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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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NASA NTRS1986

Inorganic and protein crystal growth - Similarities and differences

Transport and interface kinetic concepts for the design and control of inorganic crystal growth experiments are reviewed, and their applications and limitations in protein crystal growth are considered. It is suggested that the interfacial concentration gradients are steeper for faster crystallization, and that the interfacial concentration distributions for the protein and the precipitant can differ significantly. Results show that uniformity in crystal composition and steady-state conditions in growth kinetics are favored by larger sample size, since surface-tension gradients drive strong in microgravity experiments and in small samples on earth.

Rosenberger, F.↗

NASA NTRS1988

On the generation of mean flows by the interaction of Goertler vortices and Tollmien-Schlichting waves in curved channel flows

There are many fluid flows where the onset of transition can be caused by different instability mechanisms which compete in the nonlinear regime. The interaction of a centrifugal instability mechanism with the viscous mechanism which causes Tollmein-Schlichting waves is discussed. The interaction between these modes can be strong enough to drive the mean state; the interaction is investigated in the context of curved channel flows so as to avoid difficulties associated with boundary layer growth. Essentially it was found that the mean state adjusts itself so that any modes present are neutrally stable even at finite amplitude. In the first instance, the mean state driven by a vortex of short wavelength in the absence of Tollmein-Schlichting waves is considered. It is shown that for a given channel curvature and vortex wavelength, there is an upper limit to the mass flow rate which the channel can support as the pressure gradient is increased. When the Tollmein-Schlichting waves are present, then the nonlinear differential equation to determine the mean state is modified.

Bassom, Andrew P.↗

NASA NTRS1992

An upper limit on the cosmic ultraviolet background

The 1989 diffuse UV background data of Fix et al. (1989), when modeled as an optically thin, geometrically thin Galactic disk, implies an extragalactic UV background of 4 +/- 80 units at 0.15 micron, rather than the 530 +/- 80 units given by Fix et al. A more conservative fit allowing for forward scattering by dust and a finite optical depth to the Galactic pole gives a best-fit value of 45 units for the extragalactic flux, with a conservative limit of less than 500 units, similar to the lowest observed flux. Comparing the gradient of the UV flux versus csc absolute value of b with the IRAS 100 micron gradient implies an unexpectedly low scattering cross section for dust at 0.15 micron, compared to the absorption cross section in the visible.

Wright, Edward L.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Magnetohydrodynamic wave propagation in one-dimensional nonhomogeneous, self-gravitating clouds

We study the propagation of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves through nonhomogeneous, selfgravitating, magnetic media representative of molecular cloud environments and focus on the issues of cloud support and line profiles. Since the general treatment of this topic is burdened by a complex mathematical formalism, we consider simplifying geometries which yield analytical solutions in the linear wave limit. In particular, we study both magnetoacoustic and Alfven wave propagation along the density gradient in a one-imensional slab. Of specific relevance to molecular clouds, we find that the back reaction of the Alfven waves can provide a pressure along the direction of the magnetic field lines; this pressure can help support a density enhancement against gravitational collapse. Furthermore, we find that the velocity amplitudes of these waves increase as the density decreases, in rough agreement with observational estimates of line width versus density relations.

Fatuzzo, Marco↗

NASA NTRS1999

Refinement of Models for VLBI Analysis

Continual refinement of models and estimation methods is an integral part of improving VLBI measurements of Earth orientation and position along with advances in instrumentation and observing strategy. The modeling of the troposphere continues to be challenging with recent improvements in treating the mean gradient and gradient variations affecting the terrestrial reference frame scale and celestial declinations near the current limits of accuracy. Revised models of nutation and solid Earth tides are implemented in CALC 9.0 to conform to the latest IERS Conventions along with other changes to facilitate use by VLBI correlators. Using data since 1995 the celestial reference frame has been extended and improved consistent with the definition and 0.25 mas accuracy limit of the ICRF. The current definition of the VLBI terrestrial reference frame places a floor on the accuracy of station velocities at the 0.4 mm/yr level. The establishment of the IVS (International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry) in the past year will provide a forum for further improvements of VLBI data analysis.

