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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 793 records · Page 44
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Dry-processed electrodes enabled by polytetrafluoroethylene fibrillation for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

The dry processing technique of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fibrillation offers significant advancements in cost reduction, environmental impact, and electrochemical performance. Dry processing alone allows for ∼ 20–60% cost reduction and increases of up to 40 mg cm⁻2 of areal loading – it typically comes at a reduction of rate capability. By leveraging the network structure of fibers, this method enhances rate capability and cycling performance, providing a compelling alternative to the conventional and currently predominant wet processing. The review delves into PTFE fibrillation mechanisms and examines critical influencing factors including material properties and processing parameters. It also discusses challenges associated with the electrodes fabricated by PTFE fibrillation, including structural instability due to insufficient PTFE fibrillization, compromised electrical conductivity from an insufficient conductive network, inhomogeneous dispersion resulting from the absence of solvents, restricted ionic transport due to increased electrode thickness, inadequate adhesion to current collector because of low surface energy of PTFE, electrochemical degradation due to low lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level of PTFE, particle damage during processing and environmental concerns related PTFE being a perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Recent research innovations aimed at mitigating these issues, their application in beyond-lithium batteries, and future research directions are thoroughly discussed.

Park, Hyunji↗
DOE OSTI2018

Anharmonicity and Disorder in the Black Phases of Cesium Lead Iodide Used for Stable Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells

Hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites emerged as a new generation of absorber materials for high-efficiency low-cost solar cells in 2009. Very recently, fully inorganic perovskite quantum dots also led to promising efficiencies, making them a potentially stable and efficient alternative to their hybrid cousins. Currently, the record efficiency is obtained with CsPbI 3 , whose crystallographical characterization is still limited. Here, we show through high-resolution in situ synchrotron XRD measurements that CsPbI 3 can be undercooled below its transition temperature and temporarily maintained in its perovskite structure down to room temperature, stabilizing a metastable perovskite polytype (black γ-phase) crucial for photovoltaic applications. Our analysis of the structural phase transitions reveals a highly anisotropic evolution of the individual lattice parameters versus temperature. Structural, vibrational, and electronic properties of all the experimentally observed black phases are further inspected based on several theoretical approaches. Whereas the black γ-phase is shown to behave harmonically around equilibrium, for the tetragonal phase, density functional theory reveals the same anharmonic behavior, with a Brillouin zone-centered double-well instability, as for the cubic phase. Using total energy and vibrational entropy calculations, we highlight the competition between all the low-temperature phases of CsPbI 3 (γ, δ, β) and show that avoiding the order–disorder entropy term arising from double-well instabilities is key to preventing the formation of the yellow perovskitoid phase. A symmetry-based tight-binding model, validated by self-consistent GW calculations including spin–orbit coupling, affords further insight into their electronic properties, with evidence of Rashba effect for both cubic and tetragonal phases when using the symmetry-breaking structures obtained through frozen phonon calculations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Mechanical Purcell filters for microwave quantum machines

In circuit quantum electrodynamics, measuring the state of a superconducting qubit introduces a loss channel, which can enhance spontaneous emission through the Purcell effect, thus decreasing the qubit lifetime. This decay can be mitigated by performing the measurement through a Purcell filter, which strongly suppresses signal propagation at the qubit transition frequency. If the filter is also well-matched at the readout cavity frequency, it will protect the qubit from decoherence channels without sacrificing measurement bandwidth. In this work, we propose and analyze design for a mechanical Purcell filter, which we also fabricate and characterize at room temperature. The filter is composed of an array of nanomechanical resonators in thin-film lithium niobate, connected in a ladder topology, with series and parallel resonances arranged to produce a bandpass response. Their modest footprint, steep band edges, and lack of cross talk make these filters an appealing alternative to analogous electromagnetic versions currently used in microwave quantum machines.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

Modification of Wool Fibers via Base/Cationic Detergent Pretreatment and Transglutaminase-mediated Reaction of Keratin

