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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 883 records · Page 49
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Identification and characteristics of ZnO/MgO core-shell nanowires

In this paper, ZnO/MgO core-shell nanowires are synthesized based on a one-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of core-shell nanowires indicate that Mg addition has little influence on the morphology of the synthesizing products. High crystalline quality ZnO/MgO core-shell nanowires instead of ZnMgO ternary compounds are identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The experimental results show that the ultraviolet (UV) emission of these samples with MgO shell is 12 times higher than that of the corresponding bare ZnO nanowires, and the suppression of the green emission is only 1/45 of the bare ZnO nanowires. It is also found that PL properties are proportional to Mg ratio. The UV emission enhancement and green emission suppression are due to the passivation of surface defects and the improvement of ZnO crystalline quality. The results are very useful for the development of optical devices based on nanowires.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Design of a digital beam attenuation system for computed tomography. Part II. Performance study and initial results

Purpose: The purpose of this work is to present a performance study of the digital beam attenuator (DBA) for implementing fluence field modulated CT (FFMCT) using a simulation framework developed to model the incorporation of the DBA into an existing CT system. Additionally, initial results will be presented using a prototype DBA and the realization of the prototype will be described. To our knowledge, this study represents the first experimental use of a device capable of modulating x-ray fluence as a function of fan angle using a CT geometry. Methods: To realize FFMCT, the authors propose to use a wedge design in which one wedge is held stationary and another wedge is moved over the stationary wedge. Due to the wedge shape, the composite thickness of the two wedges changes as a function of the amount of overlap between the wedges. This design allows for the wedges to modulate the photon fluence incident onto a patient. Using a simulation environment, the effect of changing the number of wedges has on dose, scatter, detector dynamic range, and noise uniformity is explored. Experimental results are presented using a prototype DBA having ten Fe wedges and a c-arm CT system geometry. The experimental DBA results are compared to non-DBA scans using scatter and detector dynamic range as metrics. Both flat field and bowtie filtered CT acquisitions were simulated for comparison with the DBA. Results: Numerical results suggest that substantial gains in noise uniformity and scatter-to-primary ratio (SPR) can be obtained using only seven wedges. After seven wedges, the decrease in noise ununiformity and SPR falls off at a lower rate. Simulations comparing CT acquisitions between flat field, bowtie enabled, and DBA CT acquisitions suggest DBA-FFMCT can reduce dose relative to flat field CT by Almost-Equal-To 3 times. A bowtie filter under the same imaging conditions was shown to only allow a dose reduction of 1.65 times. Experimentally, a 10 wedge DBA prototype result showed a SPR reduction of Almost-Equal-To 4 times relative to flat field CT. The dynamic range for the DBA prototype was 3.7 compared to 84.2 for the flat field scan. Conclusions: Based on the results presented in this paper and the companion paper [T. Szczykutowicz and C. Mistretta, 'Design of a digital beam attenuation system for computed tomography. Part I. System design and simulation framework,' Med. Phys. 40, 021905 (2013)], FFMCT implemented via the DBA device seems feasible and should result in both a dose reduction and an improvement in image quality as judged by noise uniformity and scatter reduction. In addition, the dynamic range reduction achievable using the DBA may allow photon counting imaging to become a clinical reality. This study may allow for yet another step to be taken in the field of patient specific dose modulation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Luminescent, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties of Pr doped Bi{sub 7}Ti{sub 4}NbO{sub 21} multifunctional ceramics

Pr doped Bi{sub 7}Ti{sub 4}NbO{sub 21} (BTN) multifunctional ceramics were prepared by a conventional sintering technique and their luminescent, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties were investigated. The X-ray diffraction data showed that the samples were single phase, and the scanning electron microscopy image indicated that the ceramics had flake-like grains with uniform thickness. The red emission was observed under the ultraviolet and blue light excitation at room temperature. The thermal quench of luminescence was measured and the result indicated that Pr doped BTN ceramics might be potentially applied in luminescent probes and temperature sensors. With the increasing Pr{sup 3+} content, the intensity of the photoluminescence increased initially and then decreased due to concentration quenching; The Curie temperature T{sub c} was slightly shifted to the lower temperature; the ferroelectric properties was almost unchanged by doping. As a new multifunctional material, the Pr doped BTN ceramics could be used for a wide range of application, such as integrated electro-optical devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Effect of Water Vapor, Temperature, and Rapid Annealing on Formamidinium Lead Triiodide Perovskite Crystallization

