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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Recyclable Materials for Resource Constrained Environments

In-space manufacturing exhibits severe limitations in resources as astronauts are only afforded with the materials that are brought on-board the space craft. Consequently, the use of recyclable and re-usable materials is paramount. Researchers at NLR leverage their expertise in polymer and recycling chemistry to develop material systems capable of high performance applications with intentional consideration on multi-life use through chemical recycling, mechanical recycling, bio-degradation, and thermoforming. Disclosed within this poster presentation are highlighted projects that illustrate several recyclable by design material systems that have been developed.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Nanohybrid of Cu2O-Ti3C2Tx as a Silver-Free MXene Sorbent for Iodine Gas Capture from Nuclear Waste

The capture of volatile radioiodine from nuclear fuel reprocessing off-gas streams remains a critical challenge due to the high volatility, long half-life of 129I, and biological uptake of iodide from the environment. Although silver-based sorbents provide strong iodine chemisorption, their high cost and regulatory classification as mixed radioactive-hazardous waste motivate the development of alternative materials. Here, we report a silver-free Cu2O-Ti3C2Tx MXene hybrid for iodine gas capture at 150 °C. Structural and compositional analyses confirm the formation of Cu2O nanoparticles on Ti3C2Tx nanosheets and their subsequent conversion to thermodynamically stable CuI upon static iodine gas exposure, achieving an iodine mass loading of up to 1115 mg/g. These results demonstrate the potential of Cu2O-Ti3C2Tx MXene as a copper-based alternative to silver sorbents for elevated-temperature iodine gas capture.

iodine gas capture↗
DOE OSTI2026

Development of a Framework and Methodology for an Advanced Reactor Materials Environmental Effects Design Guide

Advanced non-light-water reactor components may operate at elevated temperature while experiencing cyclic loading, significant neutron irradiation, and exposure to reactor coolant. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, Division 5, provides design rules for elevated-temperature service but does not include specific procedures to account for environmental effects on material properties. This report develops an initial framework and methodology for an Environmental Effects Design Guide (EEDG) focused on neutron irradiation; coolant-environment effects are reserved for future work. The proposed approach treats irradiation as a property-based overlay on the existing Division 5 design process, with two routes: a sparse-data route applying two reduction factors — FCR on creep-rupture strength and FF on fatigue life — for the creep-fatigue evaluations that typically control the design of advanced high-temperature reactor components, and a fuller framework developing the property-to-rule chain across the four Division 5 checks (primary load, strain limits and ratcheting, creep-fatigue, and buckling), together with swelling and weldments as scope items. Both routes are scoped by an in-pile qualification that restricts the use of post-irradiation-examination-derived properties in regimes where an in-pile mechanism could control the design outcome. Illustrative outputs derived on a compiled annealed Type 316 database — FCR ≈ 0.78–0.86 and FF ≈ 0.4 — demonstrate the calculation method within that specific dataset. The framework is an initial, testable design-rule concept; it identifies a practical path for preliminary design evaluations under sparse data and the material data and testing needed to develop the framework further.

Barua, Bipul (ORCID:0000000247184113)↗
DOE OSTI2026

Uncovering the linear boron environment in Na 3 BP 2 through solid-state 11 B NMR spectroscopy

Boron-based compounds exhibit a wide range of structural diversity, with potential applications spanning organic and inorganic chemistry. Herein, we focus on the characterization of the linear boron-phosphorus unit P═B═P in Na 3 BP 2 using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. High-resolution 11 B ssNMR spectra were recorded at two fields, and key parameters such as chemical shift anisotropy (CSA), quadrupolar coupling constants (C Q ), and electric field gradient (EFG) tensors were extracted. The 11 B NMR results revealed a distinct chemical environment for the two-coordinate boron atom, with a CSA span (Ω) of 280 ppm and a C Q of 3.0 MHz. These values were further validated through periodic plane-wave DFT calculations, which showed good agreement with experimental results. The obtained spectral parameters are compared to other linear boron units, such as the BO 2 motif, providing a broader context for understanding boron coordination in inorganic compounds. This work expands the body of NMR knowledge on boron-containing materials, particularly for linear boron motifs. The findings contribute to the growing field of boron chemistry and its potential applications in advanced materials.

