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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 1,333 records · Page 74
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Radiative properties of an artificial atom coupled to a Josephson-junction array

We study the radiative properties—the Lamb shift, Purcell decay rate, and spontaneous emission dynamics—of an artificial atom coupled to a long, multimode cavity formed by an array of Josephson junctions. Introducing a tunable coupling element between the atom and the array, we demonstrate that such a system can exhibit a crossover from a perturbative to a nonperturbative regime of light-matter interaction as one strengthens the coupling between the atom and the Josephson-junction array. As a consequence, the concept of spontaneous emission as the occupation of the local atomic site being governed by a single complex-valued exponent breaks down. This breakdown, we show, can be interpreted in terms of formation of hybrid atom-resonator modes with radiative losses that are nontrivially related to the effective coupling between individual modes. We develop a singular function expansion approach for the description of the open quantum system dynamics in such a multimode nonperturbative regime. This modal framework generalizes the normal-mode description of quantum fields in a finite volume, incorporating exact radiative losses and incident quantum noise at the delimiting surface. Our results are pertinent to recent experiments with Josephson atoms coupled to high-impedance Josephson-junction arrays.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Constitutive Structural Parameter for the Work Hardening Behavior of Additively Manufactured Ti-6Al-4V

The mechanical behavior of Ti-6Al-4V produced by additive manufacturing processes is assessed based on a formulation developed from the Kocks-Mecking relationship. A constitutive parameter derived for the microstructure is characteristic of the work hardening behavior determined by the plastic strain between the proportional limit and the strength at the instability point. The varied plasticity behavior associated with surface and build direction effects can be evaluated with this approach as presented for the case of Ti-6Al-4V under uniaxial tension.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Advanced Diagnostics of Broad Spectrum Multipactor

Multipactor is a resonance event between electron emission and RF fields causing exponential secondary electron re-emission growth when the secondary electron yield of the primary electron impact energy exceeds unity. Multipactor is a serious problem in vacuum electron devices (VEDs) such as particle accelerators, radars, electronic warfare systems, directed energy devices, and even Hall effect thrusters. It also poses an even greater threat to space communication systems where high power, multi-channel links are required. The UC Davis and SLAC team will conduct basic research to advance the fundamental understanding of multipactor physics by developing and carrying out full spectrum, radio frequency (RF) laboratory tests aimed at understanding both single and two-surface multipactor phenomena and at evaluating novel multipactor mitigation approaches for accelerator, space-based RF systems, as well as high power microwave (HPM) applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Kilopower - Powering the Future of Space Exploration [Poster]

The Kilopower Project was initiated by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate to demonstrate subsystem-level technology readiness of small space fission power in a relevant environment (TRL 5) for space science and human exploration power needs. The Kilopower Project centerpiece is the Kilowatt Reactor Using Stirling Technology (KRUSTY) test, which consists of the development and testing of a ground technology demonstrator of a 1 kWe class fission power system. The technologies to be developed and validated by KRUSTY are extensible to space fission power systems from 1 to 10 kWe, which can enable modular surface fission power systems for human exploration, as well as higher power future potential deep space science missions.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Computational Characterization and Boundary Condition Models of a Jet Interaction Fluidic Oscillator

Fluidically oscillating jet actuators that generate sweeping jets when supplied with a pressurized fluid have been used to mitigate separation and reduce drag in a range of flow control applications. Their implementation in future flight vehicles would require fundamental understanding and accurate predictive techniques of the physics of their internal flow and jet formation. The present investigations focus on high-fidelity, time-accurate simulations to characterize the flow physics of the actuator in quiescent conditions. An important element of the present simulations is to demonstrate the ability of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver to predict the jet characteristics and provide a basis for the development of improved boundary conditions (BC) without entirely resolving the geometrical features of the fluidic device. The CFD-predicted oscillation frequencies of the engendered jets were found to be in excellent agreement with experiments, even on two-dimensional meshes. The study revealed that three-dimensional simulations are required to capture some of the flow features of the sweeping jet such as the double peak in time-averaged velocity distributions downstream of the actuator’s orifice that were measured in experiments. Furthermore, several approaches for modeling the actuator were implemented and assessed in quiescent conditions. The evaluation of a boundary condition at the device throat, based on the phase-averaged flow variables, provides the basis for devising surface-based boundary conditions. The influence and necessity of including turbulent characteristics as part of the boundary conditions have also been identified.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Induction heating cells with controllable thermal expansion of bladders and methods of using thereof

