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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 NTRS2003

Response of Solid He-4 to External Stress: Interdigital Capacitor Solid Level Detector and Optical Interferometer

Two experiments are being conducted to observe the liquid/solid interface of He-4 near 1 K. Interesting instabilities are expected to occur when the solid is non-hydrostatically stressed. (1)A compact interdigital capacitor is used as a level detector to observe solid He-4 to which stresses are applied externally. The capacitor consists of 38 interlaced 50 m wide and 3.8 mm long gold films separated by 50 m and deposited onto a 5 mm by 5 mm sapphire substrate. The capacitor is placed on one flat end wall of a cylindrical chamber (xx mm diameter and xx mm long). The solid is grown to a known height and a stress is applied by a tubular PZT along the cylindrical axis. The observed small change in height of the solid at the wall is linearly proportional to the applied stress. The solid height decreases under compressive stress but does not change under tensile stress. The response of the solid on compressive stress is consistent with the expected quadratic dependence on strain. (2)Interferometric techniques are being developed for observing the solid He-4 surface profile. A laser light source is brought into the low temperature region via single mode optical fiber. The interference pattern is transmitted back out of the low temperature apparatus via optical fiber bundle. The solid He-4 growth chamber will be equipped with two PZT's such that stress can be applied from orthogonal directions. Orthogonally applied stress is expected to induce surface instability with island-like deformation on a grid pattern. Apparatus design and progress of its construction are described.

Fay, J.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Architectural design and fabrication approaches for solid-state batteries

Solid-state batteries are promising candidates for energy storage due to their potential advantages in safety, working temperature range, and energy density compared to traditional liquid-electrolyte-based batteries. Rational battery architecture design and a scalable fabrication approach are critical to realize solid-state batteries. In this article, we present the architecture, fabrication procedure, and related challenges of sulfide and oxide electrolyte-based solid-state batteries. Approaches toward intimate solid–solid contact, thin solid-electrolyte fabrication, and scale-up production are discussed. Lastly, we discuss the future research directions of solid-state batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Realizing high-capacity all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries using a low-density inorganic solid-state electrolyte

Abstract Lithium-sulfur all-solid-state batteries using inorganic solid-state electrolytes are considered promising electrochemical energy storage technologies. However, developing positive electrodes with high sulfur content, adequate sulfur utilization, and high mass loading is challenging. Here, to address these concerns, we propose using a liquid-phase-synthesized Li 3 PS 4 -2LiBH 4 glass-ceramic solid electrolyte with a low density (1.491 g cm −3 ), small primary particle size (~500 nm) and bulk ionic conductivity of 6.0 mS cm −1 at 25 °C for fabricating lithium-sulfur all-solid-state batteries. When tested in a Swagelok cell configuration with a Li-In negative electrode and a 60 wt% S positive electrode applying an average stack pressure of ~55 MPa, the all-solid-state battery delivered a high discharge capacity of about 1144.6 mAh g −1 at 167.5 mA g −1 and 60 °C. We further demonstrate that the use of the low-density solid electrolyte increases the electrolyte volume ratio in the cathode, reduces inactive bulky sulfur, and improves the content uniformity of the sulfur-based positive electrode, thus providing sufficient ion conduction pathways for battery performance improvement.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Synergistic effects of chlorine substitution in sulfide electrolyte solid state batteries

All-solid-state battery is considered as one of the most promising competitors to Li ion batteries. Two widely known performance metrics for solid electrolytes, among others, are ionic conductivity and stability. In this study, it is found that both can be improved by the synergistic effects of chlorine substitution in sulfide-based solid electrolytes. Particularly, instabilities arising from both bulk decompositions and interfacial reactions to electrodes can be better inhibited in the chlorine substituted sulfide solid electrolytes through the increased susceptibility to the mechanical constriction induced enhancement of voltage stability. As a result, the stability window of some chlorine-rich Li-argyrodites can be systematically higher than some other chlorine-deficient or chlorine-free electrolytes, especially under the implementation of the mechanical constriction battery assembly and test conditions. Thus, a solid-state battery system of 4 V to 5 V-class cathodes paired with lithium metal anode is demonstrated using these chlorine-rich Li-argyrodites without additional coatings. Furthermore, since Cl composition modulates the stability and instability of Li-argyrodite at low voltages, it allows us to design a multilayer configuration with a hierarchy of Li metal stabilities to demonstrate the stable cycling at relatively high current densities for solid-state batteries. It is found that a moderate Cl composition in the electrolyte is the best to inhibit Li dendrite penetration as the central electrolyte layer, emphasizing a slightly increased “instability” as the hidden performance metric of relevance here, in addition to the two well-known metrics of stability and ionic conductivity. The understanding of the chlorine substitution effect in sulfide electrolytes provides an important design principle for all-solid-state batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

