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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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An interfacial strategy is developed to fabricate and composite sub-15 nm nanofilms directly on macro-porous substrates for molecular and ionic sieving.
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) feature structural and chemical complexities across a broad range of length scales. It is the hierarchy of the battery structure that determines its functionality. An in-depth understanding of the battery function, degradation, and failure mechanisms requires a thorough and systematic investigation from structural, chemical, mechanical, and dynamic perspectives. Here we present a macro-to-nano zoom through the hierarchy of a commercial 18650 type LIB using a suite of state-of-the-art X-ray microscopy techniques. Damage, deformation, and heterogeneity at different length scales are visualized and are associated with different degradation phenomena and mechanisms. Our results highlight the importance of the mechanical properties of the cathode material, which could impact both the immediate and the long-term cell behaviors significantly. While this study focuses on a commercial lithium cell with a standard configuration, our findings can be extrapolated and are applicable to the development of next-generation energy storage technology, e.g. solid-state batteries.
In this study, we propose a theoretical model to compute the effective thermal conductivity of metal and dielectric spherical particle reinforced composites with interfacial thermal resistance. We consider a wide range of filler volume fraction with sizes ranging from nano- to macro-scale. The model, based on the differential effective medium theory, accounts for particle interactions through two sets of volume fraction corrections. The first correction accounts for a finite volume of composite and the second correction introduces a self-crowding factor that allows us to develop an accurate model for particle interaction even for high volume fraction of fillers. The model is examined to other published models, experiments, and numerical simulations for different types of composites. We observe an excellent agreement between the model and published datasets over a wide range of particle volume fractions and material properties of the composite constituents.
We studied the macro evolution of the micro atmospheric glow discharge generated between a micro argon jet into ambient air and static water. The micro discharge behaves similarly to a complex ecosystem. Non-linear behaviors are found for the micro discharge when the water acts as a cathode, different from the discharge when water behaves as an anode. Groups of snapshots of the micro discharge formed at different discharge currents are captured by an intensified charge-coupled device with controlled exposure time, and each group consisted of 256 images taken in succession. Edge detection methods are used to identify the water surface and then the total brightness is defined by adding up the signal counts over the area of the micro discharge. Motions of the water surface at different discharge currents show that the water surface lowers increasingly rapidly when the water acts as a cathode. In contrast, the water surface lowers at a constant speed when the water behaves as an anode. The light curves are similar to logistic growth curves, suggesting that a self-inhibition process occurs in the micro discharge. Meanwhile, the total brightness increases linearly during the same time when the water acts as an anode. Discharge-water interactions cause the micro discharge to evolve. The charged particle bomb process is probably responsible for the different behaviors of the micro discharges when the water acts as cathode and anode.
Hierarchically macro-porous lumino-magnetic yttrium aluminium oxide (YAlO:- YAT: tetragonal; YAG: garnet; YAM: monoclinic) ceramic nanophosphors doped with trivalent cerium (Ce) ions have been synthesized by a novel and versatile self assembly route without the need of any external templates. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies confirm the presence of dopant and its valence state. Room temperature ferromagnetism in undoped and YAlO:Ce suggest an intrinsic nature of ferromagnetism dependent on host lattice imperfection along with yellow photoluminescence emission explicitly arising due to Ce doping established the non-interfering character of the two phenomena. Such a porous morphology has the potential of the biocarriers and could be engineered to make it suitable for spintronic applications by incorporation of dielectric into the pores and in conjunction with blue light emitting devices which could be used to obtain white light.
We compare the resonance-induced enhancement of single harmonic and the quasi-phase-matching-induced enhancement of the group of harmonics during propagation of the tunable mid-infrared femtosecond pulses through the perforated laser-produced indium plasma. We show that the enhancement of harmonics using the macro-process of quasi-phase-matching is comparable with the one using micro-process of resonantly enhanced harmonic. These studies show that joint implementation of the two methods of the increase of harmonic yield could be a useful tool for generation of strong short-wavelength radiation in different spectral regions. We compare these effects in indium, as well as in other plasmas.
