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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 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

The DAQ system of the 12,000 channel CMS high granularity calorimeter prototype

The CMS experiment at the CERN LHC will be upgraded to accommodate the 5-fold increase in the instantaneous luminosity expected at the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC). Concomitant with this increase will be an increase in the number of interactions in each bunch crossing and a significant increase in the total ionising dose and fluence. One part of this upgrade is the replacement of the current endcap calorimeters with a high granularity sampling calorimeter equipped with silicon sensors, designed to manage the high collision rates. As part of the development of this calorimeter, a series of beam tests have been conducted with different sampling configurations using prototype segmented silicon detectors. In the most recent of these tests, conducted in late 2018 at the CERN SPS, the performance of a prototype calorimeter equipped with ≈12,000 channels of silicon sensors was studied with beams of high-energy electrons, pions and muons. This paper describes the custom-built scalable data acquisition system that was built with readily available FPGA mezzanines and low-cost Raspberry Pi computers.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
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 OSTI2024

Multidimensional perspectives of geo-epidemiology: from interdisciplinary learning and research to cost–benefit oriented decision-making

Research typically promotes two types of outcomes (inventions and discoveries), which induce a virtuous cycle: something suspected or desired (not previously demonstrated) may become known or feasible once a new tool or procedure is invented and, later, the use of this invention may discover new knowledge. Research also promotes the opposite sequence—from new knowledge to new inventions. This bidirectional process is observed in geo-referenced epidemiology—a field that relates to but may also differ from spatial epidemiology. Geo-epidemiology encompasses several theories and technologies that promote inter/transdisciplinary knowledge integration, education, and research in population health. Based on visual examples derived from geo-referenced studies on epidemics and epizootics, this report demonstrates that this field may extract more (geographically related) information than simple spatial analyses, which then supports more effective and/or less costly interventions. Actual (not simulated) bio-geo-temporal interactions (never captured before the emergence of technologies that analyze geo-referenced data, such as geographical information systems) can now address research questions that relate to several fields, such as Network Theory. Thus, a new opportunity arises before us, which exceeds research: it also demands knowledge integration across disciplines as well as novel educational programs which, to be biomedically and socially justified, should demonstrate cost-effectiveness. Grounded on many bio-temporal-georeferenced examples, this report reviews the literature that supports this hypothesis: novel educational programs that focus on geo-referenced epidemic data may help generate cost-effective policies that prevent or control disease dissemination.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1975

Microwave power transmission system studies. Volume 4: Sections 9 through 14 with appendices

The microwave rectifier technology, approaches to the receiving antenna, topology of rectenna circuits, assembly and construction, ROM cost estimates are discussed. Analyses and cost estimates for the equipment required to transmit the ground power to an external user. Noise and harmonic considerations are presented for both the amplitron and klystron and interference limits are identified and evaluated. The risk assessment discussion is discussed wherein technology risks are rated and ranked with regard to their importance in impacting the microwave power transmission system. The system analyses and evaluation are included of parametric studies of system relationships pertaining to geometry, materials, specific cost, specific weight, efficiency, converter packing, frequency selection, power distribution, power density, power output magnitude, power source, transportation and assembly. Capital costs per kW and energy costs as a function of rate of return, power source and transportation costs as well as build cycle time are presented. The critical technology and ground test program are discussed along with ROM costs and schedule. The orbital test program with associated critical technology and ground based program based on full implementation of the defined objectives is discussed.

Maynard, O. E.↗
DOE OSTI2022

The Importance of Modeling Carbon Dioxide Transportation and Geologic Storage in Energy System Planning Tools

