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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 973 records · Page 54
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Silicon-based visible and near-infrared optoelectric devices

In one aspect, the present invention provides a silicon photodetector having a surface layer that is doped with sulfur inclusions with an average concentration in a range of about 0.5 atom percent to about 1.5 atom percent. The surface layer forms a diode junction with an underlying portion of the substrate. A plurality of electrical contacts allow application of a reverse bias voltage to the junction in order to facilitate generation of an electrical signal, e.g., a photocurrent, in response to irradiation of the surface layer. The photodetector exhibits a responsivity greater than about 1 A/W for incident wavelengths in a range of about 250 nm to about 1050 nm, and a responsivity greater than about 0.1 A/W for longer wavelengths, e.g., up to about 3.5 microns.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Silicon-based visible and near-infrared optoelectric devices

In one aspect, the present invention provides a silicon photodetector having a surface layer that is doped with sulfur inclusions with an average concentration in a range of about 0.5 atom percent to about 1.5 atom percent. The surface layer forms a diode junction with an underlying portion of the substrate. A plurality of electrical contacts allow application of a reverse bias voltage to the junction in order to facilitate generation of an electrical signal, e.g., a photocurrent, in response to irradiation of the surface layer. The photodetector exhibits a responsivity greater than about 1 A/W for incident wavelengths in a range of about 250 nm to about 1050 nm, and a responsivity greater than about 0.1 A/W for longer wavelengths, e.g., up to about 3.5 microns.

Mazur, Eric↗
DOE OSTI2014

Cool covered sky-splitting spectrum-splitting FK

Placing a plane mirror between the primary lens and the receiver in a Fresnel Köhler (FK) concentrator gives birth to a quite different CPV system where all the high-tech components sit on a common plane, that of the primary lens panels. The idea enables not only a thinner device (a half of the original) but also a low cost 1-step manufacturing process for the optics, automatic alignment of primary and secondary lenses, and cell/wiring protection. The concept is also compatible with two different techniques to increase the module efficiency: spectrum splitting between a 3J and a BPC Silicon cell for better usage of Direct Normal Irradiance DNI, and sky splitting to harvest the energy of the diffuse radiation and higher energy production throughout the year. Simple calculations forecast the module would convert 45% of the DNI into electricity.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Dose response of selected solid state detectors in applied homogeneous transverse and longitudinal magnetic fields

Purpose: MR-Linac devices under development worldwide will require standard calibration, commissioning, and quality assurance. Solid state radiation detectors are often used for dose profiles and percent depth dose measurements. The dose response of selected solid state detectors is therefore evaluated in varying transverse and longitudinal magnetic fields for this purpose. Methods: The Monte Carlo code PENELOPE was used to model irradiation of a PTW 60003 diamond detector and IBA PFD diode detector in the presence of a magnetic field. The field itself was varied in strength, and oriented both transversely and longitudinally with respect to the incident photon beam. The long axis of the detectors was oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the photon beam. The dose to the active volume of each detector in air was scored, and its ratio to dose with zero magnetic field strength was determined as the “dose response” in magnetic field. Measurements at low fields for both detectors in transverse magnetic fields were taken to evaluate the accuracy of the simulations. Additional simulations were performed in a water phantom to obtain few representative points for beam profile and percent depth dose measurements. Results: Simulations show significant dose response as a function of magnetic field in transverse field geometries. This response can be near 20% at 1.5 T, and it is highly dependent on the detectors’ relative orientation to the magnetic field, the energy of the photon beam, and detector composition. Measurements at low transverse magnetic fields verify the simulations for both detectors in their relative orientations to radiation beam. Longitudinal magnetic fields, in contrast, show little dose response, rising slowly with magnetic field, and reaching 0.5%–1% at 1.5 T regardless of detector orientation. Water tank and in air simulation results were the same within simulation uncertainty where lateral electronic equilibrium is present and expectedly differed at the beam edge in transverse field orientations only. Due to the difference in design, the two detectors behaved differently. Conclusions: When transverse magnetic fields are present, great care must be taken when using diamond or diode detectors. Dose response varies with relative detector orientation, magnetic field strength, and between detectors. This response can be considerable (∼20% for both detectors). Both detectors in longitudinal fields exhibit little to no dose response as a function of magnetic field. Water tank simulations seem to suggest that the diode detector is better suited to general beam commissioning, and each detector must be investigated separately.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Synthesis and luminescence of the BaFCl:Eu 2+ scintillator system

