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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 415 records · Page 23

Curing inhibition and shelf stability in silicone formulations for direct ink writing

Various potential hydrosilylation inhibitors were incorporated into a silicone formulation for 3D printing. Different inhibitors resulted in peak cure temperatures from 42.8 to 180.3°C. The curing behavior of formulations with 1-ethynyl-1-cyclohexanol (ETCH), which exhibited a peak cure temperature of 98.4°C, was characterized for different ETCH concentrations and storage conditions. The curing was modeled using time temperature superposition, revealing an activation barrier of 89 kJ/mol. Overall, characterization resulted in a conservative recommended shelf life of 90 days. In conclusion, these studies offer insights into the stability of these formulations and the importance of inhibition for producing reliable, printable inks.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of pH on subunit association and heat protection of soybean alpha-galactosidase

Soybeans contain the enzyme alpha-galactosidase, which hydrolyzes alpha-1, 6 linkages in stachyose and raffinose to give sucrose and galactose. We have found that galactose, a competitive product inhibitor of alpha-galactosidase, strongly promotes the heat stability of the tetrameric form of the enzyme at pH 4.0 and at temperatures of up to 70 degrees C for 60 min. Stachyose and raffinose also protect alpha-galactosidase from denaturation at pH 4.0 although to a lesser extent. Glucose and mannose have little effect. At pH 7.0 the enzyme is a monomer, and galactose has no effect on the heat stability of the enzyme. In the absence of heat protection of the enzyme by added sugars, a series deactivation mechanism was found to describe the deactivation data. In comparison, a unimolecular, non-first order deactivation model applies at pH 4.0, where heat protection effects were observed. At a temperature above 60 degrees C, simple deactivation is a suitable model. The results suggest that alpha-galactosidase conformation and heat stability are directly related.

Non-NASA Center↗

The development of gamma-gamma-prime lamellar structures in a nickel-base superalloy during elevated temperature mechanical testing

The kinetics of the formation and subsequent development of the directional coarsening of the gamma-prime precipitate in model Ni-Al-Mo-Ta superalloy single crystals are examined during tensile creep under various stress levels at 982 and 1038 C. Special attention is given to the gamma and gamma-prime relation to creep time and strain in order to trace the changing gamma-gamma-prime morphology. Directional coarsening of gamma-prime is found to begin during primary creep and its rate is shown to increase with an increase in temperature or stress level. The length of gamma-prime thickness increased linearly with time up to a plateau reached after the onset of steady state creep. The raft thickness, equal to the gamma-prime size, remained constant at this initial value up through the onset of the tertiary creep. The interlaminar spacing indicates the stability of directionally coarsened structure.

Mackay, R. A.↗

Stability and control derivatives of the lifting body vehicles

Predictions of the flight characteristics of lifting bodies have been based almost exclusively on wind-tunnel data for small-scale models. A need thus exists to compare the results from small-scale and full-scale wind-tunnel tests with results from flight tests to establish some measure of the accuracy of the predictions and to assess the sensitivity of the vehicle's handling qualities to typical discrepancies between flight and wind-tunnel results. Comparisons of these types have been one of the primary objectives of the M2-F2, HL-10, and X-24A flight programs. In this paper the more important longitudinal and lateral-directional aerodynamic stability and control derivatives obtained from flight are compared with small- and full-scale wind-tunnel results where applicable. Significant trends and important differences are pointed out, and the implications discussed.

Robert W Kempel↗

Hypersonic aerodynamics and entry-maneuver: Aerothermodynamic interactions for two lifting entry vehicles

The longitudinal, directional, and lateral static stability and control characteristics of a delta lifting body and a delta-wing body were obtained at a Mach number of 20 in helium for operational Reynolds numbers over an angle-of-attack range of -4 deg to 55 deg. The aerodynamic characteristics of the wing body were then evaluated in an entry study to examine the effects of vehicle performance on the aerothermodynamic parameters associated with constant and variable angle-of-attack modes for a 1500-n. mi. cross range. The experimental results indicated that the vehicles were stable, except for neutral directional stability for the wing-body shape, and could be trimmed over the operational angle-of-attack range; however, the wing-body vehicle had adverse yaw due to roll control. This roll-yaw coupling was not examined for the lifting body. The trajectory analysis indicated that a 17-percent decrease in performance required little change in the constant angle-of-attack entry mode and, in turn, resulted in a small decrease in the total heat load. For the pitch-modulated entry, the performance decrease required the pitch maneuver to begin earlier during entry and to last longer in order to meet the 1500-n. mi. cross range without a major heating penalty. The performance reduction also had little effect on the maximum laminar radiation equilibrium temperature over a major portion of the lower surface of the wing-body vehicle regardless of the entry mode.

