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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 1,261 records · Page 70
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Contribution of neutron star mergers to the r-process chemical evolution in the hierarchical galaxy formation

The main astronomical source of r-process elements has not yet been identified. One plausible site is neutron star mergers (NSMs), but from the perspective of the Galactic chemical evolution, it has been pointed out that NSMs cannot reproduce the observed r-process abundance distribution of metal-poor stars at [Fe/H]<−3. Recently, Tsujimoto and Shigeyama pointed out that NSM ejecta can spread into a much larger volume than ejecta from a supernova. We re-examine the enrichment of r-process elements by NSMs considering this difference in propagation using the chemical evolution model under the hierarchical galaxy formation. The observed r-process enhanced stars around [Fe/H]∼−3 are reproduced if the star formation efficiency is lower for low-mass galaxies under a realistic delay-time distribution for NSMs. We show that a significant fraction of NSM ejecta escape from its host proto-galaxy to pollute intergalactic matter and other proto-galaxies. The propagation of r-process elements over proto-galaxies changes the abundance distribution at [Fe/H]<−3 and obtains distribution compatible with observations of the Milky Way halo stars. In particular, the pre-enrichment of intergalactic medium explains the observed scarcity of extremely metal-poor stars without Ba and abundance distribution of r-process elements at [Fe/H]≲−3.5.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Formation of Globular Clusters with Internal Abundance Spreads in r -Process Elements: Strong Evidence for Prolonged Star Formation

Several globular clusters (GCs) in the Galaxy are observed to show internal abundance spreads in r -process elements (e.g., Eu). We propose a new scenario that explains the origin of these GCs (e.g., M5 and M15). In this scenario, stars with no/little abundance variations first form from a massive molecular cloud (MC). After all of the remaining gas of the MC is expelled by numerous supernovae, gas ejected from asymptotic giant branch stars can be accumulated in the central region of the GC to form a high-density intracluster medium (ICM). Merging of neutron stars then occurs to eject r -process elements, which can be efficiently trapped in and subsequently mixed with the ICM. New stars formed from the ICM can have r -process abundances that are quite different from those of earlier generations of stars within the GC. This scenario can explain both (i) why r -process elements can be trapped within GCs and (ii) why GCs with internal abundance spreads in r -process elements do not show [Fe/H] spreads. Our model shows (i) that a large fraction of Eu-rich stars can be seen in Na-enhanced stellar populations of GCs, as observed in M15, and (ii) why most of the Galactic GCs do not exhibit such internal abundance spreads. Our model demonstrates that the observed internal spreads of r -process elements in GCs provide strong evidence for prolonged star formation (∼10{sup 8} yr).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

r-Process Radioisotopes from Near-Earth Supernovae and Kilonovae

The astrophysical sites where r-process elements are synthesized remain mysterious: it is clear that neutron star mergers (kilonovae (KNe)) contribute, and some classes of core-collapse supernovae (SNe) are also possible sources of at least the lighter r-process species. The discovery of 60Fe on the Earth and Moon implies that one or more astrophysical explosions have occurred near the Earth within the last few million years, probably SNe. Intriguingly, 244 Pu has now been detected, mostly overlapping with 60 Fe pulses. However, the 244 Pu flux may extend to before 12 Myr ago, pointing to a different origin. Here, motivated by these observations and difficulties for r-process nucleosynthesis in SN models, we propose that ejecta from a KN enriched the giant molecular cloud that gave rise to the Local Bubble, where the Sun resides. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurements of 244 Pu and searches for other live isotopes could probe the origins of the r-process and the history of the solar neighborhood, including triggers for mass extinctions, e.g., that at the end of the Devonian epoch, motivating the calculations of the abundances of live r-process radioisotopes produced in SNe and KNe that we present here. Given the presence of 244 Pu, other r-process species such as 93 Zr, 107 Pd, 129 I, 135 Cs, 182 Hf, 236 U, 237 Np, and 247 Cm should be present. Their abundances and well-resolved time histories could distinguish between the SN and KN scenarios, and we discuss prospects for their detection in deep-ocean deposits and the lunar regolith. We show that AMS 129 I measurements in Fe–Mn crusts already constrain a possible nearby KN scenario.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Possibility to Identify the Contributions from Collapsars, Supernovae, and Neutron Star Mergers from the Evolution of the r-process Mass Abundance Distribution

