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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 OSTI2013

Characteristics of plasma properties in an ablative pulsed plasma thruster

Pulsed plasma thrusters are electric space propulsion devices which create a highly transient plasma bulk in a short-time arc discharge that is expelled to create thrust. The transitional character and the dependency on the discharge properties are yet to be elucidated. In this study, optical emission spectroscopy and Mach-Zehnder interferometry are applied to investigate the plasma properties in variation of time, space, and discharge energy. Electron temperature, electron density, and Knudsen numbers are derived for the plasma bulk and discussed. Temperatures were found to be in the order of 1.7 to 3.1 eV, whereas electron densities showed maximum values of more than 10{sup 17} cm{sup -3}. Both values showed strong dependency on the discharge voltage and were typically higher closer to the electrodes. Capacitance and time showed less influence. Knudsen numbers were derived to be in the order of 10{sup -3}-10{sup -2}, thus, indicating a continuum flow behavior in the main plasma bulk.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effects of solvent formulations in electrolytes on fast charging of Li-ion cells

Improving the fast charging performance of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) has the promise to increase the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Electrolyte development plays an important role in enabling fast charging. In this study, fast charging performance of LIBs is studied with different electrolytes of 1.2 M LiPF 6 in Ethylene Carbonate (EC)/Ethyl Methyl Carbonate (EMC)/co-solvents at 30/50/20 wt%. The co-solvents are methyl acetate (MA), ethyl acetate (EA), ethyl formate (EF), dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and EMC. Long term cycling performance under fast charging shows different capacity retention behaviors for different co-solvents. The structural changes in the electrode material are studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The molarity changes in electrolyte is investigated by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The electrode/electrolyte interfaces before and after fast charging are analyzed by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The characterization results are in good agreement with the long-term cycling performance. DMC shows the highest fast-charging capability among the five studied co-solvents due to its increased conductivity, improved electrode/electrolyte interface and stable electrode structural integrity.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Self-organization in 1 atm DC glows with liquid anodes: current understanding and potential applications

Self-organization refers to the spontaneous generation of spatially or temporally organized patterns in an otherwise disordered system. Self-organization is ubiquitous in plasma physics particularly in the low-pressure regime as observed in astrophysical jets or plasma loaded flux loops that form on the surface of the Sun. In recent times, self-organization in atmospheric pressure plasmas has captured the attention of researchers. Its occurrence has been observed in DBD discharges as well as DC 1 atm glows with liquid electrodes. The mechanism of pattern formation is still not well understood. In this work, we briefly review the current understanding of pattern formation in DC glows with liquid anode, surveying past work, application areas, theories on mechanisms of formation from the context of reaction diffusion systems, current experimental work and computational progress towards predicting pattern formation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Current-voltage characteristics of dc corona discharges in air between coaxial cylinders

This paper presents the experimental measurement and numerical analysis of the current-voltage characteristics of dc corona discharges in air between coaxial cylinders. The current-voltage characteristics for both positive and negative corona discharges were measured within a specially designed corona cage. Then the measured results were fitted by different empirical formulae and analyzed by the fluid model. The current-voltage characteristics between coaxial cylinders can be expressed as I = C(U − U{sub 0}){sup m}, where m is within the range 1.5–2.0, which is similar to the point-plane electrode system. The ionization region has no significant effect on the current-voltage characteristic under a low corona current, while it will affect the distribution for the negative corona under a high corona current. The surface onset fields and ion mobilities were emphatically discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Cathode fall thickness of abnormal glow discharges between parallel-plane electrodes in different radii at low pressure

In order to investigate the influence of electrode radius on the characteristics of cathode fall thickness, experiments of low-pressure (20 Pa ≤ p ≤ 30 Pa) abnormal glow discharge were carried out between parallel-plane electrodes in different radii keeping gap distance unchanged. Axial distributions of light intensity were obtained from the discharge images captured using a Charge Coupled Device camera. The assumption that the position of the negative glow peak coincides with the edge of cathode fall layer was verified based on a two-dimensional model, and the cathode fall thicknesses, d{sub c}, were calculated from the axial distributions of light intensity. It was observed that the position of peak emission shifts closer to the cathode as current or pressure grows. The dependence of cathode fall thickness on the gas pressure and normalized current J/p{sup 2} was presented, and it was found that for discharges between electrodes in large radius the curves of pd{sub c} against J/p{sup 2} were superimposed on each other, however, this phenomenon will not hold for discharges between the smaller electrodes. The reason for this phenomenon is that the transverse diffusions of charged particles are not the same in two gaps between electrodes with different radii.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Characterization of the arc in crossflow using a two-temperature nonequilibrium plasma flow model

