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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 1,063 records · Page 59
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Characterization of UV optical components for photon detector calibration in liquid argon TPCs

Large liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs)require stable and well-characterized delivery of ultraviolet (UV)light for in situ calibration of photosensors at cryogenictemperatures. This article reports bench-top and cryogenicmeasurements of the optical components used in a UV lightcalibration system, including multi-mode fused-silica fibers,SMA-to-SMA connectors, optical fiber feedthroughs, andlight-diffuser assemblies. Light loss in several fiber types and SMAconnectors was measured across wavelengths from275–970 mm. In addition,light-loss measurements of the tested fibers after severalliquid-nitrogen thermal cycles showed no statistically significantdegradation relative to baseline measurements, and high-rate pulsedexposure (30–90 million pulses from a275 nm LED) likewise showed nomeasurable aging in jacketed fibers. A compact, palm-sized,3D-printed PEEK diffuser housing with stacked UV-grade fused-silicadiffusers yields Lambertian emission and the most uniform angulardistribution. Optical components exhibiting improved UV transmissionwere deployed successfully in multiple DUNE small- and large-scaleprototypes, demonstrating reliable operation of UV light calibrationsystem. These findings inform component selection and calibrationprocedures for achieving reliable, uniform UV light delivery inlarge-scale cryogenic detectors such as DUNE.

Behera, B. [South Dakota Sch. Mines Tech.] (ORCID:↗
DOE OSTI2022

Using additive manufacturing technologies in high-field accelerator magnet coils

Recent advances with additive manufacturing (AM) technologies using various materials allow them to be considered for the manufacture of precise and complicated metal parts of the magnet coils of high field accelerator magnets from aluminum bronze, titanium alloy, stainless steel, etc. The 3D printing technology is also being used to fabricate prototype models of real parts to test and optimize their geometry. This paper discusses the designs of the complex stress-management coil parts developed at Fermilab, their fabrication using AM technologies, and quality control methods and results.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Mechanical response of shape-recovering metamaterial structures fabricated by additive manufacturing

Abstract Three different metamaterial structures were fabricated using stereolithography 3D printing and a shape recovering material. Mechanical properties and recovery efficiency were assessed after compression testing. All three structures exhibited similar initial specific compressive moduli, while the highest specific toughness was observed for the stretch-dominated structure. The three metamaterial structures were re-tested after shape recovery. Significant strengthening was observed for all structures, with the bend-stretch-dominated structure strengthening to the highest degree. This strengthening phenomenon was characterized as strain hardening. It was found that the strengthening is highly geometry dependent. The geometry with stretch-dominated behavior exhibited the highest mechanical properties after a second test was performed. Improvements in specific toughness of up to 67% were observed after the second compressive test.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Skeletides: A Modular, Simplified Physical Model of Protein Secondary Structure

Three-dimensional (3D) models are essential for visualization and conceptual understanding of complex architectures such as protein structure. Although there is a plethora of software platforms that allow digital depictions of protein structure at an atomic level in silico, physical models are needed to convey an intuitive understanding of biomolecular architecture. However, it is a challenge to represent all the relevant features of proteins in a single physical model due to their sheer structural complexity. Here, we describe a modular protein model that focuses only on representation of the secondary structure—the underlying structural skeleton. The simplified model consists of amino acid units, which can be linked together to reproduce the two most fundamental structural features of protein secondary structure: the relative positions of the amino acid alpha carbon atoms, and the intra-main chain hydrogen bonding pattern. We use 3D printing and magnets to create a set of three modular amino acid building blocks, which when linked together into a chain, can faithfully represent alpha helices, beta sheets, and turns. These simple to make models can be used to quickly assemble the alpha carbon trace of an entire protein domain, which conveys a tactile experience of the complexity of protein skeletal architecture. These models highlight the modularity of protein structure: where a single structural unit, the amino acid, can be linked together to form a larger, regular secondary structure. These models also have a propensity to spontaneously organize into alpha helices and beta sheets, as demonstrated by their ability to autonomously assemble when placed in a circulating water tank. These models provide a missing educational tool to expand knowledge of protein structure, foster deeper insight into protein folding, and inspire greater interest in biomacromolecular architecture.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Host and nonhost bacteria support bacteriophage dissemination along mycelia and abiotic dispersal networks

