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At least 757 records · Page 42

Frequency Agile Solar Radiotelescope

The Frequency Agile Solar Radiotelescope (FASR) has been strongly endorsed as a top community priority by both Astronomy & Astrophysics Decadal Surveys and Solar & Space Physics Decadal Surveys in the past two decades. Although it was developed to a high state of readiness in previous years (it went through a CATE analysis and was declared “doable now”), the NSF has not had the funding mechanisms in place to fund this mid-scale program. Now it does, and the community must seize this opportunity to modernize the FASR design and build the instrument in this decade. The concept and its science potential have been abundantly proven by the pathfinding Expanded Owens Valley Solar Array (EOVSA), which has demonstrated a small subset of FASR’s key capabilities such as dynamically measuring the evolving magnetic field in eruptive flares, the temporal and spatial evolution of the electron energy distribution in flares, and the extensive coupling among dynamic components (flare, flux rope, current sheet). The FASR concept, which is orders of magnitude more powerful than EOVSA, is low-risk and extremely high reward, exploiting a fundamentally new research domain in solar and space weather physics. Utilizing dynamic broadband imaging spectropolarimetry at radio wavelengths, with its unique sensitivity to coronal magnetic fields and to both thermal plasma and nonthermal electrons from large flares to extremely weak transients, the ground-based FASR will make synoptic measurements of the coronal magnetic field and map emissions from the chromosphere to the middle corona in 3D. With its high spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution, as well as its superior imaging fidelity and dynamic range, FASR is poised to provide a system-wide perspective on myriad coupled phenomena. FASR will be a highly complementary and synergistic component of solar and heliospheric observing capabilities that is critically needed to support the next generation of solar science.

Dale E. Gary↗

Integrated Solar Upper Stage Technical Support

NASA Lewis Research Center is participating in the Integrated Solar Upper Stage (ISUS) program. This program is a ground-based demonstration of an upper stage concept that will be used to generate both solar propulsion and solar power. Solar energy collected by a primary concentrator is directed into the aperture of a secondary concentrator and further concentrated into the aperture of a heat receiver. The energy stored in the receiver-absorber-converter is used to heat hydrogen gas to provide propulsion during the orbital transfer portion of the mission. During the balance of the mission, electric power is generated by thermionic diodes. Several materials issues were addressed as part of the technical support portion of the ISUS program, including: 1) Evaluation of primary concentrator coupons; 2) Evaluation of secondary concentrator coupons; 3) Evaluation of receiver-absorber-converter coupons; 4) Evaluation of in-test witness coupons. Two different types of primary concentrator coupons were evaluated from two different contractors-replicated coupons made from graphite-epoxy composite and coupons made from microsheet glass. Specular reflectivity measurements identified the replicated graphite-epoxy composite coupons as the primary concentrator material of choice. Several different secondary concentrator materials were evaluated, including a variety of silver and rhodium reflectors. The specular reflectivity of these materials was evaluated under vacuum at temperatures up to 800 C. The optical properties of several coupons of rhenium on graphite were evaluated to predict the thermal performance of the receiver-absorber-converter. Finally, during the ground test demonstration, witness coupons placed in strategic locations throughout the thermal vacuum facility were evaluated for contaminants. All testing for the ISUS program was completed successfully in 1997. Investigations related to materials issues have proven helpful in understanding the operation of the test article, leading to a potential ISUS flight test in 2002.

Jaworske, Donald A.↗

A Program of Photometric Measurements of Solar Irradiance Fluctuations from Ground-based Observations

Photometric observations of the sun have been carried out at the San Fernando Observatory since early 1985. Since 1986, observations have been obtained at two wavelengths in order to separately measure the contributions of sunspots and bright facular to solar irradiance variations. Researchers believe that the contributions of sunspots can be measured to an accuracy of about plus or minus 30 ppm. The effect of faculae is much less certain, with uncertainties in the range of plus or minus 300 ppm. The larger uncertainty for faculae reflects both the greater difficulty in measuring the facular area, due to their lower contrast compared to sunspots, and the greater uncertainty in their contrast variation with viewing angle on the solar disk. Recent results from two separate photometric telescopes will be compared with bolometric observations from the active cavity radiometer irradiance monitor (ACRIM) that was on board the Solar Max satellite.

