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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

The Preservation of Super-Earths and the Emergence of Gas Giants after Their Progenitor Cores Have Entered the Pebble-isolation Phase

The omnipresence of super-Earths suggests that they are able to be retained in natal disks around low-mass stars, whereas exoplanets' mass distributions indicate that some cores have transformed into gas giants through runaway gas accretion at ≳1 au from solar-type stars. In this paper, we show that transition to runaway gas accretion by cores may be self-impeded by an increase of the grain opacity in their envelope after they have acquired sufficient mass (typically ~ 10M ⊕ ) to enter a pebble-isolation phase. The accumulation of approximately millimeter- to meter-sized pebbles in their migration barriers enhances their local fragmentation rates. The freshly produced submillimeter grains pass through the barrier, elevate the effective dust opacity, and reduce the radiative flux in the core's envelope. These effects alone are adequate to suppress the transition to runaway accretion and preserve super-Earths in the stellar proximity (~0.1 au), albeit entropy advection between the envelope and the disk can further reduce the accretion rate. At an intermediate distance (~1 au) from their host stars, the escalation in the dust opacity dominates over entropy advection in stalling the transition to runaway accretion for marginally pebble-isolated cores. Beyond a few astronomical unit, the transformation of more-massive cores to gas giants is reachable before severe depletion of disk gas. This requirement can be satisfied either in extended disks with large scale height via orderly accretion of migrating pebbles or through the mergers of oligarchic protoplanetary embryos, and can account for the correlated occurrence of long-period gas giants and close-in super-Earths.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Correlating work hardening with co-activation of stacking fault strengthening and transformation in a high entropy alloy using in-situ neutron diffraction

Transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) leads to enhancements in ductility in low stacking fault energy (SFE) alloys, however to achieve an unconventional increase in strength simultaneously, there must be barriers to dislocation motion. While stacking faults (SFs) contribute to strengthening by impeding dislocation motion, the contribution of SF strengthening to work hardening during deformation is not well understood; as compared to dislocation slip, twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) and TRIP. Thus, we used in-situ neutron diffraction to correlate SF strengthening to work hardening behavior in a low SFE Fe 40 Mn 20 Cr 15 Co 20 Si 5 (at%) high entropy alloy, SFE ~ 6.31 mJ m –2 . Cooperative activation of multiple mechanisms was indicated by increases in SF strengthening and γ-f.c.c. → ε-h.c.p. transformation leading to a simultaneous increase in strength and ductility. The present study demonstrates the application of in-situ, neutron or X-ray, diffraction techniques to correlating SF strengthening to work hardening.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of the Chemical States of Copper on Methanol Decomposition and Oxidation

Here, the decomposition and oxidation reactions of CH 3 OH over metallic Cu(100) and Cu 2 O-covered Cu(100) surfaces are studied using a combination of in-situ ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations. We identify the sequential chemical transformation pathways from bond cleavage to the formation of intermediates and final products under operational conditions. Accumulative surface adsorption of CH 3 O species on metallic Cu(100) impedes the decomposition of CH 3 OH. Co-dosing on metallic Cu(100) with low pressures of 1·10 -4 Torr CH 3 OH + 1·10 -4 Torr O 2 results in partial oxidation of CH 3 OH, where the chemisorbed O ads reduces surface sites available for CH 3 O adsorption, decreasing the surface activity for CH 3 OH decomposition. In contrast, the Cu 2 O overlayer formed under the elevated pressures of 0.33 Torr CH 3 OH + 0.66 Torr O 2 promotes the total oxidation of CH 3 OH into the final products of CO 2 and H 2 O, arising from the active reaction 2 between lattice O within Cu 2 O and intermediates of CH 3 O, CH 2 O, HCOO, and CO. Despite the more favorable O-H bond scission, C-O bond scission also occurs to result in surface accumulation of CH x on metallic Cu(100), blocking active sites for decomposition reactions of CH 3 OH and CH 3 O. By comparison, the CH x species on the Cu 2 O-covered Cu(100) undergo oxidation into CO 2 and H 2 O with lattice O in the Cu 2 O overlayer, thereby freeing active sites for the total oxidation of CH 3 OH. These results highlight the distinct roles of metallic Cu and Cu 2 O in the pathways of CH 3 OH decomposition and oxidation reactions, offering practical insights for the design of Cu-based catalysts with tailored reactivity and selectivity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Understanding LIB Battery Electrodes Through Classical Electrochemical Interface Theory

