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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
NASA NTRS2002

Particle Size Effects on Flow Properties of PS304 Plasma Spray Feedstock Powder Blend

The effects of BaF2-CaF2 particle size and size distribution on PS304 feedstock powder flowability have been investigated. Angular BaF2-CaF2 eutectic powders were produced by comminution and classified by screening to obtain 38 to 45 microns 45 to 106 microns, 63 to 106 microns, 45 to 53 microns, 63 to 75 microns, and 90 to 106 microns particle size distributions. The fluorides were added incrementally from 0 to 10 wt% to the other powder constituents of the PS304 feedstock: nichrome, chromia, and silver powders. The flow rate of the powder blends decreased linearly with increasing concentration of the fluorides. Flow was degraded with decreasing BaF2-CaF2 particle size and with increasing BaF2-CaF2 particle size distribution. A semiempirical relationship is offered to describe the PS304 powder blend flow behavior. The Hausner Ratio confirmed the funnel flow test results, but was slightly less sensitive to differences in BaF2-CaF2 particle size and size distribution. These findings may have applicability to other powders that do not flow easily, such as ceramic powders.

Stanford, Malcolm K.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Understanding particle size effect on fast-charging behavior of graphite anode using ultra-thin-layer electrodes

Extreme fast charging (≤ 15 min) of lithium-ion batteries is highly desirable to accelerate mass-market adoption of electric vehicles. However, significant capacity fading, as well as safety issues due to the lithium plating caused by the fast charging rate, limit its implementation. In this study, we investigated the fast-charging capability of graphite materials with various particle sizes. To eliminate the Li + ion concentration gradient effect across the thickness of the electrode, ultra-thin-layer graphite electrodes were developed to investigate the "real" fast-charging capability of graphite at the particle level. Electrochemical assessments as well as microscopic characterizations revealed that smaller particles exhibited superior fast-charging performance, featuring enhanced capacity reversibility, faster charging rate, and less lithium plating under the same fast-charging conditions. It is shown that small-particle graphite (mean radius of 3.3 μm) could withstand a 4C charge (to 80 % state-of-charge) without plating, with minimal plating occurring at 6C. Thicker particles exhibited plating at lower C-rates. Since the experimental data could not directly explain whether intra-particle diffusion limitations or interfacial reaction limitations dominated the plating mechanism, the pseudo-2-dimensional model was used to evaluate the most likely plating mechanism. The model suggested that particle-level diffusion is the dominant mechanism contributing to plating at high rates. Finally, this work provides comprehensive insights into the particle size effects on fast-charging capability, offering a better understanding of fast-charging behavior and valuable guidance for designing optimal electrode architecture for high-rate lithium-ion batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Finite-size effects on small- x evolution and saturation in proton and nuclear targets

Within the color glass condensate effective field theory, we assess the importance of including a finite size for the target on observables sensitive to small- x evolution. To this end, we study the Balitsky-Kovchegov (BK) equation with impact-parameter dependence in the initial condition. We demonstrate that neglecting the dependence on the impact parameter can result in overestimated saturation effects for protons, while it has little effect for heavy nuclei at the energies available at current experiments. When fixing the nonperturbative parameters to the energy dependence of the exclusive J / ψ photoproduction cross section with proton targets, predictions for lead targets are not sensitive to the applied running-coupling prescription, the scheme chosen to resum large transverse logarithms in the BK equation, or the infrared regulator in the evolution. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2014

An Ergonomic Evaluation of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Space Suit Hard Upper Torso (HUT) Size Effect on Metabolic, Mobility, and Strength Performance

The objective of this project was to assess the performance differences between a nominally sized Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) space suit and a nominal +1 (plus) sized EMU. Method: This study evaluated suit size conditions by using metabolic cost, arm mobility, and arm strength as performance metrics. Results: Differences between the suit sizes were found only in shoulder extension strength being 15.8% greater for the plus size. Discussion: While this study was able to identify motions and activities that were considered to be practically or statistically different, it does not signify that use of a plus sized suit should be prohibited. Further testing would be required that either pertained to a particular mission critical task or better simulates a microgravity environment that the EMU suit was designed to work in.

