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At least 523 records · Page 29

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DOE OSTI2021

Cooling systems having an integrated ionic liquid salt dehumidification system

A cooling systems utilizes an organic ionic salt composition for dehumidification of an airflow. The organic ionic salt composition absorbs moisture from an inlet airflow to produce an outlet airflow with a reduce moisture from that of the inlet airflow. The organic ionic salt composition may be regenerated, wherein the absorbed moisture is expelled by heating with a heating device. The heating device may be an electrochemical heating device, such as a fuel cell, an electrochemical metal hydride heating device, an electrochemical heat pump or compressor, or a condenser of a refrigerant cycle, which may utilize an electrochemical pump or compressor. The efficiency of the cooling system may be increased by utilization of the waste heat the cooling system. The organic ionic salt composition may circulate back and forth or in a loop between a conditioner, where it absorbs moisture, to a regenerator, where moisture is desorbed by heating.

Bahar, Bamdad↗

DOE OSTI2023

Cooling systems having an integrated ionic liquid salt dehumidification system

A cooling system utilizes an organic ionic salt composition for dehumidification of an airflow. The organic ionic salt composition absorbs moisture from an inlet airflow to produce an outlet airflow with a reduce moisture from that of the inlet airflow. The organic ionic salt composition may be regenerated, wherein the absorbed moisture is expelled by heating with a heating device. The heating device may be an electrochemical heating device, such as a fuel cell, an electrochemical metal hydride heating device, an electrochemical heat pump or compressor, or a condenser of a refrigerant cycle, which may utilize an electrochemical pump or compressor. The efficiency of the cooling system may be increased by utilization of the waste heat the cooling system. The organic ionic salt composition may circulate back and forth or in a loop between a conditioner, where it absorbs moisture, to a regenerator, where moisture is desorbed by heating.

Bahar, Bamdad↗

NASA NTRS2007

InGaAsP Avalanche Photodetectors for Non-Gated 1.06 micrometer Photon-Counting Receivers

The efficient detection of single photons at 1.06 micron is of considerable interest for lidar/ladar systems designed for remote sensing an d ranging as well as for free-space optical transmission in photon-st arved applications. However, silicon-based single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) used at shorter wavelengths have very low single photon d etection efficiency (approximately 1 - 2%) at 1.06 micron, and InP/In GaAs SPADs designed for telecommunications wavelengths near 1.5 micro n exhibit high dark count rates that generally inhibit non-gated (free-running) operation. To bridge this "single photon detection gap" for wavelengths just beyond 1 micron, we have developed high performance , large area (80 - 200 micron diameter) InP-based InGaAsP quaternary absorber SPADs optimized for operation at 1.06 micron and based on a highly reliable planar geometry avalanche photodiode structure. We wil l show that dark count rates are sufficiently low to allow for non-ga ted operation while achieving detection efficiencies far surpassing t hose found for Si SPADs. At a detection efficiency of 10%, 80 micron diameter devices exhibit dark count rates below 1000 Hz and count rate s of at least 3 MHz when operated at -40 C. Significantly higher dete ction efficiencies (30 - 50%) are achievable with acceptable tradeoff s in dark count rate. In this paper, we will also discuss performance modeling for these devices and compare their behavior with longer wav elength InP-based InGaAs ternary absorber SPADs fabricated on a relat ed device design platform.

Itzler, Mark A.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Exceptional Electron-Rich Heteroaromatic Pentacycle for Ultralow Band Gap Conjugated Polymers and Photothermal Therapy

Stable redox-active conjugated molecules with exceptional electron-donating abilities are key components for the design and synthesis of ultralow band gap conjugated polymers. While hallmark electron-rich examples such as pentacene derivatives have been thoroughly explored, their poor air stability has hampered their broad incorporation into conjugated polymers for practical applications. Herein, we describe the synthesis of the electron-rich, fused pentacyclic pyrazino[2,3-b:5,6-b’]diindolizine (PDIz) motif and detail its optical and redox behavior. The PDIz ring system exhibits a lower oxidation potential and a reduced optical band gap than the isoelectronic pentacene while retaining greater air stability in both solution and the solid state. The enhanced stability and electron density, together with readily installed solubilizing groups and polymerization handles, allow for the use of the PDIz motif in the synthesis of a series of conjugated polymers with band gaps as small as 0.71 eV. Importantly; the tunable absorbance throughout the biologically relevant near-infrared I and II regions enables the use of these PDIz-based polymers as efficient photothermal therapeutic reagents for laser ablation of cancer cells.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2025

