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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 1,477 records · Page 82
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Controllable film densification and interface flatness for high-performance amorphous indium oxide based thin film transistors

To avoid the problem of air sensitive and wet-etched Zn and/or Ga contained amorphous oxide transistors, we propose an alternative amorphous semiconductor of indium silicon tungsten oxide as the channel material for thin film transistors. In this study, we employ the material to reveal the relation between the active thin film and the transistor performance with aid of x-ray reflectivity study. By adjusting the pre-annealing temperature, we find that the film densification and interface flatness between the film and gate insulator are crucial for achieving controllable high-performance transistors. The material and findings in the study are believed helpful for realizing controllable high-performance stable transistors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Electrochemical strain microscopy time spectroscopy: Model and experiment on LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4}

Electrochemical Strain Microscopy (ESM) can provide useful information on ionic diffusion in solids at the local scale. In this work, a finite element model of ESM measurements was developed and applied to commercial lithium manganese (III,IV) oxide (LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4}) particles. ESM time spectroscopy was used, where a direct current (DC) voltage pulse locally disturbs the spatial distribution of mobile ions. After the pulse is off, the ions return to equilibrium at a rate which depends on the Li diffusivity in the material. At each stage, Li diffusivity is monitored by measuring the ESM response to a small alternative current (AC) voltage simultaneously applied to the tip. The model separates two different mechanisms, one linked to the response to DC bias and another one related to the AC excitation. It is argued that the second one is not diffusion-driven but is rather a contribution of the sum of several mechanisms with at least one depending on the lithium ion concentration explaining the relaxation process. With proper fitting of this decay, diffusion coefficients of lithium hosts could be extracted. Additionally, the effect of phase transition in LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} is taken into account, explaining some experimental observations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

The metabolic origins of non-photorespiratory CO 2 release during photosynthesis: a metabolic flux analysis

Respiration in the light (R L ) releases CO 2 in photosynthesizing leaves and is a phenomenon that occurs independently from photorespiration. Since R L lowers net carbon fixation, understanding R L could help improve plant carbon-use efficiency and models of crop photosynthesis. Although R L was identified more than 75 years ago, its biochemical mechanisms remain unclear. To identify reactions contributing to R L , we mapped metabolic fluxes in photosynthesizing source leaves of the oilseed crop and model plant camelina (Camelina sativa). We performed a flux analysis using isotopic labeling patterns of central metabolites during 13 CO 2 labeling time course, gas exchange, and carbohydrate production rate experiments. To quantify the contributions of multiple potential CO 2 sources with statistical and biological confidence, we increased the number of metabolites measured and reduced biological and technical heterogeneity by using single mature source leaves and quickly quenching metabolism by directly injecting liquid N 2 ; we then compared the goodness-of-fit between these data and data from models with alternative metabolic network structures and constraints. Our analysis predicted that R L releases 5.2 μmol CO2 g –1 FW h –1 of CO 2 , which is relatively consistent with a value of 9.3 μmol CO 2 g –1 FW h –1 measured by CO 2 gas exchange. The results indicated that ≤10% of R L results from TCA cycle reactions, which are widely considered to dominate R L . Further analysis of the results indicated that oxidation of glucose-6-phosphate to pentose phosphate via 6-phosphogluconate (the G6P/OPP shunt) can account for >% of CO 2 released by R L .

