Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “high stability”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 289 records · Page 16

Area-Scalable Zn 2 SnO 4 Electron Transport Layer for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Modules

The development of a scalable chemical bath deposition (CBD) process facilitates the realization of electron-transporting layers (ETLs) for large-area perovskite solar modules (PSMs). In this work, a method to prepare a uniform and scalable thick Zn 2 SnO 4 ETL by CBD, which yielded high-performance PSMs, is reported. This Zn 2 SnO 4 ETL exhibits excellent electrical properties and enhanced optical transmittance in the visible region. Moreover, the Zn 2 SnO 4 ETL influences the perovskite layer formation, yielding enhanced crystallinity, increased grain size, and a smoother surface, thus facilitating electron extraction and collection from the perovskite to the ETL. Zn 2 SnO 4 thereby yields PSMs with a remarkable photovoltaic performance, low hysteresis index, and high device reproducibility. The champion PSM exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.59%, being among the highest values published so far. In addition, the CBD Zn 2 SnO 4 -based PSMs exhibit high stability, retaining more than 88% of initial efficiency over 1000 h under continuous illumination. This demonstrates that CBD Zn 2 SnO 4 is an appropriate ETL for high-efficiency PSMs and a viable new process for their industrialization.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Tin–Lead Alloying for Efficient and Stable All-Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells

Cesium containing all-inorganic perovskites have received considerable interest in photovoltaics research because of their potential for improved stability compared to their organic-inorganic hybrid counterparts. However, the inorganic perovskites studied thus far still suffer from lower power conversion efficiency and long-term instability, due to an unfavorable bandgap and either phase instability or air-sensitivity. Herein, A strategy to mitigate these concerns is investigated by alloying tin and lead on the B site to form tin-lead alloyed low-bandgap (~1.34 eV) inorganic CsSn 0.3 Pb 0.7 I 3 perovskites. Solar cells made using this material in an inverted full-structured architecture with a PEDOT:PSS hole transport materials (HTM) attain power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 9.41% (stabilized PCE 7.23%). Furthermore, a simple HTM-free device without PEDOT:PSS layer is demonstrated more stable than the full-structured device and exhibits a PCE of 7.60% (stabilized PCE 7.31%) – the highest efficiency to date for an inorganic perovskite with a bandgap below 1.40 eV. This simplified device structure shows good reproducibility and stability. Finally, this work provides a possible route for fabricating low-cost, high stability devices with competitive efficiencies.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Diagonally Implicit Runge-Kutta Methods for Ordinary Differential Equations. A Review

A review of diagonally implicit Runge-Kutta (DIRK) methods applied to rst-order ordinary di erential equations (ODEs) is undertaken. The goal of this review is to summarize the characteristics, assess the potential, and then design several nearly optimal, general purpose, DIRK-type methods. Over 20 important aspects of DIRKtype methods are reviewed. A design study is then conducted on DIRK-type methods having from two to seven implicit stages. From this, 15 schemes are selected for general purpose application. Testing of the 15 chosen methods is done on three singular perturbation problems. Based on the review of method characteristics, these methods focus on having a stage order of two, sti accuracy, L-stability, high quality embedded and dense-output methods, small magnitudes of the algebraic stability matrix eigenvalues, small values of aii, and small or vanishing values of the internal stability function for large eigenvalues of the Jacobian. Among the 15 new methods, ESDIRK4(3)6L[2]SA is recommended as a good default method for solving sti problems at moderate error tolerances.

Kennedy, Christopher A.↗

Stabilized Fiber-Optic Distribution of Reference Frequency

An optoelectronic system distributes a reference signal of low noise and highly stabilized phase and frequency (100 MHz) from an atomic frequency standard to a remote facility at a distance up to tens of kilometers. The reference signal is transmitted to the remote station as amplitude modulation of an optical carrier signal propagating in an optical fiber. The stabilization scheme implemented in this system is intended particularly to suppress phase and frequency fluctuations caused by vibrations and by expansion and contraction of the optical fiber and other components in diurnal and seasonal heating and cooling cycles. The system (see figure) comprises several subsystems, the main one being (1) a hydrogen-maser or linear-ion-trap frequency standard in an environmentally controlled room in a signal-processing center (SPC), (2) a stabilized fiber-optic distribution assembly (SFODA), (3) a compensated sapphire oscillator (CSO) in an environmentally controlled room in the remote facility, (4) thermally stabilized distribution amplifiers and cabling from the environmentally controlled room to end users, and (5) performance- measuring equipment.

