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983 records · Page 55

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2017

Highly stretchable polymer semiconductor films through the nanoconfinement effect

Soft and conformable wearable electronics require stretchable semiconductors, but existing ones typically sacrifice charge transport mobility to achieve stretchability. We explore a concept based on the nanoconfinement of polymers to substantially improve the stretchability of polymer semiconductors, without affecting charge transport mobility. The increased polymer chain dynamics under nanoconfinement significantly reduces the modulus of the conjugated polymer and largely delays the onset of crack formation under strain. As a result, our fabricated semiconducting film can be stretched up to 100% strain without affecting mobility, retaining values comparable to that of amorphous silicon. The fully stretchable transistors exhibit high biaxial stretchability with minimal change in on current even when poked with a sharp object. Lastly, we demonstrate a skinlike finger-wearable driver for a light-emitting diode.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2014

The Segue K giant survey. II. A catalog of distance determinations for the Segue K giants in the galactic halo

We present an online catalog of distance determinations for 6036 K giants, most of which are members of the Milky Way's stellar halo. Their medium-resolution spectra from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey/Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and Exploration are used to derive metallicities and rough gravity estimates, along with radial velocities. Distance moduli are derived from a comparison of each star's apparent magnitude with the absolute magnitude of empirically calibrated color-luminosity fiducials, at the observed (g – r){sub 0} color and spectroscopic [Fe/H]. We employ a probabilistic approach that makes it straightforward to properly propagate the errors in metallicities, magnitudes, and colors into distance uncertainties. We also fold in prior information about the giant-branch luminosity function and the different metallicity distributions of the SEGUE K-giant targeting sub-categories. We show that the metallicity prior plays a small role in the distance estimates, but that neglecting the luminosity prior could lead to a systematic distance modulus bias of up to 0.25 mag, compared to the case of using the luminosity prior. We find a median distance precision of 16%, with distance estimates most precise for the least metal-poor stars near the tip of the red giant branch. The precision and accuracy of our distance estimates are validated with observations of globular and open clusters. The stars in our catalog are up to 125 kpc from the Galactic center, with 283 stars beyond 50 kpc, forming the largest available spectroscopic sample of distant tracers in the Galactic halo.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2017

NGC 3105: A Young Cluster in the Outer Galaxy

Images and spectra of the open cluster NGC 3105 have been obtained with the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph on Gemini South. The (i{sup ′},g{sup ′}−i{sup ′}) color–magnitude diagram (CMD) constructed from these data extends from the brightest cluster members to g{sup ′}∼23. This is ∼4--5 mag fainter than previous CMDs at visible wavelengths and allowing cluster members with sub-solar masses to be sampled. Assuming a half-solar metallicity, comparisons with isochrones yield a distance of 6.6 ± 0.3 kpc. An age of at least 32 Myr is found based on the photometric properties of the brightest stars, coupled with the apparent absence of pre-main-sequence stars in the lower regions of the CMD. The luminosity function of stars between 50 and 70 arcsec from the cluster center is consistent with a Chabrier lognormal mass function. However, at radii smaller than 50 arcsec there is a higher specific frequency of the most massive main-sequence (MS) stars than at larger radii. Photometry obtained from archival SPITZER images reveals that some of the brightest stars near NGC 3105 have excess infrared emission, presumably from warm dust envelopes. Hα emission is detected in a few early-type stars in and around the cluster, building upon previous spectroscopic observations that found Be stars near NGC 3105. The equivalent width of the NaD lines in the spectra of early-type stars is consistent with the reddening found from comparisons with isochrones. Stars with i{sup ′}∼18.5 that fall near the cluster MS have a spectral-type A5V, and a distance modulus that is consistent with that obtained by comparing isochrones with the CMD is found assuming solar neighborhood intrinsic brightnesses for these stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Hydrodynamics of a multicomponent vesicle under strong confinement

Herein we numerically investigate the hydrodynamics and membrane dynamics of a multicomponent vesicle in two strongly confined geometries. This serves as a simplified model for red blood cells undergoing large deformations while traversing narrow constrictions. We propose a new parameterization for the bending modulus that remains positive for all lipid phase parameter values. For a multicomponent vesicle passing through a stenosis, we establish connections between various properties: lipid phase coarsening, size and flow profile of the lubrication layers, excess pressure, and the tank-treading velocity of the membrane. For a multicomponent vesicle passing through a contracting channel, we find that the lipid always phase separates so that the vesicle is stiffer in the front as it passes through the constriction. For both cases of confinement we find that lipid coarsening is arrested under strong confinement, and resumes at a high rate upon relief from extreme confinement. The results may be useful for efficient sorting lipid domains using microfluidic flows by controlled release of vesicles passing through strong confinement.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2015