Perovskite-based solar cells are one of the emerging candidates for radically lower cost photovoltaics. Herein, we report on the synthesis and crystallization of organic-inorganic formamidinium lead triiodide perovskite films under controlled atmospheric and environmental conditions. Using in situ (scanning) transmission electron microscopy, we make observations of the crystallization process of these materials in nitrogen and oxygen gas with and without the presence of water vapor. Complementary planar samples were also fabricated in the presence of water vapor and characterized by in situ X-ray diffraction. Direct observations of the material structure and final morphology indicate that the exposure to water vapor results in a porous film that is metastable, regardless of the presence of argon, nitrogen, or oxygen. However, the optimal crystallization temperature of 175 °C is unperturbed across conditions. Rapid modulation about the annealing temperature of 175 °C in ±25 °C steps (150-200 °C) promotes crystallization and significantly improves the film morphology by overcoming the presence of impregnated water trapped in the material. Following this processing protocol, we demonstrate substantial growth to micron-size grains via observation inside of an environmentally controlled transmission electron microscope. Adapting this insight from our in situ microscopy, we are able to provide an informed materials protocol to control the structure and morphology of these organic-inorganic semiconductors, which is readily applicable to benchtop device growth strategies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

MCTrans++: a 0-D model for centrifugal mirrors

The centrifugal mirror confinement scheme incorporates supersonic rotation of a plasma into a magnetic mirror device. This concept has been shown experimentally to drastically decrease parallel losses and increase plasma stability as compared with prior axisymmetric mirrors. MCTrans++ is a dimensionless (0-D) scoping tool which rapidly models experimental operating points in the Centrifugal Mirror Fusion Experiment (CMFX) at the University of Maryland. In the low-collisionality regime, parallel losses can be modelled analytically. A confining potential is set up that is partially ambipolar and partially centrifugal. Due to the stabilizing effects of flow shear, the perpendicular losses can be modelled as classical. Radiation losses such as bremsstrahlung and cyclotron emission are taken into account. A neutrals model is included, and, in some circumstances, charge-exchange losses are found to exceed all other loss mechanisms. We use the SUNDIALS ARKODE library to solve the underlying equations of this model; the resulting software is suitable for scanning large parameter spaces, and can also be used to model time-dependent phenomena such as a capacitive discharge. MCTrans++ has been used to verify results from prior centrifugal mirrors, create an experimental plan for CMFX and find configurations for future reactor-scale fusion devices.

Schwartz, Nick R. (ORCID:0000000296846435)↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-T-493: An Investigation Into the Feasibility of Using PipsPro Software with Film for Linac QA

Purpose: To determine the feasibility of using radiochromic and radiographic film with Pipspro software for quality assurance of linear accelerators with no on-board imaging. Methods: The linear accelerator being used is a Varian Clinac 21EX. All IGRT is performed using the BrainLab ExacTrac system. Because of the lack of on board imaging, certain monthly and annual TG-142 quality assurance tests are more difficult to perform and analyze to a high degree of accuracy. Pipspro was not designed to be used with hard film, and to our knowledge its use with film had not been investigated. The film used will be GafChromic EBT3 film and Kodak EDR2 film, scanned with an Epson V700 scanner. The following routine tests will be attempted: MLC picket fence, light vs. radiation field coincidence, starshots, and MLC transmission. Results: The only tests that gave accurate and reliable results were the couch, gantry, and collimator starshots. Typical MV and kV images are acquired with a much higher level of contrast between the irradiated and non-irradiated areas when compared to film. Pipspro relies on this level of contrast to be able to automatically detect the fiducial points from its phantom devices, leaf edges for picket fence and transmission tests, and jaw edges for light vs. radiation field tests. Because of this, certain tests gave erroneous results and others were not able to be performed in the software at all, with either type of film. The number of monitor units delivered to the film, the experimental setup, and the scan settings was not able to rectify the problem. Conclusion: For linear accelerators with no on-board imaging, it is not recommended to use hard film with PipsPro to perform TG-142 quality assurance tests. Other software or methods should instead be investigated.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

