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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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2007

Multistage Passive Cooler for Spaceborne Instruments

A document describes a three-stage passive radiative cooler for a cryogenic spectrometer to be launched into a low orbit around the Moon. This cooler is relatively lightweight and compact, and its basic design is scalable and otherwise adaptable to other applications in which there are requirements for cooling instrumentation in orbit about planets. The cooler includes multiple lightweight flat radiator blades alternating with cylindrical parabolic infrared reflectors. The radiator blades are oriented at an angle chosen to prevent infrared loading from the Moon limb at the intended orbital altitude and attitude. The reflectors are shaped and oriented to position their foci outside the radiator surfaces. There are six radiator-blade/reflector pairs - two pairs for each stage of cooling. The radiator blades and reflectors are coated on their front and back surfaces with materials having various infrared emissivities, infrared reflectivities, and solar reflectivities so as to maximize infrared radiation to cold outer space and minimize inadvertent solar heating. The radiator blades and reflectors are held in place by a lightweight support structure, the components of which are designed to satisfy a complex combination of thermal and mechanical requirements.

Rodriquez, Jose I.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Biasable, Balanced, Fundamental Submillimeter Monolithic Membrane Mixer

This device is a biasable, submillimeter-wave, balanced mixer fabricated using JPL s monolithic membrane process a simplified version of planar membrane technology. The primary target application is instrumentation used for analysis of atmospheric constituents, pressure, temperature, winds, and other physical and chemical properties of the atmospheres of planets and comets. Other applications include high-sensitivity gas detection and analysis. This innovation uses a balanced configuration of two diodes allowing the radio frequency (RF) signal and local oscillator (LO) inputs to be separated. This removes the need for external diplexers that are inherently narrowband, bulky, and require mechanical tuning to change frequency. Additionally, this mixer uses DC bias-ability to improve its performance and versatility. In order to solve problems relating to circuit size, the GaAs membrane process was created. As much of the circuitry as possible is fabricated on-chip, making the circuit monolithic. The remainder of the circuitry is precision-machined into a waveguide block that holds the GaAs circuit. The most critical alignments are performed using micron-scale semiconductor technology, enabling wide bandwidth and high operating frequencies. The balanced mixer gets superior performance with less than 2 mW of LO power. This can be provided by a simple two-stage multiplier chain following an amplifier at around 90 GHz. Further, the diodes are arranged so that they can be biased. Biasing pushes the diodes closer to their switching voltage, so that less LO power is required to switch the diodes on and off. In the photo, the diodes are at the right end of the circuit. The LO comes from the waveguide at the right into a reduced-height section containing the diodes. Because the diodes are in series to the LO signal, they are both turned on and off simultaneously once per LO cycle. Conversely, the RF signal is picked up from the RF waveguide by the probe at the left, and flows rightward to the diodes. Because the RF is in a quasi- TEM (suspended, microstrip-like) mode, it impinges on the diodes in an anti-parallel mode that does not couple to the waveguide mode. This isolates the LO and RF signals. This operation is similar to a cross-bar mixer used at low frequencies, except the RF signal enters through the back-short end of the waveguide rather than through the side. The RF probe also conveys the down-converted intermediate frequency (IF) signal out to an off-chip circuit board through a simple LC low-pass filter to the left as indicated. The bias is brought to the diodes through a bypass capacitor at the top.

Siegel, Peter↗
DOE OSTI2022

Sample Preparation and Experimental Design for In Situ Multi-Beam Transmission Electron Microscopy Irradiation Experiments

We discuss the need to understand materials exposed to overlapping extreme environments such as high temperature, radiation, or mechanical stress. When these stressors are combined there may be synergistic effects that enable unique microstructural evolution mechanisms to activate. Understanding of these mechanisms is necessary for the input and refinement of predictive models and critical for engineering of next generation materials. The basic physics and underlying mechanisms require advanced tools to be investigated. The in situ ion irradiation transmission electron microscope (I 3 TEM) is designed to explore these principles. To quantitatively probe the complex dynamic interactions in materials, careful preparation of samples and consideration of experimental design is required. Particular handling or preparation of samples can easily introduce damage or features that obfuscate the measurements. There is no one correct way to prepare a sample; however, many mistakes can be made. The most common errors and things to consider are highlighted within. The I 3 TEM has many adjustable variables and a large potential experimental space, therefore it is best to design experiments with a specific scientific question or questions in mind. Experiments have been performed on large number of sample geometries, material classes, and with many irradiation conditions. The following are a subset of examples that demonstrate unique in situ capabilities utilizing the I 3 TEM. Au nanoparticles prepared by drop casting have been used to investigate the effects of single ion strikes. Au thin films have been used in studies on the effects of multibeam irradiation on microstructure evolution. Zr films have been exposed to irradiation and mechanical tension to examine creep. Ag nanopillars were subjected to simultaneous high temperature, mechanical compression, and ion irradiation to study irradiation induced creep as well. These results impact fields including: structural materials, nuclear energy, energy storage, catalysis, and microelectronics in space environments.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2021

