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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 OSTI2025

Li 21 Ge 8 P 3 S 34 : New Lithium Superionic Conductor with Unprecedented Structural Type

Abstract Lithium superionic conductors are pivotal for enabling all‐solid‐state batteries, which aim to replace liquid electrolytes and enhance safety. Herein, we report the discovery of an unprecedented lithium superionic conductor, Li 21 Ge 8 P 3 S 34 , featuring a novel structural type and a new composition in the Li–Ge–P–S system. This material exhibits high lithium ionic conductivity of approximately 1.0 mS cm −1 at 303 K with a low activation energy of 0.20(1) eV. It's unique crystal structure was elucidated using three‐dimensional electron diffraction (3D ED) and further refined through combined powder X‐ray and neutron diffraction analyses. The structure consists of alternating two‐dimensional slabs: one of corner‐sharing GeS 4 tetrahedra and the other of isolated PS 4 tetrahedra, enabling efficient lithium‐ion transport through a tetrahedrally interconnected network of 1D, 2D, and 3D diffusion pathways. This distinctive structural motif provides a novel design strategy for next‐generation solid electrolytes, broadening the structural landscape of lithium superionic conductors. With further advancements in compositional tuning and interfacial engineering, Li 21 Ge 8 P 3 S 34 could contribute to the development of high‐performance all‐solid‐state batteries.

Chemistry↗
NASA NTRS2010

Test and Delivery of the Chemin Mineralogical Instrument for Mars Science Laboratory

The CheMin mineralogical instrument on MSL will return quantitative powder X-ray diffraction data (XRD) and qualitative X-ray fluorescence data (XRF; 14<Z<92) from scooped soil samples and drilled rock powders collected on the Mars surface. The geometry of the source, sample, and detector is shown. A transmission geometry was chosen so that diffracted intensities in the low-20 region (5-15 deg), important for phyllosilicate identification, could be detected.

Blake, D. F.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Near-IR Luminescence Tuning in a Series of Chalcogenophene Carboxylate-Decorated Neodymium Dimers

Here, the solvothermal synthesis of a series of Nd dimers decorated with various chalcogenophene carboxylates and 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine of the general formula, [Nd 2 (µ-XC 5 H 3 O 2 ) 2 (XC 5 H 3 O 2 ) 4 (N 3 C 15 H 11 ) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ] where X = O, S, Se, and Te, is reported. The solid-state structures were characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (scXRD) and all the complexes are isomorphous, despite substitution of the heterocyclic chalcogen; phase purity was confirmed via powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD). Vibrational spectroscopy was collected and correlations between chalcogen identity and the binding strength of the carboxylate groups of the chalcogenophene ligands with each metal center were shown to be independent of chalcogen identity. All four complexes displayed Nd(III)-based near-IR luminescence and exhibited ligand-sensitized emission. Varying the chalcogenophene chromophore enabled tuning of the sensitizing triplet state energy level, as evidenced by an 8-fold increase in the sensitization of the TeCA-decorated dimer relative to the other chalcogenophene congeners. This behavior was rationalized by comparing the Nd(III) acceptor and ligand donor states across the series. The donor triplet state of each ligand was estimated via low-temperature (77 K) phosphorescence measurements from 1:1 mixtures with Gd(III); these were found to be 24,631 cm –1 for furan-2-carboxylic acid (FCA), 23,764 cm –1 for thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (TCA), 22,548 cm –1 for selenophene-2-carboxylic acid (SeCA), and 21,186 cm –1 for tellurophene-2-carboxylic acid (TeCA). The greater sensitization efficiency of TeCA is the result of well-matched ligand donor and metal acceptor levels and thus suppression of nonradiative back-energy transfer. More broadly, triplet energy level information for these ligands serves as a guide for future application to other target metals based on the electronic properties necessary to effect efficient sensitization.

