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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 1,603 records · Page 89
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

A solid-state extrusion pathway extensible to upcycling aluminum scrap and end-of-life permanent magnets into ductile Al-6061/SmCo 5 structural magnetic composites

Permanent magnets offer strong potential for multifunctional structural components, but their inherent brittleness limits direct integration. Here, SolidStir® Extrusion (SSE) is used to embed SmCo5 powder into AA6061 in the solid state, and the resulting microstructure, interfacial chemistry, mechanical properties, and magnetic response are systematically characterized. SSE fragments the initial SmCo 5 powder into predominantly fine particles dispersed within an ultrafine Al matrix, with a volume fraction of ∼ 4–6 % in this proof-of-concept study. Interfacial reactions form a continuous Al–Co reaction layer, with local atomic-resolution indexing consistent with Al 13 Co 4 , together with Sm–Si-rich reaction products, while the matrix contains Sm–Co–Si-rich precipitates and Mg 2 Si, producing features from nanometers to micrometers. Compared with an Al extrudate, this architecture increases yield strength by ∼ 42 % and tensile strength by ∼ 31 %, while preserving uniform elongation, and it sustains work hardening in compression from 150 to 400 °C. The composite retained hard-magnetic behavior, with axial magnetization of 12.7 A·m 2 kg −1 at 6 T and intrinsic coercivity of 9.6 kOe. These findings demonstrate that SSE can produce Al-based load-bearing magnetic composites while preserving useful SmCo5 functionality.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Simple Acceptance Decisions and Acceptance Risk

Acceptance risk may be estimated using cumulative probability distribution functions applied to populations of measurands and test measurement values. “Simple acceptance” is a decision rule that sets the acceptance range of a test result equal to the tolerance range specification. While acceptance risk is comprised of both consumer risk and producer risk, this paper compares the effects of simple acceptance decision rules and guardbanding decision rules on consumer risk. Consumer risk is also known as the probability of false acceptance. The terms describe the risk of accepting test results as passing when the actual values exceed specification limits. False acceptance is only possible when the true value of a measurand is out of tolerance and the test result indicates that the measurand is within tolerance. Metrologists generally have some information about the test uncertainty regarding a specific acceptance test result. Along with a general lack of knowledge regarding the measurand population parameters, the complicated interplay between risk, dispersion, and central values generally prevents calibration laboratories from fully characterizing acceptance probabilities. Organizations that model the measurand populations can reduce consumer risk by avoiding certification of items whose measurand populations are not well centered. The models in this paper present a recurring trend: guardbanding reduces nonnegligible risks of false acceptance when compared to simple acceptance. However, guardbanding is not the most effective means of acceptance risk mitigation. Systematic characterization of measurand populations can provide the information a calibration laboratory needs to reliably control acceptance risk.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Microstructural evolution in Cu-Nb processed via friction consolidation

Immiscible alloys, whether in well-mixed or layered forms, are of increasing interest based on their novel structural and functional properties, such as enhanced thermal stability against grain growth or radiation-induced defect trapping at the interfaces. To address the need for new approaches to tailor microstructures, the microstructural development of an immiscible Cu-Nb alloy processed via friction consolidation of elemental powders is investigated. Friction consolidation is a solid-phase processing technique that imparts severe plastic strain into a deforming volume resulting in elevated temperatures below the melting temperature of the alloy. Two distinct processing pathways were chosen to understand the effect of thermomechanical conditions on the final microstructure. The microstructure was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. Path 1 exhibited larger strain, strain rate, and temperature as compared with path 2. In path 1, agglomerated Nb particles were present in the recrystallized ultrafine-grained Cu matrix, while in path 2 extremely fine and dispersed Nb particles were present in a highly deformed Cu matrix. In both pathways, supersaturation of Cu in Nb lattices was noted, but not vice-versa. The asymmetry in mixing is explained based on deformation-based, thermodynamic and kinetic factors. These findings provide a pathway for creation of novel tailored microstructures and improved properties in any number of binary immiscible alloy systems.