Diverse industrial applications such as circuit breakers and wire arc spraying involve the interaction between an electric arc and a stream of gas impinging perpendicular to it, a configuration commonly referred to as the arc in crossflow. The arc in crossflow is simulated using a three-dimensional time-dependent two-temperature (heavy-species and electrons) plasma flow model to better capture plasma-gas interactions and deviations from Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (LTE). The coupled fluid-electromagnetic flow model is solved in a monolithic manner using Variational Multiscale Finite Element Method. Simulation findings are validated with experimental findings and contrasted against results obtained with a LTE model. Results from the two-temperature model corroborate experimental observations while providing quantification of the deviation between heavy-species and electron temperatures. The model is used to characterize the arc in crossflow as a function of the Reynolds and Enthalpy dimensionless numbers, which encapsulate the inter-dependence among the main parameters total current, inflow velocity, and inter-electrode spacing. Furthermore, the characterization revealed the behavior of arc shape, voltage drop, arc power, the degree of nonequilibrium, as well as the characteristic plasma front thickness, with varying controlling parameters.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Study of the effects of a transverse magnetic field on radio frequency argon discharges by two-dimensional particle-in-cell-Monte-Carlo collision simulations

The influence of an applied magnetic field on plasma-related devices has a wide range of applications. Its effects on a plasma have been studied for years; however, there are still many issues that are not understood well. This paper reports a detailed kinetic study with the two-dimension-in-space and three-dimension-in-velocity particle-in-cell plus Monte Carlo collision method on the role of E×B drift in a capacitive argon discharge, similar to the experiment of You et al.[Thin Solid Films 519, 6981 (2011)]. The parameters chosen in the present study for the external magnetic field are in a range common to many applications. Two basic configurations of the magnetic field are analyzed in detail: the magnetic field direction parallel to the electrode with or without a gradient. With an extensive parametric study, we give detailed influences of the drift on the collective behaviors of the plasma along a two-dimensional domain, which cannot be represented by a 1 spatial and 3 velocity dimensions model. By analyzing the results of the simulations, the occurring collisionless heating mechanism is explained well.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1992

Transport of time-varying plasma currents by whistler wave packets

The relationship between pulsed currents and electromagnetic waves is examined in a regime characterized by electron MHD. Pulsed currents are generated by (1) collection/emission of charged particles by/from biased electrodes and (2) induction of currents by time-varying and moving magnetic fields. Pulsed currents are observed to propagate at the speed of whistler wave packets. Their field structure forms ropelike configurations which are electromagnetically force-free. Moving sources induce 'eddy' currents which excite waves and form Cerenkov-like whistler 'wings'. The radiation patterns of moving magnetic antennas and electrodynamic tethers are investigated. Nonlinear effects of large-amplitude, antenna-launched whistler pulses are observed. These involve a new modulational instability in which a channel of high conductivity which permits the wave/currents to penetrate deeply into a collisional plasma is formed.

Stenzel, R. L.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Observation of dust torus with poloidal rotation in direct current glow discharge plasma

Observation of dust cloud rotation in parallel-plate DC glow discharge plasma is reported here. The experiments are carried out at high pressures (∼130 Pa) with a metallic ring placed on the lower electrode (cathode). The dust cloud rotates poloidally in the vertical plane near the cathode surface. This structure is continuous toroidally. Absence of magnetic field rules out the possibility of E × B induced ion flow as the cause of dust rotation. The dust rotational structures exist even with water cooled cathode. Therefore, temperature gradient driven mechanisms, such as thermophoretic force, thermal creep flow, and free convection cannot be causing the observed dust rotation. Langmuir probe measurement reveals the existence of a sharp density gradient near the location of the rotating dust cloud. The gradient in the density, giving rise to a gradient in the ion drag force, has been identified as the principal cause behind the rotation of dust particles.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Binder-free Ge-three dimensional graphene electrodes for high-rate capacity Li-ion batteries

A binder-free, high-rate Ge-three dimensional (3D) graphene composite was synthesized by directly depositing Ge film atop 3D graphene grown by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition on Ni substrate. The Ge-3D graphene structure demonstrates excellent electrochemical performance as a lithium ion battery (LIB) anode with a reversible capacity of 1140 mAh g{sup −1} at 1/3C over 100 cycles and 835 mAh g{sup −1} at 8C after 60 cycles, and significantly a discharge capacity of 186 mAh g{sup −1} was still achieved at 32C. The high capacity and outstanding stability of the Ge-3D graphene composite propose it as a promising electrode in high-performance thin film LIBs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Negative ion-driven associated particle neutron generator

We describe an associated particle neutron generator that employs a negative ion source to produce high neutron flux from a small source size. Furthermore, negative ions produced in an rf-driven plasma source are extracted through a small aperture to form a beam which bombards a positively biased, high voltage target electrode. Electrons co-extracted with the negative ions are removed by a permanent magnet electron filter. The use of negative ions enables high neutron output (100% atomic ion beam), high quality imaging (small neutron source size), and reliable operation (no high voltage breakdowns). Finally, the neutron generator can operate in either pulsed or continuous-wave (cw) mode and has been demonstrated to produce 10 6 D-D n/s (equivalent to similar to 10 8 D-T n/s) from a 1 mm-diameter neutron source size to facilitate high fidelity associated particle imaging.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2013

