Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Coating processes”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 937 records · Page 52

Crystallization in one-step solution deposition of perovskite films: Upward or downward?

Despite the fast progress of perovskite photovoltaic performances, understanding the crystallization and growth of perovskite films is still lagging. One unanswered fundamental question is whether the perovskite films are grown from top (air side) to bottom (substrate side) or from bottom to top despite 10 years of development. Here, by using grazing incidence x-ray diffraction and morphology characterizations, we unveil that the perovskite films prepared by one-step solution processes, including antisolvent-assisted spin coating and blade coating, follow the downward growth from intermediate phase during thermal annealing. Such a top-to-bottom downward growth is initialized by the evaporation of residual solvent from the top surface of “wet” films and is less sensitive to perovskite compositions and the wettability of underlying substrates. Addressing this fundamental question is important to understand the heterogeneity of perovskite films along the vertical direction, which markedly affects the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Highly Reversible Plating/Stripping of Porous Zinc Anodes for Multivalent Zinc Batteries

Zinc continues to garner immense interest due to its versatility as an anode material in several configurations utilizing either alkaline or mild-pH electrolytes. Current research on using mild-pH electrolytes has improved the rechargeability aspect of Zn-based batteries since Zn2+ is solely utilized for plating/stripping of Zn. Several studies have incorporated Zn metal foils, yet, dramatic improvements can be achieved by expressing Zn as a porous structure. Herein, we use a quasi-pulsed electrodeposition process to prepare a conformal Zn coating onto 3D porous copper foam. By tuning the electrodeposition parameters, we achieved an optimal Zn coating that undergoes reversible plating/stripping when tested in symmetric Zn cells, which supported a low overpotential of ~60 mV for up to 100 cycles. We further investigated changes in the surface morphology by studying the Zn surface of both foil and 3D structure using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray micro-computed tomography. Both techniques showed that the Zn foil undergoes dramatic alterations at the surface, which results in inhomogeneous deposition of Zn, whereas the 3D form exhibited minimal changes. Lastly, we paired both Zn foil and 3D Zn with vanadium oxide and demonstrated that the porous structure supports high rate capability and high specific capacity.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Scalable Polymer Precursor Based LiPON Type Li-Metal Interface Enabled High Performance Li-Sulfur Battery

The Battery 500 program objective is to research, develop, and demonstrate lithium battery technologies capable of achieving 500 Wh/kg with stable lifetime of 1000 cycles. This Battery 500 seedlings project has demonstrated a new approach and a pathway toward the program’s goals in just one awarded and executed phase. Cells have been assembled, tested, and evaluated. This report details efforts to develop polymer precursor electrolytes that offer properties anticipated to be similar or superior to LiPON glasses. Such precursors offer the potential to be used to process LiPON-like thin glass/ceramic coatings for use in lithium batteries. LiPON glasses provide a design basis for the synthesis of sets of oligomers/polymers by lithiation of OP(NH 2 ) 3-x (NH) x [from OP(NH) 3 ], OP(NH 2 ) 3-x (NHSiMe 3 ) x and [P=N] 3 (NHSiMe 3 ) 6-x (NH) x . Polymer electrolytes impregnated in/on celgard exhibit Li+ conductivities up to ~1×10 -5 S/cm at room temperature and are thermally stable to ≈150 °C. A Li-S battery assembled using a Li 6 SiPON composition polymer electrolyte exhibits an initial reversible capacity of 1500 mAh/g sulfur and excellent cycle performance at 0.25 and 0.5 C rate over 120 cycles, declining to 750 mAh/g at after a 220 h test period. At the same time, computational studies were performed to understand the conduction mechanism of LIPON and its interaction with Li metal. These initial project results provide a foundation for further development of the system to achieve the program goal.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Continuous Fiber Bath Treatments at Pilot Scale: A Novel Testbed System

The technical demands on high performance textiles continues to expand, and the research community has answered the call with innovative fiber bath treatments for enhanced properties and sizings for improved composites. However, little translation to greater scale has been demonstrated. To fill this gap, a novel, multifunctional system has been developed to explore polymer fiber treatment methods, the deployment of nanoadditive coatings and other sizings, and smart processing methods at the pilot scale. Continuous tows of fibers can be passed through a temperature-controlled, crossflow bath with an immersion residence time exceeding 2 hours. The modular system is resistant to corrosive solutions, includes additional inline stations for washing and drying after processing, is equipped with a bevy of sensors, pumps, and valves monitored and controlled by a LabView program, and can be fully contained in a standard lab fume hood. This new testbed system, when coupled with high fidelity materials characterization methods, will enable rapid evaluation of new fiber treatment methods at pilot-scale.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Innovations in Direct Air Capture: Unveiling a Simple and Robust Synthesized Fibrous Amine-functionalized Matrix (FAM) Sorbent for Commercial Scale-up