Soft network composite materials with deterministic and bio-inspired designs

Hard and soft structural composites found in biology provide inspiration for the design of advanced synthetic materials. Many examples of bio-inspired hard materials can be found in the literature; far less attention has been devoted to soft systems. Here we introduce deterministic routes to low-modulus thin film materials with stress/strain responses that can be tailored precisely to match the non-linear properties of biological tissues, with application opportunities that range from soft biomedical devices to constructs for tissue engineering. The approach combines a low-modulus matrix with an open, stretchable network as a structural reinforcement that can yield classes of composites with a wide range of desired mechanical responses, including anisotropic, spatially heterogeneous, hierarchical and self-similar designs. Demonstrative application examples in thin, skin-mounted electrophysiological sensors with mechanics precisely matched to the human epidermis and in soft, hydrogel-based vehicles for triggered drug release suggest their broad potential uses in biomedical devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

The effect of polymer stiffness on magnetization reversal of magnetorheological elastomers

Ultrasoft magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) offer convenient real-time magnetic field control of mechanical properties that provides a means to mimic mechanical cues and regulators of cells in vitro. Here, we systematically investigate the effect of polymer stiffness on magnetization reversal of MREs using a combination of magnetometry measurements and computational modeling. Poly-dimethylsiloxane-based MREs with Young’s moduli that range over two orders of magnitude were synthesized using commercial polymers Sylgard™ 527, Sylgard 184, and carbonyl iron powder. The magnetic hysteresis loops of the softer MREs exhibit a characteristic pinched loop shape with almost zero remanence and loop widening at intermediate fields that monotonically decreases with increasing polymer stiffness. A simple two-dipole model that incorporates magneto-mechanical coupling not only confirms that micrometer-scale particle motion along the applied magnetic field direction plays a defining role in the magnetic hysteresis of ultrasoft MREs but also reproduces the observed loop shapes and widening trends for MREs with varying polymer stiffnesses.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS1999

Human responses to upright tilt: a window on central autonomic integration

1. We examined interactions between haemodynamic and autonomic neural oscillations during passive upright tilt, to gain better insight into human autonomic regulatory mechanisms. 2. We recorded the electrocardiogram, finger photoplethysmographic arterial pressure, respiration and peroneal nerve muscle sympathetic activity in nine healthy young adults. Subjects breathed in time with a metronome at 12 breaths min-1 (0.2 Hz) for 5 min each, in supine, and 20, 40, 60, 70 and 80 deg head-up positions. We performed fast Fourier transform (and autoregressive) power spectral analyses and integrated low-frequency (0.05-0.15 Hz) and respiratory-frequency (0. 15-0.5 Hz) spectral powers. 3. Integrated areas of muscle sympathetic bursts and their low- and respiratory-frequency spectral powers increased directly and significantly with the tilt angle. The centre frequency of low-frequency sympathetic oscillations was constant before and during tilt. Sympathetic bursts occurred more commonly during expiration than inspiration at low tilt angles, but occurred equally in expiration and inspiration at high tilt angles. 4. Systolic and diastolic pressures and their low- and respiratory-frequency spectral powers increased, and R-R intervals and their respiratory-frequency spectral power decreased progressively with the tilt angle. Low-frequency R-R interval spectral power did not change. 5. The cross-spectral phase angle between systolic pressures and R-R intervals remained constant and consistently negative at the low frequency, but shifted progressively from positive to negative at the respiratory frequency during tilt. The arterial baroreflex modulus, calculated from low-frequency cross-spectra, decreased at high tilt angles. 6. Our results document changes of baroreflex responses during upright tilt, which may reflect leftward movement of subjects on their arterial pressure sympathetic and vagal response relations. The intensity, but not the centre frequency of low-frequency cardiovascular rhythms, is modulated by the level of arterial baroreceptor input. Tilt reduces respiratory gating of sympathetic and vagal motoneurone responsiveness to stimulatory inputs for different reasons; during tilt, sympathetic stimulation increases to a level that overwhelms the respiratory gate, and vagal stimulation decreases to a level below that necessary for maximal respiratory gating to occur.

