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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 OSTI2022

Influence of the molecular weight and size distribution of PSS on mixed ionic-electronic transport in PEDOT:PSS

The commercially available polyelectrolyte complex poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is ubiquitous in organic and hybrid electronics. As such, it has often been used as a benchmark material for fundamental studies and the development of new electronic devices. Yet, most studies on PEDOT:PSS have focused on its electronic conductivity in dry environments, with less consideration given to its ion transport, coupled ionic-electronic transport, and charge storage properties in aqueous environments. These properties are essential for applications in bioelectronics (sensors, actuators), charge storage devices, and electrochromic displays. Importantly, past studies on mixed ionic-electronic transport in PEDOT:PSS neglected to consider how the molecular structure of PSS affects mixed ionic-electronic transport. Herein, we therefore investigated the effect of the molecular weight and size distribution of PSS on the electronic properties and morphology of PEDOT:PSS both in dry and aqueous environments, and overall performance in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). Using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with two different chain transfer agents, six PSS samples with monomodal, narrow (D = 1.1) and broad (D = 1.7) size distributions and varying molecular weights were synthesized and used as matrices for PEDOT. We found that using higher molecular weight of PSS (Mn = 145 kg mol –1 ) and broad dispersity led to OECTs with the highest transconductance (up to 16 mS) and [μC*] values (~140 F cm –1 V –1 s –1 ) in PEDOT:PSS, despite having a lower volumetric capacitance (C* = 35 ± 4 F cm –3 ). The differences were best explained by studying the microstructure of the films by atomic force microscopy (AFM). We found that heterogeneities in the PEDOT:PSS films (interconnected and large PEDOT- and PSS-rich domains) obtained from high molecular weight and high dispersity PSS led to higher charge mobility (μOECT ~4 cm 2 V –1 s –1 ) and hence transconductance. Furthermore, these studies highlight the importance of considering molecular weight and size distribution in organic mixed ionic-electronic conductor, and could pave the way to designing high performance organic electronics for biological interfaces.

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

Interference of chiral Andreev edge states

The search for topological excitations such as Majorana fermions has spurred interest in the boundaries between distinct quantum states. Here, we explore an interface between two prototypical phases of electrons with conceptually different ground states: the integer quantum Hall insulator and the s-wave superconductor. We find clear signatures of hybridized electron and hole states similar to chiral Majorana fermions, to which we refer as chiral Andreev edge states (CAES). They propagate along the interface in the direction determined by magnetic field and their interference can turn an incoming electron into an outgoing electron or a hole, depending on the phase accumulated by the CAES along their path. Our results demonstrate that these excitations can propagate and interfere over a significant length, opening future possibilities for their coherent manipulation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Applications of quantum materials in nuclear physics experiments (Final Report)

The goals of this project are to search for hypothesized spin-hall effects of neutrons and variants of neutron-electron hybrid spin hall effects in quantum materials with strong spin-orbit-coupling (SOC) – such as: • Deflection of neutrons dependent on spin (polarization) states (a); • Electrical current induced electron spin polarization or (dynamically polarized) nuclear spin polarization (as suggested in PI’s prior work) may affect polarization states of transmitted or reflected neutron beam • Spin polarized neutrons transfer some spin angular momenta to electrons, which get converted to electronic charge voltage via electronic inverse spin Hall effect (b), which if realized, offers an electrical method to detect neutron spins.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Ultra-Low SWaP CO 2 Sensing for Demand Control Ventilation (Final Report)