The surface modification of wool fibers is an important part of the textile industry to add functionality and stability to wool products. In this study, we developed a process utilizing a base/cationic surfactant solution pretreatment followed by an enzyme-mediated keratin crosslinking reaction to modify the wool fibers. Changes in water contact angle demonstrated the successful transformation of the hydrophobic wool surface to a more hydrophilic one after soaking in sodium carbonate solution containing hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The treated fabrics were further characterized by colorimetry and fluorescent spectrometry. Results showed that the pretreatment increased the yellowness of fabrics and caused some structural changes among certain amino acids, such as tryptophan and cystine. Keratin extracted from coarse wool fibers was further applied on pretreated fabrics through a microbial transglutaminase (mTGase) mediated reaction under mild conditions. Morphological characterization via SEM demonstrated the effective coverage of keratin on the scales of wool. The current method may provide an alternative processing protocol to modify wool fibers and improve the quality and performance of wool products.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Empirical scaling of the L–H threshold power for metal wall tokamaks using a multi-device database

The empirical scaling for the H-mode power threshold in tokamaks has been revisited using a database with threshold data from machines with a metallic first wall as part of International Tokamak Physics Activity (ITPA) task TC-26. The database contains discharges from ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) (W), JET (Be/W) and Alcator C-Mod (Mo). This was motivated by reports that in like-for-like discharges the power threshold was reduced by approximately 30% after the change from carbon based to metallic first wall materials on AUG (Ryter et al 2013 Nucl. Fusion 53 113003) and JET (Maggi et al 2014 Nucl. Fusion 54 023007). The database contains L–H transition data for all hydrogen isotopes and mixtures, including T and DT from the recent JET campaigns. Compared to the ITPA 2008 scaling (Martin et al 2008 J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 123 012033), the metal wall scaling has a smaller magnetic field exponent but a larger density exponent. We present an additional parameter to capture the strong dependence of the L–H power threshold (approx. factor 2) on the magnetic configuration in the divertor on JET. The scaling recovers the approximate inverse isotope mass scaling of the threshold power. Alternative scalings involving the plasma current and poloidal magnetic field are explored. Despite the reduction in threshold observed earlier, the scalings based on the metal wall database do not necessarily extrapolate to a lower threshold for ITER compared to the ITPA 2008 scaling, especially at high density. The divertor configuration effect induces the largest uncertainty in the extrapolation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Hierarchically porous polymer coatings for highly efficient passive daytime radiative cooling

Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) involves spontaneously cooling a surface by reflecting sunlight and radiating heat to the cold outer space. Current PDRC designs are promising alternatives to electrical cooling but are either inefficient or have limited applicability. We present a simple, inexpensive, and scalable phase inversion–based method for fabricating hierarchically porous poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene) [P(VdF-HFP) HP ] coatings with excellent PDRC capability. High, substrate-independent hemispherical solar reflectances (0.96 ± 0.03) and long-wave infrared emittances (0.97 ± 0.02) allow for subambient temperature drops of ~6°C and cooling powers of ~96 watts per square meter (W m −2 ) under solar intensities of 890 and 750 W m −2 , respectively. The performance equals or surpasses those of state-of-the-art PDRC designs, and the technique offers a paint-like simplicity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Redox transistors for neuromorphic computing

Efficiency bottlenecks inherent to conventional computing in executing neural algorithms have spurred the development of novel devices capable of “in-memory” computing. Commonly known as “memristors,” a variety of device concepts including conducting bridge, vacancy filament, phase change, and other types have been proposed as promising elements in artificial neural networks for executing inference and learning algorithms. In this article, we review the recent advances in memristor technology for neuromorphic computing and discuss strategies for addressing the most significant performance challenges, including nonlinearity, high read/write currents, and endurance. As an alternative to two-terminal memristors, we introduce the three-terminal electrochemical memory based on the redox transistor (RT), which uses a gate to tune the redox state of the channel. Decoupling the “read” and “write” operations using a third terminal and storage of information as a charge-compensated redox reaction in the bulk of the transistor enables high-density information storage. These properties enable low-energy operation without compromising analog performance and nonvolatility. Finally, we discuss the RT operating mechanisms using organic and inorganic materials, approaches for array integration, and prospects for achieving the device density and switching speeds necessary to make electrochemical memory competitive with established digital technology.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Bulk Handling Facility Modeling and Simulation for Safeguards Analysis

