Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “solid state plasma”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2008

Thermal Stir Welding Development at Marshall Space Flight Center

Solid state welding processes have become the focus of welding process development at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. Unlike fusion weld processes such as tungsten inert gas (TIG), variable polarity plasma arc (VPPA), electron beam (EB), etc., solid state welding processes do not melt the material during welding. The resultant microstructure can be characterized as a dynamically recrystallized morphology much different than the casted, dentritic structure typical of fusion weld processes. The primary benefits of solid state processes over fusion weld processes include superior mechanic properties and the elimination of thermal distortion and residual stresses. These solid state processes attributes have profoundly influenced the direction of advanced welding research and development within the NASA agency. Thermal Stir Welding (TSW) is a new solid state welding process being developed at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Unlike friction stir welding, the heating, stirring and forging elements of the weld process can be decoupled for independent control. An induction coil induces energy into a workpiece to attain a desired plastic temperature. An independently controlled stir rod, captured within non-rotating containment plates, then stirs the plasticized material followed by forging plates/rollers that work the stirred weld joint. The independent control (decoupling) of heating, stirring and forging allows, theoretically, for the precision control of microstructure morphology. The TSW process is being used to evaluate the solid state joining of Haynes 230 for ARES J-2X applications. It is also being developed for 500-in (12.5 mm) thick commercially pure grade 2 titanium for navy applications. Other interests include Inconel 718 and stainless steel. This presentation will provide metallurgical and mechanical property data for these high melting temperature alloys.

Ding, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

International Conference on Vacuum Ultraviolet Radiation Physics, 8th, Lunds Universitet, Sweden, Aug. 4-8, 1986, Proceedings

The interactions of VUV radiation with solids are explored in reviews and reports of recent theoretical and experimental investigations from the fields of atomic and molecular physics, solid-state physics, and VUV instrumentation. Topics examined include photoabsorption and photoionization, multiphoton processes, plasma physics, VUV lasers, time-resolved spectroscopy, synchrotron radiation centers, solid-state spectroscopy, and dynamical processes involving localized levels. Consideration is given to the fundamental principles of photoemission, spin-polarized photoemission, inverse photoemission, semiconductors, organic materials, and adsorbates.

Nilsson, Per-Olof↗
DOE OSTI2022

Shock physics in warm dense matter: A quantum hydrodynamics perspective

Abstract Warm dense matter (WDM), an exotic, highly compressed state of matter between solid and plasma phases, is of high current interest, in particular for astrophysics and inertial confinement fusion. For the latter, in particular the propagation of compression shocks is crucial. The main unknown in the shock propagation in WDM is the behaviour of the electrons since they are governed by correlations, quantum and spin effects that need to be accounted for simultaneously. Here we describe the shock dynamics of the warm dense electron gas using a quantum hydrodynamic model. From the numerical hydrodynamic simulations, we observe that the quantum Bohm pressure induces shear force that weakens the formation and strength of the shock. In addition, the Bohm pressure induces an electron density response that takes the form of oscillations. This is confirmed by the theoretical analysis of the early stage of the shock formation. Our theoretical and numerical analyses allow us to identify characteristic dimensionless shock propagation parameters at which the effect of the Bohm force is important.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Improved modeling of the solid-to-plasma transition of polystyrene ablator for laser direct-drive inertial confinement fusion hydrocodes

We report that the target performance of laser direct-drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) can be limited by the development of hydrodynamic instabilities resulting from the nonhomegeneous laser absorption at the target surface, i.e., the laser imprint on the ablator. To understand and describe the formation of these instabilities, the early ablator evolution during the laser irradiation should be considered. In this work, an improved modeling of the solid-to-plasma transition of a polystyrene ablator for laser direct-drive ICF is proposed. This model is devoted to be implemented in hydrocodes dedicated to ICF which generally assume an initial plasma state. The present approach consists of the two-temperature model coupled to the electron, ion and neutral dynamics including the chemical fragmentation of polystyrene. The solid-to-plasma transition is shown to significantly influence the temporal evolution of both free electron density and temperatures, which can lead to different shock formation and propagation compared with an initial plasma state. The influence of the solid-to-plasma transition on the shock dynamics is evidenced by considering the scaling law of the pressure with respect to the laser intensity. The ablator transition is shown to modify the scaling law exponent compared with an initial plasma state.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Shock Hugoniot calculations using on-the-fly machine learned force fields with ab initio accuracy

