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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 OSTI2025

Simplifying the Quantum World: Demonstrations for Young Learners in an Informal Setting

A set of modules for the informal learning of quantum science was developed. They include (1) Waves and Bottling Light in Quantum Dots, (2) Quantization of Energy Levels, (3) Particle-Wave Duality, (4) Magnetism and Electron Spin, and (5) Quantum Entanglement. Their teaching objective is to clarify concepts in quantum science, and they have been presented together as part of an hour-long show to ∼250 adults and school-age children. The learning outcomes of the modules were assessed by pre- and postevent quizzes as well as interactive clicker questions. The results suggest effective learning of all of the assessed concepts. These modules are detailed in a way that makes them deployable, together or in part, in other formal or informal settings to support the dissemination of information about quantum science to the general public.

electron spin↗
NASA NTRS1963

Apollo 2 Second Generation Lunar Exploration System Studies CFY 1963

The Apollo II Second Generation Lunar Exploration System includes the direct landing spacecraft which consists of cargo command module, service module, and landing module. The landing module is also capable of being used as the Lunar Landing Vehicle (LLV) for landing unmanned cargos consisting of shelter modules such as the Lunar Occupancy Payload and other cargo in support of lunar surface operations. High energy cryogenic propellants are utilized to permit direct landing, manned, or logistic missions with use of a single Saturn V class booster. In last year's studies, the LLV was configured for maximum payload and with consideration for the direct three-man landing and return mission. Light weight and low vehicle height above the lunar surface at touchdown were major objectives. Logistic cargos of more than 27,000 pounds landed on the Moon were achieved within the single Saturn V boost capability. For the manned mission, the lunar take-off weight was determined to be 28,000 pounds ready for the return-to-Earth portion of the mission. The command module utilized was an advanced light-weight design weighing 10,000 pounds including supporting subsystems. Cryogenic oxygen/hydrogen propulsion was again used for maximum propulsion efficiency. Study of the Lunar Occupancy Payload was also accomplished last year. This module was configured to serve as an early lunar shelter or outpost station or as a basic module of an integrated base module complex. Single and dual compartment versions, as well as special mission versions, were studied.

Matzenaur, J. O.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Wavelength-selective specularly reflecting photovoltaic module and manufacture thereof

A photovoltaic module comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells, and a polymeric film positioned on an incident light side of the plurality of photovoltaic cells, wherein the polymeric film transmits a range of wavelengths of the incident light spectrum and specularly reflects wavelengths outside of the range. An encapsulant layer is in contact with the polymeric film. The polymeric film may have a first surface area larger than a second surface area of the layer of photovoltaic cells. The polymeric film may have one or more through-holes so that encapsulant can penetrate through the through-holes at elevated temperature during lamination thereby bonding to a front glass of the photovoltaic module.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1995

The orbital light curve of PSR 1957 + 20

We make a detailed study of the optical light curve of PSR 1957 + 20. We show that the deep, smooth, and symmetrical modulation can be successfully modeled by a higl irradiated secondary. Two types of models are consistent with the data: (! a secodary close to filling its Rochhe lobe with 10%-20% of the incident flux converted to optical emission, and (2) a secondary considerably underfilling its Roche lobe, with a high degree of beaming of the neutron star flux. owever, the second model canbe rejected on the basis of current estimates of the extinction toward 1957 + 20. The proximity of the photosphere of the secondary to its Roche lobe facilitates mass loss by irradiation. Our ignorance of the (nonirradiated) luminosity of the secondary allows us to place only weak constraints on the inclination -50-80 deg. There is no evidence in the light curve for optical emission from any source in PSR 1957 + 20 other than the secondary itself.

Callanan, Paul J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Electronic recording of holograms with applications to holographic displays

The paper describes an electronic heterodyne recording which uses electrooptic modulation to introduce a sinusoidal phase shift between the object and reference wave. The resulting temporally modulated holographic interference pattern is scanned by a commercial image dissector camera, and the rejection of the self-interference terms is accomplished by heterodyne detection at the camera output. The electrical signal representing this processed hologram can then be used to modify the properties of a liquid crystal light valve or a similar device. Such display devices transform the displayed interference pattern into a phase modulated wave front rendering a three-dimensional image.

