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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 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Rethinking hysteresis in magnetic materials

Abstract Magnetic materials with zero hysteresis are posed to have a significant impact on sustainable energy conversion, electronics, and communication technologies. As the global market for soft magnetic materials continues to expand, driven by increasing demand in renewable energy, automotive, and power transmission sectors, it is important to design magnets that can be cycled under an external field reversibly and rapidly multiple times without a decay in magnetic response. However, designing magnets with small hysteresis has been a challenge because we do not fully understand its origins. In this article, I outline key research efforts investigating the fundamental mechanisms underpinning hysteresis in soft magnets and, highlight recent developments in the use of nonlinear analysis and nucleation barrier methods to predict coercivity in these materials. Graphical abstract

Renuka Balakrishna, Ananya (ORCID:0000000306015257↗
DOE OSTI2025

Coordinated Thermal Safety Attack and Defense on EV Battery Management Systems

Battery temperature sensor and battery current sensor data which are key sensing inputs to the Battery Management Controllers in electric vehicles, are vulnerable to possible cyber/ physical manipulation due to known vulnerabilities inherited from CAN bus technology that is used for in-vehicle communications between electronic control units that transfer sensing and control data. In this paper, we first create a simulation that enables us to evaluate impact of cyber physical attacks on electric vehicle battery management system in a controlled environment that violates thermal safety. Specifically, we emulate a Level 3 - DC fast charging system with SAE J1772/CCS, integrated with standard charging controls and thermal safety controls on EVs, and various sensing data flows. Second, we propose a coordinated current and battery temperature attack that has crippling economic, and safety impacts. Third, we quantify the usability, economic and safety impacts of such attacks as a function of the extent of data manipulation. Finally, we propose a physics model driven detection technique to detect presence of such attacks.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

System and method for compact electro-optical interface

An electro-optical interface system is disclosed which incorporates a housing, an electrical circuit supported from the housing and configured to interface to a plurality of remote electrical components, an electronics subsystem and an optical subsystem. The electronics subsystem is housed within the housing and in communication with the electrical circuit. The optical subsystem is housed within the housing and in communication with the electronics subsystem. The optical subsystem receives electrical signals from the electronics subsystem which are representative of electrical signals received from the remote electrical components, and converts the received electrical signals into optical signals for transmission to a remote subsystem.

Patra, Susant↗
DOE OSTI2023

Redox-enabled electronic interrogation and feedback control of hierarchical and networked biological systems

Abstract Microelectronic devices can directly communicate with biology, as electronic information can be transmitted via redox reactions within biological systems. By engineering biology’s native redox networks, we enable electronic interrogation and control of biological systems at several hierarchical levels: proteins, cells, and cell consortia. First, electro-biofabrication facilitates on-device biological component assembly. Then, electrode-actuated redox data transmission and redox-linked synthetic biology allows programming of enzyme activity and closed-loop electrogenetic control of cellular function. Specifically, horseradish peroxidase is assembled onto interdigitated electrodes where electrode-generated hydrogen peroxide controls its activity. E. coli ’s stress response regulon, oxyRS , is rewired to enable algorithm-based feedback control of gene expression, including an eCRISPR module that switches cell-cell quorum sensing communication from one autoinducer to another—creating an electronically controlled ‘bilingual’ cell. Then, these disparate redox-guided devices are wirelessly connected, enabling real-time communication and user-based control. We suggest these methodologies will help us to better understand and develop sophisticated control for biology.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

AOI [1]: Passive Wireless Sensor Systems Fabricated by Direct-Writing for Temperature and Health Monitoring of Energy Systems in Harsh-Environments (Final Report)

Researchers at West Virginia University (WVU) propose to demonstrate a wireless, high-temperature sensor system for monitoring the temperature and health of energy-system components. The active sensor and electronics for wireless communication will be composed entirely of an electroceramic materials (conductive ceramics) which are capable of withstanding the harsh-environments required for fossil energy-based technologies. This work will focus primarily on the fabrication and testing of temperature (thermocouples and thermistors) and health (strain/stress and crack propagation sensors) that function at extreme temperatures (up to 700-1700ºC). The electronics will accompany the high-temperature sensor, which will include a passive wireless communication circuit that allows the transmission of the data based on the LCR resonance principle to a near-by reader antenna. This passive transmission of data will reduce the need for interconnect wires near the active, and possibly rotating, energy-system component. The research will include process development to permit the 2D/3D direct-writing of the entire sensor and communication circuit onto the energy-system component. The direct-writing will be facilitated by using silicon-based polymer-derived precursors to form the high-temperature, stable electroceramic compositions. In addition, methods for direct-writing the circuit onto a fugitive carrier substrate will be completed, which will permit a “peel-and-stick”-like transfer of the sensor circuit to the energy-system component. This feature will allow the economical and precise placement of the sensor circuit onto components of various shapes and locations, without altering the geometry and active features of the manufactured component, or the removal (or decommissioning) of the component for installation. The proposed work will be directed at the following areas: 1) Investigation of phase formation, sintering/grain growth, and electrical properties of polymer-derived electroceramic composites; 2) Definition of processes to direct-write through ink-jet and robo-casting the polymer-derived electroceramic composites onto oxide and polymer surfaces; 3) Development of methods to form monolithic "peel-and-stick" preforms that will efficiently transfer the sensor circuit to ceramic surfaces after thermal treatment; 4) Design of passive wireless LCR circuits and receiver (reader) antennas for communication and testing at high temperatures; 5) Investigation of the passive wireless sensor system developed (and method of transferring sensor system) for temperature and stress/strain measurements on a SOFC repeat unit and a singular gas turbine blade prototype as example applications.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2020

