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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

Can Cobalt Be Eliminated from Lithium-Ion Batteries?

Following the discovery of LiCoO 2 (LCO) as a cathode in the 1980s, layered oxides have enabled lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) to power portable electronic devices that sparked the digital revolution of the 21st century. Since then, LiNi x Mn y Co z O 2 (NMC) and LiNi x Co y Al z O 2 (NCA) have emerged as the leading cathodes for LIBs in electric vehicle (EV) application and have become crucial components in the fight against global warming. However, the surging demand for LIBs has led to an extremely tight supply. The EV sector has already dominated the LIB market, even though EV sales were only 2–3% of total passenger vehicle sales in 2020. EV sales are expected to grow 10-fold by the end of this decade, and close to 90% of the total LIB demand will come from the EV sector. As a result, LIB manufacturers must aggressively ramp up cell production to keep pace with the immense growth of the EV market, a quest that brings scrutiny to the cost and sustainability of current LIB manufacturing practices. Here, cathodes are a critical component that largely determines the energy density and 40–50% of the total cell cost in LIBs. Rigorous consideration of the cathode performance and material cost is crucial in sustaining EV adoption. In this Viewpoint, we discuss why using cobalt in cathodes is unsustainable in the long run and highlight the features of cobalt-free cathodes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Achieving complete electrooxidation of ethanol by single atomic Rh decoration of Pt nanocubes

Significance Direct ethanol fuel cells are attracting growing attention as portable power sources due to their advantages such as higher mass-energy density than hydrogen and less toxicity than methanol. However, it is challenging to achieve the complete electrooxidation to generate 12 electrons per ethanol, resulting in a low fuel utilization efficiency. This manuscript reports the complete ethanol electrooxidation by engineering efficient catalysts via single-atom modification. The combined electrochemical measurements, in situ characterization, and density functional theory calculations unravel synergistic effects of single Rh atoms and Pt nanocubes and identify reaction pathways leading to the selective C–C bond cleavage to oxidize ethanol to CO 2 . This study provides a unique single-atom approach to tune the activity and selectivity toward complicated electrocatalytic reactions.

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

Multi-contrast machine learning improves schistosomiasis diagnostic performance

Schistosomiasis currently affects over 250 million people and remains a public health burden despite ongoing global control efforts. Conventional microscopy is a practical tool for diagnosis and screening ofSchistosoma haematobium, but identification of eggs requires a skilled microscopist. Here we present a machine learning (ML)-based strategy for automated detection ofS. haematobiumthat combines two imaging contrasts, brightfield (BF) and darkfield (DF), to improve diagnostic performance. We collected BF and DF images of urine samples, many of them containingS. haematobiumeggs, during two different field studies in Côte d’Ivoire using a mobile phone-based microscope, the SchistoScope. We then trained separate egg-detection ML models and compared the patient-level performance of BF and DF models alone to combinations of BF and DF models, using annotations from trained microscopists as the gold standard. We found that models trained on DF images, and almost all BF and DF combinations, performed significantly better than models trained on BF images only. When models were trained on images from the first field study (n = 349 patients, 748 images of each contrast), patient-level classification performance on patient images from the second study (n = 375 patients, 752 images of each contrast) met the WHO Diagnostic Target Product Profile (TPP) sensitivity and specificity for the monitoring and evaluation use case (sensitivity for all models and combinations was >75% when evaluated at a confidence score threshold that resulted in specificity >96.5%). When we used images from both field studies for the training set, performance of the models was improved. Overall, this work shows that the use of DF and BF increases the performance of ML models on images from devices with low-cost optics, while retaining the portability, power, and time-to-results of the WHO’s diagnostic TPP. DF requires no additional sample preparation and does not increase the complexity of the imaging system. It thus offers a practical means to improve performance of automated diagnostics forS. haematobiumas well as other microscopy-based diagnostics.

