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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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990 records · Page 36
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Wide-Bandgap Semiconductor Amplifiers for Fusion Plasma Heating and Control

This paper discusses power electronics developed under the ARPA-E GAMOW program to support nuclear fusion power production. The goal of this project was to develop and assess the potential for wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor devices in power electronics to enable high-efficiency and high-voltage solid-state systems for fusion plasma generation, heating, and control. The power electronics use an architecture in which multiple high-power boards can be combined to produce megawatt-level power, where using multiple boards provides high reliability. Two main areas of power electronics boards are developed in this project for fusion plasma heating and control applications: (1) pulse generation and control and (2) radiofrequency generation. The first area is for boards capable of driving high-voltage millisecond pulses at high duty cycles. The envisioned application of these pulses is in plasma control of magnetohydrodynamic instabilities, plasma position, and edge-localized modes. Pulse-width modulation allows for the implementation of a wide variety of linear and nonlinear control systems. The boards developed for this project could actuate control coils based on digital input signals and can be parallelized to provide megawatts of output power. The design of the pulse generator is a low-side load switch. A load switch was designed and constructed that utilized 2-kV-rated field-effect transistor (FET)-based cascodes developed by Qorvo under this project to perform initial testing of these cascodes. The second area is being implemented using class E amplifiers with WBG devices and a reactance steering network to handle inductive or capacitive plasma loads. Applications include ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) and high-harmonic fast-wave (HHFW) heating. A class E reactance steering network is demonstrated in modeling and experiment with a resistive-inductive load that models an inductively-coupled plasma. Power combining of boards with class E reactance steering networks is also simulated and demonstrated experimentally, to enable scaling up to high power. Modeling of high-power-density cooling and remaining useful life is conducted to enable reliable, effectively cooled high-power electronics for fusion applications.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1993

Overview 1993: Chemical propulsion at CSTAR

Chemical Propulsion at CSTAR continues to expand its activities and areas of interest. Several new initiatives are being developed which are extensions of, or replacements for, earlier projects. One current focus is on reassessing promising engine cycles and the enabling technologies for implementing them. These engine cycles which include advanced hybrids, and staged combustion cycles have the use of oxygen as a working fluid and coolant in common. Oxygen is used as a turbine drive gas, tank pressurant and as a cooling medium for combustion devices. CSTAR has interest in the propellant feed systems for advanced rocket engines, including propellant conditioning and tank pressurization, gas generators, and turbomachinery. CSTAR's interests also include propellant injection into the main chamber. These aspects of rocket propulsion embody a diverse range of technical disciplines and technologies, critical to the pursuit of low cost space access. The chemical propulsion program at CSTAR includes active projects investigating hybrid rocket engine oxygen feed systems, hybrid rocket injectors, gas fed hybrid rocket combustion, elements of main injectors for staged combustion devices. CSTAR is actively seeking industrial partners interested in joint participation in one or more phases of the analyses, design, development and application of propulsion technologies and related technical disciplines.

William H. Knuth↗
DOE OSTI2025

pi-Extended Porphyrins: The Impact of Aromatic Heterocycles on the Properties of the Largely pi-Extended Structures (Final Report_UNT_SC0016766)

Largely π-extended carbon-rich materials represent fascinating yet challenging frontiers in chemistry and materials science as it offers numerous opportunities in molecular electronics. pi-Extended porphyrins possess unique set of electronic and photophysical properties and are very attractive for a wide range of applications. However, the synthesis and functionalization of pi-extended porphyrins had been very challenging. To explore and expand this intriguing research field, it is essential to develop synthetic tools to make them accessible. Funded by the Department of Energy Basic Energy Science, my laboratory addressed these synthetic challenges by developing concise and versatile methods for pi-extended porphyrins. Significant progress has been made in multiple directions, including fusing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), aromatic heterocycles, antiaromatic component, and cross-conjugated component to porphyrins as well as push-pull porphyrins. The availability of these methods has made it possible to rationally design and synthesize functionalized pi-extended porphyrins. Unprecedented electronic and photophysical properties have been discovered for these pi-extended porphyrins.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Development and Evaluation of a Cost-Effective Behind-the-Meter Synchronized Measurement Unit for Enhanced Grid Integration