Reid, Christopher↗
DOE OSTI2025

Clumping index estimation with 30°-tilted cameras in row crops: Evaluation of methods and segment size effects

The clumping index (CI) quantifies the spatial distribution of foliage elements and is essential for accurately estimating the plant area index (PAI), canopy radiative transfer, and photosynthesis. Traditionally, the finite-length averaging method (LX), the gap size distribution method (CC), and a combined approach of CC and LX (CLX) have been applied to instruments like TRAC and digital hemispherical photography to estimate CI. However, a comprehensive evaluation of these methods in row crops remains limited, especially regarding the influence of segment size on CI. Meanwhile, digital cameras offer a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for canopy measurements in row crops, yet their application in this context remains underexplored. In this study, we employed a new approach using a 30°-tilted digital camera to estimate CI in corn and soybean fields, applying the LX, CC, and CLX methods. We systematically assessed the performance of these three methods by combining field measurements in real-world fields with simulations using the LESS 3D radiative transfer model. Our results showed that CLX applied to the whole image and 45° segment offered accurate estimation of CI (bias within ±0.1, RMSE < 0.2) and PAI (bias within ±0.4, RMSE < 1) in real-world fields and LESS simulations. The accuracy of the LX method was highly sensitive to segment size, with the best performance observed at the 15° segment (PAI bias within ±0.4). In contrast, the CC method remained stable across different segment sizes, and its performance was generally comparable to that of LX, except at the 15° segment. Across view zenith angles, CI derived from CC generally showed a continuous increase, while those from LX and CLX followed a rising trend at small zenith angles but began to decline at 68°, likely due to an increasing proportion of no-gap segments. Seasonally, LX tended to show decreasing CI during early growth stages but increased as the canopy matured, whereas CC and CLX showed gradually increasing CI before plateauing at peak PAI. The 30°-tilted camera effectively captured CI variations across different angles and growth stages, making it a practical and robust instrument for row crop canopy structure analysis. Furthermore, applying these CI methods to digital cameras offers a low-cost and accessible CI estimation alternative, improving canopy structure monitoring accuracy in row crops.

30°-tilted camera↗
NASA NTRS1994

Statistical scaling relationships and size effects in the strength and creep rupture of fibrous composites

In this presentation we discuss a new theoretical model and supporting experimental results for the strength and lifetime in creep rupture of unidirectional, carbon fiber/epoxy matrix composites at ambient conditions. First we review the 'standard' Weibull/power-law methodology that has been standard practice. Then we discuss features of a recent model which build on the statistical aspects of fiber strength, micromechanical aspects of stress transfer around fiber breaks, and time-dependent creep of the matrix. The model is applied to 'microcomposites' consisting of seven fibers in a matrix for which strength and creep-rupture data are available. The model yields Weibull distributions in an envelope format for both strength and lifetime. The respective shape, scale and power-law parameters depend on such parameters as the Weibull shape parameter for fiber strength, the exponent for matrix creep, the effective load transfer length (which grows in time due to matrix creep) and the critical cluster size for failed fibers. The experimental results are consistent with the theory, though time-dependent debonding appears to be part of the failure process.

Phoenix, S. Leigh↗
NASA NTRS1983

Particle size effects on viscosity of silver pastes: A manufacturer's view

Particles from a variety of silver powders were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and particle size analyses. Particle size distribution curves and volume population graphs were prepared for these silver powders and for glass powders with optimum, extra fine and coarse particle sizes. The viscosity at a given shear rate and slope of viscosity over a range of shear rates were determined for thick film pastes made with these powders. Because of particle anomalies and variations, the need for flexibility to achieve the best printing qualities for silver pastes was evident. It was established that print quality, dried and fired film density and optimum contact of silver particles with silicon, important for cell electrical output, could be achieved by adjusting the slope of viscosity that fell outside of the range, -0.550 to -0.650. This was accomplished through organic vehicle technology that permitted a change in the slope of viscosity, up or down, while maintaining a constant silver and total solids content.