Intra-microgrid communication architecture

A microgrid according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a plurality of intelligent electronic devices configured to communicate directly with one another in a first language. Each of the intelligent electronic devices includes a controller and a gateway. The gateway is configured to convert incoming messages from the first language to a second language native to the controller. The first language is different than the second language. A method is also disclosed.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Review of Scalable Hexagonal Boron Nitride ( h -BN) Synthesis for Present and Future Applications

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a layered inorganic synthetic crystal exhibiting high temperature stability and high thermal conductivity. As a ceramic material it has been widely used for thermal management, heat shielding, lubrication, and as a filler material for structural composites. Recent scientific advances in isolating atomically thin monolayers from layered van der Waals crystals to study their unique properties has propelled research interest in mono/few layered h-BN as a wide bandgap insulating support for nanoscale electronics, tunnel barriers, communications, neutron detectors, optics, sensing, novel separations, quantum emission from defects, among others. Realizing these futuristic applications hinges on scalable cost-effective high-quality h-BN synthesis. Here, in this work, the authors review scalable approaches of high-quality mono/multilayer h-BN synthesis, discuss the challenges and opportunities for each method, and contextualize their relevance to emerging applications. Maintaining a stoichiometric balance B:N = 1 as the atoms incorporate into the growing layered crystal and maintaining stacking order between layers during multi-layer synthesis emerge as some of the main challenges for h-BN synthesis and the development of processes to address these aspects can inform and guide the synthesis of other layered materials with more than one constituent element. Finally, the authors contextualize h-BN synthesis efforts along with quality requirements for emerging applications via a technological roadmap.

2D materials↗
DOE OSTI2024

AOI [1] Advanced Manufacturing of Ceramic Anchors with Embedded Sensors for Process and Health Monitoring of Coal Boilers

Researchers at West Virginia University (WVU) developed methods to fabricate and test ceramic anchors with an embedded sensor technology for monitoring the health and processing conditions within pulverized coal (PC) and fluidized-bed combustion (FBC) boiler systems. The technology included the development of advanced manufacturing processes for 2D/3D printing electroceramic (conductive ceramic) sensor designs within the ceramic anchor microstructure during the manufacturing process. This advanced manufacturing process would allow for the precise control of local microstructure and composition in order to engineer layer-by-layer any protective and electrically active materials within the refractory anchor. This 3D printing technology would permit the rapid and controlled design of the refractory microstructure and embedded sensor design throughout the volume of the ceramic anchor. The work also included a method to interconnect the sensors to boiler shell through the anchor clamp, where the sensor signals will be processed by low-power electronics and transmitted wirelessly to a central processing hub. The end-goal of the program was to produce a ceramic anchor sensor system which would be ready for implementation within a coal boiler, and/or other similar refractory liner systems (such as that in the glass and metal manufacturing areas). The project objectives were to: 1) Define the chemical and microstructural stability, in addition to the electrical properties, of oxide and non-oxide ceramic composites to be embedded within the ceramic anchor compositions that may operate up to 1400ºC; 2) Develop and implement the 2D/3D printing technology to pattern and control the microstructure of the ceramic anchor and embedded sensor circuits; 3) Develop an interconnect technology which will permit easy installation of the ceramic anchors and signal collection at the boiler shell; 4) Develop low power analog electronics and wireless communication hardware to efficiently collect the sensor signal at each processing unit and transmit data to a central hub for data analysis; 5) Demonstrate the smart ceramic anchor system for temperature and liner fracture within a high-temperature processing unit, such as a boiler furnace or glass melting furnace floor/wall liner.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Mechanical Solutions Scan Report

