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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

Low-speed aerodynamic characteristics from wind-tunnel tests of a large-scale advanced arrow-wing supersonic-cruise transport concept

Tests have been conducted to extend the existing low speed aerodynamic data base of advanced supersonic-cruise arrow wing configurations. Principle configuration variables included wing leading-edge flap deflection, wing trailing-edge flap deflection, horizontal tail effectiveness, and fuselage forebody strakes. A limited investigation was also conducted to determine the low speed aerodynamic effects due to slotted training-edge flaps. Results of this investigation demonstrate that deflecting the wing leading-edge flaps downward to suppress the wing apex vortices provides improved static longitudinal stability; however, it also results in significantly reduced static directional stability. The use of a selected fuselage forebody strakes is found to be effective in increasing the level of positive static directional stability. Drooping the fuselage nose, which is required for low-speed pilot vision, significantly improves the later-directional trim characteristics.

Smith, P. M.↗

Improving the ethanol gas-sensing properties of porous ZnO microspheres by Co doping

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Co-doped porous ZnO microspheres were synthesized. • 3 mol% Co-doped ZnO sensor showed the highest response to ethanol. • 3 mol% Co-doped ZnO sensor exhibited fast recovery property. • 3 mol% Co-doped ZnO sensor exhibited good selectivity and long-term stability. - Abstract: Porous Co-doped ZnO microspheres were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method combined with post-annealing. Co species existed as a form of divalent state in the sample and substituted Zn{sup 2+} sites in ZnO crystal lattice, which was affirmed by X-ray diffraction, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The gas-sensing measurements demonstrated that the 3 mol% Co-doped ZnO sample showed the highest response value to 100 ppm ethanol at 350 °C, which were 5 folds higher than that of the pure ZnO sample. In addition, the 3 mol% Co-doped ZnO sensor exhibited fast recovery property, good quantitative determination, good selectivity and long-term stability. The superior sensing properties were contributed to high specific surface area combined with the large amount of oxygen vacancies originating from Co doping.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Side-Chain Nanophase Separation Broadens the Double-Gyroid Stability Window in PS–PODMA Diblock Copolymers

Expanding access to bicontinuous network phases in block copolymers remains an important challenge because the double gyroid (DG) phase is usually stable only within a narrow composition window in conventional diblock copolymers. Here, we show that poly(styrene-block-octadecyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PODMA) exhibits an unusually broad DG window. Small-angle X-ray scattering measurements across a wide composition range reveal lamellar and hexagonally packed cylindrical phases at higher polystyrene fractions. In contrast, the DG phase appears over 0.22 ≤ fPS ≤ 0.35, with DG/BCC and DG/HEX coexistence near fPS = 0.18 and 0.40, respectively. This broad DG window is much wider than those reported for neat diblock copolymers and is not readily explained by conformational asymmetry alone. Wide-angle X-ray scattering detects a characteristic signature of nanophase separation within the PODMA-rich domains, indicating that side-chain ordering introduces an additional internal length scale. These results suggest that hierarchical side-chain nanophase separation modifies packing frustration and curvature selection, thereby broadening DG stability and providing a new molecular design strategy for stabilizing complex network morphologies.

Seko, Tamio↗

Selective phosphate removal with manganese oxide composite anion exchange membranes in membrane capacitive deionization

The discharge of excessive phosphorous into water bodies can lead to serious eutrophication threatening aquatic ecosystem. Membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) is an effective platform for deionizing aqueous streams; however, conventional MCDI is unable to selectively remove targeted ions from a liquid mixture. Here, in this work, we fabricated manganese oxide composite anion exchange membranes (AEMs) for MCDI to enhance phosphate removal selectivity from sodium chloride-sodium dihydrogen phosphate (10:1 M ratio) aqueous mixtures. We systematically investigated several critical factors, such as constant current or voltage operation, applied voltage amount, process stream pH, and manganese oxide (Mn 2 O 3 ) content in the AEM, on phosphate removal efficiency and phosphate selectivity. A trade-off was observed between phosphate removal and selectivity when increasing the cell voltage. Under the best conditions, a MCDI unit with a 20 wt% Mn 2 O 3 composite AEM and a bipolar membrane facilitated high phosphate removal efficiency of ≥ 31.8 % and a phosphate over chloride selectivity of 1.1 while showing stability for at least 30 cycles. To help understand how Mn 2 O 3 composite AEM boosts phosphate selectivity, static electronic structure calculations were performed, and they revelated that hydrogen phosphate absorption on Mn 2 O 3 composite AEM was 314 kcal/mol more exothermic than that on pristine AEM while chloride adsorption on Mn 2 O 3 composite AEM was 2.2 kcal/mol less exothermic than that on a pristine AEM. Overall, this work presents an effective strategy for selectively removing phosphate from model wastewater solutions and the mechanistic understanding that governs ion selectivity in composite ion-exchange membranes used in MCDI.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Influence of Cr doping on the stability and structure of small cobalt oxide clusters

