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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 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

In-situ investigation of thermal instabilities and solid state dewetting in polycrystalline platinum thin films via confocal laser microscopy

Solid state dewetting and the subsequent morphological changes for platinum thin films grown on zinc oxide (ZnO) buffered (001) silicon substrates (Pt/ZnO/SiO{sub 2}/(001)Si system) is investigated under vacuum conditions via a custom-designed confocal laser microscope coupled with a laser heating system. Live imaging of thin film dewetting under a range of heating and quenching vacuum ambients reveals events including hillock formation, hole formation, and hole growth that lead to formation of a network of Pt ligaments, break up of Pt ligaments to individual islands and subsequent Pt islands shape reformation, in chronological fashion. These findings are corroborated by ex-situ materials characterization and quantitative electron microscopy analysis. A secondary hole formation via blistering before film rupture is revealed to be the critical stage, after which a rapid dewetting catastrophe occurs. This process is instantaneous and cannot be captured by ex-situ methods. Finally, an intermetallic phase forms at 900 °C and alters the morphology of Pt islands, suggesting a practical limit to the thermal environments that may be used for these platinized silicon wafers in vacuum conditions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Arabidopsis mitochondrial protein slow embryo development1 is essential for embryo development

The plant seeds formation are crucial parts in reproductive process in seed plants as well as food source for humans. Proper embryo development ensure viable seed formation. Here, we showed an Arabidopsis T-DNA insertion mutant slow embryo development1 (sed1) which exhibited retarded embryogenesis, led to aborted seeds. Embryo without SED1 developed slower compared to normal one and could be recognized at early globular stage by its white appearance. In later development stage, storage accumulated poorly with less protein and lipid body production. In vitro culture did not rescue albino embryo. SED1 encoded a protein targeted to mitochondria. Transmission electron microscopic analysis revealed that mitochondria developed abnormally, and more strikingly plastid failed to construct grana in time in sed1/sed1 embryo. These data indicated that SED1 is indispensable for embryogenesis in Arabidopsis, and the mitochondria may be involved in the regulation of many aspects of seed development. -- Highlights: •Arabidopsis SED1 is essential for embryo development. •The sed1 embryo accumulates less storage and has abnormal ultrastructure. •SED1 localizes to the mitochondrion.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Microstructure, strengthening mechanisms and hot deformation behavior of an oxide-dispersion strengthened UFG Al6063 alloy

An ultrafine-grained Al6063/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0.8 vol.%, 25 nm) nanocomposite was prepared via powder metallurgy route through reactive mechanical alloying and hot powder extrusion. Scanning electron microcopy, transmission electron microscopy, and back scattered electron diffraction analysis showed that the grain structure of the nanocomposite is trimodal and composed of nano-size grains (< 0.1 {mu}m), ultrafine grains (0.1-1 {mu}m), and micron-size grains (> 1 {mu}m) with random orientations. Evaluation of the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite based on the strengthening-mechanism models revealed that the yield strength of the ultrafine-grained nanocomposite is mainly controlled by the high-angle grain boundaries rather than nanometric alumina particles. Hot deformation behavior of the material at different temperatures and strain rates was studied by compression test and compared to coarse-grained Al6063 alloy. The activation energy of the hot deformation process for the nanocomposite was determined to be 291 kJ mol{sup -1}, which is about 64% higher than that of the coarse-grained alloy. Detailed microstructural analysis revealed that dynamic recrystallization is responsible for the observed deformation softening in the ultrafine-grained nanocomposite. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The strengthening mechanisms of Al6063/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanocomposite were evaluated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Hot deformation behavior of the nanocomposite was studied. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The hot deformation activation energy was determined using consecutive models. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The restoration mechanisms and microstructural changes are presented.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Chemical potential shift in organic field-effect transistors identified by soft X-ray operando nano-spectroscopy

