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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 955 records · Page 53
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-J-46: Feasibility of Cerenkov Emission for Absorption Spectroscopy

Purpose: Cerenkov emission (CE) is a promising tool for online tumor microenvironment interrogation and targeting during radiotherapy. In this work, we utilize CE generated during radiotherapy as a broadband excitation source for real-time absorption spectroscopy. We demonstrate the feasibility of CE spectroscopy using a controlled experiment of materials with known emission/absorption properties. Methods: A water tank is irradiated with 20 MeV electron beam to induce Cerenkov emission. Food coloring dyes (Yellow #5, Red #40, and Blue #1), which have known emission/absorption properties were added to the water tank with increasing concentration (1 drop (0.05 mL), 2 drops, and 4 drops from a dispenser bottle). The signal is collected using a condensing lens which is coupled into a 20m optical fiber that is fed into a spectrometer that measures the emitted spectra. The resulting spectra from water/food coloring dye solutions were normalized by the reference spectrum, which is the Cerenkov spectrum of pure water, correcting for both the nonlinearity of the broadband Cerenkov emission spectrum as well as the non-uniform spectral response of the spectrometer. The emitted spectra were then converted into absorbance and their characteristics were analyzed. Results: The food coloring dye had a drastic change on the Cerenkov emission, shifting its wavelength according to its visible color. The collected spectra showed various absorbance peaks which agrees with tabulated peak positions of the dyes added within 0.3% for yellow, 1.7% for red, and 0.16% for blue. The CE peak heights proportionally increased as the dye concentration is increased. Conclusion: This work shows the potential for real-time functional spectroscopy using Cerenkov emission during radiotherapy. It was demonstrated that molecule identification as well as relative concentration can be extracted from the Cerenkov emission color shift.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

Nanosensors as Reservoir Engineering Tools to Map Insitu Temperature Distributions in Geothermal Reservoirs

The feasibility of using nanosensors to measure temperature distribution and predict thermal breakthrough in geothermal reservoirs is addressed in this report. Four candidate sensors were identified: melting tin-bismuth alloy nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles with covalently-attached dye, hollow silica nanoparticles with encapsulated dye and impermeable melting shells, and dye-polymer composite time-temperature indicators. Four main challenges associated with the successful implementation of temperature nanosensors were identified: nanoparticle mobility in porous and fractured media, the collection and detection of nanoparticles at the production well, engineering temperature sensing mechanisms that are both detectable and irreversible, and inferring the spatial geolocation of temperature measurements in order to map temperature distribution. Initial experiments were carried out to investigate each of these challenges. It was demonstrated in a slim-tube injection experiment that it is possible to transport silica nanoparticles over large distances through porous media. The feasibility of magnetic collection of nanoparticles from produced fluid was evaluated experimentally, and it was estimated that 3% of the injected nanoparticles were recovered in a prototype magnetic collection device. An analysis technique was tailored to nanosensors with a dye-release mechanism to estimate temperature measurement geolocation by analyzing the return curve of the released dye. This technique was used in a hypothetical example problem, and good estimates of geolocation were achieved. Tin-bismuth alloy nanoparticles were synthesized using a sonochemical method, and a bench heating experiment was performed using these nanoparticles. Particle growth due to melting was observed, indicating that tin-bismuth nanoparticles have potential as temperature nanosensors

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Final Report: Development of High Light Output Plastic Scintillating and Wavelength-Shifting Fibers

Scintillating plastic optical fibers have increasingly been used as radiation detectors in nuclear and high energy physics research since they were first made in 1965. It is proposed to make fibers which are at least a factor of 2 brighter and thereby improve detection efficiency, spatial resolution and energy resolution. When radiation strikes existing plastic scintillator only the singlet excited states rather than the triplet excited states are used to produce scintillation light. This means only 25% of the deposited energy is available to produce scintillation light. Utilization of phosphorescent molecules should therefore drastically improve the light output. This process has been called “triplet harvesting” and has been successfully demonstrated in improving the light output of “Organic Light Emitting Diodes, OLEDs”. The objective of this proposal is to produce a bright scintillating fiber using triplet harvesting and a light output time constant of a few nanoseconds. In addition, an increase in the light containment will be achieved by using a new low refractive index cladding material. In Phase 1, polystyrene plastic material will be used. Organo-metallic phosphorescent and conventional dyes will be dissolved in the plastic to demonstrate both the desired brightness and fast decay time. Photophysical properties will be measured. Scintillating fiber will be made. Commercial benefits of this new material include providing improved detection of rare events such as the HIGGS BOSON at the billion dollar high energy facilities. and monitoring stored radioactive material. The new material will also play an important role in making improved imaging detection facilities for protecting civilians and facilities against CBRN-E threats. In addition, the resolution will be improved for medical brachytherapy. The results of selected organic dyes dissolved in a polystyrene matrix performing as scintillating samples are presented. The proposed organo-metallic phosphorescent dyes were not used due to lengthy synthesis times and cost. Rather, an attempt was made to harvest triplet energy from polystyrene using appropriately wavelength-matched dyes. Samples studied include films and blocks. Fibers were not manufactured as a suitable set of dyes was not determined.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
NASA NTRS1970

