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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 811 records · Page 45
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Zero Resistance Ammetry (ZRA) Measurements of Sediment Electrochemical Gradients, Old Woman Creek, Ohio, USA, June–November 2022

This dataset contains raw and processed zero resistance ammetry (ZRA) measurements collected from wetland sediments at Old Woman Creek, a freshwater estuary on Lake Erie, Ohio, USA, between June and November 2022. Measurements were obtained using a vertically deployed electrode array positioned at multiple depths within the sediment profile to capture electrochemical gradients associated with microbial activity and sediment geochemistry. The raw dataset consists of parsed instrument log files containing timestamps, electrode pair identifiers, and measured electrical potential (mV). The processed dataset includes standardized and quality-controlled values with instrument saturation limits removed and timestamps converted to ISO 8601 format. Electrode line identifiers were mapped to physical depths, enabling interpretation of depth-resolved electrochemical gradients. Instrument saturation values (−2048, −2047, 2047, and 2048 mV) were identified as measurement limits and excluded from quantitative analyses. All data parsing, processing, and quality control steps are documented in an accompanying R Markdown script, ensuring full reproducibility from raw instrument logs to final datasets.

EARTH SCIENCE > AGRICULTURE > SOILS > ELECTRICAL C↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electrochemical Synthesis of Monodisperse Platinum-Cobalt Nanocrystals

The synthesis of platinum-cobalt nanocrystals (NCs) using colloidal solvothermal techniques is well understood. However, for monodisperse NCs to form, high temperatures and environmentally detrimental solvents are needed. We report a room temperature, aqueous method of platinum-cobalt NC synthesis using electrochemical reduction as the driving force for nucleation and growth. It is found that colloidal NCs will form in both the presence and absence of surfactant. Additionally, we report a monodisperse electrochemical deposition of NCs utilising a transparent conducting oxide electrode. The methods developed here will allow for a synthetic method to produce nanocatalysts with minimal environmental impact and should be readily applicable to other NC systems, including single- and multi-component alloys.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Room Temperature Electrochemical Upgrading of Methane to Oxygenate Fuels

The overall objective of this project is to discover the nature of the electrochemically active sites and to uncover the mechanisms for the electrocatalytic transformation of small organic molecules to oxygenate products such as methanol, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and ethylene. Among the feedstocks of interest in this study were: methane, carbon dioxide, and acetic acid. Methane is an incredibly attractive potential feedstock because of the recent discovery of large shale deposits; carbon dioxide is potentially a very available feedstock from carbon capture technologies; acetic acid (as well as CH4 and CO2 and ethanol) has potential as a bio-derived feedstock. This report summarizes the major results to date regarding the electrochemical transformation of CH4, CO2 and acetic acid to chemicals and fuels – with a primary focus on methane. It should be noted that this was a grant that was transferred to the University of South Carolina following the PI’s move from the University of Connecticut. Therefore, this report – as a summary document – contains the results over the entire duration of the project. In addition to the primary objective, the work in this project has led to synergistic discoveries that are advantageous to other fields including: catalyst layer deposition, anion exchange membrane fuel cells, CO2 capture and li-ion batteries. Those are very briefly discussed as well.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2020

In situ Diagnostics of Coupled Electrochemical-Mechanical Properties of Solid Electrolyte Interphases on Lithium Metal Rechargeable Batteries (Final Technical Report)

The fundamental understanding of the coupled mechanical/chemical degradation of the SEI layer during lithium cycling will enable the project to identify the desirable mechanical properties on SEI/lithium as a system and the specific transport properties that enable the homogenous lithium stripping/plating while avoiding the mossy structure. Furthermore, it will allow the project to develop a highly impactful strategy to protect lithium metal and achieve dendrite free high cycle efficiency, which can dramatically increase the energy density of lithium batteries for EV applications. During past three years, four coherent steps have been taken to solve the coupled mechanical and electrochemical degradation: (1) Developed a comprehensive set of in-situ diagnostic techniques to investigate the coupled mechanical/chemical properties of SEI layer and its impact on lithium striping/plating. (2) Identified failure mechanisms of SEI/Li as a whole electrode system using in-situ electrochemical tools. (3) Established a design strategy of protective coatings on Li metal to extend the cycle life Li meal electrode. (4) Developed novel surface coatings as the artificial SEI layer to protect Li metal and significantly extend cycle life. During past 3-year budget period, we have published over 16 peer-reviewed paper, filed 7 patents, and given over 30 invited talks. 5 graduated students and 2 postdocs were supported by this project.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Electrochemical conversion of coal-derived CO 2 into fuels and chemicals using a modified PEM electrolyzer. Final report

Opus 12 is developing an electrochemical process to convert CO 2 into chemicals and fuels. Using only CO 2 , water, and electricity as inputs, the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 could form the basis of an artificial carbon cycle that replaces a wide range of products that are currently derived from fossil fuel resources. We have developed a prototype that demonstrates high selectivity and current density for CO 2 conversion to CO, which can be used to make high-value products including methanol, acetic acid, polymers, and pharmaceuticals.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2021