Ma, C.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Updates to Multi-Dimensional Flux Reconstruction for Hypersonic Simulations on Tetrahedral Grids

The quality of simulated hypersonic stagnation region heating with tetrahedral meshes is investigated by using an updated three-dimensional, upwind reconstruction algorithm for the inviscid flux vector. An earlier implementation of this algorithm provided improved symmetry characteristics on tetrahedral grids compared to conventional reconstruction methods. The original formulation however displayed quantitative differences in heating and shear that were as large as 25% compared to a benchmark, structured-grid solution. The primary cause of this discrepancy is found to be an inherent inconsistency in the formulation of the flux limiter. The inconsistency is removed by employing a Green-Gauss formulation of primitive gradients at nodes to replace the previous Gram-Schmidt algorithm. Current results are now in good agreement with benchmark solutions for two challenge problems: (1) hypersonic flow over a three-dimensional cylindrical section with special attention to the uniformity of the solution in the spanwise direction and (2) hypersonic flow over a three-dimensional sphere. The tetrahedral cells used in the simulation are derived from a structured grid where cell faces are bisected across the diagonal resulting in a consistent pattern of diagonals running in a biased direction across the otherwise symmetric domain. This grid is known to accentuate problems in both shock capturing and stagnation region heating encountered with conventional, quasi-one-dimensional inviscid flux reconstruction algorithms. Therefore the test problems provide a sensitive indicator for algorithmic effects on heating. Additional simulations on a sharp, double cone and the shuttle orbiter are then presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the new algorithm on more geometrically complex flows with tetrahedral grids. These results provide the first indication that pure tetrahedral elements utilizing the updated, three-dimensional, upwind reconstruction algorithm may be used for the simulation of heating and shear in hypersonic flows in upwind, finite volume formulations.

Gnoffo, Peter A.↗

NASA NTRS2013

Passivation of Flexible YBCO Superconducting Current Lead With Amorphous SiO2 Layer

Adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators (ADR) are operated in space to cool detectors of cosmic radiation to a few 10s of mK. A key element of the ADR is a superconducting magnet operating at about 0.3 K that is continually energized and de-energized in synchronism with a thermal switch, such that a piece of paramagnetic salt is alternately warm in a high magnetic field and cold in zero magnetic field. This causes the salt pill or refrigerant to cool, and it is able to suck heat from an object, e.g., the sensor, to be cooled. Current has to be fed into and out of the magnets from a dissipative power supply at the ambient temperature of the spacecraft. The current leads that link the magnets to the power supply inevitably conduct a significant amount of heat into the colder regions of the supporting cryostat, resulting in the need for larger, heavier, and more powerful supporting refrigerators. The aim of this project was to design and construct high-temperature superconductor (HTS) leads from YBCO (yttrium barium copper oxide) composite conductors to reduce the heat load significantly in the temperature regime below the critical temperature of YBCO. The magnet lead does not have to support current in the event that the YBCO ceases to be superconducting. Cus - tomarily, a normal metal conductor in parallel with the YBCO is a necessary part of the lead structure to allow for this upset condition; however, for this application, the normal metal can be dispensed with. Amorphous silicon dioxide is deposited directly onto the surface of YBCO, which resides on a flexible substrate. The silicon dioxide protects the YBCO from chemically reacting with atmospheric water and carbon dioxide, thus preserving the superconducting properties of the YBCO. The customary protective coating for flexible YBCO conductors is silver or a silver/gold alloy, which conducts heat many orders of magnitude better than SiO2 and so limits the use of such a composite conductor for passing current across a thermal gradient with as little flow of heat as possible to make an efficient current lead. By protecting YBCO on a flexible substrate of low thermal conductivity with SiO2, a thermally efficient and flexible current lead can be fabricated. The technology is also applicable to current leads for 4 K superconducting electronics current biasing. A commercially available thin-film YBCO composite tape conductor is first stripped of its protective silver coating. It is then mounted on a jig that holds the sample flat and acts as a heat sink. Silicon dioxide is then deposited onto the YBCO to a thickness of about 1 micron using PECVD (plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition), without heating the YBCO to the point where degradation occurs. Since SiO2 can have good high-frequency electrical properties, it can be used to coat YBCO cable structures used to feed RF signals across temperature gradients. The prime embodiment concerns the conduction of DC current across the cryogenic temperature gradient. The coating is hard and electrically insulating, but flexible.