Chapman, G. A.↗

Investigation of Iron Oxide Morphology in a Cyclic Redox Water Splitting Process for Hydrogen Generation

A solar fuels generation research program is focused on hydrogen production by means of reactive metal water splitting in a cyclic iron-based redox process. Iron-based oxides are explored as an intermediary reactive material to dissociate water molecules at significantly reduced thermal energies. With a goal of studying the resulting oxide chemistry and morphology, chemical assistance via CO is used to complete the redox cycle. In order to exploit the unique characteristics of highly reactive materials at the solar reactor scale, a monolithic laboratory scale reactor has been designed to explore the redox cycle at temperatures ranging from 675 to 875 K. Using high resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), the oxide morphology and the oxide state are quantified, including spatial distributions. These images show the change of the oxide layers directly after oxidation and after reduction. The findings show a significant non-stoichiometric O/Fe gradient in the atomic ratio following oxidation, which is consistent with a previous kinetics model, and a relatively constant, non-stoichiometric O/Fe atomic ratio following reduction.

Bobek, MM↗

A Solar Fuels Nexus: Molecules and Materials for Light-Driven Catalysis

The American Chemical Society (ACS) selects two groups of graduate students each year to plan and host a one-day symposium at each national meeting (both fall and spring).This year our Graduate Student Symposium Planning Committee (GSSPC), composed of seven students from four universities, proposal entitled “A Solar Fuels Nexus: Molecules and Materials for Light-Driven Catalysis” was selected for the “Crossroads in Chemistry” ACS Meeting that will take place March 23-26, 2023 in Indianapolis, IN. All members of our GSSPC are affiliated with the DOE Fuels from Sunlight Energy Innovation Hub, with two from the Liquid Sunlight Alliance (LiSA) and five from the Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE). Here we request funds to support this symposium. This symposium will highlight research progress and perspectives in the solar fuels generation field and seeks to advance the four priority research objectives (PROs) established by the Department of Energy’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences (DOE-BES) Roundtable Report that are also central to many research goals within LiSA and CHASE. The symposium will consist of research presentations from 10 invited senior researcher speakers on topics such as molecular catalyst design, computational modeling of electron transfer systems, microenvironmental effects on CO2 reduction and H2O oxidation catalysis, and intelligent design of semiconductor interfaces with ample time for discussions. These research topics fit very well with the Solar Photochemistry supported research areas of “light-driven electron and energy transfer in condensed phase and interfacial molecular systems,” “electrocatalysis and photocatalysis of solar fuels reactions,” and “semiconductor photoelectrochemistry.” More broadly, this symposium seeks to advance the DOE-BES’s mission to: “support fundamental research to understand, predict, and ultimately control matter and energy at the level of electrons, atoms, and molecules” by providing a diverse atmosphere where such research will be disseminated, discussed, and debated. There will be a strong focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) in our symposium. Of our 10 speakers, 7 will be from underrepresented demographics in STEM, including 5 who identify as women. Furthermore, we have representatives from academia accompanied by one national lab scientist and one officer from the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management at the DOE. All speakers will be holding a short DEI moment ahead of their talks. In order to support the career development of attending early career scientists, we will also be hosting a luncheon specifically for graduate students and postdocs to provide them opportunities to network with the distinguished speakers and other attendees. DOE funds for this symposium will be used to support the attendance and participation of 15 graduate students from US institutions by defraying travel and registration costs. These funds will promote engagement and conversation between early career scientists in the solar fuels field, while disseminating solar fuels research funded by and relevant to the DOE.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