Arrington, J. P.↗

The Effect of Forebody Geometry on Turbulent Heating and Thermal Protection System Sizing for Future Mars Mission Concepts

Past Mars entry missions have made extensive use of 70° sphere-cone forebody heatshields. This shape was chosen for its aerodynamic stability during direct entry, either ballistic or low L/D trajectories. Historic missions, including Viking in 1976, Pathfinder in1997, and Mars Rover in 2004, have provided a large aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic database for the70° sphere-cone shape that perpetuates continued use for future Mars missions. Using 3D Real-Gas Navier-Stokes simulations, we show that once turbulent heating occupies a significant portion of the mission trajectory, undesirable aerothermodynamic properties arise associated with the 70° sphere-cone heatshield geometry. As an additional consideration, the pitch angle to achieve high L/D of a Mars aerocapture trajectory mitigates the stability justification for the 70° sphere-cone. This suggests that alternative forebody geometries should be considered for future Mars missions.

Aeroheating↗

X-31 quasi-tailless flight demonstration

The primary objective of the quasi-tailless flight demonstration is to demonstrate the feasibility of using thrust vectoring for directional control of an unstable aircraft. By using this low-cost, low-risk approach it is possible to get information about required thrust vector control power and deflection rates from an inflight experiment as well as insight in low-power thrust vectoring issues. The quasi-tailless flight demonstration series with the X-31 began in March 1994. The demonstration flight condition was Mach 1.2 at 37,500 feet. A series of basic flying quality maneuvers, doublets, bank to bank rolls, and wind-up-turns have been performed with a simulated 100% vertical tail reduction. Flight test and supporting simulation demonstrated that the quasi-tailless approach is effective in representing the reduced stability of tailless configurations. The flights also demonstrated that thrust vectoring could be effectively used to stabilize a directionally unstable configuration and provide control power for maneuver coordination.

Huber, Peter↗

Structure and Interface Design Enable Stable Li-Rich Cathode

Li-rich layered-oxide cathodes have the highest theoretical energy density among all the intercalated cathodes, which have attracted intense interests for high energy Li-ion batteries. However, O3-structured layered-oxide cathodes suffer from a low initial Coulombic efficiency (CE), severe voltage fade, and poor cycling stability because of the continuous oxygen release, structural rearrangements due to irreversible transition-metal migration, and serious side reactions between the delithiated cathode and electrolyte. In this work, we report that these challenges are migrated by using a stable O2-structured Li 1.2 Ni 0.13 Co 0.13 Mn 0.54 O 2 (O2-LR-NCM) and all-fluorinated electrolyte. The O2-LR-NCM can restrict the transition metals migrating into the Li layer and the in situ formed fluorinated cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) on the surface of the O2-LR-NCM from the decomposition of all-fluorinated electrolyte during initial cycles effectively restrains the structure transition, suppresses the O2 release, and thereby safeguards the transition metal redox couples, enabling a highly reversible and stable oxygen redox reaction. O2-LR-NCM in all fluorinated electrolytes achieves a high initial CE of 99.82 % and cycling CE of and cycling CE of >99.9%, high reversible capacity of 278 mAh/g, and high capacity retention of 83.3% after 100 cycles. The synergic design of electrolyte and cathode structure represents a promising direction to stabilize high-energy cathodes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Block copolymer-mediated synthesis of TiO2/RuO2 nanocomposite for efficient oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract An amphiphilic block copolymer, poly (styrene-2-polyvinyl pyridine-ethylene oxide), was used as a structure-directing and stabilizing agent to synthesize TiO 2 /RuO 2 nanocomposite. The strong interaction of polymers with metal precursors led to formation of a porous heterointerface of TiO 2 /RuO 2 . It acted as a bridge for electron transport, which can accelerate the water splitting reaction. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X -ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X -ray diffraction analysis of TiO 2 /RuO 2 samples revealed successful fabrication of TiO 2 /RuO 2 nanocomposites. The TiO 2 /RuO 2 nanocomposites were used to measure electrochemical water splitting in three-electrode systems in 0.1-M KOH. Electrochemical activities unveil that TiO 2 /RuO 2 -150 nanocomposites displayed superior oxygen evolution reaction activity, having a low overpotential of 260 mV with a Tafel slope of 80 mVdec −1 . Graphical abstract

