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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 OSTI2024

Carbon capture in polymer-based electrolytes

Nanoparticle organic hybrid materials (NOHMs) have been proposed as excellent electrolytes for combined CO 2 capture and electrochemical conversion due to their conductive nature and chemical tunability. However, CO 2 capture behavior and transport properties of these electrolytes after CO 2 capture have not yet been studied. Here, we use a variety of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques to explore the carbon speciation and transport properties of branched polyethylenimine (PEI) and PEI-grafted silica nanoparticles (denoted as NOHM-I-PEI) after CO 2 capture. Quantitative 13 C NMR spectra collected at variable temperatures reveal that absorbed CO 2 exists as carbamates (RHNCOO – or RR'NCOO – ) and carbonate/bicarbonate (CO 3 2– /HCO 3 – ). The transport properties of PEI and NOHM-I-PEI studied using 1 H pulsed-field-gradient NMR, combined with molecular dynamics simulations, demonstrate that coulombic interactions between negatively and positively charged chains dominate in PEI, while the self-diffusion in NOHM-I-PEI is dominated by silica nanoparticles. These results provide strategies for selecting adsorbed forms of carbon for electrochemical reduction.

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

Electrochemistry of Redox Active Ferrocene Covalently Attached to Glassy Carbon Electrodes

Formation of well-ordered redox active monolayers is desirable for systematic study of electron transfer for sensor applications and generation of tailored hybrid materials. We have covalently attached 6-bromohexylferrocene (Fc(CH 2 ) 6 Br) to glassy carbon electrodes through a Grignard reaction and used cyclic voltammetry to characterize interfacial electron transfer and probe disorder in these modified electrodes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and cyclic voltammetry confirmed attachment of the expected Fe(II) species and reversible electron transfer is observed. However, the full width at half max of the cyclic voltammogram features deviates from the ideal value of 90.6 mV and varies with surface coverage, indicating a disordered surface. As a result, we determine this disorder arises from phase segregation where some domains have a high loading of the hexylferrocene chains while others have a lower loading of hexylferrocene resulting in different local environments that are distinguishable by cyclic voltammetry.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electro-optic transduction in silicon via gigahertz-frequency nanomechanics

Interfacing electronics with optical fiber networks is key to the long-distance transfer of classical and quantum information. Piezo-optomechanical transducers enable such interfaces by using gigahertz-frequency acoustic vibrations as mediators for converting microwave photons to optical photons via the combination of optomechanical and piezoelectric interactions. However, despite successful demonstrations, efficient quantum transduction remains out of reach due to the challenges associated with hybrid material integration and increased loss from piezoelectric materials when operating in the quantum regime. Here, we demonstrate an alternative approach in which we actuate 5-GHz phonons in a conventional silicon-on-insulator platform. In our experiment, microwave photons resonantly drive a phononic crystal oscillator via the electrostatic force realized in a charge-biased narrow-gap capacitor. The mechanical vibrations are subsequently transferred via a phonon waveguide to an optomechanical cavity, where they transform into optical photons in the sideband of a pump laser field. Operating at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, we measure a microwave-to-optical photon conversion efficiency of 1.72±0.14×10 −7 in a 3.3 MHz bandwidth. Our results mark a stepping stone towards quantum transduction with integrated devices made from crystalline silicon, which promise efficient high-bandwidth operation and integration with superconducting qubits. Additionally, the lack of need for piezoelectricity or other intrinsic nonlinearities makes our approach applicable to a wide range of materials for potential applications beyond quantum technologies.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development of a self-lubricating high-efficiency hybrid seal composed of carbon nanotube-coated metal meshes for CSP turbomachinery (SETO CPS #36333 Final Report)

