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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 361 records · Page 20

Evaluation of the infrared test method for the olympus thermal balance tests

The performance of the infrared (IR) rig used for the thermal balance testing of the Olympus S/C thermal model is discussed. Included in this evaluation are the rig effects themselves, the IRFLUX computer code used to predict the radiation inputs, the Monitored Background Radiometers (MBR's) developed to measure the absorbed radiation flux intensity, the Uniform Temperature Reference (UTR) based temperature measurement system and the data acquisition system. A preliminary set of verification tests were performed on a 1 m x 1 m zone to assess the performance of the IR lamps, calrods, MBR's and aluminized baffles. The results were used, in part, to obtain some empirical data required for the IRFLUX code. This data included lamp and calrod characteristics, the absorptance function for various surface types, and the baffle reflectivities.

Donato, M.↗

Imaging for Hypersonic Experimental Aeroheating Testing (IHEAT) Version 4.0: User Manual

The IHEAT v4.0 software is a data reduction code for global thermography data acquired in the NASA Langley Aerothermodynamics Laboratory (LAL) hypersonic wind tunnels. IHEAT uses red and green color-intensity data from two-dimensional images of wind tunnel models to compute temperatures and heat-transfer rates using a semi-infinite, one-dimensional heat transfer approximation at each image pixel. Multiple automated tools in IHEAT v4.0 decrease the time required to reduce the data from a phosphor thermography wind tunnel run. Data at one or all of the image pixel locations can be exported to computer files for further analysis. The prior version of IHEAT, v3.2, was written in PV-WAVE® (now owned by Rogue Wave® Software) in 1994 and was limited in functionality to fit within the memory constraints of the available computers at the time. IHEAT v4.0 is written in MATLAB® by MathWorks® and contains several new features that leverage the increase in available memory of the current computers. A Piecewise tool permits the user to extract data along a segmented line cut that can follow interesting features in the image better than the single, straight line cuts that were possible with the legacy Length and Profile tools. The new Load Run and Batch tools facilitate batch processing by loading in all of the input files and images for a run at the same time. Load Run permits the user to process the available run images manually, while Batch automatically saves heat transfer data from all of the images based on the analysis previously performed on a single frame. IHEAT v4.0 also can automatically calculate the temporal collapse of reference line cuts from the time history heating data for a run to indicate the appropriate frame to reduce for each run. The IHEAT v4.0 source code was compiled into a standalone executable file that can be accessed remotely from several computers with different operating systems, simultaneously. The software is run through the MATLAB® Compiler Runtime engine, and therefore, IHEAT does not require a software license to run. Any software commands executed in the IHEAT v4.0 code will not affect other similar applications running on the same machine. Similarly, changes to the parent software do not affect a compiled code. These features of IHEAT v4.0 are improvements over the legacy v3.2 code, which required regular maintenance to avoid losing functionality as the PVWAVE ® programming language was upgraded.

Mason, Michelle L.↗

Benefits of using multiple Raman laser wavelengths for characterizing defects in a UO 2 matrix

Abstract Raman spectroscopy is one of the most useful techniques for studying the structure of UO 2 and changes due to specific defects caused by doping, changes in stoichiometry, irradiation, or heating under oxidizing conditions. In this paper, we illustrate several aspects of the application of Raman techniques to the study of UO 2 , including the use of wavelength‐dependent excitation (455, 532, and 785 nm) to assess the effects of doping (Nd, Th, and Zr), ion irradiation, and in situ heating and oxidation (UO 2 to U 3 O 8 ). Additionally, we show examples of how correlative microscopy is possible using electron backscatter diffraction combined with Raman maps of specific vibration bands or of laser‐induced luminescence generated by rare‐earth dopants in the matrix. For each of these applications, we suggest optimal excitation wavelengths that vary depending on the desired data. Blue (455 nm) excitation tends to promote oxidation even at low powers, but because Raman spectra change little with doping, irradiation‐induced changes are easier to observe. Green (532 nm) excitation is optimal for observing electron–phonon resonance effects in UO 2 and offers a good compromise for high‐temperature oxidation experiments, delivering high‐quality spectra for both UO 2 and U 3 O 8 . Infrared (785 nm) excitation is best for observing “defect” bands associated with doping in UO 2 , as changes with irradiation are small. Raman spectroscopy is particularly suited for studying the stability of UO 2 towards oxidation in the presence of dopants simulating fission products, where electron–phonon resonant effects, dopant ion luminescence, and mapping can be used together to investigate structural rearrangement as a function of temperature. These techniques can offer insight into microstructural changes in UO 2 fuels at higher burnups envisioned in future reactors.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Correlating Local Compositions and Structures with the Macroscopic Optical Properties of Ce 3+ -Doped CaSc 2 O 4 , an Efficient Green-Emitting Phosphor