Energy system planning tools suggest that the cost and feasibility of climate-stabilizing energy transitions are sensitive to the cost of CO 2 capture and storage processes (CCS), but the representation of CO 2 transportation and geologic storage in these tools is often simple or non-existent. We develop the capability of producing dynamic-reservoir-simulation-based geologic CO 2 storage supply curves with the Sequestration of CO 2 Tool (SCO 2 T) and use it with the ReEDS electric sector planning model to investigate the effects of CO 2 transportation and geologic storage representation on energy system planning tool results. We use a locational case study of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region. Our results suggest that the cost of geologic CO 2 storage may be as low as $3/tCO 2 and that site-level assumptions may affect this cost by several dollars per tonne. At the grid level, the cost of geologic CO 2 storage has generally smaller effects compared to other assumptions (e.g., natural gas price), but small variations in this cost can change results (e.g., capacity deployment decisions) when policy renders CCS marginally competitive. The cost of CO 2 transportation generally affects the location of geologic CO 2 storage investment more than the quantity of CO 2 captured or the location of electricity generation investment. We conclude with a few recommendations for future energy system researchers when modeling CCS. For example, assuming a cost for geologic CO 2 storage (e.g., $5/tCO 2 ) may be less consequential compared to assuming free storage by excluding it from the model.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Life cycle cost assessment of material recovery from perovskite solar cells

Perovskite photovoltaic (PV) cells have created a significant interest over the last few years due to their low-cost and high-power conversion efficiencies. While perovskite PVs are still under development, we analyze cost of alternative sustainable end-of-life management for perovskite PV cells; this allows to reuse economically valuable materials and prevent environmental contamination. Here, we studied the life cycle cost assessment of recovering metals such as lead, aluminum, gold, nickel, and silver and other valuable materials such as glass from waste perovskite PVs. We also developed a recycling scheme to optimize the material recovery and determine the economically feasible ways to separate the cells layer-by-layer. Further, we assessed the cost and the net cost of the perovskite PV recycling processes. We found that the most feasible recycling technique’ cost is $\$$10.70 and its net cost is $\$$– 2.95 per 1 m 2 module. These values could be further improved by optimizing and reusing chemicals involved in process. These results indicate that the cost of perovskite PV recycling is economically feasible and there is potentional to gain benefit from sustainable end-of-life management of perovskite PVs.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1988

Efficient parallel algorithms for string editing and related problems

The string editing problem for input strings x and y consists of transforming x into y by performing a series of weighted edit operations on x of overall minimum cost. An edit operation on x can be the deletion of a symbol from x, the insertion of a symbol in x or the substitution of a symbol x with another symbol. This problem has a well known O((absolute value of x)(absolute value of y)) time sequential solution (25). The efficient Program Requirements Analysis Methods (PRAM) parallel algorithms for the string editing problem are given. If m = ((absolute value of x),(absolute value of y)) and n = max((absolute value of x),(absolute value of y)), then the CREW bound is O (log m log n) time with O (mn/log m) processors. In all algorithms, space is O (mn).

Apostolico, Alberto↗
NASA NTRS1972

Program for establishing long-time flight service performance of composite materials in the center wing structure of C-130 aircraft. Phase 1: Advanced development

Areas where selective reinforcement of conventional metallic structure can improve static strength/fatigue endurance at lower weight than would be possible if metal reinforcement were used are discussed. These advantages are now being demonstrated by design, fabrication, and tests of three boron-epoxy reinforced C-130E center wing boxes. This structural component was previously redesigned using an aluminum build-up to meet increased severity of fatigue loadings. Direct comparisons of relative structural weights, manufacturing costs, and producibility can therefore be obtained, and the long-time flight service performance of the composite reinforced structure can be evaluated against the wide background of metal reinforced structure.

Harvill, W. E.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Digital Twins for Nuclear Power Plants and Facilities

The nuclear digital twin (DT) is the virtual representation of a nuclear energy system across its lifecycle. The nuclear DT uses real-time information and other data sources to improve the process of design, licensing, construction, security, O&M, decommissioning, and waste disposal. By leveraging the knowledge base and experience from the past 40 years of LWR operation, the nuclear DT is helping to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technology in areas of passive safety, new fuel forms, instrumentation, and reactor control. For the currently operating nuclear fleet, DTs are reducing the operational risks, increasing plant availability, increasing energy capability, and reducing electricity production costs. For advanced fission and fusion reactors, DTs are being used to design for passive safety and built-in security-by-design. Rapidly deployable small modular reactor (SMR) and microreactor designs compatible with modular construction techniques and advanced manufacturing will be the new normal, reducing the need for large capital expenditures and compressing construction schedules. In addition, lower operational and maintenance costs will be realized by reducing the complexity of operations, staffing needs, and maintenance-related activities.

