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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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At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

A Novel, Low-Cost, Portable Device for Counterfeit and Noncompliant Refrigerant Detection

The increasing prevalence of counterfeit refrigerants presents significant risks to Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems, including compromised equipment performance, safety hazards, and environmental non-compliance. This report details the development of a novel, cost-effective, and portable detection device designed to accurately identify counterfeit refrigerants. The device utilizes a controlled gas sampling and analysis system within a sealed chamber, ensuring precise measurements while maintaining safety through a purging mechanism. The system features a high-sensitivity sensor integrated with an onboard control module that analyzes gas composition in real-time, providing users with clear visual indicators for refrigerant authenticity.Laboratory validation demonstrated the device’s high accuracy (exceeding 95%) in detecting unauthorized refrigerant blends. Key advantages include affordability, ease of use, rapid response time, and compatibility with a wide range of refrigerants. This solution supports compliance with regulatory frameworks such as the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, enhances safety in HVACR operations, and mitigates the risks associated with counterfeit refrigerants. Future developments will focus on expanding refrigerant detection capabilities, integrating machine learning for enhanced accuracy, implementing cost-reduction strategies to improve accessibility and market adoption, and optimizing system packaging for enhanced field portability.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Novel, Low-Cost, Portable Device for Counterfeit and Noncompliant Refrigerant Detection

The increasing prevalence of counterfeit refrigerants presents significant risks to Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems, including compromised equipment performance, safety hazards, and environmental non-compliance. This report details the development of a novel, cost-effective, and portable detection device designed to accurately identify counterfeit refrigerants. The device utilizes a controlled gas sampling and analysis system within a sealed chamber, ensuring precise measurements while maintaining safety through a purging mechanism. The system features a high-sensitivity sensor integrated with an onboard control module that analyzes gas composition in real-time, providing users with clear visual indicators for refrigerant authenticity. Laboratory validation demonstrated the device’s high accuracy (exceeding 95%) in detecting unauthorized refrigerant blends. Key advantages include affordability, ease of use, rapid response time, and compatibility with a wide range of refrigerants. This solution supports compliance with regulatory frameworks such as the AIM Act, enhances safety in HVACR operations, and mitigates the risks associated with counterfeit refrigerants. Future developments will focus on expanding refrigerant detection capabilities, integrating machine learning for enhanced accuracy, implementing cost-reduction strategies to improve accessibility and market adoption, and optimizing system packaging for enhanced field portability.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Significant Efficiency Enhancements in Non‐Y Series Acceptors by the Addition of Outer Side Chains

Abstract Most current highly efficient organic solar cells utilize small molecules like Y6 and its derivatives as electron acceptors in the photoactive layer. In this work, a small molecule acceptor, SC8‐IT4F, is developed through outer side chain engineering on the terminal thiophene of a conjugated 6,12‐dihydro‐dithienoindeno[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]‐s‐indaceno[1,2‐b:5,6‐b′]dithiophene (IDTT) central core. Compared to the reference molecule C8‐IT4F, which lacks outer side chains, SC8‐IT4F displays notable differences in molecule geometry (as shown by simulations), thermal behavior, single‐crystal packing, and film morphology. Blend films of SC8‐IT4F and the polymer donor PM6 exhibit larger carrier mobilities, longer carrier lifetimes, and reduced recombination compared to C8‐IT4F, resulting in improved device performance. Binary photovoltaic devices based on the PM6:SC8‐IT4F films reveal an optimal efficiency over 15%, which is one of the best values for non‐Y type small molecule acceptors (SMAs). The resultant devices also show better thermal and operational stability than the control PM6:L8‐BO devices. SC8‐IT4F and its blend exhibit a higher relative degree of crystallinity and π coherence length, compared to C8‐IT4F samples, beneficial for charge transport and device performance. The results indicate that outer side chain engineering on existing small electron acceptors can be a promising molecular design strategy for further pursuing high‐performance organic solar cells.

