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At least 271 records · Page 15

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NASA NTRS2007

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2007

Topics covered include: Miniature Intelligent Sensor Module; "Smart" Sensor Module; Portable Apparatus for Electrochemical Sensing of Ethylene; Increasing Linear Dynamic Range of a CMOS Image Sensor; Flight Qualified Micro Sun Sensor; Norbornene-Based Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium Cells; Making Single-Source Precursors of Ternary Semiconductors; Water-Free Proton-Conducting Membranes for Fuel Cells; Mo/Ti Diffusion Bonding for Making Thermoelectric Devices; Photodetectors on Coronagraph Mask for Pointing Control; High-Energy-Density, Low-Temperature Li/CFx Primary Cells; G4-FETs as Universal and Programmable Logic Gates; Fabrication of Buried Nanochannels From Nanowire Patterns; Diamond Smoothing Tools; Infrared Imaging System for Studying Brain Function; Rarefying Spectra of Whispering-Gallery-Mode Resonators; Large-Area Permanent-Magnet ECR Plasma Source; Slot-Antenna/Permanent-Magnet Device for Generating Plasma; Fiber-Optic Strain Gauge With High Resolution And Update Rate; Broadband Achromatic Telecentric Lens; Temperature-Corrected Model of Turbulence in Hot Jet Flows; Enhanced Elliptic Grid Generation; Automated Knowledge Discovery From Simulators; Electro-Optical Modulator Bias Control Using Bipolar Pulses; Generative Representations for Automated Design of Robots; Mars-Approach Navigation Using In Situ Orbiters; Efficient Optimization of Low-Thrust Spacecraft Trajectories; Cylindrical Asymmetrical Capacitors for Use in Outer Space; Protecting Against Faults in JPL Spacecraft; Algorithm Optimally Allocates Actuation of a Spacecraft; and Radar Interferometer for Topographic Mapping of Glaciers and Ice Sheets.

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NASA NTRS2005

Improved Cathode Structure for a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

An improved cathode structure on a membrane/electrode assembly has been developed for a direct methanol fuel cell, in a continuing effort to realize practical power systems containing such fuel cells. This cathode structure is intended particularly to afford better cell performance at a low airflow rate. A membrane/electrode assembly of the type for which the improved cathode structure was developed (see Figure 1) is fabricated in a process that includes brush painting and spray coating of catalyst layers onto a polymer-electrolyte membrane and onto gas-diffusion backings that also act as current collectors. The aforementioned layers are then dried and hot-pressed together. When completed, the membrane/electrode assembly contains (1) an anode containing a fine metal black of Pt/Ru alloy, (2) a membrane made of Nafion 117 or equivalent (a perfluorosulfonic acid-based hydrophilic, proton-conducting ion-exchange polymer), (3) a cathode structure (in the present case, the improved cathode structure described below), and (4) the electrically conductive gas-diffusion backing layers, which are made of Toray 060(TradeMark)(or equivalent) carbon paper containing between 5 and 6 weight percent of poly(tetrafluoroethylene). The need for an improved cathode structure arises for the following reasons: In the design and operation of a fuel-cell power system, the airflow rate is a critical parameter that determines the overall efficiency, cell voltage, and power density. It is desirable to operate at a low airflow rate in order to obtain thermal and water balance and to minimize the size and mass of the system. The performances of membrane/electrode assemblies of prior design are limited at low airflow rates. Methanol crossover increases the required airflow rate. Hence, one way to reduce the required airflow rate is to reduce the effect of methanol crossover. Improvement of the cathode structure - in particular, addition of hydrophobic particles to the cathode - has been demonstrated to mitigate the effects of crossover and decrease the airflow required.

