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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 757 records · Page 42
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Radiation‐Resistant Aluminum Alloy for Space Missions in the Extreme Environment of the Solar System

Future human exploration of the solar system demands advanced materials capable of withstanding extreme environments, particularly exposure to solar energetic particle radiation. Current material selection criteria for space applications prioritize a high strength-to-weight ratio, high corrosion resistance and manufacturability, favoring age-hardenable Al-based alloys. However, conventional precipitation-hardened Al alloys suffer from irradiation-assisted dissolution of strengthening phases at doses as low as 0.2 displacements-per-atom (dpa), undermining their performance. Furthermore, these alloys develop radiation-induced defects, such as dislocation loops and voids, even at low doses. This study presents a novel ultrafine-grained (UFG) Al-based alloy, designed using the crossover alloying concept and strengthened by T-phase precipitates, featuring a chemically-complex structure with 162 atoms in its unit cell composed of Mg 32 (Zn,Al) 49 . It is showed that T-phase precipitates have exceptional radiation tolerance up to 24 dpa. Owing to the nanoscale UFG structure, dislocation loops are suppressed, and voids are only observed beyond 75 dpa. Microtensile tests up to 20 dpa confirm the preservation of mechanical performance under irradiation. The results underline the potential of this alloy as a radiation-resistant, lightweight material for future space applications. Three key strategies enable this performance: (i) stabilization of a UFG microstructure, (ii) T-phase precipitation featuring a highly negative Gibbs free energy and chemically-complex giant unit cell, and (iii) precise process control to prevent grain growth during heat treatment and irradiation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Multilayer Lateral Heterostructures of Van Der Waals Crystals with Sharp, Carrier–Transparent Interfaces

Abstract Research on engineered materials that integrate different 2D crystals has largely focused on two prototypical heterostructures: Vertical van der Waals stacks and lateral heterostructures of covalently stitched monolayers. Extending lateral integration to few layer or even multilayer van der Waals crystals could enable architectures that combine the superior light absorption and photonic properties of thicker crystals with close proximity to interfaces and efficient carrier separation within the layers, potentially benefiting applications such as photovoltaics. Here, the realization of multilayer heterstructures of the van der Waals semiconductors SnS and GeS with lateral interfaces spanning up to several hundred individual layers is demonstrated. Structural and chemical imaging identifies {110} interfaces that are perpendicular to the (001) layer plane and are laterally localized and sharp on a 10 nm scale across the entire thickness. Cathodoluminescence spectroscopy provides evidence for a facile transfer of electron‐hole pairs across the lateral interfaces, indicating covalent stitching with high electronic quality and a low density of recombination centers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Non‐Fermi‐Liquid Behavior of Superconducting SnH 4

Abstract The chemical interaction of Sn with H 2 by X‐ray diffraction methods at pressures of 180–210 GPa is studied. A previously unknown tetrahydride SnH 4 with a cubic structure ( fcc ) exhibiting superconducting properties below T C = 72 K is obtained; the formation of a high molecular C 2/ m ‐SnH 14 superhydride and several lower hydrides, fcc SnH 2 , and C 2‐Sn 12 H 18 , is also detected. The temperature dependence of critical current density J C (T) in SnH 4 yields the superconducting gap 2Δ(0) = 21.6 meV at 180 GPa. SnH 4 has unusual behavior in strong magnetic fields: B,T ‐linear dependences of magnetoresistance and the upper critical magnetic field B C2 (T) ∝ ( T C – T ). The latter contradicts the Wertheimer–Helfand–Hohenberg model developed for conventional superconductors. Along with this, the temperature dependence of electrical resistance of fcc SnH 4 in non‐superconducting state exhibits a deviation from what is expected for phonon‐mediated scattering described by the Bloch‐Grüneisen model and is beyond the framework of the Fermi liquid theory. Such anomalies occur for many superhydrides, making them much closer to cuprates than previously believed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

High Mobility, High Carrier Density SnSe 2 Field‐Effect Transistors with Ultralow Subthreshold Swing and Gate‐Controlled Photoconductance Switching

