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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 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Optical Microscopy-Guided Laser Ablation Electrospray Ionization Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry: Ambient Single Cell Metabolomics with Increased Confidence in Molecular Identification

Single cell analysis is a field of increasing interest as new tools are continually being developed to understand intercellular differences within large cell populations. Laser-ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LAESI-MS) is an emerging technique for single cell metabolomics. Over the years, it has been validated that this ionization technique is advantageous for probing the molecular content of individual cells in situ. Here, we report the integration of a microscope into the optical train of the LAESI source to allow for visually informed ambient in situ single cell analysis. Additionally, we have coupled this ‘LAESI microscope’ to a drift-tube ion mobility mass spectrometer to enable separation of isobaric species and allow for the determination of ion collision cross sections in conjunction with accurate mass measurements. This combined information helps provide higher confidence for structural assignment of molecules ablated from single cells. Here, we show that this system enables the analysis of the metabolite content of Allium cepa epidermal cells with high confidence structural identification together with their spatial locations within a tissue.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Investigation of the 176 Yb Interference Correction during Determination of the 176 Hf/ 177 Hf Ratio by Laser Ablation and Solution Analysis on the Neoma MC-ICP-MS

We utilized the Neoma™, a recently released MC-ICP-MS platform offered by ThermoFisher Scientific, to assess the behavior of the Lu-Yb-Hf system during laser ablation analyses of various zircon standards as well as solution-based analyses of the JMC-475 Hf standard doped with varying quantities of Yb and Lu. The primary goal of this work was to characterize the behavior of the Yb interference correction on the Neoma™ platform since this is one of the biggest issues in the Hf isotope analysis community and because the Neoma™ platform will supplant the Neptune™ series instrument. During laser ablation analysis, we found that the overall data quality scales proportionally with the total Hf signal intensity, with higher signal analyses producing extremely accurate (within 1 ε Hf unit) and precise (sub ε Hf unit within-run standard errors) data. At low Yb signals (<0.1 V 173 Yb), we were not able to produce an accurate internal Yb mass bias factor. However, utilizing an empirical approach allows for the application of session-specific relationships between the Yb and Hf mass bias factors, determined by analysis of standards of varying Yb content, to produce accurate ε Hf values from zircons with higher Yb/Hf ratios even where the total Hf signal intensity is relatively low. Similar behavior was observed in the solution analyses. Lastly, while the behavior of the Yb interference correction on the Neoma™ platform appears comparable to the Neptune™ series MC-ICP-MS, further work will help refine the understanding of the controls on mass bias behavior, oxide formation, session-to-session stability, etc.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Hollow fiber mid-ID spectrometer with UV laser ablation sampling for fine spatial reoslution of isotope ratios in solids

We describe a system that combines isotope ratio analysis via mid-infrared (Mid-IR) laser absorption spectroscopy with fine spatial resolution sampling using a UV pulsed laser. The UV laser ablates a pit in a solid on the order of 10 microns in diameter. The sample-derived particulates resulting from laser ablation pass through a micro-combustor, and the resulting gas is analyzed using Mid-IR laser absorption spectroscopy in a capillary absorption spectrometer (CAS). The CAS uses a hollow fiber optic waveguide with a reflective inner coating and a small internal volume on the order of 1ml. The hollow fiber both guides the laser light from source to detector and contains the gas sample at reduced pressure. Near unity overlap between the laser beam and sample enables sensitive analysis with ultra-small sample size. A prototype system has been demonstrated to enable stable carbon isotopic analysis (d13C) with 1 per mil precision using <1 picomole of carbon and is currently being used to study nutrient exchange in soil/root/microbial rhizosphere studies. The smaller sample size of this system is enabling fine spatial resolution analysis (on the order of 10 microns), which is roughly an order of magnitude smaller than was possible with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS). In addition to rhizosphere studies, the system can provide a useful tool for fine scale isotope analysis with applications in biological, forensic, and environmental science.

capillary absorption spectroscopy, laser ablation,↗
DOE OSTI2022

Modelling and Experimental Validation of Improved Performance of Lithium-Ion Batteries Having Thick Electrodes with Laser-Ablated Micro-Structures

