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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 937 records · Page 52

Multi-modal effects on indirect noise induced by turbulent entropy fields

Planar entropy waves are commonly assumed for predicting indirect combustion noise. However, the non-planar and turbulent nature of flows found in most practical combustors challenges this assumption. In the present paper, we examine the indirect noise generated by non-planar and turbulent entropy fields through subsonic nozzles. Firstly, we introduce a new transfer function framework that accounts for the contribution of non-planar Fourier modes of the entropy field to the indirect noise spectra. When applied to a turbulent flow field, this method demonstrates a significant improvement in spectral predictions compared with a conventional approach that only considers the planar mode. Secondly, simulations show that non-planar Fourier modes become significant above a threshold frequency ƒ thresh , found in the mid- to high-frequency range. This contribution of non-planar modes is explained by two-dimensional shear effects that distort the entropy waves. A scaling relation that uses residence times along streamlines is developed for ƒ thresh , showing good agreement with simulation results. Finally, we show that the indirect noise from non-planar entropy modes found in aviation combustors can be significant at frequencies below 1 kHz, which might be relevant in situations of thermo-acoustic instabilities coupled to indirect noise.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Challenges and Opportunities with Highly Brilliant X-ray Sources for multi-Modal in-Situ and Operando Characterization of Solar Cells

The generation of electricity is one of the great challenges of our time, and its success shall be measured by the sustainability from ecological, economical, and social points of view. The advent of photovoltaics has led to a dramatic decrease of the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) such that it has not only reached grid parity in many countries but is often the most competitive energy source.

Stuckelberger, M. E.↗

A Multi-modal Approach to Understanding Degradation of Organic Photovoltaic Materials

State-of-the-art organic photovoltaic (OPV) materials are composed of complex, chemically diverse polymeric and molecular structures that form highly intricate solid-state interactions, collectively yielding exceptional tunability in performance and aesthetics. These properties are especially attractive for semitransparent power-generating windows or shades in living environments, greenhouses, or other architectural integrations. However, before such a future is realized, a broader and deeper understanding of property stability must be acquired. Stability during operating and environmental conditions is critical, namely, material color steadfastness, optoelectronic performance retention, morphological rigidity, and chemical robustness. To date, no single investigation encompasses all four distinct, yet interconnected, metrics. Here, we present a multimodal strategy that captures a dynamic and interconnected evolution of each property during the course of an accelerated photobleaching experiment. We demonstrate this approach across relevant length scales (from molecular to visual macroscale) using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, grazing-incidence X-ray scattering, microwave conductivity, and time-dependent photobleaching spectroscopies for two high-performance semitransparent OPV blends—PDPP4T:PC 60 BM and PDPP4T:IEICO-4F, with comparisons to the stabilities of the individual components. We present direct evidence that specific molecular acceptor (fullerene vs nonfullerene) designs and the resulting donor–acceptor interactions lead to distinctly different mechanistic routes that ultimately arrive at what is termed “OPV degradation.” We directly observe a chemical oxidation of the cyano endcaps of the IEICO-4F that coincides with a morphological change and large loss in photoconductivity while the fullerene acceptor-containing blend demonstrates a significantly greater fraction of oxygen uptake but retains 55% of the photoconductivity. Finally, this experimental roadmap provides meaningful guidance for future high-throughput, multimodal studies, benchmarking the sensitivity of the different analytical techniques for assessing stability in printable active layers, independent of complete device architectures.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Stratus and Stratocumulus Cloud Microphysics and Drizzle Relationships With CCN Modality

High resolution extended-range cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) spectral comparisons with cloud microphysics and drizzle of the Physics of Stratocumulus Tops (POST) field experiment confirmed results in the Marine Stratus/Stratocumulus Experiment (MASE). Both of these stratus cloud projects demonstrated that bimodal CCN spectra typically caused by cloud processing were associated with clouds that exhibited higher concentrations of smaller droplets with narrower distributions and less drizzle than clouds associated with unimodal CCN spectra. Resulting brighter clouds and increased cloudiness could enhance both indirect aerosol effects (IAE). These stratus findings are opposite of analogous measurements in two cumulus cloud projects, which showed bimodal CCN associated with fewer larger droplets more broadly distributed and with more drizzle than clouds associated with unimodal CCN. Resulting reduced cumulus brightness and cloudiness could reduce both IAE. Physics of Stratocumulus Tops (POST) flights in air masses with higher CCN concentrations, N CCN , showed more extremes of the stratus characteristics. However, POST flights with lower N CCN showed opposite droplet characteristics similar to the cumulus clouds, yet still showed less drizzle in clouds associated with bimodal CCN, but not as much less as the flights with higher N CCN . Since all MASE clouds were in polluted air masses, while the two cumulus projects were in clean air masses we deduce from these four projects that both the dynamic stratus/cumulus differences (vertical wind) and N CCN are responsible for the microphysics and drizzle differences among these projects. This is because the clean POST characteristics are a hybrid between MASE/POST high N CCN and the two cumulus projects.

