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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 487 records · Page 27
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2005

Thermostructural Properties Of Sic/Sic Panels With 2.5d And 3d Fiber Architectures

CMC hot-section components in advanced engines for power and propulsion will typically require high cracking strength, high ultimate strength and strain, high creep- rupture resistance, and high thermal conductivity in all directions. In the past, NASA has demonstrated fabrication of a variety of SiC/SiC flat panels and round tubes with various 2D fiber architectures using the high-modulus high-performance Sylramic-iBN Sic fiber and Sic-based matrices derived by CVI, MI, and/or PIP processes. The thermo- mechanical properties of these CMC have shown state-of-the-art performance, but primarily in the in-plane directions. Currently NASA is extending the thermostructural capability of these SiC/SiC systems in the thru-thickness direction by using various 2.5D and 3D fiber architectures. NASA is also using specially designed fabrication steps to optimize the properties of the BN-based interphase and Sic-based matrices. In this study, Sylramic-iBN/SiC panels with 2D plain weave, 2.5D satin weave, 2.5D ply-to-ply interlock weave, and 3D angle interlock fiber architectures, all woven at AITI, were fabricated using matrix densification routes previously established between NASA and GEPSC for CVI-MI processes and between NASA and Starfire-Systems for PIP processes. Introduction of the 2.5 D fiber architecture along with an improved matrix process was found to increase inter-laminar tensile strength from 1.5 -2 to 3 - 4 ksi and thru-thickness thermal conductivity from 15-20 to 30-35 BTU/ft.hr.F with minimal reduction in in-plane strength and creep-rupture properties. Such improvements should reduce thermal stresses and increase the thermostructural operating envelope for SiC/SiC engine components. These results are analyzed to offer general guidelines for selecting fiber architectures and constituent processes for high-performance SiC/SiC engine components.

Yun, H. M.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Electrokinetics of scalable, electric-field-assisted fabrication of vertically aligned carbon-nanotube/polymer composites

Composite thin films incorporating vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) offer promise for a variety of applications where the vertical alignment of the CNTs is critical to meet performance requirements, e.g., highly permeable membranes, thermal interfaces, dry adhesives, and films with anisotropic electrical conductivity. However, current VACNT fabrication techniques are complex and difficult to scale up. In this paper, we describe a solution-based, electric-field-assisted approach as a costeffective and scalable method to produce large-area VACNT composites. Multiwall-carbon nanotubes are dispersed in a polymeric matrix, aligned with an alternating-current (AC) electric field, and electrophoretically concentrated to one side of the thin film with a direct-current (DC) component to the electric field. This approach enables the fabrication of highly concentrated, individually aligned nanotube composites from suspensions of very dilute (Φ=4×10 –4 ) volume fraction. We experimentally investigate the basic electrokinetics of nanotube alignment under AC electric fields, and show that simple models can adequately predict the rate and degree of nanotube alignment using classical expressions for the induced dipole moment, hydrodynamic drag, and the effects of Brownian motion. The composite AC þ DC field also introduces complex fluid motion associated with AC electro-osmosis and the electrochemistry of the fluid/electrode interface. We experimentally probe the electric-field parameters behind these electrokinetic phenomena, and demonstrate, with suitable choices of processing parameters, the ability to scalably produce large-area composites containing VACNTs at number densities up to 10 10 nanotubes/cm 2 . This VACNT number density exceeds that of previous electric-fieldfabricated composites by an order of magnitude, and the surface-area coverage of the 40nm VACNTs is comparable to that of chemical-vapor-deposition-grown arrays of smaller-diameter nanotubes.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2013

Superconductors Enable Lower Cost MRI Systems

The future looks bright, light, and green, especially where aircraft are concerned. The division of NASA s Fundamental Aeronautics Program called the Subsonic Fixed Wing Project is aiming to reach new heights by 2025-2035, improving the efficiency and environmental impact of air travel by developing new capabilities for cleaner, quieter, and more fuel efficient aircraft. One of the many ways NASA plans to reach its aviation goals is by combining new aircraft configurations with an advanced turboelectric distributed propulsion (TeDP) system. Jeff Trudell, an engineer at Glenn Research Center, says, "The TeDP system consists of gas turbines generating electricity to power a large number of distributed motor-driven fans embedded into the airframe." The combined effect increases the effective bypass ratio and reduces drag to meet future goals. "While room temperature components may help reduce emissions and noise in a TeDP system, cryogenic superconducting electric motors and generators are essential to reduce fuel burn," says Trudell. Superconductors provide significantly higher current densities and smaller and lighter designs than room temperature equivalents. Superconductors are also able to conduct direct current without resistance (loss of energy) below a critical temperature and applied field. Unfortunately, alternating current (AC) losses represent the major part of the heat load and depend on the frequency of the current and applied field. A refrigeration system is necessary to remove the losses and its weight increases with decreasing temperature. In 2001, a material called magnesium diboride (MgB2) was discovered to be superconducting. The challenge, however, has been learning to manufacture MgB2 inexpensively and in long lengths to wind into large coils while meeting the application requirements.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2018

Integration of microinverter with photovoltaic module

Various technologies for integrating a microinverter with a photovoltaic module are disclosed. An alternating current photovoltaic (ACPV) module includes a photovoltaic module having a frame and a junction box including a direct current (DC) output connector, and a microinverter having a housing coupled to the frame and a DC input connector electrically mated with the DC output connector of the photovoltaic module.