Classical models of the electrochemical interface can be applied to complex and dynamic electrodes to understand important mechanisms that are relevant to device-level phenomena like calendar aging or cycle life. Here, we show that negative alloy electrodes with wide electrochemical windows cannot be assumed to have static interfaces throughout all states of charge. Under high states of charge, the interface -including the solid electrolyte interphase - has characteristics that resemble a highly polarized electrode far from the point of zero charge. Under these conditions, the interface can be understood through the Helmholtz model. At lower states of charge, the interface capacitance decreases and the space charge layer length increases. This transformation resembles a metal electrode approaching the point of zero charge which is understood through the Gouy-Chapman-Stern-Grahame model of the electrochemical interface. This transformation happens at both silicon and carbon-coated silicon interfaces. From voltage-limited cycling experiments, in the limit of the diffuse double layer, the silicon electrode impedance rises significantly in the first few cycles. This rise is related to the continuous electrochemical reduction of electrolyte components from an interface that is not electronically screened from the electrolyte. In other words, an electrode interface for batteries should resemble a 'Helmholtz-like' structure.

anode↗

Hollow-structured Ni-N-C catalysts for highly selective CO 2 electroreduction

Atomically dispersed single-atom catalysts have emerged as promising non-precious catalyst alternatives to expensive Ag and Au catalysts for electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR). In particular, nickel-nitrogen-carbon (Ni-N-C) catalysts have demonstrated a high faradaic efficiency (FE) toward CO formation at low overpotentials. Nonetheless, the exact nature of Ni active sites under CO 2 RR remains elusive and conventional Ni-N-C catalysts are limited by microporosity and low density of Ni single atoms, hindering performance in CO 2 electrolyzers. Here, we report the synthesis of hollow-structured Ni-N-C ( hs -Ni-N-C) catalysts via a post-synthesis modification (PSM) strategy using partial ligand exchange of 2-methylimidazole with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole. This approach enables the formation of a hollow structure, resulting in more than a twofold increase in Ni atom density compared to regular Ni-N-C (r-Ni-N-C). In a zero-gap CO 2 electrolyzer, the optimized hs -Ni-N-C allows for achieving an FE CO of 97% at a current density of > 100 mA cm⁻ 2 , while maintaining high CO selectivity with stable performance over 100 h at 2.5 V. hs-Ni-N-C shows a more than sevenfold increase in the CO partial current density relative to r-Ni-N-C resulting from the combined effects of a higher density of Ni single-atom sites, improved kinetics, and lower transport resistance under the operating conditions, as indicated by electrochemical impedance spectra and distribution of relaxation times analysis. Operando high energy-resolution X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) reveals that atop-bonded CO on Ni single sites induces dynamic transformations of the Ni–N coordination environment, leading to a symmetric coordination structure of hs -Ni-N-C. Under CO 2 RR, the catalysts undergo a more pronounced structural change and form a minor fraction of Ni nanoparticles. Density functional theory calculations are consistent with the XAS results and provide molecular insights showing that the interplay between protonation and CO adsorption leads to adsorbate-induced restructuring of the Ni single atom. This work demonstrates the synergistic role of hollow structure and high-density Ni atoms in governing CO 2 RR selectivity and provides mechanistic insights into the structural dynamics of single-atom catalysts under operating conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A Laplace-Domain Circuit Model for Fault and Stability Analysis Considering Unbalanced Topology

