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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 1,117 records · Page 62
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Combined heat and power generation with a HCPV system at 2000 suns

This work shows the development of an innovative solar CHP system for the combined production of heat and power based upon HCPV modules working at the high concentration level of 2000 suns. The solar radiation is concentrated on commercial InGaP/InGaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cells designed for intensive work. The primary optics is a rectangular off-axis parabolic mirror while a secondary optic at the focus of the parabolic mirror is glued in optical contact with the cell. Each module consist of 2 axis tracker (Alt-Alt type) with 20 multijunction cells each one integrated with an active heat sink. The cell is connected to an active heat transfer system that allows to keep the cell at a high level of electrical efficiency (ηel > 30 %), bringing the heat transfer fluid (water and glycol) up to an output temperature of 90°C. Accordingly with the experimental data collected from the first 1 kWe prototype, the total amount of extracted thermal energy is above the 50% of the harvested solar radiation. That, in addition the electrical efficiency of the system contributes to reach an overall CHP efficiency of more than the 80%.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1976

System studies of coal fired-closed cycle MHD for central station power plants

This paper presents a discussion of the closed-cycle MHD results obtained in a recent study of various advanced energy-conversion power systems. The direct coal-fired MHD topping-steam bottoming cycle was established as the current choice for central station power generation. Emphasis is placed on the background assumptions and the conclusions that can be drawn from the closed-cycle MHD analysis. It is concluded that closed-cycle MHD has efficiencies comparable to that of open-cycle MHD. Its cost will possibly be slightly higher than that of the open-cycle MHD system. Also, with reasonable fuel escalation assumptions, both systems can produce lower-cost electricity than conventional steam power plants. Suggestions for further work in closed-cycle MHD components and systems are made.

Zauderer, B.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Correlation of Band Bending and Ionic Losses in 1.68 eV Wide Band Gap Perovskite Solar Cells

Abstract Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising for high‐efficiency tandem applications, but their long‐term stability, particularly due to ion migration, remains a challenge. Despite progress in stabilizing PSCs, they still fall short compared to mature technologies like silicon. This study explores how different piperazinium salt treatments using iodide, chloride, tosylate, and bistriflimide anions affect the energetics, carrier dynamics, and stability of 1.68 eV bandgap PSCs. Chloride‐based treatments achieved the highest power conversion efficiency (21.5%) and open‐circuit voltage (1.28 V), correlating with stronger band bending and n‐type character at the surface. At the same time, they showed reduced long‐term stability due to increased ionic losses. Tosylate‐treated devices offered the best balance, retaining 96.4% efficiency after 1000 h (ISOS‐LC‐1I). These findings suggest that targeted surface treatments can enhance both efficiency and stability in PSCs.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

First-Principles Studies on Sc 2 RuZ (Z = Si, Ge, Sn) Inverse Heusler Alloys: Structural, Electronic, and Transport Properties

The continuous demand for efficient, nontoxic, and thermally stable materials for room-temperature energy conversion motivates the exploration of novel thermoelectric systems beyond the traditional magnetic Heusler alloys. While full and half-Heusler compounds, especially Co-, Ni-, and Mn-based systems, have demonstrated promising thermoelectric properties, their typically high operating temperatures and magnetic complexities limit their applicability in ambient thermal management. In this context, we investigate whether Sc-based inverse Heusler alloys can offer a viable nonmagnetic alternative with competitive thermoelectric performance. In this work, we perform a systematic first-principles study of the inverse Heusler compounds Sc 2 RuZ (Z = Si, Ge, Sn), focusing on their structural, electronic, mechanical, and thermodynamic-thermoelectric properties. Density Functional Theory (DFT) was employed to compute optimized lattice structures and band dispersion, while dynamical stability was assessed via phonon calculations. Thermoelectric transport coefficients, including Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity, were estimated using the semiclassical Boltzmann transport theory within the constant relaxation time approximation. Our results show that all Sc 2 RuZ compounds are thermodynamically stable semiconductors with indirect band gaps of 0.12–0.16 eV and exhibit high elastic moduli, especially Sc 2 RuSn, which demonstrates superior stiffness and incompressibility. Importantly, all compounds display promising room-temperature thermoelectric characteristics, including high Seebeck coefficients and power factors. These findings reveal that Sc 2 RuZ alloys represent a rare class of stable, nonmagnetic inverse Heusler semiconductors with intrinsic thermoelectric potential at room temperature, unlike many existing Heusler systems optimized for spintronics or high-temperature operation. This work expands the known design space for Heusler-based thermoelectrics and offers a theoretical basis for experimental realization of efficient, low-temperature, nonmagnetic thermoelectric materials.

