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At least 865 records · Page 48

Kinetics of Moisture Sorption and Reverse Bias Degradation in Chip Tantalum Capacitors

Exposure of chip MnO2 tantalum capacitors to humid environments might result in increased ESR, leakage currents, and first turn-on failures. However, there is a lack of literature data on the effect of moisture on reverse bias behavior of the parts. The presence of moisture can also result in pop-corning when a high water vapor pressure develops when moisture absorbed in pores of tantalum slugs vaporizes instantly during soldering process resulting in damage to capacitors. A study of kinetics of moisture ingress to and release from active elements of capacitors would allow a better understanding of degradation mechanisms and is important for preventing failures. In this work, a technique for investigation of moisture sorption and desorption in solid chip tantalum capacitors that employs tantalum slugs as a humidity sensor have been developed and kinetics of the process analyzed for different types of capacitors at temperatures from room to 125 ºC. A model that relates diffusion characteristics of polymer cases and size of the slugs to characteristic times of moisture sorption has been developed. A strong effect of moisture on long-term degradation of reverse bias currents in MnO2 cathode capacitors has been demonstrated and physical mechanisms discussed.

Teverovsky, Alexander↗

Kinetics of Moisture Sorption and Reverse Bias Degradation in Chip Tantalum Capacitors

Exposure of chip MnO2 tantalum capacitors to humid environments might result in increased ESR, leakage currents, and first turn-on failures. However, there is a lack of literature data on the effect of moisture on reverse bias behavior of the parts. The presence of moisture can also result in pop-corning when a high water vapor pressure develops when moisture absorbed in pores of tantalum slugs vaporizes instantly during soldering process resulting in damage to capacitors. A study of kinetics of moisture ingress to and release from active elements of capacitors would allow a better understanding of degradation mechanisms and is important for preventing failures. In this work, a technique for investigation of moisture sorption and desorption in solid chip tantalum capacitors that employs tantalum slugs as a humidity sensor have been developed and kinetics of the process analyzed for different types of capacitors at temperatures from room to 125 C. A model that relates diffusion characteristics of polymer cases and size of the slugs to characteristic times of moisture sorption has been developed. A strong effect of moisture on long-term degradation of reverse bias currents in MnO2 cathode capacitors has been demonstrated and physical mechanisms discussed.

Teverovsky, Alexander↗

Development of an Electrochemical Oxygen Compressor and Generator for Spacesuit Oxygen Resupply

The Electrochemistry Society is organizing a special session highlighting NASA applications and NASA technology development programs that use electrochemistry. NASA Johnson Space Center is sponsoring a technology development effort to use a solid oxide electrochemical cell stack to produce high pressure high purity oxygen capable of recharging spacesuit oxygen tanks between Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVAs). The attributes of the technology that are most important to NASA are the oxygen compatibility of the materials in the cell stack, and the solid state nature of the oxygen compression process. 2019 technical development work focuses on developing seals that connect individual wafers to for a cell stack.

Graf, John↗

Validating Drag and Heating Coefficients for Hollow Reentry Objects in Continuum Flow Using a Mach 7 Ludwieg Tube

Drag and heating coefficient databases and models are crucial to destructive reentry simulation. The NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) develops, maintains, and performs analysis with the Object Reentry Survival Analysis Tool (ORSAT), which comprises drag and heating models for free molecular, transitional, and continuum flow regimes. These models have, in the past, only included solid, convex, blunt shapes (such as boxes, spheres, and cylinders). Previous work led by ODPO includes the extension of these models to hollow cylinders and square boxes in free molecular and transitional flow using the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. Since 2019, the ODPO has continued its program of DSMC simulations and extended the project to include analyses with the NASA Data Parallel Line Relaxation (DPLR) program on hollow cylinders and boxes (with varying wall thickness-diameter ratio). In fall 2022, the ODPO began a collaboration with the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) to use the Mach 7 Ludwieg Tube facility to validate the model built using numerical simulations. This facility can replicate (at a scale of approximately 100:1) the conditions seen by reentering objects near typical demise altitudes. We present here the drag and heating coefficients derived from the continued DSMC simulations, the new DPLR simulations, and the 26-test series at UTSA.