For widespread adoption of electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) need to achieve energy densities of >275 Wh/kg, cost less than $100/Wh, and charge to more than 80% capacity within 15 minutes. Increasing the battery electrode thicknesses is one way to increase cell energy densities while also saving on cell manufacturing cost by increasing the ratio of electrode active material to inactive material within each cell. However, increased electrode loading is often accompanied by decreased Li+-ion diffusion across the full thick electrodes. This leads to significant cell polarization that prevents full capacity utilization and accelerates cell degradation, especially at fast charging/discharging rates. The introduction of secondary pore networks in thick battery electrodes alleviates some of the trade-offs between energy and power performance. These microstructures provide low tortuosity pathways for facile Li+-ion diffusion deep into the thick electrodes, diminishing detrimental concentration gradients within the cell. Ultrafast-pulsed laser ablation is a promising method to introduce micro pores or channels in thick battery electrodes as it allows for precise control of pattern geometries, results in minimal damage to the electrode and can be introduced into existing roll-to-roll electrode manufacturing lines. Herein, the limitations of thick planer electrodes and the advanced predictive models to identify optimal electrode patterns for improved cycling performance will be presented. The impact of electrode laser patterning to create secondary pore networks also will be discussed. Materials characterization techniques (SEM-EDS, XRD) were used to explore the affect ultrafast laser ablation had on the electrode materials’ morphology and structure. The improvements in the patterned electrodes’ electrochemical cycling performances and degrees of wetting will be compared to a pristine baseline case. Finally, the discrepancies between experimentally obtained data and model predictions will be explained.

DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION,ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Absolute quantitation of propranolol from 200-μm regions of mouse brain and liver thin tissues using laser ablation-dropletProbe-mass spectrometry

Rationale: The ability to quantify drugs and metabolites in tissue with sub-mm resolution is a challenging but much needed capability in pharmaceutical research. To fill this void, a novel surface sampling approach combining laser ablation with the commercial dropletProbe automated liquid surface sampling system (LA-dropletProbe) was developed and presented here.Methods: Parylene C-coated 200 × 200 μm tissue regions of mouse brain and kidney thin tissue sections were analyzed for propranolol by laser ablation of tissue directly into a preformed liquid junction. Propranolol was detected by high performance liquid chromatography with positive ion mode electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Quantitation was achieved via application of a stable isotope-labeled internal standard and an external calibration curve.Results: Absolute concentration of propranolol determined from 200 × 200 µm tissue regions were compared to propranolol concentrations obtained from 2.3-mm-diameter tissue punches of adjacent, non-coated sections using standard bulk tissue extraction protocols followed by regular HPLC-MS/MS analysis. Average concentration of propranolol in both organs determined by the two employed methods agreed within ±12%. Furthermore, the relative abundance of phase II hydroxypropranolol glucuronide metabolites were recorded and found to be consistent with previous results.Conclusions: This work illustrates that depositing a thin parylene C layer onto thin tissue prior to analysis, which seals the surface and prevents direct liquid extraction of the drug from the tissue, coupled to the novel LA-dropletProbe surface sampling system is a viable approach for sub-mm resolution quantitative drug distribution analysis.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Integrated laser ablation-dropletProbe-mass spectrometry for absolute drug quantitation, metabolite detection, and distribution in tissue

Rationale: Spatially resolved and accurate quantitation of drug-related compounds in tissue is a much-needed capability in drug discovery research. In this work, application of an integrated laser ablation-dropletProbe-mass spectrometry surface sampling system (LADP-MS) is reported, which achieved absolute quantitation of propranolol measured from <500 × 500 μm thin tissue samples. Methods: Mouse liver and kidney thin tissue sections were coated with parylene C and analyzed for propranolol by a laser ablation/liquid extraction workflow. Non-coated adjacent sections were microdissected for validation and processed using standard bulk tissue extraction protocols. High-performance liquid chromatography with positive ion mode electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was applied to detect the drug and its metabolites. Results: Absolute propranolol concentration in ~500 × 500 μm tissue regions measured by the two methods agreed within ±8% and had a relative standard deviation within ±17%. Quantitation down to ~400 × 400 μm tissue regions was shown, and this resolution was also used for automated mapping of propranolol and phase II hydroxypropranolol glucuronide metabolites in kidney tissue. Conclusions: This study exemplifies the capabilities of integrated laser ablation-dropletProbe-mass spectrometry (LADP-MS) for high resolution absolute drug quantitation analysis of thin tissue sections. This capability will be valuable for applications needing to quantitatively understand the spatial distribution of small molecules in tissue.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Supersonic hot jet ablative testing and analysis of boron nitride nanotube hybrid composites

