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At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

High Capacity Adsorption—Dominated Potassium and Sodium Ion Storage in Activated Crumpled Graphene

In this study, structurally and chemically defective activated-crumbled graphene (A-CG) is employed to achieve unique synergy of large reversible potassium (K) and sodium (Na) ion storage capacity with fast charging and extended cyclability. A-CG synthesis consists of low temperature spraying of graphene oxide slurry, followed by partial reduction annealing and air activation. For K storage, the reversible capacities are 340 mAh g -1 at 0.04 A g -1 , 261 mAh g -1 at 0.5 A g -1 , and 210 mAh g -1 at 2 A g -1 . For Na storage, the reversible capacities are 280 mAh g -1 at 0.04 A g -1 , 191 mAh g -1 at 0.5 A g -1 , and 151 mAh g -1 at 2 A g -1 . A-CG shows a stable intermediate rate (0.5 Ag -1 ) cycling with both K and Na, with minimal fade after 2800 and 8000 cycles. These are among the most favorable capacity—rate capability—cyclability combinations recorded for potassium-ion battery and sodium-ion battery carbons. Electroanalytical studies (cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic intermittent titration technique, b -value) and density functional theory (DFT) reveal that enhanced electrochemical performance originates from ion adsorption at various defects, such as Stone–Wales defects. Moreover, DFT highlights enhanced thermodynamic stability of A-CG with adsorbed K versus with adsorbed Na, explaining the unexpected higher reversible capacity with the former.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1987

Advanced technology for extended endurance alkaline fuel cells

Advanced components have been developed for alkaline fuel cells with a view to the satisfaction of NASA Space Station design requirements for extended endurance. The components include a platinum-on-carbon catalyst anode, a potassium titanate-bonded electrolyte matrix, a lightweight graphite electrolyte reservoir plate, a gold-plated nickel-perforated foil electrode substrate, a polyphenylene sulfide cell edge frame material, and a nonmagnesium cooler concept. When incorporated into the alkaline fuel cell unit, these components are expected to yield regenerative operation in a low earth orbit Space Station with a design life greater than 5 years.

Sheibley, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Crustal structure and igneous processes in a chondritic Io

Liquid sulfur can form when metal-free C1 or C2 chondrites are heated. It may be obtained either by direct melting of native sulfur in disequilibrated C1 or C2 chondrites or by incongruent melting of pyrite and other sulfides in thermodynamically equilibrated rocks of the same composition. Hence, Lewis considered C2 chondrites to be the best meteoritic analog for Io's bulk composition. Metal-bearing C3 and ordinary chondrites are too chemically reduced to yield liquid sulfur and are not thought to represent plausible analogs of Io's bulk composition. An important aspect of Lewis' work is that CaSO4 and MgSO4 are predicted to be important in Io. Real C1 and C2 chondrites contain averages of, respectively, 11 percent and 3 percent by mass of salts (plus water of hydration). The most abundant chondritic salts are magnesium and calcium sulfates, but other important components include sulfates of sodium, potassium, and nickel and carbonates of magnesium, calcium, and iron. It is widely accepted that chondritic salts are formed by low-temperature aqueous alteration. Even if Io originally did not contain salts, it is likely that aqueous alteration would have yielded several percent sulfates and carbonates. In any event, Io probably contains sulfates and carbonates. This report presents the results of a model of differentiation of a simplified C2 chondrite-like composition that includes 1.92 percent MgSO4, 0.56 percent CaSO4, 0.53 percent CaCO3, and 0.094 percent elemental sulfur. The temperature of the model is gradually increased; ensuing fractional melting results in these components extruding or intruding at gravitationally stable levels in Io's crust. Relevant phase equilibria were reviewed. A deficiency of high-pressure phase equilibria renders the present model qualitative.