In turbomachinery, internal leakage flow accounts for up to 3% of the total thermodynamic cycle energy loss. Tradeoff must be made between the sealing efficiency (smaller clearance) and the friction and wear issues for interfering with the shaft (larger clearance). This ORNL-Danfoss joint effort developed a novel hybrid seal composed of carbon nanotube (CNT)-coated metal meshes. The CNT growth process was based on a self-catalyzing chemical vapor deposition and these multiwall CNTs were well aligned with high crystallinity. This hybrid material structure takes advantage of the CNT’s low-friction nature and uses the metal mesh as an extendable backbone. Full-scale experimental seals were designed, fabricated, and optimized for sealing performance and durability. The CNT-coated metal mesh seal demonstrated superior gas sealing efficiency to the baseline labyrinth seal and significantly improved shaft surface protection compared with the state-of-the-art superalloy brush seal on the static rig and full-scale compressor dynamometer tests. The CNT-metal mesh seal is low-cost and scalable and can potentially benefit wide applications, including CSP and other power generation, marine, automotive, and HVAC.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1983

Analysis of a hybrid-undirectional buffer strip laminate

A method of analysis capable of predicting accurately the fracture behavior of a unidirectional composite laminate containing symmetrically placed buffer strips is presented. As an example, for a damaged graphite/epoxy laminate, the results demonstrate the manner in which to select the most efficient combination of buffer strip properties necessary to inhibit crack growth. Ultimate failure of the laminate after the arrest can occur under increasing load either by continued crack extension through the buffer strips or the crack can jump the buffer strips. For some typical hybrid materials it is found that a buffer strip spacing to width ratio of about four to one is the most efficient.

Dharani, L. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Efficient Joints for Graphite/Epoxy Structures

Bonded joints perform well through wide temperature range. Tests indicate significant improvement in joint efficients available through geometric modifications and hybrid material additions at adherent interfaces. Material modifications consisted of placing S-glass polyimide fabric in joint between adherents. Most fabric interface specimens delaminated between two fabric plies as opposed to failing in base adherents.

Skoumal, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Analysis of a hybrid, unidirectional buffer strip laminate

A method of analysis capable of predicting accurately the fracture behavior of a unidirectional composite laminate containing symmetrically placed buffer strips is presented. As an example, for a damaged graphite/epoxy laminate, the results demonstrate the manner in which to select the most efficient combination of buffer strip properties necessary to inhibit crack growth. Ultimate failure of the laminate after crack arrest can occur under increasing load either by continued crack extension through the buffer strips or the crack can jump the buffer strips. For some typical hybrid materials it is found that a buffer strip spacing-to-width ratio of about four to one is the most efficient.

Dharani, L. R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Micromechanical analysis of the time-dependent response of unidirectional composites

The micromechanical model of Aboudi (1982, 1984, and 1986) is used to predict the time-dependent creep behavior of viscoelastic-matrix composites with unidirectional elastic-fiber reinforcement. The derivation of the model and its numerical implementation are outlined, and predictions for T300/934 CFRP at 72 and 250 F are compared with experimental measurements in extensive tables and graphs. Good agreement is demonstrated, and the applicability of the present approach to composite laminates and hybrid materials such as ARALL is indicated.

Yancey, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1995

USAF/WL robust 300 C wire insulation system program status

The objective of this program is to identify, develop, and demonstrate an optimum wire insulation system capable of continuous operation at 300 C which possesses a combination of superior electrical (AC or DC), mechanical, and physical properties over Kapton derived insulations described in MIL-W-81381 and those hybrid materials commonly known as TKT constructions.

Wong, Wing↗
NASA NTRS2000

Carbon Nanotubes: Properties and Functionalization

A viewgraph presentation (including an explanation for each slide) gives an overview of nanoscale hybrid materials, chemistry in confined environments, and single molecule/single atom detection. The allotropes of carbon are described and illustrated, and the production of nanotubes is outlined. Single-wall nanotube interaction and irradiation are discussed. The formation of peapods in PLV material is shown.