Disclosed herein are induction heating cells and methods of using these cells for processing. An induction heating cell may be used for processing (e.g., consolidating and/or curing a composite layup having a non-planar portion. The induction heating cell comprises a caul, configured to position over and conform to this non-planar portion. Furthermore, the cell comprises a mandrel, configured to position over the caul and force the caul again the surface of the feature. The CTE of the caul may be closer to the CTE of the composite layup than to the CTE of the mandrel. As such, the caul isolates the composite layup from the dimensional changes of the mandrel, driven by temperature fluctuations. At the same time, the caul may conform to the surface of the mandrel, which can be used to define the shape and transfer pressure to the non-planar portion.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Accelerating effects of galvanic corrosion and dissimilar materials on the corrosion of 316H in NaCl-MgCl2 salt

Corrosion of materials presents a significant challenge for the long-term operation of molten salt reactors. This study aims to identify the most effective techniques for evaluating the corrosion performance of materials in molten salts, with a focus on the effects of galvanic corrosion and dissimilar materials. A reliable testing methodology for assessing material corrosion in molten chloride salts has been successfully developed. The corrosion of Alloy 316H in molten NaCl-MgCl2 salt was found to be significantly accelerated by galvanic corrosion. Additionally, the presence of dissimilar materials resulted in a slight increase in the corrosion rate of Alloy 316H in NaCl-MgCl2 salt. Microstructural characterization was utilized to understand the corrosion behavior of test samples under different conditions. Common trends observed across samples include chromium depletion and iron enrichment near corroded surfaces. Molybdenum enrichment along grain boundaries and corrosion surfaces was also frequently noted.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Hole‐Carrier‐Dominant Transport in 2D Single‐Crystal Copper

Abstract In 2D noble metals like copper, the carrier scattering at grain boundaries has obscured the intrinsic nature of electronic transport. However, it is demonstrated that the intrinsic nature of transport by hole carriers in 2D copper can be revealed by growing thin films without grain boundaries. As even a slight deviation from the twin boundary is perceived as grain boundaries by electrons, it is only through the thorough elimination of grain boundaries that the hidden hole‐like attribute of 2D single‐crystal copper can be unmasked. Two types of Fermi surfaces, a large hexagonal Fermi surface centered at the zone center and the triangular Fermi surface around the zone corner, tightly matching to the calculated Fermi surface topology, confirmed by angle‐resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements and vivid nonlinear Hall effects of the 2D single‐crystal copper account for the presence of hole carriers experimentally. This breakthrough suggests the potential to manipulate the majority carrier polarity in metals by means of grain boundary engineering in a 2D geometry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Steam‐Assisted Selective CO 2 Hydrogenation to Ethanol over Ru−In Catalysts

Abstract Multicomponent catalysts can be designed to synergistically combine reaction intermediates at interfacial active sites, but restructuring makes systematic control and understanding of such dynamics challenging. We here unveil how reducibility and mobility of indium oxide species in Ru‐based catalysts crucially control the direct, selective conversion of CO 2 to ethanol. When uncontrolled, reduced indium oxide species occupy the Ru surface, leading to deactivation. With the addition of steam as a mild oxidant and using porous polymer layers to control In mobility, Ru−In 2 O 3 interface sites are stabilized, and ethanol can be produced with superior overall selectivity (70 %, rest CO). Our work highlights how engineering of bifunctional active ensembles enables cooperativity and synergy at tailored interfaces, which unlocks unprecedented performance in heterogeneous catalysts.

Zhou, Chengshuang↗
DOE OSTI2024

Steam-Assisted Selective CO 2 Hydrogenation to Ethanol over Ru–In Catalysts

Multicomponent catalysts can be designed to synergistically combine reaction intermediates at interfacial active sites, but restructuring makes systematic control and understanding of such dynamics challenging. In this work, we unveil how reducibility and mobility of indium oxide species in Ru-based catalysts crucially control the direct, selective conversion of CO 2 to ethanol. When uncontrolled, reduced indium oxide species occupy the Ru surface, leading to deactivation. With the addition of steam as a mild oxidant and using porous polymer layers to control In mobility, Ru–In 2 O 3 interface sites are stabilized, and ethanol can be produced with superior overall selectivity (70 %, rest CO). Our work highlights how engineering of bifunctional active ensembles enables cooperativity and synergy at tailored interfaces, which unlocks unprecedented performance in heterogeneous catalysts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Construction of Fluorine- and Piperazine-Engineered Covalent Triazine Frameworks Towards Enhanced Dual-Ion Positive Electrode Performance