Abstract Bacteriophages play a crucial role in shaping bacterial communities, yet the mechanisms by which nonmotile bacteriophages interact with their hosts remain poorly understood. This knowledge gap is especially pronounced in structured environments like soil, where spatial constraints and air-filled zones hinder aqueous diffusion. In soil, hyphae of filamentous microorganisms form a network of ‘fungal highways’ (FHs) that facilitate the dispersal of other microorganisms. We propose that FHs also promote bacteriophage dissemination. Viral particles can diffuse in liquid films surrounding hyphae or be transported by infectable (host) or uninfectable (nonhost) bacterial carriers coexisting on FH networks. To test this, two bacteriophages that infect Pseudomonas putida DSM291 (host) but not KT2440 (nonhost) were used. In the absence of carriers, bacteriophages showed limited diffusion on 3D-printed abiotic networks, but diffusion was significantly improved in Pythium ultimum-formed FHs when the number of connecting hyphae exceeded 20. Transport by both host and nonhost carriers enhanced bacteriophage dissemination. Host carriers were five times more effective in transporting bacteriophages, particularly in FHs with over 30 connecting hyphae. This study enhances our understanding of bacteriophage dissemination in nonsaturated environments like soils, highlighting the importance of biotic networks and bacterial hosts in facilitating this process.

Périat, Claire (ORCID:000000020825625X)↗
DOE OSTI2020

Ion acceleration from microstructured targets irradiated by high-intensity picosecond laser pulses

Structures on the front surface of thin foil targets for laser-driven ion acceleration have been proposed to increase the ion source maximum energy and conversion efficiency. While structures have been shown to significantly boost the proton acceleration from pulses of moderate-energy fluence, their performance on tightly focused and high-energy lasers remains unclear. Here, we report the results of laser-driven three-dimensional (3D)-printed microtube targets, focusing on their efficacy for ion acceleration. Using the high-contrast (~10 12) PHELIX laser (150 J, 10 21 W / cm 2 ), we studied the acceleration of ions from 1-μm-thick foils covered with micropillars or microtubes, which we compared with flat foils. The front-surface structures significantly increased the conversion efficiency from laser to light ions, with up to a factor of 5 higher proton number with respect to a flat target, albeit without an increase of the cutoff energy. An optimum diameter was found for the microtube targets. Our findings in this work are supported by a systematic particle-in-cell modeling investigation of ion acceleration using 2D simulations with various structure dimensions. Simulations reproduce the experimental data with good agreement, including the observation of the optimum tube diameter, and reveal that the laser is shuttered by the plasma filling the tubes, explaining why the ion cutoff energy was not increased in this regime.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

XtalCAMP: a comprehensive program for the analysis and visualization of scanning Laue X-ray micro-/nanodiffraction data

XtalCAMP is a software package based on the MATLAB platform, which is suitable for, but not limited to, the analysis and visualization of scanning Laue X-ray micro-/nanodiffraction data. The main objective of the software is to provide complementary functionalities to the Laue indexing software packages used at several synchrotron beamlines. Here, the graphical user interfaces allow the easy analysis of characteristic microstructure features, including real-time intensity mapping for a quick examination of phase, grain and defect distribution, 2D color-coded mapping of microstructural properties from the output of other Laue indexing software, crystal orientation visualization, grain boundary characterization based on orientation/misorientation calculation, principal strain/stress analysis, and strain ellipsoid representation, as well as a series of additional toolkits. As an example, XtalCAMP is applied to the microstructural investigation of a solution-heat-treated Ni-based superalloy manufactured using a laser 3D-printing technique, and a deformed natural quartzite from Val Bregaglia in the Central Alps.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

A capillary-based microfluidic device enables primary high-throughput room-temperature crystallographic screening

A novel capillary-based microfluidic strategy to accelerate the process of small-molecule-compound screening by room-temperature X-ray crystallography using protein crystals is reported. The ultra-thin microfluidic devices are composed of a UV-curable polymer, patterned by cleanroom photolithography, and have nine capillary channels per chip. The chip was designed for ease of sample manipulation, sample stability and minimal X-ray background. 3D-printed frames and cassettes conforming to SBS standards are used to house the capillary chips, providing additional mechanical stability and compatibility with automated liquid- and sample-handling robotics. These devices enable an innovative in situ crystal-soaking screening workflow, akin to high-throughput compound screening, such that quantitative electron density maps sufficient to determine weak binding events are efficiently obtained. This work paves the way for adopting a room-temperature microfluidics-based sample delivery method at synchrotron sources to facilitate high-throughput protein-crystallography-based screening of compounds at high concentration with the aim of discovering novel binding events in an automated manner.