David E. Luzzi↗
NASA NTRS2001

Fatigue and Damage Tolerance Analysis of a Hybrid Composite Tapered Flexbeam

The behavior of nonlinear tapered composite flexbeams under combined axial tension and cyclic bending loading was studied using coupon test specimens and finite element (FE) analyses. The flexbeams used a hybrid material system of graphite/epoxy and glass/epoxy and had internal dropped plies, dropped in an overlapping stepwise pattern. Two material configurations, differing only in the use of glass or graphite plies in the continuous plies near the midplane, were studied. Test specimens were cut from a full-size helicopter tail-rotor flexbeam and were tested in a hydraulic load frame under combined constant axialtension load and transverse cyclic bending loads. The first determination damage observed in the specimens occurred at the area around the tip of the outermost ply-drop group in the tapered region of the flexbeam, near the thick end. Delaminations grew slowly and stably, toward the thick end of the flexbeam, at the interfaces above and below the dropped-ply region. A 2D finite element model of the flexbeam was developed. The model was analyzed using a geometrically non-linear analysis with both the ANSYS and ABAQUS FE codes. The global responses of each analysis agreed well with the test results. The ANSYS model was used to calculate strain energy release rates (G) for delaminations initiating at two different ply-ending locations. The results showed that delaminations were more inclined to grow at the locations where they were observed in the test specimens. Both ANSYS and ABAQUS were used to calculate G values associated with delamination initiating at the observed location but growing in different interfaces, either above or below the ply-ending group toward the thick end, or toward the thin end from the tip of the resin pocket. The different analysis codes generated the same trends and comparable peak values, within 5-11 % for each delamination path. Both codes showed that delamination toward the thick region was largely mode II, and toward the thin region was predominantly mode I. The calculated peak G-values from either analysis predict delamination is most likely to occur along the same interface where it was observed in the test specimens. Calculated peak G values were used with material characterization data to calculate a curve relating the fatigue life of the specimens, N, to the applied transverse load, V, for a given constant axial load.

Murri, Gretchen B.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Fatigue Life Analysis of Tapered Hybrid Composite Flexbeams

Nonlinear-tapered flexbeam laminates from a full-size composite helicopter rotor hub flexbeam were tested under combined constant axial tension and cyclic bending loads. The two different graphite/glass hybrid configurations tested under cyclic loading failed by delamination in the tapered region. A 2-D finite element model was developed which closely approximated the flexbeam geometry, boundary conditions, and loading. The analysis results from two geometrically nonlinear finite element codes, ANSYS and ABAQUS, are presented and compared. Strain energy release rates (G) obtained from the above codes using the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) at a resin crack location in the flexbeams are presented for both hybrid material types. These results compare well with each other and suggest that the initial delamination growth from the resin crack toward the thick region of the flexbeam is strongly mode II. The peak calculated G values were used with material characterization data to calculate fatigue life curves and compared with test data. A curve relating maximum surface strain to number of loading cycles at delamination onset compared reasonably well with the test results.

Murri, Gretchen B.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Pristine Igneous Rocks and the Early Differentiation of Planetary Materials

Our studies are highly interdisciplinary, but are focused on the processes and products of early planetary and asteroidal differentiation, especially the genesis of the ancient lunar crust. The compositional diversity that we explore is the residue of process diversity, which has strong relevance for comparative planetology. Most of the accessible lunar crust consists of materials hybridized by impact-mixing. Our lunar research concentrates on the rare pristine (unmixed) samples that reflect the original genetic diversity of the early crust. Among HED basalts (eucrites and clasts in howardites), we distinguish as pristine the small minority that escaped the pervasive thermal metamorphism of the parent asteroid's crust. We have found a correlation between metamorphically pristine HED basalts and the similarly small minority of compositionally evolved "Stannern trend" samples, which are enriched in incompatible elements and titanium compared to main group eucrites, and yet have relatively high mg ratios. Other topics under investigation included: lunar and SNC (martian?) meteorites; igneous meteorites in general; impact breccias, especially metal-rich Apollo samples and polymict eucrites; siderophile compositions of the lunar and martian mantles; and planetary bulk compositions and origins.