This paper presents the development of the Inverter Based Resource Monitor (IBRM), an innovative behind-the-meter synchronized measurement unit (SMU) tailored for integration with inverter-based resources (IBRs). The IBRM distinguishes itself as a highly accurate and cost-effective SMU, offering facile deployment and connectivity to IBRs. It is equipped to conduct real-time voltage and current waveform analyses, serving as a phasor measurement unit (PMU) with exceptionally rapid synchrophasor transmission capabilities. The device incorporates a cutting-edge dual-core architecture designed to minimize sampling delays inherent to its microprocessor, thereby enhancing the precision of synchronized waveform measurements. Moreover, the IBRM is adept at recording high-fidelity waveform data, capturing nuances such as waveform distortions, high-order harmonics, and wide-band oscillations prevalent in power grids with substantial IBR presence. A prototype of the IBRM has been constructed and subjected to rigorous testing to assess its functional capabilities and measurement precision, utilizing both idealized signal generators and a real-world off-grid inverter setup as benchmarks.

Wu, Ori [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000326723410)↗
DOE OSTI2026

Are CO2 batteries ready for the grid? A cross-cutting deployment checklist

Metal-CO2 batteries have attracted considerable research interest in the past decade due to the utilization of the greenhouse CO2 gas. The low cost and abundance of CO2 feedstocks, together with high specific capacity metal anodes, make this technology a promising candidate for electricity-demanding data centers and grids. However, nonstandard data reporting, ambiguous hardware designs, and questionable cycling parameters have emerged as the field has grown. A clear checklist and standardized reporting format for research and development are urgently needed. Here, after carefully re-analyzing 15 Na-CO2 and 9 Li-CO2 studies, we propose a general checklist and a flowchart for CO2 batteries and related gas conversion systems. Specific performance values from a deployment-oriented perspective, based on commercial lithium iron phosphate batteries, are integrated into the list. We frame research and development efforts around grid-relevant outputs, including areal rate and capacity, cyclability, gas utilization, and safety. While illustrated for Na- and Li-CO2 cells, this framework is directly transferable to other CO2 batteries and air/oxygen batteries, helping align benchtop demonstrations with systematic metrics that ultimately govern future deployment.

Wu, Wenda [ORNL] (ORCID:000900033307687X)↗
NASA NTRS1990

Interactions Between the Space Station and the Environment: A Preliminary Assessment of EMI

A review of the interactions between proposed Space Station systems/payloads and the environment that contribute to electromagnetic interference was performed. Seven prime sources of interference have been identified. These are: The Space Station power system; active experiments such as beam injection; ASTROMAG; ram and wake density gradients; pick up ions produced by vented or offgassed clouds; waves produced by current loops that include the plasma and structure; arcing from high voltage solar arrays (or possible ESD in polar orbit). This review indicates that: minimizing leakage current from the 20 kHz power system to the structure; keeping the surfaces of the Space Station structure, arrays, and radiators nonconducting; minimizing venting of payloads or systems to non-operational periods; careful placement of payloads sensitive to magnetic field perturbations or wake noise; and designing an operational timeline compatible with experiment requirement are the most effective means of minimizing the effects of this interference. High degrees of uncertainty exist in the estimates of magnitudes of gas emission induced EMI, radiation of 20 kHz and harmonics, ASTROMAG induced interference, and arc threshold/frequency of the solar array. These processes demand further attention so that mitigation efforts are properly calibrated.

G B Murphy↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit 11 Foot Vacuum Chamber Upgrades Test Results

The Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) uncrewed 11 foot vacuum chamber testing evaluated the capabilities of the 11 foot vacuum chamber facility to support advanced spacesuit testing. The government reference design xEMU spacesuit provided a high-fidelity test article to demonstrate 11 foot vacuum chamber capabilities which included: gas loading of the chamber at varying simulated metabolic rates and open loop suit abort operations, Intravehicular Activity (IVA) vacuum access, consumables recharge, IVA vehicle-provided thermal loop cooling, and IVA vehicle-provided power. To demonstrate the xEMU airlock operations transitioning from IVA to EVA conditions without a test subject in the suit, test support equipment was developed to remotely actuate both the Exploration, Servicing, and Cooling Umbilical (ESCU) and the vacuum access umbilical. This test also evaluated the performance of the Exploration Portable Life Support System (xPLSS) at vacuum conditions. Data was collected and analyzed for carbon dioxide (CO2) scrubbing performance of the Rapid Cycle Amine (RCA) swingbed, for thermal regulation performance of the Suit Water Membrane Evaporator (SWME), and for sensor performance across the xPLSS. This paper will detail the findings of the testing performed with these upgrades which discussed previously laid out in ICES-2025-342.