The stability of mass-selected pure cobalt oxide and chromium doped cobalt oxide cluster cations, Co{sub n}O{sub m}{sup +} and Co{sub n−1}CrO{sub m}{sup +} (n = 2, 3; m = 2–6 and n = 4; m = 3–8), has been investigated using photodissociation mass spectrometry. Oxygen-rich Co{sub n}O{sub m}{sup +} clusters (m ⩾ n + 1 for n = 2, 4 and m ⩾ n + 2 for n = 3) prefer to photodissociate via the loss of an oxygen molecule, whereas oxygen poorer clusters favor the evaporation of oxygen atoms. Substituting a single Co atom by a single Cr atom alters the dissociation behavior. All investigated Co{sub n−1}CrO{sub m}{sup +} clusters, except CoCrO{sub 2}{sup +} and CoCrO{sub 3}{sup +}, prefer to decay by eliminating a neutral oxygen molecule. Co{sub 2}O{sub 2}{sup +}, Co{sub 4}O{sub 3}{sup +}, Co{sub 4}O{sub 4}{sup +}, and CoCrO{sub 2}{sup +} are found to be relatively difficult to dissociate and appear as fragmentation product of several larger clusters, suggesting that they are particularly stable. The geometric structures of pure and Cr doped cobalt oxide species are studied using density functional theory calculations. Dissociation energies for different evaporation channels are calculated and compared with the experimental observations. The influence of the dopant atom on the structure and the stability of the clusters is discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Crystal structure of active CDK4-cyclin D and mechanistic basis for abemaciclib efficacy

Despite the biological and therapeutic relevance of CDK4/6 for the treatment of HR+, HER2- advanced breast cancer, the detailed mode of action of CDK4/6 inhibitors is not completely understood. Of particular interest, phosphorylation of CDK4 at T172 (pT172) is critical for generating the active conformation, yet no such crystal structure has been reported to date. We describe here the x-ray structure of active CDK4-cyclin D3 bound to the CDK4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib and discuss the key aspects of the catalytically-competent complex. Furthermore, the effect of CDK4/6 inhibitors on CDK4 T172 phosphorylation has not been explored, despite its role as a potential biomarker of CDK4/6 inhibitor response. We show mechanistically that CDK4/6i stabilize primed (pT172) CDK4-cyclin D complex and selectively displace p21 in responsive tumor cells. Stabilization of active CDK4-cyclin D1 complex can lead to pathway reactivation following alternate dosing regimen. Consequently, sustained binding of abemaciclib to CDK4 leads to potent cell cycle inhibition in breast cancer cell lines and prevents rebound activation of downstream signaling. Overall, our study provides key insights demonstrating that prolonged treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors and composition of the CDK4/6-cyclin D complex are both critical determinants of abemaciclib efficacy, with implications for this class of anticancer therapy.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Controlling Reaction Pathways of Ethylene Hydroformylation Using Isolated Bimetallic Rhodium–Cobalt Sites

Designing efficient ligand-free heterogeneous catalysts for ethylene hydroformylation to produce C 3 oxygenates is of importance for both fundamental research and practical applications, but it is often hindered by insufficient catalytic activity and selectivity. Here, this work designs isolated rhodium–cobalt (Rh–Co) sites confined within a ZSM-5 zeolite to enhance ethylene hydroformylation rates and selectivity while maintaining catalyst stability. By adjusting the Co/Al ratio in Co-ZSM-5, different sizes of Co are formed; subsequent Rh introduction produces isolated Rh 1 Co x clusters with different Rh–Co coordination numbers (CNs). In-situ characterizations and density functional theory calculations reveal that a Rh–Co CN of 3, corresponding to an isolated Rh 1 Co 3 site, provides optimal bindings to reaction intermediates and thus achieves the highest hydroformylation rates among supported Rh-based catalysts. This study demonstrates the role of coordination-tuning via a secondary metal in effectively controlling the reaction pathway over single Rh atom catalysts.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Using GANs to predict milling stability from limited data

