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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 1,315 records · Page 73
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Multi-Anvil Experimentation Applied to Planetary Differentiation

Planets undergo differentiation that includes segregation of metal from silicate at high temperatures and pressures ranging from deep planetary core pressures (>300 GPa for Earth)to very shallow conditions of asteroids (<100 MPa).The multi-anvil solid media apparatus accesses the middle part of this range from 3 to 30 GPa –pressure relevant to the interior of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Earth’s Moon, and Mars. Early planets are thought to have experienced high temperatures from a combination of heat sources including radioactive decay, gravitational and accretional heating, and impact processes. These heating events led to melting of mantles and cores, thus requiring an understanding of solid-liquid equilibria in metal-silicate systems. In 2006 we established a multi-anvil facility at NASA-JSC combining an 880 ton press and a Kawai/Walker type module from Rockland Research. Our high PT work has been greatly facilitated by use of the COMPRES multi-anvil assemblies (1). Our recent work has included studies of element partitioning between liquid metal and liquid silicate(e.g., 2), as well as between minerals and melts(e.g., 3), both of which have led to better constraints on the timing and conditions of planetary differentiation(e.g. 4). Several examples involving sustained efforts will be summarized below and for the presentation. The distribution of siderophile (iron-loving) elements between core and mantle is controlled by metal-silicate equilibrium across a wide range of pressures. Therefore, experimentation across this pressure range helps to calibrate elemental partitioning models that can be applied to planets, and used to predict mantle chemistry and composition during planetary differentiation. Our studies have focused on a wide range of siderophile elements (refractory Ni, Co, W, Mo; volatile P, Ga, Cu, Sn, Sb; highly siderophile Au, Pd) that have constrained partitioning, valence, and isotopic fractionation, and applied to Earth, Moon, and Mars. When molten mantles (magma oceans) cool enough to initiate crystallization, the solids precipitate at depth and in large planets this involves high pressure phases like garnet, majorite, akimotoite, and ringwoodite. As these solids precipitate they can segregate from liquid by density contrasts, thus causing elemental fractionation which can be used to decipher timing of differentiation. Mineral/melt and metal/silicate equilibria in our lab have helped to better understand high pressure fractionation of isotopic parent/daughter pairs Hf/W, Mn/Cr, Pd/Ag, Pt/Os, Re/Os, and U/Pb, and their application to Earth, Moon and Mars. There remains great potential for multi-anvil experimentation to shed light on many pressure–dependent aspects of planetary evolution such as core formation, high pressure phase equilibria, redox equilibria, and volatile evolution and storage. References1. Leinenweber, K., et al.(2012) American Mineralogist,97, 353–368. 2.Righter, K., et al.(2020) Geochem. Persp. Lett.15, 1-6.3. Righter, K., et al.(2020) Met. Planet. Sci 55, 2741-2757.4. Righter, K., et al.(2020)Earth and Planetary Science Letters,552, 116590.

pressure↗
DOE OSTI2023

Data-driven electrolyte design for lithium metal anodes

Improving Coulombic efficiency (CE) is key to the adoption of high energy density lithium metal batteries. Liquid electrolyte engineering has emerged as a promising strategy for improving the CE of lithium metal batteries, but its complexity renders the performance prediction and design of electrolytes challenging. Here, we develop machine learning (ML) models that assist and accelerate the design of high-performance electrolytes. Using the elemental composition of electrolytes as the features of our models, we apply linear regression, random forest, and bagging models to identify the critical features for predicting CE. Our models reveal that a reduction in the solvent oxygen content is critical for superior CE. We use the ML models to design electrolyte formulations with fluorine-free solvents that achieve a high CE of 99.70%. This work highlights the promise of data-driven approaches that can accelerate the design of high-performance electrolytes for lithium metal batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Nanoconfined electrolytes and their use in batteries

A nanoconfined metal-containing electrolyte comprising a layer of enclosed nanostructures in which each enclosed nanostructure contains a liquid metal-containing electrolyte, wherein said enclosed nanostructures are in physical contact with each other. Metal-ion batteries containing the nanoconfined electrolyte in contact with an anode and cathode of the battery are also described. Methods for producing the nanoconfined electrolyte are also described.

Dai, Sheng↗
DOE OSTI2023

Nanoconfined electrolytes and their use in batteries

A nanoconfined metal-containing electrolyte comprising a layer of enclosed nanostructures in which each enclosed nanostructure contains a liquid metal-containing electrolyte, wherein said enclosed nanostructures are in physical contact with each other. Metal-ion batteries containing the nanoconfined electrolyte in contact with an anode and cathode of the battery are also described. Methods for producing the nanoconfined electrolyte are also described.