Valdez, Thomas↗

NASA NTRS2005

NASA Tech Briefs, August 2005

Topics include: Hidden Identification on Parts: Magnetic Machine-Readable Matrix Symbols; System for Processing Coded OFDM Under Doppler and Fading; Multipurpose Hyperspectral Imaging System; Magnetic-Flux-Compensated Voltage Divider; High-Performance Satellite/Terrestrial-Network Gateway; Internet-Based System for Voice Communication With the ISS; Stripline/Microstrip Transition in Multilayer Circuit Board; Dual-Band Feed for a Microwave Reflector Antenna; Quadratic Programming for Allocating Control Effort; Range Process Simulation Tool; Simulator of Space Communication Networks; Computing Q-D Relationships for Storage of Rocket Fuels; Contour Error Map Algorithm; Portfolio Analysis Tool; Glass Frit Filters for Collecting Metal Oxide Nanoparticles; Anhydrous Proton-Conducting Membranes for Fuel Cells; Portable Electron-Beam Free-Form Fabrication System; Miniature Laboratory for Detecting Sparse Biomolecules; Multicompartment Liquid-Cooling/Warming Protective Garments; Laser Metrology for an Optical-Path-Length Modulator; PCM Passive Cooling System Containing Active Subsystems; Automated Electrostatics Environmental Chamber; Estimating Aeroheating of a 3D Body Using a 2D Flow Solver; Artificial Immune System for Recognizing Patterns; Computing the Thermodynamic State of a Cryogenic Fluid; Safety and Mission Assurance Performance Metric; Magnetic Control of Concentration Gradient in Microgravity; Avionics for a Small Robotic Inspection Spacecraft; and Simulation of Dynamics of a Flexible Miniature Airplane.

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NASA NTRS2012

NASA Tech Briefs, January 2012

Contents of this issue are: (1) Energy-Based Tetrahedron Sensor for High-Temperature, High-Pressure Environments (2) Handheld Universal Diagnostic Sensor (3) Large-Area Vacuum Ultraviolet Sensors (4) Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor System for Monitoring Smart Composite Aerospace Structures (5) Health-Enabled Smart Sensor Fusion Technology (6) Extended-Range Passive RFID and Sensor Tags (7) Hybrid Collaborative Learning for Classification and Clustering in Sensor Networks (8) Self-Healing, Inflatable, Rigidizable Shelter (9) Improvements in Cold-Plate Fabrication (10) Technique for Radiometer and Antenna Array Calibration - TRAAC (11) Real-Time Cognitive Computing Architecture for Data Fusion in a Dynamic Environment (12) Programmable Digital Controller (13) Use of CCSDS Packets Over SpaceWire to Control Hardware (14) Key Decision Record Creation and Approval Module (15) Enhanced Graphics for Extended Scale Range (16) Debris Examination Using Ballistic and Radar Integrated Software (17) Data Distribution System (DDS) and Solar Dynamic Observatory Ground Station (SDOGS) (18) Integration Manager (19) Eclipse-Free-Time Assessment Tool for IRIS (20) Automated and Manual Rocket Crater Measurement Software (21) MATLAB Stability and Control Toolbox Trim and Static Stability Module (22) Patched Conic Trajectory Code (23) Ring Image Analyzer (24) SureTrak Probability of Impact Display (25) Implementation of a Non-Metallic Barrier in an Electric Motor (26) Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Heat Exchangers for the Mars Science Laboratory Rover (27) Uniform Dust Distributor for Testing Radiative Emittance of Dust-Coated Surfaces (28) MicroProbe Small Unmanned Aerial System (29) Highly Stable and Active Catalyst for Sabatier Reactions (30) Better Proton-Conducting Polymers for Fuel-Cell Membranes (31) CCD Camera Lens Interface for Real-Time Theodolite Alignment (32) Peregrine 100-km Sounding Rocket Project (33) SOFIA Closed- and Open-Door Aerodynamic Analyses (34) Sonic Thermometer for High-Altitude Balloons (35) Near-Infrared Photon-Counting Camera for High-Sensitivity Observations (36) Integrated Optics Achromatic Nuller for Stellar Interferometry (37) High-Speed Digital Interferometry (38) Ultra-Miniature Lidar Scanner for Launch Range Data Collection (39) Shape and Color Features for Object Recognition Search (40) Explanation Capabilities for Behavior-Based Robot Control (41) A DNA-Inspired Encryption Methodology for Secure, Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (42) Quality Control Method for a Micro-Nano-Channel Microfabricated Device (43) Corner-Cube Retroreflector Instrument for Advanced Lunar Laser Ranging (44) Electrospray Collection of Lunar Dust (45) Fabrication of a Kilopixel Array of Superconducting Microcalorimeters with Microstripline Wiring Spacecraft Attitude Tracking and Maneuver Using Combined Magnetic Actuators (46) Coherent Detector for Near-Angle Scattering and Polarization Characterization of Telescope Mirror Coatings