Calcium scandate (CaSc 2 O 4 ) substituted with small amounts (<1%) of Ce 3+ is a recently discovered bright-green-emitting phosphor with favorable light absorption and emission properties and robust temperature stability that make it well-suited for solid-state white-lighting applications. Combined analyses of scattering, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and photoluminescence measurements establish the compositional and structural origins of the macroscopic optical properties of this phosphor material. Simultaneous refinements of synchrotron X-ray and neutron diffraction data of Ce 3+ -doped CaSc 2 O 4 enable the average crystal structure to be determined, which is shown to correspond to an exceedingly rigid host structure, as corroborated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Such structural rigidity leads to high quantum efficiency, which is optimized by the substitution of as little as 0.5 mol % of Ce 3+ for Ca 2+ ions, with higher extents of Ce 3+ substitution leading to decreased photoluminescent quantum yields. Solid-state 43 Ca and 45 Sc magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra are sensitive to the effects of the paramagnetic Ce 3+ dopant ions on nearby atoms in the host structure and yield evidence for local structural distortions. EPR measurements provide direct insights on structures of the Ce 3+ ions, as a function of Ce 3+ substitution. The combined scattering and spectroscopic analyses yield detailed new understanding of the local and long-range structures of Ce 3+ -doped CaSc 2 O 4 , which account for the sensitive composition-dependent optical properties of this important phosphor material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Melt-grown semi-insulating Mn:β-Ga 2 O 3 single crystals exhibiting unique visible absorptions and luminescence

In this study, several acceptor dopants have been explored in β-Ga 2 O 3 to produce semi-insulating substrates and epitaxial films. Fe and Mg make up the majority of research thus far; however, other transition metals provide potential alternatives for optimized performance. β-Ga 2 O 3 bulk single crystals were grown by the Czochralski and vertical gradient freeze methods with a nominal dopant concentration of 0.25 at. % Mn. Ultraviolet-visible-near infrared spectroscopy and photoluminescence revealed polarization- and orientation-dependent optical absorptions (pleochroism) coupled with an orange luminescence. All samples were electrically insulating, on the order of 10 9 –10 11 ohm cm at room temperature, indicative of acceptor doping. Actual dopant concentrations of the intentionally doped transition metal and background impurities were determined via glow discharge mass spectrometry, indicating the macroscale segregation behavior. High-temperature resistivity measurements indicated an experimental acceptor level of 1.7 ± 0.2 eV. Hydrogenation of samples resulted in an increase in the orange luminescence and O–H stretching modes observable in the infrared spectrum. Density functional theory calculations were performed to determine the likely site-occupancy and acceptor level of Mn in the bandgap.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Piezochromism and structural and electronic properties of benz[a]anthracene under pressure

We report a combined experimental and theoretical study of the high pressure behavior of a herringbone-type hydrocarbon benz[a]anthracene (BaA) using fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, optical absorption, photoconductivity measurements, and first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The ambient-pressure molecular solid phase of BaA was found to be stable up to ~15.0 GPa. Increasing the external pressure within this region would induce a reversible piezochromic colour change in the sample, from yellow-green to light brown. The reversibility of the colour change was confirmed by both optical observations and fluorescence measurements. Further compression beyond 15 GPa leads to polymerization of the sample and formation of an amorphous hydrogenated carbon. The low pressure crystalline phase is not recoverable when the sample is decompressed from pressure above 15 GPa. DFT investigation of the structures at zero temperature suggests that the formation of a crystalline polymeric phase can take place between 30 and 117 GPa, however the kinetic barriers hinder the process at low pressure regions. The phase transition is therefore suggested to proceed along a gradual transition path to an amorphous phase at a lower reaction threshold, activated by finite temperature effects. Optical absorption measurements reveal that the band gap of BaA decreases at high pressure, from 2.4 eV at 0.5 GPa to 1.0 eV at 50.6 GPa. The DFT calculations further suggest that the band gap of BaA in the molecular phase could reduce to ~0.1 eV at 117 GPa. Photoconductivity measurements show a continuous increase of photocurrent in the molecular phase region, which most likely originated from the increase of carrier mobility under pressure.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structural phase transition causing anomalous photoluminescence behavior in perovskite (C{sub 6}H{sub 11}NH{sub 3}){sub 2}[PbI{sub 4}]

