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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 OSTI2016

Integrated process for the catalytic conversion of biomass-derived syngas into transportation fuels

Efficient synthesis of renewable fuels that will enable cost competitiveness with petroleum-derived fuels remains a grand challenge for U.S. scientists. In this paper, we report on an integrated catalytic approach for producing transportation fuels from biomass-derived syngas. The composition of the resulting hydrocarbon fuel can be modulated to meet specified requirements. Biomass-derived syngas is first converted over an Rh-based catalyst into a complex aqueous mixture of condensable C2+ oxygenated compounds (predominantly ethanol, acetic acid, acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate). This multi-component aqueous mixture then is fed to a second reactor loaded with a ZnxZryOz mixed oxide catalyst, which has tailored acid-base sites, to produce an olefin mixture rich in isobutene. The olefins then are oligomerized using a solid acid catalyst (e.g., Amberlyst-36) to form condensable olefins with molecular weights that can be targeted for gasoline, jet, and/or diesel fuel applications. The product rich in long-chain olefins (C7+) is finally sent to a fourth reactor that is needed for hydrogenation of the olefins into paraffin fuels. Simulated distillation of the hydrotreated oligomerized liquid product indicates that ~75% of the hydrocarbons present are in the jet-fuel range. Process optimization for the oligomerization step could further improve yield to the jet-fuel range. All of these catalytic steps have been demonstrated in sequence, thus providing proof-of-concept for a new integrated process for the production of drop-in biofuels. This unique and flexible process does not require external hydrogen and also could be applied to non-syngas derived feedstock, such as fermentation products (e.g., ethanol, acetic acid, etc.), other oxygenates, and mixtures thereof containing alcohols, acids, aldehydes and/or esters.

biofuel↗
DOE OSTI2022

Accelerating manufacturing for biomass conversion via integrated process and bench digitalization: a perspective

We present a perspective for accelerating biomass manufacturing via digitalization. We summarize the challenges for manufacturing and identify areas where digitalization can help. A profound potential in using lignocellulosic biomass and renewable feedstocks, in general, is to produce new molecules and products with unmatched properties that have no analog in traditional refineries. Discovering such performance-advantaged molecules and the paths and processes to make them rapidly and systematically can transform manufacturing practices. Furthermore, we discuss retrosynthetic approaches, text mining, natural language processing, and modern machine learning methods to enable digitalization. Laboratory and multiscale computation automation via active learning are crucial to complement existing literature and expedite discovery and valuable data collection without a human in the loop. Such data can help process simulation and optimization select the most promising processes and molecules according to economic, environmental, and societal metrics. We propose the close integration between bench and process scale models and data to exploit the low dimensionality of the data and transform the manufacturing for renewable feedstocks.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Development of Algal Biomass Yield Improvements in an Integrated Process (Final Report)

This project built on the success of Global Algae Innovations Algae Biomass Yield Phase 1 project to accelerate the commercialization of algal biofuels through development of an integrated, economical, photosynthetic, open raceway system to produce algal oil. Two parallel pathways to a biofuel were investigated. In the algal crude oil pathway, highlighted in blue, the dewatered algal biomass slurry is used as a feed to hydrothermal liquefaction to produce an algae crude oil and recycle aqueous stream. In the algal lipid oil pathway, highlighted in green, the algal biomass slurry is dried, and the oil is extracted to produce an algal lipid oil biofuel intermediate and a high protein algae meal co-product. Upgrading to drop-in fuels has been demonstrated for the biofuel intermediates in both pathways. Since the algal lipid oil pathway requires lipid accumulation, the productivity is generally lower than the algal crude oil pathway, but the required productivity for economical algal biofuel production is also lower because the coproduct value is greater. The outdoor cultivation was performed at the Kauai Algae Farm. The project team has expertise across the full breadth strain development, advanced algal cultivation, open raceway contamination control, CO 2 supply, harvesting, dewatering, extraction, hydrothermal liquefaction, technoeconomic analysis and life cycle analysis: Hildebrand laboratory at Scripps Institution of Oceanography – diatom strain development. Mayfield laboratory at UCSD - green algae strain development. TSD Management Associates- CO 2 supply, algal harvesting and dewatering, and algal drying and extraction. Qualitas - large-scale test site for algal harvesting technology. Texas A&M University - algal drying and extraction technology. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - hydrothermal liquefaction technology. GE Water and Power - membrane technology. National Renewable Energy Laboratory - algal techno-economic analysis. Phase 1 of the project resulted in tremendous productivity and pre-processing improvements in an integrated, large-scale, low-cost cultivation and pre-processing process that moved algal technology closer to economic viability for biofuels than ever before. Phase 2 accomplishments further facilitate development of a commercial algal biofuel industry by adding: several top performing strains and strain development tools including breeding; open-pond cultivation innovations that achieved a 30% improvement in overall productivity, an 83% reduction in cost, and a 95% reduction in energy use relative to conventional technology; further improvements in harvesting that led to the Zobi harvester ® as a universal, economical, low energy, commercially available microalgae harvesting solution; breakthroughs in drying and extraction including a new low energy drying process and several new low energy extraction unit operations that together with the Zobi harvester ® achieve a 90% reduction in cost and 97% reduction in energy use relative to conventional technology. These improvements are sufficient to enable economical production of algae biofuel and protein meal co-product if the process were scaled up to a commercial-scale 5,000-acre algae farm.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Development of Algal Biomass Yield Improvements in an Integrated Process