Dai, Sheng↗
NASA NTRS1982

Liquid drop technique for generation of organic glass and metal shells

It was found that liquid drop techniques are very useful in several diverse areas. For producing very uniform metallic, organic, inorganic and, on particular, glassy shells, the liquid jet method is the most reproducible and exceptionally useful of all the techniques studied. The technique of capillary wave synchronization of the break-up of single and multiple component jets was utilized to produce uniform sized liquid drops and solid particles, and hollow liquid and solid shells. The technique was also used to encapsulate a number of liquids in impermeable spherical shells. Highly uniform glass shells were made by generating uniform drops of glass forming materials in an aqueous solution, subsequently evaporating the water, and then fusing and blowing the remaining solids in a high temperature vertical tube furnace. Experimental results are presented and the critical problems in further research in this field are discussed.

Hendricks, C. D.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Uniaxial compressive creep tests by spark plasma sintering of 70% theoretical density α -uranium and U-10Zr

Metallic fuels hold numerous advantages over conventional uranium dioxide fuels and are a key component of several liquid metal-cooled advanced reactor concepts including sodium fast reactors. These fuels undergo rapid swelling during early burnup; consequently, they spend most of their reactor lifetime in a porous state. The presence of this porosity alters many of the mechanical properties of the fuel including creep impacting fuel deformation during axial swelling. This work investigates the creep behavior of the porous fuel using a spark plasma sintering technique. Creep tests were performed for the first time on porous α-phase uranium and uranium with 10 wt. % zirconium (U-10Zr) samples. The samples of α-phase uranium and U-10Zr were fabricated from depleted uranium by spark plasma sintering and subjected to uniaxial compressive creep testing. Calculated stress exponents were found to be 2.6±1.6 and 5.7±1.4 for α-U and U-10Zr, respectively, and calculated activation energies were found to be 61.6±1.1kJ/mol for α-U. The creep data were also used to evaluate existing porosity inclusive in creep models.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS2026

List of Commercial and Advanced Developmental Niobium-Based Alloys of the Space Age

This report compiles a list of commercial and developmental niobium-based alloys developed during the Space Age (late 1950s through mid-1970s) for extreme-temperature applications, including rocket engine thrust chambers, hypersonic re-entry thermal protection systems, and space fission reactor loops. Niobium (Nb) was widely pursued because it provided the lowest density (~8.6 g/cc) among the primary refractory metals, a high melting temperature (~2470°C), exceptional low-temperature ductility, good formability, and compatibility with liquid alkali metals. An evaluation of physical metallurgy mechanisms, focusing on solid-solution strengthening via heavy refractory solutes (W, Mo, Ta), dual-purpose reactive solutes (Hf, Zr, Ti), and dispersion strengthening using carbides, nitrides, and oxides is presented. Additionally, the report compares Western and Soviet Union metallurgical approaches, explaining how supply chain factors and manufacturing infrastructure influenced element selection, interstitial chemistry, and alloy identification/naming conventions. Cataloging these historical alloy chemical compositions serves as a foundational reference for modern alloy additive manufacturing, thermodynamic CALPHAD modeling, and machine-learning discovery pipelines for next-generation extreme-environment niobium-based alloys.

Physical Metallurgy↗
NASA NTRS2003

Liquid Galvanic Coatings for Protection of Imbedded Metals

Coating compositions and methods of their use are described herein for the reduction of corrosion in imbedded metal structures. The coatings are applied as liquids to an external surface of a substrate in which the metal structures are imbedded. The coatings are subsequently allowed to dry. The liquid applied coatings provide galvanic protection to the imbedded metal structures. Continued protection can be maintained with periodic reapplication of the coating compositions, as necessary, to maintain electrical continuity. Because the coatings may be applied using methods similar to standard paints, and because the coatings are applied to external surfaces of the substrates in which the metal structures are imbedded, the corresponding corrosion protection may be easily maintained. The coating compositions are particularly useful in the protection of metal-reinforced concrete.

MacDowell, Louis G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The Role of the Interface in Refractory Metal Alloy Composites

Creep-rupture and tensile tests have been used to evaluate thoriated W-wire reinforced Nb-1 percent Zr alloy matrix composites fabricated via arc-spray monotape technique. A significant creep strength enhancement was observed over the unreinforced matrix alloy while matrix integrity was maintained; the fiber/matrix interface phase is noted to be a strong and ductile W/Nb alloy, which is formed due to the mutual solubility of the constituent metals. High strength, toughness, and thermal stability are demonstrated by this material system, which is also resistant to liquid alkali metal corrosion.