Porter, Andrew P. [Ames Laboratory (AMES), Ames, I↗
DOE OSTI2024

Elastic Modulus Measurement at High Temperatures for Miniature Ceramic Samples Using Laser Micro-Machining and Thermal Mechanical Analyzer

In this paper, we demonstrate a method of measuring the flexural elastic modulus of ceramics at an intermediate (~millimeter) scale at high temperatures. We used a picosecond laser to precisely cut microbeams from the location of interest in a bulk ceramic. They had a cross-section of approximately 100 μm × 300 μm and a length of ~1 cm. They were then tested in a thermal mechanical analyzer at room temperature, 500 °C, 800 °C, and 1100 °C using the four-point flexural testing method. We compared the elastic moduli of high-purity Al2O3 and AlN measured by our method with the reported values in the literature and found that the difference was less than 5% for both materials. This paper provides a new and accurate method of characterizing the high-temperature elastic modulus of miniature samples extracted from representative/selected areas of bulk materials.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2018

Tracing Phase Transformation and Lattice Evolution in a TRIP Sheet Steel under High-Temperature Annealing by Real-Time In Situ Neutron Diffraction

Real-time in situ neutron diffraction was used to characterize the crystal structure evolution in a transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) sheet steel during annealing up to 1000 °C and then cooling to 60 °C. Based on the results of full-pattern Rietveld refinement, critical temperature regions were determined in which the transformations of retained austenite to ferrite and ferrite to high-temperature austenite during heating and the transformation of austenite to ferrite during cooling occurred, respectively. The phase-specific lattice variation with temperature was further analyzed to comprehensively understand the role of carbon diffusion in accordance with phase transformation, which also shed light on the determination of internal stress in retained austenite. These results prove the technique of real-time in situ neutron diffraction as a powerful tool for heat treatment design of novel metallic materials.

Yu, Dunji [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000189467851)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cold Spray Cobalt Magnetostrictive Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers for High Temperature Structure Monitoring

The Department of Energy’s Advanced Sensors and Instrumentation program seeks to develop and qualify advanced sensors for the nuclear industry. Reliable high temperature and high radiation sensors for detection and characterization of structural flaws in pipes, vessels, and structurally critical components is a weakness for both conventional light water reactors with coolant T-hot approaching 350oC, and for advanced reactors with T-hot temperatures in excess of 500 to 800oC. Magnetostrictive Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers using a cold spray cobalt coating have been proposed as a sensor design that can withstand these kinds of temperatures and radiation levels to serve as online sensors to detect flaws before cracks, pits, or erosion/corrosion flaws progress to through-wall failures. This report tests cold spray cobalt as part of a magnetostrictive EMAT for high temperature service. Cobalt is known to have strong magnetostrictive properties however the effect of cold spray application is not well studied. This program was surprised to discover that cold sprayed cobalt exhibited little or no magnetostrictive behavior until it was thermally annealed. Following annealing to 650oC however, cold spray cobalt did exhibit a magnetostrictive response. Work to date prior to this milestone report publication showed that magnetostrictive EMAT was successfully tested to 400oC with an alnico permanent magnet. The program plans to extend testing with an electromagnet to higher temperatures. This follow-on work will be reported under subsequent publications or as a revision to this report.

Glass, Samuel W.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Mitigating Hydrogen-Induced Degradation of Iridium Anodes in Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers

One promising method for reducing precious metal usage in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis is lowering iridium (Ir) loading at the anode. However, low-loading Ir catalysts often suffer from poor stability under high current densities. In this study, hydrogen (H2) crossover from the cathode to the anode is identified as a key degradation pathway. Temperature-programmed reduction confirms the reduction of IrO2 at 80 °C in a hydrogen environment, highlighting the vulnerability of IrO2-based catalysts to H2 exposure. To mitigate this effect, palladium (Pd) is introduced as an anode additive, acting as an H2 oxidation catalyst and mitigating IrO2 reduction. This protective role is verified by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy, showing significantly suppressed Ir dissolution at 80 °C under H2 flow when an O-covered Pd surface is present at oxygen evolution reaction potentials. Results from the current study identify a new strategy in improving activity and durability of catalysts in electrolyzers.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Evaluation of high-temperature properties of binary, eutectic Ni-X alloys (X = B, Ca, Ce, La, Y, Zr)

