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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
DOE OSTI2021

Diversifying Composition Leads to Hierarchical Composites with Design Flexibility and Structural Fidelity

Although significant progress has been made in the self-assembly of nanostructures, present successes heavily rely on precision in building block design, composition, and pair interactions. These requirements fundamentally limit our ability to synthesize macroscopic materials where the likelihood of impurity inclusion escalates and, more importantly, to access molecular-to-nanoscopic-to-microscopic-to-macroscopic hierarchies, since the types and compositions of building blocks vary at each stage. Inspired by biological blends and high-entropy alloys, we hypothesize that diversifying the blend’s composition can overcome these limitations. Increasing the number of components increases mixing entropy, leading to the dispersion of different components and, as a result, enhances interphase miscibility, weakens the dependence on specific pair interactions, and enables long-range cooperativity. This hypothesis is validated in complex blends containing small molecules, block copolymer-based supramolecules, and nanoparticles/colloidal particles. Hierarchically structured composites can be obtained with formulation flexibility in the filler selection and blend composition. It is worth noting that, by adding small molecules, we can solve the size constraint that plagues traditional block copolymer/nanoparticle blends. Detailed characterization and simulation further confirm that each component is distributed to locally mediate unfavorable interactions, cooperatively mitigate composition fluctuations, and retain structural fidelity. Furthermore, the blends have sufficient mobility to access tunable microstructures without compromising the order of the nanostructure. Besides establishing a kinetically viable pathway to release current constraints in the composite design and to navigate uncertainties during structure formation over multiple length scales, the present study demonstrates that entropy-driven behaviors can be realized in systems beyond high-entropy alloys despite inherent differences between metal alloys and organic/inorganic hybrids.

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

Composite media for fluid stream processing, a method of forming the composite media, and a related method of processing a fluid stream

A composite media including at least one crystalline aluminosilicate material in polyacrylonitrile. A method of forming a composite media is also disclosed. The method comprises dissolving polyacrylonitrile in an organic solvent to form a matrix solution. At least one crystalline aluminosilicate material is combined with the matrix solution to form a composite media solution. The organic solvent present in the composite media solution is diluted. The composite media solution is solidified. In addition, a method of processing a fluid stream is disclosed. The method comprises providing a beads of a composite media comprising at least one crystalline aluminosilicate material dispersed in a polyacrylonitrile matrix. The beads of the composite media are contacted with a fluid stream comprising at least one constituent. The at least one constituent is substantially removed from the fluid stream.

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

Method of producing exfoliated graphite composite compositions for fuel cell flow field plates

A method of producing an electrically conductive composite composition, which is particularly useful for fuel cell bipolar plate applications. The method comprises: (a) providing a supply of expandable graphite powder; (b) providing a supply of a non-expandable powder component comprising a binder or matrix material; (c) blending the expandable graphite with the non-expandable powder component to form a powder mixture wherein the non-expandable powder component is in the amount of between 3% and 60% by weight based on the total weight of the powder mixture; (d) exposing the powder mixture to a temperature sufficient for exfoliating the expandable graphite to obtain a compressible mixture comprising expanded graphite worms and the non-expandable component; (e) compressing the compressible mixture at a pressure within the range of from about 5 psi to about 50,000 psi in predetermined directions into predetermined forms of cohered graphite composite compact; and (f) treating the so-formed cohered graphite composite to activate the binder or matrix material thereby promoting adhesion within the compact to produce the desired composite composition. Preferably, the non-expandable powder component further comprises an isotropy-promoting agent such as non-expandable graphite particles. Further preferably, step (e) comprises compressing the mixture in at least two directions. The method leads to composite plates with exceptionally high thickness-direction electrical conductivity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Laminated exfoliated graphite composite-metal compositions for fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate applications