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are high-strength, high-modulus nanotubes with high thermal and oxidative stabilities. Two hybrid composites were prepared with satin weave carbon fiber (CF) and resole-type phenolic resin: one with surface layers of BNNTs and one with alternating interlayers of BNNTs. The samples were subjected to hot jet tests that simulate realistic high-pressure-temperature conditions to understand the behavior of BNNTs under high-pressure erosion. Adding BNNTs to CF/phenolic laminates enhanced the ablation resistance by reinforcing the char material and mitigated localized thermal damage. Hybrid laminates exhibited up to 14% lower weight loss, 55% increase in flexural modulus, higher thermal diffusivity, and improved char yield and microstructure compared to CF/phenolic samples. The surface layer hybrid had many surviving nanotubes reinforcing the char and crystalline oxide structures that could mitigate further oxygen diffusion. Further, various characterization methods were used to deduce possible mechanisms and their products, indicating that BNNTs could serve as growth templates for direct crystalline boron oxide formation. Overall, hybrid BNNT/CF/phenolic laminates displayed better ablation resistance and favorable microstructure evolution under high-pressure conditions.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy in Patients With Oligometastatic Cancer

The Stereotactic Ablative Radiation therapy for Comprehensive Treatment of Oligometastatic Tumors phase 2 randomized clinical trial found that stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) improved outcomes among cancer patients with oligometastatic disease. Yet, the cost of SABR along with the large number of patients with oligometastatic disease raises the important question of value. This study sought to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the addition of SABR compared with standard therapy alone among cancer patients with oligometastatic disease.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Elemental fractionation in aerosol laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with nanosecond and femtosecond laser ablation

For the purpose of realizing atmospheric radiation plume tracking, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was performed to characterize Cs atomic emissions from airborne nanoparticles in a binary particle matrix using nanosecond and femtosecond laser ablation. As a surrogate to multi-element nuclear fallout particulates, both Cs and Na solutions were mixed with Cu at a 1:1.45 M concentration ratio and aerosolized to study elemental fractionation in atomic emissions, revealing Na I resonance emissions are enhanced whereas Cs I resonance emissions are reduced with Cu present despite sharing similar electronic and chemical properties. Femtosecond laser ablation reduced elemental fractionation effects by more than 50% while retaining the same temporal fractionation trends for Cs and Na. The origin of elemental fractionation in aerosol LIBS was further investigated using Al and Ti aerosols which revealed that the particle matrix induces changes to the local plasma temperature, population of atomic states, and subsequent molecular association and emission.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Metal DiSulfide thin films synthesized by pulsed ion beam ablation: Self-assembled structures with improved mechanical properties in humid conditions

Thin films composed of transition metal dichalcogenides such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) or tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ) are well known for their solid lubricating behavior in dry environments such as space, but deteriorate rapidly in environments where oxygen is present. There have been many attempts over recent decades to improve MoS 2 lubricating performance in humid environments by addition of metals such as titanium to the film. The additions have come in the form of co-sputtering with the MoS 2 , or formation of nano multilayer coatings. We have previously reported on the synthesis of MoS 2 films by high-power ion beam ablation [Prasad et al, Matls. Lett. 65 (2010) 4–6]. The resulting films are observed to contain spheres of pure Mo of 10–100 nm size evenly dispersed throughout the ~1 μm-thick film, a form of self-assembly not before seen in films produced by sputtering or by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The remaining Mosingle bondS matrix was observed to crystalize in situ under frictional contact into MoS 2 with the basal planes orienting themselves in the direction of sliding underneath the wear surface. The present study concerns metal additions in the form of alternating layers with MoS 2 deposited in between from an ablation target. The addition of Ti resulted in the extension of good tribological performance to humid air conditions, but the path to good performance appears to be relatively narrow. The same distributed Mo spheres were present in the new film, and similar self-assembled morphologies when V was substituted for the Ti, and when multilayers were formed of WS 2 with Zr additions. Furthermore, it appears that addition of Ti resulted in improvements in mechanical film strength that contributed to the wear ability in humid conditions.