Chris Ostrom↗

Validating Drag and Heating Coefficients for Hollow Reentry Objects in Continuum Flow Using a Mach 7 Ludwieg Tube

Drag and heating coefficient databases and models are crucial to destructive reentry simulation. The NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) develops, maintains, and performs analysis with the Object Reentry Survival Analysis Tool (ORSAT), which comprises drag and heating models for free molecular, transitional, and continuum flow regimes. These models have, in the past, only included solid, convex, blunt shapes (such as boxes, spheres, and cylinders). Previous work led by ODPO includes the extension of these models to hollow cylinders and square boxes in free molecular and transitional flow using the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. Since 2019, the ODPO has continued its program of DSMC simulations and extended the project to include analyses with the NASA Data Parallel Line Relaxation (DPLR) program on hollow cylinders and boxes (with varying wall thickness-diameter ratio). In fall 2022, the ODPO began a collaboration with the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) to use the Mach 7 Ludwieg Tube facility to validate the model built using numerical simulations. This facility can replicate (at a scale of approximately 100:1) the conditions seen by reentering objects near typical demise altitudes. We present here the drag and heating coefficients derived from the continued DSMC simulations, the new DPLR simulations, and the 26-test series at UTSA.

Chris Ostrom↗

Solid oxide metal-air redox batteries (SOMARB)

The solid oxide metal-air redox batteries (SOMARB), composed of reversible solid oxide fuel cell (RSOFC) and energy storage unit (ESU), is an emerging technology for large-scale energy storage owing to its advantages in high energy density, high rate capability, decoupled energy and power components, all solid state structure, high safety and scalability. Starting with introducing the working principle of this battery, thermodynamics and kinetics, and battery chemistries based on Fe, Mo, and Wo of SOMARB are illustrated. The strategies to improve the performance of Fe-based SOMARB via optimizing RSOFC and ESU are discussed in detail. Finally, several high temperature metal-air batteries derived from SOMARB are introduced. The comparison with other batteries shows that SOMARB is expected to play an important role in future grid and renewable energy storage with concurrent advances in SOFC stack and system design.

Zhang, Cuijuan↗

Predicting Calendar Aging in Lithium Metal Secondary Batteries: The Impacts of Solid Electrolyte Interphase Composition and Stability

Calendar aging of lithium metal batteries, in which cells’ components degrade internally due to chemical reactions while no current is being applied, is a relatively unstudied field. In this work, a model to predict calendar aging of lithium metal cells is developed using two sets of readily obtainable data: solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer composition (measured via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and SEI stability (measured as a degradation rate using a simple constant current–constant voltage charging protocol). Electrolyte properties such as volume and salt concentration are varied in order to determine their effect on SEI stability and composition, with subsequent impacts to calendar aging. Lower salt concentrations produce a solvent-based, more soluble SEI, while the highest concentration produces a salt-based, less soluble SEI. Higher electrolyte volumes promote dissolution of the SEI and thus decrease its stability. The model predicts that lithium metal would be the limiting factor in calendar aging, depleting long before the electrolyte does. Furthermore, the relative composition of the electrolyte during aging is modeled and found to eventually converge to the same value independent of initial salt concentration.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

A Quasi-Solid-State Flexible Fiber-Shaped Li–CO 2 Battery with Low Overpotential and High Energy Efficiency