Claspy, P. C.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Giant Undulations Driven by Pitch‐Angle Scattering of Time Domain Structures Modulated by Plasmapause Surface Wave

Abstract Plasmapause surface waves (PSWs) near the plasmapause boundary are regarded to be the magnetospheric source of ionospheric auroral giant undulations (GUs) located at the equatorward boundary of diffuse aurora. However, the observational evidence of wave‐particle interaction connecting PSWs and GUs is absent. In this letter, we demonstrate GUs are driven by pitch‐angle scattering of time domain structures modulated by the PSWs, based on the conjugated ionospheric and magnetospheric observations. Specifically, ionospheric GUs are lighted by the pitch‐angle scattering of <1 keV thermal electron and ions and energetic ions with energy up to dozens of keV near the plasmapause. Further, the total fluxes during one PSW period and energy of scattered electron and ions determine the size and luminosity of GUs. Our research provides observational evidence that PSWs cause periodic electron precipitation via modulating the time domain structures rather than the previously predicted chorus or electron cyclotron harmonic waves.

Zhou, Yi‐Jia [Weihai Institute for Interdisciplina↗
NASA NTRS2015

Miniaturized High-Speed Modulated X-Ray Source

A miniaturized high-speed modulated X-ray source (MXS) device and a method for rapidly and arbitrarily varying with time the output X-ray photon intensities and energies. The MXS device includes an ultraviolet emitter that emits ultraviolet light, a photocathode operably coupled to the ultraviolet light-emitting diode that emits electrons, an electron multiplier operably coupled to the photocathode that multiplies incident electrons, and an anode operably coupled to the electron multiplier that is configured to produce X-rays. The method for modulating MXS includes modulating an intensity of an ultraviolet emitter to emit ultraviolet light, generating electrons in response to the ultraviolet light, multiplying the electrons to become more electrons, and producing X-rays by an anode that includes a target material configured to produce X-rays in response to impact of the more electrons.

Gendreau, Keith C.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Metrology Arrangement for Measuring the Positions of Mirrors of a Submillimeter Telescope

The position of the secondary mirror of a submillimeter telescope with respect to the primary mirror needs to be known .0.03 mm in three dimensions. At the time of this reporting, no convenient, reasonably priced arrangement that offers this capability exists. The solution proposed here relies on measurement devices developed and deployed for the GeoSAR mission, and later adapted for the ISAT (Innovative Space Based Radar Antenna Technology) demonstration. The measurement arrangement consists of four metrology heads, located on an optical bench, attached to the secondary mirror. Each metrology head has a dedicated target located at the edge of the primary mirror. One laser beam, launched from the head and returned by the target, is used to measure distance. Another beam, launched from a beacon on the target, is monitored by the metrology head and generates a measurement of the target position in the plane perpendicular to the laser beam. A 100-MHz modulation is carried by a collimated laser beam. The relevant wavelength is the RF one, 3 m, divided by two, because the light carries it to the target and back. The phase change due to travel to the target and back is measured by timing the zero-crossing of the RF modulation, using a 100-MHz clock. In order to obtain good resolution, the 100-MHz modulation signal is down-converted to 1 kHz. Then, the phase change corresponding to the round-trip to the target is carried by a 1-kHz signal. Since the 100-MHz clock beats 100,000 times during one period of the 1-kHz signal, the least-significant-bit (LSB) resolution is LSB = 0.015 mm.

Abramovici, Alex↗
DOE OSTI2021

Atomic structure of light-induced efficiency-degrading defects in boron-doped Czochralski silicon solar cells

Boron-doped Czochralski (Cz) Si is the most commonly used semiconductor in the fabrication of solar cells. The minority carrier lifetime of boron-doped Cz Si decreases upon exposure to light due to B–O-related defects, which reduce the performance of ~10 9 solar modules worldwide. Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), we have identified the spin-active paramagnetic signatures of this phenomenon and gained insights into its microscopic mechanism. We found a distinct defect signature, which diminished when the degraded sample was annealed. The second signature, a broad magnetic field spectrum, due to the unionized B acceptors, was present in the annealed state but vanished upon light exposure. These observations show that, on degradation, nearly all the ~10 16 cm –3 B atoms in Cz Si complexed with interstitial O atoms, whereas only ~10 12 cm –3 of these complexes created defects that were recombination-active. The formation rate of these recombination-active defects correlated with the decay of the minority carrier lifetime. Furthermore, the line shape parameters linked these defects to both B and O impurities in Cz Si.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Modulating Transition Metal Reactivity with Force

The reactivity and selectivity of a transition metal catalyst is intimately related to its ligand-sphere geometry, and, in many cases, the ideal ligand geometry for one step of a catalytic cycle is poorly matched to the ideal ligand geometry for another. For this reason, methods for reversibly modulating ligand geometry on the time scale of catalytic turnover or monomer enchainment are highly desirable. Mechanical force represents a heretofore untapped approach to modulate catalyst geometry and/or reactivity, with the potential to do so on the timescale of catalytic turnover or monomer enchainment. Macroscopic mechanical forces are large, directional and localized to an extent that differentiates them from other forms of energy input such as heat or light. Here, in this Concept, we describe our efforts to address the fundamental challenges associated with force-modulated transition metal catalysis by employing molecular force probe ligands comprising a stiff stilbene photoswitch tethered to rotationally flexible biaryl bisphosphine ligand. Our efforts to date include the modulation of catalytic activity through force-mediated ligand perturbations, quantification of the force-coupled ligand effects on the energetics of elementary organometallic transformations, and evaluation of the mechanisms of force transduction in these systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