We investigated the high-temperature behavior of binary eutectic nickel-base alloys with low-solubility elements, towards developing alloys with new combinations of structural and functional (e.g. thermal or corrosion) properties. Based on thermodynamic screening, we cast binary near-eutectic Ni-B, Ni-Ca, Ni-Ce, Ni-La, Ni-Y, and Ni-Zr alloys and characterized their microstructure and high-temperature properties. All alloys (except Ni-Ca) contain a fine eutectic microstructure, containing submicron alternating lamellae of γ-Ni and continuous intermetallic phases. The eutectic microstructure did not significantly coarsen at 700°C (except for Ni-B), but measurably coarsened in all alloys at 900°C, most quickly in Ni-B, followed by Ni-Ce, Ni-La, Ni-Y, and Ni-Zr. Coarsening in these alloys occurs by fault migration; diffusion within the intermetallic, and its interfacial energy, likely influence coarsening kinetics. At room-temperature, all alloys possess negligible ductility due to the continuous, brittle intermetallic. At 700 and 900°C, the Ni-Zr alloy showed the best combination of strength and ductility. Oxidation experiments at 900°C on Ni-Zr and Ni-Ce revealed heavy internal oxidation of the continuous intermetallic phase. Overall, the Ni-Zr alloy showed good high-temperature coarsening resistance and strength, though ductility and oxidation resistance require improvement for use in structural applications. Possible routes for improving alloy properties via additive manufacturing are discussed.

Ekaputra, Clement [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000307166479)↗
DOE OSTI2026

Strong gradient neoclassical transport in the plateau regime

Strong gradient regions in tokamaks such as the pedestal or internal transport barriers are regions of reduced turbulence where neoclassical transport can play a dominant role. In pedestals, gradient lengths comparable to the ion poloidal gyroradius have been measured. Standard neoclassical theory can miss important strong gradient effects in these regions because it assumes that the gradient length scales of density, temperature and potential are larger than the ion poloidal gyroradius. We extend plateau regime neoclassical theory into regions of gradients of the order of the ion poloidal gyroradius to capture strong gradient effects on transport processes in the pedestal and internal transport barriers. The fundamental idea behind our new framework is to keep a scale separation between the orbit widths and the gradient length scales by performing a large aspect ratio expansion. In the plateau regime, strong gradients cause poloidal variation that is in–out as well as up–down asymmetric. We study two different test cases assuming either radial force balance or the absence of turbulence and show that strong gradient effects can enhance or reduce standard neoclassical theory predictions in the plateau regime in strong gradient regions.

fusion plasma↗
DOE OSTI2026

High-Throughput Uniformity and Defect Monitoring in Low-Temperature Electrolysis Porous Transport Layers Using X-Ray Radiography

Effective quality control (QC) for manufacturing proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) components is critical to enabling widespread adoption of the technology for hydrogen generation. This study investigates X-ray radiography as a novel, high-throughput, potentially in-line QC technique for detecting defects and assessing material property distributions in titanium-based porous transport layers (PTLs) which constitute a crucial component of low temperature PEMWE stacks. We obtain radiographs of a set of fifteen PTLs and model their absorbance of the broadband radiation as a second-order polynomial to account for the non-monoenergetic radiation source used in this study. The resulting model serves as a basis for predicting the areal density and porosity distributions of the PTLs. We find radiography successful in detecting multiple instances of defects, including holes/depressions, cracks, and excess material on the surface or in the pores of the material, demonstrating its potential as a robust in-line QC tool for PTL manufacturing.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2025

Unconventional solitonic high-temperature superfluorescence from perovskites

Fast thermal dephasing limits macroscopic quantum phenomena to cryogenic conditions and hinders their use at ambient temperatures. For electronic excitations in condensed media, dephasing is mediated by thermal lattice motion. Therefore, taming the lattice influence is essential for creating collective electronic quantum states at high temperatures. Although there are occasional reports of high-T c quantum effects across different platforms, it is unclear which lattice characteristics and electron–lattice interactions lead to macroscopically coherent electronic states in solids. Here we studied intensity fluctuations in the macroscopic polarization during the emergence of superfluorescence in a lead halide perovskite and showed that spontaneously synchronized polaronic lattice oscillations accompany collective electronic dipole emission. We further developed an effective field model and theoretically confirmed that exciton–lattice interactions lead to a new electronically and structurally entangled coherent extended solitonic state beyond a critical polaron density. The analysis shows a phase transition with two processes happening in tandem: incoherent disordered polaronic lattice deformations establish an order, while macroscopic quantum coherence among excitons simultaneously emerges. Recombination of excitons in this state culminates in superfluorescence at high temperatures. Our study establishes fundamental connections between the transient superfluorescence process observed after the impulsive excitation of perovskites and general equilibrium phase transitions achieved by thermal cooling. By identifying various electron–lattice interactions in the perovskite structure and their respective role in creating collectively coherent electronic effects in solids, our work provides unprecedented insight into the design and development of new materials that exhibit high-temperature macroscopic quantum phenomena.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Radiolytically reworked Archean organic matter in a habitable deep ancient high-temperature brine