In this project PARC and Energy ETC aimed to develop an ultra-low cost, size, weight, and power (SWaP) printed CO 2 sensor system for occupancy detection to enable Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) on a per-room basis. The CO 2 sensor technology is based on the temperature variation when CO 2 reversibly physisorbs to a highly conductive and high surface area sorbent surface, and is compatible with integration with PARC innovations in printed sensors and flexible electronics, for which PARC is a globally leading research center. The printed CO 2 sensor itself is designed to be compatible with PARC’s “peel-and-stick” platform of ultra-low power, low-cost, distributed sensors, and to facilitate real-time DCV based on overall indoor air quality (IAQ). Previously, PARC has developed flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) compatible materials to measure humidity, temperature, light, strain, and gases such as carbon monoxide, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide. Through this project, PARC developed FHE-compatible materials to measure CO 2 . Thus, with one <$15 FHE “peel-and-stick” based sensor node, a building management system (BMS) will be able to capture a complete picture of the indoor environment. This includes IAQ, light, temperature, and other comfort factors that impact building operations. Combined with optimized DCV, this low-cost sensor capability can be a key enabler of annual primary energy savings of ~ 0.3-0.4 Quad in commercial buildings while ensuring healthy IAQ. Energy ETC is a leader in supplier-agnostic BMS deployments and will design the commissioning and deployment procedures to maximize system interoperability.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2022

Pressure-tuning of the electronic and magnetic properties of EuPt 2 Si 2

Using the element and orbital selectivity of x-ray absorption spectroscopy at Eu and Pt L 3 edges we investigate the effects of the lattice contraction, induced by temperature and external pressure, on the magnetic and electronic properties of the EuPt 2 Si 2 system. Our findings point to a clear relationship between the volume and the Eu valence in this material. From XANES experiments as a function of pressure we show that the Europium valence tends to stabilize at 3+ for pressures up to 27 GPa. The XMCD results demonstrate that pressure induced valence change of the Europium ion leads to a suppression of the magnetic ordering of the material. Finally, altogether our results provide direct evidence that Eu-4f /5d electronic hybridization effects underlie the mechanism that regulates the valence and magnetic ordering in this material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Magnetic and f-electron effects in LaNiO2 and NdNiO2 nickelates with cuprate-like $$3{d}_{{x}^{2}-{y}^{2}}$$ band

Recent discovery of superconductivity in the doped infinite-layer nickelates has renewed interest in understanding the nature of high-temperature superconductivity more generally. The low-energy electronic structure of the parent compound NdNiO 2 , the role of electronic correlations in driving superconductivity, and the possible relationship between the cuprates and the nickelates are still open questions. Here, by comparing LaNiO 2 and NdNiO 2 systematically within a parameter-free, all-electron first-principles density-functional theory framework, we reveal the role of Nd 4 f electrons in shaping the ground state of pristine NdNiO 2 . Strong similarities are found between the electronic structures of LaNiO 2 and NdNiO 2 , except for the effects of the 4 f electrons. Hybridization between the Nd 4 f and Ni 3 d orbitals is shown to significantly modify the Fermi surfaces of various magnetic states. In contrast, the competition between the magnetically ordered phases depends mainly on the gaps in the Ni \(3{d}_{{x}^{2}-{y}^{2}}\) band. Our estimated value of the on-site Hubbard U in the nickelates is similar to that in the cuprates, but the value of the Hund’s coupling J H is found to be sensitive to the Nd magnetic moment. In contrast with the cuprates, NdNiO 2 presents 3D magnetism with competing antiferromagnetic and (interlayer) ferromagnetic exchange, which may explain why the T c is lower in the nickelates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

The BREKTRIA 500 – A Breakthrough in Technology and Power Density for an Advanced 500kW Utility-Scale String Inverter (Final Technical Report)