We study the evolution of rapid neutron-capture process (r-process) isotopes in the galaxy. We analyze relative contributions from core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe), neutron star mergers, and collapsars under a range of astrophysical conditions and nuclear input data. Here we show that, although the r-process in each of these sites can lead to a similar (universal) elemental distribution, the detailed isotopic abundances can differ from one site to another. These differences may allow for the identification of which sources contributed to the early evolution of r-process material in the galaxy. Our simulations suggest that the early evolution was dominated by CCSNe and collapsar r-process nucleosynthesis. This conclusion may be testable if the next generation of observatories can deduce isotopic r-process abundances.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

BENCH-SCALE DEVELOPMENT OF A TRANSFORMATIVE MEMBRANE PROCESS FOR PRE-COMBUSTION CO 2 CAPTURE

This final technical report describes work conducted by Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. (MTR) for the Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE NETL) on development of the second generation (Gen-2) Proteus™ membrane modules and a pre-combustion membrane process for carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture from an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plant for power generation (award number DE-FE0031632). The work was conducted from October 1, 2018 through March 30, 2022. The overall goal of this project was to bring a Gen-2 version of the H2-selective Proteus membrane to bench-scale module (component) testing with real syngas. MTR was assisted in this project by Susteon, a technology development company with extensive experience in gasification processes, and the University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), who provided the host site for the slipstream field testing. This report details the work conducted to optimize the Gen-2 Proteus membrane and develop modules capable of operation at 200°C; demonstrate membrane module performance processing coal-derived syngas during a field test at EERC; and optimize integration of a dual-membrane process into an IGCC with carbon capture. Work for this project included membrane optimization and scale-up, module component screening and fabrication of high-temperature lab- and bench-scale modules, design and fabrication of a bench-scale field test membrane skid, operation of the field test skid processing coal-derived syngas at EERC, and a detailed techno-economic analysis (TEA) of the MTR dual-membrane process for IGCC power plant pre-combustion CO 2 capture. This project validated recent membrane technology advancements, mitigates risk in future scale-up activities, and moved the membrane pre-combustion capture technology from TRL-4 to TRL-5. Key results for each major task are discussed in the report.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Design and Operation of a Multi-Bed Catalytic Micro-Reactor for the Study of Co-Processing of Bio-Oils with VGO

An industry wide shift from fossil-based fuel to renewable fuel sources including biomass, municipal waste, and plastics will require new process monitoring methods to minimize transitional risks including off specification product formation and catalyst deactivation. This project aims to provide a machine learning based process monitoring tool composed of online, slipstream mass spectra for use in biomass refineries and co-processing in existing refineries allowing operators to monitor product qualities and adjust process conditions accordingly. In order to maximize the robustness of the tool, large volumes of data must be collected to fine tune model parameters which consists of both micro and pilot scale mass spectral data. Micro-scale data is collected with a multi-tube micro-reactor housing up to six catalysts in horizontal beds, coupled with a molecular beam mass spectrometer. A pyrolizer equipped with an auto-sampler streamlines the micro-scale data collection process. This type of pyrolizer/micro-reactor configuration does not exist on the market, and therefore had to be created for the purposes of this project. The design and commissioning of this reactor will be presented in detail. This reactor set-up is highly flexible and increases throughput of analysis. For catalyst testing, each bed can be individually selected simply by turning valves. For catalyst reduction and regeneration, simultaneous flow through all six beds is used. The reproducibility of the system was first assessed with whole biomass pyrolysis along with pyrolysis of calibration standards. Initial work on this system evaluated two FCC catalysts, equilibrium catalyst (E-cat), and a proprietary catalyst from Johnson Matthey specifically design for co-processing of bio-oil with vacuum gas oil (VGO). This work used model compounds and VGO which illuminated differences in products produced by the catalysts.

