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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 973 records · Page 54
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Hardware Implementation and Market Impacts of Grid-Supportive Functions in End-Use Loads

Grid-supportive loads (GSLs) are power electronics-based end-use loads that can provide frequency response and other grid services by autonomously adjusting their output power using local grid measurements. This report provides details on GSL hardware design options and their associated costs and benefits for multiple devices, including EV chargers, refrigerators, and heat pumps. We consider mechanisms to incentivize adoption of GSLs at scale and estimate the quantity of frequency response that can be procured with GSLs.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2016

In situ TEM visualization of superior nanomechanical flexibility of shear-exfoliated phosphorene

Recently discovered atomically thin black phosphorus (called phosphorene) holds great promise for applications in flexible nanoelectronic devices. Experimentally identifying and characterizing nanomechanical properties of phosphorene are challenging, but also potentially rewarding. Our work combines for the first time in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging and an in situ micro-manipulation system to directly visualize the nanomechanical behaviour of individual phosphorene nanoflakes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the phosphorene nanoflakes can be easily bent, scrolled, and stretched, showing remarkable mechanical flexibility rather than fracturing. An out-of-plane plate-like bending mechanism and in-plane tensile strain of up to 34% were observed. Moreover, a facile liquid-phase shear exfoliation route has been developed to produce such mono-layer and few-layer phosphorene nanoflakes in organic solvents using only a household kitchen blender. The effects of surface tensions of the applied solvents on the ratio of average length and thickness (L/T) of the nanoflakes were studied systematically. These results reported here will pave the way for potential industrial-scale applications of flexible phosphorene nanoelectronic devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

A General Approach for Lab‐to‐Manufacturing Translation on Flexible Organic Solar Cells

Abstract The blossoming of organic solar cells (OSCs) has triggered enormous commercial applications, due to their high‐efficiency, light weight, and flexibility. However, the lab‐to‐manufacturing translation of the praisable performance from lab‐scale devices to industrial‐scale modules is still the Achilles' heel of OSCs. In fact, it is urgent to explore the mechanism of morphological evolution in the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) with different coating/printing methods. Here, a general approach to upscale flexible organic photovoltaics to module scale without obvious efficiency loss is demonstrated. The shear impulse during the coating/printing process is first applied to control the morphology evolution of the BHJ layer for both fullerene and nonfullerene acceptor systems. A quantitative transformation factor of shear impulse between slot‐die printing and spin‐coating is detected. Compelling results of morphological evolution, molecular stacking, and coarse‐grained molecular simulation verify the validity of the impulse translation. Accordingly, the efficiency of flexible devices via slot‐die printing achieves 9.10% for PTB7‐Th:PC 71 BM and 9.77% for PBDB‐T:ITIC based on 1.04 cm 2 . Furthermore, 15 cm 2 flexible modules with effective efficiency up to 7.58% (PTB7‐Th:PC 71 BM) and 8.90% (PBDB‐T:ITIC) are demonstrated with satisfying mechanical flexibility and operating stability. More importantly, this work outlines the shear impulse translation for organic printing electronics.

Meng, Xiangchuan↗
DOE OSTI2018

Observation of topologically protected states at crystalline phase boundaries in single-layer WSe2

Abstract Transition metal dichalcogenide materials are unique in the wide variety of structural and electronic phases they exhibit in the two-dimensional limit. Here we show how such polymorphic flexibility can be used to achieve topological states at highly ordered phase boundaries in a new quantum spin Hall insulator (QSHI), 1 T ′-WSe 2 . We observe edge states at the crystallographically aligned interface between a quantum spin Hall insulating domain of 1 T ′-WSe 2 and a semiconducting domain of 1 H -WSe 2 in contiguous single layers. The QSHI nature of single-layer 1 T ′-WSe 2 is verified using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to determine band inversion around a 120 meV energy gap, as well as scanning tunneling spectroscopy to directly image edge-state formation. Using this edge-state geometry we confirm the predicted penetration depth of one-dimensional interface states into the two-dimensional bulk of a QSHI for a well-specified crystallographic direction. These interfaces create opportunities for testing predictions of the microscopic behavior of topologically protected boundary states.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Self-consistent implementation of meta-GGA functionals for the ONETEP linear-scaling electronic structure package

Accurate and computationally efficient exchange-correlation functionals are critical to the successful application of linear-scaling density functional theory (DFT). Local and semi-local functionals of the density are naturally compatible with linear-scaling approaches, having a general form which assumes the locality of electronic interactions and which can be efficiently evaluated by numerical quadrature. Presently, the most sophisticated and flexible semi-local functionals are members of the meta-generalized-gradient approximation (meta-GGA) family, and depend upon the kinetic energy density, τ, in addition to the charge density and its gradient. In order to extend the theoretical and computational advantages of τ-dependent meta-GGA functionals to large-scale DFT calculations on thousands of atoms, we have implemented support for τ-dependent meta-GGA functionals in the ONETEP program. In this paper we lay out the theoretical innovations necessary to implement τ-dependent meta-GGA functionals within ONETEP's linear-scaling formalism. We present expressions for the gradient of the τ-dependent exchange-correlation energy, necessary for direct energy minimization. We also derive the forms of the τ-dependent exchange-correlation potential and kinetic energy density in terms of the strictly localized, self-consistently optimized orbitals used by ONETEP. To validate the numerical accuracy of our self-consistent meta-GGA implementation, we performed calculations using the B97M-V and PKZB meta-GGAs on a variety of small molecules. Using only a minimal basis set of self-consistently optimized local orbitals, we obtain energies in excellent agreement with large basis set calculations performed using other codes. Lastly, to establish the linear-scaling computational cost and applicability of our approach to large-scale calculations, we present the outcome of self-consistent meta-GGA calculations on amyloid fibrils of increasing size, up to tens of thousands of atoms.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Harmonics and Stability Evaluation of Converter-Interfaced Combined Heat and Power Units