Johannes, Daniel↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Thermal Design, Analysis, and Testing of a Conductively-Cooled, High Temperature Superconducting Rotor for a 1.4 MW Electric Machine for Aeronautics Applications

This presentation covers the second ever demonstration of a superconducting rotor cooled only via conductive connection to a cryocooler, i.e., without pumped or solid cryogens. The full-scale rotor was operated statically in its intended environment – about 1e-3 torr vacuum with only conductive cooling through mechanical connections to a cryocooler contained on the rotor. Stable operation of the rotor in a representative magnetic environment was demonstrated up to its rated direct current (57.2 A) and the designed temperature limit for the superconductor (62 K). In all but one case, the observed temperature gradient between the cold tip and superconducting coils satisfies the design but with little margin. Thermal modeling and correlation with test data is presented identifying the areas of largest discrepancy. Opportunities to reduce the temperature gradient are identified.

electrified aircraft propulsion↗

DOE OSTI2025

Operando neutron imaging-guided gradient design of Li-ion solid conductor for high-mass-loading cathodes

High-mass-loading cathodes are crucial for achieving high energy density in all-solid-state batteries from the lab scale to industry. However, as mass-loading increases, electrochemical performance is significantly compromised due to sluggish kinetics. In this work, operando neutron imaging is deployed on a high-mass-loading NMC 811 cathode of 33 mg/cm 2 (5.0 mAh/cm 2 ) and directly visualizes the lithiation prioritization of the cathode active material (CAM) from the solid electrolyte membrane side to the current collector side. In addition to the tortuosity, another key limitation on ion transfer in the cathode arises from the mismatch between the uniform distribution of the solid electrolyte (catholyte) in the conventional composite cathode and the non-uniform Li + flux generated by the faradaic reaction of CAMs. Therefore, we engineer a gradient in the catholyte concentration to match the Li + flux distribution as a means of eliminating the ion transfer obstacle. This approach demonstrates enhanced rate performance, even with high-mass-loading cathodes. A LiCoO 2 composite cathode with 100 mg/cm 2 high-mass-loading exhibits an areal capacity of 10.4 mAh/cm 2 at a current density of 2.25 mA/cm 2 . This work provides insight into the ion-transport limitation in thick cathodes and demonstrates an effective gradient design to overcome the kinetic barrier and achieve high battery performance.

Batteries↗

NASA NTRS1993

Advances in Studies of Electrode Kinetics and Mass Transport in AMTEC Cells (abstract)

Previous work reported from JPL has included characterization of electrode kinetics and alkali atom transport from electrodes including Mo, W, WRh(sub x), WPt(sub x)(Mn), in sodium AMTEC cells and vapor exposure cells, and Mo in potassium vapor exposure cells. These studies were generally performed in cells with small area electrodes (about 1 to 5 cm(sup 2)), and device geometry had little effect on transport. Alkali diffusion coefficients through these electrodes have been characterized, and approximate surface diffusion coefficients derived in cases of activated transport. A basic model of electrode kinetic at the alkali metal vapor/porous metal electrode/alkali beta'-alumina solid electrolyte three phase boundary has been proposed which accounts for electrochemical reaction rates with a collision frequency near the three phase boundary and tunneling from the porous electrode partially covered with adsorbed alkali metal atoms. The small electrode effect in AMTEC cells has been discussed in several papers, but quantitative investigations have described only the overall effect and the important contribution of electrolyte resistance. The quantitative characterization of transport losses in cells with large area electrodes has been limited to simulations of large area electrode effects, or characterization of transport losses from large area electrodes with significant longitudinal temperature gradients. This paper describes new investigations of electrochemical kinetics and transport, particularily with WPt(sub 3.5) electrodes, including the influence of electrode size on the mass transport loss in the AMTEC cell. These electrodes possess excellent sodium transport properties making verification of device limitations on transport much more readily attained.