Development of Polycrystalline Photoelectrodes with Optimum Compositions and Morphologies for Solar Fuel Production via Electrochemical Synthesis (Final Technical Report)

Photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) can utilize solar energy for water splitting to produce H 2 as a clean fuel. The most critical components of a water-splitting PEC are semiconductor electrodes (photoelectrodes) that absorb solar energy to generate photoexcited charge carriers and transport them to the electrode/electrolyte interface for water reduction and oxidation reactions. While efficient PEC hydrogen production has been successfully demonstrated on the laboratory scale, the commercial viability of PECs depends critically on the cost of H 2 produced by the PECs, which is affected by the cost of PEC construction. Therefore, identifying promising inexpensive semiconductor electrodes is important. The goal of this project was to bring an advancement in the synthesis and understanding of inexpensive polycrystalline photoelectrodes based on oxides. Oxide-based semiconductors are inexpensive, easy to fabricate, and relatively more stable in aqueous media compared to other types of semiconductors. This project developed new electrodeposition methods to produce a variety of oxide-based semiconductor electrodes with precisely controlled compositions and morphologies to enhance photon absorption, electron-hole separation, and the use of electrons and holes for desired chemical reactions. The resulting high-quality photoelectrodes were investigated to establish the structure-composition-morphology-photoelectrochemical property relationships to identify the advantages and limitations of each oxide semiconductor system.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

NASA NTRS1974

Efficiency increased in new solar cell: A Concept

Graded band-gap cell should be able to convert solar radiation into electrical energy more efficiently than any solar cell currently available. Thickness of band-gap region should be chosen to maximize both quantity of light absorbed in region and fraction of photogenerated charge carriers collect at junction.

Hutchby, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Overview of the 1985 NASA Lewis Research Center SP-100 free-piston Stirling engine activities

This effort is keyed on the design, fabrication, assembly, and testing of a 25 kWe Stirling space-power technology-feasibility demonstrator engine. Another facet of the SP-100 project covers the status of a 9000-hr endurance test conducted on a 2 kWe free-piston Stirling/linear alternator system employing hydrostatic gas bearings. Dynamic balancing of the RE-1000 engine (a 1 kWe free-piston Stirling engine) using a passive dynamic absorber will be discussed along with the results of a parametric study showing the relationships of Stirling power converter specific weight and efficiency as functions of Stirling engine heater to cooler temperature ratio. Planned tests will be described covering a hydrodynamic gas bearing concept for potential SP-100 application.

Slaby, J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Overview of the 1985 NASA Lewis Research Center SP-100 free-piston Stirling engine activities

Slaby, J. G.↗

NASA NTRS2005

Demonstration of the First 4H-SiC EUV Detector with Large Detection Area

Ultraviolet (UV) and Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) detectors are very attractive in astronomy, photolithography and biochemical applications. For EUV applications, most of the semiconductor detectors based on PN or PIN structures suffer from the very short penetration depth. Most of the carries are absorbed at the surface and recombined there due to the high surface recombination before reach the depletion region, resulting very low quantum efficiency. On the other hand, for Schottky structures, the active region starts from the surface and carriers generated from the surface can be efficiently collected. 4H-Sic has a bandgap of 3.26eV and is immune to visible light background noise. Also, 4H-Sic detectors usually have very good radiation hardness and very low noise, which is very important for space applications where the signal is very weak. The E W photodiodes presented in this paper are based on Schottky structures. Platinum (Pt) and Nickel (Ni) are selected as the Schottky contact metals, which have the highest electron work functions (5.65eV and 5.15eV, respectively) among all the known metals on 4H-Sic.