Grid integration of medium-sized combined heat and power (CHP) units is challenging due to strict grid codes and conventional generators lack of control flexibility to meet these grid codes. Adding a two-stage ac-dc-ac power electronics interface between the generator and the utility grid will accelerate the interconnection process of CHP units. For the dc-ac stage, a voltage source converter (VSC) has been widely used as a grid-tied inverter because of its fast control and low total harmonics distortion (THD). In this paper, several topologies of generator-side rectifiers for ac-dc power conversion are explored and analyzed. The harmonics impact of various rectifiers on the CHP generator are evaluated. The overall cost of the electrical system, when using various types of rectifiers, is assessed and the VSC back-to-back converter interface configuration is found to be optimal. The overall system stability is also examined using small-signal impedance analysis to assess potential instability issues at the system level.

CHP, Harmonics, Generator Rectifier Unit, DC Imped↗
DOE OSTI2016

Hybrid Enrichment Verification Array: Module Characterization Studies

The work presented in this report is focused on the characterization and refinement of the Hybrid Enrichment Verification Array (HEVA) approach, which combines the traditional 186-keV 235 U signature with high-energy prompt gamma rays from neutron capture in the detector and surrounding collimator material, to determine the relative enrichment and 235 U mass of the cylinder. The design of the HEVA modules (hardware and software) deployed in the current field trial builds on over seven years of study and evolution by PNNL, and consists of a ø3''×3'' NaI(Tl) scintillator coupled to an Osprey digital multi-channel analyzer tube base from Canberra. The core of the HEVA methodology, the high-energy prompt gamma-ray signature, serves as an indirect method for the measurement of total neutron emission from the cylinder. A method for measuring the intrinsic efficiency of this “non-traditional” neutron signature and the results from a benchmark experiment are presented. Also discussed are potential perturbing effects on the non-traditional signature, including short-lived activation of materials in the HEVA module. Modeling and empirical results are presented to demonstrate that such effects are expected to be negligible for the envisioned implementation scenario. In comparison to previous versions, the new design boosts the high-energy prompt gamma-ray signature, provides more flexible and effective collimation, and improves count-rate management via commercially available pulse-processing electronics with a special modification prompted by PNNL.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Physics of the thermal quench in MST tokamak plasmas (Final Technical Report)

This project at the University of Wisconsin-Madison targeted measurements in tokamak plasmas in the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) to help elucidate the physics of the tokamak disruption. We intended to focus on the thermal quench, during which energy is lost from the plasma in a very short time. Understanding and ultimately mitigating the thermal quench are among the highest priority research thrusts for ITER, a large international fusion experiment presently under construction. The measurements in MST exploited an advanced set of diagnostics for internal measurements with high time resolution, targeting linear and nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) activity as well as the electron temperature and density profiles. We also exploited other features of the MST device, including very flexible power supplies for the toroidal magnetic field and toroidal plasma current that are capable of producing almost arbitrary waveforms. While the work funded by this project was purely experimental, we continued and expanded an existing collaboration with UW-Madison experts in nonlinear MHD computational modeling of tokamak plasmas. That modeling incorporated realistic, experimentally measured parameters. The results of the modeling were anticipated to deepen considerably our understanding of the experimental measurements, and in turn, the experimental measurements were anticipated to help validate the modeling results. The science of transients such as disruptions is one of the highest priority research areas in the U.S. and international fusion programs. The work carried out in this project was targeted to help advance the science of tokamak disruptions which will in turn contribute to the success of ITER.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1972

Lunar roving vehicle thermal control system.

A thermal control system was incorporated into the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) to maintain temperature sensitive components within appropriate temperature limits during the translunar transportation phase, lunar surface operation, and quiescent periods between lunar traverses. This paper describes the thermal control system and discusses its thermal characteristics during all phases of operation. The basic concept is a passive system which stores internally generated energy during operation with subsequent radiation to space. The external environments are regulated by selected radiative surface finishes. Multi-layer insulation blankets, space radiators, flexible thermal straps, and fusible mass heat sinks were designed to control the temperatures of the electronic components.