Intense ion beams↗
DOE OSTI2024

Uranium Single Particle Analysis for Simultaneous Fluorine and Uranium Isotopic Determinations via Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy/Laser Ablation–Multicollector–Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry

Uranyl fluoride (UO 2 F 2 ) particles (<20 μm) were subjected to first-of-its-kind analysis via simultaneous laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–MC–ICP–MS). Briefly, a nanosecond pulsed high-energy laser was focused onto the sample (particle) surface. In a single laser pulse, the UO 2 F 2 particle was excited/ionized within the microplasma volume, and the emission of light was collected via fiber optics such that emission spectroscopy could be employed for the detection of uranium (U) and fluorine (F). The ablated particle was simultaneously transported into the MC–ICP–MS for high precision isotopic (i.e., 234 U, 235 U, and 238 U) analysis. This method, LIBS/LA–MC–ICP–MS was optimized and employed to rapidly measure 80+ UO 2 F 2 particles, which were subjected to different calcination processes, which results in varying degrees of F loss from the individual particles. In measuring the particles, the average F/U ratios for the populations treated at 100 and 500 °C were 2.78 ± 1.28 and 1.01 ± 0.50, respectively, confirming loss of F through the calcination process. The average 235 U/ 238 U on the particle populations for the 100 and 500 °C were 0.007262 (22) and 0.007231 (23), which was determined to be <0.2% from the expected value. The 234 U/ 238 U ratios on the same particles were 0.000053 (11) and 0.000050 (10) for the 100 and 500 °C, respectively, <10% from the expected value. Notably, each population was analyzed in under 5 min, demonstrating the truly rapid analysis technique presented here in this paper.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2022

The effect of oxygen concentration on the speciation of laser ablated uranium

Abstract In order to model the fate and transport of particles following a nuclear explosion, there must first be an understanding of individual physical and chemical processes that affect particle formation. One interaction pertinent to fireball chemistry and resultant debris formation is that between uranium and oxygen. In this study, we use laser ablation of uranium metal in different concentrations of oxygen gas, either 16 O 2 or 18 O 2 , to determine the influence of oxygen on rapidly cooling uranium. Analysis of recovered particulates using infrared absorption and Raman spectroscopies indicate that the micrometer-sized particulates are predominantly amorphous UO x (am-UO x , where 3 ≤ x ≤ 4) and UO 2 after ablation in 1 atm of pure O 2 and a 1% O 2 /Ar mixture, respectively. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) of particulates formed in pure O 2 suggest an O/U ratio of ~ 3.7, consistent with the vibrational spectroscopy analysis. Both am-UO x and UO 2 particulates convert to α-U 3 O 8 when heated. Lastly, experiments performed in 18 O 2 environments show the formation of 18 O-substituted uranium oxides; vibrational frequencies for am-U 18 O x are reported for the first time. When compared to literature, this work shows that cooling timescales can affect the structural composition of uranium oxides (i.e., crystalline vs. amorphous). This indicator can be used in current models of nuclear explosions to improve our predicative capabilities of chemical speciation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Time resolved ablator areal density during peak fusion burn on inertial confinement fusion implosions

Near peak compression, inertial confinement fusion implosions release both deuterium–tritium (DT) fusion gamma rays and neutron induced gamma rays from carbon from the areal density of the remaining ablator shell. The gamma reaction history diagnostic makes a time resolved measurement of both. Across many recent implosions, the carbon gamma ray peak arrives systematically 11 ± 10 ps later compared to DT fusion burn. The timing shift is consistent with the carbon areal density increasing throughout the peak of the fusion burn, implying that the carbon portion of the capsule continues to converge. A model finds that the observed timing shift is consistent with a 4π averaged carbon ablator inward velocity of 80 μm/ns for the contemporary National Ignition Facility implosions. In this work, the timing shift is possibly related to the energy balance of the implosion, with the expectation that a high performing, igniting capsule would see the carbon gamma rays arrive before the DT fusion peak.

Nuclear fusion↗
DOE OSTI2022

Faster ablative Kelvin–Helmholtz instability growth in a magnetic field

Shear flows along a plasma interface will quickly grow unstable due to the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability. If there is a concurrent temperature gradient across the interface, higher modes are stabilized by the thermal diffusion. These ablative effects must be considered in, for example, jet features in inertial confinement fusion hot-spots, or plasma plumes in young supernovae. We show that magnetization of the plasma can greatly affect the instability, even if magnetic pressure is small. This is because electrons are localized by their gyromotion, reducing the heat flux and material ablation. We use a two-dimensional numerical extended-magnetohydrodynamics approach to assess this effect for dense fusion conditions. In comparison with the unmagnetized case, self-generated Biermann fields make only a minor difference to growth rates. However, simulations with a large 50 kT external field found that the growth rate of the least stable mode increased by 40%. In conclusion, this has implications for mix processes in Z-pinches and magnetized inertial confinement fusion concepts.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Measurement and simulation of small cryogenic neon pellet Ne-I 640 nm photon efficiency during ablation in DIII-D plasma