High resolution studies of sunspots and flux tubes

This contract is for a three-year research study of sunspots and magnetic flux tubes in the solar atmosphere, using tunable filter images collected with a CCD camera during observing runs at the Canary Islands observatories in Spain. The best observations are analyzed and compared with theoretical models, to study the structure and dynamics of sunspots, their connections with surrounding magnetic fields, and the properties and evolution of smaller flux tubes in plage and quiet sun. Scientific results are reported at conferences and published in the appropriate journals. The contract is being performed by the Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory, part of the Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory (LPARL) of the Research and Development Division (RDD) of Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., Inc. (LMSC). The principal investigator is Dr. Alan Title, and the research is done by him and other scientific staff at LPARL and Solar Physics Research Corporation (SPRC), often in collaboration with visiting scientists and students from other institutions. Highlights during this reporting period include completing the final version of a paper on the Evershed effect, writing a paper on magnetic diffusion, continuing work on contrast of small flux tubes, and work on the development of new models to interpret our sunspots observations.

Title, Alan↗

Overview of NASA FINESSE (Field Investigations to Enable Solar System Science and Exploration) Science and Exploration Results

NASA's FINESSE (Field Investigations to Enable Solar System Science and Exploration) project is focused on a science and exploration field-based research program to generate strategic knowledge in preparation for human and robotic exploration of other planetary bodies including our moon, Mars' moons Phobos and Deimos, and near-Earth asteroids. Scientific study focuses on planetary volcanism (e.g., the formation of volcanoes, evolution of magma chambers and the formation of multiple lava flow types, as well as the evolution and entrapment of volatile chemicals) and impact cratering (impact rock modification, cratering mechanics, and the chronologic record). FINESSE conducts multiple terrestrial field campaigns (Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in Idaho for volcanics, and West Clearwater Impact Structure in Canada for impact studies) to study such features as analogs relevant to our moon, Phobos, Deimos, and asteroids. Here we present the science and exploration results from two deployments to Idaho (2014, 2015) and our first deployment to Canada (2014). FINESSE was selected as a research team by NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI). SSERVI is a joint effort by NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD).

FINESSE↗

Research and Development Needs for Building-Integrated Solar Technologies

The Building Technologies Office (BTO) has identified Building Integrated Solar Technologies (BIST) as a potentially valuable piece of the comprehensive pathway to help achieve its goal of reducing energy consumption in residential and commercial buildings by 50% by the year 2030. This report helps to identify the key research and development (R&D) needs that will be required for BIST to make a substantial contribution toward that goal. BIST include technologies for space heating and cooling, water heating, hybrid photovoltaic-thermal systems (PV/T), active solar lighting, and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Imaging Power Losses in CdSeTe Solar Cells

Much of the research on CdSeTe photovoltaics is focused on improving the open-circuit voltage (V oc ) of the solar cell. But solar cells operate at the maximum power point (MPP) rather than at V oc . The recombination processes at MPP may be different than those at V oc , and increasing the power output at MPP is the key to advancing efficiency. Here, we introduce a camera-based PL imaging system that enables power loss analysis under operating conditions and across cm-sized areas covering multiple cells. The instrument is demonstrated with CdSeTe devices having efficiencies greater than 19%. An implied current density versus implied voltage (iJV) curve can be produced at each pixel with <20 µm resolution. We find that regions with high implied open circuit voltage are often those with low implied fill factor, showing that voltage loss analysis at open circuit is not sufficient to understand power losses under operating conditions. Measurement of JV curves as a function of irradiance can also be performed in the system, which allows series resistance-free pseudo JV (pJV) curves to be produced. Comparison of pJV to measured JV and iJV curves allows further analysis of the operational losses, pointing the way to higher efficiency.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Developing Efficient Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Devices