No evidence for a strong decrease of planetesimal accretion in old white dwarfs

ABSTRACT A large fraction of white dwarfs are accreting or have recently accreted rocky material from their planetary systems, thereby ‘polluting’ their atmospheres with elements heavier than helium. In recent years, the quest for mechanisms that can deliver planetesimals to the immediate vicinity of their central white dwarfs has stimulated a flurry of modelling efforts. The observed time evolution of the accretion rates of white dwarfs through their multi-Gyr lifetime is a crucial test for dynamical models of evolved planetary systems. Recent studies of cool white dwarf samples have identified a significant decrease of the mass accretion rates of cool, old white dwarfs over Gyr time-scales. Here, we revisit those results using updated white dwarf models and larger samples of old polluted H- and He-atmosphere white dwarfs. We find no compelling evidence for a strong decrease of their time-averaged mass accretion rates for cooling times between 1 and 8 Gyr. Over this period, the mass accretion rates decrease by no more than a factor of the order of 10, which is one order of magnitude smaller than the decay rate found in recent works. Our results require mechanisms that can efficiently and consistently deliver planetesimals inside the Roche radius of white dwarfs over at least 8 Gyr.

Blouin, Simon (ORCID:0000000296321436)↗
DOE OSTI2023

Test of Causal Nonlinear Quantum Mechanics by Ramsey Interferometry with a Trapped Ion

Quantum mechanics requires the time evolution of the wave function to be linear. While this feature has been associated with the preservation of causality, a consistent causal nonlinear theory was recently developed. Interestingly, this theory is unavoidably sensitive to the full physical spread of the wave function, rendering existing experimental tests for nonlinearities inapplicable. Here, in this work, using well-controlled motional superpositions of a trapped ion, we set a stringent limit of 5.4×10 –12 on the magnitude of the unitless scaling factor $\tilde{ε}_γ$ for the predicted causal nonlinear perturbation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2026

Draft ASME Code Case to qualify L-PBF 316H material for Section III, Division 5 applications

This report documents the AMMT program’s development and submission of a draft ASME Code Case to qualify Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L PBF) Type 316H stainless steel for Section III, Divi-sion 5 Class A and SM high temperature nuclear applications. It summarizes the technical basis, the comprehensive high temperature mechanical test database assembled between 2023–2026, and the proposed code language and qualification framework submitted to ASME. The work was co-ordinated across multiple national laboratories and leverages prior ASME efforts to integrate additive manufacturing into the Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code. The body of the report describes the experimental database and analysis supporting the Code Case: tensile, creep, fatigue, creep fatigue, and thermal aging tests collected from multiple additive manufacturing sites, machine types, and powder lots, with material processed by a solution anneal heat treatment. The dataset — including both full size and subsized specimens and tests oriented parallel and perpendicular to build direction — shows limited tensile anisotropy, tensile properties comparable to wrought 316H, creep strength within the scatter of wrought material, but markedly reduced creep ductility above about 650 °C associated with rapid σ phase formation in L PBF microstructures. The draft Code Case itself prescribes a staged qualification model (manufacturing process qualification, component qualification, and per build witness testing), treats L PBF components as equivalent to Type 316 weld metal for design and inspection, and requires mechanical, chemical, and metallographic controls tied to ASTM/ISO 52946. Key acceptance criteria include tensile tests within a 90% prediction interval of the AMMT dataset, a creep fatigue screening test adapted from ASME Section III, Division 5, Subsection HB, HBB 2800 but with the cycle acceptance reduced to 100 for L PBF material, and double volumetric inspection of production components. The report concludes that the present data support treating L PBF 316H as analogous to conventional fusion weld metal for Division 5 design and inspection, while highlighting important caveats: the σ phase driven loss of creep ductility above ~650 °C, preliminary indications of enhanced creep fatigue sensitivity in some lots, and remaining gaps in long term aging and additional cyclic testing. Recommended next actions include completing outstanding cyclic and long duration creep/aging tests on the solution annealed condition, supporting inclusion of the 316H chemistry and heat treatment in ASTM/ISO 52946, and continuing engagement with ASME and NRC during balloting and review to enable industry adoption.

