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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 OSTI2020

Enhancement of Photoemission on p-Type GaAs Using Surface Acoustic Waves

We demonstrate that photoemission properties of p-type GaAs can be altered by surface acoustic waves (SAWs) generated on the GaAs surface due to dynamical piezoelectric fields of SAWs. Multiphysics simulations indicate that charge-carrier recombination is greatly reduced, and electron effective lifetime in p-doped GaAs may increase by a factor of 10× to 20×. It implies a significant increase, by a factor of 2× to 3×, of quantum efficiency (QE) for GaAs photoemission applications, like GaAs photocathodes. Conditions of different SAW wavelengths, swept SAW intensities, and varied incident photon energies were investigated. Essential steps in SAW device fabrication on a GaAs substrate are demonstrated, including deposition of an additional layer of ZnO for piezoelectric effect enhancement, measurements of current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of the SAW device, and ability to survive high-temperature annealing. Results obtained and reported in this study provide the potential and basis for future studies on building SAW-enhanced photocathodes, as well as other GaAs photoelectric applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Irradiation-induced Degradation of Surface Acoustic Wave Devices Fabricated on Bulk AlN

Here, recent work to evaluate the prospects for surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices fabricated on bulk aluminum nitride (AlN) for elevated temperature and radiation environments is reported and discussed. The design and fabrication of an array of SAW devices using commercial wafers is described, including the non-standard fabrication approach taken to overcome the stress-induced warpage of the 50 mm diameter AlN substrates. Radio frequency performance characterization of the SAW devices, with resonance frequencies ranging from 0.5 GHz to 1.5 GHz, is described. The linear temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) near room temperature was measured and is compared to theoretical results from other investigators. Further, the effects of 8 MeV Al ion irradiation at 300°C and 500°C to damage levels of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 displacements per atom (dpa), as a proxy for neutron irradiation, was investigated. The ion irradiation damage was observed to decrease the SAW resonant frequency, and this effect is characterized and discussed. Significant degradation in the conductivity of the Ti/Al electrodes of the SAW devices was also observed and characterized. These experimental results provide a basis for further investigation of the prospects for development of SAW sensor devices in bulk AlN material for application in elevated temperature and radiation environments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors for Refrigerant Leak Detection: Compact, Inexpensive, Selective and Sensitive Sensors

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), in collaboration with Parker and Hannifin, is developing a compact, inexpensive, and highly sensitive and selective surface acoustic wave sensor coated with fluorophillic sorbent for detecting fluorocarbon leaks from HVAC systems. Having a highly effective sorbent sensitive to fluorocarbon refrigerant vapors provides a means to develop a sensing device for leak detection. Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors with a gas sensing film deposited between the delay lines or on the interdigital transducer have been used to detect gas and vapor molecules in harsh environments with high sensitivity. As part of this project, PNNL screened several sorbent materials that are shown to be selective towards fluorocarbon refrigerant (R32) molecule. The identified sorbent materials were synthesized, characterized, and tested towards R32 using various spectroscopic technique. Next, the sorbent material was coated on a SAW sensor as a thin film using vapor deposition and drop coating methods. The coated thin film was further characterized and tested towards the detection of pure R32 and R32 in ambient air at room temperature to demonstrate the SAW response towards R32 in presence of other competing gases and vapors in air.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Conducting metal oxides integrated with the surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor platform

One or more embodiments relates a single port surface acoustic wave sensor (SAW) device adapted for use in a wide range of operational temperatures and gas phase chemical species. The device includes a piezoelectric crystal substrate; at least one interdigitated electrode/transducer (IDT) positioned on the piezoelectric crystal substrate; and at least one conducting metal oxide film positioned on the piezoelectric crystal substrate and in communication with at least the IDT.