biomass↗
DOE OSTI2015

Deployment of large tank monosodium titanate strike to increase salt processing at the Savannah river site - 15115

The treatment of high level waste (HLW) salt solutions using the Actinide Removal Process (ARP) and Modular Caustic Side Solvent Extraction Unit (MCU) began at Savannah River Site (SRS) in 2008. Since that time, over 6 million gallons of liquid HLW have been treated and the resulting low level waste (LLW) effluent immobilized in cementitious grout at salt-stone. In addition to the continued stabilization of liquid HLW, operating experience from the ARP/MCU facilities has also been valuable in considering the design and construction of the Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) which will utilize similar unit operations on a much larger scale. ARP removes actinides by contacting waste with monosodium titanate (MST) which is a solid adsorbent for soluble strontium and actinides. Once the sorption reaction is complete, the MST solids are separated from salt solution via ultrafiltration through a crossflow filter. The throughput of initial operations of ARP/MCU was limited by the flowrate through the extraction process. However, after the implementation of a new solvent flowsheet, filtration of MST will be the rate limiting step in salt processing. For the entirety of ARP/MCU operation, Savannah River Remediation (SRR) has sought to improve process efficiency and performance through optimization and modification of the original facility design. These efforts have resulted in a best-single-year throughput of 4.9 million liters of decontaminated salt solution. In keeping with these practices, SRR recently initiated a project to improve filtration throughput by relocating the MST strike from small batches immediately upstream of the filtration unit to the underground waste tank used to batch and store salt solution feed for ARP/MCU. This process change will allow the bulk of MST solids to decant in the waste tank prior to filtration which should improve both the nominal operational filter flux as well as the achieved utility of filter operation. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2015

Lessons learned in the hot cell at the transuranic waste processing center - 15336

The hot cell at the Transuranic Waste Processing Center (TWPC) has been in operation for seven years. Its mission is to empty, process, and repackage the contents Remote Handled (RH) concrete waste casks. The sequence of operation for processing the RH casks includes using a remotely operated manipulator (manipulator) to remove the cask contents and deliver them to a work table where operators process the waste into RH-TRU, CH-TRU, LLW drums using Master Slave Manipulators (MSMs). The manipulator is the only piece of equipment that can remove material from the cask and represents a single point failure that can shut down hot cell processing should it fail. During the first six years of operation the project processing goals were constantly in jeopardy due to the high frequency and extent of manipulator failures that forced unplanned down time in the hot cell to facilitate repairs. In 2013 a hot cell maintenance outage was planned and executed to improve the operability and reduce the equipment failure rate. A new remotely operated manipulator, purchased as a spare before the outage, was installed in the hot cell during the outage. Prior to installing the manipulator into the hot cell several major and minor modifications were made to the manipulator to incorporate improvements manipulator reliability and maintainability based upon operating and maintenance lessons learned from the previous years of operation. Additionally a maintenance glovebox was added to the hot cell for servicing the removable manipulator components. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2016

Status Update - Installation and Operation of GeoMelt{sup R} ICV{sup TM} Process in the NNL's Central Laboratory on the Sellafield Site - 16410

