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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 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Operational optimization for multi-functional charging station with electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles

The rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs), combined with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, has accelerated the development of EV charging and hydrogen refueling stations. In response to this demand, this paper introduces the concept of Multi-Functional Charging Station (MFCS) that integrates power generation, EV charging, battery swapping, and hydrogen refueling. A comprehensive operational model is developed for the MFCS that couples electricity and hydrogen conversion and storage technologies to enhance infrastructure utilization and improve overall system efficiency. The model also considers multiple revenue streams, including participation in energy and ancillary markets. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed model and evaluate its performance, a series of numerical experiments are conducted with different charger numbers, different electricity purchase limits, and different charger allocations. Numerical results demonstrate that shared charger configurations can lead to 8.11 % improvement in operational profit by improving resource utilization and reducing the number of depleted batteries at the end of operations compared to allocated charger setups. By varying the number of chargers, sensitivity analysis identifies diminishing marginal returns beyond about 45 chargers, suggesting it as an optimal sizing point under current settings. The integration of electricity and hydrogen conversion is also explored under scenarios with limited external electricity purchases. In conclusion, these findings indicate that optimizing charger allocation and energy management can significantly enhance station productivity and profitability, ultimately supporting the broader adoption of electrified and hydrogen-based transportation solutions.

Charging station↗
NASA NTRS1981

Advanced dc motor controller for battery-powered electric vehicles

A motor generation set is connected to run from the dc source and generate a voltage in the traction motor armature circuit that normally opposes the source voltage. The functional feasibility of the concept is demonstrated with tests on a Proof of Principle System. An analog computer simulation is developed, validated with the results of the tests, applied to predict the performance of a full scale Functional Model dc Controller. The results indicate high efficiencies over wide operating ranges and exceptional recovery of regenerated energy. The new machine integrates both motor and generator on a single two bearing shaft. The control strategy produces a controlled bidirectional plus or minus 48 volts dc output from the generator permitting full control of a 96 volt dc traction motor from a 48 volt battery, was designed to control a 20 hp traction motor. The controller weighs 63.5 kg (140 lb.) and has a peak efficiency of 90% in random driving modes and 96% during the SAE J 227a/D driving cycle.

Belsterling, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

NASA's Office of Aeronautics and Exploration Technology space power flight projects

NASA created a program called In-STEP (in-space technology experiments program) to give the aerospace community an opportunity to validate advanced technologies in space. In-STEP has funded feasibility studies for the following experiments in the power technology arena: a microsphere insulation investigation, a utilized regenerative fuel cell experiment, an inflatable solar collector experiment, a moving belt radiator experiment, and a liquid drop radiator experiment. The following experiments are currently in the experiment definition phase: an integrated two-phase thermal experiment, an electrolysis performance experiment, and a sodium sulfur battery experiment. Three In-STEP experiments are entering the hardware fabrication phase: thermal energy storage technology, solar array module plasma interaction, and heat pipe performance experiments. Each of these experiments is described, with an emphasis on the benefits of technology validation.

Chmielewski, Art B.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Full Cell Diagnostics and Validation to Achieving High Cycle Life

This presentation covers work to be presented at the 2024 VTO Annual Merit Review in June 2024 for the Battery500 project. The presentation will cover work related to aging in Li metal batteries. All content will have been submitted for publication, published or be appropriate for public release prior to June. This presentation compiles information from other presentations.

25 - ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Lithium Dendrite-Free Li 7 N 2 I-LiOH Solid Electrolytes for High Energy Lithium Batteries

All-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) hold great potential to improve the safety and energy density of today’s lithium-ion batteries by using non-flammable inorganic solid electrolytes. Solid electrolytes (SEs) are believed to prevent Li dendrite growth because of high mechanical strength and high Li+ transference numbers. Significant advances in SE have been achieved, among which, Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) and Li2S–P2S5 (LPS) are the most promising SEs for bulk-type solid-state lithium batteries because of high ionic conductivities (>10-4 S/cm2). However, in contrast to our expectations, the growth of lithium dendrites is not suppressed but is facilitated in LLZOs and LPSs regardless of dopants, porosity, and crystallinity of the electrolytes. Despite the unity Li transference number and over two-times of shear modulus than that of Li metal, the critical current densities for Li plating and stripping in these SEs are less than 1.0 mA cm-2, which is one-fourth to one-tenth of that in liquid electrolytes at room temperature. The incompatibility between LLZO and LPS with Li metal seriously limits the energy density of all-solid-state batteries. The mechanism for lithium dendrite formation and growth in SEs are still disputable. Lack of understanding of the Li dendrite formation mechanism seriously impeded the development of solid-state lithium batteries. The development of the criterion for Li dendrite suppression is essential for the success of solid electrolyte lithium batteries. In this project, a criterion for Li dendrite suppression will be developed through thermodynamics and kinetics analysis of lithium dendrite nucleation/growth, which will guide the solid-state electrolyte design. Li7N2I-LiOH, Li5NI2-LiOH and Li3YCl6 solid electrolyte with high ionic conductivity and low electronic conductivity were used to validate the criterion for lithium dendrite suppression. Different surface modifications were also explored to enhance the dendrite suppression capability of SSEs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Phase instability-coupled fracture behavior in garnet LLZO solid electrolytes: a machine learning-enabled atomistic study