Xin, Xiaobin↗

DOE OSTI2021

Controlling and Optimizing Photoinduced Charge Transfer across Ultrathin Silica Separation Membrane with Embedded Molecular Wires for Artificial Photosynthesis

Ultrathin amorphous silica membranes with embedded organic molecular wires (oligo( p -phenylenevinylene), three aryl units) provide chemical separation of incompatible catalytic environments of CO 2 reduction and H 2 O oxidation while maintaining electronic and protonic coupling between them. For an efficient nanoscale artificial photosystem, important performance criteria are high rate and directionality of charge flow. Here, the visible-light-induced charge flow from an anchored Ru bipyridyl light absorber across the silica nanomembrane to Co 3 O 4 water oxidation catalyst is quantitatively evaluated by photocurrent measurements. Charge transfer rates increase linearly with wire density, with 5 nm -2 identified as an optimal target. Accurate measurement of wire and light absorber densities is accomplished by the polarized FT-IRRAS method. Guided by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, four wire derivatives featuring electron-donating (methoxy) and -withdrawing groups (sulfonate, perfluorophenyl) with highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) potentials ranging from 1.48 to 0.64 V vs NHE were synthesized and photocurrents evaluated. Charge transfer rates increase sharply with increasing driving force for hole transfer from the excited light absorber to the embedded wire, followed by a decrease as the HOMO potential of the wire moves beyond the Co 3 O 4 valence band level toward more negative values, pointing to an optimal wire HOMO potential around 1.3 V vs NHE. Comparison with photocurrents of samples without nanomembrane indicates that silica layers with optimized wires are able to approach undiminished electron flux at typical solar intensities. Combined with the established high proton conductivity and small-molecule blocking property, the charge transfer measurements demonstrate that oxidation and reduction catalysis can be efficiently integrated on the nanoscale under separation by an ultrathin silica membrane.

photocurrent measurements↗

DOE OSTI2023

Harvesting electrons and holes from photodriven symmetry-breaking charge separation within a perylenediimide photosynthetic model dimer

Understanding how to utilize symmetry-breaking charge separation (SB-CS) offers a path toward increasingly efficient light-harvesting technologies. This process plays a central role in the first step of photosynthesis, in which the dimeric “special pair” of the photosynthetic reaction center enters a coherent SB-CS state after photoexcitation. Previous research on SB-CS in both biological and synthetic chromophore dimers has focused on increasing the efficiency of light-driven processes. In a chromophore dimer undergoing SB-CS, the energy of the radical ion pair product is nearly isoenergetic with that of the lowest excited singlet (S 1 ) state of the dimer. This means that very little energy is lost from the absorbed photon. In principle, the relatively high energy electron and hole generated by SB-CS within the chromophore dimer can each be transferred to adjacent charge acceptors to extend the lifetime of the electron–hole pair, which can increase the efficiency of solar energy conversion. To investigate this possibility, we have designed a bis-perylenediimide cyclophane (mPDI 2 ) covalently linked to a secondary electron donor, peri-xanthenoxanthene (PXX) and a secondary electron acceptor, partially fluorinated naphthalenediimide (FNDI). Upon selective photoexcitation of mPDI 2 , transient absorption spectroscopy shows that mPDI 2 undergoes SB-CS, followed by two secondary charge transfer reactions to generate a PXX •+ -mPDI 2 -FNDI •– radical ion pair having a nearly 3 µs lifetime. In conclusion, this strategy has the potential to increase the efficiency of molecular systems for artificial photosynthesis and photovoltaics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2021

Structural Stability of Tin-Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

One of the key features that makes halide perovskite solar cells such an attractive and intensely researched photovoltaic (PV) technology, is the tunability of the bandgap of these halide perovskite materials [1], [2]. Shortly after it was established that the bandgap could be increased to 1.7-1.8 eV, investigations into the application for silicon based tandem solar cells launched. Within a few years, conversion efficiencies of up to 28 % have been reported [3]. Concurrently, the interest in commercial application of this technology emerged and have rapidly increased. Whereas there are advantages to piggy backing on an established PV technology such as silicon, efforts to develop all-perovskite tandem solar cells are of considerable interest. Partly substituting the metal cation in the ABX3 perovskite enables the low bandgap absorbers required for an all-perovskite tandem solar cell. One common approach is to partially substitute the lead with tin, however these materials often suffered from poor stability. Therefore the development of an efficient, stable mixed tin-lead perovskite is key to enabling all-perovskite tandem solar cells.

degradation↗

NASA NTRS1995

High efficient radiation stable AlGaAs/GaAs solar cells with internal Bragg reflector