A chemical potential shift in an organic field effect transistor (OFET) during operation has been revealed by soft X-ray operando nano-spectroscopy analysis performed using a three-dimensional nanoscale electron-spectroscopy chemical analysis system. OFETs were fabricated using ultrathin (3 ML or 12 nm) single-crystalline C10-DNBDT-NW films on SiO{sub 2} (200 nm)/Si substrates with a backgate electrode and top source/drain Au electrodes, and C 1s line profiles under biasing at the backgate and drain electrodes were measured. When applying −30 V to the backgate, there is C 1s core level shift of 0.1 eV; this shift can be attributed to a chemical potential shift corresponding to band bending by the field effect, resulting in p-type doping.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Investigation on improved performance of Erbium doped TiO2 nanowire based UV detector

Highlights: • PL study showed the removal of oxygen defects of TiO{sub 2} material after Er doping. • Superior photosensitivity was obtained for Er:TiO{sub 2} NW based detector. • Detectivity and NEP were calculated for both undoped and doped detectors. • Photoswitching was observed for Er:TiO{sub 2} NW detector at 350 nm of wavelength. - Abstract: Undoped TiO{sub 2} and Erbium doped TiO{sub 2} nanowires (Er:TiO{sub 2} NWs) were synthesized on respective thin films using e-beam cum glancing angle deposition technique onto n-type silicon substrates. The length of the NWs was ∼182 nm as calculated from field emission gun scanning electron microscopy images. Transmission electron microscopy showed an average NW length of 173 nm. Polycrystalline nature of both samples was obtained from the selected area electron diffraction analysis as well as from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and variation in the grain size (calculated from XRD) confirmed the doping of Erbium in case of Er:TiO{sub 2} NWs. Increased absorption, as well as enhanced bandgap, was observed for Er:TiO{sub 2} NWs compared to the undoped TiO{sub 2} NWs. Superior device performance in terms of detectivity, sensitivity and photoswitching was obtained for Er:TiO{sub 2} NWs as compared to the undoped TiO{sub 2} NWs in the UV region.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

A comprehensive study of thermoelectric and transport properties of β-silicon carbide nanowires

The temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficient, the electrical and thermal conductivities of individual β-silicon carbide nanowires produced by combustion in a calorimetric bomb were studied using a suspended micro-resistance thermometry device that allows four-point probe measurements to be conducted on each nanowire. Additionally, crystal structure and growth direction for each measured nanowire was directly obtained by transmission electron microscopy analysis. The Fermi level, the carrier concentration, and mobility of each nanostructure were determined using a combination of Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity measurements, energy band structure and transport theory calculations. The temperature dependence of the thermal and electrical conductivities of the nanowires was explained in terms of contributions from boundary, impurity, and defect scattering.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Structural and physicochemical insights into pH-responsive poly(DEAEMA- co -HEMA)-grafted mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (SiO 2 ) grafted with responsive polymer shells are versatile hybrid systems. Understanding their three-dimensional organization in the hydrated state remains a significant challenge. Here, in this study, SiO 2 nanoparticles were functionalized with a poly(DEAEMA-co-HEMA) shell via a “grafting-from” polymerization strategy in aqueous media. Successful surface modification was confirmed by FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N 2 sorption, and ζ-potential, yielding grafting contents of 22% (p1 DEAEMA-co-HEMA ) and 49% (p2 DEAEMA-co-HEMA ). Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) with solvent contrast variation was employed to elucidate the solution-state core–shell architecture of p1 and p2 hybrids at pH 2, where the grafted polymer shell is protonated and highly hydrated. Near contrast matching of the silica core, theoretically estimated at 58% D 2 O, suppressed the scattering intensity, enhancing sensitivity to the polymer shell. Constrained core–shell ellipsoid modeling across solvent contrasts revealed a systematic increase in shell thickness, overall particle dimensions, and shell anisotropy with increasing grafting content. In solution, the hydrated polymer shells were markedly more extended and structurally anisotropic than suggested by dry-state techniques structural characterization, highlighting the importance of solution-state structural analysis for accurately describing grafted polymer architectures.