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Mechanism-based classification of PAH mixtures to predict carcinogenic potential

We have previously shown that relative potency factors and DNA adduct measurements are inadequate for predicting carcinogenicity of certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and PAH mixtures, particularly those that function through alternate pathways or exhibit greater promotional activity compared to benzo[ a ]pyrene (BaP). Therefore, we developed a pathway based approach for classification of tumor outcome after dermal exposure to PAH/mixtures. FVB/N mice were exposed to dibenzo[ def,p ]chrysene (DBC), BaP or environmental PAH mixtures (Mix 1-3) following a two-stage initiation/promotion skin tumor protocol. Resulting tumor incidence could be categorized by carcinogenic potency as DBC>>BaP=Mix2=Mix3>Mix1=Control, based on statistical significance. Gene expression profiles measured in skin of mice collected 12 h post-initiation were compared to tumor outcome for identification of short-term bioactivity profiles. A Bayesian integration model was utilized to identify biological pathways predictive of PAH carcinogenic potential during initiation. Integration of probability matrices from four enriched pathways (p<0.05) for DNA damage, apoptosis, response to chemical stimulus and interferon gamma signaling resulted in the highest classification accuracy with leave-one-out cross validation. This pathway-driven approach was successfully utilized to distinguish early regulatory events during initiation prognostic for tumor outcome and provides proof-of-concept for using short-term initiation studies to classify carcinogenic potential of environmental PAH mixtures. As a result, these data further provide a ‘source-to outcome’ model that could be used to predict PAH interactions during tumorigenesis and provide an example of how mode-of-action based risk assessment could be employed for environmental PAH mixtures.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Application of quantitative risk assessment to address stakeholder questions in geologic carbon storage

Ambitious international greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets demand a rapid transformation to a low-carbon economy. This transformation includes the accelerated adoption of carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and storage (CCS) technology. However, as with any large-scale engineering enterprise, the widespread commercial-scale deployment of geologic carbon storage (GCS) raises important questions about technology and cost-effectiveness, safety, environmental risk, and long-term liability. Effectively assessing and managing risks and liability associated with GCS projects is a key technical need throughout the project life cycle-from site selection and permitting to monitoring design, operational risk management, and post-operational site closure. This presentation highlights recent advancements in tools for quantitative risk assessment, being developed by the National Risk Assessment Partnership (NRAP). NRAP is a multi-year, multinational laboratory research collaboration sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. Our focus will be on these tools' applications in addressing critical stakeholder questions related to supporting permitting to ensure secure and environmentally protective storage; designing effective and efficient monitoring plans; evaluating the effectiveness of remedial actions and risk management alternatives; and informing liability assessment and investment decisions. This paper will detail the key functionality of NRAP’s Open-Source Integrated Assessment Model (NRAP-Open-IAM), a computational framework for assessing leakage risk and containment assurance. This model features streamlined workflows for calculating leakage risk profiles, delineating risk-based area of review, and assessing contingency plans and post-injection site care requirements. ORION is an open-source, observation-based ensemble forecasting toolkit to help operators assess the seismic hazard at a carbon storage site. The State of Stress Analysis Tool (SOSAT), designed to assess subsurface stress conditions and evaluate geomechanical risk resulting from CO2 injection in an area of interest will also be presented. We will also introduce a prototype model to evaluate storage project costs and liability associated with risk management. The Technoeconomic and Liability Evaluation for Storage (TALES) model uses results from forecasts of leakage and induced seismicity risk to estimate the lifecycle cost of managing risk. Finally, a preliminary example of how the NRAP Risk-based Adaptive Monitoring Plan (RAMP) tool can be used to design efficient and effective site monitoring plans and estimate the detectability of fluid leakage will be provided. The relevance of these tools for addressing key stakeholder questions amidst uncertainty will be emphasized.

decision support↗
DOE OSTI2022

High Average Power RF Window with Improved Multipactor Coating

Multipactor emission can be a serious issue for vacuum electron devices operating at megawatt power levels. It can lead to catastrophic failure from surface arcs or excessive heating of ceramic windows. Titanium nitride is effective at suppressing multipactor emission; however, sputter coating is not strongly bonded to surfaces and issue related to lifetime have arisen. It’s difficult to ensure a uniform coating over large surfaces. This research investigated atomic layer deposition (ALD) as an improved alternative to sputtered coatings. Test windows were fabricated and coated with TiN using ALD, then tested for RF loss and secondary emission. All ALD samples showed RF loss less than 0.01dB with secondary emission yield equal to or better than reported measurements with sputter coated windows. The program also designed a preliminary ALD system capable of coating windows up to 24 inches in diameter.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Cyanobacteria as cell factories for the photosynthetic production of sucrose