Robert Marsch↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Novel Low-Profile High-Efficiency Three-Phase Matrix Transformer

High step-down isolated DC-DC conversion from an 800 V DC bus to low-voltage, high-current outputs is required in automotive auxiliary converters and data center power supplies. In such applications, conventional transformer-based converters require large turns ratios, which increase winding resistance, leakage inductance, and magnetic height. This paper proposes a novel low-profile three-phase matrix transformer that realizes a large effective voltage ratio through flux division among multiple secondary legs, without increasing the physical turns count of each winding. As a result, the proposed structure reduces copper usage and transformer height while preserving the voltage conversion capability of a conventional three-phase transformer. Finite element analysis shows that the proposed design reduces magnetic height by 27%, ferrite volume by 34%, and copper volume by 28%. Circuit-level simulations of an 800 V/12 V,3 kW CLLLC dual-active-bridge converter further show that the lower winding resistance reduces total system loss by 91% and increases DC-DC efficiency from 82.6% to 97.6% at 3 kW output.

Inoue, Shuntaro [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000262637627)↗
NASA NTRS1984

Nickel-iron battery system safety

The generated flow rates of gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen from an electrical vehicle nickel-iron battery system were determined and used to evaluate the flame quenching capabilities of several candidate devices to prevent flame propagation within batteries having central watering/venting systems. The battery generated hydrogen and oxygen gases were measured for a complete charge and discharge cycle. The data correlates well with accepted theory during strong overcharge conditions indicating that the measurements are valid for other portions of the cycle. Tests confirm that the gas mixture in the cells is always flammable regardless of the battery status. The literature indicated that a conventional flame arrestor would not be effective over the broad spectrum of gassing conditions presented by a nickel-iron battery. Four different types of protective devices were evaluated. A foam-metal arrestor design was successful in quenching gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen flames, however; the application of this flame arrestor to individual cell or module protection in a battery is problematic. A possible rearrangement of the watering/venting system to accept the partial protection of simple one-way valves is presented which, in combination with the successful foam-metal arrestor as main vent protection, could result in a significant improvement in battery protection.

Saltat, R. C.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Raman enhancement induced by exciton hybridization in molecules and 2D materials

Abstract Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful technique for trace-level fingerprinting. Recently, layered two-dimensional (2D) materials have gained significant interest as SERS substrates for providing stable, uniform, and reproducible Raman enhancement with the potential for trace-level detection. Yet, the development of effective 2D SERS substrates is still hindered by the lack of fundamental understanding of the coupling mechanism between target molecules and substrates. Here, we report a systematic excitation-dependent Raman spectroscopy investigation on the coupling between 2D materials such as SnS 2 , MoS 2 , WSe 2 , and graphene and small organic molecules like rhodamine 6G (Rh 6G). Strong coupling between SnS 2 and Rh 6G is found due to their degenerate excitons through Raman excitation profiles (REP), leading to the enhancement of Rh 6G vibrational modes that are observable down to 10 −13 M. Our study shows that exciton coupling in the substrate-adsorbate complex plays a vital role in the Raman enhancement effect, opening a new route for designing SERS substrates for high sensitivity.

Materials Science↗
DOE OSTI2025

Linear Dichroism of the Optical Properties of SnS and SnSe Van der Waals Crystals

Abstract Tin monochalcogenides SnS and SnSe, belonging to a family of Van der Waals crystals isoelectronic to black phosphorus, are known as environmentally friendly materials promising for thermoelectric conversion applications. However, they exhibit other desired functionalities, such as intrinsic linear dichroism of the optical and electronic properties originating from strongly anisotropic orthorhombic crystal structures. This property makes them perfect candidates for polarization‐sensitive photodetectors working in near‐infrared spectral range. A comprehensive study of the SnS and SnSe crystals is presented, performed by means of optical spectroscopy and photoemission spectroscopy, supported by ab initio calculations. The studies reveal the high sensitivity of the optical response of both materials to the incident light polarization, which is interpreted in terms of the electronic band dispersion and orbital composition of the electronic bands, dictating the selection rules. From the photoemission investigation the ionization potential, electron affinity and work function are determined, which are parameters crucial for the design of devices based on semiconductor heterostructures.