Cu-Nb alloys, Microstructural refinement, Friction↗
DOE OSTI2020

Radiation Simulation using Wi-Fi Signal Strength and Frequency

For routine radiological operations, lost radioactive sources, decommissioning and cleanup of nuclear facilities, and radiological terrorist events such as Radioactive Dispersive Devices (RDDs) or Radiological Exposure Devices (REDs), individuals are tasked with accurately locating both point and distributed sources of radiation. Radiation workers must often practice these tasks, whether part of initial training or periodically as part of formal or informal exercises or drills. In such circumstances, it is desirable to have an accurate recreation of a radioactive source, including a method of detecting it, which does not include dangerous amounts of radiation. The goal of this research was to develop a radiation simulation technology that uses IEEE 802.11x W-LAN protocol, i.e. Wi-Fi sources and detectors for these, as an inexpensive, precise and accurate method of replicating sources of gamma radiation. For this work, existing 802.11x sources were used. Software was developed for use with an Android smartphone to detect the presence of these sources. The measurements followed the expected behavior as a function of distance from the sources, mimicking that of gamma radiation, thus demonstrating the fundamental principle of operation. The ultimate system will be used in an outreach program to interest students in the radiation protection field.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

All-epitaxial long-range surface plasmon polariton structures with integrated active materials

We demonstrate all-epitaxial structures capable of supporting short- and long-range surface plasmon polariton (SRSPP and LRSPP) modes in the long-wave infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The SRSPP and LRSPP modes are bound to the interfaces of a buried heavily doped (n ++ ) semiconductor layer and surrounding quantum-engineered type-II superlattice (T2SL) materials. The surrounding T2SLs are designed to allow optical transitions across the frequency dispersion of the SPP modes. We map the SPP dispersion in our structure using grating-coupled angle- and polarization-dependent reflection and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The epitaxial structures are analytically described using a simplified three-layer system (T2SL/n ++ /T2SL) and modeled using rigorous coupled wave analysis with excellent agreement to our experimental results. The presented structures offer the potential to serve as long-range interconnects or waveguides in all-epitaxial plasmonic/optoelectronic systems operating in the long-wave infrared.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1998

LSPRAY: Lagrangian Spray Solver for Applications With Parallel Computing and Unstructured Gas-Phase Flow Solvers

Sprays occur in a wide variety of industrial and power applications and in the processing of materials. A liquid spray is a phase flow with a gas as the continuous phase and a liquid as the dispersed phase (in the form of droplets or ligaments). Interactions between the two phases, which are coupled through exchanges of mass, momentum, and energy, can occur in different ways at different times and locations involving various thermal, mass, and fluid dynamic factors. An understanding of the flow, combustion, and thermal properties of a rapidly vaporizing spray requires careful modeling of the rate-controlling processes associated with the spray's turbulent transport, mixing, chemical kinetics, evaporation, and spreading rates, as well as other phenomena. In an attempt to advance the state-of-the-art in multidimensional numerical methods, we at the NASA Lewis Research Center extended our previous work on sprays to unstructured grids and parallel computing. LSPRAY, which was developed by M.S. Raju of Nyma, Inc., is designed to be massively parallel and could easily be coupled with any existing gas-phase flow and/or Monte Carlo probability density function (PDF) solver. The LSPRAY solver accommodates the use of an unstructured mesh with mixed triangular, quadrilateral, and/or tetrahedral elements in the gas-phase solvers. It is used specifically for fuel sprays within gas turbine combustors, but it has many other uses. The spray model used in LSPRAY provided favorable results when applied to stratified-charge rotary combustion (Wankel) engines and several other confined and unconfined spray flames. The source code will be available with the National Combustion Code (NCC) as a complete package.

Raju, Manthena S.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Small-Scale Gravity Waves in ER-2 MMS/MTP Wind and Temperature Measurements during CRYSTAL-FACE

Lower stratospheric wind and temperature measurements made from NASA's high-altitude ER-2 research aircraft during the CRYSTAL-FACE campaign in July 2002 were analyzed to retrieve information on small scale gravity waves (GWs) at the aircraft's flight level (typically approximately 20 km altitude). For a given flight segment, the S-transform (a Gaussian wavelet transform) was used to search for and identify small horizontal scale GW events, and to estimate their apparent horizontal wavelengths. The horizontal propagation directions of the events were determined using the Stokes parameter method combined with the cross S-transform analysis. The vertical temperature gradient was used to determine the vertical wavelengths of the events. GW momentum fluxes were calculated from the cross S-transform. Other wave parameters such as intrinsic frequencies were calculated using the GW dispersion relation. More than 100GW events were identified. They were generally high frequency waves with vertical wavelength of approximately 5 km and horizontal wavelength generally shorter than 20 km. Their intrinsic propagation directions were predominantly toward the east, whereas their ground-based propagation directions were primarily toward the west. Among the events, approximately 20% of them had very short horizontal wavelength, very high intrinsic frequency, and relatively small momentum fluxes, and thus they were likely trapped in the lower stratosphere. Using the estimated GW parameters and the background winds and stabilities from the NCAR/NCEP reanalysis data, we were able to trace the sources of the events using a simple reverse ray-tracing. More than 70% of the events were traced back to convective sources in the troposphere, and the sources were generally located upstream of the locations of the events observed at the aircraft level. Finally, a probability density function of the reversible cooling rate due to GWs was obtained in this study, which may be useful for cirrus cloud models.