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

Multielectrode electrochemical cell for in situ structural characterization of amorphous thin-film catalysts using high-energy X-ray scattering

A multielectrode-based electrochemical cell allows the structural characterization of an amorphous thin-film water oxidation catalyst under various electrochemical potentials using high-energy X-ray scattering and atomic pair distribution function (PDF) techniques. A multielectrode with five electrodes provides a sufficiently low background signal to enable high-energy X-ray scattering (HEXS) measurements and amplifies the extremely low HEXS signals from samples for high-resolution PDF analysis of in situ data from thin-film catalysts. Glassy carbon (GC) creates a relatively low intensity HEXS pattern and is used as a working electrode. Instead of a three-dimensional (3D) porous electrode architecture, the flat geometry of the electrode enables various deposition techniques to be used for the preparation of a highly conductive metal oxide layer. PDF analysis demonstrates high spatial resolution for a 230 nm thick amorphous iridium oxide film deposited on two roughened 60 µm thick GC electrodes. The PDF analysis resolves the domain size and distinguishes changes in fine structure which are directly correlated with the structure and function of the catalysts. In conclusion, the results bring the opportunity to analyze the structure of nanometre-scale amorphous thin-film catalysts in an electrolyte-compatible and compact 3D-printed electrochemical cell in a three-electrode configuration.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Fixed-target serial crystallography at the Structural Biology Center

Serial synchrotron crystallography enables the study of protein structures under physiological temperature and reduced radiation damage by collection of data from thousands of crystals. The Structural Biology Center at Sector 19 of the Advanced Photon Source has implemented a fixed-target approach with a new 3D-printed mesh-holder optimized for sample handling. The holder immobilizes a crystal suspension or droplet emulsion on a nylon mesh, trapping and sealing a near-monolayer of crystals in its mother liquor between two thin Mylar films. Data can be rapidly collected in scan mode and analyzed in near real-time using piezoelectric linear stages assembled in an XYZ arrangement, controlled with a graphical user interface and analyzed using a high-performance computing pipeline. Here, the system was applied to two β-lactamases: a class D serine β-lactamase from Chitinophaga pinensis DSM 2588 and L1 metallo-β-lactamase from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia K279a.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Optimizing Sensor Count and Placement to Detect Bond Wire Lift-Offs and Surface Defects in High-Power IGBT Modules Using Low-Cost Piezo-Electric Resonators

This manuscript presents the most recent results and findings to identify bond wire lift-offs and surface defects in high-power isolated gate bipolar junction transistor (IGBT) modules. The authors of this manuscript formerly proposed a low-cost, piezoelectric resonator-based measurement unit to detect bond wire related degradation in larger IGBT modules. Since high-power IGBT modules are expensive, it was apparent that evaluating our proposed method by inducing controlled damage to fresh (new) IGBTs may not be cost-effective especially when multiple sets of data need to be captured by inducing damage to different levels. In order to overcome this limitation, IGBT bond wires have been mimicked using a 3D printed enclosure, a PCB, and copper wires with dimensions very closely resembling a real IGBT. Using this method, multiple test devices can be built at the cost of a real IGBT, and the proposed technique could be fine-tuned without damaging expensive, real IGBTs. Our recent findings can be used to determine real IGBT degradation and bond wire lift-offs using only two sensors, as opposed to six transducers used in the first iteration of the setup. In addition to optimizing the sensor count, we have also identified the best possible locations of these sensors by attempting multiple placements inside the IGBT casing.

condition monitoring↗
DOE OSTI2020

Contoured PPM-EMAT Design for Ultrasonic Communication On Metallic Pipe Channels

Ultrasonic guided waves can be used as the carriers of information in ultrasonic communication for pipe or plate channels. Permanent Periodic Magnet (PPM) Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) can potentially provide unique capabilities for a communication system as a non-contact transmitter and receiver, which can selectively generate different modes of shear-horizontal (SH) waves. The SH wave shows the potentials in achieving high bitrate without error in ultrasonic communication. However, when a steel pipe is used as the communication channel, especially one with a radius comparable to the size of the transducer, no guided wave signal can be excited or detected by existing PPM-EMAT's with flat coupling surface. In this paper, a 3D printed magnet holder is designed which can shape the magnet array. Also, the transmitter/receiver coils are made of flexible printed circuit which can fit over the curvature of the pipe channels. The contoured PPM-EMAT transmitter and receiver can conform to the surface of the steel pipe channel in order to generate and detect torsional waves. Experimental tests of signal transmission with PPM-EMAT on a 160cm-long stainless steel pipe determine the optimal frequency for communication to be 916KHz. Information transmission experimental results confirm the validity of contoured PPM-EMAT for communication with a bitrate of 5kbps.

Huang, Xin↗
DOE OSTI2024

Fabrication and Testing of a Stainless Steel Quartz Coaxial Cable Structure for High Temperature Measurement

This paper presents a stainless-steel quartz coaxial cable structure for distributed sensing of high temperatures. The coaxial cable sensor uses stainless steel as the inner and outer conductors and quartz as the insulator in order to achieve mechanical strength and temperature resilience. Girdle-shaped reflectors are fabricated on the quartz tubing by CNC grinding and CO 2 laser resurfacing. The sensor operates by measuring the temperature dependent change in the effective electromagnetic length between the two adjacent reflectors on the quartz tubing. A retaining collar is fabricated at the tip of the quartz tubing by 3D printing and laser resurfacing to secure the connection between the sensor and the signal cable. The prototype sensor was tested for high temperature measurements up to 600°C, and the performance characteristics of the sensor such as sensitivity, resolution uncertainty, repeatability, and stability were estimated based on the test results.