alloys↗
DOE OSTI2026

EXERGETIC: De-Risking Next-Generation Resilient Geothermal Hybrids via At-Scale Evaluation Using Virtual Emulation Digital Twin Environment for Efficient Operation

The DOE-GTO-funded project, award number 5.1.2.12, entitled "EXERGETIC - De-risking Next Generation Resilient Geothermal Hybrids via at-Scale Evaluation Using a Virtual Emulation Digital Twin Environment for Efficient Operation," advances the solution to these challenges by developing and validating a geothermal co-emulation environment implemented at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR)'s Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform. This framework enables the de-risking of next-generation geothermal and geothermal hybrid systems through high-fidelity modeling, real-time digital emulation, advanced control strategies, and techno-economic assessment. The project focused on geothermal hybrid configurations that integrate geothermal power plants with concentrated solar power and underground thermal energy storage, enabling enhanced efficiency, flexibility, and grid support capabilities. The main goal of this project was the development of a geothermal digital co-emulation environment to demonstrate the technical and economic value of geothermal hybrid systems and their contribution to grid stability and flexibility. The EXERGETIC framework combined physics-based models, controls, and real assets at ARIES, including digital real-time simulators (DRTS), a 20-MW-scale controllable grid interface (CGI), and a 2-MW conventional generator. Detailed transient models were developed for the key subsystems of a hybrid geothermal plant, including parabolic trough solar collectors, reservoir thermal energy storage (RTES), and a binary Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power plant. The ORC model explicitly captured thermal inertia and off-design operation and integrated control strategies to dynamically respond to electric load profiles. The models were validated against published experimental and numerical studies, demonstrating strong agreement and confirming the accuracy and robustness of the modeling approach. The resulting digital twin represents geothermal-solar-storage systems at multiple scales (1 MW to 100 MW) and enables realistic emulation of grid-connected operation. The control architecture allows the geothermal resource to provide stable baseload generation, while solar and stored thermal energy supply flexible, dispatchable support during periods of high demand or variable grid conditions. A key contribution of the EXERGETIC project is the demonstration that geothermal hybrid systems can be designed to be active grid assets rather than passive baseload generators. Using the ARIES platform, the digital twin was evaluated under multiple grid scenarios, including load following, voltage support at the distribution level, and frequency response at the transmission level. Results show that hybrid geothermal systems can respond effectively to dynamic grid conditions, providing inertia-like behavior, primary frequency support, and voltage regulation through coordinated control. In addition to the performance and grid services capability analysis of geothermal and hybrid geothermal systems, the EXERGETIC project also focused on scalability and techno-economic analysis of geothermal hybrid plants. In particular, for the scalability analysis, machine-learning (ML)-based surrogate models were trained using data generated from the geothermal digital twin under different grid-connected scenarios and plant capacities. These ML models demonstrated strong interpolation and extrapolation capabilities across plant sizes, accurately reproducing both steady-state and transient responses with very low errors. Regarding the techno-economic analysis, plant performance results were integrated with cost models for hybrid geothermal systems, and the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) was used as the main economic metric to evaluate system performance across a range of system capacities, solar shares, solar multiples, and storage durations. Results indicate that economies of scale significantly reduce geothermal LCOE as plant capacity increases, with large-scale systems (25-100 MW) achieving substantially lower costs than small plants. Hybridization with solar thermal energy and storage further improves economic performance by increasing capacity utilization and enabling flexible dispatch. In addition, thermal storage plays a critical role in reducing LCOE by maximizing geothermal, solar, and stored energy resources. In summary, the results from this project demonstrate that geothermal hybrid systems represent a promising alternative for increasing the energy conversion efficiency of geothermal technologies, contributing to the preservation of geothermal resources, and supporting the transition of geothermal plants from traditional baseload resources into flexible, resilient, and cost-competitive energy conversion technologies.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Enhanced Light Utilization in Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics Using an Optical Outcoupling Architecture