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DOE OSTI2021

Methods and systems for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide using switchable polarity materials

A method of electrochemically reducing CO2 comprises introducing a first feed stream comprising H2O to a positive electrode of an electrolysis cell comprising the positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a proton conducting membrane. A second feed stream comprising a solvent and a non polar form of a switchable polarity material is directed into a CO2 capture apparatus. A third feed stream comprising CO2 is directed into the CO2 capture apparatus to interact with the second feed stream and form a first product stream comprising the solvent and a polar form of the switchable polarity material. The first product stream is introduced to the negative electrode. A potential difference is applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode to convert the polar form of the switchable polarity material into CO2 and the non-polar form and to form products from the CO2 and the solvent. A CO2 treatment system is also described.

Lister, Tedd E.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Method of making an electrochemical cell

Disclosed is a method of making an electrochemical cell, comprising: depositing an anode layer on a surface of a porous metal support layer; depositing an electrolyte layer on a surface of the anode layer, wherein the electrolyte layer is deposited via suspension plasma spray, wherein the electrolyte layer conducts protons; and depositing a cathode layer on a surface of the electrolyte layer. Also disclosed is a stack comprising two or more of the electrochemical cell.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2023

HydroGEN Overview: A Consortium on Advanced Water Splitting Materials

HydroGEN is a multi-lab consortium focused on early-stage R&D in H2 production, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO). The consortium advances research and development (R&D) of innovative materials for advanced water splitting (AWS) technologies to enable clean, sustainable and low-cost ($1/kg H2) hydrogen production and fosters cross-cutting innovation using theory-guided applied materials R&D to advance all emerging water-splitting pathways for hydrogen production. HydroGEN is focused on low technology readiness level AWS technologies, including low- (alkaline exchanged membrane electrolysis) and high-temperature electrolysis (proton-conducting solid oxide electrolysis), photoelectrochecmical (PEC) and solar thermochemical (STCH) water splitting. This presentation will provide an overview of the HydroGEN EMN and technical highlights of a few lab-led and FOA-awarded R&D projects. HydroGEN continues to grow its community of industry, university, and national laboratories, forming a national innovation ecosystem focused on renewable hydrogen production.

advanced water splitting materials↗

DOE OSTI2023

Electrochemical cells for hydrogen gas production and electricity generation, and related systems and methods

An electrochemical cell comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a proton-conducting membrane between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode comprises Pr(Co 1-x-y-z , Ni x , Mn y , Fe z )O 3-δ , wherein 0≤x≤0.9, 0≤y≤0.9, 0≤z≤0.9, and δ is an oxygen deficit. The second electrode comprises a cermet material including at least one metal and at least one perovskite. Related structures, apparatuses, systems, and methods are also described.