Feasibility of surveying pesticide coverage with airborne fluorometer

Response of a Fraunhofer line discriminator (FLD) to varying distributions of granulated corncobs stained with varying concentrations of Rhodamine WT dye was tested on the ground and from an H-19 helicopter. The granules are used as a vehicle for airborne emplacement of poison to control fire ants in the eastern and southeastern United States. Test results showed that the granules are detectable by FLD but that the concentration must be too great to be practical with the present apparatus. Possible methods for enhancement of response may include: (1) increasing dye concentration; (2) incorporating with the poisoned granules a second material to carry the dye alone; (3) use of a more strongly fluorescent substance (at 5890 A); (4) modifying the time interval after dyeing, or modifying the method of dyeing; (5) modifying the FLD for greater efficiency, increased field of view or larger optics; or (6) experimenting with laser-stimulated fluorescence.

Stoertz, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Measurement of Human Blood and Plasma Volumes

Report reviews techniques for measuring blood-plasma volume in humans. Common technique of using radioactive iodine isotope to label plasma albumin involves unwarranted risks from low-level radiation. Report emphasizes techniques using Evans-blue-dye (T-1824) labeling of albumin, hematocrit or hemoglobin/hematocrit measurements, or blood densitometry. In Evans-blue-dye technique, plasma volume determined from decrease in dye concentration occurring after small amount of dye solution injected into circulatory system. Subjection of Evans blue dye to test for carcinogenicity gave negative results.

Greenleaf, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Optical Detection of Formaldehyde

The potential for buildup .of formaldehyde in closed space environments poses a direct health hazard to personnel. The National Aeronautic Space Agency (NASA) has established a maximum permitted concentration of 0.04 ppm for 7 to 180 days for all space craft. Early detection is critical to ensure that formaldehyde levels do not accumulate. above these limits. New sensor technologies are needed to enable real time,in situ detection in a compact and reusable form factor. Addressing this need,research into the use of reactive fluorescent dyes which reversibly bind to formaldehyde (liquid or gas) has been conducted to support the development of a formaldehyde.sensor. In the presence of formaldehyde the dyes' characteristic fluorescence peaks shift providing the basis for an optical detection. Dye responses to formaldehyde exposure were characterized; demonstrating the optical detection of formaldehyde in under 10 seconds and down to concentrations of 0.5 ppm. To .incorporate the dye .in.an optical sensor device requires. a means of containing and manipulating the dye. Multiple form factors using two dissimilar s~bstrates were considered to determine a suitable configuration. A prototype sensor was demonstrated and considerations for a field able sensor were presented. This research provides a necessary first step toward the development of a compact, reusable; real time optical formaldehyde sensor suitable for use in the U.S. space program,

Patty, Kira D.↗
NASA NTRS2006

An Improved Flow Cytometry Method For Precise Quantitation Of Natural-Killer Cell Activity

The ability to assess NK cell cytotoxicity using flow cytometry has been previously described and can serve as a powerful tool to evaluate effector immune function in the clinical setting. Previous methods used membrane permeable dyes to identify target cells. The use of these dyes requires great care to achieve optimal staining and results in a broad spectral emission that can make multicolor cytometry difficult. Previous methods have also used negative staining (the elimination of target cells) to identify effector cells. This makes a precise quantitation of effector NK cells impossible due to the interfering presence of T and B lymphocytes, and the data highly subjective to the variable levels of NK cells normally found in human peripheral blood. In this study an improved version of the standard flow cytometry assay for NK activity is described that has several advantages of previous methods. Fluorescent antibody staining (CD45FITC) is used to positively identify target cells in place of membranepermeable dyes. Fluorescent antibody staining of target cells is less labor intensive and more easily reproducible than membrane dyes. NK cells (true effector lymphocytes) are also positively identified by fluorescent antibody staining (CD56PE) allowing a simultaneous absolute count assessment of both NK cells and target cells. Dead cells are identified by membrane disruption using the DNA intercalating dye PI. Using this method, an exact NK:target ratio may be determined for each assessment, including quantitation of NK target complexes. Backimmunoscatter gating may be used to track live vs. dead Target cells via scatter properties. If desired, NK activity may then be normalized to standardized ratios for clinical comparisons between patients, making the determination of PBMC counts or NK cell percentages prior to testing unnecessary. This method provides an exact cytometric determination of NK activity that highly reproducible and may be suitable for routine use in the clinical setting.