2D and layered semiconductors are considered as promising electronic materials, particularly for applications that require high carrier mobility and efficient field-effect switching combined with mechanical flexibility. To date, however, the highest mobility has been realized primarily at low carrier concentration. Here, it is shown that few-layer/multilayer SnSe 2 gated by a solution top gate combines very high room-temperature electron mobility (up to 800 cm 2 V −1 s −1 ), along with large on-off current ratios (>10 5 ) and a subthreshold swing below the thermodynamic limit (50 mV per decade) in field-effect devices, at exceptionally large sheet carrier concentrations of ≈10 13 cm −2 . Observed mobility enhancements upon partial depletion of the channel point to near-surface defects or impurities as the mobility-limiting scattering centers. Under illumination, the resulting gap states give rise to gate-controlled switching between positive and negative photoconductance. The results qualify SnSe 2 as a promising layered semiconductor for flexible and wearable electronics, as well as for the realization of advanced approaches to photodetection.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Observation of Thermally Induced Piezomagnetic Switching in Cu 2 OSeO 3 Polymorph Synthesized under High-Pressure

A polymorph of Cu 2 OSeO 3 with the distorted kagome lattice is successfully obtained using the high-pressure synthesis technique (Cu 2 OSeO 3 -HP). The structural analysis using X-ray and neutron powder diffraction suggests that the tetrahedral Cu 2+ clusters [similar to those in Cu 2 OSeO 3 ambient-pressure phase (Cu 2 OSeO 3 -AP)] exist in Cu 2 OSeO 3 -HP but with three symmetry inequivalent sites. No structural change is observed between 1.5 K and the room temperature. The complex magnetic H-T phase diagram is established based on the temperature- and field-dependent magnetization data, indicating two distinct antiferromagnetic phases at low and intermediate temperatures, in addition to the higher-temperature spin-glass-like phase. The low temperature phase is identified by neutron powder diffraction refinements as a canted noncollinear antiferromagnetic order with a weak ferromagnetic component along the b-axis. Size of the refined ordered moment is ≈1.00(4) µ B in Cu 2 OSeO 3 -HP, indicating a large enhancement compared to that of Cu 2 OSeO 3 -AP (≈0.61 µ B ). By applying a uniaxial stress, finite enhancement of weak ferromagnetic component in the noncollinear antiferromagnetic phase in Cu 2 OSeO 3 -HP is observed, which is the clear evidence of the piezomagnetic effect. Interestingly, the sign of the induced magnetization changes on heating from the low-temperature to the intermediate-temperature phases, indicating a novel piezomagnetic switching effect in this compound.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

On phosphorus chemical shift anisotropy in metal (IV) phosphates and phosphonates: A 31 P NMR experimental study

The phosphorus chemical shift anisotropies, 31 PΔcs, and asymmetry parameters η were measured by the 31 P{ 1 H} NMR experiments in static and low-frequency spinning samples of the zirconium phosphates and phosphonates and also in the mixed Zr (IV)/Sn (IV) phosphate/phosphonate material. The data obtained have shown a 111 connectivity in the HPO 4 and PO 3 groups, which does not change at modification and intercalation of the materials. The 31 PΔcs values of the phosphonate groups (43–49 ppm) significantly surpass the values characterizing the HPO 4 groups (23–37 ppm). The 31 P Δcs values obtained for the metal (IV) phosphates were discussed in terms of P-O distances. Finally, the 31 P chemical shift anisotropy parameters can help at elucidation of local structures in phosphate and phosphonate materials.

1H MAS NMR↗
DOE OSTI2023

Polycarbonate‐Based Solid‐Polymer Electrolytes for Solid‐State Sodium Batteries

Solid-polymer electrolytes comprised of polypropylene carbonate (PPC) and varied sodium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (NaFSI) salt concentrations are investigated for implementation as a conductive solid polymer electrolyte into solid-state cathode composites utilizing a sodium-layered oxide active material. The ionic conductivity generally increases with NaFSI salt content, reaching ≈1 mS cm −1 at 80 °C at the highest salt concentration (PPC:NaFSI = 0.5:1). Through an all-in-one slurry casting method, Na 2/3 Ni 1/3 Mn 2/3 O 2 cathode composites are fabricated in which the dispersed PPC electrolyte acts as the primary binder. Enabled by a bilayer polymer electrolyte system, cycling performance with the PPC cathode electrolyte is optimized with respect to salt concentration and anode material. The best cyclability is achieved with a moderate salt concentration electrolyte (PPC:NaFSI = 5:1), showcasing an initial capacity of 83 mA h g −1 with a remarkable 80% capacity retention after 150 cycles at C/5 rate and 60 °C. The superior performance of the lower salt concentration electrolyte is attributed to better electrochemical stability, as confirmed by linear sweep voltammetry and online electrochemical mass spectrometry measurements. In conclusion, these results underscore the potential of carbonate-based polymer electrolytes and the importance of balancing electrolyte conductivity and stability in cell design.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

