.

Coriell, S. R.↗

Pure-oxygen radiative shocks with electron thermal conduction

Steady state radiative shock models in gas composed entirely of oxygen are calculated with the purpose of explaining observations of fast-moving knots in Cas A and other oxygen-rich SNRs. Models with electron thermal conduction differ significantly from models in which conduction is neglected. Conduction reduces postshock electron temperatures by a factor of 7-10 and flattens temperature gradients. The O III ion, whose forbidden emission usually dominates the observed spectra, is present over a wide range of shock velocities, from 100 to 170 km/s. The electron temperature in the O III forbidden line formation region is 30,000 K, in agreement with the 20,000 K derived from observations. All models with conduction have extensive warm (T above 4000 K) photoionization zones, which provides better agreement with observed optical O I line strengths.

Borkowski, Kazimierz J.↗

Investigating shock-induced chemical reactions in Ni+Al multilayers: A continuum-based mesoscale approach with Arrhenius kinetics and artificial thermal conduction

A new continuum-based mesoscale modeling approach for shock-induced chemical reactions (SICRs) in Ni+Al multilayers is demonstrated in Sandia’s shock physics hydrocode, CTH. The approach utilizes Arrhenius-type kinetics and artificial thermal conduction. Our work builds upon previous efforts to parameterize equations of state for Ni x Al y [J. Appl. Phys. 137, 075102 (2025)], as well as simulations of inert shocks in realistic 2D microstructures [J. Appl. Phys. 137, 225301 (2025)]. To calibrate the reaction kinetics, pairs of the reaction coordinate, R′, vs time are extracted from the molecular dynamics (MD) literature. Here, the MD-informed kinetics are used to simulate the dynamic evolution of pressure and temperature in 2D mesoscale simulations. Overall, the MD-informed kinetics obtained for planar interfaces are too slow, as initial reaction is not observed on a nanosecond time scale. Even with quasi-periodic shock focusing leading to the formation of so-called “hot-spots,” the hot spots are unable to grow and coalesce using the fitted Arrhenius rate constants. However, by increasing the rate constants by two orders of magnitude, SICRs are observed at a shock pressure near 30 GPa, which is supported by experiments. Consequently, these mesoscale simulations suggest that unresolved shear-based mechanical mixing might possibly account for the discrepancies in kinetic rates, with shock-generated intense perturbations, interfacial vortical flows, and elevated temperatures serving as favorable reaction conditions. Future work will calibrate a shear-dependent reaction rate from the MD simulations with realistic interfaces that are wavy, diffuse, and disordered.

Kittell, David E. [Sandia National Laboratories (S↗

The Lattice and Thermal Radiation Conductivity of Thermal Barrier Coatings

The lattice and radiation conductivity of thermal barrier coatings was evaluated using a laser heat flux approach. A diffusion model has been established to correlate the apparent thermal conductivity of the coating to the lattice and radiation conductivity. The radiation conductivity component can be expressed as a function of temperature and the scattering and absorption properties of the coating material. High temperature scattering and absorption of the coating systems can also be derived based on the testing results using the modeling approach. The model prediction is found to have good agreement with experimental observations.

Zhu, Dongming↗

Thermal conductivity of Apollo 15 lunar fines

The moon is covered to a depth of several meters with fine material. Heat transfer calculations depend, therefore, for the most part on the properties of the fines. The results are presented of thermal conductivity measurements on fines samples returned by the Apollo 15 mission from the Hadley-Apennine region of the moon. Data are presented as a function of both density and temperature with typical lunar values being used for these parameters.

Cremers, C. J.↗

Low-Thermal Conductivity Suspensions Used in the Isolation of the Salt Pills Aboard the Astro-H Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator

An adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) utilizes the magnetocholoric effect in a paramagnetic salt to produce sub-Kelvin temperatures. It is a solid-state device that has no moving parts and does not rely upon a density gradient in a working fluid. This makes it ideal for cooling space-based instruments. ·Typically the salt is enclosed in a cylindrical pill that is suspended within the bore of a magnet. The suspension between the salt pill and magnet must be robust enough to survive a launch yet have a thermal conductance that minimizes heat from the magnet that is mechanically, and thermally, anchored to a stage at a higher temperature. Here we detail such a design that uses Kevlar(Trade Mark) as the supporting media in a system that limits motion of the salt pill axial as well as laterally with respect to the magnet bore.