The primary goal of this development project, planned to be 36 months in duration, was to create a 500kW utility-scale string inverter, demonstrating an advanced hybrid architecture that would achieve unprecedented high power density, and bring the inverter to the stage of production readiness. Specific key objectives for the 500kW utility-scale string inverter were: Create a 500kW 3-phase 600Vac inverter that was similar in overall size to the existing 250kW string inverters in the market, thereby demonstrating dramatically increased power density; Achieve a cost of goods, including all manufacturing-related costs and overheads, at or below 2.5¢/Wac ($12,500); Demonstrate full-power operation at a 45-50C ambient temperature with no power de-rating; Accommodate a PV array DC input of up to 1MWdc, aka a DC/AC Ratio of 2.0; Demonstrate peak efficiency greater than 99% at any operating dc voltage, and a CEC weighted average efficiency greater than or equal to 98.5%. The motivation for this project was to leapfrog the competition by creating the world’s most powerful string inverter, utilizing an innovative topology and achieving a step change increase in power density. Achieving the goals of the project would have enabled Yaskawa Solectria Solar to demonstrate its technology leadership, manufacture the utility-scale string inverter in the company’s facilities in Illinois, and bring to the market a highly-differentiated and compelling product to help the company grow its share in the large and growing utility market segment. During the course of this project, BREK Electronics’ hybrid architecture inverter was taken from an early-stage 125kW prototype, to a more mature and successfully demonstrated power stage at twice the power. Two 250kW power stages were planned to build the 500kW inverter. Significant progress was made in the inverter controls, achieving a clean AC sinewave and closed-loop operation into the grid, and improved efficiency by control of the high-speed switching. Further, the updated 250kW power stage was on track to achieve full power operation at an ambient temperature of 50C. At the time of the project’s closure in September 2022, global semiconductor supply remained limited, with shortages creating dramatic swings in both availability and price. Given this situation, our ability to predict cost-of-goods two years out with any accuracy or confidence was limited. As a result, the probability of attaining the target cost of 2.5¢/Wac for the 500kW inverter remained uncertain at the closure of the project. This project successfully demonstrated the potential for the advanced hybrid architecture inverter that emerged from a decade of university research on Si IGBTs and SiC mosfets, leading to this unique inverter topology. The team has taken the first steps toward an evolutionary advancement in inverter technology that remains to be fully realized.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Real‐Time Optical Process Monitoring for Structure and Property Control of Aerosol Jet Printed Functional Materials

Abstract Aerosol jet printing is a popular digital additive manufacturing method for flexible and hybrid electronics, but it lacks sophisticated real‐time process control schemes that would enable more widespread adoption in manufacturing environments. Here, an optical measurement system is introduced to track the aerosol density upstream of the printhead. The measured optical extinction, combined with the aerosol flow rate, is directly related to deposition rate and accurately predicts functional materials properties such as the electrical resistance of printed graphene films. This real‐time system offers a compelling solution for process drift and batch‐to‐batch variability, rendering it a valuable tool for both real‐time control of aerosol jet printing and fundamental studies of the underlying process science.

Tafoya, Rebecca R.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Interpenetration and kinetic effects in converging, high-energy plasma jets

In this work, we report on numerical simulations of laser-driven convergent plasma fusion targets. These “inverted corona” fusion targets are useful for the study of counter-streaming and converging rarefied plasma flows, and previous experiments have demonstrated their potential as neutron sources. The scheme consists of a fuel layer lined along the interior surface of a hollow plastic shell that is laser-ablated and expands inward towards the target center. The plasma streams generated in these targets are initially nearly collisionless as they converge, leading to wide interaction length scales and long interaction time scales as the jets interpenetrate. Such kinetic effects impact mixing of constituent ions - a phenomenon not properly captured by single-fluid hydrodynamic simulations. Here we conduct numerical simulations using two different methods: (1) single-fluid simulations in HYDRA, and (2) kinetic-ion, fluid-electron hybrid particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations in the code Chicago. It is shown that the initially nearly collisionless plasma fronts interpenetrate deeply and lead to broader interaction regions in space and time resulting in significant beam-beam fusion. The two approaches make different, testable predictions for the effect of fuel-layer thickness on neutron yield.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

2D kinetic-ion simulations of inverted corona fusion targets

Laser-driven “inverted corona” fusion targets have attracted interest as a low-convergence neutron source and platform for studying kinetic physics. The scheme consists of a hollow or gas-filled spherical shell made of deuterated plastic. The shell has one or more laser entrance holes (LEH), resembling a spherical hohlraum. The laser passes through the LEH’s and illuminates the interior surface of the shell, ablating a plasma that travels inward towards the target center. Long ion mean free paths in the converging plasma can lead to significant interpenetration, atomic mix, and other kinetic effects. Here, in this work we report on numerical simulations of inverted corona targets using the kinetic-ion, fluid–electron hybrid particle-in-cell (PIC) approach in 2D RZ geometry. 2D simulations suggest that shape effects do not have a significant impact on plasma evolution and observed yield trends are primarily the result of 1D kinetic mix mechanisms. Simulations are also compared against available experimental data recorded at the OMEGA laser facility. In particular, synthetic x-ray emission images show good qualitative agreement with experimental results, albeit with an apparent timing discrepancy for the two-sided vacuum target. More generally, we demonstrate the potential of hybrid-PIC simulations for full-system modeling and experimental design, including collisional absorption of laser energy, plasma evolution, mix, and fusion burn.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Watching Polarons Move in the Energy and Frequency Domains Using Color Impedance Spectroscopy