For systems subject to unbalanced faults, analytical model building for stability assessment is a challenging task. This letter presents a straightforward modeling approach. A generalized dynamic circuit representation is achieved by use of the Laplacian transform variable s . Here, we translate the voltage and current relationship at the fault location into the relationship of three subsystems. The final circuit model is an interconnected sequence network with impedances in the Laplace domain. This circuit can be directly converted from a steady-state sequence network. This modeling procedure is illustrated by an example case of an induction motor served by a grid through a series compensated line. Electromagnetic transient simulation results demonstrate that sub-synchronous oscillations can be mitigated when a single-line to ground fault is applied at the motor terminal. Stability analysis results based on the dynamic circuit corroborate the simulation results. What's more, the derived circuit effortlessly reveals why unbalance can enhance stability.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Sustainable urban transformations based on integrated microgrid designs

The impacts of natural hazards on infrastructure, enhanced by climate change, are increasingly more severe emphasizing the necessity of resilient energy grids. Microgrids, tailored energy systems for specific neighbourhoods and districts, play a pivotal role in sustaining energy supply during main grid outages. These solutions not only mitigate economic losses and well-being disruptions against escalating hazards but also enhance city resilience in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11. However, disregarding socioeconomic factors in defining microgrid boundaries risks perpetuating inequalities and impeding progress towards other SDG 11 targets, including fair democratic participation. Our approach integrates social and technical indicators to bolster urban microgrid planning. Through a case study in a US county, we illustrate how integrated microgrid planning effectively intertwines urban resilience, well-being and equity while promoting sustainable development. This study underscores the importance of integrated microgrid planning for sustainable and resilient urban transformation amid environmental and societal challenges.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Morphological Degradation of Oxygen Evolution Reaction-Electrocatalyzing Nickel Selenides at Industrially Relevant Current Densities

We investigated electrodeposited nanoparticulate nickel selenide (pre)catalysts that transform into nickel oxides/ oxyhydroxides under oxygen evolution reaction conditions in alkaline solutions. Previous studies of this transformation were conducted at lower current densities than those of industrial relevance (≥1 A cm −2 ). We used ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) to achieve such current densities, benefiting from their small size, ensuring low absolute currents and low ohmic drop but high current densities. Morphological degradation of the catalyst material was only observed at current densities exceeding 1 A cm −2 but not for smaller ones. Using X-ray absorption, Xray photoemission spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, we confirmed that the degradation was accompanied by the literature-known transformation of nanoparticulate Ni 3 Se 2 (bulk)/NiSe (surface) into nickel oxyhydroxide. The transformation of the precatalyst goes along with a significant improvement in the charge transfer kinetics observed by decreasing Tafel slopes with ongoing experimental time extracted from cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the high-frequency range. However, these kinetic improvements are accompanied by limitations in mass transport concluded from decreasing current responses at high overpotentials in CVs and increasing impedance in the low-frequency range of the EIS spectra after extended CV cycling. These mass transport limitations originated from morphological degradations at the UME exceeding 1 A cm −2 which we proved by applying identical location scanning electron microscopy. This has not been reported in studies that have been limited to lower current densities before. Our findings showcase how UMEs can be used to study (pre)catalysts (herein nickel selenides) under current densities of industrial relevance in the absence of ohmic drop-related ambiguities, combined with in-depth materials characterization studies, e.g., identical location microscopy and advanced spectroscopic methods. This approach enables direct evaluation and comparison of catalyst materials and thus demonstrates how to overcome long-standing limitations of electrocatalyst design and testing.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Membrane-Induced Vanadium Crossover-Blocking Polybenzimidazole Copolymer with Exceptional Proton Selectivity