electrode kinetics alkali atom transport transport↗

NASA NTRS2001

Evolution of Local Microstructures: Spatial Instabilities of Coarsening Clusters

This work examines the diffusional growth of discrete phase particles dispersed within a matrix. Engineering materials are often microstructurally heterogeneous, and the details of the microstructure determine how well that material performs in a given application. Critical to the development of designing multiphase microstructures with long-term stability is the process of Ostwald ripening. Ripening, or phase coarsening, is diffusion-limited and arises in polydisperse multiphase materials. Growth and dissolution occur because fluxes of solute, driven by chemical potential gradients at the interfaces of the dispersed phase material, depend on particle size. Competitive kinetics of these processes dictates that larger particles grow at the expense of smaller ones, overall leading to an increase of the average particle size. The classical treatment of phase coarsening was done by Todes, Lifshitz, and Slyozov, (TLS) in the limit of zero volume fraction, V(sub V)=0 of the dispersed phase. Since the publication of TLS theory, there have been numerous investigations, many of which sought to describe the kinetic scaling behavior over a range of volume fractions. Some studies in the literature report that the relative increase in coarsening rate at low (but not zero) volume fractions compared to that predicted by TLS is proportional to V(exp 1/2)(sub v) whereas others suggest V(exp 1/3)(sub v).This issue has been addressed recently by simulation studies at low volume fractions in three dimensions by members of the Rensselaer/MSFC team.

Glicksman, Martin E.↗

NASA NTRS1947

The Turbulent Flow in Diffusers of Small Divergence Angle

The turbulent flow in a conical diffuser represents the type of turbulent boundary layer with positive longitudinal pressure gradient. In contrast to the boundary layer problem, however, it is not necessary that the pressure distribution along the limits of the boundary layer(along the axis of the diffuser) be given, since this distribution can be obtained from the computation. This circumstance, together with the greater simplicity of the problem as a whole, provides a useful basis for the study of the extension of the results of semiempirical theories to the case of motion with a positive pressure gradient. In the first part of the paper,formulas are derived for the computation of the velocity and.pressure distributions in the turbulent flow along, and at right angles to, the axis of a diffuser of small cone angle. The problem is solved.

Gourzhienko, G. A.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Evolution of Local Microstructures (ELMS): Spatial Instabilities of Coarsening

Glicksman, Martin E.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Evolution of Local Microstructures: Spatial Instabilities of Coarsening Clusters

This work examines the diffusional growth of discrete phase particles dispersed within a matrix. Engineering materials are microstructurally heterogeneous, and the details of the microstructure determine how well that material performs in a given application. Critical to the development of designing multiphase microstructures with long-term stability is the process of Ostwald ripening. Ripening, or phase coarsening, is a diffusion-limited process which arises in polydisperse multiphase materials. Growth and dissolution occur because fluxes of solute, driven by chemical potential gradients at the interfaces of the dispersed phase material, depend on particle size. The kinetics of these processes are "competitive," dictating that larger particles grow at the expense of smaller ones, overall leading to an increase of the average particle size. The classical treatment of phase coarsening was done by Todes, Lifshitz, and Slyozov, (TLS) in the limit of zero volume fraction, V(sub v), of the dispersed phase. Since the publication of TLS theory there have been numerous investigations, many of which sought to describe the kinetic scaling behavior over a 0 range of volume fractions. Some studies in the literature report that the relative increase in coarsening rate at low (but not zero) volume fractions compared to that predicted by TLS is proportional to v(sub v)(exp 1/2), whereas others suggcest V(sub v)(exp 1/3). This issue has been resolved recently by simulation studies at low volume fractions in three dimensions by members of the Rensselaer/MSFC team. Our studies of ripening behavior using large-scale numerical simulations suggest that although there are different circumstances which can lead to either scaling law, the most important length scale at low volume fractions is the diffusional analog of the Debye screening length. The numerical simulations we employed exploit the use of a recently developed "snapshot" technique, and identifies the nature of the coarsening dynamics at various volume fractions. Preliminary results of numerical and experimental investigations, focused on the growth of finite particle clusters, provide important insight into the nature of the transition between the two scaling regimes. The companion microgravity experiment centers on the growth within finite particle clusters, and follows the temporal dynamics driving microstructural evolution, using holography.

Frazier, Donald O.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Ion Transport and Crystal Rotation in Plastic Crystal Electrolytes Under Applied Electric Fields

Organic ionic plastic crystal electrolytes, containing a plastic crystal and lithium salt, offer a potential balance between mechanical and electrochemical properties for solid state lithium-ion battery electrolytes. These electrolytes contain multiple mobile ionic species (three or four), resulting in complex transport mechanisms which have not yet been established. Plastic crystals are defined by long-range positional order and short-range rotational disorder. It is therefore necessary to quantify changes in the local crystal structure of the electrolyte as current flows through it. Herein, we examine the electrochemical properties of pyrrolidinium-based plastic crystal electrolytes containing lithium salt and zwitterion additives, including measurements of current fraction and limiting current. We obtain species-specific insight into electrolyte transport using pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and find that, while the zwitterion additive increases ionic conductivity, it decreases lithium diffusivity with respect to other ionic components. With operando spatiotemporally resolved wide-angle X-ray scattering we observe location-specific crystal rotations due to the passage of ionic current. In conclusion, we posit that reducing energy dissipation due to rotation is essential for using plastic crystal electrolytes in practical applications.