This project aims at developing highly efficient perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells by developing efficient perovskite top cells, silicon bottom cells, and monolithically integrating the subcells for highly efficient tandem solar cells. The project focused on increasing the efficiency of perovskite solar cells to 20% and understanding related materials science and device physics, as well as developing a compatible bottom high-efficiency c-Si solar cell. The perovskite cells with a wide bandgap of 1.61 eV and 1.84 eV are fabricated by a low-cost, low-temperature, scalable solution process on lower bandgap silicon bottom cells. The bandgaps of perovskite top cells have been tuned between 1.61 eV and 1.84 eV by composition engineering mainly through controlling the halide mixing ratio in perovskite materials. The efficiencies of the wide bandgap perovskite solar cells have been improved to an excellent efficiency of 21.0% for perovskites with a bandgap of 1.63 eV with increased grain size, reduced energy disorder at cathode contact, and defect passivation. We invented a solvent annealing approach with solvent vapor during thermal annealing to enlarge grain size of perovskite film which reduces the charge trap density and improves the device efficiency. Moreover, we discovered that the non-wetting surface could further increase the grain size for perovskite films, because non-wetting surface could prevent the formation of too dense nuclei from heterogeneous nucleation process. We proposed to reduce the energy disorder of organic charge extraction layer to reduce the power loss in perovskite cells. We pioneered defect passivation concept and techniques to suppress the charge non-radiative recombination in perovskite solar cells to boost the efficiency. For the silicon bottom cell development, different from the conventional silicon cell work under full illumination, the light available for the silicon bottom cell in tandem structure is mainly NIR region. We developed a NIR enhanced silicon cell with efficiency of 21.2% by applying a double-layer antireflection coating at the front side and a MgF2 back reflector layer at the rear side. For the perovskite/silicon tandem device, we achieved a highest reported power conversion efficiency of 25.4% in 2018, and further increased the efficiency up to 26.0% in 2019. The research on tandem solar cells focused on reducing reflection loss to <5% at spectrum of 300-1100 nm by antireflection layer, tuning the bandgap of perovskite film for matched current density between sub-cells, and utilizing a ITO layer between perovskite top cell and silicon bottom cell as interconnect layer without Voc loss. Finally, we developed a blading technique to fabricate perovskite films which produces perovskite solar cells with comparable or even superior efficiency to those made by non-scalable spin coating method. This paves the way for scaling up perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells using solution approach.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Solar Imaging UV/EUV Spectrometers Using TVLS Gratings

It is a particular challenge to develop a stigmatic spectrograph for UV, EUV wavelengths since the very low normal-incidence reflectance of standard materials most often requires that the design be restricted to a single optical element which must simultaneously provide both reimaging and spectral dispersion. This problem has been solved in the past by the use of toroidal gratings with uniform line-spaced rulings (TULS). A number of solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectrometers have been based on such designs, including SOHO/CDS, Solar-B/EIS, and the sounding rockets Solar Extreme ultraviolet Research Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS) and Extreme Ultraviolet Normal Incidence Spectrograph (EUNIS). More recently, Kita, Harada, and collaborators have developed the theory of spherical gratings with varied line-space rulings (SVLS) operated at unity magnification, which have been flown on several astronomical satellite missions. We now combine these ideas into a spectrometer concept that puts varied-line space rulings onto toroidal gratings. Such TVLS designs are found to provide excellent imaging even at very large spectrograph magnifications and beam-speeds, permitting extremely high-quality performance in remarkably compact instrument packages. Optical characteristics of three new solar spectrometers based on this concept are described: SUMI and RAISE, two sounding rocket payloads, and NEXUS, currently being proposed as a Small-Explorer (SMEX) mission.

