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Results for “Direct Current (DC)”

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 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Limiting Current in Nanostructured Block Copolymer Electrolytes

The next-generation electrolytes for lithium batteries must be able to conduct ions at sufficiently high current densities; yet this regime is rarely studied directly. The limiting current density of an electrolyte quantifies the highest possible rate of ion transport under an applied dc potential. Herein, we report on the limiting current density in twelve nanostructured polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO, or SEO) copolymer electrolytes. We find that the limiting current at a given salt concentration increases systematically with increasing volume fraction of the PEO block (φ EO ). In contrast, the effective-medium theory, commonly used to analyze conductivity in block copolymer electrolytes, predicts that limiting current is independent of φ EO . To resolve this conundrum, the ionic conductivity, the mutual diffusion coefficient of the salt, and the steady-state current fraction of the block copolymer electrolytes were measured. These measurements enable predictions of limiting current with no adjustable parameters using the concentrated solution theory. We found quantitative agreement between experimentally measured limiting current densities and predictions based on the concentrated solution theory. This work sheds light on how to reliably measure and predict limiting current density in composite electrolytes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1984

Direct-current polarization characteristics of various AlGaAs laser diodes

Polarization characteristics of AlGaAs laser diodes having various device geometries have been measured. Measurements were performed with the laser diodes operating under dc conditions. Results show that laser diodes having different device geometries have optical outputs that exhibit varying degrees of polarization purity. Implications of this result, with respect to incoherent polarization-beam combining, are addressed.

Fuhr, P. L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

DC electrical, thermal, and spectroscopic properties of various condensation polyimides containing surface cobalt oxide

Doping polyimides with cobalt ion causes the room temperature direct current electrical resistivity to decrease relative to the polymer alone, the reduction being most pronounced for the air-side of the cobalt modified polyimides. At a constant electrical field, resistivity for the volume, air-side and glass-side modes decreases yet further with an increase in temperature as expected for semiconductors and insulators. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates the air-side of the cobalt modified polyimides is predominantly Co3O4. The bulk resistivity of the air-side and activation energy of conduction for this surface are comparable to high purity sintered Co3O4. Charging characteristics at room temperature indicate a substantial polymer matrix contribution to both the glass-side and volume mode measurements but a negligible contribution to the air-side electrical properties. Volume electrical resistivity for similar additive levels is reduced by increasing the molecular flexibility of the host polymer.

Rancourt, J. D.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Adaptive Threshold-Based Zonal Isolation of Faults in a Multiterminal DC Using Local Measurements

Fast and accurate methods of fault detection and isolation are a pre-emptive measure in multiterminal dc (MTdc) systems. Zonal isolation of faults is necessary to prevent any misopertation of the dc breakers that can lead to a shutdown of the network. Existing techniques require fast-communication or data synchronization methods have their own disadvantages. This article proposes a method for efficient fault zone isolation without the need of a communication link that prevents any misoperation of the dc breakers in a radial MTdc. This method provides individual local measurement-based control to the hybrid dc circuit breakers (dcCB). Faults created outside the zone of protection for a breaker create a change in the rate of change of current or voltage leading to misoperation. To avoid detection using a fixed threshold, an adaptive threshold based approach is suggested that updates the threshold based on the present operating status. Sensitivity analysis by varying the current limiting inductance and fault location is performed. In conclusion, a three terminal radial model of an MTdc is used for zonal isolation using power system computer aided design/electromagnetic transients including dc.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS2004

Measurements of Thermal Conductivity of Superfluid Helium Near its Transition Temperature T(sub lambda) in a 2D Confinement

We report our recent experiments on thermal conductivity measurements of superfluid He-4 near its phase transition in a two-dimensional (2D) confinement under saturated vapor pressure. A 2D confinement is created by 2-mm- and 1-mm-thick glass capillary plates, consisting of densely populated parallel microchannels with cross-sections of 5 x 50 and 1 x 10 microns, correspondingly. A heat current (2 < Q < 400 nW/sq cm) was applied along the channels long direction. High-resolution measurements were provided by DC SQUID-based high-resolution paramagnetic salt thermometers (HRTs) with a nanokelvin resolution. We might find that thermal conductivity of confined helium is finite at the bulk superfluid transition temperature. Our 2D results will be compared with those in a bulk and 1D confinement.