Crucian, Brian↗
NASA NTRS2013

Characterization of Fluorescent Polystyrene Microspheres for Advanced Flow Diagnostics

Fluorescent dye-doped polystyrene latex microspheres (PSLs) are being developed for velocimetry and scalar measurements in variable property flows. Two organic dyes, Rhodamine B (RhB) and dichlorofluorescence (DCF), are examined to assess laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) properties for flow imaging applications and single-shot temperature measurements. A major interest in the current research is the application of safe dyes, thus DCF is of particular interest, while RhB is used as a benchmark. Success is demonstrated for single-point laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) and also imaging fluorescence, excited via a continuous wave 2 W laser beam, for exposures down to 10 ms. In contrast, when exciting with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser at 200 mJ/pulse, no fluorescence was detected, even when integrating tens of pulses. We show that this is due to saturation of the LIF signal at relatively low excitation intensities, 4-5 orders of magnitude lower than the pulsed laser intensity. A two-band LIF technique is applied in a heated jet, indicating that the technique effectively removes interfering inputs such as particle diameter variation. Temperature measurement uncertainties are estimated based upon the variance measured for the two-band LIF intensity ratio and the achievable dye temperature sensitivity, indicating that particles developed to date may provide about +/-12.5 C precision, while future improvements in dye temperature sensitivity and signal quality may enable single-shot temperature measurements with sub-degree precision.

Maisto, Pietro M. F.↗
DOE OSTI2016

High intensity vacuum ultraviolet and extreme ultraviolet production by noncollinear mixing in laser vaporized media

A method is described for generating intense pulsed vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and extreme ultraviolet (XUV) laser radiation by resonance enhanced four-wave mixing of commercial pulsed nanosecond lasers in laser vaporized mercury under windowless conditions. By employing noncollinear mixing of the input beams, the need of dispersive elements such as gratings for separating the VUV/XUV from the residual UV and visible beams is eliminated. A number of schemes are described, facilitating access to the 9.9–14.6 eV range. A simple and convenient scheme for generating wavelengths of 125 nm, 112 nm, and 104 nm (10 eV, 11 eV, and 12 eV) using two dye lasers without the need for dye changes is described.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2017

Green fluorescence protein-based content-mixing assay of SNARE-driven membrane fusion

Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins mediate intracellular membrane fusion by forming a ternary SNARE complex. A minimalist approach utilizing proteoliposomes with reconstituted SNARE proteins yielded a wealth of information pinpointing the molecular mechanism of SNARE-mediated fusion and its regulation by accessory proteins. Two important attributes of a membrane fusion are lipid-mixing and the formation of an aqueous passage between apposing membranes. These two attributes are typically observed by using various fluorescent dyes. Currently available in vitro assay systems for observing fusion pore opening have several weaknesses such as cargo-bleeding, incomplete removal of unencapsulated dyes, and inadequate information regarding the size of the fusion pore, limiting measurements of the final stage of membrane fusion. In the present study, we used a biotinylated green fluorescence protein and streptavidin conjugated with Dylight 594 (DyStrp) as a Föster resonance energy transfer (FRET) donor and acceptor, respectively. This FRET pair encapsulated in each v-vesicle containing synaptobrevin and t-vesicle containing a binary acceptor complex of syntaxin 1a and synaptosomal-associated protein 25 revealed the opening of a large fusion pore of more than 5 nm, without the unwanted signals from unencapsulated dyes or leakage. This system enabled determination of the stoichiometry of the merging vesicles because the FRET efficiency of the FRET pair depended on the molar ratio between dyes. Here, we report a robust and informative assay for SNARE-mediated fusion pore opening. - Highlights: • SNARE proteins drive membrane fusion and open a pore for cargo release. • Biotinylated GFP and DyStrp was used as the reporter pair of fusion pore opening. • Procedure for efficient SNARE reconstitution and reporter encapsulation was established. • The FRET pair reported opening of a large fusion pore bigger than 5 nm. • The assay was robust and provided information of stoichiometry of vesicle fusion.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Sb₂S₃ surface modification induced remarkable enhancement of TiO₂ core/shell nanowries solar cells

