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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Developing an Undergraduate Research Laboratory for Experimental Physical Chemistry [Book Chapter]

Embarking on a faculty career in physical chemistry at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI) is exciting, but also overwhelming. Becoming both an effective teacher and a productive researcher requires a good plan, hard work and support from others who understand what it takes to be successful. The phrase, “building a laboratory,” calls to mind the physical construction of a research instrument, but beginning a career at a PUI involves much more than assembling equipment. Funding for the lab must be secured, students must be recruited and mentored, and the lab must be overseen to keep things running on a daily basis. While many of these tasks would also be part of starting a career at a doctoral level institution, there are many special considerations that must be taken into account when working with undergraduate students because their laboratory experience and chemical knowledge are still within those beautiful but nascent stages. Here, this unique aspect makes building a research program challenging, but also very rewarding. Exposing young minds to the wonders of physical chemistry and building personal relationships through the mentoring process can be immensely gratifying. This chapter is a compilation of holistic advice for building an experimental physical chemistry research laboratory for undergraduates, reflecting a typical experience found in the United States.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1996

Droplet Deformation in an Extensional Flow: The Role of Surfactant Physical Chemistry

Surfactant-induced Marangoni effects strongly alter the stresses exerted along fluid particle interfaces. In low gravity processes, these stresses can dictate the system behavior. The dependence of Marangoni effects on surfactant physical chemistry is not understood, severely impacting our ability to predict and control fluid particle flows. A droplet in an extensional flow allows the controlled study of stretching and deforming interfaces. The deformations of the drop allow both Marangoni stresses, which resist tangential shear, and Marangoni elasticities, which resist surface dilatation, to develop. This flow presents an ideal model system for studying these effects. Prior surfactant-related work in this flow considered a linear dependence of the surface tension on the surface concentration, valid only at dilute surface concentrations, or a non-linear framework at concentrations sufficiently dilute that the linear approximation was valid. The linear framework becomes inadequate for several reasons. The finite dimensions of surfactant molecules must be taken into account with a model that includes surfaces saturation. Nonideal interactions between adsorbed surfactant molecules alter the partitioning of surfactant between the bulk and the interface, the dynamics of surfactant adsorptive/desorptive exchange, and the sensitivity of the surface tension to adsorbed surfactant. For example, cohesion between hydrocarbon chains favors strong adsorption. Cohesion also slows the rate of desorption from interfaces, and decreases the sensitivity of the surface tension to adsorbed surfactant. Strong cohesive interactions result in first order surface phase changes with a plateau in the surface tension vs surface concentration. Within this surface concentration range, the surface tension is decoupled from surface concentration gradients. We are engaged in the study of the role of surfactant physical chemistry in determining the Marangoni stresses on a drop in an extensional flow in a numerical and experimental program. Using surfactants whose dynamics and equilibrium behavior have been characterized in our laboratory, drop deformation will be studied in ground-based experiment. In an accompanying numerical study, predictive drop deformations will be determined based on the isotherm and equation of state determined in our laboratory. This work will improve our abilities to predict and control all fluid particle flows.

Stebe, Kathleen J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

An Aerosol Physical Chemistry Model for the Upper Troposphere

This report is the final report for the Cooperative Agreement NCC2-1000. The tasks outlined in the various proposals are listed with a brief comment as to the research performed. The publications titles are: The effects of particle size and nitric acid uptake on the homogenous freezing of sulfate aerosols; Parameterization of an aerosol physical chemistry model (APCM) for the NH3/H2SO4/HNO3/H2O system at cold temperatures; and The onset, extent and duration of dehydration in the Southern Hemisphere polar vortex.

Lin, Jin-Sheng↗
DOE OSTI2024

The physical chemistry of solar fuels catalysis

The demonstration of effective light-driven electrochemical water splitting at the surface of a TiO 2 electrode in the seminal 1972 Honda–Fujishima publication spurred global research efforts to understand this effect and design advanced systems for solar H 2 generation from water as a carbon-free and sustainable fuel. In the 50+ years since that discovery, research investigating approaches toward the catalytic generation of the so-called “solar fuels,” i.e., not only H 2 from water but also CO 2 reduction products and NH 3 from N 2 , has expanded dramatically in scope and scale. The development of new experimental and computational methods and construction and commissioning of large-scale facilities have paved the way for important insights into the machinery of natural photosynthesis, leading to a greater understanding of the complexity of light-to-chemical energy conversion with an exquisite temporal and spatial resolution. Finally, these studies have provided the foundation for biologically inspired molecular and hybrid designs with the goal to promote the photochemical steps critical to solar fuels generation while avoiding unproductive or unnecessary pathways.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2002

Marangoni Effects of a Drop in an Extensional Flow: The Role of Surfactant Physical Chemistry