Kropaczek, Dave↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Lithium Feedstock Pathway: Coupled Electrochemical Saltwater Extraction and Direct Battery Materials Manufacturing

Lithium (Li) is one of the critical industrial materials and an indispensable component in manufacturing Li batteries. However, Li resource is limited and geographically uneven in earth’s crust and its mining is not sustainable due to the low efficiency and complicated separation and refining processes. In this work, we develop a one-step technology to electrochemically extract Li from low concentration solutions (brines, seawater or used Li-ion batteries) into a form to directly produce commercial battery materials, eliminating the costly Li separation/purification steps. By using this approach, Li was selectively extracted and converted into battery cathodes (e.g., spinel LiMn 2 O 4 and layered LiNi x Mn y Co z O 2 ) through heat treatment. With the importance of Li-ion batteries to the overall decarbonization strategy, the demonstration of a one-step Li-extraction to a ready-to-use material could expand the access to Li resources at a lower cost by eliminating processing steps.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

4.6 V Moisture‐Tolerant Electrolytes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract Commercial LiPF 6 ‐based electrolytes face limitations in oxidation stability (4.2 V) and water tolerance (10 ppm). While replacing LiPF 6 with lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (LiTFSI) improves water tolerance, it induces Al current collector corrosion above 3.7 V vs. Li/Li + . To address this, lithium cyano(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiCTFSI) is proposed here as a non‐corrosive, moisture‐tolerant alternative. The 2.0 M LiCTFSI/propylene carbonate (PC)‐fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) (7:3 by volume) electrolyte enables LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 (NCM811) cathodes to reach 210 mAh g −1 (2.8‐4.6 V) with a cycle life of 500. Full cells with NCM811||graphite (2.0 mAh cm −2 ) show 77.8% capacity retention after 500 cycles. Even with 2000 ppm moisture in the electrolyte, full cells maintain high cycling stability, reducing the need for costly dry rooms. The electrolyte’s low freezing point and high thermal stability enable the operation from ‐20 °C to 60 °C, delivering 168 mAh g −1 at ‐20 °C and retaining 94% capacity after 100 cycles at 60 °C. In contrast, cells with commercial LiPF 6 electrolyte deliver 71 mAh g −1 at ‐20°C and retain 52.7% after 100 cycles at 60 °C. This novel salt offers a cost‐effective solution for developing robust, high‐performance batteries suitable for extreme conditions.

Zhang, Nan↗
DOE OSTI2025

Non-fluorinated electrolyte for high-voltage anode-free sodium metal battery

Abundant sodium (Na) batteries are a sustainable alternative to resource-constrained lithium-ion batteries, offering huge cost advantages. However, developing high-voltage anode-free sodium metal batteries (SMBs) to narrow the energy density gap with lithium-ion batteries is hindered by a critical challenge: existing electrolytes cannot simultaneously achieve ultra-high Na coulombic efficiency and anodic stability. Here, in this study, we present a rationally designed non-fluorinated electrolyte (1.0 M NaPF 6 in 1,2-diethoxyethane/1,2-di-tert-butoxyethane) to address this key limitation, achieving Na coulombic efficiency of >99.95% and anodic stability of >4.8 V. For coin cells (2.0 mAh cm −2 , N/P = 1.7), our electrolyte design enables 4.0 V Na | |Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 (NVP) at 5 C and 4.3 V Na | |NaNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 (NMC622) at 0.3 C for 5,000 and 500 cycles with a capacity retention >80%. Remarkably, the 50 mAh anode-free pouch cells 4.0 V Al | |NVP and 4.3 V Al | |NMC622 also achieve 500 and 300 cycles (retention >75%) with a specific energy of >360 Wh kg (electrode) −1 . This work focuses on electrolyte optimization and conceptual advances, whereas critical aspects such as safety, large-scale manufacturability and practical feasibility of SMBs require further investigation. The electrolyte design using non-fluorinated solvents enhances the anodic stability without sacrificing Na efficiency, laying groundwork for advancing low-cost, high-energy SMBs and supporting the transition to sustainable battery technologies.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Simultaneous imaging of two-phase velocities in particle-laden flows by two-color optical phase discrimination