This study presents the fabrication of a novel dye-sensitized solar cell with Sb₂S₃-modified TiO₂ nanowire (NW) arrays/TiO₂ nanoparticles (NP) (TiO₂(NWs)/TiO₂(NPs)/Sb₂S₃) as the anodes and N719 dye as the sensitizer. A solar conversion efficiency of 4.91% at 1 sun illumination was achieved for the composite cell, which is markedly higher than the efficiency rates obtained using TiO₂ and TiO₂(NWs)/Sb₂S₃/TiO₂(NPs) NW cells, calculated at 2.36% and 3.11%, respectively. The improved efficiency results from the large surface area of the NPs, as well as the expansion of the light absorption region and high absorption coefficient by Sb₂S₃ surface modification. - Graphical abstract: A novel TiO₂(NWs)/TiO₂(NPs)/Sb₂S₃ dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is fabricated, a solar conversion efficiency of 4.91 % at 1 sun illumination is achieved. Highlights: • We fabricate sandwich structured TiO₂ dye-sensitized solar cells. • The anode of the solar cells consist of Sb₂S₃ modified TiO₂ nanowire arrays/TiO₂ nanopartices. • A solar conversion efficiency of 4.91% at 1 sun illumination is achieved. • The high efficiency results from large surface area and expanded light adsorption of the anode.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Influence of Al substitution on magnetism and adsorption properties of hematite

A series of Al-substituted hematite was prepared. The structures and properties of as-prepared samples were characterized by various techniques. The magnetic property of the samples was determined and the adsorption of three dyes Acid Blue 74, Methylene Blue and Phenol Red onto the samples was investigated. The results showed that Al incorporation into the crystal structure of hematite occurs via isomorphous ionic substitution of Al for Fe. With increasing Al content, the particle size of samples decreases, the magnetization increases and the remanent magnetization remains unchanged. The coercivity of the samples increases with Al substitution up to n{sub Al}/n{sub Fe} 0.03, and then decreases as Al content further increases. Compared with Al-free hematite, Al-substituted samples exhibit better adsorption ability to all of the three dyes. The adsorption rates of the three dyes on the surface of Al substituted samples depend on the structure of dye, pH and Al content in hematite. - Graphical abstract: Effect of Al on the structure, magnetic properties and adsorption performance of hematite was investigated. - Highlights: • A series of Al-substituted α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} was prepared. • Effect of Al content on the crystal structure and magnetic property of hematite was investigated. • Al-substituted hematite exhibits better adsorption ability than hematite.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Introduction of a methoxymethyl side chain into p-phenylenediamine attenuates its sensitizing potency and reduces the risk of allergy induction

The strong sensitizing potencies of the most important primary intermediates of oxidative hair dyes, p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and p-toluylenediamine (PTD, i.e. 2-methyl-PPD) are well established. They are considered as the key sensitizers in hair dye allergic contact dermatitis. While modification of their molecular structure is expected to alter their sensitizing properties, it may also impair their color performance. With introduction of a methoxymethyl side chain we found the primary intermediate 2-methoxymethyl-p-phenylenediamine (ME-PPD) with excellent hair coloring performance but significantly reduced sensitizing properties compared to PPD and PTD: In vitro, ME-PPD showed an attenuated innate immune response when analyzed for its protein reactivity and dendritic cell activation potential. In vivo, the effective concentration of ME-PPD necessary to induce an immune response 3-fold above vehicle control (EC3 value) in the local lymph node assay (LLNA) was 4.3%, indicating a moderate skin sensitizing potency compared to values of 0.1 and 0.17% for PPD and PTD, respectively. Finally, assessing the skin sensitizing potency of ME-PPD under consumer hair dye usage conditions through a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) indicated an allergy induction risk negligible compared to PPD or PTD. - Highlights: • Methoxymethyl side chain in p-phenylenediamine reduces its strong skin sensitizing properties. • Reduced protein reactivity and dendritic cell activation. • Reduced skin sensitizing potency in local lymph node assay (LLNA). • Negligible allergy induction risk under hair dye usage conditions.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Autocorrelation and Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analyses Reveal Superdiffusive Mass Transport in Solvent-Filled Nanoporous Media

Fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy experiments were conducted to better understand the complex mass transport dynamics of organic molecules in liquid-filled nanoporous media. Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes incorporating 10 and 20 nm diameter cylindrical pores were employed as model materials. Nile red (NR) dye was used as a fluorescent tracer. The dye was dissolved separately in ethanol and toluene at a concentration of 20 nM and used to fill the membrane nanopores. Confocal fluorescence microscopy was employed to capture photon intensity time series data reflecting apparent diffusion of the dye within the pores. Autocorrelation of these data revealed that NR diffusion within the membranes occurred over a broad range of time scales. The autocorrelation decays were fit to a model for one-dimensional diffusion incorporating both fast and slow components having apparent diffusion coefficients, D f and D s , differing by a factor of ∼100. The fast mechanism was attributed to hindered bulk-like diffusion in the central pore cavity, while slow diffusion likely involved absorption of the dye to the pore surfaces. Unfortunately, important evidence of diffusion anomalies is lost in the broad autocorrelation decays obtained. The method of multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA) was applied to the same data as a means to overcome this limitation. MF-DFA revealed that time series acquired from within the nanopores were multifractal and exhibited evidence of anomalous superdiffusion, likely resulting from the participation of a desorption-mediated diffusion mechanism. Monte Carlo simulations of time series modeling desorption-mediated diffusion in cylindrical nanopores provided support for this assignment. Here, the new knowledge gained affords an improved understanding of hydrocarbon dynamics within nanoporous oil and gas shales.

Diffusion↗
DOE OSTI2015

Atomic layer deposition of epitaxial layers of anatase on strontium titanate single crystals: Morphological and photoelectrochemical characterization

Atomic layer deposition was used to grow epitaxial layers of anatase (001) TiO{sub 2} on the surface of SrTiO{sub 3} (100) crystals with a 3% lattice mismatch. The epilayers grow as anatase (001) as confirmed by x-ray diffraction. Atomic force microscope images of deposited films showed epitaxial layer-by-layer growth up to about 10 nm, whereas thicker films, of up to 32 nm, revealed the formation of 2–5 nm anatase nanocrystallites oriented in the (001) direction. The anatase epilayers were used as substrates for dye sensitization. The as received strontium titanate crystal was not sensitized with a ruthenium-based dye (N3) or a thiacyanine dye (G15); however, photocurrent from excited state electron injection from these dyes was observed when adsorbed on the anatase epilayers. These results show that highly ordered anatase surfaces can be grown on an easily obtained substrate crystal.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Photodetectors based on single-walled carbon nanotubes and thiamonomethinecyanine J-aggregates on flexible substrates

The present paper is devoted to observations of the photoresistive effect in multilayer structures with a sensitive layer of J-aggregates of thiamonomethinecyanine polymethine dye and a transparent electrode of a conductive carbon-nanotube network on a flexible polyethylenenaphtalate substrate. The effect of narrow-band emission with a wavelength of 465 nm on a change in the conductivity of the fabricated structures is studied. The prepared samples are studied by atomic-force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and spectrophotometry methods. It is shown that these structures are photosensitive to the indicated spectral region, and the dye layer is a film of dye J-aggregates. The change in the sample conductivity upon exposure to light one hundred times exceeds the dark conductivity. In general, the principal possibility of developing a photoresistive detector based on J-aggregates of cyanine dyes on flexible supports on account of the use of transparent and conductive carbon-nanotube layers is shown.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Flavylium Polymethine Fluorophores for Near‐ and Shortwave Infrared Imaging

Abstract Bright fluorophores in the near‐infrared and shortwave infrared (SWIR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are essential for optical imaging in vivo. In this work, we utilized a 7‐dimethylamino flavylium heterocycle to construct a panel of novel red‐shifted polymethine dyes, with emission wavelengths from 680 to 1045 nm. Photophysical characterization revealed that the 1‐ and 3‐methine dyes display enhanced photostability and the 5‐ and 7‐methine dyes exhibit exceptional brightness for their respective spectral regions. A micelle formulation of the 7‐methine facilitated SWIR imaging in mice. This report presents the first polymethine dye designed and synthesized for SWIR in vivo imaging.

Cosco, Emily D.↗