Fracture in the garnet-type solid electrolyte Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 (LLZO) poses a critical threat to both the performance and safety of solid-state batteries. To unravel the coupled chemomechanical processes that govern fracture in LLZO under external loading, we carry out large-scale molecular-dynamics simulations with a validated machine-learning force field. Our results demonstrate that triaxial stresses at crack flanks trigger a localized cubic-to-tetragonal phase transformation, which is accompanied by Li-ion rearrangement. The emergent tetragonal domains feature lattice contraction normal to the fracture plane, imposing coherent misfit strains that provide an additional driving force for further crack propagation. Crucially, introducing Li deficiencies stabilizes the cubic phase, postponing the phase transition and thereby delaying fracture initiation. These findings highlight the role of intrinsic phase instability in dictating LLZO's fracture resistance and its critical connection to local Li concentration. This chemomechanical coupling points toward targeted strategies to enhance the mechanical robustness of garnet electrolytes, including tuning Li content, ensuring dopant homogeneity, and refining processing protocols.

Materials science↗
NASA NTRS1982

OAO-3 end of mission power subsystem evaluation

End of mission tests were performed on the OAO-3 power subsystem in three component areas: solar array, nickel-cadmium batteries and the On-Board Processor (OBP) power boost operation. Solar array evaluation consisted of analyzing array performance characteristics and comparing them to earlier flight data. Measured solar array degradation of 14.1 to 17.7% after 8 1/3 years is in good agreement with theortical radiation damage losses. Battery discharge characteristics were compared to results of laboratory life cycle tests performed on similar cells. Comparison of cell voltage profils reveals close correlation and confirms the validity of real time life cycle simulation. The successful operation of the system in the OBP/power boost regulation mode demonstrates the excellent life, reliability and greater system utilization of power subsystems using maximum power trackers.

Tasevoli, M.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cross-scale modeling and experimental integration for advancing cathode electrolyte interphase studies in high energy density lithium-ion batteries

Electrochemical interfaces are critical to the performance and durability of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The solid electrode-electrolyte interphase (SEI and CEI) structures that form during cycling can passivate reactive surfaces, ensuring safe operation, but also may contribute to performance degradation. Understanding the microscopic factors influencing interphase formation, growth, and evolution is essential for balanced battery design. While significant research has focused on the anode-electrolyte interphase (SEI), the cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) remains less explored, despite its importance in high-voltage and advanced battery technologies. Challenges in conducting in-situ or operando experiments arise from the occluded nature of these interfaces and the long timescales involved, often leading to biased interpretations. A validated multi-scale, multi-physics modeling approach, integrated with advanced characterization techniques, can effectively elucidate the intrinsic stability of electrolyte and cathode surfaces, the impact of chemical heterogeneity, and the role of microstructural features on CEI performance. In conclusion, this article reviews current modeling and simulation strategies for studying CEI in advanced LIBs and highlights opportunities for future methodological advancements and experimental integration.

Cathode-electrolyte interphase↗
DOE OSTI2026

Fast, Controllable, and Modular Solid-State Circuit Breaker Design for Battery Management Systems

Electric power grid is experiencing a growing number of distributed and inertia-free generation resources. To facilitate the growing generation and load demands, and ensure stable operation, energy storage systems, especially behind-themeter-storage (BTMS), have emerged as a potential candidate. BTMS plays a vital role in the grid storage sector and supports high power charging for EVs. However, the potential of thermal runaway and associated safety concerns in the batteries can hamper their widespread adoption. In this work, we provide a solution for a fast and controllable discharge of a cell that was identified as a stressful/faulty, in the battery pack, and fast circuit breaking leveraging the Solid-State Circuit Breaker (SSCB) technology which provides active control over the cell connection as opposed to conventional passive solutions. Testing on the simulation platform successfully validated the concept, demonstrating its efficacy. Controlled discharge testing with 20Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cells from 1C-10C current rate on the hardware prototype corroborated simulation results, demonstrating design feasibility and providing essential data for its performance and thermal characteristics, while also revealing limitations that inform areas for further optimization.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
NASA NTRS2018

