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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 OSTI2015

Solar assisted alkali pretreatment of garden biomass: Effects on lignocellulose degradation, enzymatic hydrolysis, crystallinity and ultra-structural changes in lignocellulose

Highlights: • SAAP is an efficient and economic means of pretreatment. • SAAP was found to be efficient in lignin and hemicellulose removal. • SAAP enhanced the enzymatic hydrolysis. • FTIR, XRD and SEM provided vivid understanding about the mode of action of SAAP. • Mass balance closer of 98% for pretreated GB confirmed the reliability of SAAP. - Abstract: A comprehensive study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of solar assisted alkali pretreatment (SAAP) on garden biomass (GB). The pretreatment efficiency was assessed based on lignocellulose degradation, conversion of cellulose into reducing sugars, changes in the ultra-structure and functional groups of lignocellulose and impact on the crystallinity of cellulose, etc. SAAP was found to be efficient for the removal of lignin and hemicellulose that facilitated enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. FTIR and XRD studies provided details on the effectiveness of SAAP on lignocellulosic moiety and crystallinity of cellulose. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed ultra-structural disturbances in the microfibrils of GB as a result of pretreatment. The mass balance closer of 97.87% after pretreatment confirmed the reliability of SAAP pretreatment. Based on the results, it is concluded that SAAP is not only an efficient means of pretreatment but also economical as it involved no energy expenditure for heat generation during pretreatment.

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

Effect of annealing on the properties of Sb doped ZnO thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis technique

Sb doped ZnO thin films have been deposited on glass substrate at 450°C using spray pyrolysis technique. The X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the as deposited films are polycrystalline in nature with (100) preferred orientation. Whereas the films annealed at 450° C for 6h show a preferential orientation along (101) direction. Crystallites size varies from 15.7 nm to 34.95 nm with annealing duration. The Scanning electron microscopic analysis shows the plane and smooth surface of the films. The optical properties of annealed films have shown a variation in the band gap between 3.37 eV and 3.19 eV. Transparency of as grown and annealed films decreases from 78 % to 65% respectively in the visible region. The electrical conductivity of the as grown film shows an increase in the electrical conductivity by one order of magnitude with increase in the annealing duration.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

KINETIC TURBULENCE IN THE TERRESTRIAL MAGNETOSHEATH: CLUSTER OBSERVATIONS

We present a first statistical study of subproton- and electron-scale turbulence in the terrestrial magnetosheath using waveform data measured by the Cluster/STAFF search coil magnetometer in the frequency range [1, 180] Hz. It is found that clear spectral breaks exist near the electron scale, which separate two power-law-like frequency bands referred to as the dispersive and the electron dissipation ranges. The frequencies of the breaks f{sub b} are shown to be well correlated with the electron gyroscale ρ {sub e} rather than with the electron inertial length d{sub e} . The distribution of the slopes below f{sub b} is found to be narrow and peaks near –2.9, while that of the slopes above f{sub b} is found to be broader, peaking near –5.2, with values as low as –7.5. This is the first time that such steep power-law spectra are reported in space plasma turbulence. These observations provide new constraints on theoretical modeling of kinetic turbulence and dissipation in collisionless magnetized plasmas.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Contact-induced spin polarization in BNNT(CNT)/TM (TM=Co, Ni) nanocomposites

The interaction between carbon and BN nanotubes (NT) and transition metal Co and Ni supports was studied using electronic structure calculations. Several configurations of interfaces were considered, and the most stable ones were used for electronic structure analysis. All NT/Co interfaces were found to be more energetically favorable than NT/Ni, and conductive carbon nanotubes demonstrate slightly stronger bonding than semiconducting ones. The presence of contact-induced spin polarization was established for all nanocomposites. It was found that the contact-induced polarization of BNNT leads to the appearance of local conductivity in the vicinity of the interface while the rest of the nanotube lattice remains to be insulating.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Direct observation of enhanced emission sites in nitrogen implanted hybrid structured ultrananocrystalline diamond films

