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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Ozone depletion in the Arctic and Antarctic stratosphere induced by wildfire smoke

Abstract. A record-breaking stratospheric ozone loss was observed over the Arctic and Antarctica in 2020. Strong ozone depletion occurred over Antarctica in 2021 as well. The ozone holes developed in smoke-polluted air. In this article, the impact of Siberian and Australian wildfire smoke (dominated by organic aerosol) on the extraordinarily strong ozone reduction is discussed. The study is based on aerosol lidar observations in the North Pole region (October 2019–May 2020) and over Punta Arenas in southern Chile at 53.2∘ S (January 2020–November 2021) as well as on respective NDACC (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change) ozone profile observations in the Arctic (Ny-Ålesund) and Antarctica (Neumayer and South Pole stations) in 2020 and 2021. We present a conceptual approach on how the smoke may have influenced the formation of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs), which are of key importance in the ozone-depleting processes. The main results are as follows: (a) the direct impact of wildfire smoke below the PSC height range (at 10–12 km) on ozone reduction seems to be similar to well-known volcanic sulfate aerosol effects. At heights of 10–12 km, smoke particle surface area (SA) concentrations of 5–7 µm2 cm−3 (Antarctica, spring 2021) and 6–10 µm2 cm−3 (Arctic, spring 2020) were correlated with an ozone reduction in terms of ozone partial pressure of 0.4–1.2 mPa (about 30 % further ozone reduction over Antarctica) and of 2–3.5 mPa (Arctic, 20 %–30 % reduction with respect to the long-term springtime mean). (b) Within the PSC height range, we found indications that smoke was able to slightly increase the PSC particle number and surface area concentration. In particular, a smoke-related additional ozone loss of 1–2 mPa (10 %–20 % contribution to the total ozone loss over Antarctica) was observed in the 14–23 km PSC height range in September–October 2020 and 2021. Smoke particle number concentrations ranged from 10 to 100 cm−3 and were about a factor of 10 (in 2020) and 5 (in 2021) above the stratospheric aerosol background level. Satellite observations indicated an additional mean column ozone loss (deviation from the long-term mean) of 26–30 Dobson units (9 %–10 %, September 2020, 2021) and 52–57 Dobson units (17 %–20 %, October 2020, 2021) in the smoke-polluted latitudinal Antarctic belt from 70–80∘ S.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Oxygen vacancies in niobium pentoxide as a source of two-level system losses in superconducting niobium

We identify a major source of quantum decoherence in three-dimensional superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) resonators and two-dimensional transmon qubits composed of oxidized niobium: oxygen vacancies in the niobium pentoxide, which drive two-level system (TLS) losses. By probing the effect of sequential in situ vacuum-baking treatments on the rf performance of bulk Nb SRF resonators and on the oxide structure of a representative Nb sample using TOF SIMS, we find a nonmonotonic evolution of cavity quality factor Q 0 , which correlates with the interplay of Nb 2 O 5 vacancy generation and oxide-thickness reduction. We localize this effect to the oxide itself and present the insignificant role of diffused interstitial oxygen in the underlying Nb by regrowing the oxide via wet oxidation, which reveals a mitigation of aggravated TLS losses. We hypothesize that such vacancies in the pentoxide serve as magnetic impurities and are a source of TLS-driven rf loss.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Should Oxygen, Hydrogen, and Water on the Moon Be Provided by Earth Supply, Life Support Recycling, or Regolith Mining?

The water needed for space life support has so far been provided by either direct supply from Earth on most missions or by life support wastewater recycling on the International Space Station (ISS). With the recent large reduction in launch cost, Earth resupply has become more attractive, but recycling always costs less than resupply for a large enough crew on a long enough mission. Water is also needed to make up recycling losses and oxygen and hydrogen are needed for propulsion fuel. This paper compares the costs of oxygen, hydrogen, and water on the moon for Earth supply, lunar recycling, and lunar mining. While Earth supply is the most expensive by far, lunar recycling and mining costs are not much different. Life support wastewater provides a large but limited supply, so lunar mining will always be needed. Minor cost reductions may make mining less expensive than recycling.