We present a framework for computing the shock Hugoniot using on-the-fly machine learned force field (MLFF) molecular dynamics simulations. In particular, we employ an MLFF model based on the kernel method and Bayesian linear regression to compute the free energy, atomic forces, and pressure, in conjunction with a linear regression model between the internal and free energies to compute the internal energy, with all training data generated from Kohn–Sham density functional theory (DFT). We verify the accuracy of the formalism by comparing the Hugoniot for carbon with recent Kohn–Sham DFT results in the literature. In so doing, we demonstrate that Kohn–Sham calculations for the Hugoniot can be accelerated by up to two orders of magnitude, while retaining ab initio accuracy. We apply this framework to calculate the Hugoniots of 14 materials in the FPEOS database, comprising 9 single elements and 5 compounds, between temperatures of 10 kK and 2 MK. We find good agreement with first principles results in the literature while providing tighter error bars. In addition, we confirm that the inter-element interaction in compounds decreases with temperature.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Enhanced Isomer Population via Direct Irradiation of Solid-Density Targets Using a Compact Laser-Plasma Accelerator

Excitation of long-lived states in bromine nuclei using a tabletop laser-plasma accelerator providing pulsed (<100 fs) electron beams provided a sensitive probe of γ strength and level densities in the nuclear quasicontinuum and may indicate angular momentum coupling through electron-nuclear interactions. Solid-density active $LaBr_{3}$ targets absorb real and virtual photons up to 35 ± 2.5 MeV and deexcite through γ cascade into different states. Here, a factor of 4.354 ± 0.932 enhancement of the $^{80}Br^{m}/^{80}Br^{g}$ isomeric ratio was observed following electron irradiation, as compared to bremsstrahlung. Additional angular momentum transfer could possibly occur through nuclear-plasma or electron-nuclear interactions enabled by the ultrashort electron beam. Further investigation of these mechanisms could have far-reaching impact including decreased storage of long-term nuclear waste and an improved understanding of heavy element formation in astrophysical settings.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Studying fast-ion populations using oscillations in solid-state neutral-particle analyzer signal and neutral-beam injection power

A method for determining the fast-ion population density in magnetically confined plasmas as a function of pitch-radius, (λ, R), using a solid-state neutral-particle analyzer (ssNPA) signal and neutral-beam injection (NBI) power-output data has been developed. Oscillations in the NBI power output are replicated only in the active part of the ssNPA signal, allowing this to be separated from the passive and background signals, which usually complicate data from this diagnostic. Results obtained using this method are compared with those from standard techniques using data from the Mega-Amp Spherical Tokamak Upgrade spherical tokamak.

Instruments & Instrumentation↗
DOE OSTI2023

Tuning Bulk Redox and Altering Interfacial Reactivity in Highly Fluorinated Cation-Disordered Rocksalt Cathodes

Lithium-excess, cation-disordered rocksalt (DRX) materials have been subject to intense scrutiny and development in recent years as potential cathode materials for Li-ion batteries. Despite their compositional flexibility and high initial capacity, they suffer from poorly understood parasitic degradation reactions at the cathode-electrolyte interface. These interfacial degradation reactions deteriorate both the DRX material and electrolyte, ultimately leading to capacity fade and voltage hysteresis during cycling. In this work, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) and titration mass spectrometry are combined to quantify the extent of bulk redox and surface degradation reactions for a set of Mn 2+/4+ -based DRX oxyfluorides during initial cycling with a high-voltage charging cutoff (4.8 V vs Li/Li + ). Increasing the fluorine content from 7.5 to 33.75% is shown to diminish oxygen redox and suppresses high-voltage O 2 evolution from the DRX surface. Additionally, electrolyte degradation processes resulting in the formation of both gaseous species and electrolyte-soluble protic species are observed. Subsequently, DEMS is paired with a fluoride-scavenging additive to demonstrate that increasing fluorine content leads to increased dissolution of fluorine from the DRX material into the electrolyte. Finally, a suite of ex situ spectroscopy techniques (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) are employed to study the change in DRX composition during charging, revealing the dissolution of manganese and fluorine from the DRX material at high voltages. Here this work provides insight into the degradation processes occurring at the DRX-electrolyte interface and points toward potential routes of interfacial stabilization.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS2005