Ohodnicki, Jr., Paul R.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Generation and detection of 50 GHz surface acoustic waves by extreme ultraviolet pulses

In this work, we use femtosecond extreme ultraviolet pulses derived from a free electron laser to excite and probe surface acoustic waves (SAWs) on the (001) surface of single crystal SrTiO 3 . SAWs are generated by a pair of 39.9 nm pulses crossed at the sample with the crossing angle defining the SAW wavelength at 84 nm. Detection of SAWs is performed via diffraction of a time-delayed 13.3 nm probe pulse by SAW-induced surface ripples. Despite the low reflectivity of the sample in the extreme ultraviolet range, the reflection mode detection is found to be efficient because of an increase in the diffraction efficiency for shorter wavelengths. We describe a methodology for extracting the SAW attenuation in the presence of a thermal grating, which is based on measuring the decay of oscillations at twice the SAW frequency. The proposed approach can be used to study ultrahigh frequency SAWs in a broad range of materials and will bridge the wave vector gap in surface phonon spectroscopy between Brillouin scattering and He atom scattering.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Low-phase-noise surface-acoustic-wave oscillator using an edge mode of a phononic band gap

Low-phase-noise microwave-frequency integrated oscillators provide compact solutions for various applications in signal processing, communications, and sensing. Surface acoustic waves (SAWs), featuring orders-of-magnitude shorter wavelength than electromagnetic waves at the same frequency, enable integrated microwave-frequency systems with much smaller footprint on chip. SAW devices also allow higher-quality (Q) factors than electronic components at room temperature. Here, we demonstrate a low-phase-noise gigahertz-frequency SAW oscillator on 128°Y-cut lithium niobate, where the SAW resonator occupies a footprint of 0.05 mm 2 . Leveraging phononic crystal band-gap-edge modes to balance between Q factors and insertion losses, our 1-GHz SAW oscillator features a low phase noise of -132.5 dBc/Hz at a 10-kHz offset frequency and an overlapping Hadamard deviation of 6.5 × 10 -10 at an analysis time of 64 ms. The SAW resonator-based oscillator holds high potential in developing low-noise sensors and acousto-optic integrated circuits.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Injection Locking of Gigahertz‐Frequency Surface Acoustic Wave Phononic Crystal Oscillator

Low-noise gigahertz (GHz) frequency sources are essential for applications in signal processing, sensing, and telecommunications. Surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator-based oscillators offer compact form factors and low-phase noise due to their short mechanical wavelengths and high-quality (Q) factors. However, their small footprint makes them vulnerable to environmental variation, resulting in their poor long-term frequency stability. Injection locking is widely used to suppress frequency drift of lasers and oscillators by synchronizing to an ultra-stable reference. Here, injection locking of a 1-GHz SAW phononic-crystal oscillator is demonstrated, achieving 40-dB phase noise reduction at low offset frequencies and unperturbed low noise at large offset frequencies. Compared to a free-running SAW oscillator, which typically exhibits frequency drifts of several hundred hertz over minutes, the injection-locked oscillator reduces the frequency deviation to below 0.35 Hz. The locking range and oscillator dynamics is also investigated in the injection pulling region. The demonstrated injection-locked SAW oscillator could find applications in high-performance portable telecommunications and sensing systems.

injection locking↗
DOE OSTI2021

A surface acoustic wave hydrogen sensor with tin doped indium oxide layers for intermediate temperatures

We report high temperature surface acoustic wave (SAW) gas sensors with conducting sensing layers require tuning of the sheet conductivity for optimal response. Conducting metal oxides are attractive sensing materials for their tunable electronic properties and high thermal stability, amongst others. Here, we have investigated the application of indium oxide (IO) and indium tin oxide (ITO) films on langasite (LGS)-based SAW reflective delay line sensor devices for monitoring hydrogen at 350 °C. Specifically, we modeled the effect of the IO and ITO sensing layer thickness on the wave velocity, attenuation, and effective electromechanical coefficient. This was followed by an experimental demonstration of tuning of the ITO film sheet conductivity by controlling the dopant concentration and yielding an improvement in the sensor sensitivity. The current study provides a pathway towards the development of conductivity-based sensing layers for high temperature SAW gas sensors with improved sensitivity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

An 860 MHz Wireless Surface Acoustic Wave Sensor with a Metal-Organic Framework Sensing Layer for CO2 and CH4