Milling is a key manufacturing process that requires the selection of operating parameters that provide efficient performance. However, the presence of chatter, a self-excited vibration causing poor surface finish and potential damage to the machine and cutting tool, makes it challenging to select the appropriate parameters. To predict chatter, stability maps are commonly used, but their generation requires expensive data, making it difficult to employ these maps in industry. Therefore, there is a pressing need for an approach that can accurately predict stability maps using limited experimental data. This study introduces the new Encoder GAN (EGAN) approach based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) that predicts stability maps using limited experimental data. The approach consists of the encoder, generator, and discriminator subnetworks and uses the trained encoder and generator to predict the target stability map. This versatile method can be applied to various tool setups and can accurately predict stability maps with limited experimental data (five to 10 cutting tests) even when there is little information available for unknown parameters. In conclusion, the study evaluates the proposed approach using both numerical data and experiments and demonstrates its superior performance compared to state-of-the-art benchmarks.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Rosette core fungal resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Main conclusion: Unlike rosette leaves, the mature Arabidopsis rosette core can display full resistance to Botrytis cinerea revealing the importance for spatial and developmental aspects of plant fungal resistance. Abstract: Arabidopsis thaliana is a model host to investigate plant defense against fungi. However, many of the reports investigating Arabidopsis fungal defense against the necrotrophic fungus, Botrytis cinerea, utilize rosette leaves as host tissue. Here we report organ-dependent differences in B. cinerea resistance of Arabidopsis. Although wild-type Arabidopsis rosette leaves mount a jasmonate-dependent defense that slows fungal growth, this defense is incapable of resisting fungal devastation. In contrast, as the fungus spreads through infected leaf petioles towards the plant center, or rosette core, there is a jasmonate- and age-dependent fungal penetration blockage into the rosette core. In this paper, we report evidence for induced and preformed resistance in the rosette core, as direct rosette core inoculation can also result in resistance, but at a lower penetrance relative to infections that approach the core from infected leaf petioles. The Arabidopsis rosette core displays a distinct transcriptome relative to other plant organs, and BLADE ON PETIOLE (BOP) transcripts are abundant in the rosette core. The BOP genes, with known roles in abscission zone formation, are required for full Arabidopsis rosette core B. cinerea resistance, suggesting a possible role for BOP-dependent modifications that may help to restrict fungal susceptibility of the rosette core. Finally, we demonstrate that cabbage and cauliflower, common Brassicaceae crops, also display leaf susceptibility and rosette core resistance to B. cinerea that can involve leaf abscission. Thus, spatial and developmental aspects of plant host resistance play critical roles in resistance to necrotrophic fungal pathogens and are important to our understanding of plant defense mechanisms.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Minimizing energy demand and environmental impact for sustainable NH 3 and H 2 O 2 production—A perspective on contributions from thermal, electro-, and photo-catalysis

There is an urgent need to provide adequate and sustainable supplies of water and food to satisfy the demand of an increasing population. Catalysis plays important roles in meeting these needs by facilitating the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide that is used in water decontamination and chemicals production, and ammonia that is used as fertilizer. However, these chemicals are currently produced with processes that are either very energy-intensive or environmentally unfriendly. This article offers the perspectives of the challenges and opportunities in the production of these chemicals, focusing on the roles of catalysis in more sustainable, alternative production methods that minimize energy consumption and environmental impact. While not intended to be a comprehensive review, the article provides a critical review of selected literature relevant to its objectives, discusses areas needed for further research, and potential new directions inspired by new developments in related fields. For each chemical, production by thermal, electro-, and photo-excited processes are discussed. Problems that are common to these approaches and their differences are identified and possible solutions suggested.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Gamma and pulsed electron radiolysis studies of CyMe 4 BTBP and CyMe 4 BTPhen: Identification of radiolysis products and effects on the hydrometallurgical separation of trivalent actinides and lanthanides

The radiolytic stability of the highly selective ligands CyMe 4 BTBP and CyMe 4 BTPhen against ionizing gamma radiation was studied in 1-octanol solution. CyMe 4 BTBP and CyMe 4 BTPhen are important extractants for a potential treatment of used nuclear fuel. They were studied under identical experimental conditions to directly compare the effects of gamma and pulsed electron radiolysis on the ligands and systematically study the influence of structural changes in the ligand backbone. Distribution ratios of Am 3+ , Cm 3+ and Eu 3+ , the residual concentration of CyMe 4 BTBP and CyMe 4 BTPhen in solution, and the formation of radiolysis products were studied as a function of absorbed gamma dose and presence of an acidic aqueous phase during irradiation. Quantitative and semi-quantitative analyses were used to elucidate the radiolysis mechanism for both ligands. Addition products of alpha-hydroxyoctyl radicals formed through radiolysis of the 1-octanol diluent to the ligand molecules were identified as the predominant radiolysis products. These addition products also extract trivalent metal ions, as distribution ratios remained high although the parent molecule concentrations decreased. Therefore, the utilization time of a solvent using these extractants under the harsh conditions of used nuclear fuel treatment could be considerably longer than expected. Understanding the radiolysis mechanism is crucial for designing more radiation resistant extractants.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Characterization of commercial vehicles’ start-up operations from in-use data

