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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 1,675 records · Page 93
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Study of CMOS strip sensor for future silicon tracker

Monolithic silicon sensors developed with High-Voltage CMOS (HV-CMOS) processes have become highly attractive for charged particle tracking. Compared with the standard CMOS sensors, HV-CMOS sensors can provide larger and deeper depletion regions that lead to larger signals and faster charge collection. They can provide high position resolution, low material budget, high radiation hardness and low cost that are desirable for high performance tracking in harsh collision environment. Various studies have been conducted to explore the technology feasibility for the large-area tracking systems at future collider experiments. CHESS (CMOS HV/HR Evaluation for Strip Sensor) sensor series have been developed as an alternative solution to the conventional silicon micro-strip detectors for the ATLAS inner tracker upgrade. The first prototype (named CHESS1) was to evaluate the diode geometry and the in-pixel analog electronics. Obtained test results were used to optimize the second prototype (named CHESS2). CHESS2 was implemented with a full digital readout architecture and realized as a full reticle sized monolithic sensor. Here, the basic characteristics of the CHESS2 prototype sensors and their performance in response to different input signals are presented.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1981

Large area, low cost space solar cells with optional wraparound contacts

Design parameters for two large area, low cost solar cells are presented, and electron irradiation testing, thermal alpha testing, and cell processing are discussed. The devices are a 2 ohm-cm base resistivity silicon cell with an evaporated aluminum reflector produced in a dielectric wraparound cell, and a 10 ohm-cm silicon cell with the BSF/BSR combination and a conventional contact system. Both cells are 5.9 x 5.9 cm and require 200 micron thick silicon material due to mission weight constraints. Normalized values for open circuit voltage, short circuit current, and maximum power calculations derived from electron radiation testing are given. In addition, thermal alpha testing values of absorptivity and emittance are included. A pilot cell processing run produced cells averaging 14.4% efficiencies at AMO 28 C. Manufacturing for such cells will be on a mechanized process line, and the area of coverslide application technology must be considered in order to achieve cost effective production.

Michaels, D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Development of an Improved High Efficiency Thin Silicon Solar Cell

Breakage and front contact failure in high efficiency, textured ultrathin cells was reduced as a consequence of the introduction of process modifications. In a small production run, over one hundred ultrathin cells, having an average AMO efficiency of 13%, were fabricated from 10-25 ohm cm silicon. An in-house aluminum paste for back surface field formation was developed that resulted in cell efficiencies equivalent to those from commercial pastes. The quality of the back surface field was found to be dependent on the orientation of the silicon slice during alloying.

Storti, G.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Silicon ribbon growth by a capillary action shaping technique

Substantial improvements in ribbon surface quality are achieved with a higher melt meniscus than that attainable with the film-fed (EFG) growth technique. A capillary action shaping method is described in which meniscus shaping for the desired ribbon geometry occurs at the vertex of a wettable die. As ribbon growth depletes the melt meniscus, capillary action supplies replacement material. Topics discussed cover experimental apparatus and growth procedures; die materials investigations, fabrication and evaluation; process development for 25 mm, 38 mm, 50 mm and 100 mm silicon ribbons; and long grain direct solidification of silicon. Methods for the structural and electrical characterization of cast silicon ribbons are assessed as well as silicon ribbon technology for the 1978 to 1986 period.

Schwuttke, G. H.↗
DOE OSTI2017

a-Si:H TFT-silicon hybrid low-energy x-ray detector

Direct conversion crystalline silicon X-ray imagers are used for low-energy X-ray photon (4-20 keV) detection in scientific research applications such as protein crystallography. In this paper, we demonstrate a novel pixel architecture that integrates a crystalline silicon X-ray detector with a thin-film transistor amorphous silicon pixel readout circuit. We describe a simplified two-mask process to fabricate a complete imaging array and present preliminary results that show the fabricated pixel to be sensitive to 5.89-keV photons from a low activity Fe-55 gamma source. Furthermore, this paper presented can expedite the development of high spatial resolution, low cost, direct conversion imagers for X-ray diffraction and crystallography applications.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS2004

Method of depositing a coating on Si-based ceramic composites

A process of depositing a coating system suitable for use as an environmental barrier coating on various substrate materials, particularly those containing silicon and intended for high temperature applications such as the hostile thermal environment of a gas turbine engine. The process comprises depositing a first coating layer containing mullite, and preferably a second coating layer of an alkaline earth aluminosilicate, such as barium-strontium-aluminosilicate (BSAS), by thermal spraying while maintaining the substrate at a temperature of 800.degree. C. or less, preferably 500.degree. C. or less, by which a substantially crack-free coating system is produced with desirable mechanical integrity.