Wireless and passive surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices with nanoporous metal-organic framework (MOF) sensing layers are attractive gas sensors for applications in many fields such as energy industries and air pollution control. Here, we report on enhancing the sensitivity and detection limit of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) MOF-coated SAW reflective delay line mass sensors by increasing the operating frequency for sensitive detection of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) at ambient conditions. In particular, we show at least four times higher sensitivity of an 860 MHz (4-μm periodicity) SAW reflective delay line coated with a 240 nm thick ZIF-8 compared to the sensitivity of a 430 MHz (8-μm periodicity) otherwise identical sensor device to the targeted gases. The detection limits of the higher frequency wireless devices for CO2 and CH4 were estimated to be 0.91 vol-% and 7.01 vol-%, respectively. The enhanced sensitivity for higher frequency devices is explained in terms of the frequency dependent acoustic wave energy confinement.

Devkota, Jagannath↗
DOE OSTI2025

Surface acoustic waves and lattice vibrations in two-dimensional Ti 3 ⁢C 2 ⁢𝑇 𝑥 (𝑇 =O, F) MXene films

We investigated surface acoustic wave (SAW) propagation and lattice vibrations in two-dimensional (2D) titanium carbide (Ti 3 ⁢C 2 ⁢𝑇 x ) MXene films as a function of surface termination and layer stacking, using atomistic simulations. We found that SAW propagation velocity is highly sensitive to both single-layer properties and interlayer bonding. Surface terminations significantly modulate wave behavior, with oxygen and fluorine terminations producing distinct effects on wave propagation, with oxygen-terminated monolayers exhibiting 20% higher wave speeds than fluorine counterparts due to strengthened intralayer bonds. Key observations include the transition from one to two layers causing wave speed variations, and the development of interlayer modes that generate more dispersed lattice vibrations. As the film layer thickness increases, SAW propagation becomes predominantly confined to the upper surface, with coherence of vibrational modes diminishing in multilayer structures. These findings suggest MXene terminations and layer stacking are crucial parameters for controlling SAW behavior, offering promising avenues for novel acoustic wave device applications.

2-dimensional systems↗
DOE OSTI2024

Link Budget Analysis of Interrogation of Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors in Metallic Tubular Structures

We report on loss mechanisms contributing to the link budget for interrogation of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) devices in metallic tubular structures. Impedance matching losses associated with a SAW device are minimized by design optimization and antenna coupling losses, and resulting propagation losses are measured in metallic tubular structures enabling prediction of interrogation distances with various antenna configurations.

Pingree, Richard↗
DOE OSTI2023

Surface acoustic wave sensor interrogation using Goubau waves

Electromagnetic waves on single conductors (Goubau waves) are studied for the interrogation of wireless sensors. A demonstration of interrogation of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor is presented, followed by the results of simulation of wave launchers on conductors of varying radius.

Greve, David↗
DOE OSTI2026

Correlation of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) force myography sensor output with elbow joint torque

Accurate assessment of skeletal muscle forces and net joint torque is essential for preventing fatigue-related injuries, optimizing physical training, and monitoring disease progression in neuromuscular conditions. However, existing joint torque evaluation techniques are hindered by limited portability and high operational costs, confining their use to controlled laboratory or clinical settings. Despite substantial advances in wearable joint torque estimation systems, ongoing challenges such as power constraints, bulky wired setups, and susceptibility to environmental or motion artifacts underscore the urgent need for truly batteryless, wireless solutions deployable in real-world settings. This paper proposes a novel surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based force myography (FMG) system for noninvasive measurement of joint torque, validated against a gold-standard electromechanical dynamometer. The approach uses a single SAW sensor embedded in an armband to detect volumetric biceps brachii changes, with a second-order polynomial mapping sensor output and elbow angle to torque. Seven participants were tested in both isometric (15°–90°) and isokinetic (10°/s and 20°/s) supinated elbow flexion tasks. Under isometric conditions, subject-specific calibration achieved a normalized root-mean-square error (NRMSE) of 13.6% ± 6.0% and R 2 = 0.834 ± 0.180, while a group-level model yielded 14.4% ± 6.8% and 0.808 ± 0.208, respectively. For isokinetic trials, the group model produced an NRMSE of 24.1% ± 6.6% at 10°/s and 24.9% ± 08.9% at 20°/s, highlighting the feasibility of using a single-sensor SAW-FMG setup across different speeds. Because SAW devices support wireless, battery-free operation, the proposed system offers a pathway to portable, real-time monitoring for sports medicine, rehabilitation, and clinical diagnostics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Rapid charging made practical in graphite-based lithium batteries: surface-acoustic wave turbulent electrolyte mixing to overcome diffusion limited charging rates [Final Report]