Kargel, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Germination, growth rates, and electron microscope analysis of tomato seeds flown on the LDEF

The tomato seeds were flown in orbit aboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) for nearly six years. During this time, the tomato seeds received an abundant exposure to cosmic radiation and solar wind. Upon the return of the LDEF to earth, the seeds were distributed throughout the United States and 30 foreign countries for analysis. The purpose of the experiment was to determine the long term effect of cosmic rays on living tissue. Our university analysis included germination and growth rates as well as Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray analysis of the control as well as Space-exposed tomato seeds. In analyzing the seeds under the Electron Microscope, usual observations were performed on the nutritional and epidermis layer of the seed. These layers appeared to be more porous in the Space-exposed seeds than on the Earth-based control seeds. This unusual characteristic may explain the increases in the space seeds growth pattern. (Several test results show that the Space-exposed seeds germinate sooner than the Earth-Based seeds. Also, the Space-exposed seeds grew at a faster rate). The porous nutritional region may allow the seeds to receive necessary nutrients and liquids more readily, thus enabling the plant to grow at a faster rate. Roots, leaves and stems were cut into small sections and mounted. After sputter coating the specimens with Argon/Gold Palladium Plasma, they were ready to be viewed under the Electron Microscope. Many micrographs were taken. The X-ray analysis displayed possible identifications of calcium, potassium, chlorine, copper, aluminum, silicon, phosphate, carbon, and sometimes sulfur and iron. The highest concentrations were shown in potassium and calcium. The Space-exposed specimens displayed a high concentration of copper and calcium in the two specimens. There was a significantly high concentration of copper in the Earth-based specimens, whereas there was no copper in the Space-exposed specimens.

Hammond, Ernest C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Rare Potassium-Bearing Mica in Allan Hills 84001: Additional Constraints on Carbonate Formation

There have been presented several intriguing observations suggesting evidence of fossil life in martian orthopyroxenite ALH 84001. These exciting and controversial observations have stimulated extensive debate over the origin and history of ALH 84001, but many issues still remain unresolved. Among the most important is the question of the temperature at which the carbonates, which host the putative microfossils, formed. Oxygen- isotopic data, while showing that the carbonates are generally out of isotopic equilibria with the host rock, cannot constrain their temperature of formation. Both low- and high-temperature scenarios are plausible depending on whether carbonate growth occurred in an open or closed system. Petrographic arguments have generally been used to support a high-temperature origin but these appear to be suspect because they assume equilibrium between carbonate compositions that are not in contact. Some observations appear to be consistent with shock mobilization and growth from immiscible silicate-carbonate melts at high temperatures. Proponents of a low-temperature origin for the carbonates are hampered by the fact that there is currently no evidence of hydrous phases that would indicate low temperatures and the presence of a hydrous fluid during the formation of the carbonates. However, the absence of hydrous phases does not rule out carbonate formation at low temperatures, because the carbonate forming fluids may have been extremely CO2 rich, such that hydrous phases would not have been stabilized. In this study, I have carried out additional Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of ALH-84001 and have found evidence of very rare phyllosilicates, which appear to be convincingly of pre-terrestrial origin. At present these observations are limited to one occurrence: further studies are in progress to determine if the phyllosilicates are more widespread.