Provance, J.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Side-Chain and Ring-Size Effects on Permeability in Artificial Water Channels

Artificial water channels (AWCs) have emerged as a promising framework for stable water permeation, with water transport rates comparable to aquaporins (3.4–40.3 × 10 8 H 2 O/channel/s). In this study, we probe the influence of ring-size and side-chain length on the water permeability observed within a class of AWCs termed ligand-appended pillar[n]arenes (LAPs) that have an adjustable ring-size (m) and side-chain length (n). Through all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we calculate the permeability of these channels using the collective diffusion model and find their permeabilities. We characterize the mechanistic influence of pillar[n]arene ring-size and side-chain length on the channel water permeability by analyzing the characteristics of the internal permeating water-wire and the surrounding channel structure. We observe that water permeability decreases as a function of increasing ring-size due to increases in hydrophilic contacts between the permeating water-wire and the oxygen groups on the channel wall. Further, we observe an increase in water permeability as a function of side-chain length due to increased partitioning of the channel terminal groups into the hydrophilic blocks of the surrounding bilayer. For the LAP6 channel, with increase in side-chain length, the distance between terminal groups increases and leads to an increase in pore size, thereby enhancing water permeability. In the case of LAP5, as side-chain length increases, the channel displays a compensatory effect between tilt and bend angle due to the flexible side-chains. Such flexibility leads to higher terminal group partitioning in the hydrophilic blocks of the bilayer and extends the permeating water-wire. Furthermore, this increase in water-wire length and hydrophilic block access overcomes the nonmonotonic pore size trend in pillar[5]arene channels.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Anion and Cation Size Effects on Viscoelasticity and Ion Transport of Imine Vitrimer Electrolytes

Vitrimers are a subclass of covalent adaptable networks where bond exchange occurs without breaking, thereby offering polymer materials with enhanced mechanical strength, thermal stability, and reprocessability compared to conventional electrolytes. Despite recent progress, we lack a complete understanding of the role of ions in controlling the physical and chemical properties of vitrimers. In this work, we study how different salts affect the viscoelasticity, morphology, and ionic conductivity of imine vitrimers. Our results show that addition of salt decreases relaxation times at elevated temperatures due to the catalytic effect of the cations, with smaller cations leading to faster relaxation. However, the activation energy for terminal relaxation increases with smaller cation size. This apparent discrepancy is attributed to the complex interplay among bond exchange kinetics, chain diffusion, and salt dissociation. Anions act as plasticizers by reducing the shear modulus, except lithium bromide. Ionic conductivity increases with larger anions due to smaller salt dissociation energies, whereas the cation type has a minor impact as polymer segmental dynamics dominate ionic transport. Imine-based vitrimers are reprocessable and recyclable, maintaining original mechanical properties and ionic conductivity after recovery. Mixed salt vitrimers exhibited tunable viscoelasticity and ionic conductivity intermediate to the analogous pure salt systems. Altogether, this work highlights the role of salt in the dynamic and conductive properties of imine vitrimers.

Anions↗
DOE OSTI2025

Quantifying Size Effects on Thermal Transport in CsPbBr 3 Nanocrystal Films

Colloidal lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP NCs) are promising semiconductor materials for optoelectronic applications due to their strong quantum confinement, near-unity photoluminescence quantum yields, and tunable emission characteristics. However, their modest thermal stability remains a challenge, particularly at smaller core diameters due to enhanced phonon scattering at inorganic core-organic ligand interfaces. In this work, we directly quantify size-dependent thermal conductivity (κ) in lecithin-capped CsPbBr 3 NC thin films using a transducer-free, vibrational pump–visible probe (VPVP) spectroscopy technique. A mid-infrared pump thermally excites the ligand shell, while a broadband probe tracks transient reflectance change correlated to lattice temperature decay. Finite-element modeling of the decay dynamics yields κ values from 0.13 to 0.16 W·m –1 ·K –1 for NC films with sub-10 nm core diameter, significantly lower than those of its bulk counterpart. A steep κ suppression with decreasing NC size emphasizes the dominant role of ligand shells and boundary effects in thermal transport.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1974