Warren, Paul H.↗
NASA NTRS2005

High Energy Cutting and Stripping Utilizing Liquid Nitrogen

The Aerospace Industry has endeavored for decades to develop hybrid materials that withstand the rigors of mechanized flight both within our atmosphere and beyond. The development of these high performance materials has led to the need for environmentally friendly technologies for material re-work and removal. The NitroJet(TM) is a fluid jet technology that represents an evolution of the widely used, large-scale water jet fluid jet technology. It involves the amalgamation of fluid jet technology and cryogenics technology to create a new capability that is applicable where water jet or abrasive jet (water jet plus entrained abrasive) are not suitable or acceptable because of technical constraints such as process or materials compatibility, environmental concerns and aesthetic or legal requirements. The NitroJet(TM) uses ultra high-pressure nitrogen to cut materials, strip numerous types of coatings such as paint or powder coating, clean surfaces and profile metals. Liquid nitrogen (LN2) is used as the feed stream and is pressurized in two stages. The first stage pressurizes sub cooled LN2 to an intermediate pressure of between 15,000 and 20,000 psi at which point the temperature of the LN2 is about -250 F. The discharge from this stage is then introduced as feed to a dual intensifier system, which boosts the pressure from 15,000 - 20,000 psi up to the maximum operating pressure of 55,000 psi. A temperature of about -220 F is achieved at which point the nitrogen is supercritical. In this condition the nitrogen cuts, strips and abrades much like ultra high-pressure water would but without any residual liquid to collect, remove or be contaminated. Once the nitrogen has performed its function it harmlessly flashes back into the atmosphere as pure nitrogen gas. The system uses heat exchangers to control and modify the temperature of the various intake and discharge nitrogen streams. Since the system is hydraulically operated, discharge pressures can be easily varied over a very wide range providing considerable flexibility for various operations. The NitroJet(TM) is an advance on the nitrogen fluid jet technology initially developed at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory in Idaho Falls, Idaho. NitroCision(R) first introduced the NitroJet(TM) into a commercial setting in 2003 and there has been considerable interest from many diverse sectors of government and industry since then. While the current system is an industrial system with the size and mass normally associated with industrial applications, a smaller system that is much more compact is being contemplated for those applications that do not need the full capabilities of the larger system. The NitroJet(TM) can be deployed as a fixed or mobile system with multiple end effectors capable of cutting, stripping, cleaning, and surface profiling either in robotic or manual applications.

Hume, Howard↗
NASA NTRS2018

Multifunctional Structures for High-Energy Lightweight Load-Bearing Storage

This is a pull-up banner of the Multifunctional Structures for High-Energy Lightweight Load-bearing Storage (M-SHELLS) technology that will be on display at the SciTech Conference in January 2018. Efforts in Multifunctional Structures for High Energy Load-Bearing Storage (M-Shells) are pushing the boundaries of development for hybrid electric propulsion for future commercial aeronautical transport. The M-Shells hybrid material would serve as the power/energy storage of the vehicle and provide structural integrity, freeing up usable volume and mass typically occupied by bulky batteries. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate a system-level mass savings with a multifunctional structure with energy storage.

Loyselle, Patricia L.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Upcycling Polyethylene Waste Into Hybrid Graphitic Porous Carbon Materials Used in High-Performance Zinc-Ion Hybrid Capacitors

Polyethylene (PE) waste is a challenge to upcycle into useful materials because this plastic tends to decompose into volatile compounds when heated at relatively low temperatures. In this work, we report a chemical process that addresses this challenge by converting mixtures of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) waste into a hybrid graphitic porous carbon (HGPC) that can be used as a zinc-ion hybrid capacitor cathode. The process uses a low temperature thermal oxidation pre-treatment step, with assistance of an inert solid additive (KCl) to increase the effective surface area of the PE melt, to functionalize, cross-link, and stabilize the PE waste followed by carbonization and catalytic graphitization steps at higher temperatures with a potassium carbonate (K2CO3) catalyst. The PE waste derived HPGC (PW-HPGC) has a hybrid structure composed of graphene-like carbon nanosheets grown on the surface of carbon particles, high porosity with the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area up to 1,763 m2g-1, and good graphitic degree with average Raman I2D/IG ratios of 0.53. When used as a cathode material for zinc-ion hybrid capacitors, this PW-HGPC exhibits an excellent specific capacity up to 126.7 mAhg-1 at high mass loading of 10 mgcm-2. Moreover, PW-HGPC exhibits remarkable cycling stability with capacity retention of >94% after 10,000 cycles at a current density of 2.0 A g-1.