He, Qiao [Department of Chemistry and Centre for P↗
DOE OSTI2026

Portable and Cost-Effective Device for Reliable Detection of Counterfeit and Non-compliant Refrigerants in Diverse Applications

Counterfeit refrigerants pose significant challenges to safety, system reliability, and operational effectiveness due to their harmful contaminants or incompatible chemical compositions. Utilizing these noncompliant products can lead to reduced efficiency, equipment failures, and expensive repairs. Additionally, heightened demand for alternative refrigerants during the industry's transition has created supply gaps, enabling counterfeit products to proliferate. Accurate detection and analysis tools are therefore essential to verify refrigerant authenticity and ensure system integrity in diverse applications. This paper presents the development of a portable device designed for reliable identification and detailed analysis of refrigerant composition. By integrating precision gas sampling, controlled pressure regulation, and automated sensor technology, the device not only detects deviations from standard refrigerant properties but also provides a comprehensive composition breakdown. Pre-calibrated sensors measure the refrigerant gas to identify specific concentrations and contaminants, with an intuitive LED-based indicator system ensuring quick interpretation of results. The user-friendly interface enables operators to select refrigerant types for targeted testing, further enhancing accuracy and usability for field technicians. Comprehensive testing was conducted on mildly flammable A2L refrigerants, showcasing the device’s robustness and adaptability in analyzing composition and detecting discrepancies. The device demonstrated consistent accuracy across a range of refrigerant samples, affirming its reliability in diverse operational environments. Its design minimizes contamination risks during sampling and provides detailed composition results within 90 seconds, ensuring efficient and precise analysis. With a projected price point under $150, the proposed solution delivers affordability alongside its lightweight portability and straightforward operation. Unlike complex and costly alternatives, such as gas chromatography systems, this device provides an accessible option for technicians, customs personnel, and industry operators in need of quick and effective refrigerant verification. Compatible with both current formulations and emerging refrigerant technologies, the device addresses critical counterfeit detection needs across a range of applications. By delivering accurate composition analysis and counterfeit identification, this innovation enhances system performance, safety, and operational reliability in crucial industries.

Cheekatamarla, Praveen [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000248827↗
DOE OSTI2025

DICER: A new instrument at LANSCE to constrain neutron capture rates on radionuclides

With very few exceptions, direct measurements of neutron capture rates on radionuclides have not been possible. A number of indirect methods have been pursued such as the surrogate method, the γ-ray strength function method, the Oslo method and the β-Oslo method. Substantial effort has been devoted to quantify the usually large systematic errors that accompany the results from these techniques. A new instrument has been developed at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) to provide more accurate data on several radionuclides relevant to nuclear criticality safety, radiochemical diagnostics, astrophysics, nuclear forensics and nuclear security, by measuring the transmission of neutrons through radioactive samples and studying resonance properties. The Device for Indirect Capture on Radionuclides (DICER) and associated radionuclide production at the Isotope Production Facility (IPF), both at LANSCE, as well radioactive sample fabrication, have been under development the last few years. A description of the new apparatus, data on a few mid-weight stable isotopes and efforts on radionuclide measurements will be presented.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

DICER: A new instrument at LANSCE to constrain neutron capture rates on radionuclides

. With very few exceptions, direct measurements of neutron capture rates on radionuclides have not been possible. A number of indirect methods have been pursued such as the surrogate method, the γ-ray strength function method, the Oslo method and the β-Oslo method. Substantial effort has been devoted to quantify the usually large systematic errors that accompany the results from these techniques. A new instrument has been developed at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) to provide more accu rate data on several radionuclides relevant to nuclear criticality safety, radiochemical diagnostics, astrophysics, nuclear forensics and nuclear security, by measuring the transmission of neutrons through radioactive samples and studying resonance properties. The Device for Indirect Capture on Radionuclides (DICER) and as sociated radionuclide production at the Isotope Production Facility (IPF), both at LANSCE, as well radioactive sample fabrication, have been under development the last few years. A description of the new apparatus, data on a few mid-weight stable isotopes and efforts on radionuclide measurements will be presented.

Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)↗
DOE OSTI2026

Development of a Flow-through Cell for Ultrasonic Extraction (UE)─Single Particle (SP)─ICP-MS─an Approach for Nano/Microparticle Elemental and Isotopic Analysis

Nanotechnology is a salient part of the scientific landscape, and analytical approaches are rapidly evolving to enable small-scale characterization of nano- and microparticle compositions and impurities. Here, a flow-through sonicating cell was developed for direct particle extraction from a silicon wafer and integrated with an inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for subsequent elemental and isotopic characterization of the released particles. Ultrasonic extraction (UE)─single particle (SP)─ICP-MS offers controlled particle mobilization from solid substrates and allows for increased sample throughput by eliminating the need for pre-extraction of particles and decreasing sample preparation steps. Coupling this device to an ICP-MS with a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzer, it is possible to distinguish unique isotopic compositions of the particles. Both tungsten and nickel isotopically tagged particles, which were deposited on Si wafers, are presented here with analysis via UE─SP─ICP-MS. This approach could support efforts in the fields of particle synthesis, nuclear safeguards and forensics, environmental monitoring, and semiconductor industries in which the detection of particles from substrates and wafers is critical.

