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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 757 records · Page 42
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Complete Development of Critical Capabilities for TRISO Fission Product Source Term Calculations and Quantify Mechanisms for Pd Penetration of SiC

Overall fission product (FP) release will be an important consideration for the licensing and deployment of advanced reactors utilizing tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuels. This work focuses on enhancing and applying the BISON models needed to predict FP transport within TRISO particles and particle failure probability, both of which factor directly into release predictions. Specifically, this report details (1) the development of the models needed to predict palladium (Pd) conservation at the engineering scale and the application of those models to characterize Pd fluxes for input into a mechanistic multiscale model for Pd penetration; (2) the refinement of sorption mass transfer models and the development of models for trapping in porous layers, which were applied and compared to particle scans from AGR-2 to provide proof of concept for a method of particle-scale validation that may reduce uncertainties compared to compact-scale validation using data from integral effects tests; (3) the development of a failure-statistics-informed, mesh-independent methodology for applying smeared cracking, enabling further study of the localized multiphysics behaviors associated with cascading particle failure mechanisms; and (4) the preliminary characterization of those coupled multiphysics particle failure behaviors using smeared, nonretentive diffusivities to provide a baseline for future study and to guide ongoing engineering applications.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1986

Computer simulation of immobilized pH gradients at acidic and alkaline extremes - A quest for extended pH intervals

Computer simulations of the concentration profiles of simple biprotic ampholytes with Delta pKs 1, 2, and 3, on immobilized pH gradients (IPG) at extreme pH values (pH 3-4 and pH 10-11) show markedly skewed steady-state profiles with increasing kurtosis at higher Delta pK values. Across neutrality, all the peaks are symmetric irrespective of their Delta pK values, but they show very high contribution to the conductivity of the background gel and significant alteration of the local buffering capacity. The problems of skewness, due to the exponential conductivity profiles at low and high pHs, and of gel burning due to a strong electroosmotic flow generated by the net charges in the gel matrix, also at low and high pHs, are solved by incorporating in the IPG gel a strong viscosity gradient. This is generated by a gradient of linear polyacrylamide which is trapped in the gel by the polymerization process.

Mosher, Richard A.↗
DOE OSTI2016

The character and amplitude of ‘discontinuous’ bottom-simulating reflections in marine seismic data

Bottom-simulating reflections (BSRs) identified in seismic data are well documented; and are commonly interpreted to indicate the presence of gas hydrates along continental margins, as well as to estimate regional volumes of gas hydrate. A BSR is defined as a reflection that sub-parallels the seafloor but is opposite in polarity and cross-cuts dipping sedimentary strata. BSRs form as a result of a strong negative acoustic impedance contrast. BSRs, however, are a diverse seismic phenomena that manifest in strikingly contrasting ways in different geological settings, and in different seismic data types. We investigate the characteristics of BSRs, using conventional and high resolution, 2D and 3D seismic data sets in three locations: the Terrebonne and Orca Basins in the Gulf of Mexico, and Blake Ridge on the US Atlantic Margin. The acquisition geometry and frequency content of the seismic data significantly impact the resultant character of BSRs, as observed with depth and amplitude maps of the BSRs. Furthermore, our amplitude maps reinforce the concept that the BSR represents a zone, over which the transition from hydrate to free gas occurs, as opposed to the conventional model of the BSR occurring at a single interface. Our results show that a BSR can be mapped in three dimensions but it is not spatially continuous, at least not at the basin scale. Rather, a BSR manifests itself as a discontinuous, or patchy, reflection and only at local scales is it continuous. We suggest the discontinuous nature of BSRs is the result of variable saturation and distribution of free gas and hydrate, acquisition geometry and frequency content of the recorded seismic data. Lastly, the commonly accepted definition of a BSR should be broadened with careful consideration of these factors, to represent the uppermost extent of enhanced amplitude at the shallowest occurrence of free gas trapped by overlying hydrate-bearing sediments.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Multicolor polymeric carbon dots: synthesis, separation and polyamide-supported molecular fluorescence