Ding, Dong↗

DOE OSTI2023

High temperature steam separation membrane

Ceramic proton-conducting oxide membranes are described herein, which are useful for separating steam from organic chemicals under process conditions. The membranes have a layered structure, with a dense film of the perovskite over a porous composite substrate comprising the perovskite material and a metallic material (e.g., Ni, Cu, or Pt). The perovskite comprises an ABO 3 -type structure, where “A” is Ba and “B” is a specified combination of Ce, Zr, and Y. The perovskite ceramic materials described herein have an empirical formula of Ba(Ce x Zr 1-x-n Y n )O 3-δ , wherein 0<x<0.8 (e.g., 0.1≤x≤0.7 or 0.2≤x≤0.5); and 0.05≤n≤0.2; and δ=n/2. In some embodiments n is about 0.2. In some other embodiments 0.6≤x≤0.8; and n is about 0.2, such as Ba(Ce 0.7 Zr 0.1 Y 0.2 )O 3-δ , also referred to herein as BCZY712.

Lee, Tae H.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Foundational Low-Carbon Hydrogen Research

HydroGEN is a multi-lab consortium focused on early-stage R&D in H2 production, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO). The consortium advances research and development (R&D) of innovative materials for advanced water splitting (AWS) technologies to enable clean, sustainable and low-cost ($1/kg H2) hydrogen production and fosters cross-cutting innovation using theory-guided applied materials R&D to advance all emerging water-splitting pathways for hydrogen production. HydroGEN is focused on low technology readiness level AWS technologies, including low- (alkaline exchanged membrane electrolysis) and high-temperature electrolysis (proton-conducting solid oxide electrolysis), photoelectrochecmical (PEC) and solar thermochemical (STCH) water splitting. This presentation will provide an overview of the HydroGEN EMN, its relationship to the H2NEW consortium, technical highlights of a few lab-led R&D projects, and the community appproach to benchmarking and protocol development for advanced water splitting technologies. Low-carbon hydrogen plays a vital role in the carbon dioxide utilization and decarbonization of several chemical and fuel industries.

advanced water splitting materials AEM↗

DOE OSTI2023

Hydrogen Consortium: Technical Progress on Renewable Hydrogen Production R&D

HydroGEN (https://www.h2awsm.org/) Energy Materials Network (EMN) is an U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) EERE Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO)-funded consortium that aims to accelerate the discovery and development of advanced water splitting materials (AWSM) for clean, low-cost hydrogen production. This is in line with the H2@Scale initiative (https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/h2-scale), with the goal to meet U.S. DOE's Hydrogen Shot production cost target of $1/kg H2 within 1 decade. Materials innovations are key to enhancing performance, durability, and cost of hydrogen generation technologies. Large scale, low cost hydrogen from diverse domestic resources can enable an economically competitive and environmentally beneficial future energy system across multiple sectors. HydroGEN is focused on low technology readiness level AWS technologies, including low- (alkaline exchanged membrane electrolysis) and high-temperature electrolysis (proton-conducting solid oxide electrolysis), photoelectrochecmical (PEC) and solar thermochemical (STCH) water splitting. This presentation will provide an overview of the HydroGEN EMN and technical highlights of a few lab-led and FOA-awarded R&D projects. HydroGEN continues to grow its community of industry, university, and national laboratories, forming a national innovation ecosystem focused on renewable hydrogen production.

clean hydrogen↗

DOE OSTI2024

HydroGEN Overview: A Consortium on Advanced Water Splitting Materials

clean hydrogen↗

DOE OSTI2023

New Materials and an Efficient Processing Approach for Materials for Harsh Environments – Continuous Electric Field Assisted Sintering

Electric-field assisted sintering (EFAS) is an advanced manufacturing method for the consolidation and processing of ceramic and metal materials. It is a particularly excellent candidate for efficient materials processing as it has greater than 90% energy cost savings and improved CO2 emissions compared to traditional sintering in a furnace. This is due to direct rapid heating of the materials and molds leveraging an electrification phenomenon called Joule heating where electrical current is passed through the sample/mold assemblies causing direct heating. The technique does have limitations though as it is traditionally a batch-process and suffers from scale up difficulties. To overcome this, researchers at Idaho National Laboratory changed the form factor of traditional EFAS instruments to develop and construct a continuous rolling electric-field assisted sintering (CEFAS) device. Its unique design creates highly localized electrical, thermal, and mechanical process parameters for continuous samples of limitless length. Advanced core shell powder materials were also created using fluidized powder bed atomic layer deposition of core/shell solid oxide electrochemical electrode/electrolyte BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3 (BCZYYb) and yttrium doped BaZrO3 (BZY) to be a feedstock for the new CEFAS instrument. The innovative core/shell powder is hypothesized to have high protonic conductivity with enhanced environmental resistance. The completed project covers innovations in process control and design enabled by control theory, finite element modeling and mechanical design, three dimensionally printed carbon-carbon composite manufacturing and utilization, and green materials processing techniques.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2024