Brearley, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS2010

NASA Tech Briefs, May 2010

Topics covered include: Instrument for Analysis of Greenland's Glacier Mills Cryogenic Moisture Apparatus; A Transportable Gravity Gradiometer Based on Atom Interferometry; Three Methods of Detection of Hydrazines; Crossed, Small-Deflection Energy Analyzer for Wind/Temperature Spectrometer; Wavefront Correction for Large, Flexible Antenna Reflector; Novel Micro Strip-to-Waveguide Feed Employing a Double-Y Junction; Thin-Film Ferro Electric-Coupled Microstripline Phase Shifters With Reduced Device Hysteresis; Two-Stage, 90-GHz, Low-Noise Amplifier; A 311-GHz Fundamental Oscillator Using InP HBT Technology; FPGA Coprocessor Design for an Onboard Multi-Angle Spectro-Polarimetric Imager; Serrating Nozzle Surfaces for Complete Transfer of Droplets; Turbomolecular Pumps for Holding Gases in Open Containers; Triaxial Swirl Injector Element for Liquid-Fueled Engines; Integrated Budget Office Toolbox; PLOT3D Export Tool for Tecplot; Math Description Engine Software Development Kit; Astronaut Office Scheduling System Software; ISS Solar Array Management; Probabilistic Structural Analysis Program; SPOT Program; Integrated Hybrid System Architecture for Risk Analysis; System for Packaging Planetary Samples for Return to Earth; Offset Compound Gear Drive; Low-Dead-Volume Inlet for Vacuum Chamber; Simple Check Valves for Microfluidic Devices; A Capillary-Based Static Phase Separator for Highly Variable Wetting Conditions; Gimballing Spacecraft Thruster; Finned Carbon-Carbon Heat Pipe with Potassium Working Fluid; Lightweight Heat Pipes Made from Magnesium; Ceramic Rail-Race Ball Bearings; Improved OTEC System for a Submarine Robot; Reflector Surface Error Compensation in Dual-Reflector Antennas; Enriched Storable Oxidizers for Rocket Engines; Planar Submillimeter-Wave Mixer Technology with Integrated Antenna; Widely Tunable Mode-Hop-Free External-Cavity Quantum Cascade Laser; Non-Geiger-Mode Single-Photon Avalanche Detector with Low Excess Noise; Using Whispering-Gallery-Mode Resonators for Refractometry; RF Device for Acquiring Images of the Human Body; Reactive Collision Avoidance Algorithm; Fast Solution in Sparse LDA for Binary Classification; Modeling Common-Sense Decisions in Artificial Intelligence; Graph-Based Path-Planning for Titan Balloons; Nanolaminate Membranes as Cylindrical Telescope Reflectors; Air-Sea Spray Airborne Radar Profiler Characterizes Energy Fluxes in Hurricanes; Large Telescope Segmented Primary Mirror Alignment; and Simplified Night Sky Display System.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2023

The JWST Early-Release Science Program for Direct Observations of Exoplanetary Systems II: A 1 to 20 μM Spectrum of the Planetary-Mass Companion VHS 1256–1257 B

We present the highest fidelity spectrum to date of a planetary-mass object. VHS 1256 b is a <20 M Jup widely separated (∼8'', a = 150 au), young, planetary-mass companion that shares photometric colors and spectroscopic features with the directly imaged exoplanets HR 8799c, d, and e. As an L-to-T transition object, VHS 1256 b exists along the region of the color–magnitude diagram where substellar atmospheres transition from cloudy to clear. We observed VHS 1256 b with JWST's NIRSpec IFU and MIRI MRS modes for coverage from 1 to 20 μm at resolutions of ∼1000–3700. Water, methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sodium, and potassium are observed in several portions of the JWST spectrum based on comparisons from template brown dwarf spectra, molecular opacities, and atmospheric models. The spectral shape of VHS 1256 b is influenced by disequilibrium chemistry and clouds. We directly detect silicate clouds, the first such detection reported for a planetary-mass companion.

Brown dwarfs↗
DOE OSTI2022

Plastic Waste Product Captures Carbon Dioxide in Nanometer Pores

We discuss, plastic waste (PW) and increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) levels are among the top environmental concerns presently facing humankind. With an ambitious 2050 zero-CO 2 emissions goal, there is a demand for economical CO 2 capture routes. Here we show that the thermal treatment of PW in the presence of potassium acetate yields an effective carbon sorbent with pores width of 0.7–1.4 nm for CO 2 capture. The PW to carbon sorbent process works with single or mixed streams of polyolefin plastics. The CO 2 capacity of the sorbent at 25 °C is 17.0 ± 1.1 wt % (3.80 ± 0.25 mmol g –1 ) at 1 bar and 5.0 ± 0.6 wt % (1.13 ± 0.13 mmol g –1 ) at 0.15 bar, and it regenerates upon reaching 75 ± 5 °C. The CO 2 capture cost from flue gas via this technology is estimated to be <$21 ton –1 CO 2 , much lower than competing CO 2 capture technologies. Hence, this PW-derived carbon material should find utility in the capture of CO 2 from point sources of high CO 2 emissions while providing a use for otherwise deleterious PW.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
NASA NTRS2002