Abstract Investigations of abiotic and biotic contributions to dissolved organic carbon (DOC) are required to constrain microbial habitability in continental subsurface fluids. Here we investigate a large (101–283 mg C/L) DOC pool in an ancient (>1Ga), high temperature (45–55 °C), low biomass (10 2 −10 4 cells/mL), and deep (3.2 km) brine from an uranium-enriched South African gold mine. Excitation-emission matrices (EEMs), negative electrospray ionization (–ESI) 21 tesla Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), and amino acid analyses suggest the brine DOC is primarily radiolytically oxidized kerogen-rich shales or reefs, methane and ethane, with trace amounts of C 3 –C 6 hydrocarbons and organic sulfides. δ 2 H and δ 13 C of C 1 –C 3 hydrocarbons are consistent with abiotic origins. These findings suggest water-rock processes control redox and C cycling, helping support a meagre, slow biosphere over geologic time. A radiolytic-driven, habitable brine may signal similar settings are good targets in the search for life beyond Earth.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2026

Effects of high-dose neutron irradiation at light-water reactor relevant temperature on the mechanical properties of SiC/SiC composites

For this study, the neutron dose-dependent evolutions and the underlying mechanisms of properties of SiC fiber-reinforced SiC matrix (SiC/SiC) composites at a temperature relevant to light-water reactors (∼600 K) were investigated and analyzed. Chemical vapor infiltrated (CVI) SiC/SiC composites reinforced with Hi-Nicalon Type S or Tyranno SA3 fiber were neutron-irradiated to doses up to 30 dpa. The irradiated composites retained their flexural strengths. The thermal diffusivity and dimensional changes were mostly retained from 2.0 to 30.2 dpa. Discrepancies in irradiation responses among CVI SiC/SiC composites from different sources were found. Additional microstructural analysis using Raman spectroscopy and numerical analysis on irradiation effect on residual stress were used to explain how the microstructural variables, especially of carbon interphases, affect the mechanical properties in the 30–40 dpa dose range.

Continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composi↗
DOE OSTI1988

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 29, No. 1, January-March 1988]

Nuclear Safety is a review journal that covers significant developments in the field of nuclear safety. Its scope includes the analysis and control of hazards associated with nuclear energy, operations involving fissionable materials, and the products of nuclear fission and their effects on the environment. Primary emphasis is on safety in reactor design, construction, and operation; however, the safety aspects of the entire fuel cycle, including fuel fabrication, spent-fuel processing, nuclear waste disposal, handling of radioisotopes, and environmental effects of these operations, are also treated. Table of Contents for this issue follows. THE CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT: 1 Core History and Nuclide Inventory of the Chernobyl Core at the Time of Accident by Gerald Kirchner and Cornelius C. Noack; GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: 6 Nonprescriptive Nuclear Safety Regulation: The Example of Loss of Offsite Power by M. W. Golay, V. P. Manno, and C. Vlahoplus, Jr., 20 Nuclear Power Safety Goals in Light of the Chernobyl Accident by C. Whipple and C. Starr; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 29 Containment Loads from Severe Accidents—U.S. Program by W. Kerr and M. K. Dey; PLANT SAFETY FEATURES: 36 Safety Characteristics of Modern High-Temperature Reactors: Focus on German Designs by W. Kröger, H. Nickel, and R. Schulten; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 49 Radiation Hormesis and Nuclear Safety by C. C. Congdon; OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 58 Evaluation of Nonradiological Water Chemistry at Power Reactors by Harvey Zibulsky, James J. Kottan, Walter J. Pasciak, Mary Ann Castrogivanni, and Sujit Banerjee, 64 Reactor Shutdown Experience Compiled by J. W. Cletcher, 67 Operating U.S. Power Reactors Compiled by E. G. Silver; RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 85 General Administrative Activities Compiled by E. G. Silver, 94 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides by D. S. Queener, 100 Status of Power-Reactor Projects Undergoing Licensing Review Compiled by E. G. Silver, 103 Proposed Rule Changes as of Sept. 30, 1987; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 5 Northwestern University Short Course on Radiation Safety, 28 International Approach to Nuclear Safety (After Three-Mile Island and Chernobyl), 57 RPI Short Course on Modern Developments in Boiling Heat Transfer and Two-Phase Flow, 107 20th DOE/NRC Nuclear Air Cleaning Conference, 110 Third International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Power Plant Thermal Hydraulics and Operations, 108 The Authors, 111 Indexes to Nuclear Safety, Volume 28.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Case Study of Integrating High-Temperature Heat Pump with LiBr-H2O Absorption Chiller for Data Center Liquid Cooling