Harry W Jones↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electron energy levels determining cathode electrolyte interphase formation

Cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) has a significant impact on the performance of rechargeable batteries and is gaining increasing attention. Understanding the fundamental and detailed CEI formation mechanism is of critical importance for battery chemistry. Herein, a diverse of characterization tools are utilized to comprehensively analyze the composition of the CEI layer as well as its formation mechanism by LiCoO 2 (LCO) cathode. We reveal that CEI is mainly composed of the reduction products of electrolyte and it only parasitizes the degraded LCO surface which has transformed into a disordered spinel structure due to oxygen loss and lithium depletion. Based on the energy diagram and the chemical potential analysis, the CEI formation process has been well explained, and the proposed CEI formation mechanism is further experimentally validated. This work highlights that the CEI formation process is nearly identical to that of the anode-electrolyte-interphase, both of which are generated due to the electrolyte directly in contact with the low chemical potential electrode material. This work can deepen and refresh our understanding of CEI.

LiCoO2↗
DOE OSTI2025

De-Risking High-Recovery Brackish Water Desalination via Flow Reversal and Feed Flushing Using Techno-Economic Assessment

Novel desalination technologies have demonstrated enhanced performance and improved financial metrics over existing processes adopted by industry. Establishing quantitative performance targets is essential for achieving financial benefits over the current state of the art. Herein, we demonstrate how WaterTAP, a techno-economic assessment (TEA) tool, can be used to identify minimum performance metrics necessary to achieve financial benefit over using existing processes. This study evaluates the feasibility of increasing water recovery at the Chino Desalter I above 90 % through the addition of a third variable configuration reverse osmosis (VCRO) stage. Sensitivity analyses revealed flow reversal frequency, feed flushing volume (used as a cleaning step), and membrane lifespan are key factors influencing the financial viability of the VCRO process. The TEA analysis demonstrated that the system must achieve a recovery of 84 % and a 1-year membrane lifespan to have a breakeven LCOW, while achieving 90 % recovery can ultimately reduce the LCOW by 16 %. Notably, a trade-off between decreasing frictional losses and increased osmotic pressure across the recovery range, resulted in a stable specific energy consumption across the recovery range, enabling meaningful LCOW reductions without an energy penalty, a key finding that contrasts with conventional RO. This work demonstrates how TEA can guide system design by identifying key performance targets and exploring trade-offs, enabling data-driven decisions to de-risk innovative processes. These findings underscore the importance of leveraging TEA to evaluate scaling mitigation strategies and optimize inland desalination systems for sustainable and cost-effective operation.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Toward Spatial Control of Reaction Selectivity on Photocatalysts Using Area-Selective Atomic Layer Deposition on the Model Dual Site Electrocatalyst Platform

Photocatalytic water splitting is a promising route to low-cost, green H 2 . However, this approach is currently limited in its solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. One major source of efficiency loss is attributed to the high rates of undesired side and back reactions, which are exacerbated by the proximity of neighboring oxidation and reduction sites. Nanoscopic oxide coatings have previously been used to selectively block undesired reactants from reaching active sites; however, a coating encapsulating the entire photocatalyst particle limits activity as it cannot facilitate both half-reactions. In this work, area selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD) was used to selectively deposit semipermeable TiO 2 films onto model metallic cocatalysts for enhancing reaction selectivity while maintaining a high overall activity. Pt and Au were used as exemplary reduction and oxidation cocatalyst sites, respectively, where Au was deactivated toward ALD growth through self-assembled thiol monolayers while TiO 2 was coated onto Pt sites. Electroanalytical measurements of monometallic thin film electrodes showed that the TiO 2 -encapsulated Pt effectively suppressed undesired H 2 oxidation and Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox reactions while still permitting the desired hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). A planar model photocatalyst platform containing patterned interdigitated arrays of Au and Pt microelectrodes was further assessed using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), demonstrating the successful use of AS-ALD to enable local reaction selectivity in a dual-reaction-site (photo)electrocatalytic system. Finally, interdigitated microelectrodes having independent potential control were used to show that selectively deposited TiO 2 coatings can suppress the rate of back reactions on neighboring active sites by an order of magnitude compared with uncoated control samples.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2023