A hybrid-structured ultrananocrystalline diamond (h-UNCD) film, synthesized on Si-substrates by a two-step microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (MPECVD) process, contains duplex structure with large diamond aggregates evenly dispersed in a matrix of ultra-small grains ({approx}5 nm). The two-step plasma synthesized h-UNCD films exhibit superior electron field emission (EFE) properties than the one-step MPECVD deposited UNCD films. Nitrogen-ion implantation/post-annealing processes further improve the EFE properties of these films. Current imaging tunnelling spectroscopy in scanning tunnelling spectroscopy mode directly shows increased density of emission sites in N implanted/post-annealed h-UNCD films than as-prepared one. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements show increased sp{sup 2} phase content and C-N bonding fraction in N ion implanted/post-annealed films. Transmission electron microscopic analysis reveals that the N implantation/post-annealing processes induce the formation of defects in the diamond grains, which decreases the band gap and increases the density of states within the band gap of diamond. Moreover, the formation of nanographitic phase surrounding the small diamond grains enhanced the conductivity at the diamond grain boundaries. Both of the phenomena enhance the EFE properties.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using annato seeds (Bixa orellana Linn)

The Fabrication of dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using Annato seeds has been conducted in this study. Annato seeds (Bixa orellana Linn) used as a sensitizer for dye sensitized solar cell. The experimental parameter was concentration of natural dye. Annato seeds was extracted using etanol solution and the concentration was controlled by varying mass of Annato seeds. A semiconductor TiO{sub 2} was prepared by a screen printing method for coating glass use paste of TiO{sub 2}. Construction DSSC used layered systems (sandwich) consists of working electrode (TiO{sub 2} semiconductor-dye) and counter electrode (platina). Both are placed on conductive glass and electrolytes that occur electrons cycle. The characterization of thin layer of TiO{sub 2} was conducted using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscpy) analysis showed the surface morphology of TiO{sub 2} thin layer and the cross section of a thin layer of TiO{sub 2} with a thickness of 15–19 μm. Characterization of natural dye extract was determined using UV-Vis spectrometry analysis shows the wavelength range annato seeds is 328–515 nm, and the voltage (V{sub oc}) and electric current (I{sub sc}) resulted in keithley test for 30 gram, 40 gram, and 50 gram were 0,4000 V; 0,4251 V; 0,4502 V and 0,000074 A; 0,000458 A; 0,000857 A, respectively. The efficiencies of the fabricated solar cells using annato seeds as senstizer for each varying mass are 0,00799%, 0,01237%, and 0,05696%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Exponentially decaying magnetic coupling in sputtered thin film FeNi/Cu/FeCo trilayers

Magnetic coupling in trilayer films of FeNi/Cu/FeCo deposited on Si/SiO{sub 2} substrates have been studied. While the thicknesses of the FeNi and FeCo layers were kept constant at 100 Å, the thickness of the Cu spacer was varied from 5 to 50 Å. Both hysteresis loop and ferromagnetic resonance results indicate that all films are ferromagnetically coupled. Micromagnetic simulations well reproduce the ferromagnetic resonance mode positions measured by experiments, enabling the extraction of the coupling constants. Films with a thin Cu spacer are found to be strongly coupled, with an effective coupling constant of 3 erg/cm{sup 2} for the sample with a 5 Å Cu spacer. The strong coupling strength is qualitatively understood within the framework of a combined effect of Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida and pinhole coupling, which is evidenced by transmission electron microscopy analysis. The magnetic coupling constant surprisingly decreases exponentially with increasing Cu spacer thickness, without showing an oscillatory thickness dependence. This is partially connected to the substantial interfacial roughness that washes away the oscillation. The results have implications on the design of multilayers for spintronic applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Fe{sub (100−x)}Ni{sub (x)} Alloy Powders by Auto-combustion and Hydrogen Reduction

