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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 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Review of Direct Neutron Conversion and Detection Processes

Commercial and laboratory neutron detection systems use indirect neutron response of materials like pressurized helium-3 (via nuclear reaction 3He(n, p)3H) to measure and count neutrons emanating from a source. Recently a host of semiconductors, especially a ternary semiconductor of lithium indium diselenide (6LiInSe2) and a quaternary alloy of enriched lithium-6, indium, phosphorous, and selenium (6LiInP2Se6), have shown promising neutron counting possibilities by directly converting neutrons into charge-carrying elements within the body of the semiconductor. These semiconductors have high thermal neutron capture cross sections, suitable energy bandgaps (~2.0 electron volts) for room-temperature operations, and a favorable electronic band structure for efficient electron charge transport. The article examines the semiconductor properties of these compounds in terms of their neutron counting capabilities and possible ways to extract neutron energy information from them. Lithium-6 and boron-10 (with thermal neutron absorption cross sections of 938 ± 6 and 3855 ± 26 barns, respectively) produce charged particles to be measured via indirect neutron interactions. The efficiency of indirect conversion neutron detectors is limited because of the inefficiencies in conversion mechanism. In case of direct conversion, the neutrons create charged particles in a single material for neutron capture and charge collection, increasing detection efficiency. Unlike 3He proportional counters, which provide no neutron energy information, the semiconductors can be used as neutron energy spectrometer. Fully resolved neutron energy by 6LiInP2Se6 from a plutonium-beryllium source has been reported in the literature. We will discuss the influence of these multilayered semiconductors’ crystallographic structures and growth techniques on neutron energy determination.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
NASA NTRS1974

Effect of long-time, elevated-temperature exposures to vacuum and lithium on the properties of a tantalum alloy, T-111

The effect of long-term, elevated-temperature vacuum and lithium exposures on the mechanical properties of T-111 (Ta-8W-2Hf) is determined. Exposure conditions were for 1000 hours at 980 or 1315 C, 5000 hours at 1315 C, and a duplex temperature exposure of 1000 hours at 980 C plus 4000 hours at 1040 C. The exposures resulted in reduced tensile and creep strengths of the T-111 in the 900 to 1100 C temperature range where a dynamic strain-age-strengthening mechanism is operative in this alloy. This strength reduction was attributed to the depletion of oxygen from solid solution in this alloy.

Buzzard, R. J.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Fast-Charging and Ultrahigh-Capacity Lithium Metal Anode Enabled by Surface Alloying

Li metal anodes are going through a great revival but they still encounter grand challenges. One often neglected issue is that most reported Li metal anodes are only cyclable under relatively low current density (<5 mA cm -2 ) and small areal capacity (<5 mAh cm -2 ), which essentially limits their high-power applications and results in ineffective Li utilization (<1%). Herein, it is reported that surface alloyed Li metal anodes can enable reversible cycling with ultrafast rate and ultralarge areal capacity. Low-cost Si wafers are used and are chemically etched down to 20-30 mu m membranes. Simply laminating a Si membrane onto Li foil results in the formation of LixSi alloy film fused onto Li metal with mechanical robustness and high Li-ion conductivity. Symmetric cell measurements show that the surface alloyed Li anode has excellent cycling stability, even under high current density up to 25 mA cm -2 and unprecedented areal capacity up to 100 mAh cm -2 . Furthermore, the surface alloyed Li anode is paired with amorphous MoS 3 cathode and achieves remarkable full-cell performance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Corrosion characteristics of Mo and TZM alloy for plasma facing components in molten lithium at 623 K

Here, in this study, the corrosion behaviours of molybdenum (Mo) and a Mo-based alloy (TZM) were investigated using a static immersion corrosion technique. Weight loss, surface microstructure, and corrosion depth of Mo and the TZM alloy were correlated with elements. The compatibility of Mo and the TZM alloy in static liquid Li was suitable. Mo demonstrated uniform corrosion with a homogenous dissolution of free C and Mo, and TZM alloy exhibited a nonuniform corrosion behaviour with a preferential grain boundary attack caused by the selective dissolution of free C, Ti, and Zr. When the surface oxidation layer of the samples was consumed, free C from Mo and TZM diffused into molten Li to form Li 2 C 2 and then was captured by Zr, Ti, and Mo to form thermodynamically stable carbides, which resulted in the enrichment of the C layer near the sample surfaces. In addition, Ti and Zr acted as N-trappers in liquid Li; the formation of Zr and Ti nitrides resulted in the enrichment of N, Ti, and Zr elements on the surface and led to TZM corrosion increase. Thus, Zr and Ti depletion, pitting, and grain boundary corrosion were problematic for TZM under long-term exposure to liquid Li. Reducing the content of free C and nonmetallic N and increasing the amount of Ti and Zr carbides on the surface of and inside the raw TZM alloy helped improve the corrosion resistance of TZM in liquid Li.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1973