HydroGEN Consortium: Advancements in Renewable Hydrogen Production

HydroGEN Energy Materials Network (EMN) is an U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) EERE Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO)-funded consortium that aims to accelerate the discovery and development of advanced water splitting materials (AWSM) for clean, low-cost hydrogen production. Materials innovations are key to enhancing performance, durability, and cost of hydrogen generation technologies. HydroGEN is focused on low technology readiness level AWS technologies, including low- (alkaline exchanged membrane electrolysis) and high-temperature electrolysis (proton-conducting solid oxide electrolysis), photoelectrochecmical (PEC) and solar thermochemical (STCH) water splitting. This presentation will provide an overview of the HydroGEN EMN and technical highlights of a few lab-led and FOA-awarded R&D projects. HydroGEN continues to grow its community of industry, university, and national laboratories, forming a national innovation ecosystem focused on renewable hydrogen production.

clean hydrogen↗

DOE OSTI2024

Hydrogen and its Vital Role in a Clean Energy Future

Large-scale, low -cost hydrogen production can enable an economically competitive, secure, and environmentally beneficial future energy system across multiple sectors. Furthermore, clean hydrogen can address specific sectors that are hard to decarbonize (e.g., heavy-duty trucking, load-following electricity, iron, steel, and cement) and can help the U.S. meet the net zero carbon goal by 2050. To achieve this goal, tens of millions of metric tons of clean, reliable, and affordable hydrogen will be needed annually1. In 2021, the Hydrogen Energy Earthshot was launched, and its goal is to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per $1 kilogram in 1 decade (1 1 1) 2. One very promising pathway for large-scale hydrogen production is water splitting. Water splitting technologies range from commercial technologies such as electrolyzers to approaches that are at a much earlier stage of development, such as photoelectrochemical (PEC) and thermochemical (TCH) processes. All these water splitting pathways offer diverse benefits in energy storage, grid services, and cross-sector emissions reductions while taking advantage of the diverse domestic resources. However, critical materials-, component- and system-level challenges must be addressed to improve efficiency and durability and reduce cost. To address these barriers and move these promising and high impact technologies forward, the HydroGEN Advanced Water Splitting Materials (AWSM) and the H2 from the Next-generation of Electrolyzers of Water (H2NEW) consortia were formed and supported by the Department of Energy (DOE) EERE Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO). HydroGEN (https://www.energy.gov/eere/h2awsm/) consortium, established in 2016, is an Energy Materials Network (EMN) that aims to accelerate the materials R&D of low technology readiness level (TRL) advanced water splitting (AWS) technologies. The consortium comprises five core national laboratories and focuses on four early-stage AWS pathways: alkaline exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis, proton conducting solid oxide electrolysis (p-SOEC), photoelectrochemical, and thermochemical water splitting. Liquid alkaline and PEM electrolyzers are already commercial and significant advancements in oxygen conducting solid oxide electrolysis cells (o-SOECs) have been realized. Yet, these systems are still too expensive and not sufficiently durable for wide-scale commercialization. To enable high-volume manufacturing of affordable, durable, efficient electrolyzers, H2NEW (https://h2new.energy.gov/), another multi-lab consortium, was established in 2020. This comprehensive, concerted effort is focused on overcoming barriers related to components and materials integration and scale-up to achieve performance, durability, with an initial focus to achieve $2/kg H2 by 2026.

