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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 1,243 records · Page 69
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

The effects of microstructural stability on the compressive response of two cast aluminum alloys up to 300 °C

Here in this study, the high temperature compressive response of cast aluminum alloys 319 and RR350 is compared in light of their microstructures. The 319 alloy is widely used in thermally critical automotive applications and provides a baseline for comparison with the RR350 alloy, whose microstructural stability at high homologous temperatures was recently reported. Cylindrical compression samples from each alloy were tested at four temperatures up to 300 °C at a constant true strain rate that was varied over four orders of magnitude. Although both alloys are strengthened by metastable precipitates (nominally Al 2 Cu) in the as-aged condition, their mechanical response diverges at temperatures greater than 250 °C as the strengthening precipitates evolve in the 319 alloy and retain their as-aged morphology in the RR350 alloy. Deformation mechanisms of each alloy are examined using microstructural analysis and empirical activation energy calculations. The stability of the θ' phase in the RR350 alloy leads to effective precipitation hardening at homologous temperatures up to 0.6 and an extensive regime of grain boundary controlled deformation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1999

Materials Science Experiments on the International Space Station

The Performance Goal for NASA's Microgravity Materials Science Program reads "Use microgravity to establish and improve quantitative and predictive relationships between the structure, processing and properties of materials." The advent of the International Space Station will open up a new era in Materials Science Research including the ability to perform long term and frequent experiments in microgravity. As indicated the objective is to gain a greater understanding of issues of materials science in an environment in which the force of gravity can be effectively switched off. Thus gravity related issues of convection, buoyancy and hydrostatic forces can be reduced and the science behind the structure/processing/properties relationship can more easily be understood. The specific areas of research covered within the program are (1) the study of Nucleation and Metastable States, (2) Prediction and Control of Microstructure (including pattern formation and morphological stability), (3) Phase Separation and Interfacial Stability, (4) Transport Phenomena (including process modeling and thermophysical properties measurement), and (5) Crystal Growth, and Defect Generation and Control. All classes of materials, including metals and alloys, glasses and ceramics, polymers, electronic materials (including organic and inorganic single crystals), aerogels and nanostructures, are included in these areas. The principal experimental equipment available to the materials scientist on the International Space Station (ISS) will be the Materials Science Research Facility (MSRF). Each of these systems will be accommodated in a single ISS rack, which can operate autonomously, will accommodate telescience operations, and will provide real time data to the ground. Eventual plans call for three MSRF racks, the first of which will be shared with the European Space Agency (ESA). Under international agreements, ESA and other partners will provide some of the equipment, while NASA covers launch and integration costs. The MSRF facilities will include modular components, which can be exchanged to provide inserts specifically matched to the engineering requirements of the particular Principal Investigator. To defray costs and avoid duplication of engineering effort NASA is also pursuing the possibility of using facilities provided by international partners. By this means it is anticipated that all of the types of research outlined in the previous paragraph can be done on the ISS.

Gillies, Donald C.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Stabilization of 4H hexagonal phase in gold nanoribbons

Gold, silver, platinum and palladium typically crystallize with the face-centred cubic structure. Here we report the high-yield solution synthesis of gold nanoribbons in the 4H hexagonal polytype, a previously unreported metastable phase of gold. These gold nanoribbons undergo a phase transition from the original 4H hexagonal to face-centred cubic structure on ligand exchange under ambient conditions. Using monochromated electron energy-loss spectroscopy, the strong infrared plasmon absorption of single 4H gold nanoribbons is observed. Furthermore, the 4H hexagonal phases of silver, palladium and platinum can be readily stabilized through direct epitaxial growth of these metals on the 4H gold nanoribbon surface. Our findings may open up new strategies for the crystal phase-controlled synthesis of advanced noble metal nanomaterials.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2017

Colossal Stability of Gas-Phase Trianions: Super-Pnictogens

We report multiply charged negative ions are ubiquitous in nature. They are stable as crystals because of charge compensating cations; while in solutions, solvent molecules protect them. However, they are rarely stable in the gas phase because of strong electrostatic repulsion between the extra electrons. Therefore, understanding their stability without the influence of the environment has been of great interest to scientists for decades. While much of the past work has focused on dianions, work on triply charged negative ions is sparse and the search for the smallest trianion that is stable against spontaneous electron emission or fragmentation continues. Stability of BeB 11 (X) 12 3- (X=CN, SCN, BO) trianions is demonstrated in the gas phase, with BeB 11 (CN) 12 3 - exhibiting colossal stability against electron emission by 2.65 eV and against its neutral adduct by 15.85 eV. The unusual stability of these trianions opens the door to a new class of super-pnictogens with potential applications in aluminum-ion batteries.