While the changes in stresses caused by surfactant adsorption on non-deforming interfaces have been fairly well established, prior to this work, there were few studies addressing how surfactants alter stresses on strongly deforming interfaces. We chose the model problem of a drop in a uniaxial extensional flow to study these stress conditions To model surfactant effects at fluid interfaces, a proper description of the dependence of the surface tension on surface concentration, the surface equation of state, is required. We have adopted a surface equation of state that accounts for the maximum coverage limit; that is, because surfactants have a finite cross sectional area, there is an upper bound to the amount of surfactant that can adsorb in a monolayer. The surface tension reduces strongly only when this maximum coverage is approached. Since the Marangoni stresses go as the derivative of the surface equation of state times the surface concentration gradient, the non-linear equation of state determines both the effect of surfactants in the normal stress jump, (which is balanced by the product of the mean curvature of the interface times the surface tension), and the tangential stress jump, which is balanced by Marangoni stresses. First, the effects of surface coverage and intermolecular interactions among surfactants which drive aggregation of surfactants in the interface were studied. (see Pawar and Stebe, Physics of Fluids).

Stebe, Kathleen J.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dataset for "Resistance of Boron Nitride Nanotubes to Radiation-Induced Oxidation" as published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

We present unprecedented results on the damage thresholds and pathways for boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) under the influence of energetic electrons in an oxidative gas environment, using an environmental aberration-corrected electron microscope over a range of oxygen pressures. We observe a damage cascade process that resists damage until a higher electron dose, compared with carbon nanotubes, initiating at defect-free BNNT sidewalls and proceeding through the conversion from crystalline nanotubes to amorphous boron nitride (BN), resisting oxidation throughout. We compare with prior results on the oxidation of carbon nanotubes and present a model that attributes the onset of damage in both cases to a physisorbed oxygen layer that reduces the threshold for damage onset. Surprisingly, increased temperatures offer protection against damage, as do electron dose rates that significantly exceed the oxygen dose rates, and our model attributes both effects to a physisorbed oxygen population.

Adsorption↗
NASA NTRS1980

Physical chemistry and evolution of salt tolerance in halobacteria

The cellular constituents of extremely halophilic bacteria not only tolerate high salt concentration, but in many cases require it for optical functioning. The characteristics affected by salt include enzyme activity, stability, allosteric regulation, conformation and subunit association. The salt effects are of two major kinds: electrostatic shielding of negative charges by cations at low salt concentration, and hydrophobic stabilization by salting-out type salts at high salt concentration. The composition of halobacterial proteins shows an excess of acidic amino acids and a deficiency of nonpolar amino acids, which accounts for these effects. Since the cohesive forces are weaker and the repulsing forces are stronger in these proteins, preventing aggregation in salt, these structures are no longer suited for functioning in the absence of high salt concentrations. Unlike these nonspecific effects, ribosomes in halobacteria show marked preference for potassium over sodium ions. To ensure the proper intracellular ionic composition, powerful ion transport systems have evolved in the halobacteria, resulting in the extrusion of sodium ions and their replacement by potassium. It is likely that such membrane transport system for ionic movements is a necessary requisite for salt tolerance.

Lanyi, J. K.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Physical chemistry of the H2SO4/HNO3/H2O system - Implications for polar stratospheric clouds

Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) play a key role in stratospheric ozone depletion. Surface-catalyzed reactions on PSC particles generate chlorine compounds that photolyze readily to yield chlorine radicals, which in turn destroy ozone very efficiently. The most prevalent PSCs form at temperatures several degrees above the ice frost point and are believed to consist of HNO3 hydrates; however, their formation mechanism is unclear. Results of laboratory experiments are presented which indicate that the background stratospheric H2SO4/H2O aerosols provide an essential link in this mechanism: These liquid aerosols absorb significant amounts of HNO3 vapor, leading most likely to the crystallization of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT). The frozen particles then grow to form PSCs by condensation of additional amounts of HNO3 and H2O vapor. Furthermore, reaction probability measurements reveal that the chlorine radical precursors are formed readily at polar stratospheric temperatures not just on NAT and ice crystals, but also on liquid H2SO4 solutions and on solid H2SO4 hydrates. These results imply that the chlorine activation efficiency of the aerosol particles increases rapidly as the temperature approaches the ice frost point regardless of the phase or composition of the particles.

Molina, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Hydrogen and related materials at high density: Physics, chemistry and planetary implications

