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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 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Using X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography to Three-Dimensionally Visualize the Foregut of the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter ( Homalodisca vitripennis )

Dissecting the heads of small insects belonging to the order Hemiptera for detailed anatomical investigation with light or scanning electron microscopy is difficult, time-consuming, and destructive, often resulting in sample preparation artifacts. Nevertheless, the structural details of these insects often hold critical information regarding their interactions with bacterial pathogens. For example, the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) is an efficient vector of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of Pierce’s disease in grape vines, but the foregut of this species is exceptionally difficult to dissect. Here, we describe a simple, non-destructive method to investigate the structure of the anterior gut of GWSS using high-resolution micro-computed X-ray tomography (microCT). The use of microCT eliminates the need for destructive dissection and reveals the morphology of small insects in three dimensions, allowing the user to virtually dissect the sample. The use of microCT imaging is a promising and powerful tool in the entomological sciences for studying the structures of vector insects, especially for difficult-to-dissect regions such as the foregut.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Understanding the mechanisms of anisotropic dissolution in metal oxides by applying radiolysis simulations to liquid-phase TEM

Iron-based redox-active minerals are ubiquitous in soils, sediments, and aquatic systems. Their dissolution is of great importance for microbial impacts on carbon cycling and the biogeochemistry of the lithosphere and hydrosphere. Despite its widespread significance and extensive prior study, the atomic-to-nanoscale mechanisms of dissolution remain poorly understood, particularly the interplay between acidic and reductive processes. Here, we use in situ liquid-phase-transmission electron microscopy (LP-TEM) and simulations of radiolysis to probe and control acidic versus reductive dissolution of akaganeite (β–FeOOH) nanorods. Informed by crystal structure and surface chemistry, the balance between acidic dissolution at rod tips and reductive dissolution at rod sides was systematically varied using pH buffers, background chloride anions, and electron beam dose. We find that buffers, such as bis-tris, effectively inhibited dissolution by consuming radiolytic acidic and reducing species such as superoxides and aqueous electrons. In contrast, chloride anions simultaneously suppressed dissolution at rod tips by stabilizing structural elements while promoting dissolution at rod sides through surface complexation. Dissolution behaviors were systematically varied by shifting the balance between acidic and reductive attacks. The findings show LP-TEM combined with simulations of radiolysis effects can provide a unique and versatile platform for quantitatively investigating dissolution mechanisms, with implications for understanding metal cycling in natural environments and the development of tailored nanomaterials.

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

Hyperspectral reflectance as a tool to measure biochemical and physiological traits in wheat

Improving photosynthesis to raise wheat yield potential has emerged as a major target for wheat physiologists. Photosynthesis-related traits, such as nitrogen per unit leaf area (N area ) and leaf dry mass per area (LMA), require laborious, destructive, laboratory-based methods, while physiological traits underpinning photosynthetic capacity, such as maximum Rubisco activity normalized to 25 °C (V cmax25 ) and electron transport rate (J), require time-consuming gas exchange measurements. The aim of this study was to assess whether hyperspectral reflectance (350–2500 nm) can be used to rapidly estimate these traits on intact wheat leaves. Predictive models were constructed using gas exchange and hyperspectral reflectance data from 76 genotypes grown in glasshouses with different nitrogen levels and/or in the field under yield potential conditions. Models were developed using half of the observed data with the remainder used for validation, yielding correlation coefficients (R 2 values) of 0.62 for V cmax25 , 0.7 for J, 0.81 for SPAD, 0.89 for LMA, and 0.93 for N area , with bias <0.7%. The models were tested on elite lines and landraces that had not been used to create the models. The bias varied between -2.3% and -5.5% while relative error of prediction was similar for SPAD but slightly greater for LMA and N area .

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Development and Deployment of Retrofit PolarisQ Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer for Isotope Ratio Measurements

This report describes Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s (ORNL) FY15 progress in support of National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Portable Mass Spectrometer project. A retrofit PolarisQ ion trap mass spectrometer (RPMS) has been assembled from components of two PolarisQ ion trap mass spectrometers used in previous isotope ratio programs. The retrofit mass spectrometer includes a custom Hastelloy vacuum chamber which is about ¼ the size of the standard aluminum vacuum chamber and reduces the instrument weight from the original by nine pounds. In addition, the new vacuum chamber can be independently heated to reduce impurities such as water, which reacts with UF 6 to produce HF in the vacuum chamber. The analyzer and all components requiring service are mounted on the chamber lid, facilitating quick and easy replacement of consumable components such as the filament and electron multiplier.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Environmentally Friendly Economical Sequestration of Rare Earth Metals from Geothermal Waters