Gilchrist, Phil↗
DOE OSTI2021

Integration of microinverter with photovoltaic module

Various technologies for integrating a microinverter with a photovoltaic module are disclosed. An alternating current photovoltaic (ACPV) module includes a photovoltaic module having a frame and a junction box including a direct current (DC) output connector, and a microinverter having a housing coupled to the frame and a DC input connector electrically mated with the DC output connector of the photovoltaic module.

Gilchrist, Phil↗
DOE OSTI2024

Towards Energy–Efficient Direct Air Capture with Photochemically–Driven CO 2 Release and Solvent Regeneration

The intensive energy demands associated with solvent regeneration and CO 2 release in current direct air capture (DAC) technologies makes their deployment at the massive scales (GtCO 2 /year) required to positively impact the climate economically unfeasible. This challenge underscores the critical need to develop new DAC processes with significantly reduced energy costs. Recently, we developed a new approach to photochemically drive efficient release of CO 2 through an intermolecular proton transfer reaction by exploiting the unique properties of an indazole metastable-state photoacid (mPAH), opening a new avenue towards energy efficient on-demand CO 2 release and solvent regeneration using abundant solar energy instead of heat. In this Concept Article, we will describe the principle of our photochemically-driven CO 2 release approach for solvent-based DAC systems, discuss the essential prerequisites and conditions to realize this cyclable CO 2 release chemistry under ambient conditions. We outline the key findings of our approach, discuss the latest developments from other research laboratories, detail approaches used to monitor DAC systems in situ, and highlight experimental procedures for validating its feasibility. Finally, we conclude with a summary and outlook into the immediate challenges that must be addressed in order to fully exploit this novel photochemically-driven approach to DAC solvent regeneration.

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

Advanced spectroscopic studies of (PPh 4 ) 2 [Co(N 3 ) 4 ], a field-induced single-ion magnet

The high-spin Co II complex (PPh 4 ) 2 [Co(N 3 ) 4 ] (Co-N 3 )has been investigated using advanced spectroscopic techniques [far-IR magneto-spectroscopy (FIRMS), high-frequency and high-field EPR (HFEPR), and inelastic neutron scattering (INS)] to study its zero-field-splitting (ZFS), giving spin-Hamiltonian (SH) parameters. The analysis of multi-frequency HFEPR reveals the easy-axis anisotropy with a D value of −10.39(5) cm −1 and a rhombic ratio (E/D) of 0.21(1). The magnetic properties have also been probed by direct-current (DC) magnetometry, suggesting minor differences in anisotropy from the previously reported polymorph (Co-N 3 ′). Ligand-field theory (LFT) analysis indicates that the structures of Co-N 3 and Co-N 3 ′ are closer to D 2d symmetry than other symmetries considered. Alternate-current (AC) susceptibility reveals slow magnetic relaxation under an applied field, indicating that Co-N 3 is a field-induced single-ion magnet (SIM). Here, while both Co-N 3 and Co-N 3 ′ were studied by DC magnetometry, one unusual aspect of the current work on Co-N 3 is that advanced spectroscopies HFEPR, FIRMS, and INS were used to directly observe transitions between ZFS split states, giving accurate SH parameters.

Hand, Adam T. [Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (↗
NASA NTRS1975

Field-aligned currents observed by the OGO 5 and Triad satellites

The existence of field-aligned currents in the polar cap boundary layer as a permanent feature of the magnetosphere is investigated. Magnetic field observations from Triad at 800 km altitude and from OGO 5 in the high-altitude magnetosphere are examined. Results indicate that in the morning half of the boundary layer, currents flow into the ionosphere, and that the current direction is reversed in the afternoon half of the layer. The Triad data further indicate that the net current is a maximum near 1500 MLT and that there may be a secondary maximum during early morning hours. According to the Isis 2 electron observations, the locations of these maximums of field-aligned net current roughly match those of two maximums in the isointensity contours for 150 ev electrons. It is proposed that the polar cap boundary current is driven by a current generator in the magnetotail, or ultimately in the solar wind. It is suggested that the large scale field-aligned currents in the polar cap boundary layer are associated with the dominance of protons on the morning side and of electrons on the afternoon side near the poleward edge of the precipitation zone along the auroral oval.