Thermal treatment of nuclear waste in the UK has seen much renewed interest recently, owing to the advantages that can be gained in terms of reduced waste volumes, compatibility with reactive metals and organics and its ability to treat mixed generic wastes. Vitrification is a treatment option which destroys organics and some hazardous inorganics such as asbestos, reduces wasteform volume, and produces a robust leach resistant wasteform. Kurion's GeoMelt{sup R} In-Container Vitrification (ICV){sup TM} is a vitrification process where the treatment vessel can serve as an interim-storage, transport, and final long-term storage vessel - thus negating the need to pour glass into a separate container, effectively leading to a much simpler system than traditional waste melters. The UK's National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) and Kurion have entered into a joint project to deploy an active waste ICV{sup TM} plant based on Kurion's GeoMelt{sup R} technology, at NNL's flagship Central Laboratory on the Sellafield site. NNL is the UK's national laboratory for civil nuclear science and technology, providing advice to government, protecting key skills, supporting industry and delivering national nuclear programs. NNL is bringing the Kurion GeoMelt{sup R} process alongside its existing capabilities in thermal waste treatment. Kurion provides technology solutions to minimize and stabilize nuclear and hazardous waste through its families of technologies: access, separation and stabilization processes. The GeoMelt{sup R} plant being installed at the NNL's Central Laboratory creates a platform to evaluate the vitrification technology for the variety of wastes from the NDA estate and creates a treatment path for problematic waste streams that currently have no disposition pathway. With the diverse facilities under NNL management coupled with the NNL's ability to import wastes from within the UK and Europe, this arrangement with Kurion provides waste owners with treatment disposition pathways for problematic wastes. The Kurion / NNL team completed non-radioactive commissioning of a GeoMelt{sup R} ICV{sup TM} treatment system in 2015. Commissioning consisted of performing two tests at NNL's Workington Laboratory. Commissioning Test 1 involved vitrification of 367 kg of glass frit over the course of approximately 18 hours. Commissioning Test 2 consisted of processing 470 kg of soil and additives in approximately 27 hours. The soil processed in the second test was non-radioactive soil from Sellafield and was used as an analog for radioactive soil to be processed during radioactive commissioning at the Central Laboratory at Sellafield. All commissioning test goals were easily achieved and all subsystems operated as designed. Radioactive commissioning will be carried out in early 2016. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2016

Waste Management Processing Projects in the PRC - 16551

EnergySolutions continues to provide waste treatment solutions in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). In 2015 ES had completed installation of systems at two different Nuclear power sites (Haiyang, an AP-1000{sup TM} site and Yangjiang, a CPR1000 site). This paper discusses progress on these two projects, and provides new information regarding the operation of the systems. The Yangjiang project became operational in the fall of 2015 while the Haiyang project will be done is nearly done with commissioning and is waiting for reactor operations. Haiyang Project: In the Shandong Province on China's northeast coast, EnergySolutions, as part of a consortium with China Power Investment (CPI) and Yuanda Environmental Protection Engineering Company (a PRC state-owned company), has designed and constructed the site's Site Rad Waste Treatment Facility (SRTF). The SRTF provides solid waste processing services for up to 8 AP-1000s{sup TM}. The SRTF performs the following functions: 1. Five year storage for HICs containing spent resin and filters from the nuclear power plants' waste liquid systems (WLS); 2. Sorting and Compaction System for solid waste generated from Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) operations. This system implements: a) Real time radiography to screen 200 liter waste drums for prohibited items, b) Pre-compaction, c) High Resolution Gamma Spectrophotometry (HRGS) for waste characterization, d) Supercompaction, e) Solidification of compacted drums inside overpack drums which are filled with 60 MPa compressive strength grout, and f) Automatic drum lidding which crimps the drum lid to the drum body. 3. Laundry services for NPP anti-contamination clothing. 4. At the nuclear islands, EnergySolutions is providing mobile liquid waste processing systems that utilize EnergySolutions Advanced Liquid Processing System ALPS{sup TM}/Advanced Injection Method System AIM{sup TM} processing systems to supplement the NPP's WLS system when radionuclide concentrations exceed release criteria. The spent resins and filters from the nuclear power plants are placed in EnergySolutions supplied HICs, dewatered using EnergySolutions Self Engaging Dewatering System (SEDS{sup TM}), and then placed in EnergySolutions 8-120B Type B cask for the transport of the HIC between the NPP and the SRTF and, ultimately, to a disposal site once it is ready for operations Yangjiang Project: EnergySolutions is providing liquid waste treatment system (TEU) and solid waste treatment system (TES) for Yangjiang units 3 and 4 for the China Nuclear Power Engineering Company (CNPEC). The Yangjiang site is located approximately 300 kilometers west of Hong Kong. The TEU system processes floor drain, chemical drain, and process drain tanks liquids to achieve a release concentration less than 37 Bq/l. The TES system receives spent resin and filters into HIC containers which are dewatered and subsequently transported to the Yangjiang sites QT building where they are stored for a period of up to 5 years or until a disposal site are available. TEU (Liquid waste treatment) consists of the following unit operations: - ALPS{sup TM}/AIM{sup TM} system, which includes two separate 8 vessel water treatment systems that consist of granular activated carbon (GAC), cation, anion ion and mixed bed media ion exchange (IX) columns; and: - A reverse osmosis system for final polishing, - TES (solid waste system), - SEDS (Self Engaging Dewatering System), - Shielding for the loading and storage of HICs, - Shielded transport container for the transfer of HIC to the QT building for storage, - Shielded transfer bell for the transport of spent filters from the NPP operating area to HIC. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2023