The Separation and Safeguards Performance Model (SSPM) uses MATLAB/Simulink to provide a tool for safeguards analysis of bulk handling nuclear processing facilities. Models of aqueous and electrochemical reprocessing, enrichment, fuel fabrication, and molten salt reactor facilities have been developed to date. These models are used for designing the overall safeguards system, examining new safeguards approaches, virtually testing new measurement instrumentation, and analyzing diversion scenarios. The key metrics generated by the models include overall measurement uncertainty and detection probability for various material diversion or facility misuse scenarios. Safeguards modeling allows for rapid and cost-effective analysis for Safeguards by Design. The models are currently being used to explore alternative safeguards approaches, including more reliance on process monitoring data to reduce the need for destructive analysis that adds considerable burden to international safeguards. Machine learning techniques are being applied, but these techniques need large amounts of data for training and testing the algorithms. The SSPM can provide that training data. This paper will describe the SSPM and its use for applying both traditional nuclear material accountancy and newer machine learning options.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
NASA NTRS1980

An X-ray survey of nine historical novae

The Einstein Observatory imaging proportional counter was used to search for X-ray emission from nine nearby historical novae. Six of the novae were detected with estimated X-ray intensities between .1 to 4 keV of 10 to the -13th power to 10 to the -11th power ergs/sq cm-s, comparable to the intensities of previously detected cataclysmic variables. The X-ray intensity of one of the novae, V603 Aql, varies over times of several hundred seconds. The data suggest a correlation between the decay rate of the historical outburst and the current X-ray luminosity. Alternatively, the X-ray luminosity may be related to the inclination of the binary system.

Becker, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

An X-ray survey of nine historical novae

The Einstein Observatory Imaging Proportional Counter has been used to search for X-ray emission from nine nearby historical novae. Six of the novae have been detected with estimated X-ray intensities between 0.1 and 4 keV of 10 to the -13th to 10 to the -11th erg/sq cm-sec, comparable to the intensities of previously detected cataclysmic variables. The X-ray intensity of one of the novae, V603 Aql, varies over times of several hundred seconds. The data suggest a correlation between the decay rate of the historical outburst and the current X-ray luminosity. Alternatively, the X-ray luminosity may be related to the inclination of the binary system.

Becker, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Center of Excellence for Applied Mathematical and Statistical Research in support of development of multicrop production monitoring capability

Efforts in support of the development of multicrop production monitoring capability are reported. In particular, segment level proportion estimation techniques based upon a mixture model were investigated. Efforts have dealt primarily with evaluation of current techniques and development of alternative ones. A comparison of techniques is provided on both simulated and LANDSAT data along with an analysis of the quality of profile variables obtained from LANDSAT data.

Woodward, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Validation of the Thematic Mapper radiometric and geometric correction algorithms

The radiometric and geometric correction algorithms for Thematic Mapper are critical to subsequent successful information extraction. Earlier Landsat scanners, known as Multispectral Scanners, produce imagery which exhibits striping due to mismatching of detector gains and biases. Thematic Mapper exhibits the same phenomenon at three levels: detector-to-detector, scan-to-scan, and multiscan striping. The cause of these variations has been traced to variations in the dark current of the detectors. An alternative formulation has been tested and shown to be very satisfactory. Unfortunately, the Thematic Mapper detectors exhibit saturation effects suffered while viewing extensive cloud areas, and is not easily correctable. The geometric correction algorithm has been shown to be remarkably reliable. Only minor and modest improvements are indicated and shown to be effective.