Optical and structural properties of the organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite-type (C{sub 6}H{sub 11}NH{sub 3}){sub 2}[PbI{sub 4}] (abbreviated as C{sub 6}PbI{sub 4}) were investigated using optical absorption, photoluminescence (PL), and x-ray diffraction measurements. Room temperature, optical absorption measurements, performed on spin-coated films of C{sub 6}PbI{sub 4}, revealed two absorption bands at 2.44 and 3.21 eV. Upon 325 nm (3.815 eV) laser irradiation, strong green PL emission peaks were observed at 2.41 eV (P1) and 2.24 eV (P2) and assigned to free and localized excitons, respectively. The exciton binding energy was estimated at 356 meV. At low temperature, two additional emission bands were detected at 2.366 eV (P3) and a large band (LB) at 1.97 eV. The former appeared only below 40 K and the latter emerged below 130 K. The thermal dependence of the PL spectra revealed an abnormal behavior accompanied by singularities in the peak positions and intensities at 40 and 130 K. X-ray diffraction studies performed on powder and single crystals as a function of temperature evidenced significant changes of the interlayer spacing at 50 K and ∼138 K. Around 138 K, a commensurate to incommensurate structural phase transition occurred on cooling. It involves a symmetry breaking leading to a distortion of the PbI{sub 6} octahedron. The resulting incommensurate spatial modulation of the Pb–I distances (and Pb–I–Pb angles) causes a spatial modulation of the band gap, which is at the origin of the emergence of the LB below ∼130 K and the anomalous behavior of the position of P1 below 130 K. The change of the interlayer spacing in the 40-50 K range may in turn be related to the significant decrease of the intensity of P2 and the maximum emission of the LB. These results underline the intricate character of the structural and the PL properties of the hybrid perovskites; understanding such properties should benefit to the design of optoelectronic devices with targeted properties.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Designing field-controllable graphene-dot-graphene single molecule switches: A quantum-theoretical proof-of-concept under realistic operating conditions

A theoretical proof of the concept that a particularly designed graphene-based moletronics device, constituted by two semi-infinite graphene subunits, acting as source and drain electrodes, and a central benzenoid ring rotator (a “quantum dot”), could act as a field-controllable molecular switch is outlined and analyzed with the density functional theory approach. Besides the ideal (0 K) case, we also consider the operation of such a device under realistic operating (i.e., finite-temperature) conditions. An in-depth insight into the physics behind device controllability by an external field was gained by thorough analyses of the torsional potential of the dot under various conditions (absence or presence of an external gating field with varying strength), computing the torsional correlation time and transition probabilities within the Bloembergen-Purcell-Pound formalism. Both classical and quantum mechanical tunneling contributions to the intramolecular rotation were considered in the model. The main idea that we put forward in the present study is that intramolecular rotors can be controlled by the gating field even in cases when these groups do not possess a permanent dipole moment (as in cases considered previously by us [I. Petreska et al., J. Chem. Phys. 134, 014708-1–014708-12 (2011)] and also by other groups [P. E. Kornilovitch et al., Phys. Rev. B 66, 245413-1–245413-7 (2002)]). Consequently, one can control the molecular switching properties by an external electrostatic field utilizing even nonpolar intramolecular rotors (i.e., in a more general case than those considered so far). Molecular admittance of the currently considered graphene-based molecular switch under various conditions is analyzed employing non-equilibrium Green’s function formalism, as well as by analysis of frontier molecular orbitals’ behavior.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

On-Line Monitoring of Gas-Phase Molecular Iodine Using Raman and Fluorescence Spectroscopy Paired with Chemometric Analysis

Molten salt reactors (MSRs) have the potential to safely support green energy goals. However, licensing and deployment of these systems will be aided through development of new technology. This includes on-line monitoring tools for real-time compositional analysis. Of particular interest is quantifying iodine within reactor off-gas streams to support design and operational control of reactor off-gas treatment systems. Here we discuss the development of advanced Raman spectroscopy systems for the on-line analysis of I 2(g) within the gas phase. Signal response is explored with two Raman instruments utilizing a 532 nm and a 671 nm excitation source, as a function of I 2(g) pressure and temperature. Furthermore, the applicability of chemometric modeling for advanced analysis of data is explored. Raman spectroscopy paired with chemometric analysis is demonstrated to be a powerful route to analyzing I 2(g) composition within the gas phase, which lays the foundation for applications within molten salt reactor off-gas analysis and other significant chemical processes producing iodine species.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Silicide surface phases on gold

The crystalline silicide layers formed on (111) and (100) surfaces of Au films on various Si single-crystal substrates are studied by LEED and AES in conjunction with sputter-depth profiling as a function of annealing temperature. On the (111) surface, three basic silicide structures are obtained corresponding to layers of various thicknesses as obtained by different preparation conditions. The (100) surface shows only two different structures. None of the structures is compatible with the various bulk silicide structures deduced from X-ray diffraction. Using LEED as a criterion for the presence or absence of silicide on the surface, smaller layer thicknesses are obtained than reported previously on the basis of AES studies.

