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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 847 records · Page 47
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Balancing solvation: stabilizing lithium metal batteries via optimized cosolvents for ionic-liquid electrolytes

In this study, we examined three cosolvents with distinct solvation capabilities for ionic-liquid electrolytes based on 1-methyl-1-propyl pyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (Py13FSI). We demonstrate that 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-(2-(2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)ethane (FDG) notably enhances the cycle life of Py13FSI-based electrolytes, outperforming 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropylether (TTE) and diglyme (DG). Electrochemical and surface analyses showed that this improvement could be attributed to the formation of a favorable cathode interphase, promoting efficient Li+ transport with reduced overpotential. Spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, Raman, and NMR spectroscopy) and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that cosolvents with varying solvation abilities can influence the solvation structures in Py13FSI-based electrolytes. The mild solvating strength and lithium stability of FDG are key contributors to its effectiveness. Conversely, DG, a strong solvating solvent, destabilized the Py13FSI-DG electrolyte at the lithium metal anode, while TTE, a non-solvating solvent, failed to enhance lithium transport or form a stable cathode interphase. Our findings highlight that balanced solvation exerted by the cosolvents is critical for forming a stable electrolyte–cathode interface, potentially through FSI decomposition. This study offers valuable insights into the development of durable ionic-liquid electrolytes, emphasizing the importance of selecting cosolvents with optimal solvation properties.

Li, Xinlin [Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Arg↗
DOE OSTI2024

High-resolution particle-in-cell simulations of two-dimensional Bernstein–Greene–Kruskal modes

We present two-dimensional (2D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of 2D Bernstein–Greene–Kruskal modes, which are exact nonlinear steady-state solutions of the Vlasov–Poisson equations, on a 2D plane perpendicular to a background magnetic field, with a cylindrically symmetric electric potential localized on the plane. PIC simulations are initialized using analytic electron distributions and electric potentials from the theory. We confirm the validity of such solutions using high-resolutions up to a 20482 grid. We show that the solutions are dynamically stable for a stronger background magnetic field, while keeping other parameters of the model fixed, but become unstable when the field strength is weaker than a certain value. When a mode becomes unstable, we observe that the instability begins with the excitation of azimuthal electrostatic waves that ends with a spiral pattern.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2022

Exploring the Effects of Geopolitical Shifts on Global Wildlife Trade

Abstract International wildlife trade is a major driver of species extinction and biological invasions. Anticipating environmental risks requires inferences about trade patterns, which are shaped by geopolitics. Although the future cannot be predicted, scenarios can help deal with the uncertainty of future geopolitical dynamics. We propose a framework for generating and analyzing scenarios based on four geopolitical storylines, distinguished by combinations of international trade barrier strength and domestic law enforcement degree across countries supplying and demanding wildlife. We then use historical data on bird trade to classify countries into geopolitical profiles and confirm that trade barriers and law enforcement allow predicting bird trade patterns, supporting our scenarios’ plausibility and enabling projections for future global bird trade. Our framework can be used to examine the consequences of geopolitical changes for wildlife trade and to advise policy and legislation. Reducing demand for wildlife and ameliorating global inequality are key for curbing trade related risks.

Ribeiro, Joana (ORCID:0000000237555785)↗
DOE OSTI2021

Properties of giant dipole resonances within an extended pairing model with a focus on spectral statistics

In this paper, we report on a study of the spectral features associated with dipole resonances in medium mass nuclei (E ≤ 12 MeV), as revealed in the framework of the spd-interacting boson model. The effect of pairing correlations on the theory follows from solutions obtained through an application of the Bethe Ansatz Equation. In general, calculated spectra around the critical point of the vibrational to γ-soft transitions appears to approach that of a Gaussian Orthogonal Ensemble, while near the rotational and vibrational limits of the theory the spectra show more regular behavior. Specifically, the results reveal that the statistical features of the spectra are sensitive to the vector boson pairing strength, c p , in the transition region; that is, when c p is zero, or when the system approaches one of its dynamical symmetries limits the spectrum display regular features, while for stronger c p values, or when near to the critical phase transition region, the spectral feature show more chaotic behavior. Overall, our results indicate that the statistical features are governed by the interplay between dipole resonant energies, pairing correlations, and interactions between and among the single and vector bosons modes of the theory. As part of this work we also found out that chaoticity occurs when results were fit to a Berry-Robnik distribution. Throughout our analyses, we used experimentally known information about both positive and negative parity states. Our findings suggest that dipole resonances appear to be best-described by Poisson statistics for A ≈ 32-138 nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Observing Quantum Measurement Collapse as a Learnability Phase Transition