Non-NASA Center↗

DOE OSTI2015

Vertically aligned P(VDF-TrFE) core-shell structures on flexible pillar arrays

PVDF and P(VDF-TrFE) nano- and micro- structures are widely used due to their potential applications in several fields, including sensors, actuators, vital sign transducers, and energy harvesters. In this study, we developed vertically aligned P(VDF-TrFE) core-shell structures using high modulus polyurethane acrylate (PUA) pillars as the support structure to maintain the structural integrity. In addition, we were able to improve the piezoelectric effect by 1.85 times from 40 ± 2 to 74 ± 2 pm/V when compared to the thin film counterpart, which contributes to the more efficient current generation under a given stress, by making an effective use of the P(VDF-TrFE) thin top layer as well as the side walls. We attribute the enhancement of piezoelectric effects to the contributions from the shell component and the strain confinement effect, which was supported by our modeling results. We envision that these organic-based P(VDF-TrFE) core-shell structures will be used widely as 3D sensors and power generators because they are optimized for current generations by utilizing all surface areas, including the side walls of core-shell structures.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

DOE OSTI2016

The granular and polymer composite nature of kerogen-rich shale

In the past decade, mechanical, physical, and chemical characterization of reservoir shale rocks, such as the Woodford shale, which is kerogen-rich shale (KRS), has moved toward micro- and nanoscale testing and analyses. Nanoindentation equipment is now widely used in many industrial and university laboratories to measure shale anisotropic Young’s moduli, kerogen stiffness, plastic yield parameters, and other isotropic and anisotropic poromechanical and viscoelastic properties. However, to date, failure analyses of KRS and the effects of organic components on the tensile strength have not been observed or measured at the micro- or nanoscales. In this study, preserved kerogen-rich Woodford shale samples manufactured in micro-beam and micro-pillar geometries were mechanically tested and brought to failure in tension and compression, respectively. These tests were conducted in situ using a nanoindenter inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The load versus displacement curves of prismatic micro-cantilever beams were analyzed in light of high-resolution images collected during tensile fracture initiation, propagation, and ultimately sample failure. The micro-pillar geometries were subjected to a uniaxial compressive load and were also brought to failure while capturing measurements of stress and strain. It was found that, within just a few hundred microns of the KRS microcantilever beams, both brittle and ductile failure modes were observed. In the ductile plastic domain, strain-softening and strain-hardening behaviors were identified and characterized. These were not due to confining stress variations, but due to the volume of the organic matter and the way it is interlaced with the shale minerals in and around the failure planes. The tensile strength characteristics and the large modulus of toughness of kerogen, which is a cross-linked polymer, definitely weigh heavily in our engineering field applications, such as hydraulic fracking, which is a Mode I tensile fracture opening and propagation phenomenon. This practice demands that, due to the complex composite nature of KRS, mechanical characterization be not only for unconfined compressive strength but also for unconfined tensile strength and moduli of ruptures. At the end of this study, the need for nanometer scale mechanical characterization of KRS will become apparent. Furthermore, these nano- and micro-scale shale failure tests reinforce our previous understanding of the heterogeneous composite nature of Woodford KRS and its complex behavior, as well as other source shale reservoir formations.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

New Insights on the Mechanical Characterization of Kerogen-Rich Shale, KRS

In the past decade, mechanical, physical, and chemical characterization of reservoir shale rocks, such as the Woodford shale, which is kerogen-rich shale (KRS), has moved toward micro- and nanoscale testing and analyses. Nanoindentation equipment is now widely used in many industrial and university laboratories to measure shale anisotropic Young’s moduli, kerogen stiffness, plastic yield parameters, and other isotropic and anisotropic poromechanical and viscoelastic properties. However, to date, failure analyses of KRS and the effects of organic components on the tensile strength have not been observed or measured at the micro- or nanoscales. In this study, preserved kerogen-rich Woodford shale samples manufactured in micro-beam and micro-pillar geometries were mechanically tested and brought to failure in tension and compression, respectively. These tests were conducted in situ using a nanoindenter inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The load versus displacement curves of prismatic micro-cantilever beams were analyzed in light of high-resolution images collected during tensile fracture initiation, propagation, and ultimately sample failure. The micro-pillar geometries were subjected to a uniaxial compressive load and were also brought to failure while capturing measurements of stress and strain. It was found that, within just a few hundred microns of the KRS microcantilever beams, both brittle and ductile failure modes were observed. In the ductile plastic domain, strain-softening and strain-hardening behaviors were identified and characterized. These were not due to confining stress variations, but due to the volume of the organic matter and the way it is interlaced with the shale minerals in and around the failure planes. The tensile strength characteristics and the large modulus of toughness of kerogen, which is a cross-linked polymer, definitely weigh heavily in our engineering field applications, such as hydraulic fracking, which is a Mode I tensile fracture opening and propagation phenomenon. This practice demands that, due to the complex composite nature of KRS, mechanical characterization be not only for unconfined compressive strength but also for unconfined tensile strength and moduli of ruptures. At the end of this study, the need for nanometer scale mechanical characterization of KRS will become apparent. These nano- and micro-scale shale failure tests reinforce our previous understanding of the heterogeneous composite nature of Woodford KRS and its complex behavior, as well as other source shale reservoir formations.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2022