The hybrid electronic–ionic transport property of π-conjugated polymers enables new (opto)electrochemical device constructs for energy conversion and storage and biosensing applications. One major challenge is separating the energy and frequency dependence of Faradaic events–those involving charge transfer and the redox processes of the conjugated backbone–from the non-Faradaic components, such as ionic motion. Herein, we combine optical spectroscopy with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to resolve the frequency response of ionic–electronic coupling as a function of electrochemical doping potential. First, using EIS, we identify two different frequency regimes resulting in potential-dependent capacitive elements on the order of ~10 μF/cm 2 in a high-frequency regime and ~50–150 μF/cm 2 in a low-frequency regime. Given the larger magnitude and greater potential dependence, we posit that polaronic motion is more likely to occur at low frequencies (<1 kHz) and overlaps with ionic motion. The use of color impedance spectroscopy (CIS) enables observation of polaronic motion with frequency modulation. We observe that higher doping potentials show a greater motion of polarons above the DC-bias baseline concentration for onset in electrochemical doping, but all potentials considered demonstrate a critical frequency at which the polaronic motion is “frozen” (~40 Hz). Furthermore, this critical information obtained from CIS in highly dielectric environments offers a unique figure of merit for future studies on electronic–ionic coupling by which to compare across polymer/electrolyte interfaces, including the role of a charge-supporting electrolyte, a solvent, and alternative Faradaic processes (e.g., electrocatalysis).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

A giant virus infecting the amoeboflagellate Naegleria

Giant viruses (Nucleocytoviricota) are significant lethality agents of various eukaryotic hosts. Although metagenomics indicates their ubiquitous distribution, available giant virus isolates are restricted to a very small number of protist and algal hosts. Here we report on the first viral isolate that replicates in the amoeboflagellate Naegleria. This genus comprises the notorious human pathogen Naegleria fowleri, the causative agent of the rare but fatal primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. We have elucidated the structure and infection cycle of this giant virus, Catovirus naegleriensis (a.k.a. Naegleriavirus, NiV), and show its unique adaptations to its Naegleria host using fluorescence in situ hybridization, electron microscopy, genomics, and proteomics. Naegleriavirus is only the fourth isolate of the highly diverse subfamily Klosneuvirinae, and like its relatives the NiV genome contains a large number of translation genes, but lacks transfer RNAs (tRNAs). NiV has acquired genes from its Naegleria host, which code for heat shock proteins and apoptosis inhibiting factors, presumably for host interactions. Notably, NiV infection was lethal to all Naegleria species tested, including the human pathogen N. fowleri. This study expands our experimental framework for investigating giant viruses and may help to better understand the basic biology of the human pathogen N. fowleri.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Connection between f -electron correlations and magnetic excitations in UTe 2

The detailed anisotropic dispersion of the low-temperature, low-energy magnetic excitations of the candidate spin-triplet superconductor UTe 2 is revealed using inelastic neutron scattering. The magnetic excitations emerge from the Brillouin zone boundary at the high symmetry Y and T points and disperse along the crystallographic $\hat{b}$ -axis. In applied magnetic fields to at least μ 0 H = 11 T along the $\hat{c}-{\rm{axis}}$ , the magnetism is found to be field-independent in the (hk0) plane. The scattering intensity is consistent with that expected from U 3+ /U 4+ f-electron spins with preferential orientation along the crystallographic $\hat{a}$ -axis, and a fluctuating magnetic moment of μ eff =1.7(5) μ B . We propose interband spin excitons arising from f-electron hybridization as a possible origin of the magnetic excitations in UTe 2 .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Kinetic mix at gas-shell interface in inverted corona fusion targets