Sugiura, M.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Net field-aligned currents observed by Triad

The existence of a net current flowing into or away from the ionosphere in the current layer is inferred from the Triad-satellite magnetometer observation of a steplike level shift in the east-west component of the magnetic field at 800 km altitude. The current direction is toward the ionosphere on the morning side and away from it on the afternoon side. The current layer is identified as the same layer that was observed by the Ogo 5 satellite at much higher altitudes. Thus, the field-aligned currents observed by Triad must be considered to be an important element in the electrodynamical coupling between the distant magnetosphere and the ionosphere.

Sugiura, M.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Effects of Normal Metal Features on Superconducting Transition-Edge Sensors

In transition-edge sensors (TESs), the addition of normal metal stripes on top of the superconducting bilayer, perpendicular to the current direction, is known to globally alter the sensitivity of the resistance R to changes in temperature T and current I. Here, we describe measurements of the dependence of the TES current on magnetic field B, bath temperature and voltage bias in devices with various numbers of stripes. We show that the normal metal features have a profound effect on the appearance of localized regions of very large (T/R) dR/dT. We associate this with changes in the current distribution and corresponding changes in the oscillatory pattern of I (B). 140 μm TESs with no stripes are found to have a relatively smooth resistive transition and sufficiently low noise that the measured energy resolution is 1.6 eV for X-rays of 1.5 keV. The predicted energy resolution at 6 keV is better than 2 eV, once the heat capacity is optimized for these higher energies..

Wakeham, N. A.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Perovskite Electronic Ratchets for Energy Harvesting

Electronic ratchets are energy-harvesting devices that can utilize spatially asymmetric potential distributions to convert nondirectional/random sources of energy into direct current. The potential asymmetry can be generated in a number of ways, but one purported mechanism is to redistribute ions directly within the active material. Utilizing the known propensity for ion migration in lead-halide perovskites (LHP), the first LHP flashing electronic ratchet is demonstrated by using a voltage stress to intentionally redistribute halide ions within a prototypical 2D perovskite. The resulting asymmetric potential distribution across the 2D perovskite allows for conversion of both electronic noise and unbiased square-wave potentials into current. Furthermore, simultaneous application of light illumination and voltage stress enhances the asymmetric potential distribution, enabling higher current than the nonilluminated device. This work presents an electronic ratchet system that exploits facile ion migration, which can be modified by both electrical and optical stimuli, providing a model system with the potential to test outstanding mechanistic questions for electronic ratchets.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Unusual magnetoresistance in cubic B20 Fe 0.85 Co 0.15 Si chiral magnets

The B20 chiral magnets with broken inversion symmetry and C 4 rotation symmetry have attracted much attention. The broken inversion symmetry leads to the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya that gives rise to the helical and Skyrmion states.Wereport the unusual magnetoresistance (MR) of B20 chiral magnet Fe 0.85 Co 0.15 Si that directly reveals the broken C 4 rotation symmetry and shows the anisotropic scattering by Skyrmions with respect to the current directions. The intimacy between unusual MR and broken symmetry is well confirmed by theoretically studying an effective Hamiltonian with spin–orbit coupling. In conclusion, the unusual MR serves as a transport signature for the Skyrmion phase.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2002

Effects of Lateral Plasma Density and Temperature Diffusion on VCSEL Performance

The hydrodynamic model is further verified by applying to a gain-guided single mode VCSEL. DC effects of D(sub NN): (1) increase threshold current J(sub th) and decrease slope efficiency; (2) within the studied range (50% pumping within threshold and realistic diffusion coefficient for a single mode), the L-I relation scales with the relative Injection current (J/J(sub th) - 1). AC effects of D(sub NN): (1) decrease spectral bandwidth and responsivity of direct-current modulation; (2) within the studied range, the frequency response follows the same formal dependence as predicted without diffusion and under a linear gain model, while the resonant frequency position similarly scales with the relative injection current; (3) therefore, it is concluded that the AC effects of D(sub NN) is purely of static nature and reflected via its influence on ot and J(sub th). Within this study, the nonlinear effects of D(sub NN) are mostly reproducible with an equivalent constant diffusion coefficient.

Li, Jian-Zhong↗
NASA NTRS1975

Net field-aligned currents observed by Triad

From the Triad magnetometer observation of a step-like level shift in the east-west component of the magnetic field at 800 km altitude, the existence of a net current flowing into or away from the ionosphere in a current layer was inferred. The current direction is toward the ionosphere on the morning side and away from it on the afternoon side. The field aligned currents observed by Triad are considered as being an important element in the electro-dynamical coupling between the distant magnetosphere and the ionosphere. The current density integrated over the thickness of the layer increases with increasing magnetic activity, but the relation between the current density and Kp in individual cases is not a simple linear relation. An extrapolation of the statistical relation to Kp = 0 indicates existence of a sheet current of order 0.1 amp/m even at extremely quiet times. During periods of higher magnetic activity an integrated current of approximately 1 amp/m and average current density of order 0.000001 amp/sq m are observed. The location and the latitudinal width of the field aligned current layer carrying the net current very roughly agree with those of the region of high electron intensities in the trapping boundary.