Elliott, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Application of the high resolution return beam vidicon

The Return Beam Vidicon (RBV) is a high-performance electronic image sensor and electrical storage component. It can accept continuous or discrete exposures. Information can be read out with a single scan or with many repetitive scans for either signal processing or display. Resolution capability is 10,000 TV lines/height, and at 100 lp/mm, performance matches or exceeds that of film, particularly with low-contrast imagery. Electronic zoom can be employed effectively for image magnification and data compression. The high performance and flexibility of the RBV permit wide application in systems for reconnaissance, scan conversion, information storage and retrieval, and automatic inspection and test. This paper summarizes the characteristics and performance parameters of the RBV and cites examples of feasible applications.

Cantella, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Space Telescope pointing control

The Space Telescope Pointing Control System is used to slew the optical axis of the telescope from one target star region of the celestial sphere to the next, and to maintain precision pointing on the target star. A digital computer is employed in the processing of attitude and rate sensor data, in order to generate torque commands for the reaction wheels. The System comprises four major elements: a command generator, the electronic control system, attitude update processing, and momentum management. Emphasis is given to control-related flexibility effects of the Space Telescope's solar cell array and vehicle, and the acquisition methodology and development testing employed, in addition to Pointing Control System design features.

Dougherty, H.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Replacement for Silicon Devices Looms Big With ORNL Discovery

Two-dimensional electronic devices could inch closer to their ultimate promise of low power, high efficiency and mechanical flexibility with a processing technique developed at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Advanced High-Fidelity Lumped EMT Grid Modelling & Comparison

There is increased interest in performing electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies of large power grids for stability purposes. The large power grids may not represent the entire grid, but portions of interest. For example, studies are being performed to identify the impact of extreme events on solar power plants in California that requires the EMT model of the grid in California, but not the complete western interconnection (WI) grid model to which the grid in California is connected. The EMT models of grids are necessary to perform integration studies of large power electronics systems like utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems, high-voltage direct current (HVdc) systems, flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTs), and others. Traditionally, models of grids available to utilities are the transient stability (TS) models. Hence, it assumes significance to identify methods of developing high-fidelity EMT models for portions of the grid (of interest) from the information available in the existing TS models of the entire grid. In this paper, a conversion mechanism along with upgradation based on data-driven methods is applied to develop EMT models of grids. The conversion mechanism utilizes information from TS models of grids to generate EMT models of grids. These models can be extracted for the required portion of the grid. While these models adequately represent the local voltage behaviour of the grid, they are inadequate in representing the frequency behaviour of the grid. The data-driven methods are applied to identify frequency dynamics of the grid, and the EMT models are upgraded with the data-driven methods. The resulting upgraded EMT models of grids can perform the studies mentioned above. These models are tested under contingencies of interest to validate the developed models.

Debnath, Suman↗
DOE OSTI2016

Tensile strength of ramie yarn (spinning by machine)/HDPE thermoplastic matrix composites

Technological developments should be trooped to prevent a gap between technology and environmental sustainability, then it needs to be developed “Green technology”. In this research is making of green composites which use natural fiber ramie as reinforcement. Whereas the matrix used was HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) thermoplastic polymer which could be recycled and had a good formability and flexibility. The ramie yarns and fibers for unidirectional (0°) direction respectively were mixed with HDPE powder and processed using hot compression molding. The surface morphology was observed by SEM (Scanning Electrone Microscopy). Results showed that both tensile strength of the ramie fiber/HDPE composites increased in comparison with the ramie yarn (spinning by machine)/HDPE composites. However, the ramie yarn (spinning by machine)/HDPE composites have a good producibility for wider application. Analysis of the test results using the Weibull distribution as approaches to modeling the reliability of the specimens.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2023

Direct density modulation of photo-assisted field emission from an RF cold cathode

This paper explores direct density modulation of high-current electron beam emission from an RF cold cathode using optical excitation. We theoretically study the photo-assisted field emission of periodically bunched electron beams of various pulse shapes under the combined excitation of an RF field and an optical field, using an exact quantum model. Both continuous-wave (CW) and pulsed optical fields are considered. The emission current pulse amplitude, pulse width, electron number density per pulse, as well as pulse shape and its harmonic contents are investigated in detail. For CW photon sources in the UV to NIR range (i.e., 200–1200 nm), increasing the optical intensity under an RF bias tends to change the current pulse from a Gaussian to sinusoidal-like shape, thus offering strong flexibility to control the frequency components in beam current emission. Pulsed photon sources combined with an RF field can produce sharp, high-current electron bunches with pulse duration comparable with or even less than that of the optical pulse. A contour map of the density modulation depth is constructed for different combinations of RF and laser fields. The results provide insight into unlocking new opportunities to achieve direct density modulation during electron current emission by optical means.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2019

Simulations of coherent electron cooling with two types of amplifiers

The SPACE code is a parallel, relativistic, three-dimensional, electromagnetic, particle-in-cell code developed for the simulations of beam dynamics and interactions. The SPACE code can perform simulations with various beam distributions, different types of boundary conditions, and flexible beam line, as well as provide sufficient processing routines for data analyses and visualization. Finally, self-consistent, highly resolved and realistic simulations were performed using the SPACE code to study the coherent electron cooling (CeC) experiment with two types of amplifiers, the free electron laser (FEL) and plasma-cascade micro-bunching amplifiers.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