Kic size effect study on two high-strength steels using notched bend specimens

Five methods are used to calculate plane strain fracture toughness (K sub Q) values for bend-specimens of various sizes from two high-strength steels. None of the methods appeared to satisfactorily predict valid stress intensity factor (K sub IC) values from specimens of sizes well below that required by E399 standard tests.

Stonesifer, F. R.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Gravity and Heater Size Effects on Pool Boiling Heat Transfer

The current work is based on observations of boiling heat transfer over a continuous range of gravity levels between 0g to 1.8g and varying heater sizes with a fluorinert as the test liquid (FC-72/n-perfluorohexane). Variable gravity pool boiling heat transfer measurements over a wide range of gravity levels were made during parabolic flight campaigns as well as onboard the International Space Station. For large heaters and-or higher gravity conditions, buoyancy dominated boiling and heat transfer results were heater size independent. The power law coefficient for gravity in the heat transfer equation was found to be a function of wall temperature under these conditions. Under low gravity conditions and-or for smaller heaters, surface tension forces dominated and heat transfer results were heater size dependent. A pool boiling regime map differentiating buoyancy and surface tension dominated regimes was developed along with a unified framework that allowed for scaling of pool boiling over a wide range of gravity levels and heater sizes. The scaling laws developed in this study are expected to allow performance quantification of phase change based technologies under variable gravity environments eventually leading to their implementation in space based applications.

Boiling↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ion Size Effects on the Thermodynamic, Kinetic, and Mechanical Properties during Ion Exchange in Solid-State Electrolytes

Ion exchange offers a pathway to impose residual compressive stresses to mitigate the electro-chemo-mechanical cracking of solid-state electrolytes such as lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide. This study uses a coupled multiscale framework (integrating density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics (MD), and continuum modeling) to examine how exchange ion size influences stress, diffusion, fracture toughness, and electronic properties. Larger isovalent ions (Na + , Ag + , K + ) were exchanged with Li + , with DFT confirming their preference for octahedral 96h sites and a linear relationship between ion size and chemical free expansion coefficient. MD simulations reveal stress and concentration effects on exchange ion diffusivity at elevated temperatures, with Na + and Ag + maintaining favorable mobility while K + showing concentration-dependent clustering. Continuum modeling predicts the range of fracture strength improvements and the required ion exchange concentration profile. It was shown that a 5% surface exchange concentration can induce ∼0.6 GPa of surface compressive stress using Na + and ∼1.0 GPa of surface compressive stress using Ag + . On the other hand, larger ion exchange species may penalize Li + diffusivity by increasing the activation volume and activation energy. Interestingly, Na + has a negligible penalty on Li-ion diffusivity. The room temperature Li + ion diffusivity is reduced by ∼40% with Ag + ion exchange. Electronic band structure analysis shows no size-dependent change in the bandgap, though Ag + introduces localized defect states near the valence band maximum. This study highlights ion size as a key factor in optimizing LLZO properties, offering a framework to improve the solid-state battery performance.