During a quantum measurement, superpositions of states with different observable properties probabilistically collapse into one with a sharp value of the measured observable. In macroscopic quantum systems, this collapse arises via a continuous measurement-induced phase transition (MIPT) at a critical value of the strength of interaction with the measurement apparatus. MIPTs lie outside established paradigms for equilibrium or nonequilibrium critical phenomena and delineate distinct, stable dynamical and computational phases of matter. Quantum computers enable programmable simulation of the interaction of a measurement apparatus with a dynamical quantum system, to explore MIPT phenomena over a range of system sizes while retaining quantum coherence. Yet, existing experimental protocols rely on fundamentally nonscalable postselection techniques or direct classical simulation of quantum circuits. Here, we report the scalable observation of finite-size scaling evidence for an observable-sharpening MIPT in monitored quantum circuits in a chain of Yb + 171 ions in Quantinuum’s H1-1 trapped-ion quantum processor. By leveraging an equivalent description as a statistical physics problem, we implement scalable classical algorithms to infer the value of the measured observable from a single experimental shot. This technique enables a truly scalable protocol to observe observable-sharpening MIPTs in generic classes of circuits that cannot be directly classically simulated and also provides enhanced means to detect and suppress errors in the quantum simulation. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Modes and Mechanisms of Pacific Decadal-Scale Variability

The modes of Pacific decadal-scale variability (PDV), traditionally defined as statistical patterns of variance, reflect to first order the ocean's integration (i.e., reddening) of atmospheric forcing that arises from both a shift and a change in strength of the climatological (time-mean) atmospheric circulation. While these patterns concisely describe PDV, they do not distinguish among the key dynamical processes driving the evolution of PDV anomalies, including atmospheric and ocean teleconnections and coupled feedbacks with similar spatial structures that operate on different timescales. In this review, we synthesize past analysis using an empirical dynamical model constructed from monthly ocean surface anomalies drawn from several reanalysis products, showing that the PDV modes of variance result from two fundamental low-frequency dynamical eigenmodes: the North Pacific–central Pacific (NP-CP) and Kuroshio–Oyashio Extension (KOE) modes. Both eigenmodes highlight how two-way tropical–extratropical teleconnection dynamics are the primary mechanisms energizing and synchronizing the basin-scale footprint of PDV. While the NP-CP mode captures interannual- to decadal-scale variability, the KOE mode is linked to the basin-scale expression of PDV on decadal to multidecadal timescales, including contributions from the South Pacific.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1984

Orbiting dynamic compression laboratory

In order to examine the feasibility of carrying out dynamic compression experiments on a space station, the possibility of using explosive gun launchers is studied. The question of whether powders of a refractory metal (molybdenum) and a metallic glass could be well considered by dynamic compression is examined. In both cases extremely good bonds are obtained between grains of metal and metallic glass at 180 and 80 kb, respectively. When the oxide surface is reduced and the dynamic consolidation is carried out in vacuum, in the case of molybdenum, tensile tests of the recovered samples demonstrated beneficial ultimate tensile strengths.