Wang, L.↗
NASA NTRS2002

T wave alternans threshold late after repair of tetralogy of Fallot

INTRODUCTION: Sustained microvolt-level T wave alternans (TWA) is a marker of increased risk for malignant ventricular arrhythmia. There is a significant risk of arrhythmia and sudden death after repair of congenital heart disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of TWA after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). METHODS AND RESULTS: TWA was evaluated during bicycle exercise in 49 subjects who had consecutively undergone transatrial-transpulmonary repair. Median values for age, age at repair, and follow-up duration were 14.9 years (11.5-20.8), 1.6 years (0.2-4.9), and 11.6 years (9.4-17.2), respectively. All patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I and were asymptomatic. Median QRS duration was 120 msec (80-150). Sustained TWA was detected in 7 (23%) of 31 subjects with adequate tests. In these 7 subjects, median onset heart rate (HR) was 120 (98-155). Median HR threshold as a percentage of predicted maximum HR (220 - age) was 58% (48-77). Sustained TWA prevalence was not significantly different compared with normal subjects (7/31 vs 9/83; P = 0.1). Onset HR in the TOF group was significantly lower [mean (SD) of 122 (20) vs 139 (12), P < 0.05]. In the TOF group with sustained TWA, the TWA occurred in 4 of 7 at <60% predicted maximum HR versus 1 of 9 normal subjects (P < 0.05); 3 of 7 had onset HR <120 versus 0 of 9 normal subjects (P < 0.03). There was no significant difference in age, gender, transannular patch use, restrictive right ventricular physiology, QRS duration, QTc, QT/QRS dispersion, or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in subjects with or those without sustained TWA. CONCLUSION: The onset HR for sustained TWA is significantly lower after repair of TOF. Further study is required to determine whether this represents an increased risk for arrhythmia in this patient group.

Non-NASA Center↗
DOE OSTI2023

IrGe 4 : A Predicted Weyl-Metal with a Chiral Crystal Structure

Polycrystalline IrGe4 was synthesized by annealing elements at 800 °C for 240 h, and the composition was confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. IrGe 4 adopts a chiral crystal structure (space group P3 1 21) instead of a polar crystal structure (P3 1 ), which was corroborated by the convergent-beam electron diffraction and Rietveld refinements using synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data. The crystal structure features layers of IrGe 8 polyhedra along the b axis, and the layers are connected by edge- and corner-sharing. Each layer consists of corner-shared [Ir 3 Ge 20 ] trimers, which are formed by three IrGe 8 polyhedra connected by edge-sharing. Temperature-dependent resistivity indicates metallic behavior. The magnetoresistance increases with increasing applied magnetic field, and the nonsaturating magnetoresistance reaches 11.5% at 9 T and 10 K. The Hall resistivity suggests that holes are the majority carrier type, with a carrier concentration of 4.02 × 10 21 cm –3 at 300 K. In conclusion, electronic band structures calculated by density functional theory reveal a Weyl point with a chiral charge of +3 above the Fermi level.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

The transformation of lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) with Fe($\tiny{II}$) (aq) in slightly acidic media: intermediate pathways and biomimetic behavior