Biofuels and other biologically manufactured sustainable goods are growing in popularity and demand. Carbohydrate feedstocks required for industrial fermentation processes have traditionally been supplied by plant biomass, but the large quantities required to produce replacement commodity products may prevent the long-term feasibility of this approach without alternative strategies to produce sugar feedstocks. Cyanobacteria are under consideration as potential candidates for sustainable production of carbohydrate feedstocks, with potentially lower land and water requirements relative to plants. Several cyanobacterial strains have been genetically engineered to export significant quantities of sugars, especially sucrose. Sucrose is not only naturally synthesized and accumulated by cyanobacteria as a compatible solute to tolerate high salt environments, but also an easily fermentable disaccharide used by many heterotrophic bacteria as a carbon source. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the current knowledge of the endogenous cyanobacterial sucrose synthesis and degradation pathways. We also summarize genetic modifications that have been found to increase sucrose production and secretion. Finally, we consider the current state of synthetic microbial consortia that rely on sugar-secreting cyanobacterial strains, which are co-cultivated alongside heterotrophic microbes able to directly convert the sugars into higher-value compounds (e.g., polyhydroxybutyrates, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, or dyes) in a single-pot reaction. We summarize recent advances reported in such cyanobacteria/heterotroph co-cultivation strategies and provide a perspective on future developments that are likely required to realize their bioindustrial potential.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Magnetic field strength in an intermediate-velocity ionized filament in the first galactic quadrant

We investigate the magnetic field in an intermediate-velocity filament for which the Hα intensity in the WHAM survey correlates with excess Faraday rotation of extragalactic radio sources over the length of the filament from b ≈ 20° to b ≈ 55°. The density-weighted mean magnetic field is 2.8 ±0.8 μG, derived from rotation measures and an empirical relation between Hα emission measure and dispersion measure from Berkhuijsen et al. In view of the uncertainties in the derived magnetic field strength, we propose an alternative use of the available data, rotation measure, and emission measure, to derive a lower limit to the Alfvén speed, weighted by electron density n{sub e}{sup 3/2}. We find lower limits to the Alfvén speed that are comparable to or larger than the sound speed in a 10{sup 4} K plasma, and conclude that the magnetic field is dynamically important. We discuss the role of intermediate-velocity gas as a locus of Faraday rotation in the interstellar medium, and propose that this lower limit to the Alfvén speed may also be applicable to Faraday rotation by galaxy clusters.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Biobased Flame Retardants Towards Sustainable Building Materials with Low Embodied Carbon

Incorporation of fire retardants in different types of products is one of the essential steps in the material production process to minimize fire risk and meet fire safety requirements. A variety of commonly used flame retardants based on halogen, mineral, and other compounds has gained popularity due to their efficient flame-retardant behaviors. However, especially in the case of halides, there are numerous toxicity related issues and environmental pollution effects that have urged the building sector to deviate from their use and focus on the development of non-toxic alternatives. Therefore, to enhance the safety of flame retardants, the synthesis of flame retardants from waste feedstocks using phosphorous chemistry with a dual flame-retardant mechanism has been established. A range of waste feedstocks that include cardanol, vanillin, and gallic acids has been converted into a series of flame retardants using a one-step approach by incorporating phosphorous moieties into their structures. The established pathways allow to develop a range of flame-retardant materials by converting waste feedstocks into phosphorous-based materials with inherent flame retardancy. The introduction of abundant aromatic structures from biobased feedstocks enables high charring capabilities in materials in which these biobased flame retardants have been incorporated, increasing their char yields which significantly enhances the flame suppressing properties of the designed materials. Studies show that inclusion of phosphoric moieties into structures allows the displacement of flame enhancing radicals, by releasing non-flammable and non-toxic gases, therefore inhibiting the spread of fire in the gas phase. The resulting biobased flame retardants have been incorporated in wood substrates, foam insulation, and hemp fibers where the results show that only 1-5% of loading of biobased flame retardant suppressed the flame completely. This study represents a novel approach for the development of flame retardants with high performance while utilizing waste feedstocks as a source for their design.