Infectious Diseases↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ku-band electron linac for battery-powered hand-portable 2-MeV X-ray generator

X-ray generators, producing radiation in MeV range, are a critical tool for radiography, non-destructive testing and security applications. Field operation of such source requires them to be hand-portable, autonomous and allow parameter adjustability. RF linear accelerators can serve as a flexible, reliable, and robust radiation generator alternative to dangerous radioisotopes and bulky betatrons that are currently used for field radiography if their size, weight, cost, and imaging performance are matched to these sources. Here, in this paper, we present the design and test results of a 2 MeV Ku-band electron linac for a hand-portable X-ray generator system for field radiography being developed by RadiaBeam. The dramatic scale of miniaturization and cost-reduction is achieved thanks to the implementation of innovative technologies such as air-cooled Ku-band air-traffic control magnetrons, a split accelerating structure fabrication technique, and solid-state Marx modulators. This paper presents the design of the first prototype of the accelerator, its operation from Li-Ion batteries, as well as high-power and beam measurements.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

A pulsed current-mode class-D low-voltage high-bandwidth power amplifier for portable NMR systems

Low-field NMR has seen growing interest in recent years, especially for portable applications. The lower homogeneity magnets used for portable applications require short RF pulses to ensure enough transmit bandwidth to excite the sample volume and also support short echo periods. Furthermore, the preferred use of a high-Q coil to improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) prolongs the pulse transients. Thus, at such low Larmor frequencies, the excitation pulse transients become comparable or longer than the pulse length, such that the transmit bandwidth begins to limit measurement SNR. This paper describes the design of a pulsed current-mode class-D power (PCMCD) transmitter that addresses this issue by generating high power in a tuned sample coil while maintaining short transients, thus resulting in high output bandwidth. The transmitter also uses a charge recycling mechanism to maximize power efficiency for RF train excitation, which also results in faster pulse repetition rate and reduces allowable echo time. In this work, experimental results from a small form-factor PCMCD transmitter are presented. This design generates a peak RF power of 240 W into a 9.16 µH coil at 4 MHz while operating off a single 12 V power supply. NMR measurement results using the transmitter are also described, showing minimum achievable echo time of 70 µs and 25 µs depending on the transmitter mode of operation.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Ultralightweight Power System for Human-Portable Linac-Based X-Ray Sources

Industrial human-portable X-ray sources are widely used by security, nuclear safeguard, and defense agencies. However, the employed sources have significant energy, dose, size, weight, and power (SWaP) limitations, greatly affecting their practical application. RF linear accelerators (linacs) can serve as a flexible, reliable, and robust type of X-ray source if they can match the size, weight, cost, and imaging performance requirements of conventional ones. One of the most critical elements affecting these parameters is the high-voltage pulsed power supply system or modulator, which can make the largest contribution to the total weight and dimensions of the accelerator. Here, in this article, we present the design and demonstration results of a novel ultra lightweight power system based on a 24-kV solid-state Marx modulator for a hand-portable 0.15–2.0-MeV Ku -band linac-based X-ray source.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Optimize Topology, Component Sizes, and Operating Strategy of Participant's Protype: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report

The purpose of the project was to complete testing of Shine Technologies LLC’s prototype power system called “Juicebox 3.0.” Testing of the prototype using NREL’s hardware-in-the-loop capabilities, including a DC power supply programmed to simulate PV module output and provide the JuiceBox 3.0 at the specified power level and with a load bank of sufficient capacity to mimic DC and AC loads connected to the outlets of the Juicebox 3.0. The unit is provided with SAE wire connectors. A photo of a JuiceBox 3.0 unit is shown in Figure 1 below.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Energy Storage Technologies and U.S. Department of War Requirements