New Materials and an Efficient Processing Approach for Materials for Harsh Environments – Continuous Electric Field Assisted Sintering

Electric-field assisted sintering (EFAS) is an advanced manufacturing method for the consolidation and processing of ceramic and metal materials. It is a particularly excellent candidate for efficient materials processing as it has greater than 90% energy cost savings and improved CO2 emissions compared to traditional sintering in a furnace. This is due to direct rapid heating of the materials and molds leveraging an electrification phenomenon called Joule heating where electrical current is passed through the sample/mold assemblies causing direct heating. The technique does have limitations though as it is traditionally a batch-process and suffers from scale up difficulties. To overcome this, researchers at Idaho National Laboratory changed the form factor of traditional EFAS instruments to develop and construct a continuous rolling electric-field assisted sintering (CEFAS) device. Its unique design creates highly localized electrical, thermal, and mechanical process parameters for continuous samples of limitless length. Advanced core shell powder materials were also created using fluidized powder bed atomic layer deposition of core/shell solid oxide electrochemical electrode/electrolyte BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3 (BCZYYb) and yttrium doped BaZrO3 (BZY) to be a feedstock for the new CEFAS instrument. The innovative core/shell powder is hypothesized to have high protonic conductivity with enhanced environmental resistance. The completed project covers innovations in process control and design enabled by control theory, finite element modeling and mechanical design, three dimensionally printed carbon-carbon composite manufacturing and utilization, and green materials processing techniques.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Policy Reforms to Unleash Domestic Critical Minerals Mining and Processing

The United States faces growing strategic and economic risks due to its limited ability to mine, process, and refine the minerals required for national defense, energy systems, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies. Although the country possesses significant geological resources, development has been slowed by long and unpredictable permitting timelines, fragmented regulatory responsibilities, limited midstream processing capacity, and a shrinking technical workforce. These structural barriers have created supply chain vulnerabilities that constrain industrial growth and reduce national resilience. This report presents a comprehensive set of reforms intended to modernize the nation’s approach to critical minerals. The recommendations address federal permitting, environmental review processes, the legal framework governing mining activities, interagency coordination, domestic processing and refining capacity, and the education and workforce systems needed to support long term industry development. The analysis emphasizes practical steps to shorten project timelines, improve regulatory clarity, expand processing infrastructure, enable recovery from both conventional and nontraditional sources, and update outdated requirements that hinder the development of essential materials. Taken together, the recommended reforms would strengthen domestic supply chains, improve investment certainty, and reduce dependence on external minerals and processing infrastructure. By aligning policy, regulatory frameworks, and workforce capabilities with national needs, the United States can build a more resilient and secure critical minerals ecosystem that supports long term economic competitiveness and technological leadership.