Moessbauer and magnetic study of Mn, Zr and Cd substituted W-type hexaferrites prepared by co-precipitation

Highlights: {yields} Zr and Cd ions substitute tetrahedral 4e and 4f{sub IV} sites while Mn ions occupy octahedral 6g and 4f sites. {yields} Doping of W-type hexaferrites with Mn, Zr and Cd improves the values of M{sub s} and M{sub r}. {yields} The enhancement of magnetic characteristic togetherwith the formation of rice shaped W-type hexaferrites nanoparticles is promising for imaging and sensing devices. {yields} The synthesized materials are suitable for magnetic data storage with high density. -- Abstract: BaCo{sub 2-x}Mn{sub x}Fe{sub 16-2y}(Zr-Cd){sub y}O{sub 27} (x = 0-0.5 and y = 0-1.0) hexaferrite nanocrystallites of average sizes in the range of 33-42 nm are synthesized by the chemical co-precipitation method. The synthesized materials are characterized using different techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray florescence (ED-XRF), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Moessbauer spectrometer and vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM). Based on analysis of the data obtained from Moessbauer spectral studies, doping is believed to have occurred preferably in the vicinity of 12k sub-lattice, i.e. f{sub IV} (4e, 4f{sub IV}), 2b (6g, 4f) and 2d site. Variations in the saturation magnetization (77.1-60.9 emu g{sup -1}), remanent magnetization (22.08-31.23 emu g{sup -1}) and coercivity (1570.1-674.7 Oe) exhibit tunable behavior with dopant content and therefore can be useful for application in various magnetic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2010

Observation of surface plasmon resonance of silver particles and enhanced third-order optical nonlinearities in AgCl doped Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}-B{sub 2}O{sub 3}-SiO{sub 2} ternary glasses

Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}-B{sub 2}O{sub 3}-SiO{sub 2} ternary glasses embedded with Ag nanoparticles were prepared by introducing AgCl into the bismuthate glasses using conventional melt quenching method and characterized by several experimental techniques. Scanning electron microscopic studies indicated the formation of Ag contained nanoclusters which crack and become regular with increase of AgCl content in these composites. Optical absorption spectra of the nanocomposites showed the presence of absorption band of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) due to Ag nanoparticles at {approx}600 nm. Z-scan measurement with femtosecond laser was used to investigate third-order optical nonlinearities of the nanocomposites. The results show that the nonlinear refraction {gamma} was dramatically increased up to 30 times by the appearance of Ag nanoparticles when excited within its SPR region, while nonlinear absorption due to two-photon absorption exhibited opposite tendency or even saturated behavior. The calculation of figure of merit suggests that the Ag particle embedded Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}-B{sub 2}O{sub 3}-SiO{sub 2} glass composites are promising candidates for optoelectronic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Electronic and mechanical properties of graphene-germanium interfaces grown by chemical vapor deposition