Green, A. K.↗

The Spectral Radiance of Indirectly Illuminated Surfaces in Regions of Permanent Shadow on the Moon

Regions of permanent shadow at the lunar poles have been suggested to host water ice and potentially other volatile compounds owing to their extremely low temperatures. Imaging in permanent shadow using indirect lighting from nearby topographic highs illuminated by the Sun has demonstrated the feasibility of optical remote sensing of permanent shadow surfaces, and a near-IR detection of water ice spectral features demonstrates the ability to collect usable spectroscopic data. The infrared emission of the lunar surface is largely in radiative equilibrium, so the temperature of surfaces in permanent shadow is driven by the intensity of the indirect illumination. This means that surfaces at very low temperatures, of high interest owing to their ability to trap and retain volatile compounds, will be the most challenging to measure. We provide estimates of indirect spectral radiance as a function of permanent shadow temperature from 400 nm to 14 μm using empirical data on permanent shadow temperature and broadband visible and near IR radiance, coupled with known reflectance properties of lunar materials. The relationships show there is ample radiance and photon radiance for reflectance imaging and spectroscopy from 400 nm to 8 μm at temperatures of regions of permanent shadow above 60K with appropriately designed instruments. Beyond 8 μm lunar spectral properties reduce the available radiance substantially, making reflectance observations challenging.

P. G. Lucey↗

Plume Characterization of a Laboratory Model 22 N GPIM Thruster via High-Frequency Raman Spectroscopy

The Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) will demonstrate the capability of a green propulsion system, specifically, one using the monopropellant, AF-M315E. One of the risks identified for GPIM is potential contamination of sensitive areas of the spacecraft from the effluents in the plumes of AF-M315E thrusters. Plume characterization of a laboratory-model 22 N thruster via optical diagnostics was conducted at NASA GRC in a space-simulated environment. A high-frequency pulsed laser was coupled with an electron-multiplied ICCD camera to perform Raman spectroscopy in the near-field, low-pressure plume. The Raman data yielded plume constituents and temperatures over a range of thruster chamber pressures and as a function of thruster (catalyst) operating time. Schlieren images of the near-field plume enabled calculation of plume velocities and revealed general plume structure of the otherwise invisible plume. The measured velocities are compared to those predicted by a two-dimensional, kinetic model. Trends in data and numerical results are presented from catalyst mid-life to end-of-life. The results of this investigation were coupled with the Raman and Schlieren data to provide an anchor for plume impingement analysis presented in a companion paper. The results of both analyses will be used to improve understanding of the nature of AF-M315E plumes and their impacts to GPIM and other future missions.

Raman Spectroscopy↗

Electrochemical grand potential-based phase-field simulation of electric field-assisted sintering

Here, an electrochemical grand potential functional was proposed to describe the sintering of an ionic ceramic green body. The resultant phase-field description enables simulation of the consolidation of an arbitrary number of granular particles and their interactions with the surrounding void phase. The model includes the effects of charged vacancies and the associated interactions between internal and applied electric fields. Defect segregation to grain boundaries is also accounted for, as well as enhanced interfacial defect mobilities. The model was parameterized for Y 2 O 3 . Simulations of two-particle systems showed that the applied electric field had an increasingly important impact on neck growth as particle size increased. A sudden rapid increase in temperature occurred for larger field strengths, which has been reported to be correlated to the onset of a flash event in flash sintering. Simulations of many particles showed that internal heat generation by Joule heating was localized at particle–particle contacts (grain boundaries), even though their conductivities were lower than nearby internal particle-void interfaces. A percolative path for ionic charge across the green body and the ceramic sintered solid was thus defined, accelerating the Joule heating process as the porosity of the green body is removed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Atomistic simulation of electron and phonon transport in nano-devices

In this paper, the electrical, thermal, and coupled electro-thermal properties of silicon nanowire field-effect transistors (NWFETs) are investigated through advanced numerical simulations. An atomistic quantum transport solver based on the Non-equilibrium Green's Function (NEGF) formalism is utilized as modeling tool. The electron characteristics are treated within an empirical tight-binding basis, while a modified valence-force-field method is used to describe phonons. Device simulations going beyond the ballistic limit of transport are performed: electron-phonon interactions with an equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium phonon population are considered as well as an-harmonic phonon-phonon scattering. It is found that ultrascaled Si NWFETs with a gate length of 15 nm operate at about 50% of their ballistic limit. This poor performance can be explained by large self-heating effects that drastically increase the lattice temperature and thus reduce the drain current.

