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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 1,693 records · Page 94
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

Controllable synthesis of SnO{sub 2} nanowires and nanobelts by Ga catalysts

We report the morphology control of one-dimensional (1D) SnO{sub 2} nanostructures by Ga catalysts using thermal evaporation method. Gallium (Ga), either from decomposition of GaN powder or from Ga metal, is adopted as a catalyst for the growth of long SnO{sub 2} nanowires and nanobelts. At similar experimental conditions, quantities of nanobelts are formed instead of nanowires when the temperature and reaction time are increased. Such approach enables us to synthesize various morphologies of SnO{sub 2} nanobelts with different side facets. Novel nanobelts with [0 0 1] growth direction with high energy side facets are obtained for the first time, which is attributed to the large amount of oxygen vacancies introduced in the nanobelts by the Ga catalysts. - Graphical abstract: Morphology control of one-dimensional SnO{sub 2} nanostructures are realized via a thermal evaporation method. Novel nanobelts along [0 0 1] direction having high energy side facets were fabricated for the first time. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Morphology control of one-dimensional SnO{sub 2} nanostructures are realized by Ga catalysts using thermal evaporation method. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Oxygen vacancies influenced the growth directions in order to neutralize thermodynamic instability. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Novel nanobelts with [0 0 1] growth direction with high energy side facets are obtained for the first time.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Solid-state thermal behavior and stability studies of theophylline-citric acid cocrystals prepared by neat cogrinding or thermal treatment

To investigate the thermal behavior of cocrystal formed between anhydrous theophylline (TP) and anhydrous citric acid (CA) by neat manual cogrinding or thermal treatment, DSC and FTIR microspectroscopy with curve-fitting analysis were applied. The physical mixture and 60-min ground mixture were stored at 55{+-}0.5 Degree-Sign C/40{+-}2% RH condition to determine their stability behavior. Typical TP-CA cocrystals were prepared by slow solvent evaporation method. Results indicate that the cogrinding process could gradually induce the cocrystal formation between TP and CA. The IR spectral peak shift from 3495 to 3512 cm{sup -1} and the stepwise appearance of several new IR peaks at 1731, 1712, 1676, 1651, 1557 and 1265 cm{sup -1} with cogrinding time suggest that the mechanism of TP-CA cocrystal formation was evidenced by interacting TP with CA through the intermolecular O-H{center_dot}{center_dot}{center_dot}O hydrogen bonding. The stability of 60-min ground mixture of TP-CA was confirmed at 55{+-}0.5 Degree-Sign C/40{+-}2% RH condition over a storage time of 60 days. - Garphical abstract: Cogrinding, thermal and solvent-evaporation methods might easily induce the theophylline-citric acid cocrystal formation. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Cogrinding process could gradually induce the cocrystal formation between TP and CA. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The TP-CA cocrystal was formed through the intermolecular O-H{center_dot}{center_dot}{center_dot}O hydrogen bonding. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The 60-min TP-CA ground mixture was similar to the solvent-evaporated cocrystal. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The thermal-induced TP-CA cocrystal formation was confirmed by pre-heating the physical mixture to 152 Degree-Sign C. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The 60-min TP-CA ground mixture was stable at accelerated condition over a storage time of 60 days.

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

Dehydration-driven evolution of topological complexity in ethylamonium uranyl selenates

Single crystals of four novel uranyl selenate and selenite-selenate oxysalts with protonated ethylamine molecules, (C{sub 2}H{sub 8}N){sub 2}[(UO{sub 2})(SeO{sub 4}){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O)](H{sub 2}O) (I), (C{sub 2}H{sub 8}N){sub 3}[(UO{sub 2})(SeO{sub 4}){sub 2}(HSeO{sub 4})] (II), (C{sub 2}H{sub 8}N)[(UO{sub 2})(SeO{sub 4})(HSeO{sub 3})] (III), and (C{sub 2}H{sub 8}N)(H{sub 3}O)[(UO{sub 2})(SeO{sub 4}){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O)] (IV) have been prepared by isothermal evaporation from aqueous solutions. Uranyl-containing 1D and 2D units have been investigated using topological approach and information-based complexity measurements that demonstrate the evolution of structural units and the increase of topological complexity with the decrease of H{sub 2}O content. - Graphical abstract: Single crystals of four novel uranyl selenate and selenite-selenate oxysalts with protonated ethylamine molecules have been prepared by isothermal evaporation from aqueous solutions. Structural analysis and information-based topological complexity calculations points to the possible sequence of crystalline phases formation, showing both topological and structural branches of evolution. - Highlights: • Single crystals of four novel uranyl oxysalts were prepared by evaporation method. • The graph theory was used for investigation of topologies of structural units. • Dehydration processes drives the evolution of topological complexity of 1D and 2D structural units.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