Photonically excited electron emission from modified graphitic nanopetal arrays

Efficient electron emission for energy conversion requires a low work function and a stable emitter material. The work function of graphene-based carbon materials can decrease significantly by intercalation with alkali metals, thus increasing their emission current. In this work, electron emission from potassium-intercalated carbon nanosheet extensions grown on electrode graphite is investigated. These petal-like structures, composed of 5-25 layers of graphene, are synthesized using microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition. Samples are intercalated with potassium, and a hemispherical energy analyzer is used to measure the emission intensity caused by both thermal and photonic excitation. The emission from the potassium-intercalated structures is found to consistently decrease the work function by 2.4 to 2.8 eV relative to non-intercalated samples. High emission intensity induced by photonic excitation from a solar simulator, with a narrow electron energy distribution relative to established theory, suggests that electron scattering decreases emitted electron energy as compared to surface photoemission. A modified photoemission theory is applied to account for electron scattering, and the sample work function and mean number of scattering events are used as parameters to fit theory to experimental data. The thermal stability of the intercalated nanopetals is investigated, and after an initial heating and cooling cycle, the samples are stable at low temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Maximum time-dependent space-charge limited diode currents

Recent papers claim that a one dimensional (1D) diode with a time-varying voltage drop can transmit current densities that exceed the Child-Langmuir (CL) limit on average, apparently contradicting a previous conjecture that there is a hard limit on the average current density across any 1D diode, as t → ∞, that is equal to the CL limit. However, these claims rest on a different definition of the CL limit, namely, a comparison between the time-averaged diode current and the adiabatic average of the expression for the stationary CL limit. If the current were considered as a function of the maximum applied voltage, rather than the average applied voltage, then the original conjecture would not have been refuted.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Self-deformation in a direct current driven helium jet micro discharge

We report on the experimental observation of three dimensional self-deformation in an atmospheric micro discharge of the helium microjet through a tube into the ambient air upon a water electrode. The geometry of the discharge system is axial symmetric. While decreasing the discharge current, three dimensional collective motion of plasma filaments is directly observed. The three dimensional configuration of the discharge self changed from an axial symmetrical horn to a rectangular horn when the water acts as a cathode.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Study of spatiotemporal dynamics of a nanosecond atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharge in millimeter-long air gaps

The spatiotemporal dynamics of a nanosecond atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharge in 1- to 3-mm-long air gaps was studied experimentally. By using a segmented electrode, data on the time evolution of the discharge in different regions of the discharge gap were obtained. The uniformity of the discharge over the cross section is estimated by analyzing the spatial distribution of its glow.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Status of KSTAR 170 GHz, 1 MW Electron Cyclotron Heating and Current Drive System

A 170 GHz Electron Cyclotron Heating and Current Drive (ECH/CD) system on KSTAR is designed to launch total 2.4 MW of power for up to 300 sec into the plasma. At present the first 1 MW ECH/CD system is under installation and commissioning for 2011 KSTAR campaign. The 170 GHz, 1 MW, 300 sec gyrotron and the matching optics unit (MOU) will be provided from JAEA under collaboration between NFRI and JAEA. The transmission line consists of MOU and 70 m long 63.5 mm ID corrugated waveguides with the eight miter bends. The 1 MW, 10 sec launcher is developed based on the existing two-mirror front-end launcher in collaboration with Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and Pohang University of Science and Technology, and is installed on the low field side in the KSTAR equatorial plane. The mirror pivot is located at 30 cm below from the equatorial plane. 3.6 MVA power supply system is manufactured and now is under commissioning to meet the triode gun operation of JAEA gyrotron. The power supply consists of 66 kV/55 A cathode power supply, mode-anode system, and 50 kV/160 mA body power supply. In this paper, the current status of KSTAR 170 GHz, 1 MW ECH/CD system will be presented as well as the experimental plan utilizing 170 GHz new ECH/CD system.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

High-power ultraviolet (UV) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) lamps with micro-cavity plasma arrays

A product having at least one plasma lamp that includes plates that are approximately parallel, with at least one array of microcavities formed in a surface of at least one plate. When desirable, the plates are separated a fixed distance by spacers with at least one spacer being placed near the plate's edge to form a hermetic seal therewith. A gas makes contact with the microcavity array. Electrodes capable of delivering a time-varying voltage are located such that the application of the time-varying voltage interacts with the gas to form a glow discharge plasma in the microcavities and the fixed volume between the plates. The glow discharge plasma efficiently and uniformly emits radiation that is predominantly in the UV/VUV spectral range with at least a portion of the radiation being emitted from the plasma lamp.

Park, Sung-Jin↗