Recent studies of low-Z molecular materials including hydrogen to multimegabar pressures (less than 300 GPa) have uncovered a range of phenomena relevant to understanding the nature of the interiors of the outer planets and their satellites. Synchrotron x ray diffraction measurements (to 42 GPa) have been used to determine the crystal structure of the solid (hexagonal-close packed) and equation of state. Sound velocities in fluid and solid hydrogen (to 24 GPa) have been inverted to obtain elastic constants and aggregate bulk and shear moduli. In addition, an improved intermolecular potential has been determined which fits both static and shock-wave data. Use of the new potential for the molecular envelope of Jupiter suggests the need for major revisions of existing Jovian models or a reanalysis of reported free oscillations for the planet. Studies at higher pressures (greater than 100 GPa) reveal a sequence of pressure-induced symmetry-breaking transitions in molecular hydrogen, giving rise to three high-pressure phases (1, 2, and 3). Phase 1 is the rotationally disordered hcp phase which persists from low pressure to well above 100 GPa at high temperature (e.g., 300 K). Phase 2 is a low-temperature, high-pressure phase (transition at 100 GPa and 77 K in H2) with spectral features indicative of partial rotational ordering and crystallographic distortion. The transition to Phase 3 at 150 GPa is accompanied by a weakening of the molecular bond, gradual changes in orientational ordering, strong enhancement of the infrared intramolecular vibrational absorption, and strong intermolecular interactions similar to those of ambient-pressure network solids. Studies of the phase diagram reveal a triple point near 130 K and 160 GPa. Higher pressure measurements of vibrational spectra place a lower bound of approximately 250 GPa on the predicted transition pressure for dissociation of molecular hydrogen to form a monatomic metal.

Hemley, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Physics, chemistry and pulmonary sequelae of thermodegradation events in long-mission space flight

An event in which electronic insulation consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene undergoes thermodegradation on the Space Station Freedom is considered experimentally and theoretically from the initial chemistry and convective transport through pulmonary deposition in humans. The low-gravity enviroment impacts various stages of event simulation. Vapor-phase and particulate thermodegradation products were considered as potential spacecraft contaminants. A potential pathway for the production of ultrafine particles was identified. Different approaches to the simulation and prediction of contaminant transport were studied and used to predict the distribution of generic vapor-phase products in a Space Station model. A lung transport model was used to assess the pulmonary distribution of inhaled particles, and, finally, the impact of adaptation to low gravity on the human response to this inhalation risk was explored on the basis of known physiological modifications of the immune, endocrine, musculoskeletal and pulmonary systems that accompany space flight.

Todd, Paul↗
NASA NTRS2001

An Aerosol Physical Chemistry Model for the Upper Troposphere

This report is the final report for the Cooperative Agreement NCC2-1000. The tasks outlined in the various proposals are: (1) Development of an aerosol chemistry model; (2) Utilization of satellite measurements of trace gases along with analysis of temperatures and dynamic conditions to understand ice cloud formation, dehydration and sedimentation in the winter polar regions; (3) Comparison of the HALOE and SAGE II time dependencies of the Pinatubo aerosol decay. The publications are attached.

Lin, Jin-Sheng↗
NASA NTRS2017

PHYS: Division of Physical Chemistry 258 - Properties and Origins of Cometary and Asteroidal Organic Matter Delivered to the Early Earth

Comets and asteroids may have contributed much of the Earth's water and organic matter. The Earth accretes approximately 4x10(exp 7) Kg of dust and meteorites from these sources every year. The least altered meteorites contain complex assemblages of organic compounds and abundant hydrated minerals. These carbonaceous chondrite meteorites probably derive from asteroids that underwent hydrothermal processing within the first few million years after their accretion. Meteorite organics show isotopic and chemical signatures of low-T ion-molecule and grain-surface chemistry and photolysis of icy grains that occurred in cold molecular clouds and the outer protoplanetary disk. These signatures have been overprinted by aqueously mediated chemistry in asteroid parent bodies, forming amino acids and other prebiotic molecules. Comets are much richer in organic matter but it is less well characterized. Comet dust collected in the stratosphere shows larger H and N isotopic anomalies than most meteorites, suggesting better preservation of primordial organics. Rosetta studies of comet 67P coma dust find complex organic matter that may be related to the macromolecular material that dominates the organic inventory of primitive meteorites. The exogenous organic material accreting on Earth throughout its history is made up of thousands of molecular species formed in diverse processes ranging from circumstellar outflows to chemistry at near absolute zero in dark cloud cores and the formative environment within minor planets. NASA and JAXA are currently flying sample return missions to primitive, potentially organic-rich asteroids. The OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa2 missions will map their target asteroids, Bennu and Ryugu, in detail and return regolith samples to Earth. Laboratory analyses of these pristine asteroid samples will provide unprecedented views of asteroidal organic matter relatively free of terrestrial contamination within well determined geological context. Studies of extraterrestrial materials and returned samples are essential to understand the origins of Solar System organic material and the roles of comets and asteroids to providing the starting materials for the emergence of life.

Messenger, Scott↗
NASA NTRS2022

Chapter 2.6: Physical Chemistry and Thermal Evolution of Ices at Ganymede

Ganymede’s surface is composed mostly of water ice and other icy materials in addition to minor non-ice components. The formation and evolution of Ganymede’s landforms highly depend on the nature of the icy materials as they present various thermal and rheological behaviors. This chapter reviews the currently known thermodynamic parameters of the ice phases and hydrates reported on Ganymede, which seem to affect the evolution of the surface, using mainly results from the Voyager and Galileo missions

C Ahrens↗
NASA NTRS1966

Surface physics and chemistry

Electron paramagnetic resonance techniques for studying surface chemistry and physics pertinent to catalysis

CATALYTIC ACTIVITY↗