Epitaxially oriented wafer-scale graphene grown directly on semiconducting Ge substrates is of high interest for both fundamental science and electronic device applications. To date, however, this material system remains relatively unexplored structurally and electronically, particularly at the atomic scale. To further understand the nature of the interface between graphene and Ge, we utilize ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) along with Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to probe interfacial atomic structure and chemistry. STS reveals significant differences in electronic interactions between graphene and Ge(110)/Ge(111), which is consistent with a model of stronger interaction on Ge(110) leading to epitaxial growth. Raman spectra indicate that the graphene is considerably strained after growth, with more point-to-point variation on Ge(111). Furthermore, this native strain influences the atomic structure of the interface by inducing metastable and previously unobserved Ge surface reconstructions following annealing. These nonequilibrium reconstructions cover >90% of the surface and, in turn, modify both the electronic and mechanical properties of the graphene overlayer. Finally, graphene on Ge(001) represents the extreme strain case, where graphene drives the reorganization of the Ge surface into [107] facets. From this study, it is clear that the interaction between graphene and the underlying Ge is not only dependent on the substrate crystallographic orientation, but is also tunable and strongly related to the atomic reconfiguration of the graphene–Ge interface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Disorder enabled band structure engineering of a topological insulator surface

Three-dimensional topological insulators are bulk insulators with Z 2 topological electronic order that gives rise to conducting light-like surface states. These surface electrons are exceptionally resistant to localization by non-magnetic disorder, and have been adopted as the basis for a wide range of proposals to achieve new quasiparticle species and device functionality. Recent studies have yielded a surprise by showing that in spite of resisting localization, topological insulator surface electrons can be reshaped by defects into distinctive resonance states. Here we use numerical simulations and scanning tunnelling microscopy data to show that these resonance states have significance well beyond the localized regime usually associated with impurity bands. Lastly, at native densities in the model Bi 2 X 3 (X=Bi, Te) compounds, defect resonance states are predicted to generate a new quantum basis for an emergent electron gas that supports diffusive electrical transport.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Visualization of bulk and edge photocurrent flow in anisotropic Weyl semimetals

Materials that rectify light into current in their bulk are desired for optoelectronic applications. In Weyl semimetals that break inversion symmetry, bulk photocurrents may arise due to nonlinear optical processes that are enhanced near the Weyl nodes. However, the photoresponse of these materials is commonly studied by scanning photocurrent microscopy, which convolves the effects of photocurrent generation and collection. Here we directly image the photocurrent flow inside the type-II Weyl semimetals WTe 2 and TaIrTe 4 using high-sensitivity quantum magnetometry with nitrogen-vacancy centre spins. We elucidate a mechanism for bulk photocurrent generation, which we call the anisotropic photothermoelectric effect, where unequal thermopowers along different crystal axes drive intricate circulations of photocurrent around the photoexcitation. Using overlapping scanning photocurrent microscopy and magnetic imaging at the interior and edges of the sample, we visualize how the anisotropic photothermoelectric effect stimulates the long-range photocurrent collected in our WTe 2 and TaIrTe 4 devices through the Shockley–Ramo mechanism. Furthermore, our results highlight a widely relevant source of current flow and will inspire photodetectors that utilize bulk materials with thermoelectric anisotropy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2013

Photoacoustic methods for in vitro study of kinetics progesterone release from the biodegradation of polyhydroxybutyrate/polycaprolactone used as intravaginal devices

Intravaginal devices composed of polyhydroxybutyrate/polycaprolactone blends incorporating progesterone were used over eight days in crossbred cow ovariectomized, and then analyzed with photoacoustic methods, measuring the absorption spectra, thermal diffusivity, and inspecting its degradation by means of scanning electron microscopy. The characteristic time found for progesterone release was TR ∼ 53 h, and the typical time found for biodegradation was TB ∼ 30 h. Morphological analysis complements the study showing that release of progesterone and biodegradation of the blend occurs on sample surface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Parylene C Aging Studies

Parylene C is used in a device because of its conformable deposition and other advantages. Techniques to study Parylene C aging were developed, and "lessons learned" that could be utilized for future studies are the result of this initial study. Differential Scanning Calorimetry yielded temperature ranges for Parylene C aging as well as post-deposition treatment. Post-deposition techniques are suggested to improve Parylene C performance. Sample preparation was critical to aging regimen. Short-term (%7E40 days) aging experiments with free standing and ceramic-supported Parylene C films highlighted "lessons learned" which stressed further investigations in order to refine sample preparation (film thickness, single sided uniform coating, machine versus laser cutting, annealing time, temperature) and testing issues ("necking") for robust accelerated aging of Parylene C.