Kimball, Mark O.↗

The role of thermal conduction on the size scaling of laser direct-drive implosions

Ablation pressure is a key parameter controlling laser drive performance in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion implosions. In this work, we develop a theoretical framework to clarify the role of thermal conduction in determining how ablation pressure scales with laser intensity, wavelength, and target size. We focus on a steady-state, spherically expanding plasma produced when an over-dense pellet is irradiated by a high-intensity laser. Scaling laws for ablation pressure and the mass ablation rate are derived with respect to laser intensity, wavelength, and target size. As a result, the theoretical predictions are found to be in good agreement with one-dimensional hydrodynamics simulations in spherical geometry.

Ablation↗

Thermal Expansion and Thermal Conductivity of Rare Earth Silicates

Rare earth silicates are considered promising candidate materials for environmental barrier coatings applications at elevated temperature for ceramic matrix composites. High temperature thermophysical properties are of great importance for coating system design and development. In this study, the thermal expansion and thermal conductivity of hot-pressed rare earth silicate materials were characterized at temperatures up to 1400 C. The effects of specimen porosity, composition and microstructure on the properties were also investigated. The materials processing and testing issues affecting the measurements will also be discussed.

Zhu, Dongming↗

Inverse Design of Ultralow Lattice Thermal Conductivity Materials via Materials Database Screening of Lone Pair Cation Coordination Environment

The presence of lone pair (LP) electrons is strongly associated with the disruption of lattice heat transport, which is a critical component of strategies to achieve efficient thermoelectric energy conversion. By exploiting an empirical relationship between lattice thermal conductivity, κ L , and the bond angles of pnictogen group LP cation coordination environments, we develop an inverse design strategy based on a materials database screening to identify chalcogenide materials with ultralow κ L for thermoelectrics. Screening the ~635 000 real and hypothetical inorganic crystals of the Open Quantum Materials Database based on the constituent elements, nominal electron counting, LP cation coordination environment, and synthesizability, we identify 189 compounds expected to exhibit ultralow κ L . As a validation, we explicitly compute the lattice dynamical properties of two of the compounds (Cu 2 AgBiPbS 4 and MnTl 2 As 2 S 5 ) using first-principles calculations and successfully find both achieve ultralow κ L values at room temperature of ~0.3-0.4 W/(m·K) corresponding to the amorphous limit. Furthermore, our data-driven approach provides promising candidates for thermoelectric materials and opens new avenues for the design of phononic properties of materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

On the thermal stability of a radiating plasma subject to nonlocal thermal conduction. I - Linear analysis

We study the linear stability of an optically thin uniform radiating plasma subject to nonlocal heat transport. We derive the dispersion relation appropriate to this problem, and the marginal wavenumbers for instability. Our analysis indicates that nonlocal heat transport acts to reduce the stabilizing influence of thermal conduction, and that there are critical values for the electron mean free path such that the plasma is always unstable. Our results may be applied to a number of astrophysical plasmas, one such example being the halos of clusters of galaxies.

Chun, E.↗

Analytical benchmark solution for 1-D neutron transport coupled with thermal conduction and material expansion

In this work we present fully analytical solutions for a class of finite, homogeneous, 1-D slab benchmark problems with nonlinear temperature feedback effects. The proposed class of benchmarks include multiplicative 1-D neutron transport (limited to quasistatic S{sub 2} with μ = ±1) coupled with thermal conduction, convection, Doppler broadening, and expansion effects along the length of the slab. This class of benchmark models, along with the corresponding analytical solutions, are valuable for validating multiphysics analysis frameworks that support coupled neutronics/thermal/structural calculations. Analytical solutions for the benchmarks are obtained by introducing an ansatz that the equilibrium flux and temperature distributions in the slab have the same shape. Specific values for the total microscopic cross section, σ{sub t,0}, and conductive heat transfer coefficient, h, that satisfy the assumed ansatz are then determined. A discussion of the procedure for generating benchmark models and analytical solutions is provided, along with numerical results for an example set of model parameters and thoughts on practical applications of the benchmarks for multiphysics code validation. (authors)