On unitarity of tree-level string amplitudes

Four-particle tree-level scattering amplitudes in string theory are magically consistent with unitarity, reflected in the non-trivial fact that beneath the critical dimension, the residues of the amplitudes on massive poles can be expanded in partial waves with all positive coefficients. While this follows (rather indirectly) from the no-ghost theorem, the simplicity of the statement and its fundamental importance for the physical consistency of string theory begs for a more direct and elementary understanding. In this note we take a step in this direction by presenting a new expression for the partial wave coefficients of string amplitudes, given by surprisingly simple double/triple contour integrals for open/closed strings. This representation allows us to directly prove unitarity of all superstring theories in D ≤ 6 spacetime dimensions, and can also be used to determine various asymptotics of the partial waves at large mass levels.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

The geometry of the modular bootstrap

Abstract We explore the geometry behind the modular bootstrap and its image in the space of Taylor coefficients of the torus partition function. In the first part, we identify the geometry as an intersection of planes with the convex hull of moment curves onR + ⊗ℤ, with boundaries characterized by the total positivity of generalized Hankel matrices. We phrase the Hankel constraints as a semi-definite program, which has several advantages, such as the validity of bounds irrespective of spin truncation. We derive bounds on the gap, twist-gap, and the space of Taylor coefficients themselves. We find that if the gap is above$$ {\Delta }_{\textrm{gap}}^{\ast } $$ ∆ gap ∗ , where$$ \frac{c-1}{12}<{\Delta}_{\textrm{gap}}^{\ast }<\frac{c}{12} $$ c − 1 12 < Δ gap ∗ < c 12 , all coefficients become bounded on both sides and kinks develop in the space. In the second part, we propose an analytic method of imposing the integrality condition for the degeneracy number in the spinless bootstrap, which leads to a non-convex geometry. We find that even at very low derivative order this condition rules out regions otherwise allowed by bootstraps at high derivative order.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2022

Causality, unitarity, and the weak gravity conjecture

We consider the shift of charge-to-mass ratio for extremal black holes in the context of effective field theory, motivated by the Weak Gravity Conjecture. We constrain extremality corrections in different regimes subject to unitarity and causality constraints. In the asymptotic IR, we demonstrate that for any supersymmetric theory in flat space, and for all minimally coupled theories, logarithmic running at one loop pushes the Wilson coefficient of certain four-derivative operators to be larger at lower energies, guaranteeing the existence of sufficiently large black holes with Q > M. We identify two exceptional cases of nonsupersymmetric theories involving large numbers of light states and Planck-scale nonminimal couplings, in which the sign of the running is reversed, leading to black holes with negative corrections to Q/M in the deep IR, but argue that these do not rule out extremal black holes as the requisite charged states for the WGC. We separately show that causality and unitarity imply that the leading threshold corrections to the effective action from integrating out massive states, in any weakly coupled theory, can be written as a sum of squares and is manifestly positive for black hole backgrounds. Quite beautifully, the shift in the extremal Q/M ratio is directly proportional to the shift in the on-shell action, guaranteeing that these threshold corrections push Q > M in compliance with the WGC. Our results apply for black holes with or without dilatonic coupling and charged under any number of U(1)s.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

The EFT-hedron

We re-examine the constraints imposed by causality and unitarity on the low-energy effective field theory expansion of four-particle scattering amplitudes, exposing a hidden “totally positive” structure strikingly similar to the positive geometries associated with grassmannians and amplituhedra. This forces the infinite tower of higher-dimension operators to lie inside a new geometry we call the “EFT-hedron”. We initiate a systematic investigation of the boundary structure of the EFT-hedron, giving infinitely many linear and non-linear inequalities that must be satisfied by the EFT expansion in any theory. We illustrate the EFT-hedron geometry and constraints in a wide variety of examples, including new consistency conditions on the scattering amplitudes of photons and gravitons in the real world.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Universality between vector-like and chiral quiver gauge theories: anomalies and domain walls