Core-shell biomaterials↗
DOE OSTI2015

Solar assisted alkali pretreatment of garden biomass: Effects on lignocellulose degradation, enzymatic hydrolysis, crystallinity and ultra-structural changes in lignocellulose

Highlights: • SAAP is an efficient and economic means of pretreatment. • SAAP was found to be efficient in lignin and hemicellulose removal. • SAAP enhanced the enzymatic hydrolysis. • FTIR, XRD and SEM provided vivid understanding about the mode of action of SAAP. • Mass balance closer of 98% for pretreated GB confirmed the reliability of SAAP. - Abstract: A comprehensive study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of solar assisted alkali pretreatment (SAAP) on garden biomass (GB). The pretreatment efficiency was assessed based on lignocellulose degradation, conversion of cellulose into reducing sugars, changes in the ultra-structure and functional groups of lignocellulose and impact on the crystallinity of cellulose, etc. SAAP was found to be efficient for the removal of lignin and hemicellulose that facilitated enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. FTIR and XRD studies provided details on the effectiveness of SAAP on lignocellulosic moiety and crystallinity of cellulose. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed ultra-structural disturbances in the microfibrils of GB as a result of pretreatment. The mass balance closer of 97.87% after pretreatment confirmed the reliability of SAAP pretreatment. Based on the results, it is concluded that SAAP is not only an efficient means of pretreatment but also economical as it involved no energy expenditure for heat generation during pretreatment.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effect of annealing on the properties of Sb doped ZnO thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis technique

Sb doped ZnO thin films have been deposited on glass substrate at 450°C using spray pyrolysis technique. The X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the as deposited films are polycrystalline in nature with (100) preferred orientation. Whereas the films annealed at 450° C for 6h show a preferential orientation along (101) direction. Crystallites size varies from 15.7 nm to 34.95 nm with annealing duration. The Scanning electron microscopic analysis shows the plane and smooth surface of the films. The optical properties of annealed films have shown a variation in the band gap between 3.37 eV and 3.19 eV. Transparency of as grown and annealed films decreases from 78 % to 65% respectively in the visible region. The electrical conductivity of the as grown film shows an increase in the electrical conductivity by one order of magnitude with increase in the annealing duration.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

KINETIC TURBULENCE IN THE TERRESTRIAL MAGNETOSHEATH: CLUSTER OBSERVATIONS

We present a first statistical study of subproton- and electron-scale turbulence in the terrestrial magnetosheath using waveform data measured by the Cluster/STAFF search coil magnetometer in the frequency range [1, 180] Hz. It is found that clear spectral breaks exist near the electron scale, which separate two power-law-like frequency bands referred to as the dispersive and the electron dissipation ranges. The frequencies of the breaks f{sub b} are shown to be well correlated with the electron gyroscale ρ {sub e} rather than with the electron inertial length d{sub e} . The distribution of the slopes below f{sub b} is found to be narrow and peaks near –2.9, while that of the slopes above f{sub b} is found to be broader, peaking near –5.2, with values as low as –7.5. This is the first time that such steep power-law spectra are reported in space plasma turbulence. These observations provide new constraints on theoretical modeling of kinetic turbulence and dissipation in collisionless magnetized plasmas.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Contact-induced spin polarization in BNNT(CNT)/TM (TM=Co, Ni) nanocomposites

The interaction between carbon and BN nanotubes (NT) and transition metal Co and Ni supports was studied using electronic structure calculations. Several configurations of interfaces were considered, and the most stable ones were used for electronic structure analysis. All NT/Co interfaces were found to be more energetically favorable than NT/Ni, and conductive carbon nanotubes demonstrate slightly stronger bonding than semiconducting ones. The presence of contact-induced spin polarization was established for all nanocomposites. It was found that the contact-induced polarization of BNNT leads to the appearance of local conductivity in the vicinity of the interface while the rest of the nanotube lattice remains to be insulating.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Direct observation of enhanced emission sites in nitrogen implanted hybrid structured ultrananocrystalline diamond films