A simple and robust analytical model is used to finely predict the spectral emittance under air up to 1300 K of α-SiC open-cell foams constituted of optically thick struts. The model integrates both the chemical composition and the macro-porosity and is valid only if foams have volumes higher than their Representative Elementary Volumes required for determining their emittance. Infrared emission spectroscopy carried out on a doped silicon carbide single crystal associated to homemade numerical tools based on 3D meshed images (Monte Carlo Ray Tracing code, foam generator) make possible to understand the exact role of the cell network in emittance. Finally, one can tune the spectral emittance of α-SiC foams up to 1300 K by simply changing their porosity.
We present a new approach to perform beam steering in reflecting type apertures such as reflectarray antennas. The proposed technique exploits macro-scale mechanical movements of parts of the structure to achieve two-dimensional microwave beam steering without using any solid-state devices or phase shifters integrated within the aperture of the antenna. The principles of operation of this microwave beam steering technique are demonstrated in an aperture occupied by ground-plane-backed, sub-wavelength capacitive patches with identical dimensions. We demonstrate that by tilting the ground plane underneath the entire patch array layer, a phase shift gradient can be created over the aperture of the reflectarray that determines the direction of the radiated beam. Changing the direction and slope of this phase shift gradient on the aperture allows for performing beam steering in two dimensions using only one control parameter (i.e., tilt vector of the ground plane). A proof-of-concept prototype of the structure operating at X-band is designed, fabricated, and experimentally characterized. Experiments demonstrate that small mechanical movements of the ground plane (in the order of 0.05λ{sub 0}) can be used to steer the beam direction in the ±10° in two dimensions. It is also demonstrated that this beam scanning range can be greatly enhanced to ±30° by applying this concept to the same structure when its ground plane is segmented.
Abstract This study presents an inexpensive approach for the macro- and microscopic observation of fungal mycelial growth. The ‘fungal drops’ method allows to investigate the development of a mycelial network in filamentous microorganisms at the colony and hyphal scales. A heterogeneous environment is created by depositing 15–20 µl drops on a hydrophobic surface at a fixed distance. This system is akin to a two-dimensional (2D) soil-like structure in which aqueous-pockets are intermixed with air-filled pores. The fungus (spores or mycelia) is inoculated into one of the drops, from which hyphal growth and exploration take place. Hyphal structures are assessed at different scales using stereoscopic and microscopic imaging. The former allows to evaluate the local response of regions within the colony (modular behaviour), while the latter can be used for fractal dimension analyses to describe the hyphal network architecture. The method was tested with several species to underpin the transferability to multiple species. In addition, two sets of experiments were carried out to demonstrate its use in fungal biology. First, mycelial reorganization of Fusarium oxysporum was assessed as a response to patches containing different nutrient concentrations. Second, the effect of interactions with the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida on habitat colonization by the same fungus was assessed. This method appeared as fast and accessible, allowed for a high level of replication, and complements more complex experimental platforms. Coupled with image analysis, the fungal drops method provides new insights into the study of fungal modularity both macroscopically and at a single-hypha level.
Abstract Phenolic compounds are key to plant defence, offering protection as antioxidants, UV shields, and antimicrobials. Their production is largely shaped by environmental conditions. It is believed that plants at lower elevations increase phenolic content to counter herbivory, while those at higher elevations rely on phenolics to manage abiotic stresses, such as climate variability. Microhabitat warming also affects phenolic levels, but responses differ, depending on broader climatic contexts: plants in warmer, lower‐elevation environments show limited adaptability, whereas high‐elevation plants demonstrate greater plasticity. Despite the importance of these environmental interactions, many small‐scale abiotic studies lack sufficient spatial replication across broader gradients like elevation or latitude, while large‐scale studies frequently overlook microscale factors. This study investigated the effects of macroclimate factors and microhabitat warming on phenolic production in Nardus stricta across five semi‐natural grassland sites (1546–1875 m a.s.l.) in Portugal's Serra da Estrela. Warming was simulated using open‐top chambers over two growing seasons, after which leaf samples were analysed for phenolic compounds, and soil nutrients were measured. The N. stricta plants at the highest elevation site contained significantly higher leaf flavonoid concentrations. Microhabitat warming led to a significant decrease in flavonoid concentrations, but only at the highest elevation site. These effects occurred independently of soil nutrient levels, suggesting direct thermal effects or stress responses might be involved. Our findings highlight the complex interactions between macro‐ and microenvironmental factors in shaping plant chemistry, underscoring critical considerations for plant resilience in the face of climate change. This understanding is essential for developing strategies to support plant and ecosystem adaptation to changing climates.