Lepidocrocite (LP) is commonly found in natural or anthropogenic environments and oxidized alloy steel waste storage containers. Despite its importance, the end products formed and its mineral transformation pathways, including intermediate steps and underlying mechanisms under Fe(II) (aq) catalysis still need to be clarified due to decades of dispersed research. Here, in this work, we investigated LP's catalytic transformation with 10 mM and 0.2 mM Fe(II) (aq) at their natural solution pH's via bulk (X-ray Diffraction/XRD, Raman and Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared/ATR-FTIR) and micro/nano-scale (semi in situ Transmission Electron Microscopy/TEM) analysis. In general, we observed that goethite (GT) and LP were the main end products. However, a series of two major distinct intermediate events that were initiated by a dissolution type of reaction along with an “induction period” (lack of dissolution) on LP occurred. Fascinatingly, two of the intermediate steps along its mineral transformation presented novel types of non-classical mechanisms of crystallization via some type of guided oriented particle attachment. Furthermore, one of these intermediate steps is biomimetic in appearance, similar to what is observed during bacterial particle attachment. However, it uses inorganic nano-wire antennas that have a sensory-like function as observed with bacterial fimbriae and/or flagellum through an electron transparent film (similar to a bio-film matrix). Finally, this work leads us to comprehend the evolution of some well documented crystal morphologies for GT commonly observed in natural and anthropogenic settings.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1994

X-ray sources in regions of star formation. 5: The low mass stars of the Upper Scorpius association

We report followup investigations of Einstein x-ray observations of the Upper Scorpius OB association. We identify 28 low mass pre-main sequence stars as counterparts of x-ray sources in the approximately = 7 square degrees of the OB association observed. Based on kinematics and lithium abundances, these stars are low mass members of the OB association. We use optical spectra and optical and near-IR photometry to determine the stellar luminosities, effective temperatures, masses, and ages. We show that the bolometric corrections and effective temperatures of the G and K stars are consistent with those of subgiants. The low mass stars have isochronal ages of 1-2 Myr, depending on the choice of evolutionary models, with very small dispersion (sigma approximately = 1 Myr). This age is significantly younger than the 5-6 Myr found for the more massive B stars. The small dispersion in stellar ages, less than 10% the sound-crossing time of the association, suggests that star formation was triggered. We present two scenarios for star formation in this association. In the two-episode scenario, formation of the low mass stars was triggered by a supernova explosion, and the low mass stars form quickly, with high efficiency. Alternatively, high and low mass star formation was all initiated at the same time, some 5-6 Myr ago, and the apparent systematic age difference is an artifact of how the isochrones are dated. The effect of the supernova is to terminate mass accretion and yield an apparently coeval population. We show that the incompleteness in the x-ray sampling is about 65%, and is strongly dependent on stellar mass. After correction for incompleteness, we estimate there are about 2000 low mass members (stellar mass less than 2 solar mass) of this association. The mass function in this association is indistinguishable from that of the field. The ratio of naked to classical T Tauri stars is much larger than in Tau-Aur, and may be attributable to the local environment. We also present observations of eight ROX sources associated with the rho Oph cloud, and observations of non-pre-main sequence (PMS) stars in our fields.

Walter, Frederick M.↗
NASA NTRS2008

The Use of Solar Heating and Heat Cured Polymers for Lunar Surface Stabilization

Dust ejecta can affect visibility during a lunar landing, erode nearby coated surfaces and get into mechanical assemblies of in-place infrastructure. Regolith erosion was observed at many of the Apollo landing sites. This problem needs to be addressed at the beginning of the lunar base missions, as the amount of infrastructure susceptible to problems will increase with each landing. Protecting infrastructure from dust and debris is a crucial step in its long term functionality. A proposed way to mitigate these hazards is to build a lunar launch pad. Other areas of a lunar habitat will also need surface stabilization methods to help mitigate dust hazards. Roads would prevent dust from being lifted during movement and dust free zones might be required for certain areas critical to crew safety or to critical science missions. Work at NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is investigating methods of stabilizing the lunar regolith including: sintering the regolith into a solid and using heat or UV cured polymers to stabilize the surface. Sintering, a method in which powders are heated until fusing into solids, has been proposed as one way of building a Lunar launch/landing pad. A solar concentrator has been built and used in the field to sinter JSC-1 Lunar stimulant. Polymer palliatives are used by the military to build helicopter landing pads and roads in dusty and sandy areas. Those polymers are dispersed in a solvent (water), making them unsuitable for lunar use. Commercially available, solvent free, polymer powders are being investigated to determine their viability to work in the same way as the solvent borne terrestrial analog. This presentation will describe the ongoing work at KSC in this field. Results from field testing will be presented. Physical testing results, including compression and abrasion, of field and laboratory prepared samples will be presented.