Twenty-First Century Research Needs in Electrostatic Processes Applied to Industry and Medicine

From the early century Nobel Prize winning (1923) experiments with charged oil droplets, resulting in the discovery of the elementary electronic charge by Robert Millikan, to the early 21st century Nobel Prize (2002) awarded to John Fenn for his invention of electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy and its applications to proteomics, electrostatic processes have been successfully applied to many areas of industry and medicine. Generation, transport, deposition, separation, analysis, and control of charged particles involved in the four states of matter: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma are of interest in many industrial and biomedical processes. In this paper, we briefly discuss some of the applications and research needs involving charged particles in industrial and medical applications including: (1) Generation and deposition of unipolarly charged dry powder without the presence of ions or excessive ozone, (2) Control of tribocharging process for consistent and reliable charging, (3) Thin film (less than 25 micrometers) powder coating and Powder coating on insulative surfaces, (4) Fluidization and dispersion of fine powders, (5) Mitigation of Mars dust, (6) Effect of particle charge on the lung deposition of inhaled medical aerosols, (7) Nanoparticle deposition, and (8) Plasma/Corona discharge processes. A brief discussion on the measurements of charged particles and suggestions for research needs are also included.

Mazumder, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Compact Full-Field Ion Detector System for CubeSat Science Beyond LEO

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) is applying its expertise and facilities in harsh environment instrumentation to develop a Compact Full-Field Ion Detector System (CFIDS). The CFIDS is designed to be an extremely compact, low cost instrument, capable of being flown on a wide variety of deep space platforms, to provide comprehensive (composition, velocity, and direction) in situ measurements of heavy ions in space plasma environments with higher fidelity, than previously available.

Extraterrestrial Radiation↗
DOE OSTI2021

Atomically Dispersed Copper Sites in a Metal–Organic Framework for Reduction of Nitrogen Dioxide

Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials provide an excellent platform to fabricate single-atom catalysts due to their structural diversity, intrinsic porosity, and designable functionality. However, the unambiguous identification of atomically dispersed metal sites and the elucidation of their role in catalysis are challenging due to limited methods of characterization and lack of direct structural information. Here, we report a comprehensive investigation of the structure and the role of atomically dispersed copper sites in UiO-66 for the catalytic reduction of NO 2 at ambient temperature. The atomic dispersion of copper sites on UiO-66 is confirmed by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and inelastic neutron scattering, and their location is identified by neutron powder diffraction and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The Cu/UiO-66 catalyst exhibits superior catalytic performance for the reduction of NO 2 at 25 °C without the use of reductants. A selectivity of 88% for the formation of N2 at a 97% conversion of NO 2 with a lifetime of >50 h and an unprecedented turnover frequency of 6.1 h-1 is achieved under nonthermal plasma activation. In situ and operando infrared, solid-state NMR, and EPR spectroscopy reveal the critical role of copper sites in the adsorption and activation of NO 2 molecules, with the formation of {Cu(I)···NO} and {Cu···NO 2 } adducts promoting the conversion of NO 2 to N 2 . This study will inspire the further design and study of new efficient single-atom catalysts for NO 2 abatement via detailed unravelling of their role in catalysis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Solid-to-plasma transition of polystyrene induced by a nanosecond laser pulse within the context of inertial confinement fusion