Purpose: To develop Monte Carlo models of cell clusters to investigate the relationships between macro- and microscopic dose descriptors, quantify the microdosimetric spread in energy deposition for subcellular targets, and determine how these results depend on the computational model. Methods: Microscopic tissue structure is modelled as clusters of 13 to 150 cells, with cell (nuclear) radii between 5 and 10 microns (2 and 9 microns). Energy imparted per unit mass (specific energy or dose) is scored in the nucleus (D{sub nuc}) and cytoplasm (D{sub cyt}) for incident photon energies from 20 to 370 keV. Dose-to-water (D{sub w,m}) and dose-to-medium (D{sub m,m}) are compared to D{sub nuc} and D{sub cyt}. Single cells and single nuclear cavities are also simulated. Results: D{sub nuc} and D{sub cyt} are sensitive to the surrounding environment with deviations of up to 13% for a single nucleus/cell compared with a multicellular cluster. These dose descriptors vary with cell and nucleus size by up to 10%. D{sub nuc} and D{sub cyt} differ from D{sub w,m} and D{sub m,m} by up to 32%. The microdosimetric spread is sensitive to whether cells are arranged randomly or in a hexagonal lattice, and whether subcellular compartment sizes are sampled from a normal distribution or are constant throughout the cluster. Conclusions: D{sub nuc} and D{sub cyt} are sensitive to cell morphology, elemental composition and the presence of surrounding cells. The microdosimetric spread was investigated using realistic elemental compositions for the nucleus and cytoplasm, and depends strongly on subcellular compartment size, source energy and dose.
We review the studies of the spatial conditions for the quasi-phase-matching in the multi-jet laserproduced silver plasma. These studies of the off-axis and on-axis spatial components of harmonics allowed the demonstration of significant enhancement of a group of harmonics in the latter case. We analyze the role of plasma emission, together with phase-mismatch, that deteriorate the conditions of high-order harmonic generation due to significant phase distortion between the interacting waves. We also discuss the resonanceinduced enhancement of single harmonic and the quasi-phase-matching-induced enhancement of the group of harmonics during propagation of the tunable mid-infrared femtosecond pulses through the perforated laser-produced indium plasma. Those studies have shown that the enhancement of harmonics using the macro-process of quasi-phase-matching is comparable with the one using micro-process of resonantly enhanced harmonic. We conclude that joint implementation of the two methods of the increase of harmonic yield could be a useful tool for generation of strong short-wavelength radiation in different spectral regions.
Li-ion battery performance and degradation are strongly correlated with the electrode microstructures and can be modeled at different scales, each with their own limitations. Herein, we compare predictions achieved with a macro- and a micro-scale model, that is, respectively, neglecting or considering the microstructural heterogeneity of the composite electrodes, on virtual numerically generated and real microstructures. While both models are in relative agreement at the low charge rates, differences arise for fast charging scenarios and especially for the real, highly heterogenous, microstructures. The microscale model predicts that electrolyte concentration saturation and depletion, respectively, at the back of the cathode and of the anode are exacerbated, and that lithium plating occurs earlier for real microstructures. The present work also indicates that the mesh representation significantly impacts the microscale model predictions, and consequently that microscale models should add surface area as a parameter to consider explicitly surface roughness. This article is the first of a series, with subsequent entries further investigating in-plane heterogeneities, lithium plating, and the impact of microstructure representativity on model predictions.