Long-persistent luminescence in near-ultraviolet from silicon nanowires

Graphical abstract: Silicon-rich nanowires with persistent near-ultraviolet luminescence were fabricated with thermal evaporation of silicon monoxide (SiO) powder at 1350 K. They contain quantum-confined elemental silicon structures of the order of nm dimension, and are capped by silicon oxide. The samples exhibit orderly color distribution along the direction of the carrier gas flow. When excited with the 280 nm light, the samples emit broad photoluminescence band from 330 to 470 nm with a long afterglow of more than 10 s, and the color shifts from near-ultraviolet to blue and green gradually. Display Omitted Highlights: ► We synthesized Si-rich nanowire from thermal evaporation of silicon monoxide. ► The Si-rich nanowires exhibit orderly color distribution along the direction of the gas flow. ► The Si-rich nanowires emit broad photoluminescence band from 330 to 470 nm under UV irradiation for >10 s. ► The color shifts from near-ultraviolet to blue and green gradually. -- Abstract: Silicon-rich nanowires with persistent near-ultraviolet luminescence were fabricated with thermal evaporation of silicon monoxide (SiO) powder at 1350 K. They contain quantum-confined elemental silicon structures of the order of nm dimension, and are capped by silicon oxide. The samples exhibit orderly color distribution along the direction of the carrier gas flow. When excited with the 280 nm light, the samples emit broad photoluminescence band from 330 to 470 nm with a long afterglow of more than 10 s, and the color shifts from near-ultraviolet to blue and green gradually. The morphology dependent luminescence might be attributed to the emission from the quantum-confined silicon crystallites of various sizes embedded in the oxide layer, and near surface states in the nanowires.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Numerical and experimental studies on effects of moisture content on combustion characteristics of simulated municipal solid wastes in a fixed bed

Highlights: • The effects of moisture content on the burning process of MSW are investigated. • A two-dimensional mathematical model was built to simulate the combustion process. • Temperature distributions, process rates, gas species were measured and simulated. • The The conversion ratio of C/CO and N/NO in MSW are inverse to moisture content. - Abstract: In order to reveal the features of the combustion process in the porous bed of a waste incinerator, a two-dimensional unsteady state model and experimental study were employed to investigate the combustion process in a fixed bed of municipal solid waste (MSW) on the combustion process in a fixed bed reactor. Conservation equations of the waste bed were implemented to describe the incineration process. The gas phase turbulence was modeled using the k–ε turbulent model and the particle phase was modeled using the kinetic theory of granular flow. The rate of moisture evaporation, devolatilization rate, and char burnout was calculated according to the waste property characters. The simulation results were then compared with experimental data for different moisture content of MSW, which shows that the incineration process of waste in the fixed bed is reasonably simulated. The simulation results of solid temperature, gas species and process rate in the bed are accordant with experimental data. Due to the high moisture content of fuel, moisture evaporation consumes a vast amount of heat, and the evaporation takes up most of the combustion time (about 2/3 of the whole combustion process). The whole bed combustion process reduces greatly as MSW moisture content increases. The experimental and simulation results provide direction for design and optimization of the fixed bed of MSW.

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

Combining Mass Spectrometry of Picoliter Samples with a Multicompartment Electrodynamic Trap for Probing the Chemistry of Droplet Arrays

Single droplet levitation provides contactless access to the microphysical and chemical properties of micrometer-sized samples. Most applications of droplet levitation to chemical and biological systems use nondestructive optical techniques to probe droplet properties. To provide improved chemical specificity, we coupled a multicompartment quadrupole electrodynamic trap (QET) with single droplet mass spectrometry. Our QET continuously traps a monodisperse droplet population (tens to hundreds of droplets) and allows for the simultaneous sizing of a single droplet using its Mie scattering pattern. Single droplets are subsequently ejected into the ionization region of an ambient pressure inlet mass spectrometer. We optimized two complementary soft ionization techniques for picoliter aqueous droplets: (1) paper spray (PS) ionization and (2) thermal desorption glow discharge (TDGD) ionization. Both techniques detect oxygenated organic acids in single droplets, with signal-to-noise ratios >100 and detection limits on the order of 10 pg. Sensitivity and reproducibility across single droplets are driven by the droplet deposition location and spray stability in PS-MS and the ionization region humidity and analyte evaporation rate in TDGD-MS. Importantly, the analyte evaporation rate can control the TDGD-MS quantitative capability because high evaporation rates result in significant ion suppression. Additionally, this effect is mitigated by optimizing the vaporization temperature, droplet size range, and analyte volatility. We demonstrate quantitative and reproducible measurements with a droplet internal standard (<10% RSD) and compare the sensitivity of PS-MS and TDGD-MS. Finally, we demonstrate the application of QET-MS to the study of heterogeneous chemical kinetics with the reaction of gas phase O 3 and aqueous maleic acid droplets.