We study low-energy dynamics of [SU($\textit{N}$)]$^K$ chiral quiver gauge theories in connection with $\mathcal{N}$ = 1 super Yang-Mills (SYM) theory, and quantum chromodynamics with bi-fundamental fermions (QCD(BF)). These theories can be obtained by $\mathbb Z_K$ orbifold projections of $\mathcal{N}$ = 1 SU($\textit{N K}$) SYM theory, but the perturbative planar equivalence does not extend nonperturbatively for $\textit{K}$ ≥ 3. In order to study low-energy behaviors, we analyze these systems using ’t Hooft anomaly matching and reliable semiclassics on $\mathbb R^3 × S^1$. Thanks to ’t Hooft anomaly that involves 1-form center symmetry and discrete chiral symmetry, we predict that chiral symmetry must be spontaneously broken in the confinement phase, and there exist $\textit{N}$ vacua. Theories with even $\textit{K}$ possess a physical θ angle despite the presence of massless fermions, and we further predict the $\textit{N}$-branch structure associated with it; the number of vacua is enhanced to 2$\textit{N}$ at θ = π due to spontaneous $\textit{C P}$ breaking. Both of these predictions are explicitly confirmed by reliable semiclassics on $\mathbb R^3 × S^1$ with the double-trace deformation. Symmetry and anomaly of odd-$\textit{K}$ theories are the same as those of the $\mathcal{N}$ = 1 SYM, and the ones of even-$\textit{K}$ theories are same as those of QCD(BF). We unveil why there exists universality between vector-like and chiral quiver theories, and conjecture that their ground states can be continuously deformed without quantum phase transitions. We briefly discuss anomaly inflow on the domain walls connecting the vacua of the theory and possible anomaly matching scenarios.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Scattering amplitudes for all masses and spins

We introduce a formalism for describing four-dimensional scattering amplitudes for particles of any mass and spin. This naturally extends the familiar spinor-helicity formalism for massless particles to one where these variables carry an extra SU(2) little group index for massive particles, with the amplitudes for spin Sparticles transforming as symmetric rank 2S tensors. We systematically characterise all possible three particle amplitudes compatible with Poincare symmetry. Unitarity, in the form of consistent factorization, imposes algebraic conditions that can be used to construct all possible four-particle tree amplitudes. This also gives us a convenient basis in which to expand all possible four-particle amplitudes in terms of what can be called “spinning polynomials”. Many general results of quantum field theory follow the analysis of four-particle scattering, ranging from the set of all possible consistent theories for massless particles, to spin-statistics, and the Weinberg-Witten theorem. We also find a transparent understanding for why massive particles of sufficiently high spin cannot be “elementary”. The Higgs and Super-Higgs mechanisms are naturally discovered as an infrared unification of many disparate helicity amplitudes into a smaller number of massive amplitudes, with a simple understanding for why this can’t be extended to Higgsing for gravitons. We illustrate a number of applications of the formalism at one-loop, giving few-line computations of the electron (g - 2) as well as the beta function and rational terms in QCD. “Off-shell” observables like correlation functions and form-factors can be thought of as scattering amplitudes with external “probe” particles of general mass and spin, so all these objects — amplitudes, form factors and correlators, can be studied from a common on-shell perspective.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2020

Solving Recent Challenges for Wrought Ni-Base Superalloys

This paper reviews the status of technology in design and manufacture of new wrought 21 polycrystalline Ni-base superalloys for critical engineering applications. There is a strong 22 motivation to develop new alloys that are capable of operating at higher temperatures to 23 realise improvements in thermal efficiency, which are necessary to achieve environmental 24 targets for reduced emissions of harmful green-house gases. From the aerospace sector, 25 the development of new powder metallurgy and ingot metallurgy alloys are discussed for 26 disk rotor and static applications. New compositions for powder metallurgy contain about 27 50-55% of gamma prime (γ') strengthening precipitates to ensure components operate 28 successfully at temperatures up to 788°C (1450°F). In contrast, new compositions for ingot 29 metallurgy aim to occupy a design space in temperature capability between Alloy 718 and 30 current powder alloys that are in-service, and show levels of γ' of about 30-44%. The focus 31 in developing these alloys was design for manufacturability. To complement the aerospace 32 developments, a review of work to understand the suitability of candidate alloys for multiple 33 applications in Advanced-Ultra Supercritical (AUSC) power plants has been undertaken by 34 Detrois, Jablonski and Hawk from the National Energy Technology Laboratory. In these 35 power plants, steam temperatures are required to reach 700-760°C. The common thread is 36 to develop alloys that demonstrate a combination of high temperature properties, which are 37 reliant on both the alloy composition and microstructure and can be produced readily at the 38 right price. For the AUSC applications, the emphasis is on high temperature strength, long 39 term creep life, phase stability, oxidation resistance and robust welding for fabrications. 40 Whereas for powder disk rotors in aircraft engines, the priority is enhanced resistance to 41 time dependent crack growth, phase stability and resistance to environmental damage, while 42 extending the current strength levels, which are shown by existing alloys, to higher 43 temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