Ultra-thin ZrO 2 overcoating on CuO-ZnO-Al 2 O 3 catalyst by atomic layer deposition for improved catalytic performance of CO 2 hydrogenation to dimethyl ether

Abstract An ultra-thin overcoating of zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ) film on CuO-ZnO-Al 2 O 3 (CZA) catalysts by atomic layer deposition (ALD) was proved to enhance the catalytic performance of CZA/HZSM-5 (H form of Zeolite Socony Mobil-5) bifunctional catalysts for hydrogenation of CO 2 to dimethyl ether (DME). Under optimal reaction conditions (i.e. 240 °C and 2.8 MPa), the yield of product DME increased from 17.22% for the bare CZA/HZSM-5 catalysts, to 18.40% for the CZA catalyst after 5 cycles of ZrO 2 ALD with HZSM-5 catalyst. All the catalysts modified by ZrO 2 ALD displayed significantly improved catalytic stability of hydrogenation of CO 2 to DME reaction, compared to that of CZA/HZSM-5 bifunctional catalysts. The loss of DME yield in 100 h of reaction was greatly mitigated from 6.20% (loss of absolute value) to 3.01% for the CZA catalyst with 20 cycles of ZrO 2 ALD overcoating. Characterizations including hydrogen temperature programmed reduction, x-ray powder diffraction, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that there was strong interaction between Cu active centers and ZrO 2 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Using Energy Storage-Based Grid Forming Inverters for Operational Reserve in Hybrid Diesel Microgrids

In remote arctic communities, where access to a bulk electrical grid interconnection is not available, the implementation of islanded microgrids has been the most viable way to produce and distribute electricity services to their inhabitants. Historically, these islanded grids have relied primarily on diesel generators or hydropower resources to supply the baseload. However, this practice can result in increased expense due to the high costs associated with fuel transportation and the significant amounts of on-site storage necessary when fuel transportation is unavailable during winter months. In order to mitigate this problem, arctic microgrids have started to transition to a hybrid-source operational mode by incorporating renewable energy sources that are inherently variable in nature, such as wind or solar. Due to their highly stochastic behavior, these hybrid-source islanded microgrids can pose potential issues related to power quality due to introduction of rapid net load fluctuations and inability of diesel generators to respond rapidly. In addition, non-firm stochastic sources can require significant idling diesel generator resources to serve as spinning reserves, which is inefficient and wasteful. This work studies the problems that may arise in the transient dynamics of a real-world hybrid diesel microgrid when subjected to a loss of wind generation. Moreover, this work proposes a transition from a diesel spinning reserve to a battery energy-storage system (BESS) operating reserve scheme. The study of the proposed transition is important in establishing the fundamental implication of transient dynamics and the potential benefits of integrating a BESS as a spinning reserve in terms of stability, frequency nadir, and transient voltage deviation. The methods to investigate and validate the transient dynamics relied on both electromagnetic simulation models of GFMIs and a commercially available GFMI in an experimental power hardware-in-the-loop setup. The simulation results showed that the proposed operating reserve scheme improves the power quality of the system in terms of voltage deviation and frequency nadir when the microgrid is subjected to a loss of wind generation scenario. Depending on the simulation cases, adding a GFMI reduced the frequency nadir between 65.3% and 86.7%. Moreover, the reductions in the voltage deviations improved between 3.6% and 23.0%. From these results it can be concluded that the integration of a GFMI can reduce the frequency nadir in a hybrid diesel microgrid, and in turn, reduce diesel consumption, which improves system reliability while reducing fuel expenses. Furthermore, the novelty of this work relies on the fact that the offline simulation results were validated using a power hardware-in-the-loop platform that incorporated a 100 kVA commercially available GFMI as the device under test.