Thomas, Roger J.↗

Estimating internal moisture generation rates in recently constructed, occupied homes in the southeastern United States

Internal moisture generation (IMG), or moisture generated by building occupants via activities such as respiration, cooking, bathing, and cleaning, is a critical input required for design, analysis, and simulation of building enclosure and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Based on previously published values, ASHRAE Standard 160-2021 provides guidance for estimating IMG rates for moisture control design analysis, which is based on occupied home datasets collected in the 1980s and 1990s. Residential energy use simulation software also utilizes estimates for IMG for energy rating, energy analysis, and code compliance calculations, as specified in ANSI/RESNET/ICC Standard 301. Data quantifying IMG rates in newer homes is useful in determining the continued relevance of current design and simulation guidance, and whether the guidance represents conditions found in new housing stock. ASHRAE Research Project 1844, conducted by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a research institute of the University of Central Florida, estimated IMG rates in newer occupied homes built since 2013 in the southeastern US using a moisture balance model approach. Furthermore, the project obtained occupied home data in cooperation with a US Department of Energy Building America research project to characterize indoor air quality (IAQ) in newer US homes, along with presence, functionality, and occupant use of control measures. Full-scale laboratory homes operating with known IMG rates were used to validate a moisture balance model and quantify the accuracy of estimates obtained when the model is applied to data from occupied homes with unknown IMG rates.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Solar Resource Measurements in Humboldt State University, Arcata, California: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-08-262

Site-specific, long-term, continuous, and high-resolution measurements of solar irradiance are important for developing renewable resource data. These data are used for several research and development activities consistent with the NREL mission: establish a national 30-year climatological database of measured solar irradiances; provide high quality ground-truth data for satellite remote sensing validation; support development of radiative transfer models for estimating solar irradiance from available meteorological observations; provide solar resource information needed for technology deployment and operations. Data acquired under this agreement will be available to the public through NREL's Measurement & Instrumentation Data Center - MIDC (www.nrel.gov/midc) or the Renewable Resource Data Center - RReDC (http://rredc.nrel.gov). The MIDC offers a variety of standard data display, access, and analysis tools designed to address the needs of a wide user audience (e.g., industry, academia, and government interests).

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Solar Resource Measurements in Canyon, Texas - Equipment Only Loan: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-07-233

Site-specific, long-term, continuous, and high-resolution measurements of solar irradiance are important for developing renewable resource data. These data are used for several research and development activities consistent with the NREL mission: establish a national 30-year climatological database of measured solar irradiances; provide high-quality ground-truth data for satellite remote sensing validation; support development of radiative transfer models for estimating solar irradiance from available meteorological observations; and provide solar resource information needed for technology deployment and operations. Data acquired under this agreement will be available to the public through NREL's Measurement & Instrumentation Data Center (MIDC) or the Renewable Resource Data Center (RReDC). The MIDC offers a variety of standard data display, access, and analysis tools designed to address the needs of a wide user audience (e.g., industry, academia, and government interests).

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Boundary Conditions for the Paleoenvironment: Chemical and Physical Processes in the Pre-Solar Nebula

The basic theme of this program is the study of molecular complexity and evolution in interstellar clouds and in primitive solar system objects. Research has included the detection and study of a number of new interstellar molecules and investigation of reaction pathways for astrochemistry from a comparison of theory and observed molecular abundances. The latter includes studies of cold, dark clouds in which ion-molecule chemistry should predominate, searches for the effects of interchange of material between the gas and solid phases in interstellar clouds, unbiased spectral surveys of particular sources, and systematic investigation of the interlinked chemistry and physics of dense interstellar clouds. In addition, the study of comets has allowed a comparison between the chemistry of such minimally thermally processed objects and that of interstellar clouds, shedding light on the evolution of the biogenic elements during the process of solar system formation.