Power lines, poles, and towers are the backbone of the United States (U.S.) electric-power grid. These transmission and distribution networks route electricity from generator to loads. The characteristics of these routes are rapidly changing -- trending towards decentralized renewable generation, electric heating, vehicle charging, and large data-center loads. Coupled with aging infrastructure and the increased frequency of extreme weather events, there is concern about the future reliability and transmission capacity of conductors and adjacent components. This scan report seeks to provide an overview of mechanical solutions to challenges caused by extreme weather events associated with components of transmission and distribution infrastructure, including conductor heat sag, ice accumulation, wind, and wildfire. Many options could increase transmission capacity or reliability, and these are at various stages of technological readiness. Some have only been lab tested, while some have been widely deployed in the U.S. or overseas for decades. The solution categories and providers featured in this report are intended to be comprehensive at the time of publication and to serve as a reference for decision-makers concerned about transmission and distribution reliability. There are two other categories of large, complex solutions, which are not covered in this report: replacing existing conductors with advanced conductors and implementing digital grid enhancing technologies. A separate scan report titled “Advanced Conductor Scan Report,” which discusses advanced carbon-core conductors, was published by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in 2023. Information on digital technologies, such as dynamic line ratings, power-flow controllers, and other power electronics and communications-based devices, can be found on the Grid- Enhancing Technologies landing page. Mechanical grid-enhancing technologies, or solutions covered in this report, often do not require full equipment replacement and do not rely on digital components. Mechanical technologies are overlooked because they may be older, simpler, or seemingly “more obvious” than digital or carbon-core technologies. However, it is wise to consider mechanical solutions in a thorough evaluation of grid enhancing technology solutions.

24 - POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

General Relativistic Implicit Monte Carlo Radiation-hydrodynamics

Abstract We report on a new capability added to our general relativistic radiation-magnetohydrodynamics code, Cosmos++ : an implicit Monte Carlo (IMC) treatment for radiation transport. The method is based on a Fleck-type implicit discretization of the radiation-hydrodynamics equations, but generalized for both Newtonian and relativistic regimes. A multiple reference frame approach is used to geodesically transport photon packets (and solve the hydrodynamics equations) in the coordinate frame, while radiation–matter interactions are handled either in the fluid or electron frames then communicated via Lorentz boosts and orthonormal tetrad bases attached to the fluid. We describe a method for constructing estimators of radiation moments using path-weighting that generalizes to arbitrary coordinate systems in flat or curved spacetime. Absorption, emission, scattering, and relativistic Comptonization are among the matter interactions considered in this report. We discuss our formulations and numerical methods, and validate our models against a suite of radiation and coupled radiation-hydrodynamics test problems in both flat and curved spacetimes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Connector interface assembly for enclosed vessels and associated systems and methods

Systems, methods, and apparatus that employ a connector assembly having a substrate layer with an inner aperture and an outer periphery, and one or more signal traces disposed on the substrate that extend from an inner first location to an outer second location of the apparatus, for communicating data between electronic devices positioned within an interior volume of an enclosed vessel and complementary electronic devices positioned in an ambient environment external to the enclosed vessel. An inner connector is conductively connected the signal traces at the inner first location of each signal trace, and an outer connector is conductively connected to the one or more signal traces at the outer second location of each signal trace. A substantially flat exterior surface extends radially over at least a portion of a region between the respective first locations and the respective second locations.

Estrada, Juan↗
DOE OSTI2020

Two Cycling Centers in One Molecule: Communication by Through-Bond Interactions and Entanglement of the Unpaired Electrons

Many applications in quantum information science (QIS) rely on the ability to laser- cool molecules. The scope of applications can be expanded if laser-coolable molecules possess two or more cycling centers, i.e., moieties capable of scattering photons via multiple absorption-emission events. Here in this paper we employ equation-of-motion coupled-cluster method for double electron attachment (EOM-DEA-CCSD) to study the electronic structure of hypermetallic molecules with two alkaline earth metals connected by an acetylene linker. The electronic structure of the molecules is similar to that of two separated alkali metals; however, the interaction between the two electrons is weak and largely dominated by through-bond interactions. The communication between the two cycling centers is quantified by the extent of the entanglement of the two unpaired electrons associated with each center. This contribution highlights the rich electronic structure of hypermetallic molecules that may advance various applications in QIS and beyond.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

A 100-Mrad (Si) JFET-based Sensing and Communications System for Extreme Nuclear Instrumentation Environments