Global Algae Innovations (Global Algae) collaborated with TSD Management Associates (TSD), Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego (SIO), GE Power & Water (GE), Hawaii Bioenergy (HBE), Kuehnle AgroSystems (KAS), Texas AgriLife Research (TALR), and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to increase algae oil yield and optimize unit operations in order to facilitate commercial development of algal-derived, drop-in transportation fuels. All improvements were viewed through a system-wide techno economic model to ensure the work is focused on and limited to approaches that are scalable to commercially relevant size and compatible with an overall system that is economically viable. The objectives of the proposed project were (i) to develop improved strains and cultivation methods for a 40% increase in algal biofuel intermediate yield; (ii) to develop economical, scalable, low energy pre-processing technologies for harvesting, dewatering, and extraction for an 88% reduction in the downstream processing energy; and (iii) to achieve these improvements in an integrated outdoor system that reduces the projected algae biomass production cost by 58%. All project goals were exceeded, and the project was completed on schedule and budget. Two major technology breakthroughs were achieved. The first breakthrough is an improved cultivation system approach that increases algal productivity by 80% in growth phase while simultaneously reducing the energy use for cultivation by 67%. The second is a harvesting and dewatering technology that reduces energy use by 95-99%, achieves 100% capture efficiency with crystal clear permeate, and produces a 15-20% algae slurry. The harvesting and dewatering technology was commercialized and is now available to the algae industry as the Zobi Harvester®.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Towards an Integrated Process for CO 2 Capture and Utilization: Cultivation of Scenedesmus acutus Using Gaseous CO 2 and NH 3

Integrating CO 2 scrubbing from flue gas with its utilization in algae cultivation represents a potential means of lowering the cost of CO 2 capture. Towards this goal, this study sought to assess the feasibility of using gaseous a CO 2 /NH 3 stream, derived from CO 2 capture using aqueous ammonia, as a C- and N-source for algae cultivation. Scenedesmus acutus was cultured in 800 mL photobioreactors using gaseous CO 2 /NH 3 in mole ratios varying from 7 to 18. Excellent growth of Scenedesmus acutus was observed, the average growth rate for CO 2 /NH 3 = 10 of 0.171 ± 0.015 g/L·day exceeding that obtained using 1% CO 2 /N 2 and urea as the N-source (0.099 ± 0.28 g/L·day). Under optimal growth conditions (CO 2 /NH 3 mole ratio of 10), CO 2 utilization ranged from 57% to 72%, while the NH 3 utilization was >90%. The CO 2 /NH 3 feed rate was also found to exert a significant effect on algae productivity, excessive feed rates leading to accumulation of NH 3 in the culture at concentrations that were toxic to the algae. Consequently, to avoid the toxic effects of high NH 3 concentrations (>2.0 mM), it proved necessary to balance the NH 3 supply with the algae growth rate so that excessive NH 3 accumulation was prevented. This indicates that for practical applications, a CO 2 /NH 3 feed control strategy would be required that takes into account the ammonium ion concentration in solution and the pH so as to avoid significant concentrations of free NH 3 . Furthermore, analysis of the harvested biomass revealed a high protein (≥ 47 wt%) and a low ash content (< 3.6 wt%), suggesting it would be well suited for use as animal feed or as a feedstock for the production of bioplastics.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
NASA NTRS2010