In this Letter, we present a particle image/tracking velocimetry (PIV/PTV) technique for simultaneous velocity measurement of both fluid and particle phases, adopting newly developed optical phase discrimination methods and novel optical particles. Spherical acrylic (PMMA) particles of diameter ∼ <#comment/> O ( 100 µ <#comment/> m ) were used as the particle phase, while fine B A M : E u 2 + phosphors of diameter ∼ <#comment/> O ( 1 µ <#comment/> m ) were used as the fluid tracer. Under Nd:YAG 355 nm laser excitation, both the laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) from PMMA and laser-induced phosphorescence (LIP) from B A M : E u 2 + provided sufficiently strong signals for PIV imaging with two non-intensified cameras and were clearly separable for phase discrimination using spectral filters and temporal profiles. The advantages of the PIV/PTV method include the relatively low cost of B A M : E u 2 + phosphors, high sphericity and narrow size distribution of PMMA particles with LIF emission, and direct optical discrimination eliminating artifacts, while requiring much less computational capacity for PIV/PTV processing of complex particle-laden flows.

Bi, Xiaopeng (ORCID:0000000190847325)↗
DOE OSTI2021

A General Strategy for Batch Development of High-Performance and Cost-Effective Sodium Layered Cathodes

High-performance and low-cost transition metal (TM) layered oxides using earth abundant elements are promising cathodes for Na-ion batteries. However, it is challenging to obtain desired materials because the large Na size, different Na occupations and various layer stacking sequences multiply the complication in determining the structure of a given composition and exacerbate uncertainty to the structure-property correlation. In this work, we use the attainment of desired NaxMnyNiZTM1-y-zO2-based cathode materials as an example to demonstrate a general roadmap for batch development of sodium layered cathodes towards practical applications. A synthesis phase diagram of NaxMnyNi1-yO2 was created for pre-screening and rational selection of the platform material of P2/O3-structured Na0.85Mn0.6Ni0.4O2. Cationic potential was leveraged in elemental substitution to further promote the material structural stability and electrochemical performance. Several cost-effective O3 and P2/O3 hybrid cathode materials have been obtained, all of which demonstrate excellent performance. In particular, the Na0.85Mn0.5Ni0.4Ti0.1O2 delivers a high specific capacity of ~130 mAh/g between 2-4 V and 91% retention after 500 cycles. The work discovers multiple materials as high-performance and cost-effective Na-ion battery cathodes and offers critical guidance to the rational design of future layered cathode materials.

Xiao, Biwei↗
DOE OSTI2024

Solid–liquid separation of lignocellulosic sugars from biomass by rotating ceramic disc filtration

In many biomass conversion processes, the separation of cellulosic sugars from residual, lignin-rich solids is a critical step, and achieving high recovery yields of sugars by conventional tangential crossflow and vacuum filtration is challenged by the presence of biomass solids, which rapidly foul filters, resulting in decreased throughput. Considering the performance limitations of traditional filtration methods, dynamic filtration, which generates high shear at the membrane surface to decrease fouling, is emerging as a viable alternative for demanding solid–liquid separations. For high solids separations, there is little available information regarding the performance, limitations, and energy consumption of dynamic filtration. To that end, here we characterized the performance of a dynamic filtration module, specifically a rotating ceramic disc (RCD) filter, for the aseptic recovery of cellulosic sugars from biomass solids following pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. We show how RCD rotational velocity and percent biomass solids impact the filter throughput. Additionally, we used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to estimate the shear rate at the membrane surface and to visualize hydrodynamic profiles within the module. With the combined CFD simulations and experimental results, we estimated the energy demand and operating expenses for a viable dynamic filtration system operating with a lignocellulosic feed slurry. Our results indicate that an RCD filter can achieve ≥95% recovery of sugars and produce a retentate slurry containing 12 wt% insoluble solids with low energy consumption (a 2.2-fold improvement over cross-flow filtration) and low operating costs ($\$$0.06 per kg sugars). These results show a viable path towards operationally reliable, energy efficient, and cost-effective separations of sterilized cellulosic sugars from biomass solids and highlight the potential of dynamic filtration systems for challenging solid–liquid separations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2007

Partitioning Evapotranspiration in Semiarid Grassland and Shrubland Ecosystems Using Diurnal Surface Temperature Variation