Calhoun, Malcolm↗

Liquid state properties and solidification features of the pseudo binary BaS-La 2 S 3

The high temperature thermodynamic properties of chalcogenides materials based on BaS remain elusive. Herein the pseudo binary BaS-La 2 S 3 is investigated above 1573 K. The liquid properties of BaS-La 2 S 3 are measured by means of high resolution in-situ visualization coupled with thermal arrest measurements in a thermal imaging furnace. This enables to report the first observation of such melts in a container-less setting. The melting points of BaS and La 2 S 3 are revisited at 2454 K and 2004 K respectively. La 2 S 3 demonstrates a high stability in its liquid state, in strike difference with the sublimation observed for BaS. BaS is however partially stabilized with the addition of few percents of La 2 S 3 . The remarkable chemical and thermal stability of La 2 S 3 -rich samples contrasts with the partial decomposition and high vapor pressure observed for BaS-rich samples. Observations and analysis of the solidified samples suggest three different solid solutions. Solid and liquid densities are investigated along the different compositions, supporting a first estimate of the volumetric thermal expansion coefficient for La 2 S 3 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Status of Gr/glass composites technology at UTOS

The TSC (Thermally Stable Composite) refers to a family of graphite reinforced glass matrix composite materials developed by UTOS. This fiber matrix combination exhibits low coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE), exceptional dimensional stability, high specific strength and stiffness, adequate fracture toughness, and space environment compatibility. The dimensional stability of a TSC mirror structure was experimentally characterized at the Steward Observatory. Preliminary results indicate that TSC is significantly more thermally stable than most current structural composite materials. In addition, the use of lower CTE glass matrix materials, such as 96 percent silica glass, have the potential for producing graphite/glass panels with expansion rates and stability comparable to that of fused silica.

Mayor, Ramon A.↗

Applications of high pressure differential scanning calorimetry to aviation fuel thermal stability research

High pressure differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was studied as an alternate method for performing high temperature fuel thermal stability research. The DSC was used to measure the heat of reaction versus temperature of a fuel sample heated at a programmed rate in an oxygen pressurized cell. Pure hydrocarbons and model fuels were studied using typical DSC operating conditions of 600 psig of oxygen and a temperature range from ambient to 500 C. The DSC oxidation onset temperature was determined and was used to rate the fuels on thermal stability. Kinetic rate constants were determined for the global initial oxidation reaction. Fuel deposit formation is measured, and the high temperature volatility of some tetralin deposits is studied by thermogravimetric analysis. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry are used to study the chemical composition of some DSC stressed fuels.

Neveu, M. C.↗

Bench-Scale Development of Promoted High-Capacity Structured Sorbents (Final Technical Report)

The project objective was to develop high-capacity structured sorbent capable of achieving low CO 2 removal from air. The sorbent framework consists of an amine-functionalized onto hydrophobic polymer backbone with an added promoter. The functionalized amine provides high CO 2 capacity and adsorption rates and the polymer backbone to reduce water uptake. For the sorbent development, multiple functionalized amines and promoters were assessed to select a candidate that achieved high CO 2 capacity, high adsorption rate, and high stability. A sorbent-coated filter design was selected as the structured sorbent, which provides high sorbent loading capacity and contains an electrically conductive nonwoven filter substrate that can be Joule-heated to provide efficient utilization of available electricity for sorbent regeneration. A commercial partner operated a pilot filter manufacturing line to produce the filter panels coated with the developed sorbent. A 1 kg CO 2 /day bench unit was designed and fabricated to test the structured filter sorbent. The key achievements from the structured sorbent development activity were demonstrating that existing filter industrial-scale processes can be used for manufacturing Susteon’s structured sorbent and completing a proof-of-concept demonstration of the commercially manufactured structured sorbent filters for CO 2 capture from air with direct, Joule-heated regeneration. A techno-economic assessment with sensitivity analysis was conducted on a 100,000 TPY facility with 85% operating capacity. Through sorbent optimization and process design improvements, it is estimated that the cost of capture was reduced from $\$$349/tCO 2 to $\$$241/tCO 2 . The TEA projects further reductions to $165/tCO 2 through enhancements in CO 2 adsorption rate and sorbent capacity and reducing manufacturing and scale up risks. A life cycle analysis was conducted on the same 100,000 TPY facility and confirmed that the facility’s electricity demand drives its greenhouse gas impact. It was determined that electricity supplied through the current grid mix would result in net-positive CO 2 emissions and that achieving net-negative emissions is only possible by powering the system with renewable electricity or fossil fuel sources equipped with carbon capture and sequestration.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Additive Runge-Kutta Schemes for Convection-Diffusion-Reaction Equations