Integration Process for the Habitat Demonstration Unit

The Habitat Demonstration Unit (HDU) is an experimental exploration habitat technology and architecture test platform designed for analog demonstration activities The HDU project has required a team to integrate a variety of contributions from NASA centers and outside collaborators and poses a challenge in integrating these disparate efforts into a cohesive architecture To complete the development of the HDU from conception in June 2009 to rollout for operations in July 2010, a cohesive integration strategy has been developed to integrate the various systems of HDU and the payloads, such as the Geology Lab, that those systems will support The utilization of interface design standards and uniquely tailored reviews have allowed for an accelerated design process Scheduled activities include early fit-checks and the utilization of a Habitat avionics test bed prior to equipment installation into HDU A coordinated effort to utilize modeling and simulation systems has aided in design and integration concept development Modeling tools have been effective in hardware systems layout, cable routing and length estimation, and human factors analysis Decision processes on the shell development including the assembly sequence and the transportation have been fleshed out early on HDU to maximize the efficiency of both integration and field operations Incremental test operations leading up to an integrated systems test allows for an orderly systems test program The HDU will begin its journey as an emulation of a Pressurized Excursion Module (PEM) for 2010 field testing and then may evolve to a Pressurized Core Module (PCM) for 2011 and later field tests, depending on agency architecture decisions The HDU deployment will vary slightly from current lunar architecture plans to include developmental hardware and software items and additional systems called opportunities for technology demonstration One of the HDU challenges has been designing to be prepared for the integration of presently unanticipated systems Results of the HDU field tests will influence future designs of habitat systems.

Gill, Tracy↗
NASA NTRS2020

Assembly and Integration Process of the High-Density Detector Array Readout Modules for the Simons Observatory

The Simons Observatory will measure the cosmic microwave background tempera-ture and polarization using a suite of new telescopes in the Atacama Desert in Chile. The Simons Observatory will use dichroic transition edge sensor (TES) bolometer arrays spanning six frequency bands from 27 to 280 GHz. The Simons Observa-tory will pioneer the use of a densely packed multiplexing architecture based on the microwave SQUID multiplexer ( 𝜇mux), housing ∼2000 microwave resonators, each coupled to a TES. The Simons Observatory aims to multiplex each array of ∼2000 detectors with a single pair of coaxial cables and requires a multiplexing factor of ∼1000 . The Simons Observatory cryogenic readout system is called the universal microwave multiplexing module (UMM). The UMM couples to both horn and lenslet-coupled detector arrays and is integrated into the universal focal-plane module (UFM) after being independently characterized. We present processes we have developed for highly repeatable and automated integration methods of UMMs, which will be needed for the production of the 49 UFMs required for the first stage of the Simons Observatory.

CMB↗
DOE OSTI2020

Solution-processable integrated CMOS circuits based on colloidal CuInSe2 quantum dots

Abstract The emerging technology of colloidal quantum dot electronics provides an opportunity for combining the advantages of well-understood inorganic semiconductors with the chemical processability of molecular systems. So far, most research on quantum dot electronic devices has focused on materials based on Pb- and Cd chalcogenides. In addition to environmental concerns associated with the presence of toxic metals, these quantum dots are not well suited for applications in CMOS circuits due to difficulties in integrating complementary n - and p -channel transistors in a common quantum dot active layer. Here, we demonstrate that by using heavy-metal-free CuInSe 2 quantum dots, we can address the problem of toxicity and simultaneously achieve straightforward integration of complimentary devices to prepare functional CMOS circuits. Specifically, utilizing the same spin-coated layer of CuInSe 2 quantum dots, we realize both p - and n -channel transistors and demonstrate well-behaved integrated logic circuits with low switching voltages compatible with standard CMOS electronics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1986

Integral processing in beyond-Hartree-Fock calculations

The increasing rate at which improvements in processing capacity outstrip improvements in input/output performance of large computers has led to recent attempts to bypass generation of a disk-based integral file. The direct self-consistent field (SCF) method of Almlof and co-workers represents a very successful implementation of this approach. This paper is concerned with the extension of this general approach to configuration interaction (CI) and multiconfiguration-self-consistent field (MCSCF) calculations. After a discussion of the particular types of molecular orbital (MO) integrals for which -- at least for most current generation machines -- disk-based storage seems unavoidable, it is shown how all the necessary integrals can be obtained as matrix elements of Coulomb and exchange operators that can be calculated using a direct approach. Computational implementations of such a scheme are discussed.