Paul, Molly [ORNL] (ORCID:0009000009672055)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Readout optimization of multi-amplifier sensing charge-coupled devices for single-quantum measurement

The non-destructive readout capability of the Skipper Charge Coupled Device (CCD) has been demonstrated to reduce the noise limitation of conventional silicon devices to levels that allow single-photon or single-electron counting. The noise reduction is achieved by taking multiple measurements of the charge in each pixel. These multiple measurements come at the cost of extra readout time, which has been a limitation for the broader adoption of this technology in particle physics, quantum imaging, and astronomy applications. This work presents recent results of a novel sensor architecture that uses multiple non-destructive floating-gate amplifiers in series to achieve sub-electron readout noise in a thick, fully-depleted silicon detector to overcome the readout time overhead of the Skipper-CCD. This sensor is called the Multiple-Amplifier Sensing Charge-Coupled Device (MAS-CCD) can perform multiple independent charge measurements with each amplifier, and the measurements from multiple amplifiers can be combined to further reduce the readout noise. We will show results obtained for sensors with 8 and 16 amplifiers per readout stage in new readout operations modes to optimize its readout speed. The noise reduction capability of the new techniques will be demonstrated in terms of its ability to reduce the noise by combining the information from the different amplifiers, and to resolve signals in the order of a single photon per pixel. The first readout operation explored here avoids the extra readout time needed in the MAS-CCD to read a line of the sensor associated with the extra extent of the serial register. The second technique explore the capability of the MAS-CCD device to perform a region of interest readout increasing the number of multiple samples per amplifier in a targeted region of the active area of the device.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Compression–tension cell with sample manipulator for in situ X‐ray nanotomography experiments

In situ X-ray nanotomography experiments where tensile or compressive force is applied on the sample require specialized equipment. A compression-tension device with fluid flow-through capability has been designed for X-ray nanotomography beamlines. The compression-tension cell is equipped with a triaxial stage for sample alignment and a high sensitivity loadcell for measurement of applied force. To handle the <100 µm samples used for X-ray nanotomography imaging and for loading samples on the compression-tension cell a sample manipulator has been built. The sample manipulator is capable of selecting a single <100 µm particle for nanotomography scanning while viewing multiple samples under an optical microscope. To test the functionality of these two devices an initial compression experiment involving two glass beads was performed. To demonstrate instrument stability two spherical glass beads were compressed from a no load condition until one of the beads fractured. Nanotomography data were collected at each step of increasing compressive force. The experimentally observed contact area of the spherical glass beads was compared with the theoretical estimate using the Hertz analysis. To demonstrate the fluid flow capability, two calcite grains were compressed against each other under a calcite saturated solution. Surface topological changes were observed for the stressed grain contact area.

X-ray tomography↗
DOE OSTI2025

A 291-day Evaluation of the Performance of a Consumer-grade Temporal Radon Detector

Affordable, accurate, and robust temporal measurement devices are desirable for screening and assessment of radon levels in private homes and workplaces. This research expands upon prior research, using the RadonFTlab RadonEye device through a comparison of multiple samples of this instrument with a laboratory-grade instrument, the Saphymo AlphaGUARD, over a more extensive period than reported previously. Data were collected over 291 d in a poorly ventilated basement space in an occupied building. Environmental conditions varied naturally, changing both the radon source term and radon entry into the space approximating typically deployed conditions. The R-squared linear regression correlation coefficient and relative sensitivities of each RadonEye with the AlphaGUARD were computed. Altogether temporal and diurnal variations were also studied. The sensitivities of all RadonEyes and the AlphaGUARD agreed to within 22% throughout the entire deployment period.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

TTW (Transition to Wire Device) [SWR-25-02]

The Transition to Wire (TTW) hardware project is a method for connecting solar research samples with fragile interconnects to robust, weatherproof and consistent commercial connectors. The Transition to Wire device is a printed circuit board designed to facilitate the transition from tab ribbon or other unsecured electrical contacts on research samples to either wires or a connector. The four pin connector provides a kelvin (4 wire) connection at the solder pad where the sample connects.