Messner, Mark C. (ORCID:0000000200404385)↗
NASA NTRS2014

A Recommended New Approach on Motorization Ratio Calculations of Stepper Motors

Stepper motors are widely used on most spacecraft mechanisms requiring repeatable and reliable performance. The unique detent torque characteristics of these type of motors makes them behave differently when subjected to low duty cycle excitations where the applied driving pulses are only energized for a fraction of the pulse duration. This phenomenon is even more pronounced in discrete permanent magnet stepper motors used in the space industry. While the inherent high detent properties of discrete permanent magnets provide desirable unpowered holding performance characteristics, it results in unique behavior especially in low duty cycles. Notably, the running torque reduces quickly to the unpowered holding torque when the duty cycle is reduced. The space industry's accepted methodology of calculating the Motorization Ratio (or Torque Margin) is more applicable to systems where the power is continuously applied to the motor coils like brushless DC motors where the cogging torques are low enough not to affect the linear performance of the motors as a function of applied current. This paper summarizes the theoretical and experimental studies performed on a number of space qualified motors under different pulse rates and duty cycles. It is the intention of this paper to introduce a new approach to calculate the Motorization Ratios for discrete permanent magnet steppers under all full and partial duty cycle regimes. The recommended approach defines two distinct relationships to calculate the Motorization Ratio for 100 percent duty cycle and partial duty cycle, when the motor detent (unpowered holding torque) is the main contributor to holding position. These two computations reflect accurately the stepper motor physical behavior as a function of the command phase (ON versus OFF times of the pulses), pointing out how the torque contributors combine. Important points highlighted under this study are the torque margin computations, in particular for well characterized mechanisms. The rationale at CDR level versus TRR/TRB level will be discussed, aiming at avoiding too much conservatism for units that have extensive test and in flight heritage. A critical topic is related to the magnetic losses and how to sort out such phenomena as a function of the motor type being used. For instance, detent torque is a major contributor that has no reason to evolve during life and is not an uncontrolled torque loss.

Nalbandian, Ruben↗
DOE OSTI2025

Supported Single‐Atom Manganese Catalysts for the Trimerization of Ethylene

Selective ethylene oligomerization via oxidative cyclization, forming metallacyclic intermediates, is typically catalyzed by molecular titanium and chromium complexes to produce butenes, hexenes, or octenes, depending on the supporting ligand framework. However, this mechanism requires significant electron density at the metal active site and is not known to be generalizable to other first-row transition metals. In this work, we computationally investigate the electronic modulation of five transition metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) supported on titania (TiO₂) through reductive lithium intercalation to promote selective oligomerization via oxidative cyclization, using density functional theory (DFT). Our findings predict that Mn/LiTiO₂ exhibits high catalytic activity due to the exergonic nature of oxidative cyclization with two ethylene molecules. Additionally, lithium titanate (LiTiO₂) supports enhance catalytic performance compared to TiO₂. Experimental validation confirms that Mn/LiTiO₂ achieves higher conversion rates and improved selectivity toward hexene (C₄:C₆ = 1:2.6). The enhanced activity is attributed to lithiation, which alters the electronic environment around Mn active sites. Mechanistic studies reveal that the formation of a seven-membered ring, a key intermediate for hexene formation, is more favorable on LiTiO₂ than TiO₂. This work provides the first evidence of Mn catalyzing selective ethylene oligomerization via oxidative cyclization in either homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysis.