Nanocrystalline Fe{sub 90}Ni{sub 10,} Fe{sub 70}Ni{sub 30} andFe{sub 50}Ni{sub 50} alloy powders were successfully synthesized using a simple auto-combustion route followed by hydrogen reduction. The experimental work consisted of two steps, where the first step was auto-combustion and, the second step was reduction of the combusted powders. Citric acid was used as fuel during combustion, and citrate to nitrate ratio (C/N) was maintained at 0.3. NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} phase formation occurred in obtained powders. Obtained powders were reduced in a hydrogen atmosphere at 700 °C/1 h for alloy formation. X-ray diffraction results revealed the presence of BCC α-(Fe,Ni) and FCC γ-(Fe,Ni) phases in reduced powders. Rietveld refinement technique was used to confirm α-(Fe,Ni) and γ-(Fe,Ni) phases with Im-3 m and Fm-3 m space groups, respectively. The Fe{sub 50}Ni{sub 50} powder has been found to have a single γ-(Fe,Ni) phase. Crystallite size of synthesized powders was calculated using the Scherrer equation and transmission electron microscopic analysis, which has been found < 50 nm. The nanocrystalline powders of all three compositions have shown soft magnetic nature with high saturation magnetization (Ms) and low coercivity (Hc). Effect of composition on the phase formation, microstructure and magnetic behavior was investigated. This rapid and simple process for attaining nanoparticles of Fe-Ni alloys with high Ms is expected to be useful in potent applications such as sensors, biomedical applications and electromagnetic wave absorbers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

First-Principles Calculations on the Wettability of Li Atoms on the (111) Surfaces of W and Mo Substrates

Comprehension over the interactions between lithium (Li) atoms and tungsten (W) or molybdenum (Mo) are crucial to improve the wettability of the flowing liquid Li, a candidate plasma facing material in fusion devices, on the surfaces of supported substrate metals. In this work, we utilize first-principles density- functional theory calculations to figure out the adsorption and diffusion properties of Li atoms and clusters on the (111) surfaces of W and Mo. It is found that single Li atom in the fcc-hollow site is the most favored configuration. For the multiple Li atoms adsorption on the substrates, the planar construction is more stable than the stacking one. The electronic structure analysis shows that the lateral interaction between Li atoms is very weak and the binding between Li atom and the substrates is strong; therefore, it can be inferred that the liquid Li is “wetting” intrinsically on the surfaces of the W and Mo substrates. We also investigate the effect of defects (vacancy, H, C, and O) and find that the preexisted vacancy in the substrates has little effect on the wettability; however, the impurities (especially O atom) will hinder the movement of Li atoms on the metal substrates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effect of CNTs dispersion on the thermal and mechanical properties of Cu/CNTs nanocomposites

Modified technique of metal injection molding (MIM) was used to fabricate multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced Cu nanocomposites. The effect of adding different amount of CNTs (0-10 vol.%) on the thermal and mechanical behaviour of the fabricated nanocomposites is presented. Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed homogenous dispersion of CNTs in Cu matrices at different CNTs contents. The experimentally measured thermal conductivities of Cu/CNTs nanocomposites showed extraordinary increase (76% higher than pure sintered Cu) with addition of 10 vol.% CNTs. As compared to the pure sintered Cu, increase in modulus of elasticity (Young's modulus) of Cu/CNTs nanocomposites sintered at 1050°C for 2.5 h was measured to be 48%. However, in case of 7.5 vol.% CNTs, Young's modulus was increased significantly about 51% compared to that of pure sintered Cu.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

SiC/Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} nanotubes from peanut shells

Nanotubes and nanoparticles of SiC and Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} were produced from the thermal treatment of peanut shells in argon and nitrogen atmospheres respectively, at temperatures in excess of 1350°C. Using x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis, the processed samples in argon atmosphere were shown to consist of 2H and 3C polytypes of SiC nanoparticles and nanotubes. Whereas the samples prepared in nitrogen atmosphere consisted of α-phase of Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}. Nanostructures formed by a single direct reaction provide a sustainable synthesis route for nanostructured SiC and Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}, for potential engineering applications due to their exceptional mechanical and electro-optic properties.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Experimental studies of mitochondrial function in CADASIL vascular smooth muscle cells

Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a familiar fatal progressive degenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, and recurrent stroke in young adults. Pathological features include a dramatic reduction of brain vascular smooth muscle cells and severe arteriopathy with the presence of granular osmophilic material in the arterial walls. Here we have investigated the cellular and mitochondrial function in vascular smooth muscle cell lines (VSMCs) established from CADASIL mutation carriers (R133C) and healthy controls. We found significantly lower proliferation rates in CADASIL VSMC as compared to VSMC from controls. Cultured CADASIL VSMCs were not more vulnerable than control cells to a number of toxic substances. Morphological studies showed reduced mitochondrial connectivity and increased number of mitochondria in CADASIL VSMCs. Transmission electron microscopy analysis demonstrated increased irregular and abnormal mitochondria in CADASIL VSMCs. Measurements of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ{sub m}) showed a lower percentage of fully functional mitochondria in CADASIL VSMCs. For a number of genes previously reported to be changed in CADASIL VSMCs, immunoblotting analysis demonstrated a significantly reduced SOD1 expression. These findings suggest that alteration of proliferation and mitochondrial function in CADASIL VSMCs might have an effect on vital cellular functions important for CADASIL pathology. -- Highlights: ► CADASIL is an inherited disease of cerebral vascular cells. ► Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of CADASIL. ► Lower proliferation rates in CADASIL VSMC. ► Increased irregular and abnormal mitochondria and lower mitochondrial membrane potential in CADASIL VSMCs. ► Reduced mitochondrial connectivity and increased number of mitochondria in CADASIL VSMCs.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Graphitic encapsulation of MgO and Fe{sub 3}C nanoparticles in the reaction of iron pentacarbonyl with magnesium

A simple method to produce highly ordered carbon nanostructures by combustion synthesis is presented. Graphite-encapsulated magnesium oxide, iron carbide nanoparticles and carbon nanobelts were synthesized by the one-step reduction of iron pentacarbonyl with magnesium. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis of the products revealed nanocrystalline MgO and Fe{sub 3}C particles surrounded by a well-crystallized, tight graphite film. The possible formation mechanism is presented and discussed. - Highlights: • We present a simple method to produce highly ordered carbon nanostructures by combustion synthesis. • The cubic MgO particles are completely coated by tight graphitic shells. • The mechanism of formation a distant carbon film on MgO surface has been discussed. • The presented method can be applied to synthesis of other core-shell structures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Evaluating the Bulk Lorentz Factors of Outflow Material: Lessons Learned from the Extremely Energetic Outburst GRB 160625B

GRB 160625B is an extremely bright outburst with well-monitored afterglow emission. The geometry-corrected energy is high, up to ∼5.2 × 10{sup 52} erg or even ∼8 × 10{sup 52} erg, rendering it the most energetic GRB prompt emission recorded so far. We analyzed the time-resolved spectra of the prompt emission and found that in some intervals there were likely thermal-radiation components and the high energy emission was characterized by significant cutoff. The bulk Lorentz factors of the outflow material are estimated accordingly. We found out that the Lorentz factors derived in the thermal-radiation model are consistent with the luminosity-Lorentz factor correlation found in other bursts, as well as in GRB 090902B for the time-resolved thermal-radiation components, while the spectral cutoff model yields much lower Lorentz factors that are in tension with the constraints set by the electron pair Compton scattering process. We then suggest that these spectral cutoffs are more likely related to the particle acceleration process and that one should be careful in estimating the Lorentz factors if the spectrum cuts at a rather low energy (e.g., ∼tens of MeV). The nature of the central engine has also been discussed, and a stellar-mass black hole is favored.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Long term effects of lipopolysaccharide on satellite glial cells in mouse dorsal root ganglia

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been used extensively to study neuroinflammation, but usually its effects were examined acutely (24 h<). We have shown previously that a single intraperitoneal LPS injection activated satellite glial cells (SGCs) in mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and altered several functional parameters in these cells for at least one week. Here we asked whether the LPS effects would persist for 1 month. We injected mice with a single LPS dose and tested pain behavior, assessed SGCs activation in DRG using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining, and injected a fluorescent dye intracellularly to study intercellular coupling. Electron microscopy was used to quantitate changes in gap junctions. We found that at 30 days post-LPS the threshold to mechanical stimulation was lower than in controls. GFAP expression, as well as the magnitude of dye coupling among SGCs were greater than in controls. Electron microscopy analysis supported these results, showing a greater number of gap junctions and an abnormal growth of SGC processes. These changes were significant, but less prominent than at 7 days post-LPS. We conclude that a single LPS injection exerts long-term behavioral and cellular changes. The results are consistent with the idea that SGC activation contributes to hyperalgesia. - Highlights: • A single lipopolysaccharides injection activated glia in mouse dorsal root ganglia for 30 days. • This was accompanied by increased communications by gap junctions among glia and by hyperalgesia. • Glial activation and coupling may contribute to chronic pain.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