Broad deployment of redox flow batteries is hindered, in part, due to the lack of highly selective ion-exchange membranes with high proton conductivity. We report a post-functionalization strategy for polybenzimidazole copolymer (PBI-co) membranes by a reacting mixture of concentrated sulfuric and phosphoric acids that led to improved membrane selectivity while retaining high proton conductivity. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed successful sulfonation and protonation of benzimidazole functionalities. PBI-co exhibits a very high room-temperature proton conductivity of 0.138 S cm -1 , as measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. PBI-co also demonstrates electromigration crossover mitigation under applied current densities up to 500 mA cm -2 , and voltage pulses up to 1.4 V, while also inhibiting diffusion-driven vanadium crossover for over 20 days. Single-cell vanadium flow battery testing on post-functionalized PBI-co further confirms state-of-the-art battery performance with an ~99.5% Coulombic efficiency at 100 mA cm -2 and an area-specific resistance of ~20 mO cm 2 lower than Nafion-212 membrane.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Strain-driven surface reconstruction and cation segregation in layered Li(Ni 1– x – y Mn x Co y )O 2 (NMC) cathode materials

The composition, structure and phase transformations occurring on cathode surfaces greatly affect the performance of Li-ion batteries. Li-Ion diffusion and surface–electrolyte interaction are two major phenomena that impact the capacity and cell impedance. The effects of surface reconstruction (SR) of cathode materials on the performance of Li-ion batteries are of current interest. However, the origin and evolution of the SR are still not well understood. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to investigate the processes taking place during surface segregation and reconstruction. Facet dependent segregation was found in Li(Ni 1– x – y Mn x Co y )O 2 (NMC) cathodes. Specifically, Co tends to segregate to the (104) surface of the primary particles within the transition metal layer, while Ni ions tend to segregate to the (012) surface in the Li layer, forming a SR. Experimental evidence shows the SR to be epitaxial with the bulk of the as-synthesized material, and the new SR phase is pinned to the NMC unit cell leading to a strained SR. Here, we demonstrate that strain can stabilize a spinel structure of the SR layers. Understanding the effects of surface strain opens a new avenue for the design of cathode materials with enhanced surface properties.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Sodium tungstate-promoted CaMnO 3 as an effective, phase-transition redox catalyst for redox oxidative cracking of cyclohexane

Oxidative cracking, which combines catalytic oxidation and cracking reactions, represents a promising approach to reduce the energy and carbon intensities for light olefin production from naphtha. The need to co-feed gaseous oxygen with hydrocarbons, however, leads to significant CO x formation and safety concerns. The cost and energy consumption associated with air separation also affects its economic attractiveness. In this study, we investigated a redox oxidative cracking (ROC) scheme and evaluated perovskites (La 0.8 Sr 0.2 FeO 3 and CaMnO 3 ) and Na 2 WO 4 -promoted perovskite (La 0.8 Sr 0.2 FeO 3 @Na 2 WO 4 and CaMnO 3 @Na 2 WO 4 ) as the redox catalysts for ROC. CaMnO 3 @Na 2 WO 4 redox catalyst shows high activity, selectivity, and stability for light olefin production from cyclohexane. Operated under a redox oxidative cracking (ROC) scheme, CaMnO 3 @Na 2 WO 4 enhances the catalytic cracking of cyclohexane, while showing high selectivity towards hydrogen combustion with its built-in, active lattice oxygen. Over three-fold increase in olefin yield compared to thermal cracking and 35% yield increase compared to conventional O 2 -cofeed oxidative cracking were achieved. Low energy ion scattering (LEIS), X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated a core-shell structure, where a molten Na 2 WO 4 layer covers the CaMnO 3 core. Na 2 WO 4 modifies the oxygen donation behavior of CaMnO 3 and provides a catalytically active surface for cyclohexane activation. In-situ XRD revealed that CaMnO 3 @Na 2 WO 4 exhibited excellent structural stability and regenerability. The transformation of Mn 4+ ↔ Mn 3+ ↔ Mn 2+ in CaMnO 3 , facilitated by reversible phase transition to (Ca/Mn)O solid solution, is responsible for the lattice oxygen donation and uptake during redox cycles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements further confirmed that the oxygen species were transported through the molten Na 2 WO 4 layer to participate in ROC. These findings offer mechanistic insights to design effective redox catalysts for hydrocarbon valorization using the chemical looping strategy.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Modeling and analyzing parasitic parameters in high frequency converters