Techniques for lithium removal from 1040 C aged tantalum alloy, T-111

The liquid ammonia and vacuum distillation techniques were found to be satisfactory for removing lithium from 1040 C aged T-111 (tantalum - 8-percent tungsten- 2-percent hafnium). Results of ductility tests and chemical analysis show that these two methods are adequate for removing lithium without embrittlement or contamination of the T-111. Moist air exposure of T-111 with traces of lithium on the surface produced mixed results. Some specimens were ductile; others were brittle. Brittle T-111 had an increased hydrogen content. Water removal of lithium from T-111 caused brittleness and an increased hydrogen concentration.

Gahn, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Characterization of Al-Cu-Li Alloy 2090 Near Net Shape Extrusion

Aluminum-lithium (Al-Li) alloys near net shape extrusions are being evaluated for potential application in launch vehicle structures. The objective of this study was to determine tensile and fracture properties, corrosion resistance, and weldability of integrally stiffened panels of Al-Cu-Li alloy 2090 in the T8 temper. The microstructure was pre-dominantly unrecrystallized. Texture analyses revealed the presence of fiber components in the stiffeners and a combination of fiber and rolling components in the skin. Variations in grain morphology and texture through the extruded cross section were correlated with the tensile, fracture, and corrosion behavior. Tensile strengths at room and cryogenic temperatures of the 2090 extrusions were similar to other 2090 product forms and were higher than 2219-T87, the primary structural material in the Space Shuttle external tank; however, ductilities were lower. The fracture resistance of the 2090 extrusion was lower than 2219-T87 plate at room temperature. At cryogenic temperatures, tensile ductility and fracture behavior of the 2090 extrusion were similar to other 2090 product forms but were lower than 2219-T87 plate. The exfoliation and stress corrosion resistance of the 2090 extrusion compared favorably with the characteristics of other 2090 product forms. The weldability and weldment properties of the extrusions were similar to 2090 and 2219 plates.

Birt, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS2023

Mitigating Space Radiation Using Magnesium(-Lithium) and Boron Carbide Composites

The health effects of galactic cosmic radiation are a serious impediment to crewed exploration of the solar system. OLTARIS, an interface for the 3DHZETRN deterministic radiation transport code, was used to assess the response of aerospace materials to this constant radiation exposure. Traditional aerospace structural materials like aluminum can, after a certain mass, increase the health effects of such radiation. However, materials with lower atomic mass may mitigate this build-up in secondary radiation with increasing areal density. As such, lower atomic mass structural alloys of magnesium and magnesium–lithium are promising candidates. These alloys may reduce the mass of structures when substituted for aluminum alloys. Reinforcement with boron carbide could further reduce atomic mass while also improving the mechanical properties of such lightweight alloys. This study found that the lower atomic mass of these materials increased nuclear fragmentation upon cosmic radiation interactions, leading to a softening of the secondary (neutron) radiation spectra. This softened spectra reduced the effective dose equivalent, a measure of health effects, for magnesium(-lithium) alloys and their boron carbide-reinforced composites when compared to aluminum.

Galactic cosmic radiation↗
DOE OSTI2022

Identifying Hidden Li–Si–O Phases for Lithium‐Ion Batteries via First‐Principle Thermodynamic Calculations

SiO–based materials are promising alloys and conversion‐type anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries and are recently found to be excellent dendrite‐proof layers for lithium‐metal batteries. However, only a small fraction of the Li–Si–O compositional space has been reported, significantly impeding the understanding of the phase transition mechanisms and the rational design of these materials both as anodes and as protection layers for lithium‐metal anodes. Herein, we identify three new thermodynamically stable phases within the Li–Si–O ternary system (Li 2 SiO 5 , Li 4 SiO 6, and Li 4 SiO 8 ) in addition to the existing records via first‐principle calculations. The electronic structure simulation shows that Li 2 SiO 5 and Li 4 SiO 8 phases are metallic in nature, ensuring high electronic conductivity required as electrodes. Moduli calculations demonstrate that the mechanical strength of Li–Si–O phases is much higher than that of lithium metal. The diffusion barriers of interstitial Li range from 0.1 to 0.6 eV and the interstitial Li hopping serves as the dominating diffusion mechanism in the Li–Si–O ternary systems compared with vacancy diffusion. These findings provide a new strategy for future discovery of improved alloying anodes for lithium‐ion batteries and offer important insight towards the understanding of the phase transformation mechanism of alloy‐type protection layers on lithium‐metal anodes.