Taylor, P. R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Addressable test matrix for measuring analog transfer characteristics of test elements used for integrated process control and device evaluation

A set of addressable test structures, each of which uses addressing schemes to access individual elements of the structure in a matrix, is used to test the quality of a wafer before integrated circuits produced thereon are diced, packaged and subjected to final testing. The electrical characteristic of each element is checked and compared to the electrical characteristic of all other like elements in the matrix. The effectiveness of the addressable test matrix is in readily analyzing the electrical characteristics of the test elements and in providing diagnostic information.

Buehler, Martin G.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Pt/HTCC Alumina based Electronic Packaging System and Integration Processes for High Temperature Harsh Environment Applications

Electronic devices capable of operation at 500°C are required for long term Venus surface missions, as well as for in situ monitoring and control of next generation aeronautical engines. High temperature sensors and electronics can also find many applications in military, and energy and automobile industries. Various silicon carbide (SiC) sensors and electronic devices have been developed for operation at 500 °C, and a compatible packaging system is needed for long term test and deployment of these high temperature devices. High temperature co-fired ceramics (HTCC) alumina with platinum (Pt) conductor was proposed for high temperature electronic packaging. A prototype Pt/HTCC alumina packaging system including chip-level package and circuit board has been briefly reported previously for long-term electrical testing of SiC integrated circuits at 500 °C, and brief testing at much higher temperatures. HTCC alumina is an excellent dielectric material with acceptable dielectric constant and low dielectric loss over wide temperature and frequency ranges. Pt is chemically noble and can be co-fired with HTCC alumina in air ambient producing a viable electronic packaging material system for high temperature applications. This paper presents a more detailed description of this packaging system including prototype low power packages and circuit boards based on HTCC alumina and Pt metallization for 500°C and other harsh environment applications. The key technical considerations for chip-level packaging and circuit board assembly, including materials and processes for 500 °C durable wire-bonding and SiC die attach, and integration of multi-chip circuit boards, are presented. Experimental test results of this packaging approach applied to SiC integrated circuits at 500 °C and 700°C are discussed as well.

High temperature↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Pt/HTCC Alumina based Electronic Packaging System and Integration Processes for High Temperature Harsh Environment Applications

Electronic devices capable of operation at 500°C are required for long term Venus surface missions, as well as for in situ monitoring and control of next generation aeronautical engines. High temperature sensors and electronics can also find many applications in military, and energy and automobile industries. Various silicon carbide (SiC) sensors and electronic devices have been developed for operation at 500 °C, and a compatible packaging system is needed for long term test and deployment of these high temperature devices. High temperature co-fired ceramics (HTCC) alumina with platinum (Pt) conductor was proposed for high temperature electronic packaging. A prototype Pt/HTCC alumina packaging system including chip-level package and circuit board has been briefly reported previously for long-term electrical testing of SiC integrated circuits at 500 °C, and brief testing at much higher temperatures. HTCC alumina is an excellent dielectric material with acceptable dielectric constant and low dielectric loss over wide temperature and frequency ranges. Pt is chemically noble and can be co-fired with HTCC alumina in air ambient producing a viable electronic packaging material system for high temperature applications. This paper presents a more detailed description of this packaging system including prototype low power packages and circuit boards based on HTCC alumina and Pt metallization for 500°C and other harsh environment applications. The key technical considerations for chip-level packaging and circuit board assembly, including materials and processes for 500 °C durable wire-bonding and SiC die attach, and integration of multi-chip circuit boards, are presented. Experimental test results of this packaging approach applied to SiC integrated circuits at 500 °C and 700°C are discussed as well.

electronic packaging↗
NASA NTRS2016

Assembly and Integration Process of the First High Density Detector Array for the Atacama Cosmology Telescope

The Advanced ACTPol (AdvACT) upgrade on the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) consists of multichroicTransition Edge Sensor (TES) detector arrays to measure the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) polarization anisotropies in multiple frequency bands. The first AdvACT detector array, sensitive to both 150 and 230 GHz, is fabricated on a 150 mm diameter wafer and read out with a completely different scheme compared to ACTPol. Approximately 2000 TES bolometers are packed into the wafer leading to both a much denser detector density and readout circuitry. The demonstration of the assembly and integration of the AdvACT arrays is important for the next generation CMB experiments, which will continue to increase the pixel number and density. We present the detailed assembly process of the first AdvACT detector array.

