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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 847 records · Page 47
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

TlCaBaCuO high Tc superconducting microstrip ring resonators designed for 12 GHz

Microwave properties of sputtered Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O thin films were investigated by designing, fabricating, and testing microstrip ring resonators. Ring resonators designed for 12 GHz fundamental resonance frequency, were fabricated and tested. From the unloaded Q values for the resonators, the surface resistance was calculated by separating the conductor losses from the total losses. The penetration depth was obtained from the temperature dependence of resonance frequency, assuming that the shift in resonance frequency is mainly due to the temperature dependence of penetration depth. The effective surface resistance at 12 GHz and 77 K was determined to be between 1.5 and 2.75 mOmega, almost an order lower than Cu at the same temperature and frequency. The effective penetration depth at 0 K is approximately 7000 A.

Subramanyam, G.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Nanoscale Interfacial Engineering for Stable Lithium Metal Anodes

Li-ion battery has gain great success as the power source for portable electronics, electric vehicles and grid scale energy storage. However, its energy density has achieved a bottleneck which calls for the further innovation of battery technologies especially those beyond Li-ion. Li metal anode has long been regarded as the "holy grail" for Li battery research, which is not only due to its highest theoretical capacity of 3860 mAh/g and lowest electrochemical potential, but also its key role in Li-S and Li-air battery systems, both of which are the most prominent battery chemistries for the next-generation energy storage technology. However, many challenges have been encountered on its way to commercialization. Among all problems of Li metal, there are two root causes, namely high reactivity of Li and its infinite relative volume change during cycling. On one hand, the high reactivity of Li results in the excess side reactions once is exposed to liquid electrolyte, which further lead to complex interfacial chemistry, blocked ion transport and the consumption of materials. On the other hand, the infinite relative volume change makes the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) prone to fracture, which not only creates hot spots for uneven Li-ion flux distribution and thus dendritic deposition, but also exposes fresh Li for further side reactions, leading to low Coulombic efficiency. Under the circumstance, it is necessary to develop surface protection techniques as well as to improve the electrode volume stability in order to solve all the above-mentioned problems. Correspondingly, we successfully developed a set of nano-synthesis techniques to realize the proposed concepts in this study. The major achievements through this study include: The development of novel, three-dimensional Li composites to minimize the electrode-level volume change and excessive interfacial fluctuation during cycling. The development of various Li metal surface coating materials (inorganic materials, polymers, composites, etc.) and fundamentally studied the relationships between material properties and the electrochemical performance of Li metal anode. The combination between three-dimensional Li and effective surface coating rendered significant improvement in Li metal cycling efficiency and safety

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Process and Material Design for Micro-Encapsulated Ionic Liquids in Post-Combustion CO 2 Capture

Aprotic Heterocyclic Anion (AHA) Ionic Liquids (ILs) have been identified as promising new solvents for post-combustion carbon capture due to their high CO 2 uptake and the high tenability 1,2 of their binding energy with CO 2 . Some of these compounds change phase (solid to liquid) on absorption of CO 2 ; these Phase Change ILs (PCILs)3 offer the additional advantage that part of the heat needed to desorb the CO2 from the absorbent is provided by the heat of fusion as the PCIL solidifies upon release of CO 2 . However, the relatively high viscosity of AHA ILs and the occurrence of a phase change in PCILs present challenges for conventional absorption equipment. To overcome these challenges we are pursuing the use of new technology to micro-encapsulate the AHA ILs and PCILs. Our partners at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have successfully demonstrated this technology in the application of post-combustion carbon capture with sodium and potassium carbonate solutions,4 and have recently shown the feasibility of micro-encapsulation of an AHA IL for carbon capture.5 The large effective surface area and high CO 2 permeability of the micro-capsules is expected to offset the drawback of the high IL viscosity and to provide for a more efficient and cost-effective mass transfer operation involving AHA ILs and PCILs. These opportunities, however, present us with both process and materials design questions. For example, what is the target CO 2 absorption strength (enthalpy of chemical absorption) for the tunable AHA IL? What is the target for micro-capsule diameter in order to obtain a high mass transfer rate and good fluidization performance? What are the appropriate temperatures and pressures for the absorber and stripper? In order to address these and other questions, we have developed a rate-based model of a post-combustion CO 2 capture process using micro-encapsulated ILs. As a performance baseline, we have also developed a rate-based model of a standard packed bed absorber using an un-encapsulated AHA IL absorbent. Using such models we can determine optimal CO 2 capture performance and investigate the sensitivity of the optimum with respect to the key thermo-physical and transport properties of the IL (e.g., CO 2 binding energy, viscosity, etc.) and the micro-capsules (e.g. diameter, CO 2 permeability, etc.). Results of these process and material design studies will be presented, and the performance of this novel micro-encapsulation technology will be assessed.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS2000