Multicolor carbon dots (CDs) have been developed recently and demonstrate great potential in bio-imaging, sensing, and LEDs. However, the fluorescence mechanism of their tunable colors is still under debate, and efficient separation methods are still challenging. Herein, we synthesized multicolor polymeric CDs through solvothermal treatment of citric acid and urea in formamide. Automated reversed-phase column separation was used to achieve fractions with distinct colors, including blue, cyan, green, yellow, orange and red. This work explores the physicochemical properties and fluorescence origins of the red, green, and blue fractions in depth with combined experimental and computational methods. Three dominant fluorescence mechanism hypotheses were evaluated by comparing time-dependent density functional theory and molecular dynamics calculation results to measured characteristics. We find that blue fluorescence likely comes from embedded small molecules trapped in carbonaceous cages, while pyrene analogs are the most likely origin for emission at other wavelengths, especially in the red. Also important, upon interaction with live cells, different CD color fractions are trafficked to different sub-cellular locations. Super-resolution imaging shows that the blue CDs were found in a variety of organelles, such as mitochondria and lysosomes, while the red CDs were primarily localized in lysosomes. These findings significantly advance our understanding of the photoluminescence mechanism of multicolor CDs and help to guide future design and applications of these promising nanomaterials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Implementing Large-Scale CCS in Complex Geologic Reservoirs: Insights from Three Appalachian Basin Case Studies

This paper presents three design case studies for implementing large-scale geologic carbon storage in the Appalachian Basin region of the midwestern United States. While the Appalachian Basin has a challenging setting for carbon storage, the three case studies detailed in this article demonstrate that there are realistic options for implementing carbon storage in the basin. Carbonate rock formations, depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, and moderate-porosity sandstones can be utilized as carbon-storage reservoirs in the Appalachian Basin. While these are not typical concepts for CO2 storage, the storage zones have advantages such as defined trapping mechanisms, multiple caprocks, and defined boundaries that are not always present in thick, permeable sandstones being targeted for many carbon-storage projects. The geologic setting, geotechnical parameters, and hydrologic setting for the three case studies are provided, along with the results of reservoir simulations of the CO2 injection-deployment strategies. The geological rock formations available for CO2 storage in the Appalachian Basin are more localized reservoirs with defined boundaries and finite storage capacities. Simulation results showed that accessing carbon-storage resources in these fields may require wellfields with 2–10 injection wells. However, these fields would have the capacity to inject 1–3 million metric tons of CO2 per year and up to 90 million metric tons of CO2 in total. The CO2 storage resources would fulfill decarbonization goals for many of the natural-gas power plants, cement plants, hydrogen plants, and refineries in the Appalachian Basin region.

Sminchak, Joel↗
NASA NTRS2012

Wall Pressure Unsteadiness and Side Loads in Overexpanded Rocket Nozzles

Surveys of both the static and dynamic wall pressure signatures on the interior surface of a sub-scale, cold-flow and thrust optimized parabolic nozzle are conducted during fixed nozzle pressure ratios corresponding to FSS and RSS states. The motive is to develop a better understanding for the sources of off-axis loads during the transient start-up of overexpanded rocket nozzles. During FSS state, pressure spectra reveal frequency content resembling SWTBLI. Presumably, when the internal flow is in RSS state, separation bubbles are trapped by shocks and expansion waves; interactions between the separated flow regions and the waves produce asymmetric pressure distributions. An analysis of the azimuthal modes reveals how the breathing mode encompasses most of the resolved energy and that the side load inducing mode is coherent with the response moment measured by strain gauges mounted upstream of the nozzle on a flexible tube. Finally, the unsteady pressure is locally more energetic during RSS, albeit direct measurements of the response moments indicate higher side load activity when in FSS state. It is postulated that these discrepancies are attributed to cancellation effects between annular separation bubbles.