Ahrens, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Thermoviscoplastic model with application to copper

A viscoplastic model is developed which is applicable to anisothermal, cyclic, and multiaxial loading conditions. Three internal state variables are used in the model; one to account for kinematic effects, and the other two to account for isotropic effects. One of the isotropic variables is a measure of yield strength, while the other is a measure of limit strength. Each internal state variable evolves through a process of competition between strain hardening and recovery. There is no explicit coupling between dynamic and thermal recovery in any evolutionary equation, which is a useful simplification in the development of the model. The thermodynamic condition of intrinsic dissipation constrains the thermal recovery function of the model. Application of the model is made to copper, and cyclic experiments under isothermal, thermomechanical, and nonproportional loading conditions are considered. Correlations and predictions of the model are representative of observed material behavior.

Freed, Alan D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The equilibria and evolutions of magnetized, rotating, isothermal clouds. V - The effect of the toroidal field

The structures of magnetized clouds are studied from a standpoint of magnetohydrostatic equilibrium between the self-gravity and magnetic and thermal pressure forces. Toroidal as well as poloidal magnetic field is taken into account. Poloidal current flowing along the poloidal magnetic field forms a toroidal field which causes the cloud to be pinched toward the symmetric axis. In contrast to the poloidal field, which plays a role in supporting the cloud, the toroidal field has the effect of shrinking the cloud. A cloud that is pinched by the toroidal field but has a low central density often shows a prolate spheroidal shape. With increasing central density the cloud becomes a concaved oblate spheroid. The maximum mass of the cloud supported by magnetic field and thermal pressure decreases with increasing toroidal field strength. Assuming that a cloud encounters a torsional Alfven wave, and the magnetic field begins to be wound up, the cloud begins dynamical collapse if the cloud mass exceeds the marginally supported maximum mass. This indicates a new mode triggering star formation: toroidal field-induced collapse.

Tomisaka, Kohji↗
NASA NTRS1992

Experiments on shock/vortex interactions

The interaction between a shock wave and a supersonic streamwise vortex is a fundamental fluid-dynamics problem with numerous practical applications. This paper describes an experimental study of this phenomenon. In particular, supersonic streamwise vortices of varying strength and Mach number were generated and measured using five-hole and total-temperature probes. In addition, the interactions between a vortex and either an oblique or a normal shock wave were visualized using schlieren and planar-laser-scattering techniques. The mean-flow measurements show both similarities and differences between the supersonic streamwise vortex and its incompressible counterpart, while the flow-visualization results show that the shock/vortex interaction is always unsteady and that, under certain conditions, the vortex can burst. The conditions necessary for supersonic vortex breakdown are presented.

Cattafesta, L. N., III↗
NASA NTRS1995

Surface Modeling, Grid Generation, and Related Issues in Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) Solutions

The NASA Steering Committee for Surface Modeling and Grid Generation (SMAGG) sponsored a workshop on surface modeling, grid generation, and related issues in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solutions at Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio, May 9-11, 1995. The workshop provided a forum to identify industry needs, strengths, and weaknesses of the five grid technologies (patched structured, overset structured, Cartesian, unstructured, and hybrid), and to exchange thoughts about where each technology will be in 2 to 5 years. The workshop also provided opportunities for engineers and scientists to present new methods, approaches, and applications in SMAGG for CFD. This Conference Publication (CP) consists of papers on industry overview, NASA overview, five grid technologies, new methods/ approaches/applications, and software systems.

Choo, Yung K.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Magnetostrictive Vibration Damper and Energy Harvester for Rotating Machinery

Vibrations generated by machine driveline components can cause excessive noise and structural damage. Magnetostrictive materials, including Galfenol (iron-gallium alloys) and Terfenol-D (terbium-iron-dysprosium alloys), are able to convert mechanical energy to magnetic energy. A magnetostrictive vibration ring is proposed, which generates electrical energy and dampens vibration, when installed in a machine driveline. A 2D axisymmetric finite element (FE) model incorporating magnetic, mechanical, and electrical dynamics is constructed in COMSOL Multiphysics. Based on the model, a parametric study considering magnetostrictive material geometry, pickup coil size, bias magnet strength, flux path design, and electrical load is conducted to maximize loss factor and average electrical output power. By connecting various resistive loads to the pickup coil, the maximum loss factors for Galfenol and Terfenol-D due to electrical energy loss are identified as 0.14 and 0.34, respectively. The maximum average electrical output power for Galfenol and Terfenol-D is 0.21 W and 0.58 W, respectively. The loss factors for Galfenol and Terfenol-D are increased to 0.59 and 1.83, respectively, by using an L-C resonant circuit.