X-ray imaging capabilities play a vital role in the medical industry, thus incentivizing the need for advanced device development. BaFCl:Eu 2+ is a promising material for scintillating composites applicable to pixelated X-ray imaging technology. Crystalline Eu(II)-doped BaFCl was synthesized via flux growth techniques with commercial reagents. The synthesis yield was separated into particle size subsets, and photo-luminescence (PL) spectra were obtained for each particle size range. Under UV irradiation, electronic transitions centered at 365 nm, 390 nm, and 430 nm were observed. Particle sizes <38 μm showed a significant drop in the characteristic Eu 2+ ion emission and a more intense emission near 430 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the presence of a secondary phase, Ba 12 F 19 Cl 5 , and demonstrated that the introduction of this phase is dependent on synthesis parameters.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Design of a high-power compact SRF linac for industrial applications of e-beam irradiation

Fermilab has developed a novel concept for an industrial electron linac using Nb3Sn coating technology and conduction cooling. These conduction-cooled linacs can generate electron beam energies up to 10 MeV in continuous-wave operation and reach higher power (>=1 MW) by combing several modules. Compact and light enough to mount on mobile platforms, our machine is anticipated to enable new in-situ environmental remediation applications such as waste-water treatment for urban areas, X-ray medical device sterilization, and innovative pavement applications. We highlight a few aspects of a 1 MW design of such a machine in this paper. A detailed plan is in Dhuley et al. (2022) Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 25, 041601.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Radiation Stability of Mixed Tin-Lead Halide Perovskites: Implications for Space Applications

Mixed organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received considerable attention in recent years for their impressive solar to electrical power efficiency gains and potentially lower material and processing costs for optoelectronic applications. In addition to terrestrial applications, PSCs are of interest to the space power markets for their low cost, low weight, adaptability to flexible architectures, and tolerance to high energy particle irradiation (mainly protons and electrons). Here we investigate the properties of mixed formamidinium-methylammonium tin-lead iodide (FASn)0.6(MAPb)0.4I3 perovskites which lower the lead content as well as the bandgap, making them attractive for the low bandgap absorber material in tandem PSCs. Through current density-voltage (JV) characterization at lower temperatures, majority carrier transport is hindered and a barrier to photogenerated carrier extraction is evident. This is attributed to the thermally induced change of the bandgap of the absorber layer relative to the energy selective contacts in the device. We find that although the architecture used here hinders the performance at temperatures below 225 K, the tolerance to high energy (3.7 MeV) protons is impressive, considerably out-performing commercially available thin-film CIGS. These results suggest further improvements to structural and interface stability as well as lightweight encapsulation could lead to all perovskite flexible tandem arrays deployed for power generation on missions to low Earth orbit, the moon, Mars, and beyond.

perovskite solar cells↗
DOE OSTI2015

A novel synthetic single crystal diamond device for in vivo dosimetry

Purpose: Aim of the present work is to evaluate the synthetic single crystal diamond Schottky photodiode developed at the laboratories of “Tor Vergata” University in Rome in a new dosimeter configuration specifically designed for offline wireless in vivo dosimetry (IVD) applications. Methods: The new diamond based dosimeter, single crystal diamond detector (SCDD-iv), consists of a small unwired detector and a small external reading unit that can be connected to commercial electrometers for getting the detector readout after irradiation. Two nominally identical SCDD-iv dosimeter prototypes were fabricated and tested. A basic dosimetric characterization of detector performances relevant for IVD application was performed under irradiation with {sup 60}Co and 6 MV photon beams. Preirradiation procedure, response stability, short and long term reproducibility, leakage charge, fading effect, linearity with dose, dose rate dependence, temperature dependence, and angular response were investigated. Results: The SCDD-iv is simple, with no cables linked to the patient and the readout is immediate. The range of response with dose has been tested from 1 up to 12 Gy; the reading is independent of the accumulated dose and dose rate independent in the range between about 0.5 and 5 Gy/min; its temperature dependence is within 0.5% between 25 and 38 °C, and its directional dependence is within 2% from 0° to 90°. The combined relative standard uncertainty of absorbed dose to water measurements is estimated lower than the tolerance and action level of 5%. Conclusions: The reported results indicate the proposed novel offline dosimeter based on a synthetic single crystal diamond Schottky photodiode as a promising candidate for in vivo dosimetry applications with photon beams.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Intrinsic property of defective β-Ga 2 O 3 to self-heal under ionizing irradiation