Wang, Hongyu↗
DOE OSTI2020

Direct nanoscale mapping of open circuit voltages at local back surface fields for PERC solar cells

The open circuit voltage (V OC) is a critical and common indicator of solar cell performance as well as degradation, for panel down to lab-scale photovoltaics. Detecting V OC at the nanoscale is much more challenging, however, due to experimental limitations on spatial resolution, voltage resolution, and/or measurement times. Accordingly, in this work an approach based on Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy is implemented to directly detect the local V OC , notably for monocrystalline Passivated Emitter Rear Contact (PERC) cells which are the most common industrial-scale solar panel technology in production worldwide. This is demonstrated with cross-sectioned monocrystalline PERC cells around the entire circumference of a poly-Aluminum-Silicide via through the rear emitter. The V OC maps reveal a local Back Surface Field extending ~2 μm into the underlying p-type Si absorber due to Al in-diffusion as designed. Such high spatial resolution methods for photovoltaic performance mapping are especially promising for directly visualizing the effects of processing parameters, as well as identifying signatures of degradation for silicon and other solar cell technologies.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Preferred Orientation Enhancement in FeCo/SiO{sub 2} Nanocomposite Films Induced by Cu Underlayer

We prepared FeCo/SiO{sub 2} thin films through depositng initial materials on various thickness Cu seed layers by sol-gel spin-coating and magnetron-sputtering methods. As-prepared composite films were reduced in hydrogen to induce texture growth. Structure, magnetic property, and surface topography of the films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). These experimental data indicate that the ratio values of I{sub (200)}/I{sub (110)} of the thin films are all larger than 1 for all the samples, indicating that FCC-copper is in favor of promoting (200) FeCo texture, but more thickness will reduce this advantage. Cu underlayers can also promote the out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy of the films.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Low Solution Temperature Heat Treatment of AlSi{sub 9}Cu{sub 3}(Fe) High-Pressure Die-Casting Actual Automotive Components

Usually, high-pressure die-casting (HPDC) components cannot be heat-treated at high temperature without the occurrence of surface blisters, which are unacceptable for surface finish and may reduce the mechanical properties. In this context, the purpose of the present paper was to analyze the effectiveness of special low solution temperature T6 heat treatment in overcoming this limit for HPDC AlSi{sub 9}Cu{sub 3} alloy. Very low solution temperatures (< 450 °C, followed by 165 °C aging) to prevent the occurrence of blisters were combined with commonly used times (from 1 to 16 h) ensuring the feasibility of industrial application. Treatments were conducted on samples extracted from actual castings to evaluate the typical defects encountered in common production. Properties were analyzed by means of visual inspection, microstructural observations, image analysis, hardness, tensile tests and fractography. The results showed that it is possible to use solubilization temperatures below 450 °C for several hours in a T6 treatment to give strengthening without relevant blistering in AlSi{sub 9}Cu{sub 3} alloy. The optimum match of properties was provided by a solution treatment at 430 °C for 4 h followed by an aging at 165 °C for 8 h, which gave a yield increase of ~ 50 MPa, an increase in ductility and the best Quality Index value.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Effect of Friction Stir Processing on the Microhardness, Wear and Corrosion Behavior of Al6061 and Al6061/SiO{sub 2} Nanocomposites