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

Experiments on the Capillary Condensation/Evaporation Hysteresis of Pure Fluids and Binary Mixtures in Cylindrical Nanopores

Here, a new experimental method, i.e., isochoric cooling/heating cycle measurement using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), is applied to investigate the hysteretic phenomenon of pure components and mixtures confined in two different types of cylindrical nanopores (SBA-15 and KIT-6). The capillary condensation/evaporation hysteresis end point (T he ) for a specific system is determined by performing a series of measurements with different densities by increasing initial temperature and pressure. We confirm that for a pure component, T he is lower when confined in smaller nanopores, whereas T he for CH 4 /CO 2 and CH 4 /C 2 H 6 mixtures at the specific composition investigated are higher than that of pure CO 2 and C 2 H 6 , respectively, when confined in the same nanopores. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that T he of fluid mixture is experimentally studied, which further demonstrates that binary mixtures behave similarly to pure fluids when confined in nanoporous media. At low temperatures where hysteresis is observed, the shape as well as the duration of the exothermic peak (due to capillary condensation) and endothermic peak (due to capillary evaporation) indicate that capillary condensation, rather than capillary evaporation, takes place at/near a thermodynamic equilibrium. Within the accuracy of the measurements, we find that the total heat of capillary condensation is identical to that of capillary evaporation for all systems examined, regardless of the presence of hysteresis. By comparing the heat per unit volume among different systems, we also find that the heat per unit volume of the phase transition of confined pure fluid is lower than that of bulk, which further demonstrates that the molar density of confined pure liquid is less than that of bulk pure liquid at saturation.

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

Zero Liquid Discharge and Water Reuse in Recirculating Cooling Towers at Power Facilities: Review and Case Study Analysis

Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems installed at power facilities with the primary purpose of meeting water discharge regulations have the added benefit of providing high quality effluent that can be reused in the facility. This paper provides a review of water use in power sector recirculating cooling towers and a baseline assessment of on-site water reuse at natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power facilities. Two NGCC facilities with reverse-osmosis (RO) or brine-concentrator processes followed by evaporation ponds were selected as case studies; data from these facilities were used to quantify the water, energy, and cost implications of implementing conventional and emerging ZLD technologies. At one case study facility, model results show that implementation of ZLD would reduce water withdrawals by 18%, which is less than savings associated with implementation of dry cooling but comparable to current efforts to reduce water withdrawals by increasing cycles of concentration. Implementation of ZLD using high-recovery RO resulted in a doubling of the levelized cost of water (LCOW). LCOW increased more when a brine concentrator was used. For both case studies, the ZLD system using high-recovery RO required less than 0.1% of a facilitiy's annual electricity generation and the ZLD system using a brine concentrator process required less than 0.8%. Additionally, increasing the evaporation pond area to minimize required ZLD system recovery rates and reduce system electricity costs does not reduce the LCOW. Instead, the LCOW increases because less water is recovered and more water is lost to evaporation. Furthermore, if water availability decreases or water competition/cost increases, facilities may be incentivized to maximize water recovery from ZLD systems.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2012

Quartz crystal microbalance based on passive frequency to voltage converter

In dynamics of evaporation or drying of microdrops from a solid surface, a faster and precise quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is needed. The fast QCM based on frequency to voltage converter is an attractive and powerful tool in the investigation of the dynamic regime of evaporation to translate the frequency shift in terms of a continuous voltage change. The frequency shift monitoring in fast QCM applications is a real challenge for electronic processing interface. Originally developed as a frequency shift processing interface, this novel passive frequency to voltage converter can produce faster, stable, and accurate results in regard to the QCM sensor behavior. In this article, the concept and circuit of passive frequency to voltage converter will be explained followed by static and dynamic characterization. Experimental results of microdrops evaporation will be given.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2012

Producing carbon stripper foils containing boron

Parameters being actively tested by the accelerator community for the purpose of extending carbon stripper foil lifetimes in fast ion beams include methods of deposition, parting agents, mounting techniques, support (fork) materials, and inclusion of alloying elements, particularly boron. Specialized production apparatus is required for either sequential deposition or co-deposition of boron in carbon foils. A dual-use vacuum evaporator for arc evaporation of carbon and electron-beam evaporation of boron and other materials has been built for such development. Production of both carbon and boron foils has begun and improvements are in progress.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Energy deficit of pulsed-laser field-ionized and field-emitted ions from non-metallic nano-tips