Additive Runge-Kutta (ARK) methods are investigated for application to the spatially discretized one- dimensional convection-diffusion-reaction (CDR) equations. Accuracy, stability, conservation, and dense-output are first considered for the general case when N different Runge-Kutta methods are grouped into a single composite method. Then, implicit-explicit, (N = 2), additive Runge-Kutta (ARK(sub 2)) methods from third- to fifth-order are presented that allow for integration of stiff terms by an L-stable, stiffly-accurate explicit, singly diagonally implicit Runge-Kutta (ESDIRK) method while the nonstiff terms are integrated with a traditional explicit Runge-Kutta method (ERK). Coupling error terms of the partitioned method are of equal order to those of the elemental methods. Derived ARK(sub 2) methods have vanishing stability functions for very large values of the stiff scaled eigenvalue, z['] yields -infinity, and retain high stability efficiency in the absence of stiffness, z['] yield 0. Extrapolation-type stage- value predictors are provided based on dense-output formulae. Optimized methods minimize both leading order ARK(sub 2) error terms and Butcher coefficient magnitudes as well as maximize conservation properties. Numerical tests of the new schemes on a CDR problem show negligible stiffness leakage and near classical order convergence rates. However, tests on three simple singular-perturbation problems reveal generally predictable order reduction. Error control is best managed with a PID-controller. While results for the fifth-order method are disappointing, both the new third- and fourth-order methods are at least as efficient as existing ARK(sub 2) methods.

Kennedy, Christopher A.↗

Drivers of Thermal Instability of Catalytic Pyrolysis Oils During Hydrotreating and Co-Processing to Sustainable Fuels

This presentation goes over polymerization observed in CFPs driven by thermally labile oxygenates. Lower oxygen oils have improved stability and a few percent decrease in oxygen greatly improves stability. Further improvements could be realized via targeted catalytic development and further reduction in reactive species. High stability CFP will help enable refinery integration of biogenic carbon.

bio-oil↗

Performance enhancement and degradation mechanism identification of a single-atom Co–N–C catalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Development of platinum group metal (PGM)-free catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has been a strategic research topic for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Present state-of-art PGM-free ORR catalysts are Fe, N co-doped carbon (Fe-N-C) catalysts, which unfortunately exhibit instability concerns. Herein, we report a stable atomically dispersed Co, N co-doped carbon (Co-N-C) catalyst with high Co content of 1.0 at% and the active site, i.e., the coordination of Co, is CoN2+2 in nature. The Co-N-C catalyst demonstrated high ORR activity comparable to, and high stability over 3 times better than, that of the Fe-N-C catalyst. It also achieved a high activity of 22 mA cm2 at 0.9 ViR-free and a power density of 0.61 W cm-2 under 1.0 bar H2/O2. Further, we identify two main degradation mechanisms of the PGM-free catalysts: catalyst oxidation by H2O2/radicals and demetalation. The improved stability of Co-N-C relative to Fe-N-C is attributed to less Fenton-reactive nature of Co and significantly enhanced resistance to demetalation of Co-N-C.