Organic positive electrodes featuring lightweight, and tunable energy storage modes by molecular structure engineering have promising application prospects in dual-ion batteries. Herein, a series of highly porous covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) were synthesized under ionothermal conditions using fluorinated aromatic nitrile monomers containing a piperazine ring. Fluorinated monomers can result in more defects in CTFs, leading to a higher surface area up to 2515 m 2 /g and a higher N content of 11.34 wt% compared to the products from the non-fluorinated monomer. The high surface area and abundant redox sites of these CTFs afforded high specific capacities (up to 279 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g), excellent rate performance (89 mAh/g at 5 A/g), and durable cycling performance (92.3% retention rate after 500 cycles at 2.0 A g -1 ) as dual-ion positive electrodes

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Cell alignment by smectic liquid crystal elastomer coatings with nanogrooves

Control of cells behavior through topography of substrates is a vital theme in biomedical applications. Among many materials used as substrates, polymers show advantages since they can be tailored by chemical functionalization. Fabrication of polymer substrates with nano- and microscale topography requires processing by lithography, microprinting, etching, etc. In this work, we present a different approach based on anisotropic elastic properties of polymerized smectic A (SmA) liquid crystal elastomer (LCE). When the SmA liquid crystal coating is deposited onto a substrate with planar alignment of the molecules, it develops nanogrooves at its free surface. After photopolymerization, these nanogrooves show an excellent ability to align human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) over large areas. The alignment quality is good for both bare SmA LCE substrates and for substrates coated with fibronectin. The SmA LCE nano-topographies show a high potential for tissue engineering.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Stabilization and manipulation of highly concentrated copper single atoms by high entropy oxides

Facile and controllable methodologies capable of providing single atom catalysts (SACs) with high-density active metal sites and sintering-resistance under harsh conditions are highly desired and grand challenges in heterogeneous catalysis. Herein, the entropy effect was leveraged to stabilize and manipulate the electronic properties of copper SACs. The as-developed ultrasonication-driven approach could integrate highly concentrated Cu SAs within the lattice of fluorite-structured high entropy oxide (HEFO) under ambient conditions (CuO-HEFO). The dual benefits from the high entropy effect of the support and the in-situ lattice engineering led to the generation of abundant Cu 1+ species and oxygen defects, together with ultra-high stability and sintering-resistance under extremely harsh conditions. This was confirmed by deploying non-high entropy support (CuO-CeO 2 ) or Cu sites located on the surface of HEFO (CuO@HEFO). In conclusion, the catalytic activity of CuO-HEFO surpassed that of CuO-CeO 2 and CuO@HEFO in CO oxidation together with well-maintained long-term stability and resistance to gas impurities.

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

Reactive boride infusion stabilizes Ni-rich cathodes for lithium-ion batteries

Engineered polycrystalline electrodes are critical to the cycling stability and safety of lithium-ion batteries, yet it is challenging to construct high-quality coatings at both the primary- and secondary-particle levels. Here, we present a room-temperature synthesis route to achieve full surface coverage of secondary particles and facile infusion into grain boundaries, thus offering a complete “coating-plus-infusion” strategy. Cobalt boride metallic glass is successfully applied to Ni-rich layered cathode LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 . Here, it dramatically improves the rate capability and cycling stability, including under high-discharge-rate and elevated-temperature conditions and in pouch full cells. The superior performance originates from simultaneous suppression of microstructural degradation of intergranular cracking and side reactions with electrolyte. Atomistic simulations identified the critical role of strong selective interfacial bonding, which offers not only a large chemical driving force to ensure uniform reactive wetting and facile infusion but also lowered the surface/interface oxygen activity, contributing to the exceptional mechanical and electrochemical stabilities of the infused electrode.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Tunable assembly of hybrid colloids induced by regioselective depletion