Jerebets, Sergei↗
DOE OSTI2021

Fault Location Using the Natural Frequency of Oscillation of Current Discharge in MTdc Networks

This paper discusses a novel offline-fault location approach using single ended measurements. The natural dissipation of the circuit parameters are considered for fault location. A relationship between the damped natural frequency of oscillation of the transmission line current and fault location is established. The hybrid dc circuit breaker (dcCB) interrupts the fault current, whereby the transmission line current attenuates under the absence of any driving voltage source. The line capacitance discharges into the fault at a specific frequency of oscillation and rate of attenuation. Utilizing this information, the fault location in a multi-terminal direct current (MTdc) network can be obtained. A three terminal radial model of a MTdc is used for performance evaluation of the proposed method using Power System Computer Aided Design (PSCAD)/Electromagnetic Transients including dc (EMTdc).

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Comparison of 1D and 2D particle-in-cell simulations for DC magnetron sputtering discharges

One-dimensional and two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC)/Monte Carlo collision simulations are performed for a balanced direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) discharge. The plasma parameters obtained by both simulations above the target racetrack share similar features and magnitudes under similar discharge intensities, i.e., similar local discharge current densities. The commonly observed high-energy tail of electron energy distribution in DCMS discharges is reproduced in both simulations. Additionally, the accuracy and applicability of using onedimensional simulations to qualitatively investigate the characteristics of balanced DCMS discharge are confirmed. In terms of capturing the key physical mechanisms in DCMS, one-dimensional PIC simulation is an efficient method, which could largely alleviate the computational expense and preserve the physical fidelity of modeling results.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1984

Simplified dc to dc converter

A dc to dc converter which can start with a shorted output and which regulates output voltage and current is described. Voltage controlled switches directed current through the primary of a transformer the secondary of which includes virtual reactance. The switching frequency of the switches is appropriately varied to increase the voltage drop across the virtual reactance in the secondary winding to which there is connected a low impedance load. A starting circuit suitable for voltage switching devices is provided.

Gruber, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Direct-current drive for ac motors

Dual windings of ac motor serve as output transformer for dc/ac inversion. Method makes use of low-cost commutatorless ac motors, powered by solar energy, batteries and other dc sources possible.

Solario, J. N.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Scalable Hybrid Large-Scale dc-ac Grid Analysis Methods (Phase II)

The goals of the project included the identification and evaluation of a voltage source converter multiterminal high-voltage direct current (VSC-MTdc) system architecture suitable for a high amount of power transfer through long transmission lines.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS1981

High latitude stratospheric electrical measurements in fair and foul weather under various solar conditions

Stratospheric electric field and conductivity measurements are presented for sites of latitude greater than 50 deg N GG, during the months of either April or August, in a variety of weather and solar conditions. Vertical electric field data from balloon flights with an average duration of 18 hours at ceiling, in fair weather, are shown to be appropriately modeled by a simple, exponential, altitude-dependent equation. Data collected over electrified clouds and thunderstorms are presented, along with a discussion of the thunderstorm-related electric currents. Current surges in the atmosphere due to DC currents as well as the spheric are calculated, and it is found that in over 1000 hours of balloon data, no direct solar influence is identified except during major flares.

Holzworth, R. H.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Power Layout Design of a GaN HEMTs-Based High-Power High-Efficiency Three-Level ANPC Inverter for 800 V DC Bus System

Multiple commutation paths exist for switching devices in a three-level active neutral point clamped (3L-ANPC) inverter operation based on the selected switching state and current direction. In addition, the capacitive coupling path of the nonswitching device is a key design aspect for enabling high voltage and high current operation of gallium nitride (GaN) switches in 3L-ANPC topology. A comprehensive study of the switching transient events of inner, outer, and clamping devices of 3L-ANPC is presented in this article. The commutation mechanisms for worst-case transient voltage overshoots (TVOs) are identified. A simplified equivalent circuit model is presented to determine the design criteria for the power layout structure's parasitic inductances. A power layout strategy satisfying the design criteria is then proposed using an insulated metal substrate power printed circuit board (PCB) to enable efficient high-power operation. The proposed design minimizes the commutation and capacitive coupling path inductances to 6 nH and 11.5 nH, respectively. This enables the fast switching operation of GaN HEMTs at 800 V dc, 36 A with a low TVO of 31% verified through experimental three-level double pulse test results. Experimental evaluation of a three-phase 3L-ANPC hardware prototype based on the proposed power layout shows 99% efficiency at 800 V, 9.5 kVA and 50 kHz switching frequency. The proposed design achieves a low case-to-ambient thermal resistance of 2.3 °C/W.

42 ENGINEERING↗