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Oxygen evolution electrocatalysis using mixed metal oxides under acidic conditions: Challenges and opportunities

Shaping the energy landscape through development of more efficient electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices requires significant advancements in the catalysis of key electrochemical processes involving oxygen. This is especially the case for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which is largely challenged by the cost-ineffectiveness of the best performing electrocatalysts (i.e., Ru, Ir), along with their limited stability under acidic conditions. This presents a roadblock in the development of robust acid-based polymer exchange membrane electrochemical systems, currently the most advanced technologies for electrochemical energy conversion. Approaches such as dilution of Ru/Ir into flexible mixed metal oxide frameworks have been used as alternative strategies in designing robust OER electrocatalysts. Herein, we discuss the state of research in this area and detail the effect of the composition and structure of mixed metal oxides on their acidic OER activity and stability. Future directions for developing mixed metal oxide electrocatalysts suitable for acidic electrochemical environments are devised.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

High-order partitioned spectral deferred correction solvers for multiphysics problems

We present an arbitrarily high-order, conditionally stable, partitioned spectral deferred correction (SDC) method for solving multiphysics problems using a sequence of pre-existing single-physics solvers. This method extends the work in [1], [2], which used implicit-explicit Runge-Kutta methods (IMEX) to build high-order, partitioned multiphysics solvers. We consider a generic multiphysics problem modeled as a system of coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs), coupled through coupling terms that can depend on the state of each subsystem; therefore the method applies to both a semi-discretized system of partial differential equations (PDEs) or problems naturally modeled as coupled systems of ODEs. The sufficient conditions to build arbitrarily high-order partitioned SDC schemes are derived. Based on these conditions, various of partitioned SDC schemes are designed. The stability of the first-order partitioned SDC scheme is analyzed in detail on a coupled, linear model problem. We show that the scheme is conditionally stable, and under conditions on the coupling strength, the scheme can be unconditionally stable. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed partitioned solvers on several classes of multiphysics problems with moderate coupling strength. They include a stiff linear system of ODEs, advection-diffusion-reaction systems, and fluid-structure interaction problems with both incompressible and compressible flows, where we verify the design order of the SDC schemes and study various stability properties. We also directly compare the accuracy, stability, and cost of the proposed partitioned SDC solver with the partitioned IMEX method in [1], [2] on this suite of test problems. The results suggest that the high-order partitioned SDC solvers are more robust than the partitioned IMEX solvers for the numerical examples considered in this work, while the IMEX methods require fewer implicit solves.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Fully compressible simulations of waves and core convection in main-sequence stars

Context: Recent, nonlinear simulations of wave generation and propagation in full-star models have been carried out in the anelastic approximation using spectral methods. Although it makes long time steps possible, this approach excludes the physics of sound waves completely and requires rather high artificial viscosity and thermal diffusivity for numerical stability. A direct comparison with observations is thus limited. Aims: In this study, we explore the capabilities of our compressible multidimensional Seven-League Hydro (SLH) code to simulate stellar oscillations. Methods: We compare some fundamental properties of internal gravity and pressure waves in 2D SLH simulations to linear wave theory using two test cases: (1) an interval gravity wave packet in the Boussinesq limit and (2) a realistic 3 M ⊙ stellar model with a convective core and a radiative envelope. Oscillation properties of the stellar model are also discussed in the context of observations. Results: Our tests show that specialized low-Mach techniques are necessary when simulating oscillations in stellar interiors. Basic properties of internal gravity and pressure waves in our simulations are in good agreement with linear wave theory. As compared to anelastic simulations of the same stellar model, we can follow internal gravity waves of much lower frequencies. The temporal frequency spectra of velocity and temperature are flat and compatible with the observed spectra of massive stars. Conclusion: The low-Mach compressible approach to hydrodynamical simulations of stellar oscillations is promising. Our simulations are less dissipative and require less luminosity boosting than comparable spectral simulations. The fully-compressible approach allows for the coupling of gravity and pressure waves in the outer convective envelopes of evolved stars to be studied in the future.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Vibration-Damping Properties of 3D-Printed Auxetic Structures