Baars, Woutijn J.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Disphenoidal Zero-Dimensional Lead, Tin, and Germanium Halides: Highly Emissive Singlet and Triplet Self-Trapped Excitons and X-ray Scintillation

Low-dimensional metal halides have been researched as optoelectronic materials for the past two decades. Zero-dimensional halides of ns 2 elements (Sn, Pb, Sb) have recently gained attention as highly efficient broadband light emitters. These compounds comprise discrete metal halide centers, isolated by bulky organic cations. Herein, we report isostructural halide complexes of Ge(II), Sn(II), and Pb(II) with a 1-butyl-1-methyl-piperidinium cation (Bmpip), featuring unusual disphenoidal coordination with a highly stereoactive lone pair. Spectrally broad, bright emission from highly localized excitons, with quantum efficiencies of up to 75%, is observed in blue to red spectral regions for bromides (for Pb, Sn, and Ge, respectively) and extends into the near-infrared for Bmpip 2 SnI 4 (peak at 730 nm). In the case of Sn(II) and Ge(II), both singlet and triplet excitonic emission bands have been observed. Furthermore, Bmpip 2 SnBr 4 and Bmpip 2 PbBr 4 exhibit X-ray-excited luminescence (radioluminescence) with brightness being commensurate with that of a commercial inorganic X-ray scintillator (NaI:Tl).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Los Angeles Urban Development Utilizing Nasa Earth Observations to Evaluate the Impact of Tree Coverage on Urban Heat Mitigation

In recent decades, Los Angeles, California has experienced an increase in summer temperatures that has intensified the urban heat island effect. The expansion of developed areas has contributed significantly to this phenomenon by trapping and reradiating heat, posing dangerous health risks to residents. To mitigate this problem, organizations including City Plants and the L.A.’s Office of City Forest Management have implemented initiatives to promote urban greening and tree planting, which help cool down vulnerable communities. In collaboration with these partners, NASA DEVELOP has undertaken a study to investigate the role of trees in urban environments and their effectiveness in reducing local urban heat islands.

Leyla Namazie↗
DOE OSTI2016

Light-trapping and recycling for extraordinary power conversion in ultra-thin gallium-arsenide solar cells

Here, we demonstrate nearly 30% power conversion efficiency in ultra-thin (~200 nm) gallium arsenide photonic crystal solar cells by numerical solution of the coupled electromagnetic Maxwell and semiconductor drift-diffusion equations. Our architecture enables wave-interference-induced solar light trapping in the wavelength range from 300-865 nm, leading to absorption of almost 90% of incoming sunlight. Our optimized design for 200 nm equivalent bulk thickness of GaAs, is a square-lattice, slanted conical-pore photonic crystal (lattice constant 550 nm, pore diameter 600 nm, and pore depth 290 nm), passivated with AlGaAs, deposited on a silver back-reflector, with ITO upper contact and encapsulated with SiO 2 . Our model includes both radiative and non-radiative recombination of photo-generated charge carriers. When all light from radiative recombination is assumed to escape the structure, a maximum achievable photocurrent density (MAPD) of 27.6 mA/cm 2 is obtained from normally incident AM 1.5 sunlight. For a surface non-radiative recombination velocity of 10 3 cm/s, this corresponds to a solar power conversion efficiency of 28.3%. When all light from radiative recombination is trapped and reabsorbed (complete photon recycling) the power conversion efficiency increases to 29%. If the surface recombination velocity is reduced to 10 cm/sec, photon recycling is much more effective and the power conversion efficiency reaches 30.6%.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Static adhesion hysteresis in elastic structures

Adhesive interactions between elastic structures such as graphene sheets, carbon nanotubes, and microtubules have been shown to exhibit hysteresis due to irrecoverable energy loss associated with bond breakage, even in static (rate-independent) experiments. To understand this phenomenon, we start with a minimal theory for the peeling of a thin sheet from a substrate, coupling the local event of bond breaking to the nonlocal elastic relaxation of the sheet and show that this can drive static adhesion hysteresis over a bonding/debonding cycle. Using this model we quantify hysteresis in terms of the adhesion and elasticity parameters of the system. We find that this allows us to derive a scaling relation that preserves hysteresis at different levels of granularity while resolving a seeming paradox of lattice trapping in the continuum limit of a discrete fracture process. Finally, to verify our theory, we use new experiments to demonstrate and measure adhesion hysteresis in bundled microtubules.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Black hole horizons from the double copy

We describe a procedure for locating black hole horizons in 'Kerr–Schild' spacetimes in the double copy paradigm. Using only single- and zeroth-copy data on flat spacetime, our procedure predicts the existence of trapped surfaces in the double-copy gravitational solution. We show explicitly how this procedure locates the horizon of the Schwarzschild black hole and the general Myers–Perry black hole.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1990