An effect of the friction stir processing (FSP), its pass numbers and addition of the SiO{sub 2} nanoparticles on microhardness, wear behavior and corrosion performance of the Al6061 aluminum alloy was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy were utilized to characterize the microstructure of the alloy, FSPed and composite samples. SEM observations revealed that the SiO{sub 2} particles were not uniformly dispersed in the matrix after two passes of FSP. However, increasing the pass number more than two passes resulted in a great improvement in the distribution of the SiO{sub 2} particles. The application of FSP led to overall softening compared to the base metal. Softening of the Al6061 alloy was probably attributed to the coarsening of Mg{sub 2}Si. Corrosion resistance of the FSPed samples found a significant reduction compared to the base metal. Applying higher pass number of the process and also addition of the SiO{sub 2} nanoparticles improved the wear behavior of the samples.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Structure and magnetic properties of SiO{sub 2}/PCL novel sol–gel organic–inorganic hybrid materials

Organic–inorganic nanocomposite materials have been synthesized via sol–gel. They consist of an inorganic SiO{sub 2} matrix, in which different percentages of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) have been incorporated. The formation of H-bonds among the carbonyl groups of the polymer chains and Si–OH group of the inorganic matrix has been proved by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis and has been confirmed by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis highlighted the amorphous nature of the synthesized materials. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph and atomic force microscope (AFM) topography showed their homogeneous morphology and nanostructure nature. Considering the opportunity to synthesize these hybrid materials under microgravity conditions by means of magnetic levitation, superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry has been used to quantify their magnetic susceptibility. This measure has shown that the SiO{sub 2}/PCL hybrid materials are diamagnetic and that their diamagnetic susceptibility is independent of temperature and increases with the PCL amount. - Graphical abstract: Characterization and magnetic properties of SiO{sub 2}/PCL organic–inorganic hybrid materials synthesized via sol–gel. FT-IR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; solid-state NMR: solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance; SQUID: superconducting quantum interference device. - Highlights: • Sol–gel synthesis of SiO{sub 2}/PCL amorphous class I organic–inorganic hybrid materials. • FT-IR and NMR analyses show the hydrogen bonds formation between SiO{sub 2} and PCL. • AFM and SEM analyses confirm that the SiO{sub 2}/PCL are homogenous hybrid materials. • The SQUID measures show that the simples are diamagnetic. • Diamagnetic susceptibility of SiO{sub 2}/PCL materials increases with the PCL amount.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Enhanced magnetic behaviors of CoPt nanoparticles by addition of SiO{sub 2}

Equiatomic L1{sub 0} CoPt alloy nanoparticles (NPs) with various contents of SiO{sub 2} are synthesized by the simple sol–gel method. The SiO{sub 2} additions restrain the growth of grain and hinder the agglomeration formation. The coercivity increases first and then decreases with SiO{sub 2} addition. Compared to the 0 μl-SiO{sub 2} CoPt NPs, the higher ordering degree and better magnetic properties are obtained by the addition of amount 10 μl SiO{sub 2} in our sample. And the coercivity is two times as large as that of 0 μl-SiO{sub 2} NPs. When the addition of SiO{sub 2} is more than 10 μl, the deteriorated magnetic properties are ascribed to the transformation from hard magnetically phase to soft magnetically phase due to the decrease of particle size. - Graphical abstract: L1{sub 0} CoPt alloy nanoparticles with various contents of SiO{sub 2} are synthesized by sol–gel method. The effects of SiO{sub 2} on the structure and magnetic properties of CoPt nanoparticles are investigated. - Highlights: • The L1{sub 0} CoPt–SiO{sub 2} nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by sol–gel method. • Effects of SiO{sub 2} content on the structure and magnetic properties were investigated. • The addition of SiO{sub 2} restrained the growth of particle size. • CoPt–10 μl SiO{sub 2} NPs showed a higher ordering degree and better magnetic properties.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Influence of gadolinium content on the tetragonal to cubic phase transition in zirconia-silica binary oxides