Hernandez-Alvidrez, Javier↗
DOE OSTI2022

Crosslinked Polyethyleneimine Gel Polymer Interface to Improve Cycling Stability of RFBs

Redox flow batteries are considered a promising technology for grid energy storage. However, capacity decay caused by crossover of active materials is a universal challenge for many flow battery systems, which are based on various chemistries. In this paper, using the vanadium redox flow battery as an example, we demonstrate a new gel polymer interface (GPI) consisting of crosslinked polyethyleneimine with a large amount of amino and carboxylic acid groups introduced between the positive electrode and the membrane. The GPI functions as a key component to prevent vanadium ions from crossing the membrane, thus supporting stable long-term cycling. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were conducted to investigate the effect of GPI on the electrochemical properties of graphitic carbon electrodes (GCFs) and redox reaction of catholyte. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra demonstrated that the crosslinked GPI is chemically stable for 100 cycles without dissolution of polymers and swelling in the strong acidic electrolytes. Results from inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy proved that the GPI is effective in maintaining the concentration of vanadium species in their respective half-cells, resulting in improved cycling stability because of it prevents active species from crossing the membrane and stabilizes the oxidation states of active species.

Lim, Hyung-Seok↗
NASA NTRS1977

Gearless speed-reduction motor

Proposed rolling electric motor has output shaft speed reductions of 1000 to 1 or better. Light compact unit uses no gears or pulleys to reduce speed presenting less bulk and frictional loss, and more efficiency.

Madey, J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Wind-tunnel test results of a full-scale multicyclic controllable twist rotor

Results of wind tunnel testing of a multicyclic controllable twist rotor at several flight conditions and advance ratios of 0.22 and 0.33 are evaluated. It is found that blade flatwise bending moments and root control actuator loads (fixed system) can be reduced with multicyclic control. Flatwise bending moment reductions of 22-30% with concurrent 83% reductions in control loads were predicted. Analysis of profile power changes indicates a decrease in profile power coefficient of 0.00016, corresponding to a loss of 0.12 sq m of equivalent drag area.

Mccloud, J. L., III↗
NASA NTRS1980

Flight and tunnel test results of the MDC mechanical jet noise suppressor nozzle

The flight and wind tunnel tests to determine the acoustic and performance effects of a mechanical jet noise suppressor nozzle mounted on a Viper engine of an HS-125 airplane are discussed. Flyover noise measurements were made with microphones mounted on top of a 137.5 m bridge tower. Seven nozzle configurations including two references nozzles, two suppressors, and three ejector inlets were tested. The suppressor nozzle of interest for an advanced supersonic transport, the suppressor/treated ejector, achieved a measured noise reduction of 14 EPNdB relative to a conventional conical reference nozzle at the highest pressure ratio tested (approximately 2.5). The unique engine nacelle, flight hardware, and nacelles from the HS-125 flight test program, combined with a simulated HS-125 fuselage were windtunnel tested. Both propulsion and acoustic data were recorded. Preliminary thrust data results from the wind tunnel tests are summarized and compared to other mechanical suppressor test results. The test results indicate that a noise reduction of at least 16 EPNdB would be possible for the suppressor/ejector nozzle scaled to typical AST engine size with a 5% thrust loss at a typical takeoff climb speed.

Fitzsimmons, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Strained-layer InGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs single quantum well lasers with high internal quantum efficiency

Low threshold current density strained-layer In(0.2)Ga(0.8)As/GaAs/AlGaAs single quantum well lasers, emitting at 980 nm, have been grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Contrary to what has been reported for broad-area lasers with pseudomorphic InGaAs active layers grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, these layers exhibit a high internal quantum efficiency (about 90 percent). The maximum external differential quantum efficiency is 70 percent, limited by an anomalously high internal loss possibly caused by a large lateral spreading of the optical mode. In addition, experimental results supporting the theoretically predicted strain-induced reduction of the valence-band nonparabolicity and density of states are presented.

Larsson, Anders↗
NASA NTRS1990

Assessment of proposed fighter agility metrics

This paper presents the results of an analysis of proposed metrics to assess fighter aircraft agility. A novel framework for classifying these metrics is developed and applied. A set of transient metrics intended to quantify the axial and pitch agility of fighter aircraft is evaluated with a high fidelity, nonlinear F-18 simulation. Test techniques and data reduction method are proposed, and sensitivities to pilot introduced errors during flight testing is investigated. Results indicate that the power onset and power loss parameters are promising candidates for quantifying axial agility, while maximum pitch up and pitch down rates are for quantifying pitch agility.