Demchuk, Zoriana [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000326292235)↗
NASA NTRS1974

Vectorization on the star computer of several numerical methods for a fluid flow problem

A reexamination of some numerical methods is considered in light of the new class of computers which use vector streaming to achieve high computation rates. A study has been made of the effect on the relative efficiency of several numerical methods applied to a particular fluid flow problem when they are implemented on a vector computer. The method of Brailovskaya, the alternating direction implicit method, a fully implicit method, and a new method called partial implicitization have been applied to the problem of determining the steady state solution of the two-dimensional flow of a viscous imcompressible fluid in a square cavity driven by a sliding wall. Results are obtained for three mesh sizes and a comparison is made of the methods for serial computation.

Lambiotte, J. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The ILLIAC IV memory system: Current status and future possibilities

The future needs of researchers who will use the Illiac were examined and the requirements they will place on the memory system were evaluated. Various alternatives to replacing critical memory components were considered with regard to cost, risk, system impact, software requirements, and implementation schedules. The current system, its performance and status, and the limitations it places on possible enhancements are discussed as well as the planned enhancements to the Illiac processor. After a brief technology survey, different implementations are presented for each system memory component. Three different memory systems are proposed to meet the identified needs of the Illiac user community. These three alternatives differ considerably with respect to storage capacity and accessing capabilities, but they all offer significant improvements over the current system. The proposed systems and their relative merits are analyzed.

Stevenson, D. K.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Meteoroid Protection Methods for Spacecraft Radiators Using Heat Pipes

Various aspects of achieving a low mass heat pipe radiator for the nuclear electric propulsion spacecraft were studied. Specific emphasis was placed on a concept applicable to a closed Brayton cycle power sub-system. Three aspects of inter-related problems were examined: (1) the armor for meteoroid protection, (2) emissivity of the radiator surface, and (3) the heat pipe itself. The study revealed several alternatives for the achievement of the stated goal, but a final recommendation for the best design requires further investigation.

Ernst, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The estimation of genetic divergence

Consideration is given to the criticism of Nei and Tateno (1978) of the REH (random evolutionary hits) theory of genetic divergence in nucleic acids and proteins, and to their proposed alternative estimator of total fixed mutations designated X2. It is argued that the assumption of nonuniform amino acid or nucleotide substitution will necessarily increase REH estimates relative to those made for a model where each locus has an equal likelihood of fixing mutations, thus the resulting value will not be an overestimation. The relative values of X2 and measures calculated on the basis of the PAM and REH theories for the number of nucleotide substitutions necessary to explain a given number of observed amino acid differences between two homologous proteins are compared, and the smaller values of X2 are attributed to (1) a mathematical model based on the incorrect assumption that an entire structural gene is free to fix mutations and (2) the assumptions of different numbers of variable codons for the X2 and REH calculations. Results of a repeat of the computer simulations of Nei and Tateno are presented which, in contrast to the original results, confirm the REH theory. It is pointed out that while a negative correlation is observed between estimations of the fixation intensity per varion and the number of varions for a given pair of sequences, the correlation between the two fixation intensities and varion numbers of two different pairs of sequences need not be negative. Finally, REH theory is used to resolve a paradox concerning the high rate of covarion turnover and the nature of general function sites as permanent covarions.