Jagad, Harsh D. [Brown Univ., Providence, RI (Unit↗
DOE OSTI2024

Evaporation from thin porous Coatings: Pore size effects and predictive equation for homogeneous coatings

Evaporation of small water droplets on solids is hindered because surface tension pulls the droplet into a spherical cap that has a small perimeter. Our solution is to coat a solid with a very thin, porous layer into which the droplet flows to create a large-area disk with concomitant high rate of evaporation. We investigate evaporation by varying factors that have not been previously considered: pore size and distribution, contact angle, temperature, and relative humidity (RH). A larger pore size resulted in faster evaporation, which we explain through faster transport within the coating. Even faster evaporation occurred for a bilayer structure with small particles on the air side and larger particles on the solid side. Further, the water advancing contact angle had an insignificant effect in the range from < 10° through to 60°. Our results for different pore sizes, temperature, humidity, and contact angle all collapse onto a single curve when appropriately normalized. This validates an equation that can be used for the evaporation from a homogeneous coating that depends only one empirical factor and the droplet volume. Since the volume is often user-controlled, we envisage that this equation can be used to predict evaporation and guide design of fast-drying coatings.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1982

Droplet size effects on NO/x/ formation in a one-dimensional monodisperse spray combustion system

A one-dimensional monodisperse aerosol spray combustion facility is described and experimental results of post flame NO/NO(x) emissions are presented. Four different hydrocarbon fuels were studied: isopropanol, methanol, n-heptane, and n-octane. The results indicate an optimum droplet size in the range of 48-58 microns for minimizing NO/NO(x) production for all of the test fuels. This NO(x) behavior is associated with droplet interactions and the transition from diffusive type of spray burning to that of a prevaporized and premixed case. Decreasing the droplet size results in a trend of increasing droplet interactions, which suppresses temperatures and reduces NO(x). This trend continues until prevaporization effects begin to dominate and the system tends towards the premixed limit. The occurrence of the minimum NO(x) point at different droplet diameters for the different fuels appears to be governed by the extent of prevaporization of the fuel in the spray, and is consistent with theoretical calculations based on each fuel's physical properties.

Sarv, H.↗
NASA NTRS1960

Measurement of Screen-Size Effects on Intensity, Scale, and Spectrum of Turbulence in a Free Subsonic Jet

The results are reported of hot-wire anemometer measurements of the fluctuating longitudinal component of the turbulent velocities in the mean flow downstream of screens in an air jet. These measurements have been analyzed by well-established techniques to give the influence of tile screen mesh size on the turbulent intensity, scale, and the power-spectral-density. The results show a linear dependence of the intensity upon the screen mesh size for locations within the central core of the air jet. The spectral-density curves show that the screens redistribute the turbulent energy from the low frequencies (<1000 cps) to the high frequencies (>1000 cps). The effects of the screens are overwhelmed in the mixing region of the jet flow by the turbulence levels existing there. The large pressure drops occurring across the screens reduce the velocity of the jet as compared to the jet without screens by approximately one-third for the velocity and range of mesh sizes investigated and reported in this report. The turbulence scale is a linear function of distance from the nozzle exit and is somewhat greater than comparable jets without screens.

Howard, Charles D.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Brighter material on Deimos - A particle size effect in a carbonaceous material?

The values obtained for brightness ratios between contiguous bright and dark areas on Deimos from Viking Orbiter images, together with the lack of a significant wavelength dependence of these ratios in the 0.4-0.6-micron range, are presently noted to be consistent with particle size fraction measurements of the Murchison CM meteorite. These data, and a near-coincidence of Deimos absolute reflectances with those of laboratory samples, render the present data consistent with both brighter and darker materials on Deimos being akin to carbonaceous chondrites; the material with smaller average particle size is associated with the brighter patches.

French, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Finite-size effects on long-range correlations: implications for analyzing DNA sequences

We analyze the fluctuations in the correlation exponents obtained for noncoding DNA sequences. We find prominent sample-to-sample variations as well as variations within a single sample in the scaling exponent. To determine if these fluctuations may result from finite system size, we generate correlated random sequences of comparable length and study the fluctuations in this control system. We find that the DNA exponent fluctuations are consistent with those obtained from the control sequences having long-range power-law correlations. Finally, we compare our exponents for the DNA sequences with the exponents obtained from power-spectrum analysis and correlation-function techniques, and demonstrate that the original "DNA-walk" method is intrinsically more accurate due to reduced noise.

NASA Discipline Cardiopulmonary↗