Yap, Kyra M. K. [University of California, Berkele↗

DOE OSTI2025

Machine learning of 27Al NMR electric field gradient tensors for crystalline structures from DFT

NMR crystallography has emerged as a promising technique for the determination and refinement of atomic coordinates in crystal structures. The crystal structure of compounds containing quadrupolar nuclei, such as 27Al, can be improved by directly comparing solid-state NMR measurements to DFT computations of the electric field gradient (EFG) tensor. The non-negligible computational cost of these first-principles calculations limits the applicability of this method to all but the most well-defined structures. We developed a fast, low-cost machine learning model to predict EFG parameters based on local structural motifs and elemental parameters. We computed 8081 EFG tensors from 1681 27Al crystalline solids using DFT and benchmarked them against 105 experimentally measured 27Al sites. Surprisingly, simple local geometric features dominate the predictive performance of the resulting random-forest model, yielding an R2 value of 0.98 and an RMSE of 0.61 MHz for CQ, the quadrupolar coupling constant. This model accuracy should enable pre-refining future structural assignments before finally validating with first-principles calculations. Such a catalogue of 27Al NMR tensors can serve as a tool for researchers assigning complex NMR spectra influenced by the nuclear electric quadrupole interaction.

Sun, He↗

DOE OSTI2025

Codon bias, nucleotide selection, and genome size predict in situ bacterial growth rate and transcription in rewetted soil

In soils, the first rain after a prolonged dry period represents a major pulse event impacting soil microbial community function, yet we lack a full understanding of the genomic traits associated with the microbial response to rewetting. Genomic traits such as codon usage bias and genome size have been linked to bacterial growth in soils—however, often through measurements in culture. Here, we used metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) with 18 O-water stable isotope probing and metatranscriptomics to track genomic traits associated with growth and transcription of soil microorganisms over one week following rewetting of a grassland soil. We found that codon bias in ribosomal protein genes was the strongest predictor of growth rate. We also found higher growth rates in bacteria with smaller genomes, suggesting that reduced genome size enables a faster response to pulses in soil bacteria. Faster transcriptional upregulation of ribosomal protein genes was associated with high codon bias and increased nucleotide skew. We found that several of these relationships existed within phyla, indicating that these associations between genomic traits and activity could be generalized characteristics of soil bacteria. Finally, we used publicly available metagenomes to assess the distribution of codon bias across a pH gradient and found that microbial communities in higher pH soils—which are often more water limited and pulse driven—have higher codon usage bias in their ribosomal protein genes. Together, these results provide evidence that genomic characteristics affect soil microbial activity during rewetting and pose a potential fitness advantage for soil bacteria where water and nutrient availability are episodic.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS1978

Shear rupture of a directionally solidified eutectic gamma/gamma prime - alpha (Mo) alloy

Directionally solidified Mo alloys are evaluated to determine the shear rupture strength and to possibly improve it by microstructural and heat treatment variations. Bars of the alloy containing nominally 5.7% Al and 33.5% Mo by weight with balance Ni were directionally solidified at rates between 10 and 100 mm per hour in furnaces with thermal gradients at the liquid-solid interface of 250 or 100 C per cm. A limited number of longitudinal shear rupture tests were conducted at 760 C and 207 MPa in the as - solidified and in several heat treated conditions. It is shown that shear rupture failures are partly transgranular and that resistance to failure is prompted by good fiber alignment and a matrix structure consisting mainly of gamma prime. Well aligned as - solidified specimens sustained the shear stress for an average of 81 hours. A simulated coating heat treatment appeared to increase the transformation of gamma to gamma prime and raised the average shear life of aligned specimens to 111 hours. However, heat treatments at 1245 C and especially at 1190 C appeared to be detrimental by causing partial solutioning of the gamma prime, and reducing lives to 47 and 10 hours, respectively.

Harf, F. H.↗