Chemistry↗
NASA NTRS1995

Validation of the SINDA/FLUINT Code Using Several Analytical Solutions

The Systems Improved Numerical Differencing Analyzer and Fluid Integrator (SINDA/FLUINT) code has often been used to determine the transient and steady-state response of various thermal and fluid flow networks. While this code is an often used design and analysis tool, the validation of this program has been limited to a few simple studies. For the current study, the SINDA/FLUINT code was compared to four different analytical solutions. The thermal analyzer portion of the code (conduction and radiative heat transfer, SINDA portion) was first compared to two separate solutions. The first comparison examined a semi-infinite slab with a periodic surface temperature boundary condition. Next, a small, uniform temperature object (lumped capacitance) was allowed to radiate to a fixed temperature sink. The fluid portion of the code (FLUINT) was also compared to two different analytical solutions. The first study examined a tank filling process by an ideal gas in which there is both control volume work and heat transfer. The final comparison considered the flow in a pipe joining two infinite reservoirs of pressure. The results of all these studies showed that for the situations examined here, the SINDA/FLUINT code was able to match the results of the analytical solutions.

John R Keller↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development of Electrolytes under Lean Condition in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries stand out as one of the promising candidates for next-generation electrochemical energy storage technologies. A key requirement to realize high-specific-energy Li–S batteries is to implement low amount of electrolyte, often characterized by the electrolyte/sulfur (E/S) ratio. Low E/S ratio aggravates the known challenges for Li–S batteries and introduces new ones originated from the high concentration of polysulfides in limited electrolyte reservoir. Here, in this review, the connections between the fundamental properties of electrolytes and the electrochemical/chemical reactions in Li–S batteries under lean electrolyte condition are elucidated. The emphasis is on how the solvating properties of the electrolyte affect the fate of polysulfides. Built upon the mechanistic analysis, different strategies to design lean electrolytes to improve the overall process of Li–S reactions and Li anode protection are discussed.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA's Small Spacecraft and Distributed Systems: Development and Demonstration of Technologies Enabling Swarms and New Spacecraft Platforms with AI and Edge Computing

NASA’s Small Spacecraft & Distributed Systems (SSDS) within the Research and Technology Mission Directorate (RTMD) expands U.S. capability to execute unique missions through targeted investment, rapid development, and flight demonstration of small spacecraft technologies applicable to exploration, science and the commercial space sector. SSDS strategically invests in technology development and on-orbit demonstrations executed across NASA, other government agencies, industry, and academia. The program’s University SmallSat Technology Partnerships initiative awards academic researchers with the opportunity to collaborate with NASA to mature innovative technology. Capabilities aligned with RTMD’s technology shortfalls and interests - power, processing, propulsion, sensors, communications, autonomous navigation, architectures, and advanced applications like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and edge computing - are prioritized in SSDS investments. These investments enable distributed, autonomous, and cooperative small spacecraft systems that support swarm missions extending beyond low Earth orbit into cislunar and deep space. This paper highlights representative SSDS flight demonstrations that mature these capabilities to enable a future operational infrastructure needed to support sustained exploration of the Moon and beyond. SSDS’s investment strategy emphasizes rapid development and on-orbit demonstration to validate spacecraft technologies required for swarms and distributed mission architectures. The Starling swarm technology demonstration mission exemplifies this approach by advancing distributed spacecraft autonomy, cooperative operations, and space situational awareness. Extended flight testing and ongoing studies of next generation swarm configurations and on-orbit space traffic monitoring and management continue to inform future swarm designs. DiskSat’s four-spacecraft demonstration mission represents SSDS’s strategic vision to expand the design space for future small spacecraft through its commitment to advance novel platform concepts that can impact how science is performed on orbit. Continuing to invest in future platforms, the notional PY12 concept is a 12-spacecraft swarm hosting neuromorphic processors and is envisioned as an on-orbit testbed for AI, edge computing, and positioning, navigation and timing technologies. SSDS also invests in single-spacecraft technology demonstrations that underpin the success of future swarm missions and accelerate the availability of validated technologies across the small spacecraft ecosystem. Examples of such demonstrations include Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator-3 (PTD-3), which performed high-rate optical communications; PTD-R, which demonstrated a camera capable of simultaneous ultraviolet and short-wave infrared optical sensing; and CAPSTONE, the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology and Operations Navigation Experiment, which validated autonomous navigation in cislunar space. Collectively, SSDS-funded demonstrations advance capabilities across swarms and illustrate a coordinated investment strategy to mature high-impact technologies required for autonomous, distributed, and cooperative small spacecraft systems for low Earth orbit, cislunar, and deep space applications. Technology demonstrations strengthen SSDS partnerships with industry, academia, and other government agencies, and promote small spacecraft community adoption of capabilities required to close technical gaps for swarm missions.