A hybrid-structured ultrananocrystalline diamond (h-UNCD) film, synthesized on Si-substrates by a two-step microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (MPECVD) process, contains duplex structure with large diamond aggregates evenly dispersed in a matrix of ultra-small grains ({approx}5 nm). The two-step plasma synthesized h-UNCD films exhibit superior electron field emission (EFE) properties than the one-step MPECVD deposited UNCD films. Nitrogen-ion implantation/post-annealing processes further improve the EFE properties of these films. Current imaging tunnelling spectroscopy in scanning tunnelling spectroscopy mode directly shows increased density of emission sites in N implanted/post-annealed h-UNCD films than as-prepared one. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements show increased sp{sup 2} phase content and C-N bonding fraction in N ion implanted/post-annealed films. Transmission electron microscopic analysis reveals that the N implantation/post-annealing processes induce the formation of defects in the diamond grains, which decreases the band gap and increases the density of states within the band gap of diamond. Moreover, the formation of nanographitic phase surrounding the small diamond grains enhanced the conductivity at the diamond grain boundaries. Both of the phenomena enhance the EFE properties.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using annato seeds (Bixa orellana Linn)

The Fabrication of dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using Annato seeds has been conducted in this study. Annato seeds (Bixa orellana Linn) used as a sensitizer for dye sensitized solar cell. The experimental parameter was concentration of natural dye. Annato seeds was extracted using etanol solution and the concentration was controlled by varying mass of Annato seeds. A semiconductor TiO{sub 2} was prepared by a screen printing method for coating glass use paste of TiO{sub 2}. Construction DSSC used layered systems (sandwich) consists of working electrode (TiO{sub 2} semiconductor-dye) and counter electrode (platina). Both are placed on conductive glass and electrolytes that occur electrons cycle. The characterization of thin layer of TiO{sub 2} was conducted using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscpy) analysis showed the surface morphology of TiO{sub 2} thin layer and the cross section of a thin layer of TiO{sub 2} with a thickness of 15–19 μm. Characterization of natural dye extract was determined using UV-Vis spectrometry analysis shows the wavelength range annato seeds is 328–515 nm, and the voltage (V{sub oc}) and electric current (I{sub sc}) resulted in keithley test for 30 gram, 40 gram, and 50 gram were 0,4000 V; 0,4251 V; 0,4502 V and 0,000074 A; 0,000458 A; 0,000857 A, respectively. The efficiencies of the fabricated solar cells using annato seeds as senstizer for each varying mass are 0,00799%, 0,01237%, and 0,05696%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Exponentially decaying magnetic coupling in sputtered thin film FeNi/Cu/FeCo trilayers

Magnetic coupling in trilayer films of FeNi/Cu/FeCo deposited on Si/SiO{sub 2} substrates have been studied. While the thicknesses of the FeNi and FeCo layers were kept constant at 100 Å, the thickness of the Cu spacer was varied from 5 to 50 Å. Both hysteresis loop and ferromagnetic resonance results indicate that all films are ferromagnetically coupled. Micromagnetic simulations well reproduce the ferromagnetic resonance mode positions measured by experiments, enabling the extraction of the coupling constants. Films with a thin Cu spacer are found to be strongly coupled, with an effective coupling constant of 3 erg/cm{sup 2} for the sample with a 5 Å Cu spacer. The strong coupling strength is qualitatively understood within the framework of a combined effect of Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida and pinhole coupling, which is evidenced by transmission electron microscopy analysis. The magnetic coupling constant surprisingly decreases exponentially with increasing Cu spacer thickness, without showing an oscillatory thickness dependence. This is partially connected to the substantial interfacial roughness that washes away the oscillation. The results have implications on the design of multilayers for spintronic applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Fe{sub (100−x)}Ni{sub (x)} Alloy Powders by Auto-combustion and Hydrogen Reduction