High-throughput feedback-enabled optogenetic stimulation and spectroscopy in microwell plates

Abstract The ability to perform sophisticated, high-throughput optogenetic experiments has been greatly enhanced by recent open-source illumination devices that allow independent programming of light patterns in single wells of microwell plates. However, there is currently a lack of instrumentation to monitor such experiments in real time, necessitating repeated transfers of the samples to stand-alone analytical instruments, thus limiting the types of experiments that could be performed. Here we address this gap with the development of the optoPlateReader (oPR), an open-source, solid-state, compact device that allows automated optogenetic stimulation and spectroscopy in each well of a 96-well plate. The oPR integrates an optoPlate illumination module with a module called the optoReader, an array of 96 photodiodes and LEDs that allows 96 parallel light measurements. The oPR was optimized for stimulation with blue light and for measurements of optical density and fluorescence. After calibration of all device components, we used the oPR to measure growth and to induce and measure fluorescent protein expression in E. coli . We further demonstrated how the optical read/write capabilities of the oPR permit computer-in-the-loop feedback control, where the current state of the sample can be used to adjust the optical stimulation parameters of the sample according to pre-defined feedback algorithms. The oPR will thus help realize an untapped potential for optogenetic experiments by enabling automated reading, writing, and feedback in microwell plates through open-source hardware that is accessible, customizable, and inexpensive.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Capturing the full benefits of bifacial modules to approach an LCOE of 3c/kWh through a regional optimization of the electrical architecture (Final Technical Report)

This is the final technical report for the Cypress Creek Renewables project focused on bifacial plant performance. The project consisted of building a heavily instrumented Bifacial test sites with several cell technologies; instrumenting >1 MW scale commercial sites with both monofacial and bifacial arrays in order to understand real-world differences; and to engage with the performance modeling and financial stakeholder community to improve accuracy and increase investor confidence. The data from the test and commercial sites has been used to validate and improve the accuracy of both physics-based and reduced order modeling software. The heavily instrumented nature has been used to understand how light contributions from the sky and reflected from the ground impact different portions of the module and array while the data from the commercial sites has directly impacted how independent engineers model production from bifacial systems. The latter point has led to an increase in over 2% compared to earlier predictions. Even this modest increase has had significant downward pressure on project LCOE. As the data and results are both public, this refined modeling and empirical evidence for a higher bifacial gain than modeled, the benefits to the broader US solar community are assured.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS2012

Evidence for Quasi-Periodic X-ray Dips from an ULX: Implications for the Binary Motion and the Orbital Inclination

We report results from long-term X-ray (0.3-8.0 keY) monitoring of the ultraluminous X-ray source NGC 5408 X-1 with the Swift/X-Ray Telescope. Our primary results are: (1) the discovery of quasi-periodic dips in the X-ray intensity that recur on average every 243 days, (2) the detection of an energy-dependent (variability amplitude decreases with increasing energy), quasi-sinusoidal X-ray modulation with a period of 112.6 +/- 4 days the amplitude of which decreases during the second half of the light curve and (3) energy spectral evidence for an increase in photoelectric absorption during the last continuous segment of the data, possibly due to a change in the ionization state of the circumbinary material. We interpret the X-ray modulations in the context of binary motion in analogy to that seen in high-inclination low-mass X-ray binaries. If correct, this implies that NGC 5408 X-1 is in a binary with an orbital period of 243 +/- 23 days in contrast to the 115.5 day quasi-sinusoidal period previously reported. In addition, if the X-ray modulation is caused by vertically structured obscuring material in the accretion disk (similar to the phenomenon of dipping LMXBs), this would imply a high value for the inclination of the orbit. A comparison with estimates from accreting X-ray binaries suggests an inclination approx > 60 deg. We note that, in principle, a precessing accretion disk could also produce the observed X-ray modulations.