Building-integrated photovoltaics employing transparent photovoltaic cells on window panes provides an opportunity to convert solar energy to electricity rather than generating waste heat. In this work, we demonstrate semitransparent organic photovoltaic cells (ST-OPVs) that utilize a non-fullerene acceptor based near-infrared (NIR) absorbing ternary cell combined with a thin, semitransparent, high conductivity Cu-Ag alloy electrode. A combination of optical outcoupling and anti-reflection coatings leads to enhance visible transmission, while reflecting the NIR back into the cell where it is absorbed. This combination of coatings results in doubling of the light utilization efficiency ( LUE ), which is equal to the product of the power conversion efficiency ( PCE ) and the average photopic transparency compared with a conventional semitransparent cell. A maximum LUE = 3.56 ± 0.11% is achieved for a ST-OPV with a PCE = 8.0 ± 0.2% at 1 sun, reference AM1.5G spectrum. Finally, neutral colored ST-OPVs are also demonstrated, with LUE = 2.56 ± 0.2%, along with Commission Internationale d’Eclairage chromaticity coordinates of CIE = (0.337, 0.349) and a color rendering index of CRI = 87.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Picosecond energy transfer and multiexciton transfer outpaces Auger recombination in binary CdSe nanoplatelet solids

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) enables photosynthetic light harvesting1, wavelength down-conversion in light-emitting diodes (LEDs)2, and optical bio-sensing schemes3. The rate and efficiency of this donor to acceptor transfer of excitation between chromophores dictates the utility of FRET and can unlock new device operation motifs including quantum-funnel solar cells4, non-contact chromophore pumping from a proximal LED5, and drastically reduced gain thresholds6. However, the fastest reported FRET time constants involving spherical quantum dots (QDs) (0.12-1 ns7-9), do not outpace biexciton Auger recombination (0.01-0.1 ns)10, which impedes multiexciton-driven applications including electrically-pumped lasers11 and carrier-multiplication-enhanced photovoltaics.12,13 Few-monolayer thick semiconductor nano-platelets (NPLs) with tens-of-nanometer diameters14 exhibit intense optical transitions14 and hundreds-of-picosecond Auger recombination15,16, but heretofore lack FRET characterizations. We examine binary CdSe NPL solids and show that inter-plate FRET (~6-23 ps, presumably for co-facial arrangements) can occur 15-50 times faster than Auger recombination15,16 and demonstrate multiexcitonic FRET, making such materials ideal candidates for advanced technologies.

Rowland, Clare E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

New options for satellite power systems /SPS/

The operation of a satellite power system (SPS) involves the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy with the aid of facilities carried by a geosynchronous satellite, the transmission of the obtained energy to earth in the form of microwave radio frequency energy, and the conversion of the energy received on earth into dc current for distribution into the network. Attention is given to questions concerning suitable microwave radiation density, details of space transportation for the construction of the SPS, and suitable approaches for the transformation of the solar energy into electric energy. It appears that a Rankine cycle using cesium as the main working fluid and a steam bottoming cycle might have advantages over a Brayton cycle concept considered earlier. In the area of solar photovoltaic concepts GaAlAs cells have advantages over silicon cells related to lighter weight, efficiency, and resistance to space radiation. The required amount of gallium seems to become available.

Hanley, G. M.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Fabrication and characterization of photovoltaic devices based on perovskite compounds with TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles

Perovskite-type photovoltaic devices were fabricated by a spin-coating method using a mixture solution. The compact and meso-porous TiO{sub 2} of the solar cells were fabricated from TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles and sol, and the photovoltaic properties and microstructures were characterized. The conversion efficiencies were improved by the combination of TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles and sol. Current density was also improved by increasing numbers of spin-coatings of meso-porous TiO{sub 2}. Thick meso-porous TiO2 layers would assist the construction of perovskite layers and block of the leak current.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Unraveling the fundamental mechanisms of solvent-additive-induced optimization of power conversion efficiencies in organic photovoltaic devices

The realization of controllable morphologies of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) in organic photovoltics (OPVs) is one of the key factors in obtaining high-efficiency devices. Here via simultaneous monitoring of the three-dimensional nanostructural modifications in BHJ correlated with the optical analysis and theoretical modeling of charge transport, we provide new insights into the fundamental mechanisms essential for the optimization of (power conversion efficiency) PCEs with additive processing. Our results demonstrate how a trace amount of diiodooctane (DIO) remarkably changes the vertical phase morphology of the active layers resulting in formation of a well-mixed donor-acceptor compact film, augments charge transfer and PCEs. In contrast, excess amount of DIO promotes a massive reordering and results loosely packed mixed phase vertical phase morphology with large clusters leading to deterioration in PCEs. Theoretical modeling of charge transport reveals that DIO increases the mobility of electrons and holes (the charge carriers) by affecting the energetic disorder and electric field dependence of the mobility. Our results show the significant of phase separation and carrier transport pathways to achieve optimal device performances.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1992

