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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 1,009 records · Page 56
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Student and Post Doctoral Support for the 8th Workshop on Nanotube Optics and Nanospectroscopy (Final Technical Report)

This project provided financial assistance for 20 postdoctoral and graduate students to attend the 8th Workshop on Nanotube Optics and Nanospectroscopy (WONTON 2022). The WONTON 2022 workshop was held in-person in Madison, Wisconsin (USA) from July 24th to 28th, 2022, and the organizers were Dr. Michael Arnold of the University of Wisconsin, Madison and Dr. Jeffrey Blackburn of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The funding support was specifically used to defray the registration costs of 5 postdoctoral attendees and 15 graduate students, who each participated directly in the meeting by presenting a contributed talk or poster.

2D materials↗
DOE OSTI2023

Technical Assessment of Potential Climate Impact and Economic Viability of Biochar Technologies for Small-Scale Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest

The goal of this study is to evaluate the state of biochar technology and determine the feasibility of integrating small-scale biochar production in ways that benefit smaller, diversified producers. Because of the emergence of carbon markets, this innovative climate and agricultural solution may be financed externally, making biochar more accessible to the growers that could benefit. In this report, we review the current state of biochar technology (Section 2), methods for assessing the potential climate impacts derived from its implementation (Section 3), and the current state of carbon-offset mechanisms for biochar technology (Section 4). In Section 5, we apply this knowledge to several specific biochar technology scenarios involving combinations of different feedstocks, production methods, and economic incentives to arrive at estimates of climate-mitigation impacts and costs per carbon credit generated. We conclude with a summary in Section 6.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Fission with Exotic Nuclei (Full Technical Report)

Despite its importance for stockpile stewardship or nuclear forensics, data on fission is fragmentary: most experiments have only been performed on stable actinide nuclei and are often incomplete, and theoretical simulations often contain many parameters hard to constrain, which results in large uncertainties. Consequently, nuclear libraries have large gaps for important isotopes. The goal of this project was to prepare to take advantage of the unprecedented yields of radioactive isotopes at the upcoming DOE Facility for Rare Ion Beams and to leverage recent progress in the field of machine learning to develop a comprehensive program of fission studies that could address some of the most pressing problems in nuclear fission over the next several decades. Our project leveraged synergies between experimental nuclear physics, nuclear theory, and data science expertise at LLNL. On the experimental front, our main objective was to develop in-house expertise for inverse kinematics reactions with relativistic beams as well as to field and test new detectors to perform correlated measurements of fission properties. On the theoretical side, the objective was to develop a novel, high-fidelity and scalable approach of fissionfragment calculations based on emulating computationally expensive, quantum-mechanical calculations of nuclear properties with deep neural networks.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Full Technical Report: High-Rate Carbide Growth by Evaporation

Boron carbide (B 4 C) is an attractive inertial confined fusion (ICF) ablator and a unique ultra-hard material with numerous current and potential applications. What makes B 4 C attractive as an ablator is its relatively high density and the ability to form a stable glassy phase combined with excellent chemical and mechanical stability. Despite these advantages, the fabrication of B 4 C ablators has remained a challenge. Magnetron sputtering, our current frontrunner approach for B 4 C deposition, exhibits low deposition rates (< 2 μm/h) and undesirable nodular defects within the film structure that are believed to generate from the dusty plasma around the sputtering source. The goals of this project were to (1) establish alternative plasma-free, electron beam evaporation (EBE) capabilities for the deposition of thin films that are needed in mission-critical programs and; (2) demonstrate the feasibility to deposit B 4 C films at high rates by EBE in a bottom-up geometry and characterize their stoichiometry. In this feasibility study, we initially developed the capability to convert a general-use vacuum chamber into an electron beam evaporator as needed, or on demand. Then, we successfully used this setup to deposit films made of boron carbide and various other materials. By adjusting the deposition parameters and the evaporation source material, we were able to demonstrate the feasibility of reaching deposition rates as high as 8 μm/h, which is about 4 times the maximum rates obtained through sputtering methods. We predict that these values can still be further improved by implementing enhanced thermal control measures for the target source and optimizing electron beam parameters (ie. current, sweeping and frequency) since ceramic materials with similar densities to B 4 C can exhibit deposition rates of about twice this value. We anticipate that the skills and capabilities developed throughout this project will prove relevant not only to the HED and ICF campaigns but also to numerous existing and prospective applications focused on the development of ultra-hard carbide coatings. The fresh set of tools here developed will also facilitate the preparation and research on future new target materials of interest beyond B 4 C.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