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

Ab initio study of structural stability and electronic properties of Ti{sub 1-x}Mg{sub x}Cr{sub 2} and TiMg{sub x}Cr{sub 2-x} laves phase

The structural stability and electronic properties of TiMgCr{sub 2} laves phase have been calculated and compared. It is found that Mg prefer to substitutes titanium than chromium. The values of entalpies of formation show that Ti{sub 1-x}Mg{sub x}Cr{sub 2} may exist for only one concentration x=0.125 and the more favorable alloy is Ti{sub 0.875}Mg{sub 0.125}Cr{sub 2}. For TiCr{sub 2}, the optimized structural parameters were in good agreement with experimental values, while for TiMgCr{sub 2}, there is not experimental data. The electronic densities of states (DOS) are given and the nature of bonds are also discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1990

Optical properties monitor: Experiment definition phase

The stability of materials used in the space environment will continue to be a limiting technology for space missions. The Optical Properties Monitor (OPM) Experiment provides a comprehensive space research program to study the effects of the space environment (both natural and induced) on optical, thermal and space power materials. The OPM Experiment was selected for definition under the NASA/OAST In-Space Technology Experiment Program. The results of the OPM Definition Phase are presented. The OPM experiment will expose selected materials to the space environment and measure the effects with in-space optical measurements. In-space measurements include total hemispherical reflectance total integrated scatter and VUV reflectance/transmittance. The in-space measurements will be augmented with extensive pre- and post-flight sample measurements to determine other optical, mechanical, electrical, chemical or surface effects of space exposure. Environmental monitors will provide the amount and time history of the sample exposure to solar irradiation, atomic oxygen and molecular contamination.

Wilkes, Donald R.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Optical properties monitor: Experiment definition phase

The stability of materials used in the space environment will continue to be a limiting technology for space missions. The Optical Properties Monitor (OPM) Experiment provides a comprehensive space research program to study the effects of the space environment-both natural and induced-on optical, thermal and space power materials. The OPM Experiment was selected for definition under the NASA/OAST In-Space Technology Experiment Program. The results of the OPM Definition Phase are presented. The OPM Experiment will expose selected materials to the space environment and measure the effects with in-space optical measurements. In-space measurements include total hemispherical reflectance total integrated scatter and VUV reflectance/transmittance. The in-space measurements will be augmented with extensive pre- and post-flight sample measurements to determine other optical, mechanical, electrical, chemical or surface effects of space exposure. Environmental monitors will provide the amount and time history of the sample exposure to solar irradiation, atomic oxygen and molecular contamination.

Wilkes, Donald R.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Vapor Phase Infiltration Improves Thermal Stability of Organic Layers in Perovskite Solar Cells

Despite the rapid increase in power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) over the past decade, stability remains a major roadblock to commercialization. Here, this work shows vapor phase infiltration (VPI) as a tool to create hybrid organic–inorganic layers that improve the stability of organic charge transport layers, such as hole-selective spiro-OMeTAD in PSCs and in other organic electronic devices. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and grazing incident wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS), we identify that infiltration of TiO x via VPI hinders the crystallization of the spiro-OMeTAD layer by likely preventing the π–π stacking of the molecules. Infiltrated PSCs retained more than 80% of their original efficiency after an operando stability test of 200 h at 75 °C, double the efficiency retained by devices without infiltration, in which the efficiency rapidly decreases in the first 50 h. This work provides a blueprint for using VPI to stabilize organic charge transport layers via prevention of π–π stacking leading to deleterious crystallization that shortens device lifetimes.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Stabilization of the Metastable Lead Iodide Perovskite Phase via Surface Functionalization

Metastable structural polymorphs can have superior properties and applications to their thermodynamically stable phases, but the rational synthesis of metastable phases is a challenge. Here in this paper, a new strategy for stabilizing metastable phases using surface functionalization is demonstrated using the example of formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI 3 ) perovskite, which is metastable at room temperature (RT) but holds great promises in solar and light-emitting applications. We show that, through surface ligand functionalization during direct solution growth at RT, pure FAPbI 3 in the cubic perovskite phase can be stabilized in nanostructures and thin films at RT without cation or anion alloying. Surface characterizations reveal that long-chain alkyl or aromatic ammonium (LA) cations bind to the surface of perovskite structure. Calculations show that such functionalization reduces the surface energy and plays a dominant role in stabilizing the metastable perovskite phase. Excellent photophysics and optically pumped lasing from the stabilized single-crystal FAPbI 3 nanoplates with low thresholds were demonstrated. High-performance solar cells can be fabricated with such directly synthesized stabilized phase-pure FAPbI3 with a lower bandgap. Our results offer new insights on the surface chemistry of perovskite materials and provide a new strategy for stabilizing metastable perovskites and metastable polymorphs of solid materials in general.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effect of secondary phase particles on thermal stability of ultra-fine grained Mg-4Y-3RE alloy prepared by equal channel angular pressing