Sugiura, M.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The corrosion protection of AISI(TM) 1010 steel by organic and inorganic zinc-rich primers

The behavior of zinc-rich primer-coated AISI 1010 steel in 3.5-percent Na-Cl was investigated using electrochemical techniques. The alternating current (ac) method of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), in the frequency range of 0.001 to 40,000 Hz, and the direct current (dc) method of polarization resistance (PR), were used to evaluate the characteristics of an organic, epoxy zinc-rich primer and an inorganic, ethyl silicate zinc-rich primer. A dc electromechanical galvanic corrosion test was also used to determine the corrosion current of each zinc-rich primer anode coupled to a 1010 steel cathode. Duration of the EIS/PR and galvanic testing was 21 days and 24 h, respectively. The galvanic test results demonstrated a very high current between the steel cathode and both zinc-rich primer anodes (38.8 and 135.2 microns A/sq cm for the organic and inorganic primers, respectively). The results of corrosion rate determinations demonstrated a much higher corrosion rate of the zinc in the inorganic primer than in the organic primer, due primarily to the higher porosity in the former. EIS equivalent circuit parameters confirmed this conclusion. Based on this investigation, the inorganic zinc-rich primer appears to provide superior galvanic protection and is recommended for additional study for application on solid rocket booster steel hardware.

Danford, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The Corrosion Protection of 2219-T87 Aluminum by Organic and Inorganic Zinc-Rich Primers

The behavior of zinc-rich primer-coated 2219-T87 aluminum in a 3.5-percent Na-Cl was investigated using electrochemical techniques. The alternating current (ac) method of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), in the frequency range of 0.001 to 40,000 Hz, and the direct current (dc) method of polarization resistance (PR) were used to evaluate the characteristics of an organic, epoxy zinc-rich primer and an inorganic, ethyl silicate zinc-rich primer. A dc electrochemical galvanic corrosion test was also used to determine the corrosion current of each zinc-rich primer anode coupled to a 2219-T87 aluminum cathode. Duration of the EIS/PR and galvanic testing was 21 days and 24 h, respectively. The galvanic test results demonstrated a very high galvanic current between the aluminum cathode and both zinc-rich primer anodes (37.9 pA/CM2 and 23.7 pA/CM2 for the organic and inorganic primers, respectively). The PR results demonstrated a much higher corrosion rate of the zinc in the inorganic primer than in the organic primer, due primarily to the higher porosity in the former. Based on this investigation, the inorganic zinc-rich primer appears to provide superior galvanic protection and is recommended for additional study for application in the solid rocket booster aft skirt.

Danford, M. D.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Towards Construction of a Novel Nanometer-Resolution MeV-STEM for Imaging Thick Frozen Biological Samples

Driven by life-science applications, a mega-electron-volt Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (MeV-STEM) has been proposed here to image thick frozen biological samples as a conventional Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) may not be suitable to image samples thicker than 300–500 nm and various volume electron microscopy (EM) techniques either suffering from low resolution, or low speed. The high penetration of inelastic scattering signals of MeV electrons could make the MeV-STEM an appropriate microscope for biological samples as thick as 10 μm or more with a nanoscale resolution, considering the effect of electron energy, beam broadening, and low-dose limit on resolution. The best resolution is inversely related to the sample thickness and changes from 6 nm to 24 nm when the sample thickness increases from 1 μm to 10 μm. To achieve such a resolution in STEM, the imaging electrons must be focused on the specimen with a nm size and an mrad semi-convergence angle. This requires an electron beam emittance of a few picometers, which is ~1000 times smaller than the presently achieved nm emittance, in conjunction with less than 10 -4 energy spread and 1 nA current. We numerically simulated two different approaches that are potentially applicable to build a compact MeV-STEM instrument: (1) DC (Direct Current) gun, aperture, superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) cavities, and STEM column; (2) SRF gun, aperture, SRF cavities, and STEM column. Beam dynamic simulations show promising results, which meet the needs of an MeV-STEM, a few-picometer emittance, less than 10 -4 energy spread, and 0.1–1 nA current from both options. Also, we designed a compact STEM column based on permanent quadrupole quintuplet, not only to demagnify the beam size from 1 μm at the source point to 2 nm at the specimen but also to provide the freedom of changing the magnifications at the specimen and a scanning system to raster the electron beam across the sample with a step size of 2 nm and the repetition rate of 1 MHz. This makes it possible to build a compact MeV-STEM and use it to study thick, large-volume samples in cell biology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