Jan Stupl↗
NASA NTRS1967

Space Programs Summary 37-43, Vol. VI, Space Exploration Programs and Space Sciences For the Period November 1 to December 31, 1966

The Space Programs Summary is a six-volume bimonthly publication designed to report on JPL space exploration programs and related supporting research and advanced development projects. The titles of all volumes of the Space Programs Summary are: Vol. I. The Lunar Program (Confidential) Vol. 11. The Planetary-Interplanetary Program (Confidential) Vol. 111. The Deep Space Network (Unclassified) Vol. IV. Supporting Research and Advanced Development (Unclassified) Vol. V. Supporting Research and Advanced Development (Confidential) Vol. VI. Space Exploration Programs and Space Sciences (Unclassified) The Space Programs Summary, Vol. VI, consists of: an unclassified digest of appropriate material from Vols. I, II, and III; an original presentation of the JPL quality assurance and reliability efforts, and the environmental- and dynamic-testing facility-development activities; and a reprint of the space science instrumentation studies of Vols. I and 11. This instrumentation work is conducted by the JPL Space Sciences Division and also by individuals of various colleges, universities, and other organizations. All such projects are supported by the Laboratory and are concerned with the development of instruments for use in the NASA space flight programs.

MARINER PROGRAM↗
NASA NTRS2014

Screen Channel Liquid Acquisition Device Outflow Tests in Liquid Hydrogen

This paper presents experimental design and test results of the recently concluded 1-g inverted vertical outflow testing of two 325x2300 full scale liquid acquisition device (LAD) channels in liquid hydrogen (LH 2 ). One of the channels had a perforated plate and internal cooling from a thermodynamic vent system (TVS) to enhance performance. The LADs were mounted in a tank to simulate 1-g outflow over a wide range of LH 2 temperatures (20.3 – 24.2 K), pressures (100 – 350 kPa), and flow rates (0.010 – 0.055 kg/s). Results indicate that the breakdown point is dominated by liquid temperature, with a second order dependence on mass flow rate through the LAD. The best performance is always achieved in the coldest liquid states for both channels, consistent with bubble point theory. Higher flow rates cause the standard channel to break down relatively earlier than the TVS cooled channel. Both the internal TVS heat exchanger and subcooling the liquid in the propellant tank are shown to significantly improve LAD performance.

Fuel Depot↗
NASA NTRS2026

A Multi-Tier Autonomous Aerial Architecture for Wildfire Detection, Characterization, and Communication in Infrastructure-Denied Environments

Wildfire response depends on how fast an ignition can be confirmed and located, especially in remote regions where ground-based communication and monitoring may be limited. Geostationary sensors provide frequent observations but at kilometer-scale resolution, which is too coarse to resolve small fires in remote terrain. Ground camera networks require sightlines and infrastructure that back-country areas lack. To address these limitations, this work proposes a Multi-Tier Autonomous Wildfire Intelligence System that combines wide-area monitoring with targeted, high-resolution sensing. A solar-powered high-altitude long endurance (HALE) platform operating at approximately 60,000 ft provides persistent wide-area thermal and optical surveillance, running onboard edge inference to screen candidate ignitions and reduce false positives and downlink bandwidth. When a candidate ignition is detected, low-altitude uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) can be deployed to conduct localized observations, including high-resolution imaging and atmospheric measurements such as wind and plume observation. By combining persistent detection with local sensing, the proposed architecture is designed to provide first responders with timely, high-resolution information about fire location and behavior to aid in emergency decision making.

Wildfire management, UAS, drones↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Compact Cryogenic Environment for In Situ Neutron Diffraction Under Mechanical Loading

Understanding the deformation mechanisms of materials at cryogenic temperatures is crucial for cryogenic engineering applications. In situ neutron diffraction is a powerful technique for probing such mechanisms under cryogenic conditions. In this study, we present the development of a compact cryogenic environment (CCE) designed to facil-itate in situ neutron diffraction experiments under mechanical loading at tempera-tures as low as 77 K. The CCE features a polystyrene foam cryogenic chamber, alumi-num blocks serving as neutron-transparent cold sinks, a liquid nitrogen dosing system for cryogen delivery, a nitrogen gas flow control system for thermal management, a process controller for temperature control, and a pair of thermally isolated grip adapt-ers for mechanical testing. The CCE achieves reliable temperature control with mini-mal neutron attenuation. Utilizing this setup, we conducted three in situ neutron dif-fraction tensile tests on a 316L stainless steel at 77 , 173 , and 298 K, respectively. The results highlight the pronounced effects of cryogenic temperatures on the material's deformation mechanisms, underscoring both the significance of cryogenic deformation studies and the effectiveness of the CCE.

Yu, Dunji [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000189467851)↗