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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 703 records · Page 39

Photostability of Ambient-Processed, Conjugated Polymer Electrochromic Devices Encapsulated by Bioderived Barrier Films

Polymer-based electrochromic devices (ECDs) are a promising technology for enabling low-voltage, disposable displays, yet are currently limited by photo-oxidative bleaching of the active materials. Here, renewable barrier films composed of cellulose and chitin are presented as an alternative to poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) for encapsulating ECDs. To assess barrier film effectiveness, lateral ECDs composed of poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene-(CH 2 OEtHx) 2 ) (P(ProDOT)) active layers were constructed and encapsulated with a multilayer barrier consisting of chitin nanofibers and cellulose nanocrystals spray cast onto a cellulose acetate substrate (oxygen transmission rate (OTR) = 29 cm 3 m –2 day –1 ), a commercially available PET film (OTR = 8.5 cm 3 m –2 day –1 ), and a high-performance PET-Al 2 O 3 multilayer barrier film (OTR < 1 cm 3 m –2 day –1 ). The photodegradation of the P(ProDOT) active layer was determined by measuring the evolution of the colorimetric contrast (ΔE*) and switching speeds as a function of light exposure (100 mW cm –2 , AM 1.5 G light). Photodegradation was found to proceed at a similar rate for all encapsulated devices (roughly 10 times more slowly than unencapsulated devices), highlighting the opportunity for replacing petroleum packaging with bioderived barrier films. Analysis of the switching kinetics, the shifts in optical absorbance, and evidence of chemical degradation indicate that both photochemical breakdown of the electrolyte and cross-linking of the P(ProDOT) active material are key drivers for loss of device performance when oxygen flux to the active material is limited. Furthermore, pathways toward better understanding photodegradation are then proposed with sustainability in mind for future ECD design.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Exposing Process‐Level Biases in a Global Cloud Permitting Model With ARM Observations

The emergence of global convective‐permitting models (GCPMs) represents a significant advancement in climate modeling, offering improved representation of deep convection and complex precipitation patterns. In this study, we evaluate the performance of the Simple Cloud‐Resolving E3SM Atmosphere Model (SCREAM) using its doubly periodic configuration (DP‐SCREAM) against large eddy simulations and modern observational data sets from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program. We introduce several new transitional cloud regime cases, such as the transition from shallow to deep convection and from stratocumulus to cumulus, as well as cold‐air outbreak scenarios. The results reveal both strengths and limitations of SCREAM, particularly in the accurate simulation of cloud transitions and midlevel convection, with varying degrees of sensitivity to horizontal and vertical resolution. Despite improvements at higher resolutions, key biases remain, including the abrupt transition from shallow to deep convection and the lack of congestus clouds. These findings underscore the need for further refinement in turbulence parameterizations and vertical grid resolution in GCPMs.

Bogenschutz, Peter A. [Lawrence Livermore National↗

High-performance ternary blend polymer solar cells involving both energy transfer and hole relay processes

The integration of multiple materials with complementary absorptions into a singlejunction device is regarded as an efficient way to enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, due to increased complexity with one more component, only limited high performance ternary systems have been demonstrated previously. Here, we report an efficient ternary blend OSC with a PCE of 9.2%. We show for the first time that the third component can reduce surface trap densities in the ternary blend. Detailed studies unravel that the improved performance results from synergistic effects of enlarged open circuit voltage, suppressed trap assisted recombination, enhanced light absorption, increased hole extraction, efficient energy transfer, and better morphology. The novel working mechanism and high device performance demonstrate new insights and design guidelines for high performance ternary blend solar cells and suggest that ternary structure is a promising platform to boost the efficiency of OSCs.

high efficiency↗

Texture evolution during processing and post-processing of maraging steel fabricated by laser powder bed fusion

Abstract In this study, the evolution of solidification texture during LPBF of Ti-free grade 300 maraging steel, and its effect on texture development during subsequent post-fabrication heat treatments was characterized using Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). It was found that in the as-fabricated state, no texture was observed in the room temperature martensitic phase. However, the reconstructed parent austenite phase displayed a Cube texture with a minor fraction of Rotated Goss texture. During subsequent aging treatments involving two different routes, namely direct aging of the as-fabricated samples, and conventional solution treatment + aging of the as-fabricated samples, significant changes in the texture components of parent austenite were observed, whereas no changes in texture were observed in the room temperature martensitic phase. During direct aging, it was found that with an increase in the aging temperature up to 520 °C, the texture components of the parent austenite changed from Cube/Rotated Goss to Brass, whereas during the conventional solution treatment and aging cycle, interestingly a change in texture component to rotated copper was observed. The transitions in texture components have been discussed using the concepts of recrystallization and twinning in austenite during annealing and/or aging, and strain energy release maximization (SERM) theory. Furthermore, the importance of these preferred orientations on the mechanical properties was quantified using transformation potential diagrams.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Combined Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Processes Determining Cathode Performance in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are under intensive investigation since the 1980’s as these devices open the way for ecologically clean direct conversion of the chemical energy into electricity, avoiding the efficiency limitation by Carnot’s cycle for thermochemical conversion. However, the practical development of SOFC faces a number of unresolved fundamental problems, in particular concerning the kinetics of the electrode reactions, especially oxygen reduction reaction. We review recent experimental and theoretical achievements in the current understanding of the cathode performance by exploring and comparing mostly three materials: (La,Sr)MnO3 (LSM), (La,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3 (LSCF) and (Ba,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3 (BSCF). Special attention is paid to a critical evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of BSCF, which shows the best cathode kinetics known so far for oxides. We demonstrate that it is the combined experimental and theoretical analysis of all major elementary steps of the oxygen reduction reaction which allows us to predict the rate determining steps for a given material under specific operational conditions and thus control and improve SOFC performance.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