Grobstein, Toni↗
DOE OSTI2023

Composition and method embodiments for plating metal coatings

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a coating composition and a method of using the same for forming metal coatings on substrates. In particular embodiments, the coating composition comprises a deep eutectic solvent and/or an ionic liquid; a metal precursor; an alkali metal salt; and an optional additive component. The coating composition and method embodiments disclosed herein provide durable, even, high-surface area coatings on various types of substrates and also can be used at low temperatures.

Hubbard, Lance R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Catalytic combustion of coal-derived liquids

A noble metal catalytic reactor was tested with three grades of SRC 2 coal derived liquids, naphtha, middle distillate, and a blend of three parts middle distillate to one part heavy distillate. A petroleum derived number 2 diesel fuel was also tested to provide a direct comparison. The catalytic reactor was tested at inlet temperatures from 600 to 800 K, reference velocities from 10 to 20 m/s, lean fuel air ratios, and a pressure of 3 x 10 to the 5th power Pa. Compared to the diesel, the naphtha gave slightly better combustion efficiency, the middle distillate was almost identical, and the middle heavy blend was slightly poorer. The coal derived liquid fuels contained from 0.58 to 0.95 percent nitrogen by weight. Conversion of fuel nitrogen to NOx was approximately 75 percent for all three grades of the coal derived liquids.

Bulzan, D. L.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Compositions and methods for thermoelectric ceramics

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to thermoelectric ceramic oxide compositions comprising a CaMnO 3 ceramic. In a further aspect, the disclosed thermoelectric ceramic oxide compositions can dramatically increase the energy conversion efficiency of thermoelectric through a combination of modifying the chemistry of precursor materials, and simultaneously introducing a metal oxide liquid phase during sintering. In a further aspect, the present disclosure pertains to thermoelectric ceramic oxide compositions comprising a metal doped CaMnO 3 having with a metal oxide grain boundary phase; wherein the metal is selected from group 13, group 14, group 15, group 16, or a rare earth element. In a still further aspect, the disclosure relates to methods for making the thermoelectric ceramic oxide materials. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Song, Xueyan↗
DOE OSTI2022

Sulfide glass solid-state electrolyte separators for Li metal batteries: using an interlayer to increase rate performance and reduce stack pressure

We report on the solubility of (Li 2 S) 60 (SiS 2 ) x (P 2 S 5 ) 40–x , (0 ≤ x ≤ 40) sulfide glass solid-state electrolytes in the 1:1 (v/v) DME:DOL solvent mixture, a popular choice for lithium metal battery liquid electrolytes. SiS 2 -rich glasses within the compositional range of (Li 2 S) 60 (SiS 2 ) x (P 2 S 5 ) 40–x (28 ≤ x ≤ 40) were found to be functionally insoluble in DME:DOL. Hybrid symmetric test cells with a thin liquid electrolyte layer (0.6 M LiTFSI + 0.4 M LiNO 3 in 1:1 (v/v) DME:DOL) at the interface between lithium metal electrodes and an insoluble (Li 2 S) 60 (SiS 2 ) 28 (P 2 S 5 ) 12 glass wafer were tested. Hybrid test cells delivered a critical current density of 3.0 mA cm –2 at 25 °C and 0.1 MPa, which is nearly double the CCD of comparable dry symmetric test cells cycled at 10× higher stack pressure.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Simultaneous Capture and Conversion of CO 2 to Methanol via a Switchable Ionic Liquid and Low-Temperature Metal Catalyst (CRADA 449)

Advance development of the Integrated (Carbon Dioxide) CO 2 Capture and Conversion to Methanol (ICCCM) process, which is based on PNNL’s proprietary Carbon Dioxide Binding Organic Liquids (CO 2 BOLs) capture solvent technology for separating the CO 2 from dilute streams. Design, fabricate, and demonstrate a bench-scale ICCCM prototype for the continuous flow combined capture and catalytic conversion of CO 2 into methanol and assess viability for commercialization.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1991

Alkali metal compatibility testing of candidate heater head materials for a Stirling engine heat transport system

The authors describe work performed as part of the 25-kWe advanced Stirling conversion system project. Liquid alkali metal compatibility is being assessed in an ongoing test program to evaluate candidate heater head materials and fabrication processes at the temperatures and operating conditions required for Stirling engines. Specific materials under evaluation are alloy 713LC, alloy 713LC coated with nickel aluminide, and Udimet 720, each in combination with Waspaloy. The tests were run at a constant 700 C. A eutectic alloy of sodium and potassium (NaK) was the working fluid. Titanium sheet in the system was shown to be an effective oxygen getter. Metallographic and microchemical examination of material surfaces, joints, and their interfaces revealed little or no corrosion after 1000 h. Tests are in progress, with up to 10,000 h exposure.

Noble, Jack E.↗