Diesel engines produce disproportionate levels of emissions when the engine and after-treatment systems are operating at low temperatures. This situation arises most commonly when the vehicle is first started after overnight. To quantify emissions attributable to vehicle starts, a sizable collection of on-road commercial vehicle operating data is analyzed to identify start-up events and inspect associated emissions. Data was obtained from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL’s) Fleet DNA and from the Center for Environmental Research & Technology (CE-CERT). Included are 500 + diesel vehicles with more than 42,000 recorded days, drawn from 25 vocational categories across the United States. Analysis shows that vehicle behavior, in terms of engine cold- and warm-operation, starts per day, soak time, and warm-up duration, differs significantly between vehicle vocations. Also, weighting factors for cold- and hot-starts currently used in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Federal Test Procedure (FTP) for heavy-duty emissions certification accurately represent real-world operations. Although the FTP includes a comparable fraction of cold operation, the hot fraction is much shorter than real-world operation due to limited test duration. The investigation also revealed that real-world engines operate for a significant amount of time when the engine coolant is in the “hot-stabilized” region, but the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) temperature is below its effective operating temperature of 200 °C. Of the vehicles under investigation, almost 20% of their operational time is within this condition. Therefore, novel approaches to raise and maintain SCR temperature are highly required to further reduce engine emissions.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Study of the Hydrogen Pretreatment of Gallium and Platinum Promoted ZSM-5 for the Ethane Dehydroaromatization Reaction

Here, the performances of gallium and platinum promoted ZSM-5 catalysts, fresh and reduced, were studied for the dehydroaromatization of ethane to aromatics. Fresh and reduced 2% Ga/ZSM-5, 1.5% Ga–0.5% Pt/ZSM-5, and 0.5% Pt/ZSM-5 were tested in a fixed-bed reactor system at 615 °C for 2 h time on stream. It was observed that the hydrogen reduction of the fresh Pt-containing catalysts led to an increase in catalytic conversion. The addition of platinum to the gallium catalyst resulted in an increase in the reducibility of the Ga species on the surface of the zeolite. The GaPt catalysts exhibited an increase in ethane conversion and the stability of aromatic production selectivity over the Ga and Pt catalysts. The as-prepared fresh catalysts were characterized by ICP and BET methods. The fresh and reduced catalysts were further analyzed by XRD, H 2 -TPR, XPS, pyridine DRIFTS, TGA, and TEM.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Peptide-Assisted 2-D Assembly toward Free-Floating Ultrathin Platinum Nanoplates as Effective Electrocatalysts

In the article, we demonstrate the 2-D anisotropic formation of ultrathin free-floating Pt nanoplates from the assembly of small nanocrystals using T7 peptide (Ac-TLTTLTN-CONH2). As-formed nanoplates are rich in grain boundaries that can promote their catalytic activities. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a minor number of Pd atoms can selectively deposit on and stabilize the grain boundaries, which leads to enhanced structure stability. The Pd-enhanced Pt polycrystal nanoplates show great oxygen reduction reaction activities with 15.5 times higher specific activity and 13.7 times higher mass activity than current state-of-the-art commercial Pt/C electrocatalysts as well as 2.5 times higher mass activity for hydrogen evolution reaction compared with Pt/C.

Chemistry↗

Thermally Stable Perovskite Solar Cells by Systematic Molecular Design of the Hole-Transport Layer

With the burgeoning performance of metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSC), one of the biggest challenges to date is addressing device stability. Within the PSC device stack, charge-selective contact selection has been shown to considerably impact PSC stability. Recently, a triarylamine-based hole-transport layer (HTL) doped with its oxidized organic salt analogue (EH44/EH44-ox) has been shown to bypass the need for hygroscopic lithium salt dopants, enabling high PSC stability in ambient conditions. Despite these promising results, the improved stability came with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) penalty and poor performance above 30 degrees C. Broadening the applicability and understanding of this under-utilized dopant system, we report design criteria for stable, synthetically simple triarylamine-based organic hole transport materials (HTM) and their corresponding oxidized salts as HTL dopants for improved PSC efficiency and stability at elevated temperature. The triarylamine-based dopants must contain at least two para-electron donating groups for radical cation stabilization to prevent impurity formation (e.g., dopant reduction) which significantly reduces PSC fill factors (FF) and PCE. To further improve PSC FF and PCE, these dopants can be interchanged with respect to the HTL matrix. The stability of unencapsulated devices prepared with these three new HTLs, under constant load and illumination, considerably outperform both EH44/EH44-ox and Li+-doped spiro-OMeTAD controls at 50 degrees C. The ability to mix and match a stable dopant with a non-identical small-molecule-based HTL matrix for improved charge-transport properties broadens design scope for highly stable and cost-effective PSC without sacrificing performance.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