Multimegawatt dynamic NEP PMAD study

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lewis Research Center (NASA LeRC) is developing a FORTRAN-based model of a complete nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) vehicle to be used for piloted or cargo missions to the Moon or Mars. The proposed vehicle will use either a Brayton or K-Rankine power conversion cycle, and either ion or magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters. In support of this effort, Rocketdyne evaluated various power management and distribution (PMAD) approaches and selected a low-frequency design that is based on the direct use of the alternator voltage and frequency for power transmission. This approach was compared with dc and high-frequency ac designs, and selected on the basis of mass, efficiency, and qualitative assessment of power quality, reliability and development costs. This low-frequency architecture will be used as the reference in future NEP PMAD studies and for the subsequent FORTRAN model development.

Metcalf, Kenneth J.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Multi-MW Closed Cycle MHD Nuclear Space Power Via Nonequilibrium He/Xe Working Plasma

Prospects for a low specific mass multi-megawatt nuclear space power plant were examined assuming closed cycle coupling of a high-temperature fission reactor with magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) energy conversion and utilization of a nonequilibrium helium/xenon frozen inert plasma (FIP). Critical evaluation of performance attributes and specific mass characteristics was based on a comprehensive systems analysis assuming a reactor operating temperature of 1800 K for a range of subsystem mass properties. Total plant efficiency was expected to be 55.2% including plasma pre-ionization power, and the effects of compressor stage number, regenerator efficiency and radiation cooler temperature on plant efficiency were assessed. Optimal specific mass characteristics were found to be dependent on overall power plant scale with 3 kg/kWe being potentially achievable at a net electrical power output of 1-MWe. This figure drops to less than 2 kg/kWe when power output exceeds 3 MWe. Key technical issues include identification of effective methods for non-equilibrium pre-ionization and achievement of frozen inert plasma conditions within the MHD generator channel. A three-phase research and development strategy is proposed encompassing Phase-I Proof of Principle Experiments, a Phase-II Subscale Power Generation Experiment, and a Phase-III Closed-Loop Prototypical Laboratory Demonstration Test.

Litchford, Ron J.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Power Electronics Thermal Management Research: Annual Progress Report

The objective for this project is to develop thermal management strategies to enable efficient and high-temperature wide-bandgap (WBG)-based power electronic systems (e.g., emerging inverter and DC-DC converter). Reliable WBG devices are capable of operating at elevated temperatures (≥ 175 °Celsius). However, packaging WBG devices within an automotive inverter and operating them at higher junction temperatures will expose other system components (e.g., capacitors and electrical boards) to temperatures that may exceed their safe operating limits. This creates challenges for thermal management and reliability. In this project, system-level thermal analyses are conducted to determine the effect of elevated device temperatures on inverter components. Thermal modeling work is then conducted to evaluate various thermal management strategies that will enable the use of highly efficient WBG devices with automotive power electronic systems.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2015

Spin-crossover molecule based thermoelectric junction

Using ab-initio numerical methods, we explore the spin-dependent transport and thermoelectric properties of a spin-crossover molecule (i.e., iron complex of 2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-(1H-tetrazole-5-yl)pyridine) based nano-junction. We demonstrate a large magnetoresistance, efficient conductance-switching, and spin-filter activity in this molecule-based two-terminal device. The spin-crossover process also modulates the thermoelectric entities. It can efficiently switch the magnitude as well as spin-polarization of the thermocurrent. We find that thermocurrent is changed by ∼4 orders of magnitude upon spin-crossover. Moreover, it also substantially affects the thermopower and consequently, the device shows extremely efficient spin-crossover magnetothermopower generation. Furthermore, by tuning the chemical potential of electrodes into a certain range, a pure spin-thermopower can be achieved for the high-spin state. Finally, the reasonably large values of figure-of-merit in the presence and absence of phonon demonstrate a large heat-to-voltage conversion efficiency of the device. We believe that our study will pave an alternative way of tuning the transport and thermoelectric properties through the spin-crossover process and can have potential applications in generation of spin-dependent current, information storage, and processing.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2026