The escalating challenge of climate change necessitates innovative solutions in the realm of carbon management, particularly in mitigating the impact of fossil fuel emissions. Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology emerged as a critical component within the spectrum of Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) solutions, offering the distinct advantage of directly removing CO2 from the atmosphere irrespective of the source. This attribute grants DAC systems unparalleled flexibility in deployment locations and the potential to make substantial contributions to lowing atmospheric CO2 levels. The success of DAC technologies significantly depends on the development of an efficient, economical sorbent capable of selective and durable CO2 capture from ambient air. Recent advancements in material science have led to the exploration of amine-functionalized sorbents, hollow fiber sorbents and membranes, and other novel materials designed to meet these criteria. This study explores a novel Fibrous Amine-functionalized Matrix (FAM) sorbent. The FAM sorbent distinguished itself through its mechanical robustness, a streamlined synthesis process, and the capability for low-temperature regeneration (is 90 oC really low temperature?). FAM’s exceptional adsorption-desorption kinetics enable swift CO2 capture and release, crucial for the viability of DAC on a commercial scale. The synthesis process involves a simple dip-coating technique, allowing crosslinked amines to coat glass substrates.

Wang, Qiuming↗

Corrosion Behavior of Hydrophobic Coatings in Aqueous CO2 Environments

Internal corrosion is caused by gas impurities such as CO2, moisture, and H2S, leading to material degradation. To combat this, the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) developed a novel hydrophobic coating to reduce surface hydrophobicity and enhance the corrosion resistance of steel. NETL’s approach uses multi-layer hydrophobic coatings, a novel and promising coating that could potentially revolutionize the industry's approach to internal corrosion mitigation. This work aims to investigate the corrosion performance of the hydrophobic coating and determine the water uptake. Electrochemical corrosion experiments were carried out on bare X65 carbon steel without and with coating in 3.5 wt.% NaCl saturated with CO2 at 20 °C to follow the water uptake as a function of exposure time. Linear polarization resistance (LPR) was used to determine the corrosion rate for carbon steel immersed in a NaCl electrolyte saturated with CO2. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of uncoated and coated bare carbon steel was investigated. The analyses of impedance models and water uptake behaviors of hydrophobic coatings were studied for 200 hours during the corrosion process. The water uptake was estimated using the Brasher and Kingsbury relation. The results showed that the superhydrophobic coating that was developed used innovative nano-based materials to act as protection layers on the surface of metallic parts against mechanical aggressors, corrosion, and fouling agents.

corrosion behavior↗

Cold Spray Field Deployment Evaluation for Double-Shell Tank 241-AN-105

This report highlights the documentation that supported Cold Spray field deployment in double-shell tank (DST) 241-AN-105 (AN-105) in July of 2025. This work was a collaborative effort between VRC Metal Systems (VRC), Robotic Technologies of Tennessee (RTT), the Hanford Tank Waste Operation and Closure (H2C) Chief Technology Office, H2C Tank Farm Projects Engineering, H2C Tank and Pipeline Integrity (TAPI) and H2C Ultrasonic Testing (UT) Operations & Support. Since 2019, the Chief Technology Office has been developing Cold Spray technology for refurbishing Hanford’s DSTs (RPP-RPT-65015). This technology is particularly relevant for addressing localized corrosion within the annulus of the DSTs by propelling metal powder particles at supersonic speeds to targeted areas. This process results in high-quality coatings characterized by high bond strength and low porosity result.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Anisotropic Thermal Conductivity of Inkjet-Printed 2D Crystal Films: Role of the Microstructure and Interfaces

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are uniquely suited for highly anisotropic thermal transport, which is important in thermoelectrics, thermal barrier coatings, and heat spreaders. Solution-processed 2D materials are attractive for simple, low-cost, and large-scale fabrication of devices on, virtually, any substrate. However, to date, there are only few reports with contrasting results on the thermal conductivity of graphene films, while thermal transport has been hardly measured for other types of solution-processed 2D material films. In this work, inkjet-printed graphene, h-BN and MoS2 films are demonstrated with thermal conductivities of ∼10 Wm−1K−1 and ∼0.3 Wm−1K−1 along and across the basal plane, respectively, giving rise to an anisotropy of ∼30, hardly dependent on the material type and annealing treatment. First-principles calculations indicate that portion of the phonon spectrum is cut-off by the quality of the thermal contact for transport along the plane, yet the ultra-low conductivity across the plane is associated with high-transmissivity interfaces. These findings can drive the design of highly anisotropic 2D material films for heat management applications.