The rapid development of wearable electronics requires a revolution of power accessories regarding flexibility and energy density. The Li–CO 2 battery was recently proposed as a novel and promising candidate for next-generation energy-storage systems. However, the current Li–CO 2 batteries usually suffer from the difficulties of poor stability, low energy efficiency, and leakage of liquid electrolyte, and few flexible Li–CO 2 batteries for wearable electronics have been reported so far. Herein, a quasi-solid-state flexible fiber-shaped Li–CO 2 battery with low overpotential and high energy efficiency, by employing ultrafine Mo 2 C nanoparticles anchored on a carbon nanotube (CNT) cloth freestanding hybrid film as the cathode, is demonstrated. Due to the synergistic effects of the CNT substrate and Mo 2 C catalyst, it achieves a low charge potential below 3.4 V, a high energy efficiency of approximate to 80%, and can be reversibly discharged and charged for 40 cycles. Experimental results and theoretical simulation show that the intermediate discharge product Li 2 C 2 O 4 stabilized by Mo 2 C via coordinative electrons transfer should be responsible for the reduction of overpotential. Here, the as-fabricated quasi-solid-state flexible fiber-shaped Li–CO 2 battery can also keep working normally even under various deformation conditions, giving it great potential of becoming an advanced energy accessory for wearable electronics.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Multi-mechanistic Strategies for Novel Solid Electrolytes with Superior Properties

Despite a wide range of solid electrolyte phases, most of them only exist at high temperatures. The challenge is to tailor the chemical compositions of solid electrolyte materials that yield high ionic conductivities and low activation energies at ambient temperature. This is crucial for the development of all-solid-state batteries that are both powerful and safe. Here, we report our recent works to meet this challenge by utilizing multiple mechanistic principles and clusters as the building blocks. We show that the atomic-level interactions that govern the fast-ion conduction can be optimized by incorporating polyanion dynamics, non-stoichiometry, point defects and strong ionic correlations. Specifically, two case studies of Li/Na solid electrolytes will be covered, including lithium solid electrolytes (SE) with record-high ionic conductivities at room temperature (over 100 mS/cm) and sodium SE with record-low activation energies (< 0.1 eV).

Fang, Hong↗

Creating and Preserving Nanoparticles during Co-Sintering of Solid Oxide Electrodes and Its Impact on Electrocatalytic Activity

A novel processing method that creates and preserves ceramic nanoparticles in solid oxide electrodes during co-sintering at traditional sintering temperatures is introduced. Specifically, carbon templated samarium-doped ceria nanoparticles (nSDC) were successfully integrated with commercial lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (LSCF) and commercial SDC powders, producing LSCF-SDC-nSDC cathodes upon processing. The effect of nSDC concentration on cathode electrocatalytic activity was investigated at low operational temperatures, 600 °C–700 °C, with symmetrical cells. Low nSDC loadings, ≤5 wt% nSDC, significantly decreased cell polarization resistance whereas higher loadings increased it. The best electrochemical performance was achieved with 5 wt% nSDC, lowering the polarization resistance by 41% at 600 °C. Fuel cell tests demonstrate that adding 5 wt% nSDC increased the maximum fuel cell power density by 38%. Electrochemical impedance spectra showed substantial improvements in both fuel cell polarization resistance and ohmic resistance, indicating that nSDC increased the electrocatalytically active area of the cathode. This work demonstrates a simple, novel method for effectively increasing electrocatalytic activity of solid oxide electrodes at low operational temperatures.

Muhoza, Sixbert P. (ORCID:0000000299864241)↗

Intermolecular coupling and superconductivity in PbMo 6 S 8 and other Chevrel phase compounds

To understand superconductivity in Chevrel phase compounds and guide the search for interesting properties in materials created with Chevrel phase molecules as building blocks, we use ab initio methods to study the properties of single Mo 6 X 8 molecules with X=S, Se, Te as well as the bulk solid PbMo 6 S 8 . In bulk PbMo 6 S 8 , the different energy scales from strong to weak are the band kinetic energy, the intramolecular Coulomb interaction, the on-molecule Jahn-Teller energy, and the Hund's exchange coupling. The metallic state is stable with respect to Mott and polaronic insulating states. The bulk compound is characterized by a strong electron-phonon interaction with the largest coupling involving phonon modes with energies in the range from 11 to 17 meV and with a strong intermolecule (Peierls) character. A two-band Eliashberg equation analysis shows that the superconductivity is strong coupling, with different gaps on the two Fermi surface sheets. A Bergman-Rainer analysis of the functional derivative of the transition temperature with respect to the electron-phonon coupling reveals that the Peierls modes provide the most important contribution to the superconductivity. This work illustrates the importance of intermolecular coupling for collective phenomena in molecular solids.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Understanding the Effect of Interlayers at the Thiophosphate Solid Electrolyte/Lithium Interface for All-Solid-State Li Batteries