29 - ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2026

An AI-driven framework for evaluating local and state authorities’ permitting processes

The demand for new energy infrastructure is increasing across the United States, but heterogenous permitting processes and embedded requirements across different local jurisdictions can cause project delays, increase “soft costs,” and hinder developer expansion. This study analyzes the variability in local permitting requirements across the U.S. and develops a quantitative approach to describe their clarity and effectiveness in enabling infrastructure project development. By using an Energy Language Model (ELM), a large language model (LLM) for energy technologies, we systematically gathered permitting information from nearly 300 state-, county-, and city-level documents, creating a structured dataset of requirements and procedures on an unprecedented scale and speed. Our analysis revealed that local (city and county) permitting requirement documents are underrepresented compared to state-level guidance documents, which can impede timely and cost-effective installation of new electric infrastructure. Our validation process showed that the final database has an accuracy of approximately 95%. We, further, created a new quantitative method to score permitting requirements for clarity and efficiency, with electric vehicle supply equipment as an initial use case. The average local permitting document scored a 1.8 out of 5, which we interpret as meaning that half of the requirements developers face when installing electric infrastructure are ambiguous, increasing both cost and time. We also created a “Generalized Permit Process”, highlighting common procedural steps and identifying specific opportunities for municipalities to improve their documentation. This research establishes a systematic and scalable framework for evaluating the complexities of local infrastructure permitting processes by combining LLM-powered data collection and quantitative scoring. The framework enables policymakers and developers to identify and mitigate procedural bottlenecks, with the expectation that these improvements can accelerate application review and approval, reduce project costs, and expedite connection to utility distribution grids. As a foundational approach for streamlining local project development processes, this study’s methods are intended to be extended to a wide range of energy applications.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Process damping identification using Bayesian learning and time domain simulation

Process damping can provide improved machining productivity by increasing the stability limit at low spindle speeds. However, existing methods for identifying process damping models experimentally require specialized setups and/or multiple cutting tests. While the phenomenon is well known, the modeling challenges limit pre-process parameter selection that leverages the potential increases in material removal rates. This paper proposes a physics-informed Bayesian method that can identify the cutting force and process damping models from a limited set of test cuts without requiring direct measurements of cutting force or vibration. The method uses time domain simulation to incorporate process damping and provide a basis for test selection. Here, new strategies for efficient sampling and dimensionality reduction are applied to lower computation time and minimize the effect of model error. The proposed method is demonstrated and the identified cutting and damping force coefficients are compared to values obtained using machining tests and least-squares fitting.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Reactive Inkjet Printing Process for Fabricating Biodegradable Conductive Zinc Structures

A novel reactive inkjet printing (RIJ) process for fabricating environmentally benign, conductive zinc structures on biodegradable substrates is reported. A precursor consisting of oxidized zinc microparticles is formulated into a viscous ink for high‐resolution, high‐repeatability screen printing. A single RIJ process is performed to selectively dispense an acid‐based oxide etching agent onto the screen‐printed zinc ink to significantly improve its electrical conductivity, up to 4 × 10 4 S m −1 . The RIJ process enables precise control of the amount of deposited etching agent, allowing control of conductivity and avoiding damage caused by excessive acid exposure. The RIJ process deposits the etching agent selectively on the screen‐printed, water‐soluble zinc patterns, thus preserving the print fidelity by avoiding ink smearing that can occur when using a blanket treatment such as submersion. A printed biodegradable antenna with a minimum feature size of 500 μm for use with a batteryless radio frequency identification (RFID) chip is fabricated as demonstration. Due to the higher ink conductivity and improved pattern fidelity, the antenna fabricated by the RIJ process shows a ≈2.2× increase in reading distance compared with a similar antenna that is screen printed and activated using a drop‐casting process.