Hintze, Paul↗
DOE OSTI2024

Smart Pixels: In-pixel AI for on-sensor data filtering

We present a smart pixel prototype readout integrated circuit (ROIC) designed in CMOS 28 nm bulk process, with in-pixel implementation of an artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML) based data filtering algorithm designed as proof-of-principle for a Phase III upgrade at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) pixel detector. The first version of the ROIC consists of two matrices of 256 smart pixels, each 25$\times$25 $\mu$m$^2$ in size. Each pixel consists of a charge-sensitive preamplifier with leakage current compensation and three auto-zero comparators for a 2-bit flash-type ADC. The frontend is capable of synchronously digitizing the sensor charge within 25 ns. Measurement results show an equivalent noise charge (ENC) of $\sim$30e$^-$ and a total dispersion of $\sim$100e$^-$ The second version of the ROIC uses a fully connected two-layer neural network (NN) to process information from a cluster of 256 pixels to determine if the pattern corresponds to highly desirable high-momentum particle tracks for selection and readout. The digital NN is embedded in-between analog signal processing regions of the 256 pixels without increasing the pixel size and is implemented as fully combinatorial digital logic to minimize power consumption and eliminate clock distribution, and is active only in the presence of an input signal. The total power consumption of the neural network is $\sim$ 300 $\mu$W. The NN performs momentum classification based on the generated cluster patterns and even with a modest momentum threshold, it is capable of 54.4% - 75.4% total data rejection, opening the possibility of using the pixel information at 40MHz for the trigger. The total power consumption of analog and digital functions per pixel is $\sim$ 6 $\mu$W per pixel, which corresponds to $\sim$ 1 W/cm$^2$ staying within the experimental constraints.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Activating Single‐Atom Ni Site via First‐Shell Si Modulation Boosts Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract Atomically dispersed nitrogen‐coordinated 3d transition‐metal site on carbon support (M‐NC) are promising alternatives to Pt group metal‐based catalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, despite the excellent activities of most of M‐NC catalysts, such as Fe‐NC, Co‐NC et al., their durability is far from satisfactory due to Fenton reaction. Herein, this work reports a novel Si‐doped Ni‐NC catalyst (Ni‐SiNC) that possesses high activity and excellent stability. X‐ray absorption fine structure and aberration‐corrected transmission electron microscopy uncover that the single‐atom Ni site is coordinated with one Si atom and three N atoms, constructing Ni‐Si 1 N 3 moiety. The Ni‐SiNC catalyst exhibits a half‐wave potential (E 1/2 ) of 0.866 V versus RHE, with a distinguished long‐term durability in alkaline media of only 10 mV negative shift in E 1/2 after 35 000 cycles, which is also validated in Zn‐air battery. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the Ni‐Si 1 N 3 moiety facilitates ORR kinetics through optimizing the adsorption of intermediates.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2024

Smart Pixels: In-pixel AI for on-sensor data filtering

We present a smart pixel prototype readout integrated circuit (ROIC) designed in CMOS 28 nm bulk process, with in-pixel implementation of an artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML) based data filtering algorithm designed as proof-of-principle for a Phase III upgrade at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) pixel detector. The first version of the ROIC consists of two matrices of 256 smart pixels, each 25$\times$25 µm\textsuperscript{2} in size. Each pixel consists of a charge-sensitive preamplifier with leakage current compensation and three auto-zero comparators for a 2-bit flash-type ADC. The frontend is capable of synchronously digitizing the sensor charge within 25 ns. Measurement results show an equivalent noise charge (ENC) of $\sim$30e\textsuperscript{-} and a total dispersion of $\sim$100e\textsuperscript{-} The second version of the ROIC uses a fully connected two-layer neural network (NN) to process information from a cluster of 256 pixels to determine if the pattern corresponds to highly desirable high-momentum particle tracks for selection and readout. The digital NN is embedded in-between analog signal processing regions of the 256 pixels without increasing the pixel size and is implemented as fully combinatorial digital logic to minimize power consumption and eliminate clock distribution, and is active only in the presence of an input signal. The total power consumption of the neural network is $\sim$ 300 $\mu$W. The NN performs momentum classification based on the generated cluster patterns and even with a modest momentum threshold, it is capable of 54.4\% – 75.4\% total data rejection, opening the possibility of using the pixel information at 40MHz for the trigger. The total power consumption of analog and digital functions per pixel is $\sim$ 6 $\mu$W per pixel, which corresponds to $\sim$ 1 W/cm\textsuperscript{2} staying within the experimental constraints.