Coordination Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2025

Solving the “Coloring Problem” in InPd 3– x Ag x ( x = 0–0.7) by Phase Diagrams Modeling and Diffraction Experiments

Here, a series of InPd 3–x Ag x (x = 0–1) compositions were synthesized by conventional high-temperature synthesis, and as-synthesized samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction experiments. Up to x = 0.7, InPd 3–x Ag x adopts the ternary substitutional variant of the InPd 3 structure (TiAl 3 -type), when x > 0.7, elemental Ag starts to segregate along with the main phase. Accurate structural characterization in InPd 3–x Ag x faces a critical challenge due to the narrow X-ray scattering contrast among constituents In, Pd, and Ag and nearly identical neutron scattering lengths of Pd and Ag. To overcome this “coloring problem”, a combination of calculation of phase diagrams modeling (CALPHAD) and diffraction techniques (X-ray and neutron) was employed. In the compositional range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.7, InPd 3–x Ag x presents a ternary variant of the TiAl 3 -type structure, where Ag atoms selectively substitute one (the 2b Wyckoff site) of the two Pd sites in InPd 3 . Notably, in contrast to the isologous InPd 3–x Cu x (x = 0–1) system, Ag substitution does not form an ordered VRh 2 Sn-type structure at the limiting composition. The distinct site preference in InPd 3–x Ag x is elucidated by charge population analysis, electronic structure calculations, and orbital-resolved chemical bonding investigations, and the extent of substitution is supported by formation free energy calculations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

PyFaults: A Python Toolkit for Stacking Fault Screening

PyFaults is an open-source Python library designed to model stacking fault disorder in crystalline materials and qualitatively assess the characteristic selective broadening effects in powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Here, the main capabilities of PyFaults are presented, including unit cell and supercell model construction, PXRD pattern calculation, assessment against experimental PXRD, and methods for rapid screening of candidate models within a set of possible stacking vectors and fault occurrence probabilities. This program aims to serve as a computationally inexpensive tool for identifying and screening potential stacking fault models in materials with planar disorder. Three diverse case studies, involving GaN, Li2MnO3 and Li3YCl6, are presented to illustrate the program functionality across a range of structure types and stacking fault modalities.

MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2026

Supramolecular Metal‐Organic Framework Electrocatalysts With Hydration‐Adaptive Gallery Expansion and Linker‐Mediated Distal Ni‐Co Cooperation Enable Framework‐Retentive Oxygen Evolution

Atomic‑level tailoring of electronic communication between spatially separated metal sites offers a route to accelerate multielectron electrocatalysis. We report Ni-TPTC, Co-TPTC, and heterobimetallic Ni-Co-TPTC supramolecular metal-organic frameworks (SMOFs) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) built from a terphenyl‑tetracarboxylate (TPTC) linker. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of heterobimetallic Ni–Co–TPTC reveals trans-bis-aqua octahedral chains assembled into a π-stacked, hydrogen-bonded lattice and confirms retention of the parent architecture, while powder X-ray diffraction supports an isostructural Co analog. In 1.0 M KOH, Ni-Co-TPTC reaches 20 mA cm −2 at 350 mV and maintains operation at ∼60 mA cm −2 for 45 h with modest decay of the initial current. Time‑dependent ex situ diffraction shows dominant framework reflections with low‑angle shifts consistent with gallery dilation (d‑spacing ∼7.7 → ∼9.2 Å) during early operation, while Co K‑edge X‑ray absorption and microscopy reveal Co‑rich oxide/oxyhydroxide‑like domains at longer times that correlate with decay. X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy, quantified by the Remote Binding‑Energy Differential, tracks composition‑dependent Ni-Co polarization, and DFT free‑energy analysis suggests that a model Ni-Co environment lowers the Co‑centered potential‑limiting step by ∼0.24 eV relative to the Co‑only framework. Furthermore, these results suggest that framework‑retentive expansion and distal Ni-Co coupling can drive OER activity before gradual deligation and oxide formation mark longer‑time degradation.

Supramolecular metal-organic frameworks (SMOFs)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Suppressing Ordering in Equiatomic Fe-Co via Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Neutron and electron diffraction was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of thermal management strategies in suppressing the formation of the equilibrium-ordered B2 (CsCl) phase in equiatomic binary Fe-Co specimens fabricated by laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing. Specimens with a tensile dogbone geometry were fabricated using various combinations of process parameters (laser power and raster speed) and thermal management strategies (no support struts, struts only in the top gauge section, and struts throughout the gauge section). Diffraction results demonstrate that the rapid solidification during PBF-L effectively minimized B2 formation, with laser power and effective scan velocity having no significant impact on the degree of ordering. Furthermore, the inclusion of support struts in the top grip region had no perceivable impact on ordering, whereas specimens with support struts in the gauge region exhibited no detectable ordering. Results are discussed in the context of thermal finite element analysis predictions.