The encroachment of woody plants in grasslands across the Western U.S. will affect soil water availability by altering the contributions of evaporation (E) and transpiration (T) to total evapotranspiration (ET). To study this phenomenon, a network of flux stations is in place to measure ET in grass- and shrub-dominated ecosystems throughout the Western U.S. A method is described and tested here to partition the daily measurements of ET into E and T based on diurnal surface temperature variations of the soil and standard energy balance theory. The difference between the mid-afternoon and pre-dawn soil surface temperature, termed Apparent Thermal Inertia (I(sub A)), was used to identify days when E was negligible, and thus, ET=T. For other days, a three-step procedure based on energy balance equations was used to estimate Qe contributions of daily E and T to total daily ET. The method was tested at Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed in southeast Arizona based on Bowen ratio estimates of ET and continuous measurements of surface temperature with an infrared thermometer (IRT) from 2004- 2005, and a second dataset of Bowen ratio, IRT and stem-flow gage measurements in 2003. Results showed that reasonable estimates of daily T were obtained for a multi-year period with ease of operation and minimal cost. With known season-long daily T, E and ET, it is possible to determine the soil water availability associated with grass- and shrub-dominated sites and better understand the hydrologic impact of regional woody plant encroachment.

Moran, M. Susan↗
DOE OSTI2026

Benchtop Autonomous Electrochemical Characterization System for Combinatorial Thin-Film Solid Oxide Electrodes

The design of materials for electrochemical energy conversion is complicated by a vast search space of candidate materials and multifaceted property requirements: multicarrier conductivity, stability, and catalytic activity are all necessary but rarely intersect. Although self-driving laboratories are rapidly rising to address such material optimization problems, the required infrastructure for integrated, large-scale robotic facilities can be cost-prohibitive. Here we develop and evaluate a closed-loop measurement system for efficient screening of proton-conducting oxide electrodes for ceramic fuel cells and electrolyzers, building on top of an existing benchtop instrument and integrating techniques for rapid impedance measurement and automated analysis. This system exemplifies a “minimum viable” self-driving implementation that can deliver substantial benefits with relatively simple infrastructure. Combinatorial thin-film microelectrode libraries are characterized with a recently developed joint time-domain and frequency-domain impedance measurement technique, which provides an order-of-magnitude acceleration relative to conventional impedance spectroscopy. The distribution of relaxation times is extracted from impedance data and analyzed without human intervention. These results feed an active learning and Bayesian optimization process that learns to predict electrochemical impedance as a function of material composition, measurement temperature, oxygen partial pressure, and electrical bias, which further reduces the screening time by tenfold with optimized experimental sequences. We apply this system to Ba⁡(Co,Fe,Zr,Y)⁢O 3−𝛿 combinatorial libraries and evaluate its effectiveness for learning material property trends and optimizing expensive-to-evaluate properties such as activation energy. This offers insights into key methodological aspects of practical autonomous experimentation, including surrogate model validation, cost-aware acquisition functions, and high-throughput data interpretation. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of the system for rapidly gathering information, but also highlight real-world experimental challenges of thin-film degradation and numerical instability in surrogate models.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Endothermic physiology of extinct megatooth sharks

The evolution of the extinct megatooth shark, Otodus megalodon , and its close phylogenetic relatives remains enigmatic. A central question persists regarding the thermophysiological origins of these large predatory sharks through geologic time, including whether O. megalodon was ectothermic or endothermic (including regional endothermy), and whether its thermophysiology could help to explain the iconic shark’s gigantism and eventual demise during the Pliocene. To address these uncertainties, we present unique geochemical evidence for thermoregulation in O. megalodon from both clumped isotope paleothermometry and phosphate oxygen isotopes. Our results show that O. megalodon had an overall warmer body temperature compared with its ambient environment and other coexisting shark species, providing quantitative and experimental support for recent biophysical modeling studies that suggest endothermy was one of the key drivers for gigantism in O. megalodon and other lamniform sharks. The gigantic body size with high metabolic costs of having high body temperatures may have contributed to the vulnerability of Otodus species to extinction when compared to other sympatric sharks that survived the Pliocene epoch.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