Dry cask storage is one of two storage methods approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for spent fuel after removal from reactor cores. Dry casks consist of a stainless steel canister enclosed in a concrete overpack to contain the hazardous radioactive spent fuel rods and provide radiation shielding. Monitoring spent fuel storage casks is desired to ensure the safe containment of the enclosed spent fuel, but is very difficult due to the related harsh temperature and radiation environment. The sensors and associated electronics to monitor temperature, pressure, and/or radiation need to survive high temperatures and radiation doses for extended time periods. For this reason, there is a severe need for radiation-hardened electrical systems that survive well beyond the existing capabilities of commercially available radiation-rated electronic components, which have primarily been developed for space applications. Junction-gate field-effect transistor (JFET) devices are inherently radiation hardened [exceeding 100 Mrad (Si)]. Additionally, when JFETs are used as building blocks for sensing and communication electronics (i.e., oscillators, amplifiers, filters, and mixers), inherently radiation-hardened circuits can be achieved. To this end, JFET-based radiation-hardened electronics interfacing with cask-embedded sensors capable of driving modulated sensor signals through a stainless steel barrier were designed and tested at a dose rate of approximately 500 krad/h (Si) to beyond a 200-Mrad (Si) total ionizing dose. After 200 Mrad (Si), the sensor and communication circuit signals were correctly decoded at the receiver despite oscillator drift. The results from this experiment demonstrate the potential for creating more complex radiation-hardened JFET-based electrical systems for nuclear environments.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

The energy footprint of automotive electronic sensors

We discuss how Information and communication technologies (ICT) have emerged as one of the leading technologies to reduce global emissions, particularly in the mobility sector. Automotive electronics, such as sensors/actuators and microcontrollers (commonly known as electronic control units (ECU) which control one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a vehicle), play a key role in ICT. Sensors/actuators are key in electronic ICT devices, starting with the data collection and data communication with the internet. The latest two big trends of electrification and automation in vehicles, are projected to increase the use of worldwide automotive sensors from 7.5 billion units in 2017 to 11.0 billion units by the year 2024. A representative state-of-the art automotive sensor system, (i.e., an ultrasonic backup system), including the ECUs controlling the vehicle electrical systems/subsystems, has been considered to estimate the energy footprint in terms of manufacturing and operational energy of global automotive sensors use. A widely used life cycle energy assessment method (i.e., cumulative energy demand) was used as both direct and indirect (including the extraction, manufacturing, and disposal of the raw and auxiliary materials) energy use can be considered for the energy footprint estimation. The embodied manufacturing energy impacts of the system was estimated to be 559 MJ/system, compared to the 417 MJ/system for lifetime system power and additional gasoline use. The share of purchased energy to the embodied energy where the upstream energy isn't included in the former case, is less than 10% and ~ 85% for the component manufacturing and vehicle operation energy uses, respectively. As the purpose of this ultrasonic backup system is to prevent rear crashes, an estimated 1.0 MJ/system is avoided from reduced lifetime vehicular repairs (from an estimated 11% chance of requiring a rear bumper replacement). While all of this is small compared to the overall automotive manufacturing and use energy, the 11 billion automotive sensors expected to be produced in 2024 could require 1540 PJ for manufacturing and those sensors would require an additional 780–1150 PJ for lifetime energy use.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2023

Bottom-up synthesis of mesoscale nanomeshes of graphene nanoribbons on germanium

The synthesis of functional graphene nanostructures on Ge(001) provides an attractive route toward integrating graphene-based electronic devices onto complementary metal oxide semiconductor-compatible platforms. In this study, we leverage the phenomenon of the anisotropic growth of graphene nanoribbons from rationally placed graphene nanoseeds and their rotational self-alignment during chemical vapor deposition to synthesize mesoscale graphene nanomeshes over areas spanning several hundred square micrometers. Lithographically patterned nanoseeds are defined on a Ge(001) surface at pitches ranging from 50 to 100 nm, which serve as starting sites for subsequent nanoribbon growth. Rotational self-alignment of the nanoseeds followed by anisotropic growth kinetics causes the resulting nanoribbons to be oriented along each of the equivalent, orthogonal Ge < 110 > directions with equal probability. As the nanoribbons grow, they fuse, creating a continuous nanomesh. In contrast to nanomesh synthesis via top-down approaches, this technique yields nanomeshes with atomically faceted edges and covalently bonded junctions, which are important for maximizing charge transport properties. Additionally, we simulate the electrical characteristics of nanomeshes synthesized from different initial nanoseed-sizes, size-polydispersities, pitches, and device channel lengths to identify a parameter-space for acceptable on/off ratios and on-conductance in semiconductor electronics. The simulations show that decreasing seed diameter and pitch are critical to increasing nanomesh on/off ratio and on-conductance, respectively. With further refinements in lithography, nanomeshes obtained via seeded synthesis and anisotropic growth are likely to have superior electronic properties with tremendous potential in a multitude of applications, such as radio frequency communications, sensing, thin-film electronics, and plasmonics.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