Highlights: • UFG structure with grain size of ~340 nm was achieved in WE43 by ECAP. • Fine Mg{sub 5}RE particles are responsible for microstructural stability up to 280 °C. • Segregation of Y and RE solutes in grain boundaries was observed. • Hardening at 200–280 °C was observed due to segregation and precipitation. • Effect of particles dissolution and grain growth on softening was discussed. - Abstract: As-cast magnesium alloy WE43, containing yttrium and rare earth elements, was processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP). The processing led to a significant grain refinement together with a massive precipitation of the secondary phase particles. Thermal stability of the ultra-fine grain (UFG) structure together with microstructural changes due to exposure to elevated temperatures were studied by several complementary techniques in the temperature range of 160–500 °C. It was found that UFG structure consisting of grains with size of ~340 nm and high density of Mg{sub 5}RE particles is stable up to 280 °C for 1 h of annealing. Moreover, only negligible change of the microstructure occurred after annealing for 16 h at 250 °C. Excellent thermal stability of UFG structure was caused by fine Mg{sub 5}RE particles, which suppressed the grain growth. Exceeding the limit of thermal stability of these particles above 280 °C resulted in material softening. Moreover, statistically significant hardening of the UFG material occurred in the temperature range of 200–280 °C. Segregation of yttrium and rare earth elements and eventually precipitation at grain boundaries was proved to be responsible for observed hardening by in-situ and ex-situ transmission electron microscope and positron annihilation spectroscopy analysis. Finally, individual effect of particles dissolution and grain growth on the material softening was investigated and discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Electron bunch energy and phase feed-forward stabilization system for the Mark V RF-linac free-electron laser

An amplitude and phase compensation system has been developed and tested at the University of Hawai'i for the optimization of the RF drive system to the Mark V free-electron laser. Temporal uniformity of the RF drive is essential to the generation of an electron beam suitable for optimal free-electron laser performance and the operation of an inverse Compton scattering x-ray source. The design of the RF measurement and compensation system is described in detail and the results of RF phase compensation are presented. Performance of the free-electron laser was evaluated by comparing the measured effects of phase compensation with the results of a computer simulation. Finally, preliminary results are presented for the effects of amplitude compensation on the performance of the complete system.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Review of computational approaches to predict the thermodynamic stability of inorganic solids

Improvements in the efficiency and availability of quantum chemistry codes, supercomputing centers, and open materials databases have transformed the accessibility of computational materials design approaches. Thermodynamic stability predictions play a central role in the efficacy of these approaches and should be considered carefully. This review covers the fundamentals of calculating thermodynamic stability using first-principles methods. Stability is delineated into two main topics — stability with respect to decomposition into competing phases and stability with respect to phase transition into alternative structures at fixed composition. For each topic, a summary of the state-of-the-art is provided along with a tutorial overview of practical considerations. The application of machine learning to both kinds of stability predictions is also covered. Finally, the limitations of thermodynamic stability predictions are discussed within the context of predicting the synthesizability of materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1962

STABILITY OF FILM BOILING TWO-PHASE FLOW IN CRYOGENIC SYSTEMS

The stability of film boiling two phase flow is investigated referring in particular to saturated cryogenic liquids. This type of fluid motion is unstable, such that a range of wave numbers will always be present in which disturbances are amplified. Further the mode of operation of the energy supply system may favour temperature fluctuations of large amplitude if the circuit does not provide feed-back compensation. The theoretically predicted stabilization due to capillarity is reduced considerably in liquefied gases with low surface tension, such as hydrogen. This effect causes the transition to turbulent flow to occur at low Reynolds numbers, and increases the heat transport in the turbulent regime. A comparison with experimental data, (horizontal cylinder), shows that the "critical" film Reynolds number ūδ/𝜈, at which instabilities become effective, is lowered from approximately 200, (O2), to about 30, (H2). Similar results have been found with other configurations. Therefore application of laminar film boiling solutions is restricted to small objects, entrance regions, or stagnation points. Turbulent correlations given so far are valid only for a certain group of substances with similar behavior.

LIQUID FLOW↗
DOE OSTI2015

Strategy for stabilization of the antiferroelectric phase (Pbma) over the metastable ferroelectric phase (P2{sub 1}ma) to establish double loop hysteresis in lead-free (1−x)NaNbO{sub 3}-xSrZrO{sub 3} solid solution

A new lead-free antiferroelectric solid solution system, (1−x)NaNbO{sub 3}-xSrZrO{sub 3}, was rationalized through noting the crystal chemistry trend, of decreasing the tolerance factor and an increase in the average electronegativity of the system. The SrZrO{sub 3} doping was found to effectively stabilize the antiferroelectric (P) phase in NaNbO{sub 3} without changing its crystal symmetry. Preliminary electron diffraction and polarization measurements were presented which verified the enhanced antiferroelectricity. In view of our recent report of another lead-free antiferroelectric system (1−x)NaNbO{sub 3}-xCaZrO{sub 3} [H. Shimizu et al. “Lead-free antiferroelectric: xCaZrO{sub 3} - (1−x)NaNbO{sub 3} system (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10),” Dalton Trans. (published online)], the present results point to a general strategy of utilizing tolerance factor to develop a broad family of new lead-free antiferroelectrics with double polarization hysteresis loops. We also speculate on a broad family of possible solid solutions that could be identified and tested for this important type of dielectric.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