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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 109 records · Page 6

Modeling the evolution of slip localization: Realization of link to material strength

Slip localization formation is the chief mechanism underlying the deformation of almost all metals, from pure elements to high-performance superalloys. The intensity of individual slip localizations is often related to the ultimate strain level for failure but not to the strength of the metal. Here we show that across 15 distinct metals, the intensity of slip in individual slip localizations and slip localization spacings are strongly related to material yield strength. Using a three-dimensional crystal plasticity-based micromechanical model that explicitly simulates the growth of discrete slip localizations, we reveal that the stronger the metal, the faster and earlier slip localizations intensify. The relationship is attributed to the formation of a zone that surrounds the slip localization where the driving force for slip is absent. We find that the zone size is controlled by the strength of the neighboring crystal. Consequently, as strength increases, slip becomes increasingly preferred within the slip localization itself and formation of other slip localizations becomes more likely further away.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Realizing efficient operations of Ni-cermet-based fuel cells on hydrocarbons via an in situ self-assembled metal/oxide nano-heterostructured catalyst

Operating Ni-cermet-based fuel cells on hydrocarbons is charming by largely hindered by poor coking tolerance and severe deterioration. Here, in this study, we report an effective metal/oxide nano-heterostructured catalyst with a nominal composition of Pr 0.95 Ru 0.05 O 2-δ (PRO), which is in situ self-assembled to a Pr 0.95 Ru 0.05-x O 2-δ oxide frame coated with Ru metallic nanoparticles (denoted as Ru/PRO) under the operation condition. When applied to the Ni-cermet (Ni-YSZ) anodes, the cells achieve decent peak power densities of 1.784 and 1.870 W cm -2 on CH 4 and C 3 H 8 with only 3% H 2 O at 750 °C, respectively. Moreover, the cells with Ru/PRO-coated anode demonstrate excellent durability when operated on CH 4 for ~ 220 h and C 3 H 8 for ~115 h. It is demonstrated that the Ru/PRO generates hydroxyl species that react with carbon species, followed by the formation of COH intermediates on Ni anode surfaces for removing the coking, as confirmed by experiments and computations.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

Realizing "Net-Zero-Carbon" Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The aviation industry needs renewable and fungible jet fuel - commonly referred to as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) - to minimize emissions and increase efficiencies. SAF can displace the same, if not more, CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2eq), reduce contrail formation, and increase engine-aircraft efficiencies. Flight represents ~10% of transportation greenhouse gas emissions, with the global consumption of ~400 billion liters of fossil jet fuel in 2019 releasing over 900 million tons of CO2eq. Even with impacts from the COVID-19 global pandemic, the aviation sector is projected to grow with passenger miles expected to double by 2050, relative to 2010. As such, there is an urgent need to produce drop-in aviation fuel from renewables with a dramatically lower carbon footprint.

biojet↗

Realizing continuous cation order-to-disorder tuning in a class of high-energy spinel-type Li-ion cathodes

Conventional Li-ion cathode materials are dominated by well-ordered structures, in which Li and transition metals occupy distinct crystallographic sites. Here, we show in this paper that profoundly new degrees of freedom for the optimization of electrochemical properties may be accessed if controllable cation disorder is introduced. In a class of high-capacity spinel-type cathode materials, we identify cation to anion ratio in synthesis as a key parameter for tuning the structure continuously from a well-ordered spinel, through a partially ordered spinel, to rocksalt. We find that the varying degree of cation disorder modifies the voltage profile, rate capability, and charge-compensation mechanism in a rational and predictable way. Our results indicate that spinel-type order is most beneficial for achieving high-rate performance as long as the cooperative 8a to 16c phase transition is suppressed, while more rocksalt-like disorder facilitates O redox, which can increase capacity. Our findings reveal an important tuning handle for achieving high energy and power in the vast space of partially ordered cathode materials.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Robust natural nanocomposites realizing unprecedented ultrafast precise molecular separations

Synthetic polymer membranes can potentially reduce the large energy and carbon footprints that are typically associated with traditional chemical separation technologies. Unfortunately, current production protocols negate the green benefits of membrane separation. To address this bottleneck, here we report the use of natural materials monosaccharide – glucose and polydopamine and Zr-based metal organic frameworks (MOFs) to fabricate ultrathin nanocomposite membranes via interfacial polymerization reaction. The synergistic effect of these three materials on angstrom-scale molecular transport both in organic solvent and aqueous environment was elucidated using a series of complementary techniques. We demonstrate such nature-inspired nanocomposite membranes enable structural stability even in polar aprotic solvents, and unparalleled ultra-fast, low-pressure, precise separations in both nanofiltration modes, which easily surpass state-of-the-art membranes relying on unsustainable materials. Finally, the multi-functionality of saccharide nanocomposites was elegantly harnessed to impact separation applications that contribute towards a better living environment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Stochastically Realized Observables for Excitonic Molecular Aggregates

In this work, we show that a stochastic approach enables calculations of the optical properties of large 2-dimensional and nanotubular excitonic molecular aggregates. Previous studies of such systems relied on numerically diagonalizing the dense and disordered Frenkel Hamiltonian, which scales approximately as $\mathcal{O}$($N$ 3 ) for $N$ dye molecules. Our approach scales much more efficiently as $\mathcal{O}$($N$ log($N$)), enabling quick study of systems with a million of coupled molecules on the micrometer size scale. We calculate several important experimental observables, including the optical absorption spectrum and density of states, and develop a stochastic formalism for the participation ratio. Quantitative agreement with traditional matrix diagonalization methods is demonstrated for both small- and intermediate-size systems. The stochastic methodology enables the study of the effects of spatial-correlation in site energies on the optical signatures of large 2D aggregates. Our results demonstrate that stochastic methods present a path forward for screening structural parameters and validating experiments and theoretical predictions in large excitonic aggregates.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