Combinatorial deposition of Au–Bi alloys via high-rate magnetron sputtering

Gold–bismuth (Au–Bi) alloy films are promising candidate materials for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) hohlraums due to their high laser-to-x-ray conversion efficiency, particularly compared with Au, Ta–Au, and Bi hohlraums. However, the fabrication of uniform and dense Au–Bi alloy films remains a challenge. Here, we use a combination of Monte-Carlo modeling and experiments to demonstrate that the microstructure and properties of Au–Bi alloy films can be greatly improved when direct-current magnetron sputtering with high deposition rates of ⩾5 μm h -1 is used. Resultant films are ~90% of their maximum theoretical densities and have low O content of <1 at.%. Films with Bi content above 40 at. % exhibit high electrical resistivity >100μΩ cm, making them suitable for both magnetized and non-magnetized ICF schemes.

Materials science↗
DOE OSTI2022

Dynamic characterization and performance evaluation of a 10-kW power take-off with mechanical motion rectifier for wave energy conversion

The power take-off (PTO) is a key component for wave energy converters. In this paper, a compact PTO with mechanical motion rectification rated at 10 kW is designed and prototyped, and characterized. A piecewise nonlinear dynamic model is established to describe its unique dynamic property. A linear hydraulic actuator is adopted in lab testing to drive the prototype and the unknown parameters of the dynamic model are identified. Further verification shows that the model can predict the dynamic performance of the PTO well. The test results show that the mechanical motion rectifier-based PTO can achieve overall energy transfer efficiency as high as 65% in regular waves even when the generator is working below the rated electric load and speed. In the irregular wave test, the PTO achieved the overall energy transfer efficiency of 54%, and the peak-to-average ratio acquired during the test is 12.5.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
NASA NTRS1976

UF6 breeder reactor power plants for electric power generation

The reactor concept analyzed is a U-233F6 core surrounded by a molten salt (Li(7)F, BeF2, ThF4) blanket. Nuclear survey calculations were carried out for both spherical and cylindrical geometries. Thermodynamic cycle calculations were performed for a variety of Rankine cycles. A conceptual design is presented along with a system layout for a 1000 MW stationary power plant. Advantages of the gas core breeder reactor (GCBR) are as follows: (1) high efficiency; (2) simplified on-line reprocessing; (3) inherent safety considerations; (4) high breeding ratio; (5) possibility of burning all or most of the long-lived nuclear waste actinides; and (6) possibility of extrapolating the technology to higher temperatures and MHD direct conversion.

Rust, J. H.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Nanocomposite Magnetic Technology for High Frequency MW Scale Power Conversion

The purpose of this project was to demonstrate the use of advanced magnetic materials in a medium voltage DC-DC converter for photovoltaic applications. The lead, alloy development team met project development milestones targeting a low loss material (<20 W/kg at 10kHzT), alloy resistivity (>150μΩcm amorphous phase resistivity), evaluation of the operational lifetime of the material (continuous operation above 155C), and the performance metric (power ratio >100) for a new class of Co-rich alloys with tunable permeability. Material manufacturability was demonstrated in continuously casting over 5 kg batches of 1’’ width, 18μm thickness (less than 80-120% deviation), amorphous ribbon, and processing including field and strain annealing as well as rolling both Fe and Co based alloys to less the 15μm was achieved. Parallel technology to markets efforts found that while a more compact and more efficient converter, which reduces the balance of plant cost, would enjoy a $0.10/W premium over current technology. Due to uncertainty in future energy policy and barriers to market entry the technology to market analyses recommended partnering with an existing manufacturer. The industrial and transportation electric motor market was also identified as one standing to benefit from this material technology and key personnel within this market were identified. With the assistance of Dynapower the converter prototype was tested to 300 VDC (18 kVA) before the resonant capacitors failed. The prototype incorporated several subsystems including the passive and active components at the engineering scale and exposed at least one weak point in the prototype. Independent testing on the core materials predicts that the core would have met the operating specifications, but this component was not tested at nominal power. Based on this prediction and the demonstrated construction of the prototype core, we recommend that the core material is designated TRL 5. The CMU team is currently working with Eaton to identify opportunities further test cores in inductive components.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