2D materials↗

Low-cost directionally-solidified turbine blades, volume 2

An endothermically heated technology was used to manufacture low cost, directionally solidified, uncooled nickel-alloy blades for the TFE731-3 turbofan engine. The MAR-M 247 and MER-M 100+Hf blades were finish processed through heat treatment, machining, and coating operations prior to 150 hour engine tests consisting of the following sequences: (1) 50 hours of simulated cruise cycling (high fatigue evaluation); (2) 50 hours at the maximum continuous power rating (stress rupture endurance (low cycle fatigue). None of the blades visually showed any detrimental effects from the test. This was verified by post test metallurgical evaluation. The specific fuel consumption was reduced by 2.4% with the uncooled blades.

Dennis, R. E.↗

Opportunities for the chemical industry in space, part 1

The chemical/petrochemical industry devotes a large percentage of its gross income to research and development, with much of its R and D of a long-term nature. As the chemical industry is examined as a candidate for space investigations, it is readily apparent that research and development in the space environment may lead to attractive commercial opportunities. The advantages of low gravity manufacturing, with a particular emphasis on chemical catalysts, are presented herein specifically for the chemical industry. Research from the Skylab program and Apollo Soyuz test project is reviewed, including acoustic levitation, crystal growth, and container less melts. Space processing of composite materials, alloys, and coatings is also discussed.

Source record↗

Ion-Deposited Polished Coatings

Polished, dense, adherent coatings relatively free of imperfections. New process consists of using broad-beam ion source in evacuated chamber to ion-clean rotating surface that allows grazing incidence of ion beam. This sputter cleans off absorbed gases, organic contaminants, and oxides of mirror surface. In addition to cleaning, surface protrusions sputter-etched away. Process particularly adaptable to polishing of various substrates for optical or esthetic purposes.

Banks, B. A.↗

Low Earth orbital atomic oxygen micrometeoroid, and debris interactions with photovoltaic arrays

Polyimide Kapton solar array blankets can be protected from atomic oxygen in low earth orbit if SiO sub x thin film coatings are applied to their surfaces. The useful lifetime of a blanket protected in this manner strongly depends on the number and size of defects in the protective coatings. Atomic oxygen degradation is dominated by undercutting at defects in protective coatings caused by substrate roughness and processing rather than micrometeoroid or debris impacts. Recent findings from the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) and ground based studies show that interactions between atomic oxygen and silicones may cause grazing and contamination problems which may lead to solar array degradation.

Banks, Bruce A.↗

Propulsion Systems Panel

Topics addressed are: (1) cryogenic tankage; (2) launch vehicle TPS/insulation; (3) durable passive thermal control devices and/or coatings; (4) development and characterization of processing methods to reduce anisotropy of material properties in Al-Li; (5) durable thermal protection system (TPS); (6) unpressurized Al-Li structures (interstages, thrust structures); (7) near net shape sections; (8) pressurized structures; (9) welding and joining; (10) micrometeoroid and debris hypervelocity shields; (11) state-of-the-art shell buckling structure optimizer program to serve as a rapid design tool; (12) test philosophy; (13) reduced load cycle time; (14) structural analysis methods; (15) optimization of structural criteria; and (16) develop an engineering approach to properly trade material and structural concepts selection, fabrication, facilities, and cost.

Bianca, Carmelo J.↗

TiC growth in C fiber/Ti alloy composites during liquid infiltration

A cylindrical model is developed for predicting the reaction zone thickness of carbon fiber-reinforced Ti-matrix composites, and good agreement is obtained between its predicted values and experimental results. The reaction-rate constant for TiC formation is estimated to be 1.5 x 10 exp -9 sq cm/sec. The model is extended to evaluate the relationship between C-coating thicknesses on SiC fibers and processing times.

Warrier, S. G.↗

Synthesis and characterization of advanced materials for Navy applications

The synthesis of ceramics and ceramic coatings through the sol-gel process has extensive application with the United States Navy and a broad range of potential commercial applications as well. This paper surveys seven specific applications for which the Navy is investigating these advanced materials. For each area, the synthetic process is described and the characteristics of the materials are discussed.

Covino, J.↗