One of the key limits in rapidly recharging a lithium-ion battery is the depletion of lithium ions within the electrolyte adjacent the anode during charging and long diffusion time to overcome this depletion. It also causes dendrite formation, inefficient use of the lithium, and battery degradation over many charge-discharge cycles. Because the liquid electrolyte remains quiescent and unmixed, this depletion layer’s depth rapidly grows to match the anode-cathode separation distance at even modest charge rates. The solution proposed by PI Prof. James Friend and Co-PI Prof. Ping Liu, both from the University of California, San Diego, is to mix the electrolyte and minimize the Li+ ion concentration gradient during charging. Even in the presence of the separator, the charging rate could then be significantly increased. They propose to accomplish this using surface acoustic wave (SAW)-driven acoustic streaming, a technique employing 10-mW fingernail-sized solid-state devices from the telecommunications industry to drive turbulent mixing to submicron length scales in a manner completely compatible with the typical 20700 and 18650 cells used in electric vehicles. 0.1. Turbulent acoustic streaming mixes the electrolyte during charging—even with separator Our proposed 100-MHz SAW device used to recirculate the electrolyte is compatible with lithium- ion battery electrochemistry, as it is made in our lab of single-crystal lithium niobate. Their solution is straightforward to drive from a DC power source alongside the signal provided during battery charging. The device is only needed during charging and does not consume power dur- ing battery discharge. Uniquely, SAW generates extreme accelerations of over 1 billion meters per second squared in the fluid, driving turbulent mixing from centimeter to submicron length scales, even through the porous separator materials that tend to be used in batteries, all while avoiding interfering with the anode’s solid electrolyte interphase layer that forms during use. By employing novel fluid mechanics, the investigators are proposing a new direction for battery research away from direct use of materials science and electrochemistry. The chemistry agnostic solution may be employed in any battery chemistry that makes use of liquid electrolytes, providing a broader transformative benefit to the battery research community. They are to produce a series of prismatic and 20700-cell sized 2 Ah batteries capable of being charged and discharged at least 500 times without more than 20% loss in battery capacity, and to provide analysis tools useful to the battery research and development community for adopting this approach for other battery chemistries and configurations.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Surface acoustic wave generation and detection in the quantum paraelectric regime of SrTiO 3 -based heterostructures

Strontium titanate (STO), apart from being a ubiquitous substrate for complex-oxide heterostructures, possesses a multitude of strongly coupled electronic and mechanical properties. Surface acoustic wave (SAW) generation and detection offers insight into electromechanical couplings that are sensitive to quantum paraelectricity and other structural phase transitions. Propagating SAWs can interact with STO-based electronic nanostructures, in particular LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 (LAO/STO). Here, we report the generation and detection of SAW within LAO/STO heterointerfaces at cryogenic temperatures ( T ≥ 2 K) using superconducting interdigitated transducers. Further, the temperature dependence shows an increase in the SAW quality factor that saturates at T ≈ 8 K. The effect of backgate tuning on the SAW resonance frequency shows the possible acoustic coupling with the ferroelastic domain wall evolution. This method of generating SAWs provides a pathway towards the dynamic tuning of ferroelastic domain structures, which are expected to influence the electronic properties of complex-oxide nanostructures. Devices that incorporate SAWs may in turn help to elucidate the role of ferroelastic domain structures in mediating electronic behavior.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