An investigation of solar cells based on AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures with an internal Bragg reflector as the back-surface reflector is presented. The Bragg reflector is grown by low pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on n-GaAs substrates in a horizontal resistively heated reactor. The Bragg reflector with its maximum reflectance centered at a wavelength of 860 nm consists of 12 pairs of AlAs/GaAs layers. The resulting Bragg reflector has a thickness of 0.072 micrometers for AlAs and 0.059 micrometers for GaAs. The multi-layered quasi-dielectric stack selectively reflects weakly absorbed photons with energies near to the GaAs band gap for a second pass through the photoactive region, thus increasing the photocurrent. The use of the Bragg reflector allows the external quantum efficiency to be increased in the long wavelength of the spectrum. The use of the Bragg reflector and an antireflective coating and prismatic cover allowed an efficiency of 23.4 percent to be obtained.

Andreev, V. M.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Machine learning enhanced characterization and optimization of photonic cured MAPbI 3 for efficient perovskite solar cells

Photonic curing (PC) can facilitate high-speed perovskite solar cell (PSC) manufacturing because it uses high-intensity light pulses to crystallize perovskite films in milliseconds. However, optimizing PC conditions is challenging due to its many variables, and using power conversion efficiency (PCE) as the optimization metric is both time-consuming and labor-intensive. This work presents a machine learning (ML) approach to optimize PC conditions for fabricating methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI 3 ) films by quantitatively comparing their ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorbance spectra to thermal annealed (TA) films using four similarity metrics. We perform Bayesian optimization coupled with Gaussian process regression (BO-GP) to minimize the similarity metrics. Refining PC conditions using active learning based on BO-GP models, we achieve a PC MAPbI3 film with an absorbance spectrum closely matching a TA reference film, which is further verified by its crystalline and morphological properties. Thus, we demonstrate that the UV-vis absorption spectrum can accurately proxy film quality. Additionally, we use an AI-based segmentation model for a more efficient grain size analysis. However, when we use the optimized PC condition to fabricate PSCs, we find that interaction between MAPbI 3 and the hole transport layer (HTL) during PC critically degrades the PSC performance. By adding a buffer layer between the HTL and MAPbI 3 , the optimized PC PSCs produce a champion PCE of 11.8%, comparable to the TA reference of 11.7%. Using UV-vis similarity metrics instead of device PCE as the objective in our BO-GP method accelerates the optimization of PC processing conditions for MAPbI 3 films.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2022

Carrier control in Sn–Pb perovskites via 2D cation engineering for all-perovskite tandem solar cells with improved efficiency and stability

All-perovskite tandem solar cells are promising for achieving photovoltaics with power conversion efficiencies above the detailed balance limit of single-junction cells, while retaining the low cost, light weight and other advantages associated with metal halide perovskite photovoltaics. However, the efficiency and stability of all-perovskite tandem cells are limited by the Sn-Pb-based narrow-bandgap perovskite cells. Here we show that the formation of quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) structure (PEA) 2 GAPb 2 I 7 from additives based on mixed bulky organic cations phenethylammonium (PEA+) and guanidinium (GA+) provides critical defect control to substantially improve the structural and optoelectronic properties of the narrow-bandgap (1.25 eV) Sn-Pb perovskite thin films. Additionally, this 2D additive engineering results in Sn-Pb-based absorbers with low dark carrier density (~1.3 x 10 14 cm -3 ), long bulk carrier lifetime (~9.2 us) and low surface recombination velocity (~1.4 cm s -1 ), leading to 22.1%-efficient single-junction Sn-Pb perovskite cells and 25.5%-efficient all-perovskite two-terminal tandems with high photovoltage and long operational stability.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

NASA NTRS1984

Heat pipe applications in aircraft propulsion

Heat pipes for improving the cycle efficiency and/or thrust-to-weight ratio of aircraft gas turbines are examined. A heat pipe employs a capillary structure, a wick, and an evacuated chamber to transfer heat between condensor and evaporator ends. Heat absorbed at the evaporator is transported to the condensor. In an aircraft, the heat pipe can be stationary or rotating, can be used for cooling stators and rotors, and is amenable to shapes such as cylinders, cones, and flat plates. Heat pipes in aircraft gas turbines can be applied for intercooling between stages, regeneration, reheat, and blade cooling. Improvements are projected in the cycle efficiency, thrust and thrust specific fuel consumption in the fanjet by using heat pipes. Consideration is also given to heat pipe heat exchangers with high axial heat transfer for stationary heat pipes and high heat transport for rotating heat pipes.