Sea Ice Motion from Wavelet Analysis of Satellite Data

Wavelet analysis of NASA scatterometer (NSCAT) backscatter and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) radiance data can be used to obtain daily sea ice drift information for the Arctic region. This technique provides improved spatial coverage over the existing array of Arctic Ocean buoys and better temporal resolution over techniques utilizing data from satellite synthetic aperture radars. Comparisons with ice motion derived from ocean buoys give good quantitative agreement. Both comparison results from NSCAT and SSM/I are compatible, and the results from NSCAT can definitely complement that from SSM/I when there are cloud or surface effects. Then three sea-ice drift daily results from NSCAT, SSM/I, and buoy data can be merged as a composite map by some data fusion techniques. The ice flow streamlines are highly correlated with surface air pressure contours. Examples of derived ice-drift maps in December 1996 illustrate large-scale circulation reversals over a period of four days. A method for deriving divergence and shear at the large-scale has been developed and comparison between buoys and satellite results shows a good agreement. These calibrated/validated results indicate that NSCAT, SSM/I merged daily ice motion are suitably accurate to identify and closely locate sea ice processes, and to improve our current knowledge of sea ice drift and related processes through the data assimilation of ocean-ice numerical model. For demonstration purpose, the ice velocities derived from satellite data are compared with the ice velocities derived from a coupled ice-ocean interaction model. The comparison reveals that the general circulation patterns of the two are quite similar but the ice velocity differences between the two are quite significant. In order to quantify the wind effects on ice motion, empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) are used in the principal component analysis for both ice motion and pressure field. Some preliminary results of sea-ice motion from QuikScat will also be presented.

Liu, Antony K.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Study of Mechanical Grinding Effects on Niobium Surface

Mechanical grinding is commonly employed to eliminate surface defects such as scratches and pits from niobium cavity surfaces or sheets before cavity fabrication. Subsequently, chemically buffered polishing or electropolishing is often utilized to completely remove residues of the polishing media and any defects induced by mechanical grinding, ensuring a pristine surface. In this study, we conducted a systematic investigation to assess the influence of mechanical grinding using silicon carbide (SiC) and aluminium oxide (Al2O3) polishing media on niobium surfaces. Additionally, the study examines the effects of post-mechanical grinding chemical treatments on surface quality.

Chouhan, V.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Study of Mechanical Grinding Effects on Niobium Surface

Mechanical grinding is commonly employed to eliminate surface defects such as scratches and pits from niobium cavity surfaces or sheets before cavity fabrication. Subsequently, chemically buffered polishing or electropolishing is often utilized to completely remove residues of the polishing media and any defects induced by mechanical grinding, ensuring a pristine surface. In this study, we conducted a systematic investigation to assess the influence of mechanical grinding using silicon carbide and aluminum oxide polishing media on niobium surfaces. Additionally, the study examines the effects of post-mechanical grinding chemical treatments on surface quality.

Chouhan, V.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Enhanced Surface Passivation by Atomic Layer Deposited Al 2 O 3 for Ultraviolet Sensitive Silicon Photomultipliers

Here, we describe a superior passivation of p-type (p + ) Si surface by Al 2 O 3 thin film that is synthesized by plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition for ultraviolet sensitive silicon photomultipliers (SiPM), compared to conventional SiO 2 and SiN x passivation schemes. The superiority of Al 2 O 3 passivation is due to not only a sufficiently low interface defect density but also a high density of built-in negative charges. A 7 nm thin Al 2 O 3 film can yield an emitter saturation current density of ~8 fA/cm 2 on high sheet resistance p + layer, compared to ~60 and ~1480 fA/cm 2 for thermal SiO 2 and SiN x passivation. This superior surface passivation allows the photon-generated carriers to have higher probabilities to reach the high-field region to trigger an avalanche event. In addition, Al 2 O 3 thin film provides very low values of effective surface recombination velocity on low resistivity n-type and p-type Si surfaces, which can lead to well-passivated surface features on guard ring and trench isolation regions of SiPM. These demonstrate the potential of Al 2 O 3 thin film passivation to improve quantum efficiency and thus photo-detection efficiency of ultraviolet sensitive SiPM with p + /n - /n/n + structure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1986