Aeolian Removal of Dust Types from Photovoltaic Surfaces on Mars

Dust elevated in local or global dust storms on the Martian surface could settle on photovoltaic (PV) surfaces and seriously hamper their performance. Using a recently developed technique to apply a uniform dust layer, PV surface materials were subjected to simulated Martian winds in an attempt to determine whether natural Aeolian processes on Mars would sweep off the settled dust. Three different types of dust were used; an optical polishing powder, basaltic "trap rock", and iron (III) oxide crystals. The effects of wind velocity, angle of attack, height above the Martian surface, and surface coating material were investigated. It was found that arrays mounted with an angle of attack approaching 45 degrees show the most efficient clearing. Although the angular dependence is not sharp, horizontally mounted arrays required significantly higher wind velocities to clear off the dust. From this test it appears that the arrays may be erected quite near the ground, but previous studies have suggested that saltation effects can be expected to cause such arrays to be covered by soil if they are set up less than about a meter from the ground. Particle size effects appear to dominate over surface chemistry in these experiments, but additional tests are required to confirm this. Providing that the surface chemistry of Martian dusts is not drastically different from simulated dust and that gravity differences have only minor effects, the materials used for protective coatings for photovoltaic arrays may be optimized for other considerations such as transparency, and chemical or abrasion resistance. The static threshold velocity is low enough that there are regions on Mars which experience winds strong enough to clear off a photovoltaic array if it is properly oriented. Turbulence fences proved to be an ineffective strategy to keep dust cleared from the photovoltaic surfaces.

Gaier, James R.↗
DOE OSTI2015

L to H mode transition: Parametric dependencies of the temperature threshold

The L to H mode transition occurs at a critical power which depends on various parameters, such as the magnetic field, the density, etc. Experimental evidence on various tokamaks (JET, ASDEX-Upgrade, DIII-D, Alcator C-Mod) points towards the existence of a critical temperature characterizing the transition. This criterion for the L-H transition is local and is therefore easier to be compared to theoretical approaches. In order to shed light on the mechanisms of the transition, simple theoretical ideas are used to derive a temperature threshold (T th ). They are based on the stabilization of the underlying turbulence by a mean radial electric field shear. The nature of the turbulence varies as the collisionality decreases, from resistive ballooning modes to ion temperature gradient and trapped electron modes. The obtained parametric dependencies of the derived T th are tested versus magnetic field, density, effective charge. Furthermore, various robust experimental observations are reproduced, in particular T th increases with magnetic field B and increases with density below the density roll-over observed on the power threshold.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Resonance-to-intercombination-line ratios of neonlike ions in the relativistic regime

We report measurements of the intensity ratio of the 1s 2 2s 2 2p$5\atop{1/2}$3d 3/2 →1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 resonance line to the 1s 2 2s 2 2p$5\atop{3/2}$3d 5/2 →1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 intercombination line in neonlike Kr 26+ and Mo 32+ . The measurements were performed at the EBIT-I electron beam ion trap facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and utilized an x-ray microcalorimeter. The measured ratio for Mo 32+ is in four times closer agreement with theoretical predictions than earlier measurements of ions with lower atomic number. Our measurement thus suggests a narrowing of the disagreement with atomic number, which had not been observed in the previously existing data. This implies that the disagreement with theory may be localized to ions within a range of atomic numbers in which intermediate coupling dominates.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Fabricating Graphene Oxide/h-BN Metal Insulator Semiconductor Diodes by Nanosecond Laser Irradiation

To employ graphene’s rapid conduction in 2D devices, a heterostructure with a broad bandgap dielectric that is free of traps is required. Within this paradigm, h-BN is a good candidate because of its graphene-like structure and ultrawide bandgap. We show how to make such a heterostructure by irradiating alternating layers of a-C and a-BN film with a nanosecond excimer laser, melting and zone-refining constituent layers in the process. With Raman spectroscopy and ToF-SIMS analyses, we demonstrate this localized zone-refining into phase-pure h-BN and rGO films with distinct Raman vibrational modes and SIMS profile flattening after laser irradiation. Furthermore, in comparing laser-irradiated rGO-Si MS and rGO/h-BN/Si MIS diodes, the MIS diodes exhibit an increased turn-on voltage (4.4 V) and low leakage current. The MIS diode I-V characteristics reveal direct tunneling conduction under low bias and Fowler-Nordheim tunneling in the high-voltage regime, turning the MIS diode ON with improved rectification and current flow. This study sheds light on the nonequilibrium approaches to engineering h-BN and graphene heterostructures for ultrathin field effect transistor device development.