Laser Material Processing↗
NASA NTRS2000

Freely Suspended Smectic Filaments and the Structure of the B7 Phase of MHOBOW

Our recent discovery of the spontaneous formation of chiral domains in fluid smectic phases of achiral bow-shaped molecules opens up a wide variety of possibilities for new liquid crystal phases and phenomena. The basic, spontaneously chiral layer structure of the highest temperature fluid smectic phases, the B2 and B7, are shown. One of the most intriguing aspects of this structure is the plethora of possible phases coming from different stacking sequences of the polar ordering and tilt directions. The four possibilities of next-nearest neighbor alternation are shown. In the original material studied, NOBOW, the ground states found are antiferroelectric, either the racemic SmC(sub S)P(sub A) or the chiral SmC(sub A)P(sub A). We are currently studying MHOBOW, synthesized by D. Walba which, by virtue of its methyl hexyloxy tail has a tendency to form anticlinic layer interfaces, in the hope of finding a phase with a ferroelectric ground state, either SmC(sub A)P(sub S) or SmC(sub S)P(sub A), which can be obtained in NOBOW only by applying a field. Preliminary observations of MHO-BOW have made its study, from the point of view of understanding novel LC structures, extremely high priority. The following truly remarkable characteristics have been revealed: (i) The smectic phase grows out of the isotropic in the form of helical ribbons. The resulting planar aligned textures of focal conics with layers normal to glass plates exhibit bizarre modulations, including stripes and checker-boards. These have also been seen in other materials suggesting that this is a new phase (tentatively called B7), which is a fluid smectic with some kind of in-layer structure. (ii) It is virtually impossible to make freely suspended films of MHOBOW. Rather it makes the freely suspended filaments which preliminary x-ray scattering experiments reveal to have the nested cylinder layer structure indicated; (iii) The powder x-ray diffraction exhibits four resolution-limited smectic layering peaks, very close in layer spacing, which vary continuously with T. This is further evidence for a more complex three dimensional structure than NOBOW, which has a typical single layering reflection. (iv) The x-ray structure factor of the layering peak of the filaments is extraordinarily complex and rich. Varying in qL (the scattering vector component along the filament axis) from a double slit-like pattern to modulated layer-like patterns, as qH (the scattering vector component normal to the filament axis) is varied over the range where the four powder peaks are located. These results suggest some kind of mosaic structure, perhaps with different layer spacings corresponding to the different stacking sequences. Recent x-ray diffraction experiments show that the peaks are modulated in intensity upon translation along a filament, in domains of several hundred microns dimension. These preliminary experiments suggest that the B7 is a fluid smectic with extremely unusual and fascinating structures. Of all of the many hundreds of fluid smectic materials we have attempted to study in the freely suspended film geometry over the years, only a few have failed to form films, and none showed any great tendency to form filaments, although this clearly should be a possible freely suspended smectic LC morphology. On several occasions in the past we have intentionally tried to make filaments from a variety of smectics without success. Thus the smectic filament formation property makes the B7 phase unique. It seems quite likely that the stability of filaments is related to the in-plane structure. The filaments exhibit other interesting structural and optical features. They are birefringent with a local optic axis which is oblique and which can vary continuously along filament and which can be manipulated with an electric field applied normal to the fiber, as if the field were causing a rotation of the optic axis about the fiber axis. Rapid displacement of the ends of the fiber toward one another causes a macroscopic helixing at low T and causes thick regions to transiently appear at high T, a 1D analog of island formation on a rapidly compressed film.