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↗
DOE OSTI2022

Thermodynamic, Kinetic and Electrochemical Studies on Mixed Proton, Oxygen Ion and Electron (Hole) Conductors

The report contains a summary of work done during the period of performance September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2021. The principal objective of the work was to conduct thermodynamic, kinetic and electrochemical studies on mixed proton, oxygen ion and electron (hole) conductors. The project also involved studies on cation conductors such as Li + and Na + ion conductors of particular relevance to batteries. The work involved theory and experiments. Since any use of ionic conductors necessarily entails two electrodes, electrode reactions are central to the overall transport processes from one electrode, through the electrolyte, to the other electrode. The role of interfaces and electrochemical reactions is thus of central importance. Transport processes in fuel cells, electrolyzers, lithium batteries and sodium batteries were examined using linear non-equilibrium thermodynamics, which is based on the assumption of small departures from thermodynamic equilibrium. The main approach involved expressing transport processes using the Onsager equations which naturally include coupling of thermodynamic flows and thermodynamic forces. The basic tenet of linear nonequilibrium thermodynamics is the existence of local thermodynamic equilibrium which means that all thermodynamic functions are locally defined. Thus, chemical potentials of various species are defined locally as a function of position and also of time. The existence of local thermodynamic equilibrium has fundamental implications concerning transport of electronic species through a predominantly ionic conductor.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Mechanical, Microstructural, and Electrochemical Characterization of NaSICON Sodium Ion Conductors [Poster]

The DOE Office of Electricity views sodium batteries as a priority in pursuing a safe, resilient, and reliable grid. Improvements in solid-state electrolytes are key to realizing the potential of these large-scale batteries. NaSICON structure consists of SiO 4 or PO 4 tetrahedra sharing common corners with ZrO 6 octahedra. Structure forms “tunnels” in three dimensions that can transport interstitial sodium ion. 3D structure provides higher ionic conductivity than other conductors (β’’-alumina), particularly at low temperature. Lower temperature (cheaper) processing compared to β’’-alumina. Our objective was to identify fundamental structure-processing-property relationships in NaSICON solid electrolytes to inform design for use in sodium batteries. In this work, the mechanical properties of NaSICON sodium ion conductors are affected by sodium conduction. Electrochemical cycling can alter modulus and hardness in NaSICON. Excessive cycling can lead to secondary phases and/or dendrite formation that change mechanical properties in NaSICON. Mechanical and electrochemical properties can be correlated with topographical features to further inform design decisions

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electrochemical Hydrogen Compression Cell Design (CRADA Final Report)

Electrochemical compression and purification is a high potential technology that is likely to outcompete mechanical compression for hydrogen end use applications. However, testing and understanding what is occurring within the cell is difficult as it is not readily accessible through experimentation. Thus, the main target is to increase performance and reduce cost of electrochemical hydrogen compression (EHC) and purification (EHP) cells and stacks using multiscale mathematical modeling informed by experiment. The models can provide physical insight into limiting processes and develop mitigation methods, which can be proven out through rapid sub-scale testing of the devices.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2023

High Temperature Electrochemical Sensors for In-Situ Corrosion Monitoring in Coal-Based Power Generation Boilers

In this project, we successfully achieved the goals we proposed: 1. optimization and development of electrochemical sensor, 2. sensor construction and package, 3. sensor testing @Longview Power Plant and data analysis, 4. lab-scale sensor optimization and corrosion database development, 5. electrochemical and corrosion monitoring validation and 6. TEA.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2023

Selective Electrochemical Capture and Release of Uranyl in Solution (Final Report)

The goal of this project is to investigate the selective, electrochemical capture and release of uranyl ((UO 2 ) 2 +) from biphasic or heterogeneous mixtures using a class of cluster molecules, ortho-carboranes (Cb), containing selective binding groups. Possible applications in PUREX, seawater uranyl extraction, or in actinide/lanthanide (An/Ln) or Ln/Ln separations are envisioned. With this funding, we sought to achieve these goals by harnessing the redox-switchable chelating properties of the “closo” Cb to the reduced “nido” Cb enabling the electrochemical control of the ligand bite angle. Using this premise, specific goals include: 1) integrating new selective coordinating groups (L) onto the carbon positions of Cb for the selective capture and release of uranyl, and; 2) anchoring these selective carboranes onto electrode and/or heterogeneous surfaces for the selective, heterogeneous capture and release of uranyl from aqueous solutions under flow conditions. Overall, this work focuses on advancing our understanding and controlling the properties of this new platform for metal capture and release chemistry which, we believe, has the potential for broader applicability in the separation sciences.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electrochemical Kinetics of Stable Isotopes (Final Report)

Stable isotopes are sensitive indicators to the mass transport and chemical reactions that occur during potentiostat-controlled electroplating of metals from aqueous (and some non-aqueous) metal-salt solutions. The goal of this research program is to measure the stable isotope fractionation during electrochemical processes, how the isotope-dependent rates are sensitive to chemistry, temperature, and electrochemical kinetics, and to use these measurements to develop a theoretical framework for a kinetic isotope effect that is able to predict kinetic isotope fractionation factors.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Sensitivity Analysis Tool for Electrochemical Conversion of CO 2 To CO: User Guide