An electrically conductive laminate composition for fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate applications. The laminate composition comprises at least a thin metal sheet having two opposed exterior surfaces and a first exfoliated graphite composite sheet bonded to the first of the two exterior surfaces of the metal sheet wherein the exfoliated graphite composite sheet comprises: (a) expanded or exfoliated graphite and (b) a binder or matrix material to bond the expanded graphite for forming a cohered sheet, wherein the binder or matrix material is between 3% and 60% by weight based on the total weight of the first exfoliated graphite composite sheet. Preferably, the first exfoliated graphite composite sheet further comprises particles of non-expandable graphite or carbon in the amount of between 3% and 60% by weight based on the total weight of the non-expandable particles and the expanded graphite. Further preferably, the laminate comprises a second exfoliated graphite composite sheet bonded to the second surface of the metal sheet to form a three-layer laminate. Surface flow channels and other desired geometric features can be built onto the exterior surfaces of the laminate to form a flow field plate or bipolar plate. The resulting laminate has an exceptionally high thickness-direction conductivity and excellent resistance to gas permeation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Chemically Active, Porous 3D-Printed Thermoplastic Composites

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) exhibit exceptional properties and are widely investigated because of their structural and functional versatility relevant to catalysis, separations, and sensing applications. However, their commercial or large-scale application is often limited by their powder forms. To address this, we report the production of MOF-thermoplastic polymer composites accessed via a standard 3D printer. MOFs (Zeolitic imidazolate framework; ZIF-8) were successfully incorporated homogeneously into both poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrices, extruded into filaments, and utilized for on-demand access to 3D structures by fused-deposition modeling. Printed rigid PLA-MOF composites displayed good structural integrity, high surface area ((SA)avg = 531 m2 g-1) and hierarchical pore features. Flexible TPU-MOF composites (SAavg = 706 m2 g-1) were achieved by employing a sacrificial fluoropolymer readily removed post-printing. Critically, embedded particles in the plastic matrices retain their ability to participate in chemical interactions characteristic of the parent MOF. The fabrication strategies can be extended to other MOFs and illustrate the potential of 3D printing to create unique porous and high surface area chemically-active structures.

Additive Manufacturing, Metal-Organic Framework, 3↗
DOE OSTI2021

Parameter Reduction of Composite Load Model Using Active Subspace Method

Over the past decades, the increasing penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) has dramatically changed the power load composition in the distribution networks. The traditional static and dynamic load models can hardly capture the dynamic behavior of modern loads especially for fault-induced delayed voltage recovery (FIDVR) events. Thus, a more comprehensive composite load model with combination of static load, different types of induction motors, single-phase A/C motor, electronic load and DERs has been proposed by Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). However, due to the large number of parameters and model complexity, the WECC composite load model (WECC CMLD) raises new challenges to power system studies. To overcome these challenges, in this paper, a cutting-edge parameter reduction (PR) approach for WECC CMLD based on active subspace method (ASM) is proposed. Firstly, the WECC CMLD is parameterized in a discrete-time manner for the application of the proposed method. Then, parameter sensitivities are calculated by discovering the active subspace, which is a lower-dimensional linear subspace of the parameter space of WECC CMLD in which the dynamic response is most sensitive. The interdependency among parameters can be taken into consideration by our approach. Finally, the numerical experiments validate the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed approach for WECC CMLD model.

active subspace↗
DOE OSTI2023

Design, Manufacture, and Testing of an Open-Source Benchmark Composite Hydrokinetic Turbine Blade: Preprint

In a trend toward clean energy alternatives, recent years have seen great strides in the marine energy space. Consequently, there is a pressing need for the design, development, and validation of novel energy harvesting technologies such as hydrokinetic devices, which capture kinetic energy from waves, tides, and currents. However, these devices span numerous concepts and designs that often lack solid benchmark research that can be freely referenced throughout their development. This work focuses on the design process of an open-source composite hydrokinetic turbine blade for a three-bladed marine turbine rotor assembly with a diameter of 2.5 m. The proposed blade consists of two structural composite skins that are bonded with an adhesive and filled with a foam core. This study also explores and contrasts the efficiency and resolution of low-fidelity rapid design methodologies and comprehensive high-fidelity approaches in the context of blade design, modeling, and analysis efforts, a key objective in this research. Blade hydrodynamic loads were modeled and applied to finite-element blade models to study deformations and potential failure. Ongoing and upcoming efforts will result in blade manufacture and structural testing at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. In future work, multiple blades will be deployed at the Living Bridge site at the University of New Hampshire and will be compared to rigid aluminum blades of the same geometry, developed by Sandia National Laboratories. Ultimately, this research will lay foundational groundwork for researchers and manufacturers, establishing a baseline composite blade design that will serve as a benchmark in the development of future hydrokinetic turbine blades.