Effect of hydraulic retention time on inorganic nutrient recovery and biodegradable organics removal in a biofilm reactor treating plant biomass leachate

A fixed-film (biofilm) reactor was designed and its performance was determined at various retention times. The goal was to find the optimal retention time for recycling plant nutrients in an advanced life support system, to minimize the size, mass, and volume (hold-up) of a production model. The prototype reactor was tested with aqueous leachate from wheat crop residue at 24, 12, 6, and 3 h hydraulic retention times (HRTs). Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrates and other plant nutrients, carbohydrates, total phenolics, and microbial counts were monitored to characterize reactor performance. BOD removal decreased significantly from 92% at the 24 h HRT to 73% at 3 h. Removal of phenolics was 62% at the 24 h retention time, but 37% at 3 h. Dissolved oxygen concentrations, nitric acid consumption, and calcium and magnesium removals were also affected by HRT. Carbohydrate removals, carbon dioxide (CO2) productions, denitrification, potassium concentrations, and microbial counts were not affected by different retention times. A 6 h HRT will be used in future studies to determine the suitability of the bioreactor effluent for hydroponic plant production.

NASA Center KSC↗
DOE OSTI2026

Stream Chemistry, Synoptic Surveys, East Fork Poplar Creek Watershed, TN, USA; April 2023 to February 2025

Impacts of developed land cover on stream chemistry can be difficult to discern from natural variability, particularly in carbonate watersheds where weathering of urban infrastructure and lithology generate similar signatures. We evaluated how spatial patterns of stream chemistry varied across perennial and non-perennial tributaries spanning an urban-to-forested gradient in a mid-order, carbonate-dominated watershed. This data package contains a processed and compiled summary of stream chemistry and properties obtained from 12 synoptic surveys of 54 stream sites across the East Fork Poplar Creek watershed located near Oak Ridge, TN, United States. The sites include non-perennial tributaries, perennial tributaries, and the main stem and span forested to urban (highly developed) land cover gradients. The data package includes the processed and flagged chemical data (WaDE_SynopticSummary_FinalChemistry), metadata describing data flagging and analysis (WaDE_SynopticSummary_Metadata), information about each site and its contributing subcatchment (WaDE_SynopticSummary_SiteInformation), and a comparison of instrument and field detection limits used to determine method detection limits for the study (WaDE_SynopticSummary_DetectionLimitComparison). Stream chemistry includes stream parameters measured in situ using multiparameter probes (dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, temperature) and solutes including nutrients (nitrate, ammonium, soluble reactive phosphorus), dissolved organic carbon, dissolved inorganic carbon, major cations (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium), major anions (chloride, sulfate), and a broad suite of minor and trace elements.

EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > SURFACE ↗
NASA NTRS1985

Long-life high performance fuel cell program

A multihundred kilowatt Regenerative Fuel Cell for use in a space station is envisioned. Three 0.508 sq ft (471.9 cm) active area multicell stacks were assembled and endurance tested. The long term performance stability of the platinum on carbon catalyst configuration suitability of the lightweight graphite electrolyte reservoir plate, the stability of the free standing butyl bonded potassium titanate matrix structure, and the long life potential of a hybrid polysulfone cell edge frame construction were demonstrated. A 18,000 hour demonstration test of multicell stack to a continuous cyclical load profile was conducted. A total of 12,000 cycles was completed, confirming the ability of the alkaline fuel cell to operate to a load profile simulating Regenerative Fuel Cell operation. An orbiter production hydrogen recirculation pump employed in support of the cyclical load profile test completed 13,000 hours of maintenance free operation. Laboratory endurance tests demonstrated the suitability of the butyl bonded potassium matrix, perforated nickel foil electrode substrates, and carbon ribbed substrate anode for use in the alkaline fuel cell. Corrosion testing of materials at 250 F (121.1 C) in 42% wgt. potassium identified ceria, zirconia, strontium titanate, strontium zirconate and lithium cobaltate as candidate matrix materials.