The purpose of this work was to complete a proof of concept study to apply and validate a novel method developed by Tusaar for the capture and recovery of rare earth elements (known as REEs) and other critical and valuable elements from geothermal waters produced from deep within the earth. Geothermal water provides heat for power production at many geothermal power plants in the western United States. The target elements, the REEs, are vital to modern day electronics, batteries, motors, automobiles and many other consumer favorites and necessities. Currently there are no domestic sources of REEs while domestic and international demand for the products they are used in continues to rise. Many of the REEs are considered “strategically” important. A secure supply of REEs in the USA would benefit consumers and the country at large. A new method to recover these REEs from geothermal waters used at existing geothermal power plants around the country is a high priority and would benefit consumers and the USA. The result of this project was the successful development and demonstration of an integrated process for removal and recovery of the REEs from synthetic geothermal brines on a small laboratory scale. The work included preparation of model geothermal brines to test, selection of the most effective proprietary sorbent media to capture the REEs and testing of the media under a variety of potential operating conditions. Geothermal brines are generally very high in salt content and contain a wide range of elements and anions associated with the rock layers from which they are produced. Processing the geothermal water is difficult because it is corrosive and the dissolved minerals in the water precipitate easily once the temperature and pressure change. No commercial technologies have been shown to be effective or robust enough under these geothermal brine conditions to be commercially viable for removal of REEs. Technologies including ion exchange, traditional sorptive media and membrane concentration are too expensive, difficult or impossible to regenerate and easily rendered ineffective under these working conditions. The work completed during this project has demonstrated that a selective media that is robust and durable under the conditions associated with geothermal brines is possible. The initial economic analysis indicates that the process would not be financially viable at current market prices for REEs. The world market price for REEs has been turbulent over the past several years and are currently near historical lows. Historical trends and market forces suggest that the world price is stabilizing and will rise. At the same time, further development has the potential to reduce the costs associated with the technology. This work opened the door to the idea that a large scale process for removal and recovery of REEs from geothermal brines is possible. Upward price pressures coupled with technology improvements suggest that this process has the opportunity to be commercially successful at a point in the future.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Multi-angle Precession Electron Diffraction (MAPED): A Versatile Approach to 4D-STEM Precession

Precession of a converged beam during acquisition of a 4D-STEM dataset improves strain, orientation, and phase mapping accuracy by averaging over continuous angles of illumination. Precession experiments usually rely on integrated systems, where automatic alignments lead to fast, high-quality results. The dependence of these experiments on specific hardware and software is evident even when switching to nonintegrated detectors on a precession tool, as experimental set-up becomes challenging and time-consuming. Here, we introduce multi-angle precession electron diffraction (MAPED): a method to perform electron diffraction by collecting sequential 4D-STEM scans at different incident beam tilts. The multiple diffraction datasets are averaged together postacquisition, resulting in a single dataset that minimizes the impact of the curvature and orientation of the Ewald sphere relative to the crystal under study. Our results demonstrate that even four additional tilts improved measurement of material properties, namely strain and orientation, as compared to single-tilt 4D-STEM experiments. We show the versatility and flexibility of our MAPED approach with data collected on a number of microscopes with different hardware configurations and a variety of detectors.

4D-STEM↗
DOE OSTI2014

Scaling of the structural characteristics of nanoholes created by local droplet etching

We study the tuneability of nanoholes created by local droplet etching of AlGaAs surfaces with Al droplets at varied coverage θ of the deposited droplet material and process temperature T. For the contact angle of the as-grown droplets a mean value of 66° is determined, which depends neither on θ nor on T. The experimental results on the hole structural characteristics are interpreted in terms of scaling models yielding a general form f(θ,T)∝θ{sup q}exp(E/[k{sub B}T]), with constants q and E and Boltzmann's constant k{sub B}. In detail, the hole density varies from N = 4.0 × 10{sup 6} up to 1.5 × 10{sup 8} cm{sup −2}, and the scaling parameters are q = 0 and E = E{sub N} = 2.46 eV. The hole diameter varies from 50 up to 190 nm with scaling parameters q = 1/3 and E = −E{sub N}/3. Moreover, the hole depth varies from 9 up to 125 nm with q = 2/3 and E = −1.73 eV. Furthermore, a threshold coverage of at least 0.2 monolayers (ML) must be deposited before hole formation takes place. In situ electron diffraction indicates that these 0.2 ML are consumed for a surface reconstruction change from (3 × 1) to (2 × 1). For coverages above 2.0 ML holes with a bimodal depth distribution are observed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2017

Capacitive Deionization Using Alternating Polarization: Effect of Surface Charge on Salt Removal