This is the user guide for the tool described here: Development of technologies that convert carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into products is part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Carbon Conversion Program portfolio. One such technology under development converts CO 2 to value-added products via electrochemical reduction, where catalysts are used on the cathode to promote CO 2 conversion across the electrochemical catalyst (ECC) cell. Broadly, the ECC is integrated with balance of plant (BOP) equipment (e.g., compressors, pumps, heat exchangers, purification units) in system configurations to produce the desired product. To guide research and development (R&D) toward advancements that may make such conversion technologies economically competitive, researchers may use sensitivity analyses related to the ECC system cost and performance, including that of the cathodic and anodic catalysts. This tool is intended to inform developers and Program in assessing proposed R&D on ECC systems early in the development process. Results will guide researchers on where efforts would be best directed. The tool may be accessed here: https://www.netl.doe.gov/energy-analysis/details?id=55293cb1-6881-4181-a2b0-d00b711ce74b.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Continuum Model Development for Electrochemical Systems (Statement of Work: Ilenia Battiato Subcontract)

The subcontractor shall provide the services of qualified multiscale modelers to perform tasks that contribute to reaching the objectives of the LDRD project entitled Automated and Accelerated Continuum Model Development for Electrochemical Systems (Tracking number 24-ERD-051). These tasks relate to the development, deployment, and validation of multiscale models relevant to electrochemical systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Low-Temperature Electrochemical Wastewater Oxidation

Here, we demonstrated the Clean Sustainable Electrochemical Treatment (CleanSET) process that enables the distributed clean-up of biomass-derived wastewater while simultaneously generating hydrogen (H 2 ). The specific goal of this project is to 1) demonstrate the selective removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total carbon (TC), and total nitrogen (TN) of different wastewaters, 2) optimize the electrode composition to improve electrochemical performance, and 3) perform a high-level techno-economic analysis to obtain levelized costs of disposal (LCOD) .

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2024

Integrated Process for Direct Air Capture of CO 2 and Electrochemical Conversion to Ethanol

This Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between UT-Battelle, LLC and Reactwell, L.L.C. aimed to facilitate the development of an energy-efficient and cost-effective technology that captures carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from ambient air and converts it electrochemically to ethanol. Direct air capture (DAC) of CO 2 offers the prospect of permanently lowering the atmospheric CO 2 concentration, providing economic and energy-efficient technologies can be developed and deployed at a large scale. DAC has the potential for high-capacity atmospheric CO 2 capture, the flexibility of placement anywhere on earth, and the generation of high-purity CO 2 streams. The most significant technical challenge with DAC is the very low atmospheric concentration of CO 2 , thereby requiring sorbents that bind CO 2 quickly, strongly, and selectively against other components in the air. Integrating DAC with CO 2 conversion into useful chemicals, fuels, or materials can provide an economically feasible solution for mitigating climate change. As long as the carbon contained in these products is taken from the atmosphere and no additional carbon emissions result from their production, processing, and transportation, they can be considered carbon-neutral products. This CRADA facilitated the development of a new net-zero emission technology that closes the carbon cycle by combining DAC with the catalytic electrochemical conversion of CO 2 into ethanol.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

High-Fidelity Accelerated Design of High-performance Electrochemical Systems

Large-scale electrification is vital to addressing the climate crisis, but several scientific and technological challenges remain to fully electrify both the chemical industry and transportation. In both of these areas, new electrochemical materials will be critical, but their development currently relies heavily on human-time-intensive experimental trial and error and computationally expensive first-principles, meso-scale and continuum simulations. To accelerate this process, our team has developed the AutoMat platform. AutoMat can accelerate development of new electrochemical materials along two avenues: first, automated input generation and management of simulations at multiple lengthscales as well as “handoff” of outputs from one lengthscale as inputs to the next; and second, replacement of the most computationally intensive simulation processes with machine-learned surrogate models. The crux of our team’s effort was not “reinventing the wheel” by developing entirely new techniques, but rather building a “superhighway” that allows existing state-of-the-art techniques to run faster and more smoothly than before. AutoMat can utilize tools spanning from first-principles quantum chemistry computations to automated robotic experimentation, and is driven by design space search techniques to reduce the number of iterations through the full simulation loop by rapidly targeting promising regions of design spaces such as single-atom alloy catalysts or blends of liquid electrolytes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Low-Cost Electrochemical Compressor (ECC) Utilizing Green Refrigerants for HVAC Applications [Slides]

HVAC systems account for approximately 14 Quads or primary energy annually, or nearly 30% of all energy used in the U.S. commercial and residential buildings. Electrochemical compression (ECC) is a transformative solid-state technology and ECC based HVAC systems could result in 40% less energy use. The goal of the project was to develop the most efficient, noiseless, and most environmentally friendly cooling system based on integrating 2 (two) technologies: a) electrochemical compressors (ECC) to replace mechanical compressors for use in building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications and b) Ionic Liquid Desiccant Systems. The overall objective was to develop and build a scalable ILD/ECC-based air conditioning system operating with a COP of 4.5, with a price premium of $70 installed per kBTU/hr.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