Two-photon polymerization is a recently developed technique that is used to print millimeter-size cellular structures with micrometer resolution. The two-photon polymerization process discussed in this paper is used to build structures to stabilize direct-drive targets that are imploded at cryogenic temperatures. These targets are supported by a very thin stalk (10 to 18 µm diameter) that can be broken (or dislodged) by vibrations that occur when the target is transported or when the cryogenic shroud is removed. And any vibration at the moment of implosion affects how precisely the target is aligned to the focus of the laser beams. Finally, this study investigates the mechanical properties of different millimeter-sized cellular auxetic structures (~0.2 g/cm 3 ) at room and cryogenic temperatures (20°C and −140°C) and how well the most promising structure dampens vibrations at room temperature.

auxetic structures↗

Defect-Induced (Dis)Order in Relaxor Ferroelectric Thin Films

The effect of intrinsic point defects on relaxor properties of 0.68 $\mathrm{PbMg_{1/3}Nb_{2/3}O_{3}-0.32 PbTiO_{3}}$ thin films is studied across nearly 2 orders of magnitude of defect concentration via ex post facto ion bombardment. A weakening of the relaxor character is observed with increasing concentration of bombardment-induced point defects, which is hypothesized to be related to strong interactions between defect dipoles and the polarization. Finally, although more defects and structural disorder are introduced in the system as a result of ion bombardment, the special type of defects that are likely to form in these polar materials (i.e., defect dipoles) can stabilize the direction of polarization against thermal fluctuations, and in turn, weaken relaxor behavior.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Analytic fits to atom-in-jellium shear modulus predictions

Fits to AJ shear modulus calculations from ρ0 to the limit of the corresponding AJ EOS table (usually 1000 ρ0), adjusted to reproduce STP shear modulus where possible. Fitting minimized the fractional difference, so low-pressure points would be reproduced accurately despite the wide-ranging tabulation. AJ calculations were at T=0. Isochoric variation G(T) has been small for all cases spot-tested so far, and may have either sign. The fitted equation usually matches the AJ data to within a few percent. Between numerical noise in the AJ calculation and probably-physical structure not captured by the equation, the deviation could be up to 20% in some places in most models, and 30% in a few. AJ does not capture structural phase transitions or phases stabilized by directional bonds, where the shear modulus may vary by a greater amount. Where possible, STP ρ,G were used as parameters, and low pressure AJ points were de-weighted or removed if necessary. Otherwise, such as where AJ fails to capture solid phases with a significantly different shear modulus, the AJ data were fitted as far down in pressure as possible, G0 was also fitted if necessary, and ρ0 was also adjusted if needed to keep G0>0. The resulting models are not intended for use at low pressure, though some are probably adequate for practical purposes

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Collaborative R&D with REEL Solar Inc (REEL) to Understand and Overcome Performance Limitations in CdTe Solar Cells: Cooperative Research and Development (Final Report)

This CRADA will focus on processing, advanced characterization, and testing of photovoltaic materials and devices to understand and improve REEL CdTe solar technology. This will include examining process variations and different buffer, absorber, and contact layers from REEL and NLR to maximize performance. The unique and diverse advanced characterization tools at NLR, such as time-resolved photoluminescence, capacitance-voltage measurements, electron beam scattered diffraction, cathodoluminescence, electron microscopy, TOF-SIMS, and other measurements will be applied to characterize REEL processing to improve understanding and guide experimental directions. Accelerated stability and potential induced degradation tests will be used to analyze metastability, short-and-long term degradation, and improve bankability. A second and major thrust this period will be joint development of Si/CdTe tandem solar cells to overcome industry wide terrestrial solar efficiency limits with the two lowest cost and manufacturable solar materials today. This will include developing novel transparent back contacts that can be incorporated into tandem structures and other novel solar applications, detailed analysis of designs and configurations for CdTe/Si tandem modules, and prototyping REEL CdTe Technology with Si bottom cells in tandem structures.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