Alternating polarization (AP) at ±1.2/0 V is performed on a capacitive deionization stack assembled with carbon xerogel (CX) electrodes. Long-term testing shows enhanced cycling stability without the formation of inversion peaks. AP also leads to an arch-shaped plot of salt adsorption capacity (SAC) versus cycling time, with the highest SAC of approximately 3 mg (NaCl) g −1 (CX) during this long-term test. Characterization of both the freshly prepared and cycled electrodes depict that AP results in surface charge of all the electrodes being modified from positive to negative character. Here by leveraging balances of electronic, surface, and ionic charges in carbon micropores, it is found that a portion of the electronic charge contributes to the ionic charge for salt adsorption, and another portion is parasitically consumed to balance the surface charge during the charge reconciliation process. When the consumption of electronic charge for charge reconciliation becomes minimal, both the positive and negative surface charges are nearly equivalent on the CX electrode. Under such a condition, the highest SAC values can be achieved for AP testing.

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

Hazardous waste status of discarded electronic cigarettes

Highlights: • Electronic cigarettes were tested using TCLP and WET. • Several electronic cigarette products leached lead at hazardous waste levels. • Lead was the only element that exceeded hazardous waste concentration thresholds. • Nicotine solution may cause hazardous waste classification when discarded unused. - Abstract: The potential for disposable electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) to be classified as hazardous waste was investigated. The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) was performed on 23 disposable e-cigarettes in a preliminary survey of metal leaching. Based on these results, four e-cigarette products were selected for replicate analysis by TCLP and the California Waste Extraction Test (WET). Lead was measured in leachate as high as 50 mg/L by WET and 40 mg/L by TCLP. Regulatory thresholds were exceeded by two of 15 products tested in total. Therefore, some e-cigarettes would be toxicity characteristic (TC) hazardous waste but a majority would not. When disposed in the unused form, e-cigarettes containing nicotine juice would be commercial chemical products (CCP) and would, in the United States (US), be considered a listed hazardous waste (P075). While household waste is exempt from hazardous waste regulation, there are many instances in which such waste would be subject to regulation. Manufactures and retailers with unused or expired e-cigarettes or nicotine juice solution would be required to manage these as hazardous waste upon disposal. Current regulations and policies regarding the availability of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes worldwide were reviewed. Despite their small size, disposable e-cigarettes are consumed and discarded much more quickly than typical electronics, which may become a growing concern for waste managers.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2015

Differential evolution: Global search problem in LEED-IV surface structural analysis

The search process associated with the quantitative theory–experiment comparison in Low Energy Electron Diffraction surface structural analysis can be very time consuming, especially in the case of complex materials with many atoms in the unit cell. Global search algorithms need to be employed to locate the global minimum of the reliability factor in the multi-dimensional structural parameter space. In this study we investigate the use of the Differential Evolution algorithm in Low Energy Electron Diffraction structural analysis. Despite the simplicity of its mechanism the Differential Evolution algorithm presents an impressive performance when applied to ultra-thin films of BaTiO{sub 3}(001) in a theory–theory comparison. A scaling relation of N{sup (1.47} {sup ±} {sup 0.08)} was obtained, where N is the total number of parameters to be optimized. - Highlights: • We investigated the use of the Differential Evolution algorithm (DE) for the LEED search problem. • The DE method was applied to the optimization of the surface structure of the BaTiO{sub 3}(001) ultra-thin films. • A very favorable scaling relation of N{sup 1.47} was obtained, where N is the total number of parameters to be optimized.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

TiN coated aluminum electrodes for DC high voltage electron guns

Preparing electrodes made of metals like stainless steel, for use inside DC high voltage electron guns, is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. In this paper, the authors report the exceptional high voltage performance of aluminum electrodes coated with hard titanium nitride (TiN). The aluminum electrodes were comparatively easy to manufacture and required only hours of mechanical polishing using silicon carbide paper, prior to coating with TiN by a commercial vendor. The high voltage performance of three TiN-coated aluminum electrodes, before and after gas conditioning with helium, was compared to that of bare aluminum electrodes, and electrodes manufactured from titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V). Following gas conditioning, each TiN-coated aluminum electrode reached −225 kV bias voltage while generating less than 100 pA of field emission (<10 pA) using a 40 mm cathode/anode gap, corresponding to field strength of 13.7 MV/m. Smaller gaps were studied to evaluate electrode performance at higher field strength with the best performing TiN-coated aluminum electrode reaching ∼22.5 MV/m with field emission less than 100 pA. These results were comparable to those obtained from our best-performing electrodes manufactured from stainless steel, titanium alloy and niobium, as reported in references cited below. The TiN coating provided a very smooth surface and with mechanical properties of the coating (hardness and modulus) superior to those of stainless steel, titanium-alloy, and niobium electrodes. These features likely contributed to the improved high voltage performance of the TiN-coated aluminum electrodes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Reversible conversion of dominant polarity in ambipolar polymer/graphene oxide hybrids