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Thermal conductivity and resonant multipole interactions

The influence of multipole interactions on exchanges of rotational energy in molecular collisions was investigated by means of a simple two-state impact parameter approximation. The calculations are restricted to linear molecules and to dipole and quadrupole fields. The effects of such exchanges on the thermal conductivity of gases and of gaseous mixtures was investigated, after correcting the kinetic theory of mixtures to include exchanges between unlike molecules. It was found that dipole-quadrupole and quadrupole-quadrupole interactions may have a significant effect for molecules with low moments of inertia. In particular, quadrupole interactions are important in the hydrogen isotopes, and the calculated corrections for H2 are consistent with recent experimental work by Harris. The theory seems capable of accounting for the anomalies observed in HF + DF and HCl + DCl mixtures in terms of multipolar accidental resonances.

Nyeland, C.↗

A survey of the effects of magnetic fields, resistivity, viscosity and thermal conduction on the Rayleigh–Taylor instability

The Rayleigh–Taylor instability (RTI) is ubiquitous in nature and has been investigated in great detail in a number of theoretical, numerical, and experimental studies relevant to laboratory and space plasmas. Here, the RTI can significantly be altered by the presence of magnetic fields, resistivity, viscosity, and thermal conduction. This paper presents a brief survey and summarizes initial findings of the effect of a plasma RTI modified by these effects.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Enhancing Crystallization in Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells Using Thermally Conductive 2D Boron Nitride Nanosheet Additive

Controlling crystallization and grain growth is crucial for realizing highly efficient hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this work, enhanced PSC photovoltaic performance and stability by accelerating perovskite crystallization and grain growth via 2D hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanosheet additives incorporated into the active perovskite layer are demonstrated. Specifically, in situ X-ray scattering and infrared thermal imaging during the perovskite annealing process revealed the highly thermally conductive hBN nanosheets promoted the phase conversion and grain growth in the perovskite layer by facilitating a more rapid and spatially uniform temperature rise within the perovskite film. Complementary structural, physicochemical, and electrical characterizations further showed that the hBN nanosheets formed a physical barrier at the perovskite grain boundaries and the interfaces with charge transport layers, passivating defects, and retarding ion migration. As a result, the power conversion efficiency of the PSC is improved from 17.4% to 19.8%, along with enhanced device stability, retaining ≈90% of the initial efficiency even after 500 h ambient air storage. Here, the results not only highlight 2D hBN as an effective additive for PSCs but also suggest enhanced thermal transport as one of the pathways for improved PSC performance by 2D material additives in general.

2D materials↗

Efficient Thermally Conductive Strap Design for Cryogenic Propellant Tank Supports and Plumbing

After evalu1ating NASA space architecture goals, the Office of Chief Technologist identified the need for developing enabling technology for long term loiters in space with cryogenic fluids. One such technology is structural heat interception. In this prototype, heat interception at the tank support strut was accomplished using a thermally conductive link to the broad area cooled shield. The design methodology for both locating the heat intercept and predicting the reduction in boil-off heat leak is discussed in detail. Results from the chosen design are presented. It was found that contact resistance resulting from different mechanical attachment techniques played a significant role in the form and functionality of a successful design.

Elchert, J. P.↗

Efficient Thermally Conductive Strap Design for Cryogenic Propellant Tank Supports and Plumbing

After evaluating NASA space architecture goals, the Office of Chief Technologist identified the need for developing enabling technology for long term loiters in space with cryogenic fluids. One such technology is structural heat interception. In this prototype, heat interception at the tank support strut was accomplished using a thermally conductive link to the broad area cooled shield. The design methodology for both locating the heat intercept and predicting the reduction in boil-off heat leak is discussed in detail. Results from the chosen design are presented. It was found that contact resistance resulting from different mechanical attachment techniques played a significant role in the form and functionality of a successful design.

Elchert, J. P.↗