The energy deficit of pulsed-laser field-evaporated ions and field-ionized atoms of an inert gas from the surface of a non-metallic nano-metric tip is reported as a function of the laser intensity, ion current, and temperature. A new model is proposed to explain these results, taking into account the resistive properties of non-metallic nano-tips. A good agreement between the theoretical predictions and the experimental results is obtained for all parameters investigated experimentally. This model is also used to discuss the evaporation behavior of oxides analyzed in laser-assisted atom probe tomography. New insight into the contribution of the electrostatic field and the laser illumination on the evaporation process of non-metallic materials is given.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Langmuir probes for SPIDER (source for the production of ions of deuterium extracted from radio frequency plasma) experiment: Tests in BATMAN (Bavarian test machine for negative ions)

A prototype system of the Langmuir probes for SPIDER (Source for the production of Ions of Deuterium Extracted from RF plasma) was manufactured and experimentally qualified. The diagnostic was operated in RF (Radio Frequency) plasmas with cesium evaporation on the BATMAN (BAvarian Test MAchine for Negative ions) test facility, which can provide plasma conditions as expected in the SPIDER source. A RF passive compensation circuit was realised to operate the Langmuir probes in RF plasmas. The sensors’ holder, designed to better simulate the bias plate conditions in SPIDER, was exposed to a severe experimental campaign in BATMAN with cesium evaporation. No detrimental effect on the diagnostic due to cesium evaporation was found during the exposure to the BATMAN plasma and in particular the insulation of the electrodes was preserved. The paper presents the system prototype, the RF compensation circuit, the acquisition system (as foreseen in SPIDER), and the results obtained during the experimental campaigns.

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

In situ surface/interface x-ray diffractometer for oxide molecular beam epitaxy

In situ studies of oxide molecular beam epitaxy by synchrotron x-ray scattering has been made possible by upgrading an existing UHV/molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) six-circle diffractometer system. For oxide MBE growth, pure ozone delivery to the chamber has been made available, and several new deposition sources have been made available on a new 12 in. CF (ConFlat, a registered trademark of Varian, Inc.) flange. X-ray diffraction has been used as a major probe for film growth and structures for the system. In the original design, electron diffraction was intended for the secondary diagnostics available without the necessity of the x-ray and located at separate positions. Deposition of films was made possible at the two diagnostic positions. And, the aiming of the evaporation sources is fixed to the point between two locations. Ozone can be supplied through two separate nozzles for each location. Also two separate thickness monitors are installed. Additional features of the equipment are also presented together with the data taken during typical oxide film growth to illustrate the depth of information available via in situ x-ray techniques.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Compact setup for the production of {sup 87}Rb |F = 2, m{sub F} = + 2〉 Bose-Einstein condensates in a hybrid trap

We present a compact experimental apparatus for Bose-Einstein condensation of {sup 87}Rb in the |F = 2, m{sub F} = + 2〉 state. A pre-cooled atomic beam of {sup 87}Rb is obtained by using an unbalanced magneto-optical trap, allowing controlled transfer of trapped atoms from the first vacuum chamber to the science chamber. Here, atoms are transferred to a hybrid trap, as produced by overlapping a magnetic quadrupole trap with a far-detuned optical trap with crossed beam configuration, where forced radiofrequency evaporation is realized. The final evaporation leading to Bose-Einstein condensation is then performed by exponentially lowering the optical trap depth. Control and stabilization systems of the optical trap beams are discussed in detail. The setup reliably produces a pure condensate in the |F = 2, m{sub F} = + 2〉 state in 50 s, which includes 33 s loading of the science magneto-optical trap and 17 s forced evaporation.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2012

CRYSTALLOGRAPHICALLY ANISOTROPIC SHAPE OF FORSTERITE: NEW PROBE FOR EVALUATING DUST FORMATION HISTORY FROM INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY

Crystalline dust has been observed by infrared spectroscopy around dust-enshrouded asymptotic giant branch stars, in protoplanetary disks, and from some comets. Crystalline materials often have a specific shape related to a specific crystallographic orientation (crystallographically anisotropic shape), which reflects the anisotropic nature of crystals, and their infrared spectral features depend on crystallographically anisotropic shapes. The crystallographically anisotropic shape is thus a potentially powerful probe to evaluate circumstellar dust-forming conditions quantitatively. In order to assess the possibility to determine the crystallographically anisotropic shape from infrared spectra, we calculated mass absorption coefficients for ellipsoidal forsterite particles, the most abundant circumstellar crystalline silicate, elongated and flattened along the crystallographic a-, b-, and c-axes with various aspect ratios in the wavelength range of 9-70 {mu}m. It was found that differences in infrared features caused by various crystallographicaly anisotropic shapes are distinguishable from each other irrespective of the effects of temperature, size, chemical composition, and grain edges of forsterite in the range of 9-12 {mu}m and 15-20 {mu}m. We thus concluded that the crystallographically anisotropic shape of forsterite can be deduced from peak features in infrared spectra. We also showed that the crystallographically anisotropic shapes formed by evaporation and condensation of forsterite can be distinguished from each other and the temperature condition for evaporation can be evaluated from the peak features. We applied the present results to the infrared spectrum of a protoplanetary disk HD100546 and found that a certain fraction ({approx}25%) of forsterite dust may have experienced high-temperature evaporation (>1600 K).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Impacts of generalized uncertainty principle on black hole thermodynamics and Salecker-Wigner inequalities

We investigate the impacts of Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP) proposed by some approaches to quantum gravity such as String Theory and Doubly Special Relativity on black hole thermodynamics and Salecker-Wigner inequalities. Utilizing Heisenberg uncertainty principle, the Hawking temperature, Bekenstein entropy, specific heat, emission rate and decay time are calculated. As the evaporation entirely eats up the black hole mass, the specific heat vanishes and the temperature approaches infinity with an infinite radiation rate. It is found that the GUP approach prevents the black hole from the entire evaporation. It implies the existence of remnants at which the specific heat vanishes. The same role is played by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle in constructing the hydrogen atom. We discuss how the linear GUP approach solves the entire-evaporation-problem. Furthermore, the black hole lifetime can be estimated using another approach; the Salecker-Wigner inequalities. Assuming that the quantum position uncertainty is limited to the minimum wavelength of measuring signal, Wigner second inequality can be obtained. If the spread of quantum clock is limited to some minimum value, then the modified black hole lifetime can be deduced. Based on linear GUP approach, the resulting lifetime difference depends on black hole relative mass and the difference between black hole mass with and without GUP is not negligible.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Probing dark matter self-interaction in the Sun with IceCube-PINGU

We study the capture, annihilation and evaporation of dark matter (DM) inside the Sun. It has been shown that the DM self-interaction can increase the DM number inside the Sun. We demonstrate that this enhancement becomes more significant in the regime of small DM mass, given a fixed DM self-interaction cross section. This leads to the enhancement of neutrino flux from DM annihilation. On the other hand, for DM mass as low as as a few GeVs, not only the DM-nuclei scatterings can cause the DM evaporation, DM self-interaction also provides non-negligible contributions to this effect. Consequently, the critical mass for DM evaporation (typically 3 ∼ 4 GeV without the DM self-interaction) can be slightly increased. We discuss the prospect of detecting DM self-interaction in IceCube-PINGU using the annihilation channels χχ → τ{sup +}τ{sup -}, νν-bar as examples. The PINGU sensitivities to DM self-interaction cross section σ{sub χχ} are estimated for track and cascade events.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

SIMULATIONS OF PROMINENCE FORMATION IN THE MAGNETIZED SOLAR CORONA BY CHROMOSPHERIC HEATING

Starting from a realistically sheared magnetic arcade connecting the chromospheric, transition region to coronal plasma, we simulate the in situ formation and sustained growth of a quiescent prominence in the solar corona. Contrary to previous works, our model captures all phases of the prominence formation, including the loss of thermal equilibrium, its successive growth in height and width to macroscopic dimensions, and the gradual bending of the arched loops into dipped loops, as a result of the mass accumulation. Our 2.5 dimensional, fully thermodynamically and magnetohydrodynamically consistent model mimics the magnetic topology of normal-polarity prominences above a photospheric neutral line, and results in a curtain-like prominence above the neutral line through which the ultimately dipped magnetic field lines protrude at a finite angle. The formation results from concentrated heating in the chromosphere, followed by plasma evaporation and later rapid condensation in the corona due to thermal instability, as verified by linear instability criteria. Concentrated heating in the lower atmosphere evaporates plasma from below to accumulate at the top of coronal loops and supply mass to the later prominence constantly. This is the first evaporation-condensation model study where we can demonstrate how the formed prominence stays in a force balanced state, which can be compared to the Kippenhahn-Schlueter type magnetohydrostatic model, all in a finite low-beta corona.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