This research focuses on electromagnetic interference (EMI) / electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) design and analysis in power electronics systems. To limit the EMI under the standards, different methods and strategies are investigated. Parasitic parameters of high frequency (HF) transformer are analyzed using a novel analytical method, finite element method (FEM), and experimental measurements for different structures and windings arrangements. Also, the magnetic field, electric field, electric displacement, and electric potential distribution are simulated and analyzed. Moreover, a high voltage system is considered and analyzed to improve the EMC. The EMI propagation paths are analyzed. The EMI noise level of the system is obtained and compared to the IEC61800-3 standard. To improve the EMC, the parasitic parameters of the transformer, as the main path of EMI circulation, are analyzed and optimized to block the propagation. Furthermore, the geometry structure of the HF transformer is optimized to lower the parasitics in the system. Three pareto-optimal techniques are investigated for the optimization. The models and results are verified by 3D-FEM and experimental results for several given scenarios. Furthermore, the EMC modeling and conducted EMI analysis are developed for a system including an AC-DC-DC power supply (rectifier and dual active bridge (DAB) converter). Moreover, the common mode (CM) EMI noise propagation through the system is discussed and the noise sources and effect of components on the noise are analyzed. Additionally, the CM impedance of different parts of the system and the noise levels are discussed. Finally, EMI attenuation techniques were applied to the system.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Twinning pathways enabled by precipitates in $\mathrm{AZ91}$

While precipitates have been shown to substantially strengthen magnesium alloys by blocking the glide of dislocations inside the grain, the interactions between these precipitates and deformation twins, which commonly occur in these alloys, are much less understood. Here, in this work, an elasto-viscoplastic fast-Fourier-transform (EVP-FFT) model is used to study the interactions between plate-shaped basal precipitates and propagating $10\bar{1}2$ tensile twins in AZ91 Mg alloy. The results suggest that while precipitates may impede the propagation and thickening of twins, they can also cause stress localizations that can promote the formation of multiple new twins of the same or different crystallographic variants. We show that the location of the twin-precipitate interaction site, whether precipitate-central or precipitate-edge impingement, and the thickness of the precipitate can influence the propensity for twins to expand around the precipitate or nucleate a new twin on the other side of it. Depending on the twin-precipitate impingement site, we propose multiple twinning pathways that can help explain how twins can proliferate in the magnesium alloys in the presence of precipitates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Forecasting Battery Electrode Performance via Electrochemical Fluorescence Microscopy and Machine-Learning

Predicting lithium-ion battery performance is hindered by microscale electrode heterogeneities invisible to conventional diagnostics. Here, we combine electrochemical fluorescence microscopy (EFM), which maps electronic connectivity by visualizing an electrofluorophore reaction distribution, with a multitask ElasticNet regression to forecast discharge capacity from spatial heterogeneity. Analyzing 196 images from six pilot-scale LiNi 0.5 Mn 0.3 Co 0.2 O 2 cathodes with varying carbon loadings, we extract 62 descriptors that capture morphology and texture. A compact five-feature model predicts capacity across eight discharge rates, achieving a per-target R 2 of up to 0.63 and an overall R 2 of 0.92, with a mean absolute percentage error of less than 2%. This performance rivals impedance-based approaches while avoiding their reliance on postformation data and incomplete electronic network information. Our facile and rapid, image-driven method may enable electrode quality control upstream of costly cell assembly to offer a transformative tool for data-driven battery research and manufacturing.