Data centers (DCs) are physical infrastructures that support artificial intelligence workloads. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence is putting substantial pressure on the US power grid. Most of electricity consumed by IT equipment, accounting for 50%-60% of total DC power, ultimately becomes waste heat. This heat is dissipated by DC’s cooling facilities, accounting for an additional 30%-40% of total DC power. Recovering and repurposing this waste heat offers a significant opportunity to enhance energy efficiency and reduce operating costs of DCs. One potential pathway is converting heat to cold using thermal-driven absorption chillers, therefore, reducing the power consumption in DC cooling facilities. Existing studies mainly demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of repurposing DC’s waste heat for cooling applications but provide limited technical details on how to integrate the thermal-driven absorption chillers with DC cooling systems. In addition, the low-grade waste heat available from DCs must be upgraded to higher temperatures suitable for absorption chillers. This paper presents a case study on integrating high-temperature heat pumps with a LiBr-H2O absorption chiller to use DC waste heat for cooling. A thermodynamic model of single-effect, LiBr-H2O absorption chiller and an empirical model of high-temperature heat pumps were built. The case study considers ASHRAE W17 liquid-cooled DC, with facility service water supplied at 17.0℃ and returned at 25.3℃. The thermal behaviors of absorption chiller components were predicted for the generation temperature ranging from 75.0℃ to 115.0℃. Based on the available waste heat in the integrated system, two waste heat recovery strategies were evaluated: a facility service water-based strategy and cooling water-based strategy. Results indicated that the cooling water-based strategy achieves higher Coefficient of Performance (COPs) than the facility service water-based strategy. The relatively low cooling COPs of single-effect LiBr-H2O absorption chillers could be offset by high heating COP of high temperature heat pumps. The maximum cooling COP of absorption chiller and the overall COP of integrated systems occur at lower generation temperatures, but these conditions also yield lower cooling capacities. In practice, system operation should balance the trade-off between the COP and cooling capacity

Wang, Pengtao [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000214713429)↗
DOE OSTI2026

High-Temperature SiC Cladding End Plug Irradiation Design and HFIR Readiness

This report documents the design of a High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) irradiation experiment intended to evaluate irradiation effects on the hermeticity of silicon carbide (SiC) end plug specimens under a radial fast neutron flux gradient at representative light-water reactor (LWR) temperatures of approximately 300 °C. The overarching goal of this work is to statistically evaluate SiC end plug hermeticity and mechanical properties following irradiation using the high-throughput irradiation capability discussed here. Each specimen consists of a short section of SiC fiber–reinforced SiC (SiC/SiC) tube with a single monolithic SiC end plug joined to one end. The experiment allows up to 66 specimens to be irradiated in six different stacks within a dry, sealed irradiation capsule derived from the previously developed high-temperature SiC/SiC cladding bowing experiment. The neutronics basis, thermal analysis, and HFIR readiness of the experiment are discussed in this report for two possible design cases. The first design case is based on existing approval documentation and components that are on hand and approved for use, so the experiment insertion would require only specimen receipt, specimen pre-irradiation characterization, experiment assembly, and final fabrication package approval. The second design case provides improved thermal robustness and the preferred end plug geometry but requires fabrication of a modified holder and revisions to the HFIR approval documentation, in addition to the other activities required for the first design case, before insertion.

Hott, Daniel [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Maximizing Free Energy Gain

Maximizing the amount of work harvested from an environment is important for a wide variety of biological and technological processes, from energy-harvesting processes such as photosynthesis to energy storage systems such as fuels and batteries. Here, we consider the maximization of free energy—and by extension, the maximum extractable work—that can be gained by a classical or quantum system that undergoes driving by its environment. We consider how the free energy gain depends on the initial state of the system while also accounting for the cost of preparing the system. We provide simple necessary and sufficient conditions for increasing the gain of free energy by varying the initial state. We also derive simple formulae that relate the free energy gained using the optimal initial state rather than another suboptimal initial state. Finally, we demonstrate that the problem of finding the optimal initial state may have two distinct regimes, one easy and one difficult, depending on the temperatures used for preparation and work extraction. We illustrate our results on a simple model of an information engine.

Physics↗