Magnetostrictive↗
NASA NTRS2015

Atmospheric Mining in the Outer Solar System: Resource Capturing, Exploration, and Exploitation

Atmospheric mining in the outer solar system (AMOSS) has been investigated as a means of fuel production for high-energy propulsion and power. Fusion fuels such as helium 3 (He-3) and hydrogen can be wrested from the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune and either returned to Earth or used in-situ for energy production. 3He and hydrogen (deuterium, etc.) were the primary gases of interest, with hydrogen being the primary propellant for nuclear thermal solid core and gas core rocket-based atmospheric flight. A series of analyses were undertaken to investigate resource capturing aspects of AMOSS. These analyses included the gas capturing rate, storage options, and different methods of direct use of the captured gases. Additional supporting analyses were conducted to illuminate vehicle sizing and orbital transportation issues. While capturing 3He, large amounts of hydrogen and helium 4 (He-4) are produced. With these two additional gases, the potential exists for fueling small and large fleets of additional exploration and exploitation vehicles. Additional aerospacecraft or other aerial vehicles (UAVs, balloons, rockets, etc.) could fly through the outer-planet atmosphere to investigate cloud formation dynamics, global weather, localized storms or other disturbances, wind speeds, the poles, and so forth. Deep-diving aircraft (built with the strength to withstand many atmospheres of pressure) powered by the excess hydrogen or 4He may be designed to probe the higher density regions of the gas giants.

Palaszewski, Bryan↗
DOE OSTI2021

Physics-Informed Machine Learning-Aided System Space Discretization

Decision-making is the process of identifying and choosing alternatives based on an agreed-upon set of metrics and preferences established by the decision-maker. There are options to be considered during the decision-making process and each option offers a different trajectory and associated success profile in moving from a given system state to the desired system state. The decision-making process typically involves uncertainties associated with the current component and system states. In this sense, probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) can be an analytical method and tool for accomplishing the probabilistic aspect of the decision-making process. Dynamic PRA is an evolution of conventional PRA methodology in which driving forces on modeled plant elements and the element behaviors are explicitly modeled over time. In the recent past, risk assessment methodologies have evolved to address risk issues in a continuously evolving environment and a novel probabilistic dynamics framework in continuous time and state-space discretization forms has been proposed. While state-space discretization has shown its strength in both consequence and causal reasoning modes, several challenges, including the computational requirement and physically meaningful system state identification, exist. Conventional system space discretization has usually been done by either the equal width discretization method or a data-driven method. Those methods naturally possess challenges coming from the physical understanding of discretized system space (i.e., system state) and the trajectory moving from a given system state to another system state. The purpose of this paper is to present a physics-based and data-driven system state discretization method such that one can justify what the discretized system space implies and understand the state trajectory from the viewpoint of operational actions.

Kim, Junyung↗
DOE OSTI2024

Comparison of methods for the NMR measurement of motionally averaged dipolar couplings

Motionally averaged dipolar couplings are an important tool for understanding the complex dynamics of catalysts, polymers, and biomolecules. While there is a plethora of solid-state NMR pulse sequences available for their measurement, in can be difficult to gauge the methods’ strengths and weaknesses. In particular, there has not been a comprehensive comparison of their performance in natural abundance samples, where 1H homonuclear dipolar couplings are important and the use of large MAS rotors may be required for sensitivity reasons. In this work, we directly compared some of the more common methods for measuring C–H dipolar couplings in natural abundance samples using L-alanine (L-Ala) and the N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMLF) tripeptide as model systems. Here, we evaluated their performance in terms of accuracy, resolution, sensitivity, and ease of implementation. We found that, despite the presence of 1H homonuclear dipolar interactions, all methods, with the exception of REDOR, were able to yield the reasonable dipolar coupling strengths for both mobile and static moieties. Of these methods, PDLF provides the most convenient workflow and precision at the expense of low sensitivity. In low-sensitivity cases, MAS-PISEMA and DIPSHIFT appear to be the better options.