The structure and migration of twin boundaries in tetragonal β -Sn: An application of machine learning based interatomic potentials

Although atomistic simulations have contributed significantly to our understanding of twin boundary structure and migration in metals and alloys with hexagonal close packed (HCP) crystal structures, few direct atomistic studies of twinning have been conducted for other types of low symmetry materials, in large part due to a lack of reliable interatomic potentials. In this work, we examine twin boundary structure and migration in a tetragonal material, β-Sn, comparing high resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images of deformation twins in β-Sn to the results of direct atomistic simulations using multiple interatomic potentials. ML-based potentials developed in this work are found to give results consistent with our experimental data, revealing faceted twin boundary structures formed by the nucleation and motion of twinning disconnections. We use bicrystallographic methods in combination with atomistic simulations to analyze the structure, energy and shear coupled migration of observed twin facets in β-Sn. In analogy to Prismatic-Basal (PB/BP) interfaces in HCP metals, we discover low energy asymmetric Prismatic-A-plane (PA/AP) interfaces important to twin growth in β-Sn. Finally, a Moment Tensor Potential (MTP) and Rapid Artificial Neural Network (RANN) interatomic potential suitable for studying twinning and phase transformations in Sn are made publicly available as part of this work.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

A self-healing liquid metal anode with PEO-Based polymer electrolytes for rechargeable lithium batteries

In this study, a Ga-Sn liquid metal alloy material is demonstrated as a self-healing anode system due to its fluidity via operando synchrotron-based transmission X-ray microscopy and X-ray diffraction experiments. Cracks formed due to volume expansions can be recovered by the fluidity of the liquid metals. By incorporating with a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based electrolyte at 60°C, the Ga-Sn anode shows a reversible lithium insertion and extraction process with a high initial discharge specific capacity of 682 mAh g -1 , followed by delivering a capacity of 462 mAh g -1 in the second cycle at C/20 rate. Furthermore, compared with its solid counterparts, the Ga-Sn liquid metal anode demonstrates a better capability to maintain its mechanical integrity and better contact with PEO solid electrolytes due to its advantageous features of the liquid. This study suggests a potential strategy to use liquid metal alloys with polymer solid electrolyte to solve the anode challenges in rechargeable lithium batteries.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Perspectives on novel refractory amorphous high-entropy alloys in extreme environments

Two new refractory amorphous high-entropy alloys (RAHEAs) within the W–Ta–Cr–V and W–Ta–Cr–V–Hf systems were herein synthesized using magnetron-sputtering and tested under high-temperature annealing and displacing irradiation using in situ Transmission Electron Microscopy. While the 14W-41Ta-26Cr-19V in at.% RAHEA (defined as WTaCrV RAHEA) was found to be unstable under such tests, additions of Hf in this system composing a new quinary 24W-40Ta-18Cr-5V-13Hf in at.% RAHEA (defined as WTaCrVHf RAHEA) was found to be a route to achieve stability both under annealing and irradiation. A new effect of nanoprecipitate reassembling observed to take place within the WTaCrVHf RAHEA under irradiation indicates that a duplex microstructure composed of an amorphous matrix with crystalline nanometer-sized precipitates enhances the radiation response of the system. Further, it is demonstrated that tunable chemical complexity arises as a new alloy design strategy to foster the use of novel RAHEAs within extreme environments. New perspectives for the alloy design and application of chemically-complex amorphous metallic alloys in extreme environments are presented with focus on their thermodynamic phase stability when subjected to high-temperature annealing and displacing irradiation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