Irvine, William M.↗

POWOW: A Modular, High Power Spacecraft Concept

A robust space infrastructure encompasses a broad range of mission needs along with an imperative to reduce costs of satellites meeting those needs. A critical commodity for science, commercial and civil satellites is power at an affordable cost. The POWOW (POwer WithOut Wires) spacecraft concept was created to provide, at one end of the scale, multi-megawatts of power yet also be composed of modules that can meet spacecraft needs in the kilowatt range. With support from the NASA-sponsored Space Solar Power Exploratory Research and Technology Program, the POWOW spacecraft concept was designed to meet Mars mission needs - while at the same time having elements applicable to a range of other missions. At Mars, the vehicle would reside in an aerosynchronous orbit and beam power to a variety of locations on the surface. It is the purpose of this paper to present the latest concept design results. The Space Power Institute along with four companies: Able Engineering, Inc., Entech, Inc., Primex Aerospace Co., and TECSTAR have produced a modular, power-rich electrically propelled spacecraft design that meets these requirements. In addition, it also meets a range of civil and commercial needs. The spacecraft design is based on multijunction Ill-V solar cells, the new Stretched Lens Aurora (SLA) module, a lightweight array design based on a multiplicity of 8 kW end-of-life subarrays and electric thrusters. The solar cells have excellent radiation resistance and efficiencies above 30%. The SLA has a concentration ratio up to 15x while maintaining an operating temperature of 80 C. The design of the 8 kW array building block will be presented and its applicability to commercial and government missions will be discussed. Electric propulsion options include Hall, MPD and ion thrusters of various power levels and trade studies have been conducted to define the most advantageous options. The present baseline spacecraft design providing 900 kW using technologies expected to be available in 2003 will be described. Areal power densities of nearly 400 W/meters squared at 80 C operating temperatures and wing level specific powers of over 400 W/kg are projected. Details of trip times and payloads to Mars will be presented as well as trade studies of various electric propulsion options. Trip times compare favorably with chemical propulsion options. Because the design is modular, learning curve methodology can be applied to determine expected cost reductions. These results will also be included. This paper has not been presented at a previous meeting.

Brandhorst, Henry W., Jr.↗

Production of H2 at Fast Rates Using a Nickel Electrocatalyst in Water/Acetonitrile Solutions

Efficient production of molecular hydrogen for storage of energy from renewable sources is crucial for the development of wind and solar power. Hydrogenase enzymes in nature catalyze H2 production using earth-abundant metals (iron and nickel) using precise delivery of protons to the metal center. Here we report a synthetic nickel complex containing proton relays, [Ni(PPh2NC6H4OH2)2](BF4)2 (PPh2NC6H4OH2 = 1,5-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-3,7-diphenyl-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane), that catalyzes the production of H2 in an aqueous environment with turnover frequencies of 750-170,000 s-1 at directly measured overpotentials of 310-470 mV. The remarkable performance of this catalyst in aqueous environments exceeds the requirements necessary for molecular catalytic production of H2 by energy derived from photovoltaic solar cells. This research was supported as part of the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Hoffert, Wesley A.↗

Shielded and Low-Damping SPM Probes For Quantitative Electrical and Electrochemical Characterization (Phase IIB)

The purpose of this DOE SBIR award was to develop new scanning probe microscopy tools for the elucidation of electrical and electrochemical properties at the nanoscale. High performance probes are important for energy materials research. In both solar cells and batteries, the essential physics and chemistry occur at the nanoscale and nanoscale characterization tools are required for their elucidation. The introduced new models are a shielded probe and an electrically insulated probe where only less than one micron of a conductive tip is exposed. In Phases I and IIa, we explored the development of cost-effective methods to insulate cantilevers from aqueous solutions and patented a technology that provides an insulated electrical contact to the tip. Also, our technology was adapted to be compatible with all popular commercial AFM systems. In Phase IIb, we improved reproducibility and batch size to drive down costs while maintaining quality control with testing. We transformed our product into a convenient turnkey solution to make electrochemical characterization approachable to a wide range of researchers. In January 2021, the technology was well received by the AFM community and Nanosurf Inc. (Woburn, MA) acquired Scuba Probe Technologies. The technology and expertise of Scuba Probe Technologies complements Nanosurf’s development of the full range of nano-electrical characterization tools.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