Martin, R. E.↗
DOE OSTI2021

National Opacity Program: Analysis of Opacity-relevant X-ray Emission Spectra (Milestone Report ID 7121)

We have produced high energy density iron plasmas at temperatures above 1 keV and electron densities exceeding 1023 cm -3 (~ 1 g/cm 3 ) using the Orion laser at the Atomic Weapons Establishment. These plasmas were created by irradiating 50 µm diameter layered targets with frequency doubled (λ = 527 nm), 1 ps laser pulses focused to a 100 µm diameter producing an irradiance of ~ 2 x 10 18 W/cm 2 . The buried layer targets consist of 160 nm iron sulfide (FeS), 60 nm potassium chloride (KCl), and 15 nm carbon. The combined layers are tamped on both sides with 3 µm of parylene-N. The x-ray emission from the plasma was measured using two time-resolved, and four time-integrated Bragg crystal spectrometers, as well as one time-integrated imaging system. One time-resolved x-ray spectrometer measured emission from L-shell transitions in highly charged iron, the other from K-shell transitions in helium-like S 14+ and hydrogen-like S 15+ . The time-integrated spectrometers are intensity-calibrated and measured emission from K-shell transitions in sulfur, potassium, chlorine, and both K-shell and L-shell transitions in iron. The density and temperature of the plasma were determined by modeling the x-ray spectra using different spectral and hydrodynamic modeling packages. A brief overview of the uncertainties associated with the measurements and models are presented. We also give an overview of our 1-D HYDRA-DCA radiation-hydrodynamics model and improvements for future work. Our results aid in assessing experimental uncertainties associated with plasma uniformity and with x-ray emission employed as diagnostics in opacity experiments at temperatures and densities not achievable elsewhere and represent a significant step in creating and diagnosing plasmas near LTE. These results are summarized as part of the completion requirements for milestone 7121

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1982

Ion beam deposition of amorphous carbon films with diamond like properties

Carbon films were deposited on silicon, quartz, and potassium bromide substrates from an ion beam. Growth rates were approximately 0.3 micron/hour. The films were featureless and amorphous and contained only carbon and hydrogen in significant amounts. The density and carbon/hydrogen ratio indicate the film is a hydrogen deficient polymer. One possible structure, consistent with the data, is a random network of methylene linkages and tetrahedrally coordinated carbon atoms.

Angus, John C.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Study of Resource Recovery and Epidemiology in an Anaerobic Digester

Three 4-liter packed bed anaerobic digesters were fabricated and operated at 35 degrees C, pH around 7, and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 20, 10 and 5 days to study the resource recovery and epidemiology in a controlled ecological life support system (CELSS). A simulated wastewater, consisted of shower water, clothwash water, dishwasher water, handwash water, and urine flush water was used as the feeding solution. Under steady-state operation, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium wer monitored in the digester input and output solutions. The volume and the CH4/CO2 ratios in the biogas produced from the anaerobic digesters were measured. The results indicate about 90 percent of TOC is converted while only 5-8 percent of N-P-K are consumed in the digester. A multi-drug resistant strain of Salmonella choleraesuis was used as the indicator bacterium in the epidemiology study. The levels of Salmonella choleraesuis in the influent and the effluent wer determined and decimal decay rate constants, k(d), were estimated. The k(d) values were greater at higher initial doses than lower doses for the same HR, and greater for batch digestion (7.89/d) than for continuous digestion (4.28, 3.82, and 3.82/d for 20, 10, and 5 d HRT, respectively).