Nanocrystalline Fe{sub 90}Ni{sub 10,} Fe{sub 70}Ni{sub 30} andFe{sub 50}Ni{sub 50} alloy powders were successfully synthesized using a simple auto-combustion route followed by hydrogen reduction. The experimental work consisted of two steps, where the first step was auto-combustion and, the second step was reduction of the combusted powders. Citric acid was used as fuel during combustion, and citrate to nitrate ratio (C/N) was maintained at 0.3. NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} phase formation occurred in obtained powders. Obtained powders were reduced in a hydrogen atmosphere at 700 °C/1 h for alloy formation. X-ray diffraction results revealed the presence of BCC α-(Fe,Ni) and FCC γ-(Fe,Ni) phases in reduced powders. Rietveld refinement technique was used to confirm α-(Fe,Ni) and γ-(Fe,Ni) phases with Im-3 m and Fm-3 m space groups, respectively. The Fe{sub 50}Ni{sub 50} powder has been found to have a single γ-(Fe,Ni) phase. Crystallite size of synthesized powders was calculated using the Scherrer equation and transmission electron microscopic analysis, which has been found < 50 nm. The nanocrystalline powders of all three compositions have shown soft magnetic nature with high saturation magnetization (Ms) and low coercivity (Hc). Effect of composition on the phase formation, microstructure and magnetic behavior was investigated. This rapid and simple process for attaining nanoparticles of Fe-Ni alloys with high Ms is expected to be useful in potent applications such as sensors, biomedical applications and electromagnetic wave absorbers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

First-Principles Calculations on the Wettability of Li Atoms on the (111) Surfaces of W and Mo Substrates

Comprehension over the interactions between lithium (Li) atoms and tungsten (W) or molybdenum (Mo) are crucial to improve the wettability of the flowing liquid Li, a candidate plasma facing material in fusion devices, on the surfaces of supported substrate metals. In this work, we utilize first-principles density- functional theory calculations to figure out the adsorption and diffusion properties of Li atoms and clusters on the (111) surfaces of W and Mo. It is found that single Li atom in the fcc-hollow site is the most favored configuration. For the multiple Li atoms adsorption on the substrates, the planar construction is more stable than the stacking one. The electronic structure analysis shows that the lateral interaction between Li atoms is very weak and the binding between Li atom and the substrates is strong; therefore, it can be inferred that the liquid Li is “wetting” intrinsically on the surfaces of the W and Mo substrates. We also investigate the effect of defects (vacancy, H, C, and O) and find that the preexisted vacancy in the substrates has little effect on the wettability; however, the impurities (especially O atom) will hinder the movement of Li atoms on the metal substrates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effect of CNTs dispersion on the thermal and mechanical properties of Cu/CNTs nanocomposites

Modified technique of metal injection molding (MIM) was used to fabricate multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced Cu nanocomposites. The effect of adding different amount of CNTs (0-10 vol.%) on the thermal and mechanical behaviour of the fabricated nanocomposites is presented. Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed homogenous dispersion of CNTs in Cu matrices at different CNTs contents. The experimentally measured thermal conductivities of Cu/CNTs nanocomposites showed extraordinary increase (76% higher than pure sintered Cu) with addition of 10 vol.% CNTs. As compared to the pure sintered Cu, increase in modulus of elasticity (Young's modulus) of Cu/CNTs nanocomposites sintered at 1050°C for 2.5 h was measured to be 48%. However, in case of 7.5 vol.% CNTs, Young's modulus was increased significantly about 51% compared to that of pure sintered Cu.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

SiC/Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} nanotubes from peanut shells

Nanotubes and nanoparticles of SiC and Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} were produced from the thermal treatment of peanut shells in argon and nitrogen atmospheres respectively, at temperatures in excess of 1350°C. Using x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis, the processed samples in argon atmosphere were shown to consist of 2H and 3C polytypes of SiC nanoparticles and nanotubes. Whereas the samples prepared in nitrogen atmosphere consisted of α-phase of Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}. Nanostructures formed by a single direct reaction provide a sustainable synthesis route for nanostructured SiC and Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}, for potential engineering applications due to their exceptional mechanical and electro-optic properties.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