Laser Direct Drive (LDD) Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) involves irradiating a spherical target of thermonuclear fuel coated with an ablator, usually made of polystyrene. Laser energy absorption near the target surface leads to matter ablation, hydrodynamic shocks, and ultimately capsule implosion. The conservation of spherical symmetry is crucial for implosion efficiency, yet spatial modulations in laser intensity can induce nonuniformities, causing the laser imprint phenomenon. Understanding laser imprint, especially considering the initial solid state, is essential for advancing LDD ICF. A first microscopic model of solid-to-plasma transition was built in 2019, accounting for laser absorption in the solid state with a band structure based ionization model. This model has been improved to include chemical fragmentation and a more accurate description of electron collision frequency in various matter states. The latest development involves assessing the model reliability by comparing theoretical predictions with experimental observations. Despite the success of this approach, questions remain, leading to further investigations and observations under different irradiation conditions. This work presents an experiment with a nanosecond pulse, taking into account hydrodynamic effects, and measures transmission dynamics over the entire laser beam area to observe two-dimensional effects. As a result, the objective is to adapt the theoretical model, couple it with a hydrodynamic code, and observe additional effects related to the initial solid state.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Reconfigurable plasma-dielectric hybrid photonic crystal as a platform for electromagnetic wave manipulation and computing

The introduction of 3D printing has enabled fabrication of photonic crystal devices with complex crystal structures that would be challenging to construct using other fabrication methods. In this paper, we construct and characterize a photonic crystal consisting of two 4 x 8 x 8 cubic lattices composed of spherical silicon nitride elements straddling a layer of 8 plasma discharge tubes, creating a 3D hybrid plasma photonic crystal device. Integrating under-dense gaseous plasma elements provides a unique coupling dynamic between the dielectric spheres and the cylindrical plasma discharges, creating a monolithic hybrid photonic crystal with solid state and reconfigurable elements. The device has resonant modes that have attenuation peaks that are either switchable, tunable in amplitude, or tunable in frequency with variations in plasma density. The response of these bands seen with varying plasma density is confirmed through simulations when effects due to the heating of the photonic crystal from the gaseous plasma elements are accounted for in the experiments. We discuss how this reconfigurable device may be used and expanded upon for applications in photonic artificial neural networks and optical computing systems.

3D printing↗
NASA NTRS1977

Temperature of solid particles in colloidal plasmas in space

Lehnert (1970) has investigated the question of the relationship between the kinetic temperature and the internal temperature at which a solid coexists with a plasma in a thermal steady state. The reported investigation is a more refined version of Lehnert's preliminary analysis of this relationship. The electric potential of grains is considered along with the ambient radiation field and the grain temperatures in the thermal steady state. An illustrative calculation is conducted of the grain temperatures in the dense regions of the primordial circumsolar colloidal plasma envelope such as envisioned in the Alfven-Arrhenius model (1976) of the origin of the solar system. It is shown that under certain conditions the solid grains can coexist with the plasma phase up to fairly high plasma densities and temperatures.

De, B. R.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Quantitative Analysis of Origin of Lithium Inventory Loss and Interface Evolution over Extended Fast Charge Aging in Li Ion Batteries

During the extreme fast charging (XFC) of lithium-ion batteries, lithium inventory loss (LLI) and reaction mechanisms at the anode/electrolyte interface are crucial factors in performance and safety. Determining the causes of LLI and quantifying them remain an essential challenge. We present mechanistic research on the evolution and interactions of aging mechanisms at the anode/electrolyte interface. We used NMC 532 /graphite pouch cells charged at rates of 1, 6, and 9 C up to 1000 cycles for our investigation. The cell components were characterized after cycling using electrochemical measurements, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, 7 Li solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The results indicate that cells charged at 1 C exhibit no Li plating, and the increase of SEI thickness is the dominant source of the Li loss. In contrast, Li loss in cells charged at 9 C is related to the formation of the metallic plating layers (42%) the SEI layer (38.1%) and irreversible intercalation into the bulk graphite (19%). XPS analysis suggests that the charging rate has little influence on the evolution of SEI composition. The interactions between competing aging mechanisms were evaluated by a correlation analysis. In conclusion, the quantitative method established in this work provides a comprehensive analytical framework for understanding the synergistic coupling of anodic degradation mechanisms, forecasting SEI failure scenarios, and assessing the XFC lithium-ion battery capacity fade.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