6.26 Low Cost Basalt Fiber for Automotive Applications

Vehicle lightweighting is an essential component to the automotive industry to improve fuel economy of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to meet ever improving emission standards and to improve the range of electric vehicles (EV). Composite materials offer high specific modulus and specific strength, which makes them appealing for these light weighting efforts. Sheet molding compounds (SMC) are particularly interesting from an automotive perspective because of the relatively low cost and high volume of producing SMC parts. Traditionally, composite materials for automotive application are glass fiber reinforced because of the attractive price - performance ratio, but basalt fibers are a cost and recycling competitive reinforcement alternative in this market. The aim of this project was to examine the feasibility of utilizing basalt fiber for automotive applications. More specifically, an effort was made to examine different fiber sizings on basalt fiber combined with vinyl-ester (VE) resin, and their performance as part of an SMC process. In addition to offering vehicle lightweighting with fiber reinforced polymer composites, basalt fiber is a fully recyclable material and thus supports the IACMI technical goal of: Demonstrate that the technology is capable at a sufficient scale for >80% recyclability or reuse of fiber reinforced polymer composites in five years into useful components with projected cost and quality at commercial scale competitive with virgin materials on a pathway to 95% recyclability or reuse starting in ten years. Three different fiber sizings were applied to a continuous roving of basalt fiber and compared to a traditional Electrical/Chemical Resistance (E-CR) glass fiber that is typically used in these types of applications. Fiber tows were examined for Loss on Ignition percentage (LOI%), Tex, and tow strength. Some sizings clearly outperformed others, and the ability to process these fibers on a pilot scale SMC line was demonstrated. A test plan for the manufacturing and mechanical testing of SMC panels was developed. This work continues outside the time frame allocated for this project. When this work is completed, it will be added to this report and posted as Appendix C. Glass fiber reinforced SMC materials have already proven feasible as a light weighting method for traditionally steel parts like the Volkswagen (VW) Atlas lift-gate (Figure 1); this project team is seeking the feasibility of basalt fiber as a drop-in replacement for glass fiber reinforced SMC. Sizing development for basalt fibers has proven that the mechanical properties are better than E-glass and closer to S-glass, which makes it an interesting material for SMC applications. Better mechanical properties translate to less material needed to achieve load case requirement for target applications. The business case has already been demonstrated for 100,000 parts per year of glass fiber reinforced SMC Atlas lift-gates compared to traditional steel manufacturing processes. Reduced overhead and assembly costs are offset by glass fiber SMC higher cost per kg beyond 100,000 parts per year, which is still a relatively low volume for the automotive industry. For basalt fiber reinforced SMC to become feasible for automotive applications, the price-performance ratio has to be precisely determined. Based on the mechanical performance it is possible to establish a range of applications and technical solutions in which the potential of basalt SMC can be utilized, while the price of the material can be used to compile the business case for such applications. Based on these business cases and the sustainability indicators, glass fiber reinforcement (or other) materials can be directly substituted. Volkswagen’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions cannot be understated. Basalt fiber shows promise of reducing the carbon footprint in SMC materials, especially if sizing optimizations can be made with thermoplastic based SMC. To fully realize the value of basalt fiber reinforced materials, a lifecycle cost analysis should be performed on basalt’s production and recycling, and then compared against E-glass. From this assessment, a true judgement can be made on the commercialization potential of this material. Figure 1. Example of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite Liftgate As a conclusion, we can state that Mafic basalt fiber is not a direct replacement for E-glass or E-CR glass based on price, but should be considered a technical solution when E-glass does not provide adequate performance in a composite design and S-glass, aramid and carbon fibers are too costly. Mafic basalt fiber can be placed on the high-performance fiber spectrum next to S-glass for performance but at one third the price. It should be considered for more technically challenging structural designs wherein the performance can demonstrate 20-25% performance enhancement over E-glass to elicit more strength or a weight reduction. Both Michelman and Mafic produce thermoplastic sizings which, in combination with Nylon and polypropylene resin and fibers, can further advance high speed composite implementations while maintaining an eco-friendly manufacturing process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