Kim, Yu Lim [Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Ar↗
DOE OSTI2025

Grand unification at the cosmological collider with chemical potential

We introduce a tree-level chemical potential mechanism for spin-1 particles within cosmological collider physics, allowing them to be detected in primordial non-Gaussianities for masses above the inflationary Hubble scale. We apply this mechanism to orbifold grand unification and the massive unification partners of the standard model gauge bosons. Our mechanism requires at least a pair of massive vector fields which are singlets of the standard model, a condition which is satisfied in the classic “trinification” scenario. Assuming that the gauge hierarchy problem is solved by supersymmetry, gauge coupling running points to unification partners at ~ 10$^{15}$ GeV. We show that, within high-scale inflation, chemical potential enhancement can lead to observably strong signals for trinification partners in future cosmological surveys.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Asymmetrical cavity design that bypasses mode mixings in axion haloscope experiments

Microwave cavities used in axion haloscope experiments typically employ a tuning rod as a means to widen the range of resonance frequencies at which it is sensitive to axion-to-photon conversion. A realistic tuning mechanism requires a gap between the cavity end caps and the tuning rod to ensure movement, and causes some modes to hybridize with the resonant mode that is being tracked for the experiment. These so-called mode mixings lead to gaps in the frequency range that practically lose sensitivity to axions. Here, to solve this problem, we present a cavity design which, for two tuning rod configurations corresponding to a lower and higher frequency range, have a dielectric rod inserted at a specific location that makes the cavity asymmetrical. Moving the tuning rod closer to the dielectric insert changes the location and frequency of the mode mixing compared to when it is farther away from it. This design is easily realizable in practical experiments and makes possible an axion dark matter search with minimal loss in sensitivity due to mode mixings. We also show that the same design has the same desired effect when cavity dimensions are scaled down to be smaller and are at higher resonance frequencies.

Axion↗
DOE OSTI2022

Microstructural heterogeneity of the buffer layer of TRISO nuclear fuel particles

Tristructural isotropic (TRISO) nuclear fuel particles contain a layered spherical shell designed to retain fission products; however, failure occurs in rare cases—commonly initiated in the porous pyrocarbon buffer layer. Achieving a comprehensive understanding of the buffer-initiated failure mechanisms requires detailed characterization of the buffer porosity and its heterogeneous distribution across multiple length scales. Here we performed FIB-SEM tomography across the buffer layer thickness (~100 µm) to produce 3D reconstructions of the buffer microstructure with 50 nm spatial resolution. We found an average overall porosity of ~14%, which does not solely account for the low density of the buffer (50% of the theoretical density). Additionally, the local porosity and its fluctuation increase from the kernel interface towards the inner pyrocarbon (IPyC) layer, which we attribute to the chemical vapor deposition process conditions during the TRISO particle fabrication. Detailed characterization of the porous microstructure—including analysis of the pore size, distribution, shape, and orientation—provides insight into the process-structure-property-performance relations of TRISO nuclear fuel particles and will inform multiscale models designed to predict the failure of TRISO particles under irradiation.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Monitoring of helium gas leakage from canister storing spent nuclear fuel: Radiological consequences and management

Chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (CISCC) of canisters has been identified as a potential degradation mechanism requiring ageing management — especially in a marine air environment. Methods for monitoring helium gas leakage from canisters have been developed on the basis of a phenomenon that the bottom temperature of the canister increases as the top temperature of the canister decreases when helium gas leaks during storage. In this paper, we consider the radiological consequences of CISCC based on two scenarios of helium gas leakage and propose effective management that includes a timeline for monitoring and mitigation. Monitoring helium gas leakage by measuring the difference in temperature between canister surfaces in the dry cask storage of spent fuel (SF) can detect leakage before SF undergoes oxidation as a result of air ingress and before country-specific regulatory limits of off-site doses are exceeded, thereby enabling mitigatory action.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2025

Energy spectrum of lost alpha particles in magnetic mirror confinement

In a magnetic mirror fusion reactor, capturing the energy of fusion-produced alpha particles is essential to sustaining the reaction. However, since alpha particles are born at energies much higher than the confining potential, a substantial fraction are lost due to pitch-angle scattering before they can transfer their energy to the plasma via drag. The energy of lost alpha particles can still be captured through direct conversion, but designing an effective mechanism requires a description of the energies and times at which they become deconfined. Here we present analytical solutions for the loss velocity, energy, and time distributions of alpha particles in a magnetic mirror. After obtaining the Fokker-Planck collision operator, we asymptotically solve for the eigenfunctions of the Legendre operator to reveal a closed-form solution. In conclusion, our framework applies to any high-energy species, for any applied potential and mirror ratio R > 1, making this work broadly applicable to mirror devices.