Xie, Xiaohong↗

Development of Thin Film Ceramic Thermocouples for High Temperature Environments

The maximum use temperature of noble metal thin film thermocouples of 1100 C (2000 F) may not be adequate for use on components in the increasingly harsh conditions of advanced aircraft and next generation launch technology. Ceramic-based thermocouples are known for their high stability and robustness at temperatures exceeding 1500 C, but are typically found in the form of rods or probes. NASA Glenn Research Center is investigating the feasibility of ceramics as thin film thermocouples for extremely high temperature applications to take advantage of the stability and robustness of ceramics and the non-intrusiveness of thin films. This paper will discuss the current state of development in this effort.

Wrbanek, John D.↗

A review of high order strong stability preserving two-derivative explicit, implicit, and IMEX methods

High order strong stability preserving time discretizations ensure the nonlinear non-inner-product strong stability properties of spatial discretizations suited for the stable simulation of hyperbolic PDEs in a wide variety of application areas including fluid dynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, semiconductor devices, electromagnetics, and astrophysics. Over the past decade multiderivative time-stepping have been increasingly used for the time-evolution hyperbolic PDEs, so that the strong stability properties of these methods have become important. In this work we review sufficient conditions for a two-derivative multistage method to preserve the strong stability properties of spatial discretizations in a forward Euler and different conditions on the second derivative. In particular we present the strong stability preserving theory for explicit and implicit two-derivative Runge–Kutta schemes, including a special condition on the second derivative under which these implicit methods may be unconditionally strong stability preserving. This special condition is natural for the stiff component of wide range of plasma physics problems, and can be useful in the context of strong stability preserving implicit-explicit multi-derivative Runge–Kutta schemes, where the time-step restriction is then independent of the stiff term. Lastly, we present the strong stability preserving theory for implicit-explicit multi-derivative general linear methods, and some novel second and third order methods where the time-step restriction is independent of the stiff term.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Design and Development of Stable Nanocrystalline High‐Entropy Alloy: Coupling Self‐Stabilization and Solute Grain Boundary Segregation Effects

Abstract Grain growth is prevalent in nanocrystalline (NC) materials at low homologous temperatures. Solute element addition is used to offset excess energy that drives coarsening at grain boundaries (GBs), albeit mostly for simple binary alloys. This thermodynamic approach is considered complicated in multi‐component alloy systems due to complex pairwise interactions among alloying elements. Guided by empirical and GB‐segregation enthalpy considerations for binary‐alloy systems, a novel alloy design strategy, the “ pseudo‐binary thermodynamic ” approach, for stabilizing NC‐high entropy alloys (HEAs) and other multi‐component‐alloy variants is proposed. Using Al 25 Co 25 Cr 25 Fe 25 as a model‐HEA to validate this approach, Zr, Sc, and Hf, are identified as the preferred solutes that would segregate to HEA‐GBs to stabilize it against growth. Using Zr, NC‐Al 25 Co 25 Cr 25 Fe 25 HEAs with minor additions of Zr are synthesized, followed by annealing up to 1123 K. Using advanced characterization techniques— in situ X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning/transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM), and atom probe tomography, nanograin stability due to coupling self‐stabilization and solute‐GB segregation effects is reported in HEAs up to substantially high temperatures. The self‐stabilization effect originates from the preferential GB‐segregation of constituent HEA‐elements that stabilizes NC‐Al 25 Co 25 Cr 25 Fe 25 up to 0.5 T m ( T m –melting temperature). Meanwhile, solute‐GB segregation originates from Zr segregation to NC‐Al 25 Co 25 Cr 25 Fe 25 GBs; this results in further stabilization of the phase and grain‐size (≈14 nm) up to ≈0.58 and ≈0.64 T m , respectively.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

High-precision millimeter-wave frequency determination through plasmonic photomixing

We present a technique for high-precision millimeter-wave frequency determination through plasmonic photomixing. Our technique utilizes a plasmonic photomixer pumped by an optical frequency comb with a high-stability millimeter-wave beat frequency. The plasmonic photomixer down-converts the millimeter-wave signal to the radio frequency regime at which high-accuracy frequency counters are available. The precision of this technique is determined by the frequency stability of the optical beat frequency, which can be directly characterized in the presented experimental setup. We demonstrate frequency measurement precision as low as 3.9×10 −10 at 95 GHz through plasmonic photomixing without phase-locking the optical frequency comb.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