WaterTAP Technical Brief: Ion Exchange Model Demonstration and Optimization

Ion exchange is an important water treatment process for removal of targeted contaminants, including those associated with hardness. In this report, we introduce the ion exchange model developed for WaterTAP and present some example analysis of Ca 2+ removal for 0.1 MGD and 10 MGD systems. The model is a single-component, steady-state implementation that enables process optimization based on the influent ion concentration, resin capacity, and resin selectivity. Based on a survey of costing references for ion exchange, the WaterTAP ion exchange model returns reasonable estimates for the levelized cost of water (LCOW) of an ion exchange process, and performs as expected when critical design parameters, such as the resin capacity and selectivity, are varied.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

First Principles Modeling of Cluster-Based Solid Electrolytes (Final Technical Report)

Given the trend of global warming and the urgent need to transition from fossil fuels to green energy, lithium-ion batteries continue to be an integral part of our lives. Design, development, and understanding of novel solid-state electrolyte materials play the key role for achieving next-generation all-solid-state batteries with high energy and great safety. The current modeling schemes to develop advanced solid electrolytes are focusing on materials in which the building blocks are individual atoms. Our theoretical approach is a paradigm shift in solid-state electrolyte design. Instead of atoms, we focus on clusters as the building blocks and model these solid electrolytes and their interfaces with electrodes, especially Li-metal anode, for their successful implementation in solid-state batteries. The advantage of using the cluster ions to replace elemental ions is that the size, composition, and shape of the former can be tailored to achieve higher ionic conductivity at room temperature, electrochemical stability, and charge transfer across solid-solid interfaces than conventional materials. Specifically, the project includes: (1) Developing cluster-based solid electrolytes, where the halogen components are replaced by cluster ions that mimic the chemistry of halogens but are characterized by additional degrees of freedom, including the size, shape, composition, and motional dynamics under excitation. (2) Providing a fundamental understanding of the ion conduction mechanism in the developed cluster-based solid electrolytes; (3) Modeling the interfacial properties (i.e., structural, chemical, and transport properties) between the cluster-based solid electrolytes and electrodes at the atomic level. For the cluster-based solid electrolytes incompatible with the Li-metal anode or cathode materials, potential candidates for interfacial coatings are identified and studied. (4) Providing a theoretical framework towards optimizing critical parameters of the solid-state electrolytes that guides experimentalists to attain desired cathode-electrode interface for cluster-based solid-state electrolytes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Student Travel Support for the Inaugural Gordon Research Seminar on Multiphoton Processes (Final Technical Report)

This project provided financial support for early-career participants of the 2022 Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on Multiphoton Processes, which was held on June 11 & 12, 2022 in Smithfield, Rhode Island, in conjunction with the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on the same topic, held on June 12-17, 2022 in the same location. The GRC on Multiphoton Processes is an established conference series in the field of Atomic, Molecular and Optical (AMO) Physics with intense lasers. It regularly attracts around one hundred fifty researchers from around the world to present and discuss their forefront research featuring light-matter interaction in a variety of systems, ranging from atoms and molecules to nanosystems. In order to increase the attendance of early-career researchers at the GRC, in particular graduate students, post-docs, and other scientists with comparable levels of experience and education, the general assembly of the GRC on Multiphoton Processes decided during their last session in 2018 to organize a Gordon Research Seminar in conjunction with the next conference and organized and attended by early-career researchers. The GRS's primary intent is to provide a forum to graduate students and post-docs working in the field of intense and ultrafast AMO physics to present and exchange new data and cutting-edge ideas and to network with their peers at other research institutions around the U.S. and the world.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Tidal Resource Gaps Analysis Technical Report