Luisier, Mathieu↗

Application of Energy-efficient Electromagnetic Melt-Processing for the Upcycling of Recycled Polyphenylene Sulfide into Multifunctional Segregated Nanocomposites

Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is widely used in structural and functional composites because of its thermal stability, chemical resistance, and mechanical strength. As circular manufacturing becomes increasingly important, extending the service life of recycled PPS (rPPS) is essential. However, conventional high-temperature reprocessing accelerates thermo-oxidative degradation, reducing recycled composite performance. This study proposes a rapid and potentially energy-saving upcycling strategy for rPPS using electromagnetic (EM) melt-processing to form segregated carbon nanotube (CNT) networks and produce EM-responsive nanocomposites. The aim was to determine whether CNT-assisted EM heating could reduce polymer degradation while improving multifunctional properties at ultralow filler loadings. rPPS micropellets were coated with CNTs by ball milling to create conductive shells, then compacted into green bodies (GBs) and selectively melted by rapid EM irradiation. Structural, electrical, mechanical, rheological, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties were evaluated. Electrical percolation occurred at an ultralow CNT loading of 0.08 wt%, with conductivity reaching (1.24 ± 0.74) × 10 -5 S⋅m -1 at 0.1 wt%. At this concentration, tensile strength and modulus increased by 72% and 99%, respectively. At ~ 0.7 mm thickness, X-band EMI shielding effectiveness reached 6 dB for GBs and 3 dB after EM processing. This shows that EM melt-processing upcycles rPPS into high-performance multifunctional nanocomposites with minimum thermal degradation.

recycled↗

Fabrication and characterization of powder metallurgy tantalum components prepared by high compaction pressure technique

The present study has investigated the consolidation behaviors of tantalum powders during compaction and sintering, and the characteristics of sintered components. For die compaction, the densification behaviors of the powders are simulated by finite element analyses based on the yield function proposed by Shima and Oyane. Accordingly, the green density distribution for coarser particles is predicted to be more uniform because they exhibits higher initial relative tap density owing to lower interparticle friction. It is also found that cold isostatic pressing is capable of producing higher dense compacts compared to the die pressing. However, unlike the compaction behavior, the sintered density of smaller particles is found to be higher than those of coarser ones owing to their higher specific surface area. The maximum sintered density was found to be 0.96 of theoretical density where smaller particles were pressed isostatically at 400 MPa followed by sintering at 2000 °C. Moreover, the effects of processing conditions on grain size and texture were also investigated. The average grain size of the sintered specimen is 30.29 μm and its texture is less than 2 times random intensity. Consequently, it is concluded that the higher pressure compaction technique is beneficial to produce high dense and texture-free tantalum components compared to hot pressing and spark plasma sintering. - Highlights: • Higher Ta density is obtained from higher pressure and sintering temperature. • High compaction method enables P/M Ta to achieve the density of 16.00 g·cm{sup −3}. • A P/M Ta component with fine microstructure and random orientation is developed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Developing Advanced Genetic and Synthetic Biology Tools for Improved Algae Productivity

Under the UCSD-led Productivity Enhanced Algae and ToolKits (PEAK) project we sought to develop tools to enable the production of valuable co-products, as well as strategies to decrease the cost of cultivation, with an intended outcome of enabling the economic production of algae-based biofuel. We have developed new genetic tools and high throughput selection methods for eukaryotic green algae and used them to express a high value recombinant protein; a growth factor known as Osteopontin (OPN). Recombinant OPN protein expression levels were improved through a newly developed rapid breeding and mutagenesis strain improvement method to generate a robust strain capable of growing in outdoors raceway conditions in brackish water that tolerated high pH and large temperature swings. We further applied the new genetic tools to express recombinant protein in a recently bioprospected strain with even more robust growth characteristics. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic we used our improved workflow to rapidly express, purify, and characterize a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) and demonstrate that it functionally interacts with its cognate human host receptor ACE2. The newly identified extremophile strain Chlamydomonas sp (402), both mating type (mt+) and mating type (mt-), have been deposited in the Chlamydomonas Resource Center (https://www.chlamycollection.org/), making them available world-wide with no restrictions. In addition, all of genetic tools are also deposited at this site and are also available world-wide with no restrictions.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