Parpillon, Benjamin↗
NASA NTRS1990

Viral coefficient and hidden mass in the galaxy groups

The purpose is the verification of the virial mass estimations for small galaxy groups. The dynamical evolution of triple and quintuple galaxies was studied by the numerical simulations. The dependence of the virial coefficient k(t) versus time was derived. Initial k(O) = O. The function k(t) has some strong oscillations from 0.02 to 0.99. Generally, these oscillations are quasiperiodical ones. Such a behavior of k(t) is caused by formation in a system of close isolated temporary double subsystems. A strong correlation between the virial coefficient and the least mutual distance in the system is observed. Such wide oscillations may add into the estimation of virial mass of the galaxy groups an uncertainty of more than one order. An additional uncertainty is introduced by the projection effect. This uncertainty for the individual estimations of the masses approach three orders. Thus any individual estimation of the virial mass is impossible for small galaxy groups. Some possibility of statistical estimation (median or average) of the total mass, including a hidden mass, is shown for the homogeneous samples. The authors propose a method for these estimations based on a comparison of the medians of dynamical parameters (a mean size in projection and a dispersion of relative radial velocities) for the simulated and observed ensembles of the galaxy groups. This method has been applied to a sample of 46 probably physical triplets of galaxies. The probable median of the hidden mass in a volume of the triplet is about 4 M, where M is the total mass of visible matter.

Anosova, Joanna P.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Colloidal Dispersions of Sterically and Electrostatically Stabilized PbS Quantum Dots: Structure Factors, Second Virial Coefficients, and Film-Forming Properties

Electrostatically stabilized nanocrystals (NCs) and, in particular, quantum dots (QDs) hold promise for forming strongly coupled superlattices due to their compact and electronically conductive surface ligands. However, studies of the colloidal dispersion and interparticle interactions of electrostatically stabilized sub-10 nm NCs have been limited, hindering the optimization of their colloidal stability and self-assembly. In this study, we employed small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments to investigate the interparticle interactions and arrangement of PbS QDs with thiostannate ligands (PbS-Sn2S64-) in polar solvents. The study reveals significant deviations from the ideal solution behavior in electrostatically stabilized QD dispersions. Our results demonstrate that PbS-Sn2S64- QDs exhibit long-range interactions within the solvent, in contrast to the short-range steric repulsion characteristic of PbS QDs with oleate ligands (PbS-OA). Introducing highly charged multivalent electrolytes screens electrostatic interactions between charged QDs, reducing the length scale of the repulsive interactions. Furthermore, we calculated the second virial (B2) coefficients from SAXS data, providing insights into how surface chemistry, solvent, and size influence pair potentials. Finally, we explore the influence of long-range interparticle interactions of PbS-Sn2S64- QDs on the morphology of films produced by drying or spin-coating colloidal solutions. The long-range repulsive term of PbS-Sn2S64- QDs promotes the formation of amorphous films, and screening the electrostatic repulsion by the addition of an electrolyte enables the formation of crystalline domains. These findings highlight the critical role of NC-NC interactions in tailoring the properties of functional materials made of colloidal NCs.

SAXS↗
NASA NTRS2011

Synthesis of Elongated Microcapsules

One of the factors that influence the effectiveness of self-healing in functional materials is the amount of liquid healing agents that can be delivered to the damaged area. The use of hollow tubes or fibers and the more sophisticated micro-vascular networks has been proposed as a way to increase the amount of healing agents that can be released when damage is inflicted. Although these systems might be effective in some specific applications, they are not practical for coatings applications. One possible practical way to increase the healing efficiency is to use microcapsules with high-aspect-ratios, or elongated microcapsules. It is understood that elongated microcapsules will be more efficient because they can release more healing agent than a spherical microcapsule when a crack is initiated in the coating. Although the potential advantage of using elongated microcapsules for self healing applications is clear, it is very difficult to make elongated microcapsules from an emulsion system because spherical microcapsules are normally formed due to the interfacial tension between the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. This paper describes the two methods that have been developed by the authors to synthesize elongated microcapsules. The first method involves the use of an emulsion with intermediate stability and the second involves the application of mechanical shear conditions to the emulsion.

Li, Wenyan↗