Damage evolution and phase stability in defective β-Ga 2 O 3 and an irradiation-converted γ-Ga 2 O 3 layer have been studied under ionizing irradiation at 300 K. By exploring athermal nonequilibrium processes in β-Ga 2 O 3 , we succeed in identifying a self-healing mechanism that enables recovery pre-existing damage, characterized by a recovery cross-section of ~0.17 nm 2 . Remarkably, this study further demonstrates that the crystallinity of the irradiation-converted γ-Ga 2 O 3 layer improves under ionizing irradiation. More importantly, X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the highly-strained 𝛾 -phase transforms into a highly-crystalline structure without film disintegration, contrasting to that reported for isochronal annealing at 1000 K. The inelastic thermal spike calculations provide insights into the important effects of energy transfer to electrons in reordering the local atomic arrangement of both defective β- Ga 2 O 3 and 𝛾-Ga 2 O 3 . This behavior suggests a pathway for low-temperature crystallization, offering a promising strategy for fabricating ultrahigh-speed non-volatile memory devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Hole formation effect on surface morphological response of plasma-facing tungsten

We report simulation results on the effect of helium (He) bubble bursting-mediated surface hole formation on the surface morphological response of tungsten plasma-facing components (PFCs) in nuclear fusion devices. Our analysis is based on an atomistically informed, continuum-scale model, which is capable of accessing the spatiotemporal scales relevant to the fuzz nanostructure formation process on the surface of PFC tungsten. Our simulations account, in an empirical fashion, for two types of subsurface bubble dynamical phenomena in the nanobubble region of PFC tungsten during He plasma irradiation, involving bubble bursting and surface crater formation. We demonstrate that the hole formation effect on the PFC tungsten surface accelerates the growth rate of nanotendrils and the onset of fuzz formation. As a result, the predicted incubation time for surface nanotendril growth is shortened, in agreement with experimental data of incubation fluence at comparable plasma exposure conditions. We also explore systematically the dependence of the PFC surface morphological response on the areal density of holes introduced at regular time intervals onto the He-implanted tungsten surface, a parameter in our analysis that serves as a proxy for the rate of He bubble bursting. More importantly, our simulations capture fine surface features in the PFC tungsten surface morphology and predict that the average spacing between nanotendrils is on the order of 100 nm, consistent with the experimental findings.

Chen, Chao-Shou (ORCID:0000000307910042)↗
DOE OSTI2014

Pilot study for compact microbeam radiation therapy using a carbon nanotube field emission micro-CT scanner

Purpose: Microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) is defined as the use of parallel, microplanar x-ray beams with an energy spectrum between 50 and 300 keV for cancer treatment and brain radiosurgery. Up until now, the possibilities of MRT have mainly been studied using synchrotron sources due to their high flux (100s Gy/s) and approximately parallel x-ray paths. The authors have proposed a compact x-ray based MRT system capable of delivering MRT dose distributions at a high dose rate. This system would employ carbon nanotube (CNT) field emission technology to create an x-ray source array that surrounds the target of irradiation. Using such a geometry, multiple collimators would shape the irradiation from this array into multiple microbeams that would then overlap or interlace in the target region. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of attaining a high dose rate and parallel microbeam beams using such a system. Methods: The microbeam dose distribution was generated by our CNT micro-CT scanner (100μm focal spot) and a custom-made microbeam collimator. An alignment assembly was fabricated and attached to the scanner in order to collimate and superimpose beams coming from different gantry positions. The MRT dose distribution was measured using two orthogonal radiochromic films embedded inside a cylindrical phantom. This target was irradiated with microbeams incident from 44 different gantry angles to simulate an array of x-ray sources as in the proposed compact CNT-based MRT system. Finally, phantom translation in a direction perpendicular to the microplanar beams was used to simulate the use of multiple parallel microbeams. Results: Microbeams delivered from 44 gantry angles were superimposed to form a single microbeam dose distribution in the phantom with a FWHM of 300μm (calculated value was 290 μm). Also, during the multiple beam simulation, a peak to valley dose ratio of ∼10 was found when the phantom translation distance was roughly 4x the beam width. The first prototype CNT-based x-ray tube dedicated to the development of compact MRT technology development was proposed and planned based on the preliminary experimental results presented here and the previous corresponding Monte Carlo simulations. Conclusions: The authors have demonstrated the feasibility of creating microbeam dose distributions at a high dose rate using a proposed compact MRT system. The flexibility of CNT field emission x-ray sources could possibly bring compact and low cost MRT devices to the larger research community and assist in the translational research of this promising new approach to radiation therapy.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Poster — Thur Eve — 25: Sensitivity to inhomogeneities for an in-vivo EPID dosimetry method