blade design↗
DOE OSTI2011

Thermal and electronic charge transport in bulk nanostructured Zr{sub 0.25}Hf{sub 0.75}NiSn composites with full-Heusler inclusions

Bulk Zr{sub 0.25}Hf{sub 075}NiSn half-Heusler (HH) nanocomposites containing various mole fractions of full-Heusler (FH) inclusions were prepared by solid state reaction of pre-synthesized HH alloy with elemental Ni at 1073 K. The microstructures of spark plasma sintered specimens of the HH/FH nanocomposites were investigated using transmission electron microscopy and their thermoelectric properties were measured from 300 K to 775 K. The formation of coherent FH inclusions into the HH matrix arises from solid-state Ni diffusion into vacant sites of the HH structure. HH(1-y)/FH(y) composites with mole fraction of FH inclusions below the percolation threshold, y{approx}0.2, show increased electrical conductivity, reduced Seebeck coefficient and increased total thermal conductivity arising from gradual increase in the carrier concentration for composites. A drastic reduction ({approx}55%) in {kappa}{sub l} was observed for the composite with y=0.6 and is attributed to enhanced phonon scattering due to mass fluctuations between FH and HH, and high density of HH/FH interfaces. - Graphical abstract: Large reduction in the lattice thermal conductivity of bulk nanostructured half-Heusler/full-Heusler (Zr{sub 0.25}Hf{sub 075}NiSn/ Zr{sub 0.25}Hf{sub 075}Ni{sub 2}Sn) composites, obtained by solid-state diffusion at 1073 K of elemental Ni into vacant sites of the half-Heusler structure, arising from the formation of regions of spinodally decomposed HH and FH phases with a spatial composition modulation of {approx}2 nm. Highlights: > Bulk composites from solid state transformation of half-Heusler matrix through Ni diffusion. > Formation of coherent phase boundaries between half-Heusler matrix and full-Heusler inclusion. > Alteration of thermal and electronic transports with increasing full-Heusler inclusion. > Enhanced phonon scattering at half-Heusler/ full-Heusler phase boundaries.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

Photocatalytic studies of Ho–Zr–O nano-composite with controllable composition and defects

With the help of sol–gel method assisted by melting salt, a series of Ho–Zr–O nano-composite with controllable composition and defects have been successfully prepared. Characterization results show that the positions, intensity, and width of the X-ray diffraction peaks of the products have a regular variation with the increase of zirconium element which implies the gradual changes of crystal spacing and product size. At the same time, the molar ratios between holmium and zirconium ions are consistent with the chemical formula and both of them are uniformly distributed in products further showing the perfect formation of targeted materials. Optical properties reveal that diversified defect forms of Ho–Zr–O nano-composite lead to the different absorptions of visible light. Photocatalytic experiments demonstrate Zr{sub 0.8}Ho{sub 0.2}O{sub 2−δ} nano-crystals have excellent visible-light-responsive photocatalytic activities on some familiar dyes (e.g.: methylene blue and Rhodamine B) which results from the special defect structure, better absorption of visible light and larger specific surface area. It follows that Zr{sub 0.8}Ho{sub 0.2}O{sub 2−δ} nano-crystals are a new kind of visible-light-responsive photocatalysts with better prospects in conversion and utilization of solar energy. Also, the present melting salt assisted route might be generalized to synthesize other AxByOz composite oxide nano-crystals with more complicated structures. - Highlights: • Ho–Zr–O nano-composite with controllable composition and defects has been obtained. • Diversified defect forms of products lead to the different visible light absorption. • Zr{sub 0.8}Ho{sub 0.2}O{sub 2−δ} nano-crystals have excellent photocatalytic activities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