Statistical characterization of sea surface geometry for a wave slope field discontinuous in the mean square

Statistics of two-dimensional wave groups, of steep wave events, and of a cascade pattern manifested in the surface geometry in a developed sea state are derived. A systematic view is presented of the spectral moment problem, highlighting its physical meaning and showing its relationship with the theory of random fields. A solution of this problem is suggested that is appropriate to the case of wind-generated surface waves. The solution method treats the surface elevation field as specified on a spatial (temporal) running grid, developing an averaging procedure which employs the Taylor microscale as the mesh size. The technique is illustrated by first exposing errors in direct calculations of the effective surface impedance for a coherently reflected L-band radio wave. The technique is then used to study wave groups and steep waves for a Gaussian, two-dimensional, time-varying surface. Finally, the theory is applied to estimate breaking wave statistics,

Glazman, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

A low speed wind tunnel test of the 0.050 scale NASA-JSC shuttle orbiter 089B to determine the longitudinal and lateral directional effects of control surface modifications

Wind tunnel tests to determine the longitudinal and lateral-directional effects of control surface modifications on the space shuttle orbiter aerodynamic characteristics are discussed. A total of 103 data runs were made which consisted of pitch runs through a range of zero to 28 degrees at a zero yaw angle and yaw runs from minus 6 to plus 6 degrees at various fixed pitch angles. At each data point, data from an internal strain gage balance was sampled with the digital data system. Also recorded were the model angles of pitch and yaw and the test section static pressure. Results are presented in the form of tabulated aerodynamic coefficient data about the model reference center.

Oldenbuttel, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Effect of mechanical surface and heat treatments on erosion resistance

The effect of erosion by glass beads and crushed glass and by heat treatments on the erosional resistance of 6061 aluminum alloy and 1045 steel were studied. The aluminum alloy's erosion resistance was found to be insensitive to mechanical surface treatment applied before testing, and was determined to depend on the properties of the work-hardened surface layer; this was also demonstrated for aluminum alloy single crystals. The aluminum alloy heat treatments included annealing, solution, and precipitation. Solution was found to increase erosion resistance but precipitation had the opposite effect. Hardness showed no correlation with erosion resistance for either aluminum alloy steel. The steel tests showed that crushed glass provides an order of magnitude more erosion than glass beads.

Salik, J.↗
DOE OSTI2016

A method for determining average damage depth of sawn crystalline silicon wafers

The depth of surface damage (or simply, damage) in crystalline silicon wafers, caused by wire sawing of ingots, is determined by performing a series of minority carrier lifetime (MCLT) measurements. Samples are sequentially etched to remove thin layers from each surface and MCLT is measured after each etch step. The thickness-removed (δt) at which the lifetime reaches a peak value corresponds to the damage depth. This technique also allows the damage to be quantified in terms of effective surface recombination velocity (S eff ). To accomplish this, the MCLT data are converted into an S eff vs δt plot, which represents a quantitative distribution of the degree of damage within the surface layer. We describe a wafer preparation procedure to attain reproducible etching and MCLT measurement results. We also describe important characteristics of an etchant used for controllably removing thin layers from the wafer surfaces. Lastly, some typical results showing changes in the MCLT vs δt plots for different cutting parameters are given.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1985

The lateral surface drag coefficient of cylindrical spacecraft in a rarefied finite temperature atmosphere

In the present determination of the free molecule flow drag coefficient for a cylindrical spacecraft flying parallel to its principal axis, the lateral surface effects of thermal motion are explicitly included in terms of the average impact angle of the incident gas momentum vector. Kinetic theory is used to characterize self-shadowing, as well as to obtain an expression for the lateral surface coefficient in terms of the average impact angle of the incident momentum vector and the fractional momentum transfer along the line of impact. It is found that, for a length/diameter ratio of about 5, the lateral surface contribution to the drag coefficient is comparable to that of the front face.

Herrero, F. A.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Energy-Resolved Femtosecond Hot Electron Dynamics in Single Plasmonic Nanoparticles

Efficient excitation and harvesting of hot carriers from nanoscale metals is central to many emerging photochemical, photovoltaic, and ultrafast optoelectronic applications. Nevertheless, direct experimental evidence of the energy-dependent femtosecond dynamics in ubiquitous tens-of-nanometer gold structures remains elusive, despite the potentially rich interplay between interfacial and internal plasmonic fields, excitation distributions, and scattering processes. To explore the effects of nanoscale structure on these dynamics, we employ simultaneous time-, angle-, and energy-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of single plasmonic nanoparticles. Photoelectron velocity and electric field distributions reveal bulk-like ballistic hot electron transport in different geometries, lacking any signatures of surface effects. Energy-resolved dynamics are measured in the 1–2 eV range and extrapolated to lower energies via Boltzmann theory, providing a detailed view of hot electron lifetimes within nanoscale gold. Here, we find that particles with relevant dimensions as small as 10 nm serve as exemplary platforms for studying intrinsic metal dynamics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1985