AEM↗

DOE OSTI2024

Proton-exchange membrane

A proton-exchange membrane includes a polymer matrix, polymer fibers, or a combination thereof. The proton-exchange membrane also includes a proton-conducting material distributed on the polymer matrix, on the polymer fibers, in the polymer fibers, or a combination thereof.

Aulich, Ted R.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Proton surface exchange kinetics of perovskite triple conducting thin films for protonic ceramic electrolysis cells: BaPr 0.9 Y 0.1 O 3–δ (BPY) vs. Ba 1–x Co 0.4 Fe 0.4 Zr 0.1 Y 0.1 O 3–δ (BCFZY)

Protonic ceramic electrolysis cells (PCECs) are an attractive green H 2 production technology, given their intermediate-temperature operating range and ability to produce dry H 2 . However, PCECs will benefit from development of more efficient and durable “triple conducting” anodes where steam is split, H incorporated, and oxygen evolved. In this work, we evaluated the kinetics of the steam-splitting/H incorporation reaction on BaPr 0.9 Y 0.1 O 3–δ (BPY) in comparison to the benchmark Ba 1–x Co 0.4 Fe 0.4 Z r0.1 Y 0.1 O 3–δ (BCFZY) composition, replacing most of the transition metal elements (Co, Fe, Zr) with the lanthanide Pr. We prepared geometrically well-defined perovskite BPY and BCFZY thin films by pulsed laser deposition and performed simultaneous optical transmission relaxation and electrical conductivity relaxation measurements at 400–500 °C in 0.21 atm O 2 during switching of the steam partial pressure to isolate and compare their proton surface exchange coefficients (k). The k values of BPY were comparable to those of BCFZY and more stable over time. According to angle-resolved XPS and STEM-EDS mapping of FIB cross-sections, the surface of BPY exhibited Ba enrichment, Pr deficiency, and Si contamination. In contrast, BCFZY exhibited Ba deficiency throughout, no obvious surface segregation, and less Si contamination. The Ba segregation on the BPY film appears to have promoted steam splitting/H incorporation kinetics even though the more basic surface reacted with the acidic environmental SiO x H y . Faster kinetics observed on stoichiometric BCFZY vs. Ba-deficient BCFZY confirmed the benefit of a high A-site Ba concentration. This result contrasts with most work on perovskites applied in solid oxide electrolysis cell anodes, in which A-site segregation is considered deleterious for surface reaction kinetics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2025

Turn-On Conductivity with Proton-Coupled Electron Transport in Metal–Organic Frameworks

Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) has been studied for decades in the context of molecular reactivity, but its impact on long-range electron transport is barely understood. When defined broadly as ion-coupled charge transport (ICCT), relevant systems include lithium-ion battery electrodes, electrochromic coatings, and myriad electrocatalysts. Despite ample evidence that ion-electron coupling enhances or diminishes the performance of these devices, little is known about the experimental signatures of ICCT and the microscopic factors that govern its mechanism. Here, we expect that ion-electron coupling becomes especially relevant in high surface area materials, such as the layered electrodes of intercalation batteries, due to the close proximity of itinerant electrons and electrolyte. Here, we report an electrochemical investigation into a family of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that serves as a well-defined platform for understanding the effect of ICCT on both elec- tronic and ionic conductivity. Through photochemical doping of e - –H + pairs and introduction of solvent guest molecules, the Ti-containing MOFs convert from electronic-only insulators conductors (σ e ≈ 10 -12 S cm -1 ) to mixed ion-electron semiconduc- tors (σ e ≈ 10 -7 S cm -1 , σ ion ≈ 10 -5 S cm -1 ). Direct current and alternating current techniques support the existence of proton- electron coupling and, critically, that improved ionic conductivity enhances electronic conductivity. Taken together, these results provide direct evidence that PCET enables long-range charge transport and generalized electrochemical tools and synthetic methods for studying ion-electron coupling in materials broadly.

Charge transport↗