McDanold, Byron↗
DOE OSTI2025

Temperature Dependent Spin Dynamics in La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 /Pt Bilayers

Complex ferromagnetic oxides such as La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 (LSMO) offer pathways for creating energy‐efficient spintronic devices with new functionalities. LSMO exhibits high‐temperature ferromagnetism, half metallicity, sharp resonance linewidth, low damping, and a large anisotropic magnetoresistance response. Combined with Pt, a proven material with high spin‐charge conversion efficiency, LSMO can be used to create robust nano‐oscillators for neuromorphic computing. Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and device‐level spin‐pumping FMR measurements are performed to investigate the magnetization dynamics and spin transport in NdGaO 3 (110)/LSMO(15 nm)/Pt(0 and 5 nm) thin films ranging from 300 K to 90 K and compare the device performance with Py(7 nm)/Pt(5 nm) sample. The spin current pumped into Pt is quantified to determine the temperature‐dependent influence of interfacial interactions. The generated spin current in the micro‐device is maximum at 170 K for the optimally grown LSMO/Pt films. Additionally, this bilayer system exhibits low magnetic Gilbert damping (0.002), small linewidth (12 Oe), and a large spin Hall angle (≈3.2%) at 170 K. Ex situ deposited LSMO/Pt bilayers demonstrate excellent dynamic response, exhibiting fourfold enhancement in signal output, eightfold reduction in damping, and a threefold reduction in linewidth as compared to the Pt/Py system. Such robust device‐level performance can pave way for energy‐efficient spintronic‐based devices.

complex perovskite thin films↗
DOE OSTI2025

Bioelectrochemical crossbar architecture screening platform for extracellular electron transfer

Electroactive microbes can serve as living components in bioelectronic devices, where their unique ability to transfer electrons enables applications in sensing, energy conversion, and synthesis, but they remain challenging to engineer because the bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) used for characterization are low throughput. Here, we present a bioelectrochemical crossbar architecture screening platform (BiCASP) that uses stacked and orthogonally arrayed electrodes to enable individual sample selection for characterization in arrayed formats. This device reports on the current generated by electroactive bacteria on the minute timescale, decreasing the time for data acquisition by several orders of magnitude compared to conventional BESs. This device increases the throughput of screening engineered biological components in cells, identifying mutants of the membrane protein wire MtrA in Shewanella oneidensis that retain the ability to support extracellular electron transfer (EET). BiCASP may be integrated with bioelectronics that need directed evolution of electroactive proteins.

Shewanella↗
DOE OSTI2025

Exploring Cs 2 AgIn x Bi 1− x Cl 6 double perovskites for optoelectronics: insights from theoretical and photophysical approaches

Lead-free halide double perovskites (HDPs) have become attractive materials for optoelectronic applications owing to their nontoxicity, structural stability, and germane photoelectric properties. In this work, we report the synthesis of high-quality In-alloyed Cs 2 AgIn x Bi (1−x) Cl 6 nanocrystals (NCs) using the antisolvent recrystallization method and comprehensively investigate the effects of In alloying on the structural, morphological, optoelectronic, and temperature-dependent photoluminescence (TDPL) properties using the state-of-the-art experimental and computational tools. Both XRD and Raman spectroscopy analyses confirmed the synthesis of highly crystalline Cs 2 AgIn x Bi (1−x) Cl 6 materials, which exhibited cubic morphology, as confirmed by TEM analysis. Room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurements revealed a drastic increase in the intensity above 75% In concentration with dual emission, whereas the time-resolved PL (TR-PL) results show an increase in the average lifetime values with an increase in In content, suggesting that the materials have excellent optical properties and hence are suitable candidates for optoelectronics. The TDPL measurements revealed the smallest Huang–Rhys factor (18.6) for the Cs 2 AgIn x Bi (1−x) Cl 6 (x = 0.9) sample, indicating weak exciton–phonon coupling in this composition. When deployed in the fabrication of a photodetector device, the Cs 2 AgIn x Bi (1−x) Cl 6 (x = 0.9) sample exhibited significantly enhanced photoresponsivity and a faster response time, confirming its potential for photodetector applications. Complementary DFT calculations showed that In alloying modifies the band structure of Cs 2 AgIn x Bi (1−x) Cl 6 . Our results provide valuable insights for designing multifunctional Cs 2 AgIn x Bi (1−x) Cl 6 -based materials for next-generation energy and optoelectronic devices.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Problem-tailored Simulation of Energy Transport on Noisy Quantum Computers