NASICON Li 1.2 Mg 0.1 Zr 1.9 (PO 4 ) 3 Solid Electrolyte for an All‐Solid‐State Li‐Metal Battery

Abstract A thin solid electrolyte with a high Li + conductivity is used to separate the metallic lithium anode and the cathode in an all‐solid‐state Li‐metal battery. However, most solid Li‐ion electrolytes have a small electrochemical stability window, large interfacial resistance, and cannot block lithium‐dendrite growth when lithium is plated on charging of the cell. Mg 2+ stabilizes a rhombohedral NASICON‐structured solid electrolyte of the formula Li 1.2 Mg 0.1 Zr 1.9 (PO 4 ) 3 (LMZP). This solid electrolyte has Li‐ion conductivity two orders of magnitude higher at 25 °C than that of the triclinic LiZr 2 (PO 4 ) 3 . 7 Li and 6 Li NMR confirm the Li‐ions in two different crystallographic sites of the NASICON framework with 85% of the Li‐ions having a relatively higher mobility than the other 15%. The anode–electrolyte interface is further investigated with symmetric Li/LMZP/Li cell testing, while the cathode–electrolyte interface is explored with an all‐solid‐state Li/LMZP/LiFePO 4 cell. The enhanced performance of these cells enabled by the Li 1.2 Mg 0.1 Zr 1.9 (PO 4 ) 3 solid electrolyte is stable upon repeated charge/discharge cycling.

Zhou, Qiongyu↗
DOE OSTI2016

Synthetic routes to a nanoscale inorganic cluster [Ga{sub 13}(μ{sub 3}-OH){sub 6}(μ{sub 2}-OH){sub 18}(H{sub 2}O)](NO{sub 3}){sub 15} evaluated by solid-state {sup 71}Ga NMR

Solid-state {sup 71}Ga NMR was used to characterize a series of [Ga{sub 13}(μ{sub 3}-OH){sub 6}(μ{sub 2}-OH){sub 18}(H{sub 2}O)](NO{sub 3}){sub 15} “Ga{sub 13}” molecular clusters synthesized by multiple methods. These molecular clusters are precursors to thin film electronics and may be employed in energy applications. The synthetic routes provide varying levels of impurities in the solid phase, and these impurities often elude traditional characterization techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Solid-state NMR can provide a window into the gallium species even in amorphous phases. This information is vital in order to prevent the impurities from causing defect sites in the corresponding thin films upon gelation and condensation (polymerization) of the Ga{sub 13} clusters. This work demonstrates the resolving power of solid-state NMR to evaluate structure and synthetic quality in the solid state, and the application of high-field NMR to study quadrupolar species, such as {sup 71}Ga. - Graphical abstract: The various synthetic routes and {sup 71}Ga solid-state NMR spectra of the nanoscale inorganic cluster [Ga{sub 13}(μ{sub 3}-OH){sub 6}(μ{sub 2}-OH){sub 18}(H{sub 2}O)](NO{sub 3}){sub 15}. - Highlights: • Solid-state {sup 71}Ga NMR of hydroxo-aquo metal clusters and the impurities present. • High-field NMR capability allows for quadrupolar species, such as {sup 71}Ga, to be routinely studied. • Efficient and environmentally friendly synthetic routes have been developed to prepare hydroxo-aquo metal clusters.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Multiphase phase-field approach for solid–solid phase transformations via propagating interfacial phase in HMX

In this study, a thermodynamically consistent multiphase phase-field theory has been formulated to describe temperature-induced solid–solid phase transformations via an interfacial phase. This theory satisfies all thermodynamic equilibrium and stability conditions. It allows us to formulate the analytical solutions of the interface profile, energy, width, and velocity for each of the propagating solid–melt and solid–solid interfaces. The formation of the intermediate melt during solid–solid phase transformation has been studied hundreds of degrees below melting temperature in the HMX energetic crystal. The effect of the penalizing term in the phase-field model and two nanoscale material parameters on the appearance and degree of disordering of intermediate melt has been analyzed for the non-equilibrium interface. The developed approach is applicable to phase transitions in geological, pharmaceutical, ferroelectric, colloidal, and superhard materials where phase transformations occur via the intermediate phase.