Li, Yaqiong↗
DOE OSTI2024

Integrated Process for Direct Air Capture of CO 2 and Electrochemical Conversion to Ethanol

This Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between UT-Battelle, LLC and Reactwell, L.L.C. aimed to facilitate the development of an energy-efficient and cost-effective technology that captures carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from ambient air and converts it electrochemically to ethanol. Direct air capture (DAC) of CO 2 offers the prospect of permanently lowering the atmospheric CO 2 concentration, providing economic and energy-efficient technologies can be developed and deployed at a large scale. DAC has the potential for high-capacity atmospheric CO 2 capture, the flexibility of placement anywhere on earth, and the generation of high-purity CO 2 streams. The most significant technical challenge with DAC is the very low atmospheric concentration of CO 2 , thereby requiring sorbents that bind CO 2 quickly, strongly, and selectively against other components in the air. Integrating DAC with CO 2 conversion into useful chemicals, fuels, or materials can provide an economically feasible solution for mitigating climate change. As long as the carbon contained in these products is taken from the atmosphere and no additional carbon emissions result from their production, processing, and transportation, they can be considered carbon-neutral products. This CRADA facilitated the development of a new net-zero emission technology that closes the carbon cycle by combining DAC with the catalytic electrochemical conversion of CO 2 into ethanol.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1993

A perspective on the FAA approval process: Integrating rotorcraft displays, controls and workload

The FAA is responsible for making the determination that a helicopter is safe for IFR operations in the National Airspace System (NAS). This involves objective and subjective evaluations of cockpit displays, flying qualities, procedures and human factors as they affect performance and workload. After all of the objective evaluations are completed, and all Federal Regulations have been met, FAA pilots make the final subjective judgement as to suitability for use by civil pilots in the NAS. The paper uses the flying qualities and pilot workload characteristics of a small helicopter to help examine the FAA pilot's involvement in this process. The result highlights the strengths of the process and its importance to the approval of new aircraft and equipments for civil IFR helicopter applications. The paper also identifies opportunities for improvement.

Green, David L.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Reactive Carbon Capture: Cooperative and Bifunctional Adsorbent-Catalyst Materials and Process Integration for a New Carbon Economy

To say the least, releasing CO 2 into the atmosphere is reaping undue environmental consequences given the ever-present increase in severe global weather events over the past five years. However, it can be argued that–at least in the confines of current technological capabilities–the atmospheric release of CO 2 is somewhat unavoidable given that even shifting toward clean energy sources–such as solar, nuclear, wind, battery, or H 2 power–incurs an initial carbon requirement by way of manufacturing the very production abilities through which “clean” energy is generated. Even years from now, experts agree that energy production will be diversified and–as the global population continues to drive the growth of global energy consumption–thermal power derived from carbon combustion is likely to remain one intrinsic energetic source, of which CO 2 will always be a byproduct. In this context, it is the responsibility of the scientific community to devise improved pathways of carbon management such that (i) the consequences of combustion on the global environment are reduced and (ii) carbon fuels can be leveraged in a sustainable fashion. In this Account, we discuss a pivotal perspective shift on CO 2 emissions derived from a considerable breakthrough in material science from our work on shape engineering of nanoporous adsorbents and catalysts. This account details the development of materials which no longer vilify CO 2 emissions as a valueless combustion byproduct, instead providing a path for them to become a potential feedstock. In more specific terms, this work details the development of structured, cooperative “bifunctional” materials (BFMs) comprised of (i) a high-temperature adsorbent and (ii) a heterogeneous catalyst that enable single-bed CO 2 capture and utilization in oxidative ethane dehydrogenation (ODHE), oxidative propane dehydrogenation (ODHP), and dry methane reforming (DMR) processes. This Account begins with the conceptual development of the BFMs in the powdered state, followed by detailing the first-ever reports of structuring the materials into facile honeycomb contactors by 3D printing. The Account then summarizes the impressive performance of the 3D-printed BFMs, specifically focusing on how their catalysts (metal oxides and perovskites) influence their reactive CO 2 capture performances in ODHE, ODHP, and DMR processes. Such promise of CO 2 -as-fuel offers a glimpse into the future of a diversified energy economy, in which CO 2 /fuel looping can play an important role. A major factor in achieving this future is, of course, developing an appropriately active catalyst; an account of whose first breakthroughs in material science are detailed herein.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