All-solid-state Li-ion batteries afford possibilities to enhance battery safety while improving their energy and power densities. Current challenges for achieving high-performance all-solid-state batteries with long cycle life include shorting resulting predominantly from Li dendrite formation and infiltration through the solid electrolyte (SE) and increases in cell impedance induced by SE decomposition at the SE/electrode interface. In this work, we evaluate the electrochemical properties of two interlayer materials, Si and Li x Al (2-x/3) O 3 (LiAlO), at the Li 7 P 3 S 11 (LPS)/Li interface. Compared to the Li/LPS/Li symmetric cells in absence of interlayers, the presence of Si and LiAlO both significantly enhance the cycle number and total charge passing through the interface before failures resulting from cell shorting. In both cases, the noted improvements were accompanied by cell impedances that had increased substantially. The data reveal that both interlayers prevent the direct exposure of LPS to the metallic Li and therefore eliminate the intrinsic LPS decomposition that occurs at Li surfaces before electrochemical cycling. After cycling, a reduction of LPS to Li 2 S occurs at the interface when a Si interlayer is present; LiAlO, which functions to drop the potential between Li and LPS, suppresses LPS decomposition processes. The relative propensities toward SE decomposition follows from the electrochemical potentials at the interface, which are dictated by the identities of the interlayer materials. As a result, this work provides new insights into the phase dynamics associated with specific choices for SE/electrode interlayer materials and the requirements they impose for realizing high efficiency, long lasting all-solid-state batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Extinguishment of a Diffusion Flame Over a PMMA Cylinder by Depressurization in Low-Gravity

The behavior of flames in low-speed flows in low-gravity is relevant to spacecraft fire safety. Previous work has shown that flames in the presence of low-speed forced flows in low-gravity may be more flammable than in a forced flow of the same magnitude in normal gravity. Additionally, fire suppression plans for the International Space Station include the use of venting (depressurization) as an emergency option for extinguishing fires. This procedure would induce flows in the affected compartment that could temporarily intensify the fire, as was observed in flammability tests of solids conducted on board Skylab. Despite a general Understanding, current knowledge of the combined effects of reduced pressure and forced flow on a burning solid in low-gravity is inadequate for the design of a venting extinguishment system. Previous studies in low-g have examined flammability limits for thermally thin solids. However, there are differences when burning thick materials because the interior solid-phase temperature continuously changes, which affects the percentage of gas-phase heat feedback to the solid-phase. Changes in the heat feedback to the solid-phase can affect the flammability characteristics of the material. In the current work, the extinction of a diffusion flame burning over PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) cylinders during depressurization with a low-speed cross flow was examined experimentally and via numerical simulations.

Goldmeer, Jeffrey S.↗

Fast Kinetics Design for Solid‐State Battery Device

Abstract Fast kinetics of solid‐state batteries at the device level is not adequately explored to achieve fast charging and discharging. In this work, a leap forward is achieved for fast kinetics in full cells with high cathode loading and areal capacity. This kinetic improvement is achieved by designing a hierarchical structure of electrode composites. In the cathode, the authors’ design enables high areal capacities above 3 mAh cm −2 to be stably cycled at high current densities of ≈13–40 mA cm −2 , yielding a C‐rate from 5 to 10 C. In the anode, the authors’ design breaks the common rule of the negative correlation between critical C‐rate and the discharge voltage that is observed in most other anodes. The overall design enables the fast cycling of such batteries for over 4000 cycles at room temperature and 5 C charge‐rate. The design principles unveiled by this work help to understand critical kinetic processes in battery devices that limit the fast cycling at high cathode loading and speed up the design of high‐performance solid‐state batteries.