Achyuthan, Komandoor↗
DOE OSTI2011

Carbon nanotube oscillator surface profiling device and method of use

The proposed device is based on a carbon nanotube oscillator consisting of a finite length outer stationary nanotube and a finite length inner oscillating nanotube. Its main function is to measure changes in the characteristics of the motion of the carbon nanotube oscillating near a sample surface, and profile the roughness of this surface. The device operates in a non-contact mode, thus it can be virtually non-wear and non-fatigued system. It is an alternative to the existing atomic force microscope (AFM) tips used to scan surfaces to determine their roughness.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Heteroepitaxial Integration of ZnGeN 2 on GaN Buffers Using Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Recently theorized hybrid II-IV-N 2 /III-N heterostructures, based on current commercialized (In,Ga)N devices, are predicted to significantly advance the design space of highly efficient optoelectronics in the visible spectrum, yet there are few epitaxial studies of II-IV-N 2 materials. In this work, we present heteroepitaxial ZnGeN 2 grown on GaN buffers and AlN templates. We demonstrate that a GaN nucleating surface is crucial for increasing the ZnGeN 2 crystallization rate to combat Zn desorption, extending the stoichiometric growth window from 215 degrees C on AlN to 500 degrees C on GaN buffers. Structural characterization reveals well-crystallized films with threading dislocations extending from the GaN buffer. These films have a critical thickness for relaxation of 20-25 nm as determined by reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The films exhibit a cation-disordered wurtzite structure, with lattice constants a = 3.216 +/- 0.004 A and c = 5.215 +/- 0.005 A determined by RHEED and X-ray diffraction (XRD). This work demonstrates a significant step toward the development of hybrid ZnGeN 2 -GaN integrated devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Atomic and electronic structure of exfoliated black phosphorus

Black phosphorus, a layered two-dimensional crystal with tunable electronic properties and high hole mobility, is quickly emerging as a promising candidate for future electronic and photonic devices. Although theoretical studies using ab initio calculations have tried to predict its atomic and electronic structure, uncertainty in its fundamental properties due to a lack of clear experimental evidence continues to stymie our full understanding and application of this novel material. In this work, aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and ab initio calculations are used to study the crystal structure of few-layer black phosphorus. Directly interpretable annular dark-field images provide a three-dimensional atomic-resolution view of this layered material in which its stacking order and all three lattice parameters can be unambiguously identified. In addition, electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) is used to measure the conduction band density of states of black phosphorus, which agrees well with the results of density functional theory calculations performed for the experimentally determined crystal. Furthermore, experimental EELS measurements of interband transitions and surface plasmon excitations are also consistent with simulated results. Finally, the effects of oxidation on both the atomic and electronic structure of black phosphorus are analyzed to explain observed device degradation. The transformation of black phosphorus into amorphous PO{sub 3} or H{sub 3}PO{sub 3} during oxidation may ultimately be responsible for the degradation of devices exposed to atmosphere over time.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Hydrothermal synthesis and magnetic properties of CuO hollow microspheres

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • CuO hollow microspheres were synthesized through hydrothermal route. • The possible growth mechanism was proposed according to the experimental results. • CuO hollow microspheres show an anomalous ferromagnetic behavior at 5 K and 300 K. - Abstract: In the present work, CuO hollow microspheres with the diameter about 2 μm were successfully synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method. The phase purity, morphologies and structure features of the as obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. It was found that reaction temperature, reaction time and different volume ratios of ethanol and distilled water played important roles on the morphologies of the obtained CuO hollow microspheres. The possible formation mechanism was also proposed according to the corresponding experimental results. The magnetic properties were investigated by superconducting quantum interference device, revealing that the CuO hollow microspheres exhibited an anomalous ferromagnetic behavior at 5 K and 300 K. At the same time, the origin of the ferromagnetism in CuO hollow microspheres was also discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