Jiao, Xinyu↗
DOE OSTI2024

Ultrasonic Characterization of Material Properties in Metal Components Additively Manufactured by Powder Bed Fusion

We present the methodology for using pulsed-echo ultrasound to characterize the properties of additively manufactured (AM) metal components and their response to changes in the fabrication settings. We show how to accurately characterize anisotropy in these properties and when such characterization can be performed noninvasively. Our approach, when applied to 3D-printed stainless steel samples, reveals a significant heterogeneity between the surface and internal properties of the AM part and the anisotropy in material properties in the build and transverse directions.

Walton, Kenneth↗
DOE OSTI2025

Additive manufacturing of high‐density silicon carbide ceramics through post‐processing spark plasma sintering

This research advances the field of additive manufacturing (AM) of silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics by integrating spark plasma sintering (SPS) to enhance material density, mechanical strength, and thermal properties. Traditional AM techniques struggle to achieve the high‐density SiC required for demanding applications, such as aerospace engineering, where high thermal conductivity and mechanical strength are paramount. Here, our study addresses these challenges by incorporating SPS as a post‐processing step, achieving near‐theoretical maximum densities and significantly reducing porosity, thereby resulting in outstanding thermal conductivity in SiC ceramics. We developed a specialized SiC ink optimized for 3D printing, ensuring structural integrity after deposition through tailored rheological properties. The application of SPS facilitates rapid, uniform sintering, essential for attaining superior density, mechanical properties, and thermal performance. Our experimental results, confirmed through scanning electron microscopy analysis, demonstrate significant microstructural properties, mechanical strength, and thermal conductivity, showcasing the effectiveness of integrating SPS in AM processes. This innovative approach not only expands the capabilities of AM in producing complex, high‐density ceramic structures but also broadens the potential applications of SiC in demanding environments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Design of a Single Layer Metamaterial for Pressure Offloading of Transtibial Amputees

While using a prosthesis, transtibial amputees may experience pain and discomfort brought on by large pressure gradients at the interface between the residual limb and prosthetic socket. Current prosthetic interface solutions attempt to alleviate these pressure gradients by using soft homogenous liners to reduce and distribute pressures. This research investigates an additively manufactured metamaterial inlay with a tailored mechanical response to reduce peak pressure gradients around the limb. The inlay uses a hyperelastic behaving metamaterial (US10244818) comprised of triangular pattern unit cells which can be 3D printed with walls of various thicknesses controlled by draft angles. The hyperelastic material properties are modeled using a Yeoh 3rd order model. The 3rd order coefficients can be adjusted and optimized, which corresponds to a change in the unit cell wall thickness to create an inlay that can meet the unique offloading needs of an amputee. Finite element analysis simulations evaluated the pressure gradient reduction from: 1) a common homogenous silicone liner, 2) a prosthetist's inlay prescription that utilizes three variations of the metamaterial, and 3) a metamaterial solution with optimized Yeoh 3rd order coefficients. When compared to a traditional homogenous silicone liner for two unique limb loading scenarios, the prosthetist prescribed inlay and the optimized material inlay can achieve equal or greater pressure gradient reduction capabilities. These results show the potential feasibility of implementing this metamaterial as a method of personalized medicine for transtibial amputees by creating a customizable interface solution to meet the unique performance needs of an individual patient.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experimental Verification of Pulse Shaping in Elastic Metamaterials Under Impact Excitation

Here, we present experimental verification of pulse shaping in elastic metamaterials together with a procedure to design, fabricate, and verify metamaterial pulse shapers under impact excitation. The split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test, a fundamental dynamic test introduced more than 70 years ago, often incorporates pulse shaping as a means to alter a stress wave, providing the primary motivation for the presented study. Elastic metamaterials hold promise for enhancing conventional pulse shaping abilities and improving capabilities of the SHPB test. We first design the pulse shaper by numerically optimizing its response using finite element analysis. The pulse shaper consists of repeated unit cells based on a combination of a phononic crystal and a local resonator. Then, we fabricate and test pulse shaper candidates to validate the procedural efficacy. An iterative element corrects inaccuracies in input force and material properties and allows convergence on an appropriate pulse shaper. We carry out this procedure by designing pulse shapers fabricated from 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) to achieve an extended dwell acceleration pulse shape. In experimental impact tests, the procedure results in rise, dwell, and fall behaviors comparable to that predicted, effectively confirming the efficacy of the presented procedure and verifying the performance of metamaterial-based pulse shapers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