battery electrodes↗

All‐Solid‐State Batteries With Mechanically Stable Interfaces Consisting of a Zero‐Strain Cation‐Disordered Rocksalt Cathode

Interface stabilization is critical to the development of working all‐solid‐state batteries. Rigid cathode/solid electrolyte interfaces often disintegrate due to anisotropic volume change of cathode‐active materials, resulting in irreversible capacity loss. Herein, we demonstrate that Li 1.211 Mo 0.467 Cr 0.3 O 2 (LMCO), a pioneering cation‐disordered rocksalt oxide (DRX) cathode that has intrinsically small volume change upon lithium intercalation, can be integrated with a thiophosphate‐based solid electrolyte for all‐solid‐state batteries. Interface stability of the all‐solid LMCO cell was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, X‐ray micro‐computed tomography, and electron microscopy. Since LMCO was initially synthesized as a layered phase exhibiting a large volume change, interface disintegration can be observable in the early cycles. As layered LMCO phase‐transformed into DRX LMCO in subsequent cycles, reintegration of the interfaces occurs within a pressurized cell as a result of its zero‐stain behavior. Consequently, the DRX LMCO cathode maintains interface integrity, and thus electrical wiring, over an extended number of cycles, leading to improved capacity retention with small internal cell resistance.

DRX↗

Quantifying the electrochemical active site density of precious metal-free catalysts in situ in fuel cells

We report advances in the development of precious-group metal-free (PGM-free) catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cell cathodes have produced active catalysts that reduce the performance gap to the incumbent Pt-based materials. However, utilization of state-of-the-art PGM-free catalysts for commercial applications is currently impeded by their relatively low durability. Methods designed to study catalyst degradation in the operation of fuel cells are therefore critical for understanding durability issues and, ultimately, their solutions. Here we report the use of Fourier-transform alternating current voltammetry as an electrochemical method for accurate quantification of the electrochemically active site density of PGM-free cathode catalysts, and to follow their degradation in situ during the operation of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Using this method, we were able to quantify the electrochemical active site density, which will enable the elucidation of degradation mechanisms of PGM-free ORR catalysts in situ in fuel cells.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Helium-bubble-enhanced disordering of intermetallic phase under irradiation

Understanding and controlling phase transformations in metals and alloys under irradiation is vital to the design of irradiation-tolerant materials. The L1 2 -ordered intermetallic phase in nickel-based superalloys provides superior high-temperature mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Here, we studied the order-disorder transformation kinetics of an L1 2 -structured gamma-prime phase in nickel-based superalloy Rene N4 under krypton ion irradiation and the effect of pre-implanted helium gas bubbles on the kinetics of phase transformation. Furthermore, the presence of pre-implanted helium gas bubbles significantly enhances the order-disorder transformation of L1 2 -structured gamma-prime phase under irradiation at 300 °C. The evolution of pre-implanted helium gas bubbles under irradiation implies that helium gas bubbles could effectively trap irradiation-induced vacancies and impede the reordering process of anti-site defects in gamma-prime phase.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Capacity Gain in Li-Ion Cells with Silicon-Containing Electrodes

Silicon-containing lithium-ion batteries can exhibit capacity gain early in life, which makes forecasting future cell behavior difficult. We have observed these anomalous trends even in conditions where known mechanisms, such as overhang equalization and excessive electrolyte oxidation, are unlikely to be significant. Here, we combine simulations and experiments to analyze four cases that can produce increased capacity in Si cells. Three of these pathways relate to “break-in” processes, where improved mass and charge transport can lead to increased access to active electrode domains and decreased cell impedance. The fourth case occurs at high levels of prelithiation, when the positive electrode (PE) is completely replenished with Li + at the end of cell discharge. We show that the commonality among these mechanisms is that the underlying transformations change the potentials experienced by electrodes at the end of half-cycles, increasing the Li + inventory available to the cell. A quantitative framework to describe these effects is presented, enabling these ideas to be extended to other battery systems.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