Beltran, M. R.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Liquid Sorption-Enhanced Haber–Bosch Process

The use of a liquid sorbent in a traditional Haber-Bosch process enables significant improvements in energy efficiency and potential cost savings for arguably the most important chemical process on the planet. The approach presented in this report employs an incompressible liquid sorbent that absorbs and releases ammonia (NH 3 ) under specific conditions. To achieve this, we investigate reactions of ammonia and pure phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 , PA), which rapidly neutralize to form an equilibrated solution of monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP) that functions as a reversible and regenerable sorbent. Through intimate contact of the gas-phase Haber-Bosch reaction mixture with this liquid absorbent, complete equilibrium uptake may be achieved in an appropriately sized separator, and facile separation occurs through the use of independent liquid and gas phases. Following depressurization and release of the ammonia product, only the incompressible fluid needs to be repressurized and returned to the reactor. This study documents proof-of-concept absorption and desorption experiments carried out in 75 mL batch reactors, predominantly charged with precise MAP and DAP mixtures that equilibrate at process-relevant temperatures and pressures. We then assemble the first thermodynamic relationships that underlie this advantaged separation strategy, validated by reactive force field (ReaxFF) interatomic potential simulations, and benchmarked with traditional separation routes via process modeling and technoeconomic analysis. The scale of energy consumption in the century-old Haber-Bosch process is massive, and the elegant liquid sorption approach reported here offers opportunities to enhance its energy efficiency for the next frontier of ammonia synthesis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NASA NTRS2015

Spinoff 2015

Topics covered include: 3D Endoscope to Boost Safety, Cut Cost of Surgery; Audio App Brings a Better Night's Sleep Liquid Cooling Technology Increases Exercise Efficiency; Algae-Derived Dietary Ingredients Nourish Animals; Space Grant Research Launches Rehabilitation Chair; Vision Trainer Teaches Focusing Techniques at Home; Aircraft Geared Architecture Reduces Fuel Cost and Noise; Ubiquitous Supercritical Wing Design Cuts Billions in Fuel Costs; Flight Controller Software Protects Lightweight Flexible Aircraft; Cabin Pressure Monitors Notify Pilots to Save Lives; Ionospheric Mapping Software Ensures Accuracy of Pilots' GPS; Water Mapping Technology Rebuilds Lives in Arid Regions; Shock Absorbers Save Structures and Lives during Earthquakes; Software Facilitates Sharing of Water Quality Data Worldwide; Underwater Adhesives Retrofit Pipelines with Advanced Sensors; Laser Imaging Video Camera Sees through Fire, Fog, Smoke; 3D Lasers Increase Efficiency, Safety of Moving Machines; Air Revitalization System Enables Excursions to the Stratosphere; Magnetic Fluids Deliver Better Speaker Sound Quality; Bioreactor Yields Extracts for Skin Cream; Private Astronaut Training Prepares Commercial Crews of Tomorrow; Activity Monitors Help Users Get Optimum Sun Exposure; LEDs Illuminate Bulbs for Better Sleep, Wake Cycles; Charged Particles Kill Pathogens and Round Up Dust; Balance Devices Train Golfers for a Consistent Swing; Landsat Imagery Enables Global Studies of Surface Trends; Ruggedized Spectrometers Are Built for Tough Jobs; Gas Conversion Systems Reclaim Fuel for Industry; Remote Sensing Technologies Mitigate Drought; Satellite Data Inform Forecasts of Crop Growth; Probes Measure Gases for Environmental Research; Cloud Computing Technologies Facilitate Earth Research; Software Cuts Homebuilding Costs, Increases Energy Efficiency; Portable Planetariums Teach Science; Schedule Analysis Software Saves Time for Project Planners; Sound Modeling Simplifies Vehicle Noise Management; Custom 3D Printers Revolutionize Space Supply Chain; Improved Calibration Shows Images' True Colors; Micromachined Parts Advance Medicine, Astrophysics, and More; Metalworking Techniques Unlock a Unique Alloy; Low-Cost Sensors Deliver Nanometer-Accurate Measurements; Electrical Monitoring Devices Save on Time and Cost; Dry Lubricant Smooths the Way for Space Travel, Industry; and Compact Vapor Chamber Cools Critical Components.

Source record↗