This report offers an overarching primer the energy storage market and assessment of each technology’s suitability for U.S. Department of War applications. We find that battery energy storage is the most promising technology for energy storage applications in terms of energy density and cost. While commercial and advanced Li-ion can satisfy certain electric mobility (e.g., cars, midsized vehicles) and electric flight application (e.g. drones) needs of DoW, next generation technologies like Li metal solid-state batteries, and conversion chemistries (Li-air, Li-CFx) are needed for heavy duty applications like armored vehicles, tanks, airplanes, jets. Batteries should also be supplemented with technologies such as supercapacitors and next-generation flywheels to provide short bursts of high energy for high power needs. Thermal energy storage solutions (sensible and latent heat) and fuel cells (PEMFC and SOFC) are good alternatives for supporting energy storage applications in terms of energy density and cost. Gravity-based energy storage promises the least energy density with high cost and should only be used for niche DoW applications. Of the different gravity energy storage technologies reviewed, pumped-hydro, flywheel, and compressed air energy storage are promising, while solid gravity energy storage appears the least attractive. Military facilities requiring 14 days of energy storage can benefit from flow batteries, especially commercial VFRBs and next generation iron-air systems. While VFRBs are expensive, iron-air batteries have the coupled benefits of low cost and good energy density promising 100+ hours of storage.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Systems Theory Principles and Complex Systems Engineering Concepts for Protection and Resilience in Critical Infrastructure: Lessons from the Nuclear Sector

Part of the Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21) (PPD 2013) mandate includes evaluating safety, security, and safeguards (or nonproliferation) mechanisms traditionally implemented within the nuclear reactors, materials, and waste sector of critical infrastructure—including a complex, dynamic set of risks and threats within an all-hazards approach. In response, research out of Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) explores the ability of systems theory principles (hierarchy and emergence) and complex systems engineering concepts (multidomain interdependence) to better understand and address these risks and threats. Herein, this Sandia research explores the safety, safeguards, and security risks of three different nuclear sector-related activities—spent nuclear fuel transportation, small modular reactors, and portable nuclear power reactors—to investigate the complex and dynamic risk related to the PPD-21-mandated all-hazards approach. This research showed that a systems-theoretic approach can better identify inter-dependencies, conflicts, gaps, and leverage points across traditional safety, security, and safeguards hazard mitigation strategies in the nuclear reactors, materials, and waste sector. Resulting from this, mitigation strategies from applying systems theoretic principles and complex systems engineering concepts can be (1) designed to better capture interdependencies, (2) implemented to better align with real-world operational uncertainties, and (3) evaluated as a systems-level whole to better identify, characterize, and manage PPD-21's all hazards strategies.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Rigid-Rod Sulfonated Polyamide as an Aqueous-Processable Binder for Li-Ion Battery Electrodes

Polymer binders are important components of most battery electrodes, ensuring high performance and long-term durability. Increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries in the automotive, stationary power, and portable electronics industries calls for a greener binder to replace poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF). We evaluate the performance of aqueous solution-processed electrodes prepared with a rigid-rod polymer binder, poly(2,2'-disulfonyl-4,4'-benzidine terephthalamide) (PBDT). The polyamide backbone and double-helical configuration of PBDT give rise to its mechanical strength and rigidity, and its functional nature (H-bonding amides and sulfonates) can provide specific binding with electrode particles. LiFePO 4 electrodes prepared with 3 wt% PBDT show mechanical integrity and cycling stability, achieving over 1000 cycles at 4C rate with negligible capacity decay. These electrodes demonstrate comparable rate performance with their PVDF counterparts while eliminating fluorine from the electrode as well as the organic solvents needed for processing. Furthermore, this study reveals that PBDT holds great potential as a binder for advanced sustainable batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

High‐Resolution Direct Push NMR Tools for Groundwater Investigations

Abstract A small‐diameter nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology optimized for use with direct push (DP) and cone penetrometer test (CPT) drilling has been developed. The DP NMR tool can be deployed through 2.25‐in. diameter DP and CPT drilling rods allowing high‐resolution NMR logging measurements to be acquired during retraction of drill rods. DP NMR technology runs from a person‐portable battery‐powered control unit and provides significantly higher resolution in both the spatial (vertical) dimension and in the time domain of the NMR measurement than previously available NMR technology. In this study, we summarize the development of two different DP NMR tools and demonstrate their application at different sites within the United States. We believe that this technology can provide a leap forward in adoption of NMR technology for high‐resolution hydrological and geophysical investigations in groundwater resources and environmental remediation applications.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