Small (~1 mm) neon pellet fragments are fired into DIII-D H-mode plasmas, and resulting trajectory-averaged photon efficiencies (neutral neon ionization events for every photon emitted) of S/XB ≈ 85 are estimated for Ne-I 640 nm by dividing the estimated initial pellet fragment mass by the measured number of emitted Ne-I photons. The experiments are modeled by running the Lagrangian particle (LP) fluid/magneto-hydrodynamic pellet code to estimate axial ablation plume neon density profiles and temperature profiles at each pellet position. These solutions are then fed into the PrismSPECT collisional-radiative code, which calculates resulting neon charge states and photon emission rates, giving a profile-average of S/XB ≈ 109. The burnthrough plasma minor radius predicted by LP (ρ ≈ 0.63) is reasonably close to the experimental observation ρ ≈ 0.6. Furthermore, the modeling indicates that local S/XB is not constant along the pellet trajectory but tends to increase with increasing ablation rate. Non-equilibrium kinetics are predicted to be very important, while line trapping is predicted to be relatively unimportant (for Ne-I 640 nm S/XB).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Evolution and persistence of SiO emission in nanosecond laser ablation plumes

Analyzing laser-produced plasmas in a controlled oxygen-containing environment provides insight into the formation and evolution of molecular species through gas-phase oxidation. This study explores the role of ambient pressure and oxygen availability in forming SiO molecular species in laser ablation plumes. The self-emission emanating during the reactive ablation of Si targets was characterized by optical emission spectroscopy and optical time-of-flight techniques. Our results showed that the SiO species formation was greatly influenced by both the ambient pressure and oxygen availability. The intensity and the persistence of SiO emission bands are lower at higher oxygen concentrations, indicating they are depopulated by the formation of more complex silicon oxides. The oxygen partial pressure effects on plume chemistry showed that SiO formation is favored even with a minimal oxygen concentration in the environment.

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

Self-consistent investigation of density fueling needs on ITER and CFETR utilizing the new Pellet Ablation Module

Abstract Self-consistent modeling using the stability, transport, equilibrium, and pedestal (STEP) workflow in the OMFIT integrated modeling framework (predicting pedestal with EPED, core profiles with TGYRO, current profile with ONETWO, and EFIT for equilibrium) suggests ITER and future devices such as China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR) Zhuang et al (2019 Nucl. Fusion 59 112010) will benefit from high-density operation (Greenwald limit fraction f g w ≈ 0.7−1.3). Regimes with an operational density near the Greenwald limit will likely need peaked density profiles so that the pedestal density remains below the Greenwald limit. Peaked density profiles can be achieved with the help of pellet injection. A flexible Pellet Ablation Module (PAM), which predicts the density source based on a comprehensive analytical pellet ablation model, has been developed for predicting pellet fueling for transport studies, and has been incorporated into the STEP workflow for predictive modeling. This workflow is applied to DIII-D and finds good agreement with experiments. On ITER the effect of pellet fueling is examined in an advanced inductive scenario, where a fusion gain of up to Q = 9 is predicted with strong central pellet fueling. On CFETR, with a mid-radius density source, an average of 1.5 × 10 22 electrons s −1 are required to achieve the density and temperature profiles necessary for the 1000 MW advanced scenario with a tritium burn-up fraction of ∼ 3 % .

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Numerical investigation of liquid wall ablation in inertial fusion energy chambers

This paper presents a novel approach for modeling liquid wall ablation in liquid wall-protected inertial fusion energy (IFE) chambers. These systems are promising candidates for the implementation of fusion technology, yet significant gaps remain in understanding the underlying physical processes and their implications for design. Following target ignition, a portion of the fusion energy is released as x-rays, which deposit their energy into an array of liquid jets, leading to partial vaporization. Accurately modeling this heat deposition and vaporization process remains challenging due to the complex geometries typical of (pre-conceptual) IFE chamber designs. Furthermore, the subsequent expansion of vaporized material into the chamber’s vacuum environment poses difficulties for conventional CFD methods based on continuum assumptions, which can lead to significant inaccuracies. To address some aspects of these challenges, this work introduces a ray-tracing-based methodology to map the spatial distribution of ablated material in liquid wall-protected systems. In addition, a vacuum-tracking scheme is developed to extend the applicability of an OpenFOAM-based solver to gas dynamics in rarefied environments. The proposed approach has been verified through numerical benchmarks and applied to a practical case involving the HYLIFE-II (High Yield Lithium Injection Fusion Energy) chamber. The methodology advances the modeling capabilities for liquid wall-protected IFE systems and provides valuable tools to support their design and optimization.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