The possibility to selectively modulate the charge carrier transport in semiconducting materials is extremely challenging for the development of high performance and low-power consuming logic circuits. Systematical control over the polarity (electrons and holes) in transistor based on solution processed layer by layer polymer/graphene oxide hybrid system has been demonstrated. The conversion degree of the polarity is well controlled and reversible by trapping the opposite carriers. Basically, an electron device is switched to be a hole only device or vice versa. Finally, a hybrid layer ambipolar inverter is demonstrated in which almost no leakage of opposite carrier is found. We conclude that this hybrid material has wide range of applications in planar p-n junctions and logic circuits for high-throughput manufacturing of printed electronic circuits.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Temporal change in the electromechanical properties of dielectric elastomer minimum energy structures

Dielectric elastomer minimum energy structures (DEMES) are soft electronic transducers and energy harvesters with potential for consumer goods. The temporal change in their electromechanical properties is of major importance for engineering tasks. Therefore, we study acrylic DEMES by impedance spectroscopy and by optical methods for a total time period of approx. 4.5 months. We apply either compliant electrodes from carbon black particles only or fluid electrodes from a mixture of carbon black particles and silicone oil. From the measurement data, the equivalent series capacitances and resistances as well as the bending angles of the transducers are obtained. We find that the equivalent series capacitances change in average between −12 %/1000 h and −4.0 %/1000 h, while the bending angles decrease linearly with slopes ranging from −15 %/1000 h to −7 %/1000 h. Transducers with high initial bending angles and electrodes from carbon black particles show the smallest changes of the electromechanical characteristics. The capacitances decrease faster for DEMES with fluid electrodes. Some DEMES of this type reveal huge and unpredictable fluctuations of the resistances over time due to the ageing of the contacts. Design guidelines for DEMES follow directly from the observed transient changes of their electromechanical performance.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2017

Rapid Tooling for Functional Prototype of Metal Mold Processes Final Report CRADA No. TC-1032-98

Production inserts for die-casting were generally fabricated from materials with sufficient strength and· good wear properties at casting temperatures for long life. Frequently tool steels were used and machining was done with a combination of. conventional and Electric Discharge Machining (EDM) with some handwork, an expensive and time consuming process, partilly for prototype work. We proposed electron beam physical vapor deposition (EBPVD) as a process for rapid fabrication of dies. Metals, ranging from low melting point to refractory metals (Ta, Mo, etc.), would be evaporated and deposited at high rates (-2mm/hr.). Alloys could be easily evaporated and deposited if their constituent vapor pressures were similar and with more difficulty if they were not. Of course, layering of different materials was possible if required for a specific application. For example, a hard surface layer followed by a tough steel and backed by a high thermal conductivity (possibly cooled) copper layer could be fabricated. Electron-beam deposits exhibited 100% density and lull strength when deposited at a substrate (mandrel) temperature that was a substantial fraction of the deposited material's melting point. There were several materials that could have the required high temperature properties and ease of fabrication required for such a mandrel. We had successfully used graphite, machined from free formed objects with a replicator, to produce aluminum-bronze test molds. There were several parting layer materials of interest, but the ideal material depended upon the specific application.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

A Closer Look at Fe(II) Passivation of Goethite

Our understanding of how Fe(II) reacts with Fe(III) oxides has evolved significantly based on evidence for electron transfer at the oxide-water interface and Fe(II)-catalyzed recrystallization. Recent experiments, as well as computational calculations, further suggest that defects at oxide surfaces can facilitate electron transfer. There is, however, some evidence that these processes cease after continued contact with Fe(II). Here, we explore the sustainability of these processes over longer time frames by measuring whether exposure to Fe(II) inhibits Fe(II)-goethite electron transfer, and whether this inhibition is reversible. To quantify the extent of electron transfer, we used selective isotope labeling with 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The results revealed that pre-reacting goethite with Fe(II) decreases the extent of electron transfer during subsequent exposures, and that less electron transfer occurs with increasing reaction time. Similarly, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and magnetic circular dichroism suggest that reaction with Fe(II) consumes surface defects and forms a passivation layer, making goethite less susceptible to electron transfer. When Fe(II) is removed by either wet chemical extraction or oxidation, electron transfer is mostly restored, suggesting that inhibition of electron transfer is reversible. Our results show that in environmental systems, which are commonly subjected to transient geochemical fluctuations, electron transfer between Fe(II) and Fe oxides, and processes linked to it, are likely to be relevant beyond just short time scales.