Liefer, Randall K.↗
NASA NTRS1951

Calculated effects of turbine rotor-blade cooling-air flow, altitude, and compressor bleed point on performance of a turbojet engine

Effects of air-cooling turbine rotor blades on performance of a turbojet engine were calculated for a range of altitudes from sea level to 40,000 feet and a range of coolant flows up to 3 percent of compressor air flow, for two conditions of coolant bleed from the compressor. Bleeding at required coolant pressure resulted in a sea-level thrust reduction approximately twice the percentage coolant flow and in an increase in specific fuel consumption approximately equal to percentage coolant flow. For any fixed value of coolant flow ratio the percentage thrust reduction and percentage increase in specific fuel consumption decreased with altitude. Bleeding coolant at the compressor discharge resulted in an additional 1 percent loss in performance at sea level and in smaller increase in loss of performance at higher altitudes.

TURBINE COOLING↗
NASA NTRS1997

Io's Sodium Corona and Spatially Extended Cloud: A Consistent Flux Speed Distribution

For Io neutral cloud calculations, an SO2 source strength of approximately 4x10(exp 27) molecules/sec was determined by successfully matching the SO2(+) density profile near the satellite deduced from magnetometer data acquired by the Galileo spacecraft during its close flyby on December 7, 1995. The incomplete collision source velocity distribution for SO2 is the same as recently determined for the trace species atomic sodium by Smyth and Combi (1997). Estimates for the total energy loss rate (i.e. power) of O and S atoms escaping Io were also determined and imply a significant pickup current and a significant reduction in the local planetary magnetic field near Io.

Smyth, William H.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Sound Transmission through Two Concentric Cylindrical Sandwich Shells

This paper solves the problem of sound transmission through a system of two infinite concentric cylindrical sandwich shells. The shells are surrounded by external and internal fluid media and there is fluid (air) in the annular space between them. An oblique plane sound wave is incident upon the surface of the outer shell. A uniform flow is moving with a constant velocity in the external fluid medium. Classical thin shell theory is applied to the inner shell and first-order shear deformation theory is applied to the outer shell. A closed form for transmission loss is derived based on modal analysis. Investigations have been made for the impedance of both shells and the transmission loss through the shells from the exterior into the interior. Results are compared for double sandwich shells and single sandwich shells. This study shows that: (1) the impedance of the inner shell is much smaller than that of the outer shell so that the transmission loss is almost the same in both the annular space and the interior cavity of the shells; (2) the two concentric sandwich shells can produce an appreciable increase of transmission loss over single sandwich shells especially in the high frequency range; and (3) design guidelines may be derived with respect to the noise reduction requirement and the pressure in the annular space at a mid-frequency range.

Tang, Yvette Y.↗
NASA NTRS2009

High Temperature Variable Conductance Heat Pipes for Radioisotope Stirling Systems

In a Stirling radioisotope system, heat must continually be removed from the GPHS modules, to maintain the GPHS modules and surrounding insulation at acceptable temperatures. Normally, the Stirling convertor provides this cooling. If the Stirling convertor stops in the current system, the insulation is designed to spoil, preventing damage to the GPHS, but also ending the mission. An alkali-metal Variable Conductance Heat Pipe (VCHP) is under development to allow multiple stops and restarts of the Stirling convertor. The status of the ongoing effort in developing this technology is presented in this paper. An earlier, preliminary design had a radiator outside the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) casing, used NaK as the working fluid, and had the reservoir located on the cold side adapter flange. The revised design has an internal radiator inside the casing, with the reservoir embedded inside the insulation. A large set of advantages are offered by this new design. In addition to reducing the overall size and mass of the VCHP, simplicity, compactness and easiness in assembling the VCHP with the ASRG are significantly enhanced. Also, the permanently elevated temperatures of the entire VCHP allows the change of the working fluid from a binary compound (NaK) to single compound (Na). The latter, by its properties, allows higher performance and further mass reduction of the system. Preliminary design and analysis shows an acceptable peak temperature of the ASRG case of 140 C while the heat losses caused by the addition of the VCHP are 1.8 W.

Tarau, Calin↗