The present study reports the effect of gadolinium (Gd{sup 3+}) in zirconia-silica (ZrO{sub 2}-SiO{sub 2}) binary oxides. The pure ZrO{sub 2}-SiO{sub 2} synthesized at 1100 °C was tetragonal. The addition of Gd{sup 3+} in the concentration range of 5%–10% resulted in the formation of t-ZrO{sub 2}, whereas higher contents of Gd{sup 3+} led to the formation of cubic ZrO{sub 2} (c-ZrO{sub 2}). The presence of Gd{sup 3+} also affected the lattice parameters of both t-ZrO{sub 2} and c-ZrO{sub 2}. Magnetic studies confirmed a steady increase in the paramagnetic behaviour with increasing content of Gd{sup 3+}. - Graphical abstract: t-ZrO{sub 2} to c-ZrO{sub 2} phase transition influenced by Gd{sup 3+} content. - Highlights: • Sol-gel synthesis of Gd{sup 3+} added SiO{sub 2}-ZrO{sub 2} binary oxides. • Significant role of Gd{sup 3+} content in the tetragonal and cubic stabilization of ZrO{sub 2}. • Phase stability of either tetragonal or cubic stabilization till 1100 °C. • Gd{sup 3+} additions ensured additional paramagnetic behaviour in SiO{sub 2}-ZrO{sub 2} binary oxide.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Photocatalytic properties of Au-deposited mesoporous SiO{sub 2}–TiO{sub 2} photocatalyst under simultaneous irradiation of UV and visible light

Mesoporous SiO{sub 2} templates deposited TiO{sub 2} nanocrystals are synthesized via a sol–gel route, and Au nanoparticles (NPs) are deposited in the tubular mesopores of the templates by a photodeposition method (Au/SiO{sub 2}–TiO{sub 2}). The photocatalytic characteristics of Au/SiO{sub 2}–TiO{sub 2} are discussed with the action spectra of photoreactions of 2-propanol and methylene blue. Photocatalytic activities of SiO{sub 2}–TiO{sub 2} under individual ultraviolet (UV) and visible (Vis) light illumination are enhanced by deposition of Au NPs. Furthermore, Au/SiO{sub 2}–TiO{sub 2} shows higher photocatalytic activities under simultaneous irradiation of UV and Vis light compared to the activity under individual UV and Vis light irradiation. Since the photocatalytic activity under simultaneous irradiation is almost the same as the total activities under individual UV and Vis light irradiation, it is concluded that the electrons and the holes generated by lights of different wavelengths are efficiently used for photocatalysis without carrier recombination. - Graphical abstract: This graphic shows the possible charge behavior in Au/SiO{sub 2}–TiO{sub 2} under independent light irradiation of ultraviolet and visible light irradiation. Both reactions under independent UV and Vis light irradiation occurred in parallel when Au/SiO{sub 2}–TiO{sub 2} photocatalyst was illuminated UV and Vis light simultaneously, and then photocatalytic activity is improved by simultaneous irradiation. - Highlights: • Au nanoparticles were deposited in mesoporous SiO{sub 2}–TiO{sub 2} by a photodeposition method. • Photocatalytic activity under UV and Vis light was enhanced by deposition of Au. • Photocatalytic activity of Au/SiO{sub 2}–TiO{sub 2} was improved by simultaneous irradiation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Role of reduced precursor and solvolytic reagent molar ratio on preparation and properties of ionogel

In the present study, ionogels have been synthesized by immobilizing IL (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate) in silica gel matrices using non-aqueous route. In this process, tetraethyl orho-silane (TEOS) as a precursor to silicon dioxide and formic acid as a solvolytic gelating reagent in reduced molar ratio 1:4 were used. We find that reduced molar concentration of formic acid results the formation of ionogels having less number of closed pores (totally isolated from their neighbours), larger density and stable monolithic form. TEM and SEM measurements are used to visualize the morphology of sample and closed pores present in the sample. N{sub 2}-sorption measurement is used to measure the pore parameters of the silica matrices which shows the mesoporous structure. DSC and TGA results show the change in phase transition temperature and thermal stability of IL upon confinement in silica matrices. Moreover, ionic conductivity of bulk and confined IL is measured using impedance spectroscopy and it has been found that it increases with increasing the temperature as well as concentration of IL in ionogels. Apart from these characterization techniques, ionogels have been characterized using FTIR and fluorescence spectroscopy which exhibit the change in vibrational frequencies and fluorescence behaviour of confined IL. - Highlights: • Synthesis of stable ionogel using non-hydrolytic route with reduced precursor and solvolytic reagent molar ratio. • Ionogels are free from entrapped residual reaction product. • The ionogels synthesized with higher amount of ionic liquids show bulk liquid like electrical behaviour.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Preference of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) to single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and activated carbon for preparing silica nanohybrid pickering emulsion for chemical enhanced oil recovery (C-EOR)