Andrade de Notini, Luiza↗
DOE OSTI2023

Diverse electron carriers drive syntrophic interactions in an enriched anaerobic acetate-oxidizing consortium

Abstract In many anoxic environments, syntrophic acetate oxidation (SAO) is a key pathway mediating the conversion of acetate into methane through obligate cross-feeding interactions between SAO bacteria (SAOB) and methanogenic archaea. The SAO pathway is particularly important in engineered environments such as anaerobic digestion (AD) systems operating at thermophilic temperatures and/or with high ammonia. Despite the widespread importance of SAOB to the stability of the AD process, little is known about their in situ physiologies due to typically low biomass yields and resistance to isolation. Here, we performed a long-term (300-day) continuous enrichment of a thermophilic (55 °C) SAO community from a municipal AD system using acetate as the sole carbon source. Over 80% of the enriched bioreactor metagenome belonged to a three-member consortium, including an acetate-oxidizing bacterium affiliated with DTU068 encoding for carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and formate production, along with two methanogenic archaea affiliated with Methanothermobacter_A. Stable isotope probing was coupled with metaproteogenomics to quantify carbon flux into each community member during acetate conversion and inform metabolic reconstruction and genome-scale modeling. This effort revealed that the two Methanothermobacter_A species differed in their preferred electron donors, with one possessing the ability to grow on formate and the other only consuming hydrogen. A thermodynamic analysis suggested that the presence of the formate-consuming methanogen broadened the environmental conditions where ATP production from SAO was favorable. Collectively, these results highlight how flexibility in electron partitioning during SAO likely governs community structure and fitness through thermodynamic-driven mutualism, shedding valuable insights into the metabolic underpinnings of this key functional group within methanogenic ecosystems.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Accelerator shield design of KIPT neutron source facility

Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) of the United States and Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology (KIPT) of Ukraine have been collaborating on the design development of a neutron source facility at KIPT utilizing an electron-accelerator-driven subcritical assembly. Electron beam power is 100 kW, using 100 MeV electrons. The facility is designed to perform basic and applied nuclear research, produce medical isotopes, and train young nuclear specialists. The biological shield of the accelerator building is designed to reduce the biological dose to less than 0.5-mrem/hr during operation. The main source of the biological dose is the photons and the neutrons generated by interactions of leaked electrons from the electron gun and accelerator sections with the surrounding concrete and accelerator materials. The Monte Carlo code MCNPX serves as the calculation tool for the shield design, due to its capability to transport electrons, photons, and neutrons coupled problems. The direct photon dose can be tallied by MCNPX calculation, starting with the leaked electrons. However, it is difficult to accurately tally the neutron dose directly from the leaked electrons. The neutron yield per electron from the interactions with the surrounding components is less than 0.01 neutron per electron. This causes difficulties for Monte Carlo analyses and consumes tremendous computation time for tallying with acceptable statistics the neutron dose outside the shield boundary. To avoid these difficulties, the SOURCE and TALLYX user subroutines of MCNPX were developed for the study. The generated neutrons are banked, together with all related parameters, for a subsequent MCNPX calculation to obtain the neutron and secondary photon doses. The weight windows variance reduction technique is utilized for both neutron and photon dose calculations. Two shielding materials, i.e., heavy concrete and ordinary concrete, were considered for the shield design. The main goal is to maintain the total dose outside the shield boundary at less than 0.5-mrem/hr. The shield configuration and parameters of the accelerator building have been determined and are presented in this paper. (authors)

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

An artificial intelligence’s interpretation of complex high-resolution in situ transmission electron microscopy data

Complicated nano- and atomic-scale processes with sub-angstrom spatial resolution and millisecond time resolution visualized by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are often highly dynamical and time consuming to analyze and interpret. Here, we report how variational autoencoders (VAEs) can provide an artificial intelligence’s interpretation of high-resolution in situ TEM data by condensing and deconvoluting complicated atomic-scale dynamics into a latent space with reduced dimensionality. We designed a VAE model with high latent dimensions capable of deconvoluting information from complex high-resolution TEM data. We demonstrate how this model, with high latent dimensions trained on atomically resolved TEM images of lead sulfide (PbS) nanocrystals, is able to capture movements and perturbations of periodic lattices in both simulated and real in situ TEM data. Importantly, the VAE model shows the capability of detecting and deconvoluting dynamical nanoscale physical processes, such as the rotation of crystal lattices and intra-particle ripening during the annealing of semiconductor nanocrystals.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