Confinement↗
DOE OSTI2026

Nanosecond Structure of Radical Pair Intermediates from High-Frequency Quantum Oscillations: Insight into the Q A •– to Q B Electron Transfer Step in Purple Bacterial Photosynthesis

We demonstrate the validity of our approach to deduce, from the anisotropy of quantum oscillations, the geometry of short-lived radical pair intermediates in photosynthesis. A global fit of a two-dimensional W-band (94 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiment provides the same global minimum values for the geometry of the A-side radical pair P 700 •+ A 1A •− in photosystem I (PSI) as observed in a previous Q-band (34 GHz) EPR study, yet with a significantly increased convergence rate of 62%. This demonstrates that the global fit yields the correct radical pair geometry even at Q-band frequencies. With this information, we revisit our previous Q-band study of the cofactor arrangement of P 865 •+ Q A •− , the stabilized charge-separated state in purple bacterial reaction centers (RCs). Analysis of calculated two-dimensional data sets of P 865 •+ Q A •− reveals that the quantum oscillation technique is unaffected by a mirror ambiguity in disordered solids and thus can provide unambiguous solutions for all five Euler angles of the radical pair geometry. This enables us to elucidate the Q A •− to Q B electron transfer step in purple bacterial photosynthesis, the subject of controversial discussions for more than 25 years. Our results show that this electron transfer step involves a gating mechanism requiring a 60° rotation of the headgroup of Q A •− in its binding pocket.

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

Programmable Aggregation of Artificial Cells with DNA Signals

Cell aggregation is a complex behavior, which is closely related to the viability, differentiation, and migration of cells. An effort to create synthetic analogs could lead to considerable advances in cell physiology and biophysics. Rendering and modulating such a dynamic artificial cell system require mechanisms for receiving, transducing, and transmitting intercellular signals, yet effective tools are limited at present. Here we construct synthetic cells from engineered lipids and show their programmable aggregation behaviors using DNA oligonucleotides as a signaling molecule. The artificial cells have transmembrane channels made of DNA origami that are used to recognize and process intercellular signals. We demonstrate that multiple small vesicles aggregate onto a giant vesicle after a transduction of external DNA signals by an intracellular enzyme, and that the small vesicles dissociate when receiving ‘release’ signals. Furthermore, this work provides new possibilities for building synthetic protocells capable of chemical communication and coordination.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microseismicity Modulation Due To Changes in Geothermal Production at San Emidio, Nevada, USA

Brief cessations of geothermal production can induce seismicity, a phenomenon that has drawn increasing attention in recent years. Such observations are rare, and the underlying mechanism requires careful analysis. In April 2022, a dense seismic and hydrologic monitoring system was deployed at the San Emidio geothermal field, Nevada, to accompany a planned power plant shutdown. Using the dense seismic array data, we detected and located ∼1,800 microseismic events (MSEs) and developed a high-resolution tomographic P-wave velocity model. We observed substantially increased microseismicity during shutdown. Most MSEs occurred on pre-existing normal faults, which are contained within extremely low-velocity zones that are likely damaged, fluid-filled, and hydraulically connected to nearby production wells. Hydrologic data show rapid fluid pressure increases of <60 kPa following the shutdown. We suggest that the cessation of production rapidly increased fluid pressures along pre-existing fault zones, activating critically stressed fault patches and fractures and producing microseismicity.

Guo, Hao [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (Uni↗
DOE OSTI2025

Atmospheric-pressure ammonia synthesis on AuRu catalysts enabled by plasmon-controlled hydrogenation and nitrogen-species desorption

The Haber–Bosch process for ammonia synthesis contributes up to ~3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Plasmonic catalysts strongly concentrate light and can alter the reaction intermediates via out-of-equilibrium processes, providing the potential for an alternative, less-energy-intensive pathway to synthesize ammonia. Here, in this study, we show that gold-ruthenium (AuRu) bimetallic nanoparticles can synthesize ammonia at room temperature and pressure using visible light. We create AuRu alloys with varying compositions and achieve ammonia production rates of ~60 μmol per gram of catalyst bed per hour. In situ infrared spectroscopy reveals that light accelerates the hydrogenation of nitrogen intermediates compared to conventional thermal catalysis. Through computational modelling, we demonstrate that photo-excited electrons enable associative hydrogenation pathways for nitrogen activation rather than direct nitrogen–nitrogen bond breaking. This light-assisted mechanism requires both hydrogen and light working together to overcome the nitrogen activation barrier, mimicking how biological enzymes produce ammonia naturally and providing fundamental insights for developing sustainable, energy-efficient chemical synthesis.

Yuan, Lin [Stanford Univ., CA (United States)] (OR↗