Assembling colloidal particles using site-selective directional interactions into predetermined colloidal superlattices with desired properties is broadly sought-after, but challenging to achieve. Here in this paper, we exploit regioselective depletion interactions to engineer the directional bonding and assembly of non-spherical colloidal hybrid microparticles. We report that the crystallization of a binary colloidal mixture can be regulated by tuning the depletion conditions. Subsequently, we fabricate triblock biphasic colloids with controlled aspect ratios to achieve regioselective bonding. Without any surface treatment, these biphasic colloids assemble into various colloidal superstructures and superlattices featuring optimized pole-to-pole or center-to-center interactions. Additionally, we observe polymorphic crystallization, quantify the abundancy of each form using algorithms we developed, and investigate the crystallization process in real time. We demonstrate selective control of attractive interactions between specific regions on an anisotropic colloid with no need of site-specific surface functionalization, leading to a general method for achieving colloidal structures with yet unforeseen arrangements and properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Genomic characterization of rare earth binding by Shewanella oneidensis

Abstract Rare earth elements (REE) are essential ingredients of sustainable energy technologies, but separation of individual REE is one of the hardest problems in chemistry today. Biosorption, where molecules adsorb to the surface of biological materials, offers a sustainable alternative to environmentally harmful solvent extractions currently used for separation of rare earth elements (REE). The REE-biosorption capability of some microorganisms allows for REE separations that, under specialized conditions, are already competitive with solvent extractions, suggesting that genetic engineering could allow it to leapfrog existing technologies. To identify targets for genomic improvement we screened 3,373 mutants from the whole genome knockout collection of the known REE-biosorbing microorganism Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. We found 130 genes that increased biosorption of the middle REE europium, and 112 that reduced it. We verified biosorption changes from the screen for a mixed solution of three REE (La, Eu, Yb) using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in solution conditions with a range of ionic strengths and REE concentrations. We identified 18 gene ontologies and 13 gene operons that make up key systems that affect biosorption. We found, among other things, that disruptions of a key regulatory component of the arc system ( hptA ), which regulates cellular response to anoxic environments and polysaccharide biosynthesis related genes ( wbpQ , wbnJ , SO_3183 ) consistently increase biosorption across all our solution conditions. Our largest total biosorption change comes from our SO_4685 , a capsular polysaccharide (CPS) synthesis gene, disruption of which results in an up to 79% increase in biosorption; and nusA, a transcriptional termination/anti-termination protein, disruption of which results in an up to 35% decrease in biosorption. Knockouts of glnA , pyrD , and SO_3183 produce small but significant increases (≈ 1%) in relative biosorption affinity for ytterbium over lanthanum in multiple solution conditions tested, while many other genes we explored have more complex binding affinity changes. Modeling suggests that while these changes to lanthanide biosorption selectivity are small, they could already reduce the length of repeated enrichment process by up to 27%. This broad exploratory study begins to elucidate how genetics affect REE-biosorption by S. oneidensis , suggests new areas of investigation for better mechanistic understanding of the membrane chemistry involved in REE binding, and offer potential targets for improving biosorption and separation of REE by genetic engineering.

Medin, Sean↗
DOE OSTI2023

MODELING AND OPTIMIZATION OF A PCM-BASED OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY HARVESTER FOR POWERING UNMANNED UNDERWATER VEHICLES

As oceans cover over 70% of the planet’s surface, they represent a large reservoir of resources that remained vastly untapped. Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) are becoming key technology for ocean exploration. Ocean thermal gradient is a permanent and reliable energy source that can be used to power UUVs using phase change material (PCM)-based thermal engines. However, the main drawback of this technology is its low conversion efficiency. When using PCM-based thermal engines to power UUVs, there are different energy conversion stages, thermal-hydraulic, hydraulic-kinetic, kinetic-electrical, dependent of a wide variety of parameters. Thus, optimization of the overall energy conversion is still a challenge for powering the increasing energy demanding UUVs for long missions. The goal of this study is to propose a PCM-based ocean thermal energy harvesting system for powering the Solo II float. Using the ocean thermal energy reduces the cost for battery replacement and expands the float’s mission time. For this purpose, we developed a multiphysics model for a system consisting of thermal material, hydraulic, and electrical systems. This system is designed to provide the electrical power needed for the instruments aboard the underwater vehicle. The models of the hydraulic and the electric systems are implemented in MATLAB-Simulink/Simscape environment. The final model developed can provide 13.66 kJ of electrical energy, which is more than 1.5 times the energy requirement per cycle for the SOLO II float.

Ouro-Koura, Habilou↗