Qu, Jiale↗
NASA NTRS1981

Degradation Mechanisms in Aluminum Matrix Composites: Alumina/Aluminum and Boron/Aluminum

The effects of fabrication and long term thermal exposure (up to 10,000 hours at 590 K) on two types of aluminum matrix composites were examined. An alumina/aluminum composite, was made of continuous alpha Al2O3 fibers in a matrix of commercially pure aluminum alloyed with 2.8% lithium. The mechanical properties of the material, the effect of isothermal exposure, cyclic thermal exposure, and fatigue are presented. Two degradation mechanisms are identified. One was caused by formation of a nonstoichiometric alumina during fabrication, the other by a loss of lithium to a surface reaction during long term thermal exposure. The other composite, boron/aluminum, made of boron fibers in an aluminum matrix, was investigated using five different aluminum alloys for the matrices. The mechanical properties of each material and the effect of isothermal and cyclic thermal exposure are presented. The effects of each alloy constituent on the degradation mechanisms are discussed. The effects of several reactions between alloy constituents and boron fibers on the composite properties are discussed.

Olsen, G. C.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Electrolyte design for LiF-rich solid–electrolyte interfaces to enable high-performance microsized alloy anodes for batteries

Lithium batteries with Si, Al or Bi microsized (>10 µm) particle anodes promise a high capacity, ease of production, low cost and low environmental impact, yet they suffer from fast degradation and a low Coulombic efficiency. In this paper, we demonstrate that a rationally designed electrolyte (2.0 M LiPF 6 in 1:1 v/v mixture of tetrahydrofuran and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran) enables 100 cycles of full cells that contain microsized Si, Al and Bi anodes with commercial LiFePO 4 and LiNi 0.8 Co 0.15 Al 0.05 O 2 cathodes. Alloy anodes with areal capacities of more than 2.5 mAh cm -2 achieved >300 cycles with a high initial Coulombic efficiency of >90% and average Coulombic efficiency of >99.9%. These improvements are facilitated by the formation of a high-modulus LiF–organic bilayer interphase, in which LiF possesses a high interfacial energy with the alloy anode to accommodate plastic deformation of the lithiated alloy during cycling. Lastly, this work provides a simple yet practical solution to current battery technology without any binder modification or special fabrication methods.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Final Design for Thermal/Epithermal eXperiments (TEX) with Lithium Absorbers to Provide Validation Benchmarks for Y-12 Electrorefining Facility

One of the main goals of the Thermal/Epithermal eXperiments (TEX) project is to use existing Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP) assets to create critical experiment plutonium and uranium test beds for materials important to criticality safety that have insufficient benchmark evaluations. The plutonium test bed experiments were completed in 2018 and are published in the 2020 edition of the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project (ICSBEP) Handbook. The uranium test bed assemblies were completed in 2023 and accepted in the 2024 edition of the ICSBEP Handbook. The Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) group at Y-12 National Security Complex has identified programmatic need for validation cases for uranium electrorefining operations at Y-12. The electrorefining operation credits lithium enriched in 6 Li in addition to 35 Cl as absorbers in the design criticality safety evaluation for precluding criticality under upset conditions in the large and geometrically unfavorable electro-refiner. There is, however, inadequate experimental validation for the 6 Li absorbers. As an extension of the TEX uranium test bed, TEX-Cl critical experiments were performed with sodium chloride salt to address the 35 Cl thermal absorption as well as other validation needs at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). These experiments were completed in 2024 and accepted into the 2025 ICSBEP Handbook. To continue the methodology used in TEX-Cl, TEX-Li aims to accomplish the same. The overall design of both experiments was to use commercially available, high purity, salts with polyethylene moderator and HEU plates to configure a critical assembly. Three experiments are planned for TEX-Li using encapsulated lithium carbonate (Li 2 CO 3 ), with natural 6 Li abundance. For all experiments, the highly enriched uranium (HEU) Jemima plates will be used as fissile material. Multiple layers will be stacked together with encapsulated Li 2 CO 3 alternated with polyethylene in standard configurations. Standard stacking was found to be optimal in matching the different sensitivity profiles provided by the Y-12 models. Three configurations are proposed with varying polyethylene moderation and a constant 1/4” absorber thickness. The first uses 11 layers of 5/4” polyethylene, the second uses 9 layers of 3/4” polyethylene, and the third uses 10 layers of 1/2” polyethylene. Calculations showed that some alternative forms of lithium-based materials provided slightly less-optimal sensitivity profiles when compared to lithium carbonate but come with other drawbacks. These alternatives included lithium aluminate (LiAlO 2 ), Aluminum-2050 alloy, Aluminum-8090, Aluminum-2095, lithium hydride (LiH), and lithium fluoride (LiF). Lithium aluminate and aluminum-2050 provided comparable sensitivity profiles when compared to lithium carbonate and can be used instead if lithium carbonate cannot be readily procured. After a broad material study, lithium carbonate outperformed any alternative material with a balance in affordability and workability. The assessment of experimental uncertainties of the non-absorber and absorber components was predicted to be 0.00089 and 0.00093 Δk eff , respectively. The largest uncertainties may be reduced with precision dimensional inspection of the components. Many of the parts and equipment for IER 575 have already been fabricated or procured for previous projects and therefore do not contribute significantly to the overall cost of this experiment. This includes the Jemima plates and Comet critical assembly machine, which are existing NCSP assets, as well as the aluminum platen and polyethylene reflector rings, which were fabricated and authorized for the TEX experiment involving HEU with polyethylene. Lithium carbonate containers will be procured by LANL and will be filled by LLNL. The total material costs for TEX-Li experiments are estimated to be on the order of $\$$47,400. Precision inspection, including dimensional, mass, density, and impurity, is recommended for all components for an estimated cost of $\$$12,000.