Introduction: The electronic portal imaging device (EPID) has the potential to be used for in vivo dosimetry during radiotherapy as an additional dose delivery check. We recently proposed a simple method of using the EPID for 2D-IVD based on correlation ratios. In this work we have investigated the sensitivity of our EPID-IVD to inhomogeneities. Methods: We used slab phantoms that simulate water, bone, and lung, arranged in various geometries. To simulate body contours non-orthogonal to the field, we used a water wedge. CT data of these phantoms was imported into MATLAB, in conjunction with EPID images acquired during irradiation, to calculate dose inside the phantom in isocenter plane. Each phantom was irradiated using a linear accelerator while images were acquired with the EPID (cine mode). Comparisons between EPID-calculated and TPS dose maps were: pixel-by-pixel dose difference, and 3%,3mm gamma evaluation. Results: In the homogeneous case, CAX dose difference was <1%, and 3%,3mm gamma analysis yielded 99% of points with gamma<1. For the inhomogeneous phantoms, agreement decreased with increasing inhomogeneity reaching up to 10% CAX dose difference with 10cm of lung. Results from the water wedge phantom suggest that the EPID-calculated dose can account for surface irregularities of approximately ±3cm. Conclusions: The EPID-based IVD investigated has limitations in the presence of large inhomogeneities. Nonetheless, CAX doses never differed by >15% from the TPS. This suggests that this EPID-IVD is capable of detecting gross dose delivery errors even in the presence of inhomogeneities, supporting its utility as an additional patient safety device.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Block copolymer self-assembly to pattern gold nanodots for site-specific placement of DNA origami and attachment of nanomaterials

Directed placement of DNA origami could play a key role in future integrated nanoelectronic devices. Here we demonstrated the site-selective attachment of DNA origami on gold dots formed using a pattern transfer method through block copolymer self-assembly. First, a random copolymer brush layer is grafted on the Si surface and then poly (styrene-b-methylmethacrylate) block copolymer is spin-coated to give a hexagonal nanoarray after annealing. UV irradiation followed by acetic acid etching is used to remove the PMMA, creating cylindrical holes and then oxygen plasma etching removes the random copolymer layer inside those holes. Next, metal evaporation, followed by lift-off creates a gold dot array. We evaluated different ligand functionalization of Au dots, as well as DNA hybridization to attach DNA origami to the nanodots. DNA-coated Au nanorods are assembled on the DNA origami as a step towards creating nanowires and to facilitate electron microscopy characterization of the attachment of DNA origami on these Au nanodots. The DNA hybridization approach showed better DNA attachment to Au nanodots than localization by electrostatic interaction. Here, this work contributes to the understanding of DNA-templated assembly, nanomaterials, and block copolymer nanolithography. Furthermore, the work shows potential for creating DNA-templated nanodevices and their placement in ordered arrays in future nanoelectronics.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Making Graphene Nanoribbons Photoluminescent

In this paper, we demonstrate the alignment-preserving transfer of parallel graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) onto insulating substrates. The photophysics of such samples is characterized by polarized Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies. The Raman scattered light and the PL are polarized along the GNR axis. The Raman cross section as a function of excitation energy has distinct excitonic peaks associated with transitions between the one-dimensional parabolic subbands. We find that the PL of GNRs is intrinsically low but can be strongly enhanced by blue laser irradiation in ambient conditions or hydrogenation in ultrahigh vacuum. These functionalization routes cause the formation of sp 3 defects in GNRs. We demonstrate the laser writing of luminescent patterns in GNR films for maskless lithography by the controlled generation of defects. Finally, our findings set the stage for further exploration of the optical properties of GNRs on insulating substrates and in device geometries.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-T-570: Management of Radiation Oncology Patients with Cochlear Implant and Other Bionic Devices in the Brain and Head and Neck Regions