The aim of this research was to determine the best nano hybrid that can be used as a Pickering emulsion Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery (C-EOR). Therefore, we have prepared different carbon structures nano hybrids with SiO{sub 2} nano particles with different weight percent using sol-gel method. The as-prepared nano materials were characterized with X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). Pickering emulsions of these nanohybrids were prepared at pH=7 in ambient temperature and with distilled water. Stability of the mentioned Pickering emulsions was controlled for one month. Emulsion phase morphology was investigated using optical microscopic imaging. Evaluation results demonstrated that the best sample is the 70% MWCNT/SiO{sub 2} nanohybrid. Stability of the selected nanohybrid (70% MWCNT/SiO{sub 2} nanohybrid) was investigated by alteration of salinity, pH and temperature. Results showed that the mentioned Pickering emulsion has very good stability at 0.1%, 1% salinity, moderate and high temperature (25 °C and 90 °C) and neutral and alkaline pH (7, 10) that is suitable for the oil reservoirs conditions. The effect of the related nano fluid on the wettability of carbonate rock was investigated by measuring the contact angle and interfacial tension. Results show that the nanofluid could significantly change the wettability of the carbonate rock from oil wet to water wet and can decrease the interfacial tension. Therefore, the 70% MWCNT/SiO{sub 2} nanohybrid Pickering emulsion can be used for Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery (C-EOR).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Evaluation of intermetallic compound layer at aluminum/steel interface joined by friction stir scribe technology

Heat input and high strain rate deformation during friction stir welding of aluminum and steel resulted in the diffusion-based formation of a Fe x Al y intermetallic compound (IMC) layer. Compared with conventional friction stir welding tools, a friction stir scribe tool can reduce heat input significantly limiting the IMC layer thickness (~100–750 nm). Friction stir scribe joined lap joints fractured either through the welded interface or within the base aluminum alloy on the loading side, depending on IMC layer thickness during tensile lap shear testing. In addition, a modified effective heat of formation model predicted that Al 13 Fe 4 formed first at aluminum/steel interface and, during welding process, was substituted by Al 5 Fe 2 with local silicon enrichment, which was verified via microstructural characterization.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Facile synthesis of QD-anchored composite particles with magnetite cluster cores ({sup n}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2}@QDs)

Highlights: ► Triple layered Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/SiO{sub 2}/QDs were designed as fluorescent magnetic nanocomposites. ► Magnetite cluster-embedded silica exhibited strong and controllable magnetism. ► Effective conjugation between QDs and magnetic silica occurred at pH3. - Abstract: Magnetism-controlled fluorescent composite particles ({sup n}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2}@QDs) were prepared as QD-anchored silica nanoparticles with magnetite cluster cores. First, citrate-capped magnetites (C-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) were prepared by the co-precipitation method and subsequently complexed with 3-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane (APTMS) at room temperature, consequently leading to the formation of magnetite clusters (A-{sup n}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) with alkoxy terminated interfaces. The sol–gel reaction between A-{sup n}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) produced the core-shell {sup n}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2}. The resulting core-shell particles exhibited superparamagnetic properties and controllable magnetism simply by adjusting the thickness of nonmagnetic silica layer. After then, amine-terminated {sup n}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2} (NH{sub 2}–{sup n}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2}) was conjugated with carboxy quantum dots (QDs) using an EDC coupling agent. The QD conjugation with NH{sub 2}–{sup n}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2} of lower pH exhibited the higher photoluminescence (PL) intensity, and the resulting composite particles ({sup n}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2}@QDs) can be a useful biomedical agent. This chemical strategy can be further applied to prepare the core-shell magnetic nanostructure with various oxide layers for specific applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