Fischel, D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Aircraft interior noise reduction by alternate resonance tuning

Existing interior noise reduction techniques for aircraft fuselages perform reasonably well at higher frequencies, but are inadequate at lower, particularly with respect to the low blade passage harmonics with high forcing levels found in propeller aircraft. A method is being studied which considers aircraft fuselages lines with panels alternately tuned to frequencies above and below the frequency to be attenuated. Adjacent panels would oscillate at equal amplitude, to give equal source strength, but with opposite phase. Provided these adjacent panels are acoustically compact, the resulting cancellation causes the interior acoustic modes to become cut off and therefore be non-propagating and evanescent. This interior noise reduction method, called Alternate Resonance Tuning (ART), is currently being investigated both theoretically and experimentally. This new concept has potential application to reducing interior noise due to the propellers in advanced turboprop aircraft as well as for existing aircraft configurations. This program summarizes the work carried out at Duke University during the third semester of a contract supported by the Structural Acoustics Branch at NASA Langley Research Center.

Bliss, Donald B.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Aircraft interior noise reduction by alternate resonance tuning

Existing interior noise reduction techniques for aircraft fuselages perform reasonably well at higher frequencies, but are inadequate at lower frequencies, particularly with respect to the low blade passage harmonics with high forcing levels found in propeller aircraft. A method is being studied which considers aircraft fuselage lined with panels alternately tuned to frequencies above and below the frequency that must be attenuated. Adjacent panels would oscillate at equal amplitude, to give equal source strength, but with opposite phase. Provided these adjacent panels are acoustically compact, the resulting cancellation causes the interior acoustic modes to become cutoff, and therefore be non-propagating and evanescent. This interior noise reduction method, called Alternate Resonance Tuning (ART), is currently being investigated both theoretically and experimentally. This new concept has potential application to reducing interior noise due to the propellers in advanced turboprop aircraft as well as for existing aircraft configurations.

Bliss, Donald B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Definition of two-phase flow behaviors for spacecraft design

Two-phase flow, thermal management systems are currently being considered as an alternative to conventional, single phase systems for future space missions because of their potential to reduce overall system mass, size, and pumping power requirements. Knowledge of flow regime transitions, heat transfer characteristics, and pressure drop correlations is necessary to design and develop two-phase systems. A boiling and condensing experiment was built in which R-12 was used as the working fluid. A two-phase pump was used to circulate a freon mixture and allow separate measurements of the vapor and liquid flow streams. The experimental package was flown five times aboard the NASA KC-135 aircraft which simulates zero-g conditions by its parabolic flight trajectory. Test conditions included stratified and annual flow regimes in 1-g which became bubbly, slug, or annular flow regimes on 0-g. A portion of this work is the analysis of adiabatic flow regimes. The superficial velocities of liquid and vapor have been obtained from the measured flow rates and are presented along with the observed flow regimes.

Reinarts, Thomas R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

NASA studies access to space

A comprehensive internal NASA study known as 'Access to Space' has sought to identify and assess major alternatives for the long-range direction the space transportation program should take. The scope of the study covered all U.S. civilian, commercial, and national security needs for space transportation for the next several decades. Three alternative approaches were identified: using current vehicles; developing new conventional technology vehicles, and developing new advanced technology vehicles. Large annual operations cost savings could be obtained only with new vehicles, and then only with considerable up-front investments. Seven other major factors were assessed. The third option is found to be the most attractive.

ACCESS TO SPACE↗
NASA NTRS1996

Testing of Wrought Iridium/Chemical Vapor Deposition Rhenium Rocket

A 22-N class, iridium/rhenium (Ir/Re) rocket chamber, composed of a thick (418 miocrometer) wrought iridium (Ir) liner and a rhenium substrate deposited via chemical vapor deposition, was tested over an extended period on gaseous oxygen/gaseous hydrogen (GO2/GH2) propellants. The test conditions were designed to produce species concentrations similar to those expected in an Earth-storable propellant combustion environment. Temperatures attained in testing were significantly higher than those expected with Earth-storable propellants, both because of the inherently higher combustion temperature of GO2/GH2 propellants and because the exterior surface of the rocket was not treated with a high-emissivity coating that would be applied to flight class rockets. Thus the test conditions were thought to represent a more severe case than for typical operational applications. The chamber successfully completed testing (over 11 hr accumulated in 44 firings), and post-test inspections showed little degradation of the Ir liner. The results indicate that use of a thick, wrought Ir liner is a viable alternative to the Ir coatings currently used for Ir/Re rockets.

Reed, Brian D.↗