Li, K. Y.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Treated Carbon Nanofibers for Storing Energy in Aqueous KOH

A surface treatment has been found to enhance the performances of carbon nanofibers as electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors in which aqueous solutions of potassium hydroxide are used as the electrolytes. In the treatment, sulfonic acid groups are attached to edge plane sites on carbon atoms. The treatment is applicable to a variety of carbon nanofibers, including fibrils and both single- and multiple-wall nanotubes. The reason for choosing nanofibers over powders and other forms of carbon is that nanofibers offer greater power features. In previous research, it was found that the surface treatment of carbon nanofibers increased energy-storage densities in the presence of acid electrolytes. Now, it has been found that the same treatment increases energy-storage densities of carbon nanofibers in the presence of alkaline electrolytes when the carbon is paired with a NiOOH electrode. This beneficial effect varies depending on the variety of carbon substrate to which it is applied. It has been conjectured that the sulfonic acid groups, which exist in a deprotonated state in aqueous KOH solutions, undergo reversible electro-chemical reactions that are responsible for the observed increases in energystorage capacities. The increases can be considerable: For example, in one case, nanofibers exhibited a specific capacitance of 34 Farads per gram before treatment and 172 Farads per gram (an increase of about 400 percent) after treatment. The most promising application of this development appears to lie in hybrid capacitors, which are devices designed primarily for storing energy. These devices are designed to be capable of (1) discharge at rates greater than those of batteries and (2) storing energy at densities approaching those of batteries. A hybrid capacitor includes one electrode like that of a battery and one electrode like that of an electrochemical capacitor. For example, a hybrid capacitor could contain a potassium hydroxide solution as the electrolyte, a carbon capacitor electrode, and a nickel hydroxide battery electrode. By making the capacitor electrode of treated carbon nanofibers instead of another carbon material, one could obtain greater energy-storage capacity.

Firsich, David W.↗
DOE OSTI2021

The controlling role of atmosphere in dawsonite versus gibbsite precipitation from tetrahedral aluminate species

In highly alkaline solution, aluminum speciates as the tetrahedrally coordinated aluminate monomer, Al(OH)4- and/or dimer Al2O(OH)62-, yet precipitates as octahedrally coordinated gibbsite (Al(OH)3). This tetrahedral to octahedral transformation governs Al precipitation, which is crucial to worldwide Al production, and to the processing of caustic high-level radioactive wastes. Despite its significance, the transformation pathway remains unknown. Here we explore the roles of atmospheric water and carbon dioxide in mediating the transformation of the tetrahedrally coordinated potassium aluminate dimer salt (K2Al2O(OH)6) to gibbsite versus potassium dawsonite (KAl(CO3)(OH)2). A combination of in-situ attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy, ex-situ micro X-ray diffraction, and multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares chemometrics analysis reveals that humidity plays a key role in the transformation by limiting the amount of alkalinity neutralization by dissolved CO2. Lower humidity favors higher alkalinity and incorporation of carbonate species in the final Al product to form KAl(CO3)(OH)2. Higher humidity enables more acid generation that destabilizes dawsonite and favors gibbsite as the solubility limiting phase. Because the transformation was restricted to occur in thin water films, the results suggest that transition from tetra- to octahedrally coordinated Al does not have to occur in bulk solution, as has often been hypothesized, but may instead appear on the source mineral surface.

Dembowski, Mateusz↗
DOE OSTI2023

Solute chemistry for streams draining geomorphic features and varying land cover gradients in the East River watershed, Colorado

This dataset contains solute chemistry data and GPS coordinates for surface water samples collected in the East River watershed in the Elk and West Elk Ranges of Colorado from August 3rd through August 11th, 2022. Samples were collected from streams and groundwater seeps as part of a comprehensive analysis within the watershed of how different geomorphic features (such as landslides and rock glaciers) along with variations in land cover (such as the presence of vegetation) affect stream water quality in this Rocky Mountain headwater environment. This dataset includes concentrations of the following in a single csv file: fluoride, chloride, sulfate, nitrate, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, silicon, and total organic carbon (TOC). All concentrations are reported in mg/L. The sulfate data in this version have been updated to account for an earlier ion chromatograph instrument method error whereby sulfate and bromide peaks overlapped in calibration solution samples, biasing calculated sulfate concentrations low by 30-50%. Sulfate data reported herein are from a re-run of the samples performed in December 2024 using a corrected instrument method. All samples were stored under refrigerated conditions and filtered on initial collection.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