Clark, N.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Synthesis, structure, and stability of a novel 2 H -azirine under pressure

We have synthesized 2,3-diphenyl-2H-azirine, a strained unsaturated heterocyclic compound, and examined its high-pressure behavior to above 10 GPa using diamond anvil cell techniques. Single crystal X-ray diffraction at ambient conditions reveals that the crystal structure is hexagonal and consists of interesting helices surrounding voids in the structure. A continuous shift of the Raman and infrared vibrational spectra with increasing pressure is observed, indicating that the molecular structure is preserved to at least 8 GPa at room temperature. High-pressure synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction shows that the hexagonal structure persists, with a smooth compression of the a and c parameters to 10 GPa. The structural stability under pressure is attributed to the reduction in void size within the helical framework despite the inherent strain and reactivity of the molecule. The channels in the structure could encapsulate small molecules for gas or energy storage applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Synthesis and Properties of Bulk Mg 3 WN 4 in a Wurtzite-Derived Structure

Experimental synthesis of theoretically predicted materials with controlled elemental coordination environments can lead to the realization of useful properties, such as facile ion transport or ferroelectric switching. Among such materials are ternary nitrides in the Mg−W−N composition space, where several stable and metastable compounds have been predicted and synthesized recently in bulk and film forms. Here, we report for the first time on the bulk synthesis of Mg 3 WN 4 in a wurtzite-derived crystal structure via a solid-state metathesis reaction. In situ synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction shows how the ion exchange proceeds from Li 6 WN 4 + MgCl 2 precursors to Mg 3 WN 4 + LiCl products, with the reaction starting slowly near 380 °C and completing by 600 °C, including the presence of a competing disordered rocksalt-derived phase (Mg,W)N above 440 °C. The follow-up ex situ powder synthesis at 400 °C for 0.5 h with 10% excess MgCl 2 reveals the cation-ordered nature of the wurtzite-derived Mg 3 WN 4 structure with polar symmetry confirmed by second-harmonic generation measurements. Optical absorption spectra, chemical composition analysis, and electron microscopy imaging suggest that bulk Mg 3 WN 4 obtained via metathesis reaction is prone to defect formation. Overall, this study shows that selective ex situ synthesis of the phase-pure ternary nitrides, informed by in situ measurements, is possible by carefully controlling the thermal budget of the reaction and paves the way toward property characterization of the Mg 3 WN 4 wurtzite-derived material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

In Situ Diffraction and Ex Situ Transmission X‐Ray Microscopy Studies of Solid‐State Upcycling for NMC Cathodes

Upcycling of recycled LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 (NMC622) cathodes offers an economical route to produce cathode materials with increased energy density (i.e., LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 , NMC811) that meet the performance needs of present-day electric vehicles. In this work, solid-state upcycling of NMC622 via calcination with Ni(OH) 2 and LiOH was monitored using in situ synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction measurements. Sequential Rietveld refinements indicate that the calcination proceeds by initially converting Ni(OH) 2 to a rocksalt NiO phase followed by lithiation of NiO to form LiNiO 2 (LNO), with both NMC and LNO phases present in nearly equal proportions at the calcination endpoint. Variable-energy transmission X-ray microscopy tomograms of upcycled samples reveal that the NMC and LNO domains are intermixed at sub-micron length scales. Depth-dependent analysis of multi-elemental fitting maps matches the expected NMC811 composition at the secondary particle level and indicates that transition metal diffusion is not limited by the secondary particle size.

cathode upcycling↗
NASA NTRS1989

Mechanical alloying, characterization and consolidation of Ti-Al-Ni alloys

Mechanical alloying is being investigated as a processing route for the production of aluminide intermetallics. This program involves powder production and characterization, consolidation and thermal treatments and determination of microstructure-property relationships. An attritor mill is being used to produce powder in lots up to 1000 grams and the processing parameters are being systematically varied to establish the optimum milling conditions. The mill is being instrumented to generate data related to the processing to provide a basis for theoretical modeling. Powder is being characterized using thermal analysis, optical and electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Particle size distributions and powder density are being determined. Consolidation of the powder is being approached in several different ways including, cold isostatic pressing, sintering, extrusion and hot pressing. The results of the program so far will be presented and future directions discussed.