hybrid graphitic porous carbon↗
DOE OSTI2025

Magnet-superconductor hybrid quantum systems: a materials platform for topological superconductivity

Magnet–superconductor hybrid (MSH) systems have recently emerged as one of the most significant developments in condensed matter physics. This has generated, in the last decade, a steadily rising interest in the understanding of their unique properties. They have been proposed as one of the most promising platforms for the establishment of topological superconductivity, which holds high potential for application in future quantum information technologies. Their emergent electronic properties stem from the exchange interaction between the magnetic moments and the superconducting condensate. Given the atomic-level origin of such interaction, it is of paramount importance to investigate new magnet–superconductor hybrids at the atomic scale. In this regard, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy are playing a crucial role in the race to unveil the fundamental origin of the unique properties of MSH systems, with the aim to discover new hybrid quantum materials capable of hosting topologically non-trivial unconventional superconducting phases. In particular, the combination of STM studies with tight-binding model calculations have represented, so far, the most successful approach to unveil and explain the emergent electronic properties of MSHs. The scope of this review is to offer a broad perspective on the field of MSHs from an atomic-level investigation point-of-view. The focus is on discussing the link between the magnetic ground state hosted by the hybrid system and the corresponding emergent superconducting phase. This is done for MSHs with both one-dimensional (atomic chains) and two-dimensional (atomic lattices and thin films) magnetic systems proximitized to conventional s-wave superconductors. We present a systematic categorization of the experimentally investigated systems with respect to defined experimentally accessible criteria to verify or falsify the presence of topological superconductivity and Majorana edge modes. The discussion will start with an introduction to the physics of Yu–Shiba–Rusinov bound states at magnetic impurities on superconducting surfaces. This will be used as a base for the discussion of magnetic atomic chains on superconductors, distinguishing between ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic and non-collinear magnetic ground states. A similar approach will be used for the discussion of magnetic thin film islands on superconductors. Given the vast number of publications on the topic, we limit ourselves to discuss works which are most relevant to the search for topological superconductivity.

Majorana states↗
DOE OSTI2025

Hybrid Metal Halides: Advancing Optoelectronic Materials (Final Technical Report)

Hybrid metal halides, particularly main group halide perovskites, are a unique class of materials that offer exceptional optoelectronic properties along with a remarkable materials design space. Initial research on this class of materials was driven by the ability of the prototype hybrid 3D perovskite-structured compound methylammonium lead iodide to function as the active layer in thin film solar cells. It is now known that this class of materials comprise a large family with tunable band gaps, relatively high charge carrier mobilities in both single crystal and polycrystalline forms, and relatively low concentrations of (deleterious) electrically active states within the band gap. Beyond applications in solar cells, the potential of these materials has been extended to emitters in light emitting diodes, and active components of radiation detectors. Complementing new functionality, the design space for hybrid metal halides continues to increase with discovery of new structural motifs. In this project, the combination of organic and inorganic functionalities has been employed to open pathways to the design and synthesis new, functional hybrid metal halides. Beyond the simple perovskites, Ruddlesden-Popper and Dion-Jacobsen compounds, and other variants, such as the newly advanced “hollow” perovskites have been studied. The materials have provided routes to understanding the unique electronic properties of hybrid metal halides because of their natural quantum well structures as well as other means of controlling band gaps and band dispersions. Understanding these materials, including the design rules for their formation, their structures and compositions in bulk and in thin films form, and the role of local (non-crystallographic) structure has an important aspect of this endeavor. The goal of advancing new materials and new fundamental understanding within this deceptively simple, yet fascinating class of compounds, so richly endowed with interesting and useful functionality, has been fulfilled.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