2D materials↗
NASA NTRS1980

XPS studies of structure-induced radiation effects at the Si/SiO2 interface

The interfacial structures of radiation hard and soft oxides grown by dry and wet processes on silicon substrates have been examined by high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is found that the primary difference in the local atomic structure at the Si/SiO2 interface is the significantly higher concentration of strained 120 deg SiO2 bonds and SiO interfacial species in soft samples. Results of in situ radiation damage experiments using low energy electrons (0-20 eV) are reported which correlate with the presence of a strained layer of SiO2 (20 A) at the interface. The results are interpreted in terms of a structural model for hole and electron trap generation by ionizing radiation.

Grunthaner, F. J.↗
NASA NTRS2023

Electron Acceleration and Heating during Magnetic Reconnection in the Earth's Quasi-parallel Bow Shock

We perform a 2.5-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation of a quasi-parallel shock, using parameters for the Earth's bow shock, to examine electron acceleration and heating due to magnetic reconnection. The shock transition region evolves from the ion-coupled reconnection dominant stage to the electron-only reconnection dominant stage, as time elapses. The electron temperature enhances locally in each reconnection site, and ion-scale magnetic islands generated by ion-coupled reconnection show the most significant enhancement of the electron temperature. The electron energy spectrum shows a power law, with a power-law index around 6. We perform electron trajectory tracing to understand how they are energized. Some electrons interact with multiple electron-only reconnection sties, and Fermi acceleration occurs during multiple reflections. Electrons trapped in ion-scale magnetic islands can be accelerated in another mechanism. Islands move in the shock transition region, and electrons can obtain larger energy from the in-plane electric field than the electric potential in those islands. These newly found energization mechanisms in magnetic islands in the shock can accelerate electrons to energies larger than the achievable energies by the conventional energization due to the parallel electric field and shock drift acceleration. This study based on the selected particle analysis indicates that the maximum energy in the nonthermal electrons is achieved through acceleration in ion-scale islands, and electron-only reconnection accounts for no more than half of the maximum energy, as the lifetime of sub-ion-scale islands produced by electron-only reconnection is several times shorter than that of ion-scale islands.

Solar magnetic reconnection↗
DOE OSTI2019

Pore habit of methane hydrate and its evolution in sediment matrix – Laboratory visualization with phase-contrast micro-CT

Describing the pore habit of methane hydrate in sediment matrices is essential for understanding natural distribution of methane hydrate, methane trace (transport and solidification) in the hydrate stability zone, physical properties of hydrate-bearing sediments, and the associated influence on potential gas production. Pore habit visualization in natural media at pore scale even with laboratory synthesized cores has been challenging due to the similar densities of methane hydrate from pore liquid. In this work, we used phase-contrast assisted micro-CT with potassium iodine-doped brine to visualize four phases: sand particles, pore fluid, methane hydrate and methane gas. This study visualizes the pore habit of methane hydrate at various stages including during hydrate formation in excess-gas systems, its evolution after brine injection to replace pore fluid, and hydrate formation in excess-water systems. Hydrate tends to adopt round and smooth surfaces when in contact with water while exhibits relatively angular interfaces when in contact with methane gas. Hydrate formation in excess-gas systems results in a partial cementing and partial mineral-coating pore habit, while hydrate in excess-water systems develops mainly as pore-filling, and locally cementing or mineral-coating where big gas pockets exist at the initial state. Pore liquid replacement from methane gas to brine triggers a shift of hydrate pore habit towards pore-filling. Methane hydrate evolution over time produces bigger hydrate particles but with less contact area with sand particles. The effects of hydrate pore habit become less important as hydrate particle size exceeds the pore size. Additionally, hydrate formation could trap residual methane gas and brine as inclusions.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