FLEXO: A Portably Performant Code for Pulsed Power Target Physics

FLEXO (Flux-Limited Extended-MHD Ohm's Law) is a production-line multiphysics code developed at Sandia to enable more predictive modeling of target physics on pulsed-power devices. FLEXO uses an extended magnetohydrodynamics (XMHD) model which includes a generalized Ohm's law (GOL), an electron inertia term, and Hall physics. This report describes the code's numerical methods, its computational performance, and test problems of interest.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Fission Batteries: Definition, Key Attributes and Research and Development Needs

The term battery was first introduced by the American scientist and inventor Benjamin Franklin in 1749, followed by invention of the first true battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta. Today, batteries are a ubiquitous source of portable electric power across different applications. Batteries are widely used across a range of scales from consumer products to grid-scale energy storage. There are different types of batteries, but they can be broadly classified as chemical or electric batteries [1], atomic batteries, nuclear batteries, tritium batteries or radioisotope generators [2, 3]. Atomic batteries, nuclear batteries, tritium batteries, and radioisotope generators have gained significant attention for applications requi-ing long-term power supply and high-power density, including the space power reactor [4]. While a number of reactor systems, particularly micro-reactors, are referred to as fission batteries, this paper defines key attributes required for a fission reactor to achieve capabilities comparable with the characteristics of batteries that enable their wide-spread use. Achieving this full vision of a fission battery will enable broad deployment of fission reactors that function like batteries. The research and development (R&D) activities needed to achieve the desired fission battery attributes are discussed below.

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗
DOE OSTI2021

High-performance carbon nanotube electronic ratchets

The rapid advancements in low-power portable/wearable electronic devices require concurrent development of technologies that can provide power without the need for bulky, heavy battery storage. Electronic ratchets, asymmetric transistor-based devices that can convert AC signals or electronic noise into DC power, have been proposed as one solution to this growing need. Here, the recent demonstration of conjugated polymer-based electronic ratchets offers a route toward lightweight, flexible power sources for portable applications. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of the first electronic ratchets where the active channel component consists of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs), which can transform electronic noise or AC signals to a stable DC current with higher output power (up to ca. 14 mW for a chemically doped device) than their polymer-based analogs. We also show that patterning of the dopant profile in the s-SWCNT channel enables reasonable power conversion performance (ca. 3.5 mW) with improved stability relative to homogeneously doped devices. Our findings demonstrate the promise for s-SWCNT electronic ratchets as energy harvesting devices for portable, low-power applications.

ENGINEERING,MATERIALS SCIENCE,NANOSCIENCE AND NANO↗
DOE OSTI2021

Additively Manufactured Power Poles

The objective of this project was to explore the utility of native grown biomaterials for the portable production of power poles. In this Phase 1 project, activities were broken into two tasks: 1) baseline efforts to show feasibility of printed biomaterial power poles and 2) produce a conceptual design of portable pole production. The results were very promising, showing sufficient mechanical properties from printed biomaterials as well as conceptual designs for, and successful demonstration of, printed power poles.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

STEPS: A Portable Numerical Simulation Toolkit for Electrical Power System Dynamic Studies

Numerical simulation is the key technique for large scale power system analysis. Redistribution of global renewable power via international interconnections requires new simulation tools to study the interconnected systems with different nominal frequencies as a whole. In this paper we introduce an open source simulation toolkit for electrical power systems (STEPS) which is hosted at Github. Its kernel is coded in C++ with major functions of power flow and electro-mechanical dynamic simulation. Flexible options are provided and configurable to improve power flow solution and dynamic simulation. Common devices and models are supported in STEPS for AC/DC hybrid system studies. Studies of interconnected systems with different nominal frequencies is supported in STEPS for research of international interconnection. Application program interfaces are provided and wrapped with Python to enable high-level interfaces for general applications. STEPS is thread safe and parallel computation is supported in both kernel and script levels to accelerate simulation. It is portable and works on Windows and GNU/Linux platforms. Cases from small to large scale systems are thoroughly tested to validate the toolkit with commercial packages as benchmarks.

42 ENGINEERING↗