Roy, Arunabha M. (ORCID:000000034790726X)↗
DOE OSTI2018

System and method and apparatus for maintaining a pressure balance in a solids flow loop and for controlling the flow of solids therethrough

A system includes a standpipe for receiving a flow of solids therethrough, the standpipe having at least one inlet configured to receive a gas for decreasing a solids-to-gas ratio of the flow, a sealpot having an inlet fluidly coupled to the standpipe and an outlet fluidly coupled to a riser, the sealpot being configured to fluidize the solids received from the standpipe and to transport the solids to the riser, and a drain device fluidly coupled to an outlet in the standpipe, the outlet being located upstream from the inlet of the sealpot. The drain device is configured to remove the excess gas from the flow of solids within the standpipe to increase the solids-to-gas ratio of the flow prior to the solids entering the sealpot.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Solid-solid phase transition via the liquid in a Pd 43 Cu 27 Ni 10 P 20 bulk metallic glass under conventional conditions

The microscopic mechanism of solid-solid phase transitions is a long-standing fundamental issue in materials science. Here we directly report the experimental evidence of the existence of an intermediate liquid during the solid-solid phase transition in a bulk Pd 43 Cu 27 Ni 10 P 20 alloy by in situ high temperature high energy X-ray diffraction, combined with the differential scanning calorimetry at slow heating rates down to 5 K/min. We elucidate that this intermediate liquid is attributed to the melting of the low-melting-point crystalline phases, rather than induced by the elastic stress energy along the interface proposed in literatures. This could also be a general feature in multicomponent alloys if a low-melting-point crystalline phase is formed together with other crystalline phases during heating. Furthermore, all results obtained here are scientifically sound and provide new insight into the phase transition theory, which will trigger more studies on the microscopic mechanism of solid-solid phase transition via an intermediate liquid.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Solid state synthesis, crystal growth and optical properties of urea and p-chloronitrobenzene solid solution

Urea is an attractive material for frequency conversion of high power lasers to UV (for wavelength down to 190 nm), but its usage is hindered due to its hygroscopic nature, though there is no alternative organic NLO crystal which could be transparent up to 190 nm. The hygroscopic character of urea has been modified by making the solid solution (UCNB) of urea (U) and p-chloronitrobenzene (CNB). The formation of the solid solution of CNB in U is explained on the basis of phase diagram, powder XRD, FTIR, elemental analysis and single crystal XRD studies. The solubility of U, CNB and UCNB in ethanol solution is evaluated at different temperatures. Transparent single crystals of UCNB are grown from its saturated solution in ethanol. Optical properties e.g., second harmonic generation (SHG), refractive index and the band gap for UCNB crystal were measured and their values were compared with the parent compounds. Besides modification in hygroscopic nature, UCNB has also shown the higher SHG signal and mechanical hardness in comparison to urea crystal. - Highlights: • The hygroscopic character of urea was modified by making the solid solution • Solid solution formation is support by elemental, powder- and single crystal XRD • Crystal of solid solution has higher SHG signal and mechanical stability. • Refractive index and band gap of solid solution crystal have determined.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Nanoscale Solid State Batteries Enabled by Thermal Atomic Layer Deposition of a Lithium Polyphosphazene Solid State Electrolyte

Several active areas of research in novel energy storage technologies, including three-dimensional solid state batteries and passivation coatings for reactive battery electrode components, require conformal solid state electrolytes. We describe an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process for a member of the lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON) family, which is employed as a thin film lithium-conducting solid electrolyte. The reaction between lithium tert-butoxide (LiO t Bu) and diethyl phosphoramidate (DEPA) produces conformal, ionically conductive thin films with a stoichiometry close to Li 2 PO 2 N between 250 and 300°C. The P/N ratio of the films is always 1, indicative of a particular polymorph of LiPON which closely resembles a polyphosphazene. Films grown at 300°C have an ionic conductivity of (6.51 ± 0.36)×10 -7 S/cm at 35°C, and are functionally electrochemically stable in the window from 0 to 5.3V vs. Li/Li + . We demonstrate the viability of the ALD-grown electrolyte by integrating it into full solid state batteries, including thin film devices using LiCoO 2 as the cathode and Si as the anode operating at up to 1 mA/cm 2 . The high quality of the ALD growth process allows pinhole-free deposition even on rough crystalline surfaces, and we demonstrate the fabrication and operation of thin film batteries with the thinnest (<40nm) solid state electrolytes yet reported. Finally, we show an additional application of the moderate-temperature ALD process by demonstrating a flexible solid state battery fabricated on a polymer substrate.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Enhanced ionic conductivity with Li 7 O 2 Br 3 phase in Li 3 OBr anti-perovskite solid electrolyte