Development and Use of the SPACE Computer Code for Analyzing the Space Station Electrical Power System

This special publication tells the story of the dedicated efforts of very talented individuals to create a preeminent space electrical power system modeling and simulation tool called SPACE, short for System Power Analysis for Capability Evaluation. This computer model has evolved for 30 years, withstanding the test of time and obsolescence, and garnering international recognition for its ability to simulate complex space electrical power systems. The analytical results from this model have saved millions of dollars in hardware redesign, testing, and verification for NASA's International Space Station (ISS) and its European and Russian partners. SPACE has played a pivotal role in the station's design and development and continues to support its ongoing operation. It has also extended its reach beyond the ISS to other key NASA programs, where it guides the design and planned operation of NASA's Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Orion and simulates electric power system operation in a dusty atmosphere on Mars' surface. The SPACE lineage was created by a core civil servant staff, supplemented by a cadre of interns and other temporary helpers. They created a tightly integrated tool that includes all phenomena that impact a solar array and battery space power system performance. SPACE is self-contained, requiring no other software modules and associated license fees. SPACE "rings true" in that is has been extensively validated with ISS on-orbit telemetry data. This report is being released as the generation of engineers who created it are nearing retirement, passing the baton to a new generation. This next generation will carry the code into the future, no doubt further evolving it to be able to assure mission planners that newly conceived systems will successfully power NASA's next endeavors. As a previous SPACE code developer and analyst, I have worked alongside many of the people mentioned in this report. The engineers who created the code, along with those just now learning it, are among the best and brightest at NASA. It is an honor to write this foreword as the present Branch Chief under which the legacy of SPACE continues to thrive.

Electrical Power System↗
DOE OSTI2024

Formation and Detriments of Residual Alkaline Compounds on High-Nickel Layered Oxide Cathodes

High-nickel layered oxides LiNi x M 1-x O 2 (x ≥ 0.9) have emerged as promising cathode materials for automotive batteries due to their high energy density and lower cost. However, the formation and accumulation of surface alkaline compounds during storage hinder their mass production and commercialization. Here, in this study, a validated chemical method is employed to deconvolute and quantify the evolution of each residual lithium compound in four representative cathodes during ambient-air storage, viz., LiNiO 2 (LNO), LiNi 0.95 Co 0.05 O 2 (NC), LiNi 0.95 Mn 0.05 O 2 (NM), and LiNi 0.95 Al 0.05 O 2 (NA). Furthermore, the activation energy of the reaction between water and the cathode is determined by measuring the leached LiOH concentration at various temperatures. While residual lithium and time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry measurements collectively reveal that the air stability overall follows the trend of NM > NA ≈ NC > LNO, the aged NM exhibits the highest charge-transfer resistance and the worst electrochemical performance among the cathodes. In situ, X-ray diffraction and scanning transmission electron microscopy unveil that the aged NM is plagued by a large area of resistive spinel-like M 3–x Li x O 4 phases, leading to aggravated particle reaction heterogeneity. Finally, a one-step recalcination method is demonstrated effective in fully restoring the degraded cathodes. This work provides insights into overcoming air sensitivity issues of high-Ni cathodes.

(S)TEM↗
DOE OSTI2026

Plasticizer-Free Gradient-Crosslinked Polyurethane Electrolyte for Room-Temperature Solid-State Lithium Batteries

Polymer-based solid-state electrolytes are promising for next-generation lithium metal batteries, yet their limited ionic conductivity and mechanical stability at ambient conditions remain key challenges. Herein, we report a novel gradient crosslinked polymer electrolyte (PU/PUA/PU) synthesized via a sequential in situ UV-curing process that integrates a mechanically robust polyurethane acrylate (PUA) core with soft linear polyurethane (PU) interfaces. This all-solid membrane operates without any liquid plasticizer and the interfacial PU layers ensure low interfacial resistance and intimate electrode contact, while the PUA core provides enhanced dimensional stability and dendrite suppression. As a result, the gradient electrolyte delivers an impressive ∼2.6 × 10 −4 S cm −1 ionic conductivity at 25 °C (two orders of magnitude higher than conventional PEO) and remains electrochemically stable >5 V (vs Li + /Li). Structural analysis confirms the formation of a well-defined crosslinked network with suppressed crystallinity and expanded interchain spacing. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) further validate these properties. When applied in a Li||NMC811 cell, the PU/PUA/PU electrolyte delivers stable cycling with high capacity at both 60 °C and 25 °C, demonstrating its potential for room-temperature solid-state battery applications without reliance on plasticizers or heating. In conclusion, this gradient design offers a practical path toward ambient-condition operation of solid-state lithium batteries, providing a paradigm for overcoming the traditional trade-off between ionic conductivity and mechanical robustness.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS2012