bimodality↗

Identification of inulin-responsive bacteria in the gut microbiota via multi-modal activity-based sorting

Prebiotics are defined as non-digestible dietary components that promote the growth of beneficial gut microorganisms. In many cases, however, this capability is not systematically evaluated. Here, we develop a methodology for determining prebiotic-responsive bacteria using the popular dietary supplement inulin. We first identify microbes with a capacity to bind inulin using mesoporous silica nanoparticles functionalized with inulin. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of sorted cells revealed that the ability to bind inulin was widespread in the microbiota. We further evaluate which taxa are metabolically stimulated by inulin and find that diverse taxa from the phyla Firmicutes and Actinobacteria respond to inulin, and several isolates of these taxa can degrade inulin. Incubation with another prebiotic, xylooligosaccharides (XOS), in contrast, shows a more robust bifidogenic effect. Interestingly, the Coriobacteriia Eggerthella lenta and Gordonibacter urolithinfaciens are indirectly stimulated by the inulin degradation process, expanding our knowledge of inulin-responsive bacteria.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Operando Multi-modal Synchrotron Investigation for Structural and Chemical Evolution of Cupric Sulfide (CuS) Additive in Li-S battery

Conductive metal sulfides are promising multi-functional additives for future lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. These can increase the sulfur cathode’s electrical conductivity to improve the battery’s power capability, as well as contribute to the overall cell-discharge capacity. This multi-functional electrode design showed initial promise; however, complicated interactions at the system level are accompanied by some detrimental side effects. The metal sulfide additives with a chemical conversion as the reaction mechanism, e.g., CuS and FeS 2 , can increase the theoretical capacity of the Li-S system. However, these additives may cause undesired parasitic reactions, such as the dissolution of the additive in the electrolyte. Studying such complex reactions presents a challenge because it requires experimental methods that can track the chemical and structural evolution of the system during an electrochemical process. To address the fundamental mechanisms in these systems, we employed an operando multimodal x-ray characterization approach to study the structural and chemical evolution of the metal sulfide—utilizing powder diffraction and fluorescence imaging to resolve the former and absorption spectroscopy the latter—during lithiation and de-lithiation of a Li-S battery with CuS as the multi-functional cathode additive. The resulting elucidation of the structural and chemical evolution of the system leads to a new description of the reaction mechanism.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Graphene-Insulator-Semiconductor Junction for Hybrid Photodetection Modalities

A sensitive optical detector is presented based on a deeply depleted graphene-insulator-semiconducting (D 2 GIS) junction, which offers the possibility of simultaneously leveraging the advantages of both charge integration and localized amplification. Direct read-out and built-in amplification are accomplished via photogating of a graphene field-effect transistor (GFET) by carriers generated within a deeply depleted low-doped silicon substrate. Analogous to a depleted metal-oxide-semiconducting junction, photo-generated charge collects in the potential well that forms at the semiconductor/insulator interface and induces charges of opposite polarity within the graphene film modifying its conductivity. This device enables simultaneous photo-induced charge integration with continuous “on detector” readout through use of graphene. The resulting devices exhibit responsivities as high as 2,500 A/W (25,000 S/W) for visible wavelengths and a dynamic range of 30 dB. As both the graphene and device principles are transferrable to arbitrary semiconductor absorbers, D2GIS devices offer a high-performance paradigm for imaging across the electromagnetic spectrum

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Frequency domain measurements of melt pool recoil force using modal analysis

Recoil pressure is a critical factor affecting the melt pool dynamics during Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) processes. Recoil pressure depresses the melt pool. When the recoil pressure is low, thermal conduction and capillary forces may be inadequate to provide proper fusion between layers. However, excessive recoil pressure can produce a keyhole inside the melt pool, which is associated with gas porosity. Direct recoil pressure measurements are challenging because it is localized over an area proportionate to the laser spot size producing a force in the mN range. This paper reports a vibrationbased approach to quantify the recoil force exerted on a part in a commercial LPBF machine. The measured recoil force is consistent with estimates from high speed synchrotron imaging of entrained particles, and the results show that the recoil force scales with applied laser power and is inversely related to the laser scan speed. These results facilitate further studies of melt pool dynamics and have the potential to aid process development for new materials.

42 ENGINEERING↗