Sui, Yongkun↗
DOE OSTI2025

Unveiling Atomistic Mechanisms Governing Additive Manufacturing Processability and Mechanical Behavior of a Refractory Complex Concentrated Alloy

Extending the concept of complex concentrated alloys (CCAs) to the refractory alloys (solidus temperature over 2000 °C) space potentially facilitates the design of lightweight structural alloys with service temperatures that exceed those of Ni and Co‐based alloys. However, the room and elevated temperature tensile properties of the current refractory‐CCAs (R‐CCAs) are inferior to those of the Ni/Co‐based alloys. Furthermore, the manufacturing scalability of R‐CCAs remains challenging, in that cracks are prevalent in all R‐CCAs when processed using near‐net shape manufacturing processes, such as fusion‐based additive manufacturing (F‐BAM). Still, mechanisms governing the poor F‐BAM processability of R‐CCAs remain unexplored. Here, to this end, this work unveils the atomistic mechanisms underlying F‐BAM process‐induced cracking in a NbTiTaMoHfZrC R‐CCA. The implications of light elements’ presence for intrinsic ductility and grain boundary cohesion, and subsequently for F‐BAM processability and mechanical behavior, are revealed. Leveraging the insights, we accomplish what is, to the best of the knowledge, the first instance of crack‐free F‐BAM processing of any R‐CCA. Additionally, the R‐CCA exhibits over 20% tensile ductility and ≈160 MPa tensile yield strength at 1200 °C. In addition to facilitating the design of lightweight R‐CCAs, findings enable scalable manufacturing of these ultra‐high temperature alloys for structural applications.

Refractory alloys↗
DOE OSTI2014

An Ionic Liquid Reaction and Separation Process for Production of Hydroxymethylfurfural from Sugars

There has been world-wide interest to making plastics out of renewable biomass feedstock for recent years. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is viewed as an attractive alternate to terephthalic acid (TPA) for production of polyesters (PET) and polyamides. Conversion of sugars into HMF has been studied in numerous publications. In this work, a complete ionic liquid reaction and separation process is presented for nearly stoichiometric conversion of fructose into HMF. Different adsorbent materials are evaluated and silicalite material is demonstrated effective for isolation of 99% pure HMF from actual ionic liquid reaction mixtures and for recovery of the un-converted sugars and reaction intermediate along with the ionic liquid. Membrane-coated silicalite particles are prepared and studied for a practical adsorption process operated at low pressure drops but with separation performances comparable or better than the powder material. Complete conversion of fresh fructose feed into HMF in the recycled ionic liquid is shown under suitable reaction conditions. Stability of HMF product is characterized. A simplified process flow diagram is proposed based on these research results, and the key equipment such as reactor and adsorbent bed is sized for a plant of 200,000 ton/year of fructose processing capacity. The proposed HMF production process is much simpler than the current paraxylene (PX) manufacturing process from petroleum oil, which suggests substantial reduction to the capital cost and energy consumption be possible. At the equivalent value to PX on the molar basis, there can be a large gross margin for HMF production from fructose and/or sugars.

Liu, Wei↗
DOE OSTI2023

Effects of processing on the efficacy and metabolites of Cistanche tubulosa using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

Abstract Cistanche tubulosa (CT), a well‐known traditional Chinese medicine, has always been processed with rice wine for the treatment of kidney‐yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS) since time immemorial. To explore the effect of processing on the efficacy and metabolites of CT in vivo , a comprehensive method using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry was established for the analysis of the altered endogenous metabolites in response to the intervention of the raw and processed CT in KYDS model and the metabolites of the absorbed compounds in rats after gastric perfusion. It was shown that CT could improve KYDS, and the effect of the processed product was more significant. A total of 47 differential metabolites were identified in urine. Pathway analysis proved that purine metabolism; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; and citrate cycle were the main pathways. Furthermore, 53 prototypes and 48 metabolites have been detected in rats. This was the first systematic research focus on the metabolites of raw and processed CT in vivo , which could provide a scientific basis for explaining the increasing efficiency of the processed CT. Moreover, it provides a valuable strategy for analyzing the chemical components and metabolites of other TCM prescriptions.

Lei, Huibo↗