Wang, Yichao↗

The effect of aspect ratio on the mechanical behavior of Li metal in solid-state cells

The Li metal anode is necessary for solid-state batteries to dramatically exceed the energy density of state-of-the-art conventional Li-ion batteries. To enable the Li metal anode, the mechanical properties of Li metal under compression in a commercially relevant cell configuration must be determined. This work examines the compression creep behavior of Li metal coupled with a relevant model solid-state electrolyte (Li 6.5 La 3 Ta 0.5 Zr 1.5 O 12 ) and current collector (Ni) as a function of applied stress (1–10 MPa) and Li foil thickness (100–700 μm). At 1 MPa applied stress, the strain rate of all Li foil thicknesses under compression was almost four orders of magnitude lower than what is predicted from tensile creep tests. Steady-state creep behavior was observed for Li foil ≥350 μm at 5 MPa and ≥250 μm at 10 MPa. Conversely, sustained creep deformation was not observed for 100 and 150 μm Li foils at any applied stress. It is suggested that friction at the Li/LLZO and Li/Ni interfaces leads to the formation of hydrostatic stress that controls Li deformation at low aspect ratios. Finally, these results have implications for battery pack stack pressure requirements, particularly relating to void formation during stripping and Li metal filament penetration during plating.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Utah State University's contribution to Enhancing Understanding of High Energy Density Plasmas from Wire Array and Solid Liner Implosions Using Fluid Modeling with Kinetic Closures (Final Report)

This final report pertains to work performed at Utah State University (USU) on the subject of kinetic closures for fluid simulations of high-energy-density (HED) plasmas. This report was written following the end date of the three year grant that started August 1, 2016, and ended July 31, 2019. The key aspect of the work at USU was to develop and implement kinetic closures for fluid simulations of more strongly coupled plasmas. Funds for this project provided some summer salary for the PI at USU, Dr. Eric Held, but mainly provided a robust stipend for his graduate student, David Hansen, who has worked on the project since the start date. Mr. Hansen is nearing completion of his PhD thesis which he will defend either in December of 2019 or the spring of 2020. With this award Dr. Eric Held and his PhD student David Hansen developed a computer code called {\bf X-section} that can be used to generate collisional scattering cross sections which summarize particle interactions in high-energy-density plasmas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A review of composite polymer-ceramic electrolytes for lithium batteries

All solid-state lithium batteries are garnering attention in both academia and industry. Lithium-ion conductive polymers and lithium-ion conductive ceramics are the two major classes of solid electrolytes that have prevalently been pursued for many years. However, each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. One approach to overcome the disadvantages and get the best out of each of those materials is a solid composite electrolyte that combines the advantages of inorganic ceramic electrolytes and solid polymer electrolytes. Such composite electrolytes can offer acceptable ionic conductivity, high mechanical strength, and favorable interfacial contact with electrodes, which can greatly improve the electrochemical performance of all-solid-state batteries compared to cells based on a polymer electrolyte alone or a ceramic electrolyte alone. We present in this review the state-of-the-art composite polymer-ceramic electrolytes in view of their electrochemical and physical properties for the applications in lithium batteries. The review mainly encompasses the polymer matrices, various ceramic filler materials, and the polymer/ceramics composite systems. Specifically, the structures, ionic conductivities, electrochemical/chemical stabilities, and fabrications of solid composite electrolytes are discussed in-depth. On the basis of previous work, a perspective on future research directions is highlighted for developing high-performance composite polymer-ceramic electrolytes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Development of an image converter of radical design

A long term investigation of thin film sensors, monolithic photo-field effect transistors, and epitaxially diffused phototransistors and photodiodes to meet requirements to produce acceptable all solid state, electronically scanned imaging system, led to the production of an advanced engineering model camera which employs a 200,000 element phototransistor array (organized in a matrix of 400 rows by 500 columns) to secure resolution comparable to commercial television. The full investigation is described for the period July 1962 through July 1972, and covers the following broad topics in detail: (1) sensor monoliths; (2) fabrication technology; (3) functional theory; (4) system methodology; and (5) deployment profile. A summary of the work and conclusions are given, along with extensive schematic diagrams of the final solid state imaging system product.

Irwin, E. L.↗