A review of long fibre thermoplastic (LFT) composites [A review of long fibre-reinforced thermoplastic of long fibre thermoplastic (LFT) composites]

Long fibre-reinforced thermoplastic or long fibre thermoplastic (LFT) composites possess superior specific modulus and strength, excellent impact resistance, and other advantages such as ease of processability, recyclability, and excellent corrosion resistance. These advantages make LFT composites one of the most advanced lightweight engineering materials and enable their increasing use in various applications. This review paper summarizes the research and development work that has been conducted on LFT composites since their initial development. Different aspects of LFTs, such as process development, fibre orientation distribution (FOD), fibre length distribution (FLD), and their effects on the mechanical properties of LFT composites are described. The characterization of the FOD and FLD in the LFT composites using advanced imaging technology such as high-resolution 3D micro-CT scanning technique is summarized. Research and development of LFT hybridisation and LFT additives are also discussed. Lastly, conclusions are made and the future outlook of LFT composites is given.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Metal-silicate Partitioning and Its Role in Core Formation and Composition on Super-Earths

We use a thermodynamic framework for silicate-metal partitioning to determine the possible compositions of metallic cores on super-Earths. We compare results using literature values of the partition coefficients of Si and Ni, as well as new partition coefficients calculated using results from laser shock-induced melting of powdered metal-dunite targets at pressures up to 276 GPa, which approaches those found within the deep mantles of super-Earths. We find that larger planets may have little to no light elements in their cores because the Si partition coefficient decreases at high pressures. The planet mass at which this occurs will depend on the metal-silicate equilibration depth. We also extrapolate the equations of state (EOS) of FeO and FeSi alloys to high pressures, and present mass–radius diagrams using self-consistent planet compositions assuming equilibrated mantles and cores. We confirm the results of previous studies that the distribution of elements between mantle and core will not be detectable from mass and radius measurements alone. While observations may be insensitive to interior structure, further modeling is sensitive to compositionally dependent properties, such as mantle viscosity and core freeze-out properties. We therefore emphasize the need for additional high pressure measurements of partitioning as well as EOSs, and highlight the utility of the Sandia Z-facilities for this type of work.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Local environment and composition of magnesium gallium layered double hydroxides determined from solid-state {sup 1}H and {sup 71}Ga NMR spectroscopy

Ordering of gallium(III) in a series of magnesium gallium (MgGa) layered double hydroxides (LDHs), [Mg{sub 1−x}Ga{sub x}(OH){sub 2}(NO{sub 3}){sub x}·yH{sub 2}O] was investigated using solid-state {sup 1}H and {sup 71}Ga NMR spectroscopy as well as powder X-ray diffraction. Three different proton environments from Mg{sub 3}-OH, Mg{sub 2}Ga-OH and intergallery water molecules were assigned and quantified using ({sup 1}H,{sup 71}Ga) HETCOR and {sup 1}H MAS NMR. A single {sup 71}Ga site originating from the unique Ga site in the MgGa LDH's was observed in {sup 71}Ga MAS and 3QMAS NMR spectra. Both {sup 1}H MAS NMR spectra recorded at 21.1 T (900 MHz) and elemental analysis show that the synthesized MgGa LDH's had a lower Mg:Ga ratio than that of the starting reactant solution. The origin of this is the formation of soluble [Ga(OH){sub 4}]{sup −} complexes formed during synthesis, and not due to formation of insoluble gallium (oxy)hydroxides. No sign of Ga-O-Ga connectivities or defects were detected for the MgGa LDH's. - Graphical abstract: Two types of hydroxides groups are observed in magnesium gallium layered double hydroxides revealing an ordering of Ga in the cation layer. - Highlights: • Ga is ordered in our magnesium gallium layered double hydroxides. • Ga depletion due to formation of soluble Ga complexes during synthesis. • No sign of Ga rich regions in magnesium gallium LDHs. • Solid state {sup 1}H and {sup 71}Ga give detailed insight into the structure.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