35Cl↗
DOE OSTI2024

Low-cost iron trichloride cathode for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries

The dominant chemistries of lithium-ion batteries on the market today still rely on flammable organic liquid electrolytes and cathodes containing scarce metals, such as cobalt or nickel, raising safety, cost and environmental concerns. Here we show a FeCl 3 cathode that costs as little as 1% of the cost of a LiCoO 2 cathode or 2% of a LiFePO 4 cathode. Once coupled with a solid halide electrolyte and a lithium-indium (Li–In) alloy anode, it enables all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries without any liquid components. Notably, FeCl 3 exhibits two flat voltage plateaux between 3.5 and 3.8 V versus Li + /Li, and the solid cell retains 83% of its initial capacity after 1,000 cycles with an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.95%. Combined neutron diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy characterizations reveal a Li-ion (de)intercalation mechanism together with a Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ redox process. Further, our work provides a promising avenue for developing sustainable battery technologies with a favourable balance of performance, cost and safety.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1990

Short-crack growth behaviour in various aircraft materials

The results of the first phase of an AGARD Cooperative Test Program on the behavior and growth of short fatigue cracks are reviewed. The establishment of a common test method, means of data collection/analysis and crack growth modeling in an aircraft alloy AA 2024-T3 are described. The second phase allowed testing of various materials and loading conditions. The results of this second phase are described. All materials exhibited a short-crack effect to some extent. The effect was much less evident in 4340 steel than in the other materials. For the aluminum, aluminum-lithium, and titanium alloys, short cracks grew at stress-intensity factor ranges lower, in some cases much lower, than the thresholds obtained from long crack tests. Several laboratories used the same crack growth model to analyze the growth of short cracks. Reasonable agreement was found between measured and predicted short-crack growth rates and fatigue lives.

Edwards, P. R.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Surface Segregation of Liquid Metal Plasma-Facing Component Alloys: A ReaxFF Investigation

Engineering liquid metal alloys offers a transformative pathway for plasma-facing components by enabling chemically tailored surfaces that can simultaneously optimize plasma-material interactions, reduce divertor heat flux, and enhance core plasma confinement, thereby advancing the commercial viability of nuclear fusion power plants. This study, employing an atomistic simulation approach, provides direct evidence that incorporating nonmetal surface-active agents (such as O and H, or their combination) enables strong surface segregation. This capability makes tin−aluminum (Sn−Al) and tin−lithium (Sn−Li) alloys, with suitable compositions, good candidates for PFC applications. Specifically, the presence of low-Z solutes (Li, Al) leads to preferential surface enrichment, which imparts low-Z sputtering characteristics, while the Sn solvent maintains thermophysical stability. To systematically examine this behavior, we developed a ReaxFF force field spanning the full Sn/Al/Li/O/H chemistry, validated it against formation energies and elastic constants, and applied it in reactive molecular dynamics simulations at fusion-relevant temperatures. We also introduced an overlapbased segregation index that captures interfacial compositional separation directly from atomistic density distributions. Here, this metric reveals a clear hierarchy of segregation regimes and provides a unified view across all systems studied. Together, these findings establish a mechanistic link between nonmetal chemistry and interfacial structure, providing a predictive framework for designing self-adaptive, low-sputtering liquid metal alloys for fusion applications.

Alloys↗