Nash, P.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Formation of Fully Stoichiometric, Oxidation-State Pure Neptunium and Plutonium Dioxides from Molecular Precursors

Amidate-based ligands (N-(tert-butyl)isobutyramide, ITA) bind κ 2 to form homoleptic, 8-coordinate complexes with tetravalent 237 Np (Np(ITA) 4 , 1-Np) and 242 Pu (Pu(ITA) 4 , 1-Pu). These compounds complete an isostructural series from Th, U–Pu and allow for the direct comparison between many of the early actinides with stable tetravalent oxidation states by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). The molecular precursors are subjected to controlled thermolysis under mild conditions with the exclusion of exogenous air and moisture, facilitating the removal of the volatile organic ligands and ligand byproducts. The preformed metal–oxygen bond in the precursor, as well as the metal oxidation state, are maintained through the decomposition, forming fully stoichiometric, oxidation-state pure NpO 2 and PuO 2 . Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping supported the evaluation of these high-purity materials. This chemistry is applicable to a wide range of metals, including actinides, with accessible tetravalent oxidation states, and provides a consistent route to analytical standards of importance to the field of nuclear nonproliferation, forensics, and fundamental studies.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2025

Harnessing nanoscale densification for controlling gas selectivity in flexible zeolitic imidazolate frameworks

Flexible metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising for gas separation due to their molecular recognition capabilities. However, gate-opening behavior in certain flexible MOFs can reduce gas selectivity, enabling simultaneous adsorption of multiple gases. We introduce a binder-free, pressure-free densification process to enhance gas selectivity in flexible zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-7 and ZIF-9) by optimizing nanoparticle packing. Unlike powders, the densified ZIF-7 and ZIF-9 retain rhombohedral crystal structures after solvent removal, confirmed via synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. This process modifies adsorption behavior by introducing a diffusion barrier, enabling diffusivity-driven kinetic separation and enhanced CO2/hydrocarbon selectivity. At 0.5 bar, ZIF-7 mono shows 2×, 4×, and 9.5× higher CO 2 selectivity over C 2 H 2 , C 2 H 4 , and C 2 H 6 , respectively, versus ZIF-7 pwd . ZIF-9 mono similarly shows 6.5×, 3×, and 39× improvements over ZIF-9 pwd . Both monoliths outperform powders in ternary gas mixtures. This study provides a novel strategy to control gate opening and enhance gas selectivity in flexible MOFs for practical separation applications.

CO2/hydrocarbon separation↗
DOE OSTI2026

Insights on carbon dioxide adsorption in a flexible 1-D coordination polymer from in situ X-ray scattering and density functional theory

A combination of in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) microstructure characterization over scales ranging from 1 nm to 10 µm and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) structure characterization under various gas/pressure/temperature conditions with density functional theory (DFT) calculations provides new insights for the CO2 sorption behavior of a one-dimensional porous coordination polymer: catena-bis­(di­benzoyl­methanato)(4,4′-bi­pyridyl)­nickel(II), denoted NiDBM-Bpy. The NiDBM-Bpy chains are held together by van der Waals forces, but the structure of guest-free NiDBM-Bpy is unsolved due to a lack of suitable crystals and high-quality powder XRD patterns. Nevertheless, SAXS and powder XRD can follow microstructural and structural changes as a function of gas pressure, composition and temperature. Both mixed-gas flow and static supercritical CO2 regimes are explored experimentally. DFT calculations are used to model the structural variation associated with XRD changes and hysteresis in the sorption isotherms. XRD and DFT calculations suggest that an orthorhombic Fddd structure with two CO2 per Ni emerges following a transition from the structure with lower molar volume and symmetry that exists without CO2 present.

Allen, Andrew J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Low-Flow-Rate Dry-Powder Feeder

Apparatus feeds small, precise flow of dry powder through laser beam of optical analyzer, measuring patterns of light created by forward scattering (Fraunhofer diffraction) of laser beam from powder particles. From measurement, statistical distribution of sizes of powder particles computed. Developed for analyzing particle-size distributions of solid-propellant powders. Also adapted to use in pharmaceutical industry, in manufacture of metal powder, and in other applications in which particle-size distributions of materials used to control rates of chemical reactions and/or physical characteristics of processes.

Ramsey, Keith E.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Low-Flow-Rate Dry-Powder Feeder

Apparatus feeds small, precise flow of dry powder through laser beam of optical analyzer measuring patterns of light created by forward scattering (Fraunhofer diffraction) of laser beam from powder particles. From this optical measurement, statistical distribution of sizes of powder particles computed. Rates of flow optimized for measurement of particle-size distributions. Developed for analyzing particle-size distributions of solid-propellant powders. Also adapted to pharmaceutical industry, in manufacture of metal powder, and in other applications where particle-size distributions of materials used to control rates of chemical reactions and/or physical characteristics of processes.

Ramsey, Keith E.↗