The presented paper conducted a comprehensive comparison between the Hertz-Mindlin model and the linear spring model in true triaxial shear simulations of granular soils using the discrete element method (DEM). The no-slip Hertz-Mindlin model for general elastic non-spherical particles with smooth surfaces was revisited, and implemented for superellipsoidal particles in an in-house DEM code. Three groups of specimens with a grain size distribution of Ottawa 20-30 sands, consisting of spheres, ellipsoids, and superellipsoids, respectively, were subjected to triaxial shear DEM simulations with the Hertz-Mindlin model and the linear spring model. The corresponding mechanical behaviours were examined in terms of a series of macro-and micro-parameters. It is found that the linear spring model is able to resemble the Hertz-Mindlin model on aspects of both microscopic and macroscopic mechanical behaviours of granular media with spherical and/or non-spherical particles. This finding suggests that the linear spring model can be used to investigate micro-mechanical behaviours of granular soils even with complex particle shapes.
The goal of this collaborative effort was to develop a data-flow graphics tool (DFG) to visualize the execution of macro-dataflow graphs. LSI incorporated DFG into their graphic user interface to support parallel code development_ and text handling for natural language applications. The CRADA applied LLNL' s expertise in high-performance parallel programming systems based on the dataflow paradigm.
Silicon carbide is being investigated for accident tolerant fuel cladding applications due to its good neutronic performance, high temperature strength, exceptional stability under irradiation, and reduced oxidation compared to Zircaloy under accident conditions. The development and investigation of these materials is particularly important in the light of the Fukushima event and subsequent emphasis in DOE on accident tolerant fuel (ATF) concepts. In this work, we propose to develop and improve upon existing small-scale mechanical and thermal characterization methods, including micro-cantilever bend tests and fiber push-out tests, and time-domain thermo-reflectance measurements. These techniques will be applied to evaluate micro-scale properties of SiC-SiC composite constituents (matrix, fibers, interphase). The results will be coupled with meso-scale fiber and void structural information and be used as input to develop a comprehensive, finite element-based model based on constituent properties. The goal of this multi-scale model is to be used to predict anisotropic mechanical and thermal cladding behaviors. The model will be benchmarked against measurements of bulk properties and validated for radiation-damaged materials by utilizing irradiated SiC-SiC composites available from General Atomics. The characterization approach developed under this program will have particular application in the property prediction of reactor irradiated materials, as only small volumes need to be tested, minimizing associated hazards and costs. The micro-scale test methods developed here will be used along with meso-scale structural data to inform a finite element model of the full SiC-based cladding system. This model will capture fabrication and irradiation effects and importantly include for the first-time separate material data for each system component. The incorporation of these micro-scale effects will lead to a more accurate model of SiC-SiC composite behavior, enabling further advancements in the development and design of SiC-based materials for improved fuel cladding performance. The aim of this work is to develop advanced localized material characterization techniques to directly measure mechanical and thermal properties of the individual constituents of SiC-based claddings at the relevant micro-scale. SiC-SiC composites will be evaluated before and after irradiation and these results will be coupled with macro-scale properties and microstructural information in order to provide the input parameters for a comprehensive finite element model, which will be developed in this program.
Implementation of High Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) Aluminum (Al) body structures for high volume electrified vehicles (EV) to improve electric efficiency remains a key strategy within many original equipment manufacturers (OEM)s. In addition to high strength for safety requirements, superior Self Piercing Riveting (SPR) performance is demanded for HPDC Al alloys to be compatible with high volume SPR joining. In this work, it is proposed to extend and validate an existing Contractor finite element multiscale macro-micro modeling approach to quantify the influence of the microstructure of HPDC alloys on the fracture strain/displacement under 3-point bend and clinch testing. The success of this work will allow to replace solution treatment stage with low energy consumption heat treatment (HT) processes, or to design new non heat treatable (NHT) HPDC Al alloys to eliminate HT requirements. Ultimately, this project will facilitate the application of HPDC Al alloys for super-large vehicle structures to significantly reduce vehicle weight and thus improving energy efficiency. The purpose of this project is to extend and validate an existing f
Bending tests provide a means to study plane strain fracture performance of 6000 series aluminum alloys. Metrics from bending tests have been correlated with self-pierce riveting (SPR) performance of a high strength AA6111 automotive aluminum alloy in previous works. Using the ORNL HPC resources, this project developed an innovative macro→micro←nano (MMN) multiscale microstructure-based finite element (FE) code to further the understanding of microstructural relationship to fracture properties of high strength 6000 series alloys.