The tidal resource gaps project was created to address a growing body of evidence that models underpredict tidal current speeds compared to measurements at a number of the top-ranking tidal energy sites. In response, this project compared opportunistic tidal power density measurements from 16 tidal energy hot spot sites with estimates from resource assessment data to identify discrepancies. To improve the accuracy of resource estimates from model data, updated data from eight improved model simulations were obtained. Model improvements included grid refinement, domain coupling, and the use of unstructured or nested grids. New resource estimates were calculated from the updated models, and these data were used to update the tidal hot spots-a list of promising tidal energy sites around the United States.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2023

Abbreviated Technical Report: Experimentally Interrogating Detonation Chemistry on Sub-Nanosecond to Nanosecond Timescales

Direct experimental measurement of chemical reactions during high explosive detonation remains challenging. Theory and modeling have long preceded experiment in the fundamental physical and chemical kinetic properties of detonation, and experimentation at the relevant timescales are needed to both validate models and provide fundamental understanding of detonation. In this LDRD-ER project, two approaches, x-ray diffraction and core-level x-ray Raman, were developed and used to further experimental capabilities to address this gap. We further developed dynamic x-ray diffraction to directly detect nanodiamond formation during detonation, providing experimental data towards resolving longstanding controversy in the scientific literature, and although the full kinetics have not yet been fully mapped, diamond diffraction appears on the same timescales as detonation soot formation. In the second research thrust, we have developed core-level x-ray Raman for use with high explosives. This technique provides information analogous to x-ray absorption spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy, but uses inelastic scattering of hard x-rays that can interrogate chemistry around light elements much deeper into the material. The low cross section and requisite high solid angle collection have hindered its use for ultra-fast spectroscopy. We developed and tested a high-q spectrometer which will substantially increase cross section and signal-to-noise, showing this method will also not dramatically alter, compared to x-ray absorption, the most discriminating spectral features of C, N, and O from various high explosives and expected detonation products. We have also used x-ray Raman combined with OCEAN electronic structure calculations to explore dynamic photodegradation mechanisms in PETN and CL-20 explosives. This provides a pathway towards implementing capability to dynamically explore chemistry at an x-ray free electron laser.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

USA Structures Phase 2 Technical Report

Spatially accurate data of critical infrastructures are essential to effective disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Precise location and building outlines provide the most accurate data for characterizing impacts of hazards and effectively serve response, recovery, and mitigation efforts, as well as the people affected by the disaster. Since 2017, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a comprehensive and open source national database of building footprints called USA Structures. Several key attributions have been added to the dataset to support rapid disaster response. In the most recent update to the dataset, ORNL developed two additional attributions to the structures, leveraging several authoritative data sources.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Epitaxial Multifunctional Oxide Heterostructures (DOE Final Technical Report)

The conducting interface that forms between the two band insulators LaAlO 3 (LAO) and SrTiO 3 (STO) continues to attract tremendous attention nearly 15 years after its discovery. Until recently, most of the work on this system has been done in samples grown in the (001) crystal orientation. More recently, interest has focused on samples grown in the (110) and (111) crystal orientations. While the underlying cubic crystal structure is the same, the lattice symmetry at the interface in each case is different, raising the possibility of different properties. In particular, the symmetry of the Ti atoms at the (111) interface is hexagonal, similar to graphene, leading to predictions of topological properties of the band structure. The major part of this proposal is devoted to exploring the properties of (111) LAO/STO interfaces and (111) (La 0.3 Sr 0.7 )(Al 0.65 Ta 0.35 )/STO (LSAT/STO) interfaces, where we have recently discovered interesting new effects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