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

Simulating noise on a quantum processor: interactions between a qubit and resonant two-level system bath

Material defects fundamentally limit the coherence times of superconducting qubits, and manufacturing completely defect-free devices is not yet possible. Therefore, understanding the interactions between defects and a qubit in a real quantum processor design is essential. We build a model that incorporates the standard tunneling model, the electric field distributions in the qubit, and open quantum system dynamics, and draws from the current understanding of two-level system (TLS) theory. Specifically, we start with one million TLSs distributed on the surface of a qubit and pick the 200 systems that are most strongly coupled to the qubit. We then perform a full Lindbladian simulation that explicitly includes the coherent coupling between the qubit and the TLS bath to model the time dependent density matrix of resonant TLS defects and the qubit. We find that the 200 most strongly coupled TLSs can accurately describe the qubit energy relaxation time. This work confirms that resonant TLSs located in areas where the electric field is strong can significantly affect the qubit relaxation time, even if they are located far from the Josephson junction (JJ). Similarly, a strongly-coupled resonant TLS located in the JJ does not guarantee a reduced qubit relaxation time if a more strongly coupled TLS is far from the JJ. In addition to the coupling strengths between TLSs and the qubit, the model predicts that the geometry of the device and the TLS relaxation time play a significant role in qubit dynamics. Our work can provide guidance for future quantum processor designs with improved qubit coherence times.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS2022

Firefly: The Case for a Holistic Understanding of the Global Structure and Dynamics of the Sun and the Heliosphere

This white paper presents the current knowledge gaps in understanding how magnetic fields control solar (and by extension, stellar) activity in timescales from minutes to years and discusses a transformative observational approach to fill those gaps. The solar activity drives space weather as the result of dynamic magnetic fields forming in the solar interior and evolving continuously until reaching levels of complexity in the atmosphere that trigger eruptions. However, we do not fully understand how solar and, more generally, stellar magnetic fields are generated and how they evolve through the eruptive states. The major obstacle is our reliance on observations from a single viewpoint, particularly in the ecliptic plane. This vantage point can only provide limited information for (i) understanding the generation of solar magnetic fields deep in the convection zone; (ii) determining the origin of the solar cycle and predicting its timing and strength; (iii) explaining the causes of solar activity and their triggers; (iv) reliably predicting when and how CMEs will impact Earth and other planets; (v) fathoming the structure and dynamics of the corona as it creates the heliosphere; (vi) understanding the energization and transport of energetic particles; etc.

Nour E. Raouafi↗
NASA NTRS1991

Dynamic inter-limb resistance exercise device for long-duration space flight

Essential for fitness on Earth, resistive exercise is even more important for astronauts, who must maintain muscle and bone strength in the absence of gravity. To meet this need, designers and scientists at NASA Ames Research Center, Life Science Division, have worked to develop more effective exercise devices for long-duration exposure to microgravity. One of these concepts is the Inter-Limb Resistance Device which allows the subject to exercise one limb directly against another, strengthening muscle groups in the arms, legs, and back. It features a modular harness with an inelastic cable and instrumented pulley. Forces similar to other high resistance exercise equipment are generated. Sensors in the pulley measure force and velocity for performance feedback display and data acquisition. This free-floating apparatus avoids vibration of sensitive experiments on board spacecraft. Compact with low mass, this hardware is also well suited for a 'safe haven' from radiation on board Space Station Freedom, and may prove useful in confined environments on Earth, such as Antarctic stations, submarines, and other underwater habitats. Potential spin-offs of this technology include products for personal strengthening and cardiovascular conditioning, rehabilitation of hospital patients, fitness exercise for the disabled, and retraining after sports injuries.

Schwandt, Douglas F.↗