Gas-filled, laser-driven “inverted corona” fusion targets have attracted interest as a low-convergence neutron source and platform for studying kinetic physics. At the fill pressures under investigation, ejected particles from the shell can penetrate deeply into the gas before colliding, leading to significant mixing across the gas–shell interface. Here, we use kinetic-ion, fluid-electron hybrid particle-in-cell simulations to explore the nature of that mix. Simulations of the system demonstrate characteristics of a weakly collisional electrostatic shock, whereby a strong electric field accelerates shell ions into the rarefied gas and reflects upstream gas ions. This interpenetration is mediated by collisional processes: At higher initial gas pressure, fewer shell particles pass into the mix region and reach the hotspot. This effect is detectable through neutron yield scaling vs gas pressure. Predictions of neutron yield scaling show excellent agreement with experimental data recorded at the OMEGA laser facility, suggesting that 1D kinetic mechanisms are sufficient to capture the mix process.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Proximity-induced magnetism and the enhancement of damping in ferromagnetic/heavy metal systems

The relationship between proximity-induced magnetism (PIM) at the heavy metal/ferromagnet interface and spin-transport across such interfaces has generated significant debate. To investigate the link between the two, element specific x-ray magnetic circular dichroism and ferromagnetic resonance measurements were made on the same CoFe/Au/Pt and NiFe/Au/Pt thin film samples with varying Au thickness, with complementary SIMS analysis, which shows evidence of Ni diffusion from NiFe into the Pt. An approximately linear relationship is observed between the magnitude of Pt PIM and magnitude of damping enhancement in both systems. The results demonstrate that electronic hybridization of the heavy metal and ferromagnet is required for a full understanding of damping enhancement and interfacial spintransport for spintronic devices.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

Interacting fermions in narrow-gap semiconductors with band inversion

Abstract Highly unconventional behavior of the thermodynamic response functions has been experimentally observed in a narrow gap semiconductor samarium hexaboride. Motivated by these observations, we use renormalization group technique to investigate many-body instabilities in the f -orbital narrow gap semiconductors with band inversion in the limit of weak coupling. By projecting out the double occupancy of the f -states we formulate a low-energy theory describing the interacting particles in two hybridized electron- and hole-like bands. The interactions are assumed to be weak and short-ranged. We take into account the difference between the effective masses of the quasiparticles in each band. Upon carrying out the renormalization group analysis we find that there is only one stable fixed point corresponding to the excitonic instability with time-reversal symmetry breaking for small enough mismatch between the effective masses.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2023

Effect of kinetic ions on the toroidal double-tearing modes

We investigate the effects of kinetic ions on double-tearing modes (DTMs) using the gyrokinetic particle-in-cell simulation code GEM with a gyrokinetic ion/fluid electron hybrid model. It is found that the ion kinetic effects can decrease the growth rate of the DTMs. This effect is more significant for stronger coupling of DTMs with smaller distance between the rational surfaces. Kinetic ions can also enhance the coupling effect between the two rational surfaces. Energy transfer analyses between particles and wave fields show that the stabilizing effect of kinetic ions comes mainly from the perpendicular magnetic drift of ions in the coupling region and around the outer rational surface.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2020

Understanding and mitigating process drift in aerosol jet printing

Aerosol jet printing offers a versatile, high-resolution prototyping capability for flexible and hybrid electronics. Despite its rapid growth in recent years, persistent problems such as process drift hinder the adoption of this technology in production environments. Here we explore underlying causes of process drift during aerosol jet printing and introduce an engineered solution to improve deposition stability. In this work it is shown that the ink level within the cartridge is a critical factor in determining atomization efficiency, such that the reduction in ink volume resulting from printing itself can induce significant and systematic process drift. By integrating a custom 3D-printed cartridge with an ink recirculation system, ink composition and level within the cartridge are better maintained. This strategy allows extended duration printing with improved stability, as evidenced by 30 h of printing over 5 production runs. This provides an important tool for extending the duration and improving reliability for aerosol jet printing, a key factor for integration in practical manufacturing operations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