Advanced Lithium-ion Batteries with High Specific Energy and Improved Safety for Nasa's Missions

High Energy Materials ( Cathodes, anodes and high voltage and safe electrolyte are required to meet the needs of the future space missions. A. Cathodes: The layered layered composites of of Li2MnO3 and LiMO2 are promising Power capability of the materials, however requires further improvement. Suitable morphology is critical for good performance and high tap (packing) density. Surface coatings help in the interfacial kinetics and stability. B. Electrolytes: Small additions of Flame Retardant Additives improves flammability without affecting performance (Rate and cycle life). 1.0 M in EC+EMC+TPP was shown to have good performance against the high voltage cathode; Performance demonstrated in large capacity prototype MCMB- LiNiCoO2 Cells. Formulations with higher proportions are looking promising. Still requires further validation through abuse tests (e.g., on 18650 cells).

NASA Missions↗
DOE OSTI2024

Discrete-Element and Material-Point Method (DEM and MPM) Based Solvers for Sustainable Technologies

We present the use of discrete element method (DEM) and material point method (MPM) in three relevant green technology applications that include biomass feedstock handling, lithium-ion battery manufacturing, and high-pressure reverse osmosis. Our open-source DEM and MPM solvers are developed using performance portable grid and particle management library, AMReX, thus enabling superior performance on NVIDIA and AMD GPUs with > 100 million particles. Our DEM solver resolves the motion of individual particles in a granular system and includes a bonded sphere method for modeling non-spherical particles along with Hertzian and liquid bridge-based contact models. We simulate highly variable biomass feedstock flows in large-scale hoppers for biofuel production and electrode calendering in battery manufacturing using DEM. Our simulations predict flow blockage in large scale biomass hoppers and electrode microstructure variations, thus providing valuable information for biofuel and battery manufacturers, respectively. The second half of the talk will be on MPM and its application towards pore resolved simulations of reverse osmosis membranes under compressive loads. We present a validation study of our MPM simulations with membrane microscopy imaging thus providing useful insights on membrane stability under high pressure conditions. We also present a spectral stability analysis of using linear hat, quadratic and cubic spline basis in MPM indicating regions of numerical stability.

BIOMASS FUELS,MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Insights Into Thermal Runaway Mechanisms: Fast Tomography Analysis of Metal Agglomerates in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Thermal Runaway (TR) in lithium-ion batteries (LIB) is a critical technological and social concern. Whilst such events are rare, TR is characterized by uncontrollable heating leading to catastrophic failures. To deepen the understanding of the failure process and subsequently develop more accurate TR prediction models and as a result safer battery systems, we present in this work high-speed X-ray tomography for in-depth investigations of the copper current collector melting and agglomeration during TR. The melting process presents valuable real-time internal information about heat evolution during TR, previously challenging to access but crucially important for validating TR models. In this work, controlled failure studies combined with high-speed X-ray tomography were performed on two different commercial LIB models, subjecting them to both external heating and nail penetration to induce TR. Through real-time observation via high-speed tomography, followed by segmentation, rendering, and analysis, the formation of copper agglomerates was qualitatively and quantitatively characterized and visualized for the first time. Agglomerates tended to form either from the battery's outermost layers or centrally, depending on the method of TR initiation, and gives an indirect insight into the internal temperature evolution and distribution. Moreover, an initial comparative analysis between the battery models also revealed differences in agglomerate size, which has been linked to the thicker copper current collectors of one of the cell models. We further discuss the impact of larger copper agglomerates on heat distribution and safety. This study not only sheds light on the intricate dynamics of TR in LIBs but also underscores the pivotal role of 'gold-standard' imaging techniques in advancing battery safety, crucial for the robust modeling of TR and the future design of electric vehicle safety systems.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1980

A new controller for battery-powered electric vehicles

This paper describes the development, under a NASA/DOE contract, of a new concept for efficient and reliable control of battery-powered vehicles. It avoids the detrimental effects of pulsed-power controllers like the SCR 'chopper' by using rotating machines to meter continuous currents to the traction motor. The concept is validated in a proof-of-principle demonstration system and a complete vehicle is simulated on an analog computer. Test results show exceptional promise for a full-scale system. Optimum control strategies to minimize controller weight are developed by means of the simulated vehicle. The design for an Engineering Model is then prepared in the form of a practical, compact two-bearing package with forced air cooling. Predicted performance is outstanding, with controller efficiency of over 90% at high speed.