The transport of conserved quantities like spin and charge is fundamental to characterizing the behavior of quantum many-body systems. Numerically simulating such dynamics is generically challenging, which motivates the consideration of quantum computing strategies. However, the relatively high gate errors and limited coherence times of today's quantum computers pose their own challenge, highlighting the need to be frugal with quantum resources. In this work we report simulations on quantum hardware of infinite-temperature energy transport in the mixed-field Ising chain, a paradigmatic many-body system that can exhibit a range of transport behaviors at intermediate times. We consider a chain with L = 12 sites and find results broadly consistent with those from ideal circuit simulators over 90 Trotter steps, containing up to 990 entangling gates. To obtain these results, we use two key problem-tailored insights. First, we identify a convenient basis &#x2013; the Pauli Y basis &#x2013; in which to sample the infinite-temperature trace and provide theoretical and numerical justifications for its efficiency relative to, e.g., the computational basis. Second, in addition to a variety of problem-agnostic error mitigation strategies, we employ a renormalization strategy that compensates for global nonconservation of energy due to device noise. We discuss the applicability of the proposed sampling approach beyond the mixed-field Ising chain and formulate a variational method to search for a sampling basis with small sample-to-sample fluctuations for an arbitrary Hamiltonian. This opens the door to applying these techniques in more general models.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Geometric control of magnetic domain morphology in electrodeposited Ni rich NiPt mesoscopic wires

In this paper, we study the electrodeposited Ni—Pt magnetic wires, exploring the mechanisms by which changes in geometry and composition influence the local magnetic structure. The samples were prepared by electrodeposition, their elemental composition was analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and phase analysis was carried out by an X-ray diffraction measurement. Magnetic force microscopy measurements, and magnetic force microscopy measurements in magnetic field were carried out to study the domain morphology of the prepared samples. Magnetization characteristics were measured via vibrating sample magnetometry mode of a superconducting quantum interference device. Here, the results were analyzed and compared with micromagnetic simulations. It is shown that a strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is responsible for the characteristic checkerboard-like surface magnetization patterns, which can be tuned by geometrical constriction and Ni content. Understanding these relationships provides insights into the design of magnetic materials with tailored properties for advanced applications, like magnetic sensors.

Binary alloy↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cryogenic hybrid magnonic circuits based on spalled YIG thin films

Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) magnonics has garnered significant research interest because of the unique properties of magnons (quasiparticles of collective spin excitation) for signal processing. In particular, hybrid systems based on YIG magnonics show great promise for quantum information science due to their broad frequency tunability and strong compatibility with other platforms. However, their broad applications have been severely constrained by substantial microwave loss in the gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) substrate at cryogenic temperatures. In this study, we demonstrate that YIG thin films can be spalled from YIG/GGG samples. Our approach is validated by measuring hybrid devices comprising superconducting resonators and spalled YIG films, which exhibit anti-crossing features that indicate strong coupling between magnons and microwave photons. Such new capability of separating YIG thin films from GGG substrates via spalling and the integrated superconductor-YIG devices represent a significant advancement for integrated magnonic devices, paving the way for advanced magnon-based coherent information processing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

An Impedance Humidity Sensor Based on CVD Grown WSe 2 2D Films

2D materials-based planar devices have been sought after for gas and humidity sensor applications owing to their high sensitivity due to their ultrathin nature and increased surface area. Herein, 2D WSe 2 films-based planner devices were fabricated to evaluate their performance for potential application in humidity sensors. The structure and morphology of the WSe 2 sensing films were studied by Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The relative humidity-dependent sensing performances of the 2D WSe 2 films were evaluated using current–voltage (I–V), relative impedance, and complex total impedance (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS) techniques. This sensor showed a very stable and repeatable performance investigated over the period of 18 months. The response and recovery times of the WSe 2 -based impedance sensors were found to be 40 and 30 s, respectively. The WSe 2 sensor exhibits a 2 ± 1% minimum hysteresis at a lower humidity level (50% RH) and around 8 ± 2% maximum hysteresis at relative humidity level (70% RH). This value of hysteresis is in the acceptable range during the initial investigation of any material to explore its potential for application in humidity sensors. The density functional theory (DFT) analysis was performed with the interaction from water molecules of the WSe 2 sample for a better understanding of the sensing mechanism of devices.

2D- WSe2↗