Fabrication and Spark plasma sintering of nanostructured bismuth telluride (Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3})

Thermoelectric (TE) devices can harvest residual low-grade waste heat energy. Bismuth telluride (Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3}) and its alloys are mostly used TE materials in the bulk form for making TE modules. We report a simple, fast and very high yield synthetic process for the bulk Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} nanopowders with hexagonal plate like morphology. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) process has been optimized in order to preserve nanostructure while achieving a high compaction density of the pellets. Electron microscopy analysis was used to determine the effect of SPS parameters during compaction on the grain growth. Optimal conditions for the fabricated nanopowder was determined as 673 K, 70 MPa pressure with no holding time, which resulted in average lateral grain size in the range of 165-190 nm for a compact density of 98%. About 50% reduction of thermal conductivity was observed as compared to its bulk counterparts, revealing the feasibility of suggested route in the preservation of nanostructure and enhanced phonon scattering.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Deposition and characterization of molybdenum thin films using dc-plasma magnetron sputtering

Molebdenum (Mo) thin films were deposited on well-cleaned soda-lime glass substrates using DC-plasma magnetron sputtering. In the design of experiment deposition was optimized for maximum beneficial characteristics by monitoring effect of process variables such as deposition power (100–200 W). Their electrical, structural and morphological properties were analyzed to study the effect of these variables. The electrical resistivity of Mo thin films could be reduced by increasing deposition power. Within the range of analyzed deposition power, Mo thin films showed a mono crystalline nature and the crystallites were found to have an orientation along [110] direction. The surface morphology of thin films showed that a highly dense micro structure has been obtained. The surface roughness of films increased with deposition power. The adhesion of Mo thin films could be improved by increasing the deposition power. Atomic force microscopy was used for the topographical study of the films and to determine the roughness of the films. X-ray diffractrometer and scanning electron microscopy analysis were used to investigate the crystallinity and surface morphology of the films. Hall effect measurement system was used to find resistivity, carrier mobility and carrier density of deposited films. The adhesion test was performed using scotch hatch tape adhesion test. Mo thin films prepared at deposition power of 200 W, substrate temperature of 23°C and Ar pressure of 0.0123 mbar exhibited a mono crystalline structure with an orientation along (110) direction, thickness of ∼550 nm and electrical resistivity value of 0.57 × 10{sup −4} Ω cm.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

In Vitro and In Silico Studies of Chitin and Chitosan Based Nanocarriers for Curcumin and Insulin Delivery

The evaluation of drug delivery potential, molecular interactions of the polymeric nanoparticles with the drug molecule and release kinetics encounters more time consumption and also cost. In this study, we have adopted the combination of in vitro and in silico approaches to evaluate the drug delivery property of the polymeric nanoparticles viz. chitin and chitosan. Herein, two different therapeutic agents such as curcumin (a hydrophobic drug) and insulin (a therapeutic protein) were used to study the delivery potential of chitin and chitosan nanoparticles. The drug loaded chitin and chitosan nanoparticles were prepared and characterized using Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy analysis. In the in vitro drug delivery experiments, chitosan nanoparticles exhibited better encapsulation efficiency, drug loading capacity and prolonged release of the drug molecules than that of the chitin nanoparticles to both curcumin and insulin. Meanwhile the in silico experiments such as molecular docking and molecular dynamics predicted the molecular interactions and binding energy involved between the nanoparticles and the drug molecules. From this study, we suggest that the chitosan nanoparticles could be used as a carrier molecule for both curcumin and insulin. Graphical Abstract: .

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