Front and back polysilicon-contacted silicon solar cells

The first use of a (silicon)/ (heavily doped polysilicon)/ (metal) structure to replace the conventional high-low junction (or back-surface-field, BSF) structure of silicon solar cells is reported. Compared with BSF and back-ohmic-contact control samples, the polysilicon-back solar cells show improvements in red spectral response and open-circuit voltage. Measurement reveals that a decrease in effective surface recombination velocity S is responsible for this improvement. Decreased S results for n-type (Si:As) polysilicon, consistent with past findings for bipolar transistors, and for p-type (Si:B) polysilicon, reported here for the first time. Though the present polysilicon-back solar cells are far from optimal, the results suggest a new class of designs for high efficiency silicon solar cells. Detailed technical reasons are advanced to support this view.

Lindholm, F. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Heavily doped polysilicon-contact solar cells

The first use of a (silicon)/heavily doped polysilicon)/(metal) structure to replace the conventional high-low junction or back-surface-field (BSF) structure of silicon solar cells is reported. Compared with BSF and back-ohmic-contact (BOC) control samples, the polysilicon-back solar cells show improvements in red spectral response (RSR) and open-circuit voltage. Measurement reveals that a decrease in effective surface recombination velocity S is responsible for this improvement. Decreased S results for n-type (Si:As) polysilicon, consistent with past findings for bipolar transistors, and for p-type (Si:B) polysilicon, reported here for the first time. Though the present polysilicon-back solar cells are far from optimal, the results suggest a new class of designs for high efficiency silicon solar cells. Detailed technical reasons are advanced to support this view.

Lindholm, F. A.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Estimation of Cs Migration under an Unsaturated Condition by Parallel-plate Experiments and 2D Advection-dispersion Model - 17188

For the assessment of the radioactive waste facility in the near-surface underground, it is important to consider the influence of the unsaturated condition flow field (hereinafter referred to as unsaturated condition) on the migration of radionuclides through the porous medium. The unsaturated condition, which is not completely saturated with liquid phase, will change the retardation effect for the migration of nuclides by interrupting the interaction of nuclides and solid phase, and by clogging flow paths with gas phase. In this study, considering the spatial distribution of the water saturation, the migration of radionuclides in the two-dimensional (2D) porous medium under the saturated flow field (hereinafter referred to as saturated condition) and unsaturated condition was examined by using the parallel-plate type's packed bed and the 2D advection-dispersion model. Besides, for comparison, the one-dimensional (1D) flow experiment using the column type's packed bed was also examined. In the experiments, a 1 mM Cs solution was injected into the beds packed with silica sand under a given constant pressure condition controlled by an overflow system. The overall effective values of retardation coefficient were estimated by applying the theoretical models to the experimental results. As a result, the overall retardation coefficient under the unsaturated condition became smaller than that under the saturated condition. This means the decrease in the effective surface area for the sorption of tracer ions in the presence of gas phase. Furthermore, under the unsaturated condition, the retardation coefficient of the 2D flow condition was estimated smaller than that of the 1D condition. That is, in the 2D flow system, the tracer ions migrate through more selective flow-paths caused by the heterogeneous spatial-distribution of water saturation which is the ratio of the volume of water to the volume of pores. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS1989

Optical properties monitor: Experiment definition phase

The stability of materials used in the space environment will continue to be a limiting technology for space missions. The Optical Properties Monitor (OPM) Experiment provides a comprehensive space research program to study the effects of the space environment-both natural and induced-on optical, thermal and space power materials. The OPM Experiment was selected for definition under the NASA/OAST In-Space Technology Experiment Program. The results of the OPM Definition Phase are presented. The OPM Experiment will expose selected materials to the space environment and measure the effects with in-space optical measurements. In-space measurements include total hemispherical reflectance total integrated scatter and VUV reflectance/transmittance. The in-space measurements will be augmented with extensive pre- and post-flight sample measurements to determine other optical, mechanical, electrical, chemical or surface effects of space exposure. Environmental monitors will provide the amount and time history of the sample exposure to solar irradiation, atomic oxygen and molecular contamination.

Wilkes, Donald R.↗