Holmquist, R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Remote sensing as a mineral prospecting technique

Remote sensing and its application as an alternative technique to mineral resource exploration are reviewed. Emphasis is given here to the analysis of the three basic attributes of remote sensing, i.e., spatial attributes related to regional structural mapping, spectral attributes related to rock discrimination and seasonal attributes related to geobotanic anomalies mapping, all of which are employed in mineral exploration. Special emphasis is given to new developments of the Thematic Mapper of the LANDSAT-5, principally with reference to the application of the bands 1.6 and 2.2 microns to map hydrothermally altered rocks and the band of red and blue shift to geobotanical anomalies mapping.

Meneses, P. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A design methodology for robust failure detection and isolation

A decentralized failure detection and isolation (FDI) methodology, which is robust with respect to model uncertainties and noise, is presented Redundancy metrics are developed, and optimization problems are posed for the choices of robust parity relations. Closed-form solutions for some special failure cases are given. Connections are drawn with other disciplines, and the use of the metrics to evaluate alternative FDI schemes is discussed.

Pattipati, K. R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Life prediction of thermomechanical fatigue using total strain version of strainrange partitioning (SRP): A proposal

A method is proposed (without experimental verification) for extending the total strain version of Strainrange Partitioning (TS-SRP) to predict the lives of thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) cycles. The principal feature of TS SRP is the determination of the time-temperature-waveshape dependent elastic strainrange versus life lines that are added subsequently to the classical inelastic strainrange versus life lines to form the total strainrange versus life relations. The procedure is based on a derived relation between failure and flow behavior. Failure behavior is represented by conventional SRP inelastic strainrange versus cyclic life relations, while flow behavior is captured in terms of the cyclic stress-strain response characteristics. Stress-strain response is calculated from simple equations developed from approximations to more complex cyclic constitutive models. For applications to TMF life prediction, a new testing technique, bithermal cycling, is proposed as a means for generating the inelastic strainrange versus life relations. Flow relations for use in predicting TMF lives would normally be obtained from approximations to complex thermomechanical constitutive models. Bithermal flow testing is also proposed as an alternative to thermomechanical flow testing at low strainranges where the hysteresis loop is difficult to analyze.

Saltsman, James F.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Bithermal fatigue - A link between isothermal and thermomechanical fatigue

A technique for bithermal fatigue testing is presented in which the tensile and compressive halves of the cycle are conducted isothermally at two significantly different temperatures. With reference to experimental results obtained for a nickel-base superalloy, B1900 + Hf, it is shown that bithermal fatigue testing is a simple alternative to thermomechanical fatigue and can provide a conservative determination of thermomechanical fatigue life for creep damage dominated failure modes. Bithermal fatigue results can be directly related to thermomechanical fatigue results through the use of an appropriate damage rule.

Halford, Gary R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Parameterization of solar cells

The aggregation (sorting) of the individual solar cells into an array is commonly based on a single operating point on the current-voltage (I-V) characteristic curve. An alternative approach for cell performance prediction and cell screening is provided by modeling the cell using an equivalent electrical circuit, in which the parameters involved are related to the physical phenomena in the device. These analytical models may be represented by a double exponential I-V characteristic with seven parameters, by a double exponential model with five parameters, or by a single exponential equation with four or five parameters. In this article we address issues concerning methodologies for the determination of solar cell parameters based on measured data points of the I-V characteristic, and introduce a procedure for screening of solar cells for arrays. We show that common curve fitting techniques, e.g., least squares, may produce many combinations of parameter values while maintaining a good fit between the fitted and measured I-V characteristics of the cell. Therefore, techniques relying on curve fitting criteria alone cannot be directly used for cell parameterization. We propose a consistent procedure which takes into account the entire set of parameter values for a batch of cells. This procedure is based on a definition of a mean cell representing the batch, and takes into account the relative contribution of each parameter to the overall goodness of fit. The procedure is demonstrated on a batch of 50 silicon cells for Space Station Freedom.

Appelbaum, J.↗