Purpose: To investigate the current status of clinical usage of cochlear implant (CI) and other bionic devices (BD) in the brain and head and neck regions (BH and N) and their management in patients during radiotherapy to ensure patient health and safety as well as optimum radiation delivery. Methods: Literature review was performed with both CIs and radiotherapy and their variants as keywords in PubMed, INSPEC and other sources. The focus was on CIs during radiotherapy, but it also included other BDs in BHȦN, such as auditory brainstem implant, bionic retinal implant, and hearing aids, among others. Results: Interactions between CIs and radiation may cause CIs malfunction. The presence of CIs may also cause suboptimum dose distribution if a treatment plan was not well designed. A few studies were performed for the hearing functions of CIs under irradiations of 4 MV and 6 MV x-rays. However, x-rays with higher energies (10 to 18 MV) broadly used in radiotherapy have not been explored. These higher energetic beams are more damaging to electronics due to strong penetrating power and also due to neutrons generated in the treatment process. Modern CIs are designed with more and more complicated integrated circuits, which may be more susceptible to radiation damage and malfunction. Therefore, careful management is important for safety and treatment outcomes. Conclusion: Although AAPM TG-34, TG-63, and TG-203 (update of TG-34, not published yet) reports may be referenced for management of CIs and other BDs in the brain and H and N regions, a site- and device-specified guideline should be developed for CIs and other BDs. Additional evaluation of CI functions under clinically relevant set-ups should also be performed to provide clinicians with better knowledge in clinical decision making.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Unipolar resistive switching behavior of amorphous YCrO{sub 3} films for nonvolatile memory applications

Amorphous YCrO{sub 3} (YCO) films were prepared on Pt/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2}/Si substrate by pulsed laser deposition in order to investigate resistive switching (RS) phenomenon. The Pt/YCO/Pt device showed stable unipolar RS with resistance ratio of ∼10{sup 5} between low and high resistance states, excellent endurance and retention characteristics, as well as, non-overlapping switching voltages with narrow dispersions. Based on the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature dependent switching characteristics, observed RS was mainly ascribed to the oxygen vacancies. Moreover, current-voltage characteristics of the device in low and high resistance states were described by Ohmic and trap controlled space–charge limited conduction mechanisms, respectively.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Growth and microstructure of columnar Y-doped SrZrO{sub 3} films deposited on Pt-coated MgO by pulsed laser deposition

Direct integration of proton conductor films on Pt-coated substrates opens the way to film-based proton transport devices. Columnar SrZr{sub 0.95}Y{sub 0.05}O{sub 3−δ} (SZY) films with dense microstructure were deposited on Pt-coated MgO(100) substrates at 830 °C by pulsed laser deposition. The optimal window of ambient O{sub 2} pressure for good crystallinity of SZY films is from 400 to 600 mTorr. The ambient O{sub 2} compresses the plasma plume of SZY and increases the deposition rate. The 10 nm thick Ti adhesion layer on MgO(100) greatly affects the orientation of the sputtered Pt layers. Pt deposited directly on MgO shows a highly (111)-preferred orientation and leads to preferentially oriented SZY films while the addition of a Ti adhesion layer makes Pt show a less preferential orientation that leads to randomly oriented SZY films. The RMS surface roughness of preferentially oriented SZY films is larger than that of randomly oriented SZY films deposited under the same ambient O{sub 2} pressure. As the O{sub 2} pressure increased, the RMS surface roughness of preferentially oriented SZY films increased, reaching 45.7 nm (2.61% of film thickness) at 600 mTorr. This study revealed the ambient O{sub 2} pressure and orientation dependent surface roughness of SZY films grown on Pt-coated MgO substrates, which provides the potential to control the surface microstructure of SZY films for electrochemical applications in film-based hydrogen devices.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Technical solutions to reduce mediastinal irradiation in young patients undergoing treatment for lymphomas: Preliminary experience

This study aims at optimizing treatment planning in young patients affected by lymphoma (Stage II to III) by using an inclined board (IB) that allows reducing doses to the organs at risk. We evaluated 19 young patients affected by stage I to III lymphomas, referred to our Department for consolidation radiotherapy (RT) treatment on the mediastinum. Patients underwent 2 planning computed tomography (CT) scans performed in different positions: flat standard position and inclined position. A direct comparison between the different treatment plans was carried out analyzing dosimetric parameters obtained from dose-volume histograms generated for each plan. Comparison was performed to evaluate the sparing obtained on breast and heart. Dosimetric evaluation was performed for the following organs at risk (OARs): mammary glands, lungs, and heart. A statistically significant advantage was reported for V{sub 5}, V{sub 20}, and V{sub 30} for the breast when using the inclined board. A similar result was obtained for V{sub 5} and V{sub 10} on the heart. No advantage was observed in lung doses. The use of a simple device, such as an inclined board, allows the optimization of treatment plan, especially in young female patients, by ensuring a significant reduction of the dose delivered to breast and heart.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