Pasham, Dheeraj R.↗
DOE OSTI2022

A bottom-up perspective on photodynamics and photoprotection in light-harvesting complexes using anti-Brownian trapping

Single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy allows direct, real-time observation of dynamic photophysical changes in light harvesting complexes. The Anti-Brownian ELectrokinetic (ABEL) trap is one such single-molecule method with useful advantages. This approach is particularly well-suited to make detailed spectroscopic measurements of pigment-protein complexes in solution phase because it enables extended-duration single-molecule observation by counteracting Brownian motion. This Perspective summarizes recent contributions by the authors and others that have utilized the unique capabilities of the ABEL trap to advance our understanding of phycobiliproteins and the phycobilisome complex, the primary light-harvesting apparatus of cyanobacteria. Monitoring the rich spectroscopic data from these measurements, which include brightness, fluorescence lifetime, polarization, and emission spectra, among other measurable parameters, has provided direct characterization of pigments and energy transfer pathways in the phycobilisome, spanning scales from single pigments and monomeric phycobiliproteins to higher order oligomers and protein-protein interactions of the phycobilisome complex. Importantly, new photophysical states and photodynamics were observed to modulate the flow of energy through the phycobilisome and suggest a previously unknown complexity in phycobilisome light harvesting and energy transport with a possible link to photoadaptive or photoprotective functions in cyanobacteria. Here, beyond deepening our collective understanding of natural light-harvesting systems, these and future discoveries may serve as inspiration for engineering improved artificial light-harvesting technologies.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Impact of illumination and encapsulant resistivity on polarization-type potential-induced degradation on n-PERT cells

Power loss caused by polarization-type potential-induced degradation (PID-p) in a variety of high-performance photovoltaic cell types has been observed to be recoverable via subsequent illumination and in some cases preventable via simultaneous illumination. In this report, we describe the results of a study in which the front faces of n-PERT cells encapsulated in polymers with a broad range of electrical resistivity were exposed to varying and controlled irradiance during PID testing. For a low resistivity ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer encapsulant, no reduction in the rate or extent of power loss was observed for irradiance as high as 1,000 W/m 2 , whereas for high and intermediate resistivity polyolefin encapsulants, 100 and 300 W/m 2 , respectively, prevented power loss. We introduce a simple model based on charge accumulation that facilitates interpretation of these results whereby degradation via charge accumulation under voltage stress and recovery due to light exposure are opposing and interdependent phenomena that describe the susceptibility of a module to power loss.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Mid- to long-wave infrared computational spectroscopy with a graphene metasurface modulator

In recent years there has been much interest concerning the development of modulators in the mid- to long-wave infrared, based on emerging materials such as graphene. These have been frequently pursued for optical communications, though also for other specialized applications such as infrared scene projectors. Here we investigate a new application for graphene modulators in the mid- to long-wave infrared. We demonstrate, for the first time, computational spectroscopy in the mid- to long-wave infrared using a graphene-based metasurface modulator. Furthermore, our metasurface device operates at low gate voltage. To demonstrate computational spectroscopy, we provide our algorithm with the measured reflection spectra of the modulator at different gate voltages. We also provide it with the measured reflected light power as a function of the gate voltage. The algorithm then estimates the input spectrum. We show that the reconstructed spectrum is in good agreement with that measured directly by a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, with a normalized mean-absolute-error (NMAE) of 0.021.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Compact, portable, laser induced fluorescence diagnostic for laboratory plasma sources

As diagnostic groups are increasingly called upon to participate in experimental campaigns at remote facilities, there is a need to develop portable versions of plasma diagnostic systems. One such diagnostic is laser induced fluorescence (LIF). Here, we describe a portable LIF apparatus that eliminates the need for an optical table, beam splitters, and an optical chopper. All of the light exiting the laser system is coupled through optical fibers to the experiment and housekeeping diagnostics. Here, the collected light is coupled through an optical fiber as well. A key feature is modulation of the tapered amplifier current instead of physical modulation of the laser output. Using this portable LIF system, measurements of ion temperature, ion flow, and relative metastable ion density are reported for two different remote experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

OPET Hardware (Open PV Electrical Tool Hardware) [SWR-25-42]

OPET (Open-source Photovoltaic Electrical Tool) is used for performance measurements of solar photovoltaic (PV) devices in the field under natural sunlight or in the lab under artificial light. Its primary use is in research and development of solar cells and modules, specifically in reliability and durability research of PV devices. Some features and functions include: -IV curve measurements with linear or cosine distributed measurement points -PV device active loading at open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current (Isc) and maximum power point (Pmp) -Bias power supply to overcome series resistance in contact wires for Isc measurements and loading -PV voltage input in five ranges from 1V to 100V -PV current input ranges -Low current version, six current ranges from 1.1mA to 340mA -High current version, six current ranges from 50mA to 15A -IO ports for I2C and SPI temperature sensor Arduino extension boards -Integrated fan control This repository contains everything relating to the hardware of the OPET device. If you are looking for the firmware or software repositories, links are below: https://github.com/NREL/opet-firmware https://github.com/NREL/opet-control

McDanold, Byron [National Renewable Energy Laborat↗