Belsterling, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Portable, Low-Cost, Column Carbon Dioxide and Methane Measurements for Validating Satellite Observations in Remote Locations

We present a low-cost (~$10K per instrument), portable solution to ground-based validation of satellite observations for difficult to reach locations with precisions of 1 ppm XCO2 and 10 ppb XCH4 for hourly data products. While Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) is the gold-standard for ground validation, there are locations where a ground column validation data point would be useful but conditions are not conducive to a permanent station. Examples include wetlands, thawing permafrost, the tropics, the Amazon, sub-Saharan Africa, as well as locations without a power grid or with geopolitical conflict. In addition, the low-cost and portability mean a geographical region can be studied in depth with multiple instruments. This passive, sun-pointing instrument is a miniaturized, laser heterodyne radiometer (mini-LHR) that has been under development by our team since 2009. It can be operated either in tandem with AERONET (a global network of 500 instruments that measure aerosol optical depth), or as a stand-alone instrument with a low-cost (~$3K), light-weight sun tracker. One of the main benefits of the mini-LHR is that it can quickly reach remote locations and provide a validation measurement even if there is limited or no infrastructure at the site. The instrument weighs ~10 lbs, fits into a backpack, and is powered by two folding solar panels and a battery pack. In clear conditions, the instrument can be set-up in under an hour. Portability means that mini-LHRs can be easily moved for side-by-side comparisons with other mini-LHRs and with TCCON which simplifies assessing instrument bias as well as accuracy. Like TCCON, the mini-LHR points directly at the sun with a narrow field-of-view and is its insensitivity to cloud and aerosol scattering that is common to nadir-pointing passive satellite approaches. Here we present a collection of sample data sets to demonstrate performance from locations that vary in climate, altitude, solar zenith angle, hours of sun per day, etc., as well as data from side-by-side TCCON comparisons. Retrievals of CO2 and CH4 were completed using the NASA/Goddard's Planetary Spectrum Generator (PSG) that incorporates meteorological inputs from Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) data set.

Wilson, Emily W.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Preliminary Results Using Galvanic Vestibular Reduction as a Non-Pharmaceutical Tool for Motion Sickness Mitigation

Introduction: Alterations in vestibular sensory processing following G-transitions lead to motion sickness and spatial disorientation upon return to Earth’s gravity. The use of non-pharmaceutical mitigation for motion sickness has several potential advantages over drug treatment options. The purpose of this study was to validate a non-pharmaceutical tool using galvanic vestibular reduction (GVR) to mitigate G-transitional induced motion sickness and spatial disorientation. Methods: Using a repeated measures counter-balanced design, motion sickness and perception are obtained during Coriolis cross-coupling stimuli on a rotating chair across three GVR treatment interventions: throughout stimulus testing (prevention), following symptom onset (rescue), and placebo control. Subjects perform up to 10 sets of pitch head movements during constant rotation. For each set, head movement is cued every 10 seconds, alternating between pitch forward (chin resting to chest) and pitch backward (head upright) for a total of 7 forward and backward movements. During each head movement, subjects are asked to use a joystick to record the magnitude of their perceived rotation along all three axes. During the 2-minute pause between sets, motion sickness symptom scoring was obtained using the Pensacola Diagnostic Index and subject discomfort (0-20) ratings. Performance on a sensorimotor and cognitive test battery is measured during a fourth session to map changes in GVR level with functional performance. Results: Fifteen of 30 subjects have completed testing to date. Preliminary findings suggest GVR may be more effective in reducing symptoms in subjects who self-report less susceptibility on a pre-test motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire. Based on the joystick measures, GVR significantly reduces both the magnitude (mean 22% - 34%) and duration (mean 42% - 49%) of perceived roll and pitch sensation with head movements during constant rotation. It is important to note that comparable levels of GVR (up to 2.5mA) does not impair performance on a functional test battery including mobility and balance tasks. Discussion: Our preliminary findings suggest GVR may be useful in reducing disorienting roll and pitch illusions associated with Coriolis cross-coupling stimuli. While transfer to post-flight treatment will need to be validated, the potential advantages of our non-pharmaceutical countermeasure approach would be to provide rapid therapeutic effect while allowing continuous titration of GVR amplitude during recovery to maintain operational performance.

Gaurav Pradhan↗