Cubic anti-perovskites with general formula Li 3 OX (X = Cl, Br, I) were recently reported as superionic conductors with the potential for use as solid electrolytes in all-solid-state lithium ion batteries. These electrolytes are nonflammable, low-cost, and suitable for thermoplastic processing. However, the primary obstacle of its practical implementation is the relatively low ionic conductivity at room temperature. In this work, we synthesized a composite material consisting of two anti-perovskite phases, namely, cubic Li 3 OBr and layered Li 7 O 2 Br 3 , by solid state reaction routes. The results indicate that with the phase fraction of Li 7 O 2 Br 3 increasing to 44 wt. %, the ionic conductivity increased by more than one order of magnitude compared with pure phase Li 3 OBr. Formation energy calculations revealed the meta-stable nature of Li 7 O 2 Br 3 , which supports the great difficulty in producing phase-pure Li 7 O 2 Br 3 at ambient pressure. Here, methods of obtaining phase-pure Li 7 O 2 Br 3 will continue to be explored, including both high pressure and metathesis techniques.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Operation and Control of Soft Switching Solid State Transformer as a Virtual Synchronous Machine for Photovoltaic Application

Possibility for control and operation of a three-phase solid state soft switching transformer based as a virtual synchronous machine or synchronverter has been investigated in this paper. The soft switching solid state transformer is used as an interface between the ac grid and a photovoltaic power generation unit supported by a battery bank. The control architecture investigated in this paper is that of a synchronverter to achieve inertial support to the grid and local loads. The operation of the soft switching solid state transformer has also been investigated as a V S M during unbalanced/distorted grid voltage condition. Control objective to achieve oscillation free power transfer between the ports (photovoltaic, battery and grid) has been achieved. The presented architecture has been verified for several important case studies via numerical simulations based on MATLAB/Simulink domain.

grid current controller↗
DOE OSTI2016

Complete doping in solid-state by silica-supported perchloric acid as dopant solid acid: Synthesis and characterization of the novel chiral composite of poly [(±)-2-(sec-butyl) aniline]

Poly [(±)-2-(sec-butyl) aniline]/silica-supported perchloric acid composites were synthesized by combination of poly[(±)-2-sec-butylaniline] base (PSBA) and the silica-supported perchloric acid (SSPA) as dopant solid acid in solid-state. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and CHNS results confirm nigraniline oxidation state and complete doping for composites (about 75%) and non-complete for the PSBA·HCl salt (about 49%). The conductivity of samples was (≈0.07 S/cm) in agreement with the percent of doping obtained of the XPS analysis. Also, contact resistance was determined by circular-TLM measurement. The morphology of samples by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and their coating were investigated by XPS, SEM-map and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The key benefits of this work are the preparation of conductive chiral composite with the delocalized polaron structure under green chemistry and solid-state condition, the improvement of the processability by inclusion of the 2-sec-butyl group and the use of dopant solid acid (SSPA) as dopant. - Highlights: • The solid-state synthesis of the novel chiral composites of poly[(±)-2-(sec-butyl)aniline] (PSBA) and silica-supported perchloric acid (SSPA). • It takes 120 h for complete deprotonation of PSBA.HCl salt. • Use of SSPA as dopant solid acid for the first time to attain the complete doping of PSBA. • The coating of silica surface with PSBA.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Design of a gas-solid-solid separator to remove ash from circulating fluidized bed reactors

Cyclones are one of the most common types of gas-solid separators used in circulating fluidized bed boilers. However, cyclones typically do not allow ash to leave the system through the cyclone exit, causing ash to build up in the fluidized bed and necessitating additional systems to remove ash that builds up in the bed. In this study, an alternative “disengager” gas-solid separator is proposed as a way of inherently separating small and large solids, resulting in a gas-solid-solid separation system where ash is allowed to leave the system along with gas while the desired fluidized bed material is retained. Unlike cyclones, which rely on centrifugal force to separate solids and gas, the disengager separates based on entrainment velocity of the particles. Upwards-flowing gas and particles strike a deflection plate and enter the disengaging chamber where particles with low terminal velocity such as ash fines flow with the gas, while larger particles such as sand fall to the bottom of the separator and are returned to the fluidized bed. In this study, several different proposed disengager configurations are simulated and compared to a typical cyclone using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations. Furthermore, it was found that separation efficiency in the disengager is strongly influenced by the size of the deflection plate, rather than by the size of the unit itself. The predicted separation efficiency showed that compared to a cyclone, the disengager design allows significantly more ash to exit the system but retains a similar amount of desirable material. Additionally, the disengager was predicted to not suffer significantly more erosion that a cyclone.

42 ENGINEERING↗