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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 1,171 records · Page 65
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Tailoring the d-band center on Ru 1 Cu single-atom alloy nanotubes for boosting electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose sensing

The development of cost-effective and highly efficient electrocatalysts is critical to help electrochemical non-enzymatic sensors achieve high performance. Here, in this work, a new class of catalyst, Ru single atoms confined on Cu nanotubes as a single-atom alloy (Ru 1 Cu NTs), with a unique electronic structure and property, was developed to construct a novel electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose sensor for the first time. The Ru 1 Cu NTs with a diameter of about 24.0 nm showed a much lower oxidation potential (0.38 V) and 9.0-fold higher response (66.5 μA) current than Cu nanowires (Cu NWs, oxidation potential 0.47 V and current 7.4 μA) for glucose electrocatalysis. Moreover, as an electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose sensor, Ru1Cu NTs not only exhibited twofold higher sensitivity (54.9 μA mM −1 cm −2 ) and wider linear range (0.5–8 mM) than Cu NWs, but also showed a low detection limit (5.0 μM), excellent selectivity, and great stability. According to theoretical calculation results, the outstanding catalytic and sensing performance of Ru 1 Cu NTs could be ascribed to the upshift of the d-band center that helped promote glucose adsorption. This work presents a new avenue for developing highly active catalysts for electrochemical non-enzymatic sensors.

electrochemistry↗
DOE OSTI2023

Fundamentals of bio-electrochemical sensing

The utilization of bio-functionalities such as biorecognition or catalysis derived them their name biosensors. Bio-electrochemical sensing is a new discipline that combines the advantages of biological detection and electrochemical transduction. Bio-electrochemical sensors are devices that use biological materials such as enzymes, antibodies, DNA, or cells as receptors to detect target analytes in a variety of samples. Electrodes convert biological interactions into electrical impulses, which can be studied using various electrochemical techniques. Bio-electrochemical sensors have demonstrated significant promise for use in clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, food safety, and biotechnology. Biosensors have received numerous applications in recent years because they are fast, simple, and inexpensive for practical applications. In this article, we cover the basic principles, design strategies, immobilization and regeneration techniques, along with the advantages and applications of bio-electrochemical sensors. Finally, this article discusses the rationale for developing electrochemical biosensors in the context of the various bio-receptors that can be applied.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Polarization-Controlled Structural Modulation in the Single Atomic Layer at the PbZr 0.2 Ti 0.8 O 3 /LaNiO 3 Interface

Conductivity modulation via ferroelectric polarization coupling with LaNiO 3 (LNO) is demonstrated at an epitaxial ferroelectric–LNO interface. Conductivity measurements, varying the thickness of the LNO channel, show that this phenomenon is confined to a few atomic layers at the interface. Combining in situ biasing and off-axis holography, we mapped out electrostatic potentials at the PbZr 0.2 Ti 0.8 O 3 (PZT)/LNO/SrTiO 3 (STO) heterostructure upon polarization switching. Using aberration-corrected STEM, the interfacial atomic structures were investigated for the two different PZT polarization states. Polarization in PZT induces a significant change in the in-plane O–Ni–O bond angles, with a 37° modulation in the topmost 1 or 2 LNO unit cells, driven by strain in the oxygen sublattice for the two opposite polarization directions in PZT. Both oxygen and cation sublattices exhibit strain responses exceeding 10% upon switching. This atomic-layer structural modulation highlights a mechanism for functional oxide heterostructure development, offering pathways for advancements in nonvolatile memory, sensors, and energy-efficient transistors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Correlative Nanoscale Imaging of Strained hBN Spin Defects

Spin defects like the negatively charged boron vacancy color center (V B - ) in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) may enable new forms of quantum sensing with near-surface defects in layered van der Waals heterostructures. Here, the effect of strain on V B - color centers in hBN is revealed with correlative cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence microscopies. Strong localized enhancement and redshifting of the V B - luminescence is observed at creases, consistent with density functional theory calculations showing V B - migration toward regions with moderate uniaxial compressive strain. The ability to manipulate spin defects with highly localized strain is critical to the development of practical 2D quantum devices and quantum sensors.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Spiers Memorial Lecture : Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy: from single particle/molecule spectroscopy to ångstrom-scale spatial resolution and femtosecond time resolution

Four decades on, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) continues to be a vibrant field of research that is growing (approximately) exponentially in scope and applicability while pushing at the ultimate limits of sensitivity, spatial resolution, and time resolution. This introductory paper discusses some aspects related to all four of the themes for this Faraday Discussion. First, the wavelength-scanned SERS excitation spectroscopy (WS-SERES) of single nanosphere oligomers ( viz. , dimers, trimers, etc. ), the distance dependence of SERS, the magnitude of the chemical enhancement mechanism, and the progress toward developing surface-enhanced femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (SE-FSRS) are discussed. Second, our efforts to develop a continuous, minimally invasive, in vivo glucose sensor based on SERS are highlighted. Third, some aspects of our recent work in single molecule SERS and the translation of that effort to ångstrom-scale spatial resolution in ultrahigh vacuum tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (UHV-TERS) and single molecule electrochemistry using electrochemical (EC)-TERS will be presented. Finally, we provide an overview of analytical SERS with our viewpoints on SERS substrates, approaches to address the analyte generality problem ( i.e. target molecules that do not spontaneously adsorb and/or have Raman cross sections <10 -29 cm 2 sr -1 ), SERS for catalysis, and deep UV-SERS.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2023

Plasma-jet printing of colloidal thermoelectric Bi 2 Te 3 nanoflakes for flexible energy harvesting

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) convert temperature differences into electrical power and are attractive among energy harvesting devices due to their autonomous and silent operation. While thermoelectric materials have undergone substantial improvements in material properties, a reliable and cost-effective fabrication method suitable for microgravity and space applications remains a challenge, particularly as commercial space flight and extended crewed space missions increase in frequency. This paper demonstrates the use of plasma-jet printing (PJP), a gravity-independent, electromagnetic field-assisted printing technology, to deposit colloidal thermoelectric nanoflakes with engineered nanopores onto flexible substrates at room temperature. We observe substantial improvements in material adhesion and flexibility with less than 2% and 11% variation in performance after 10 000 bending cycles over 25 mm and 8 mm radii of curvature, respectively, as compared to previously reported TE films. Our printed films demonstrate electrical conductivity of 2.5 × 10 3 S m -1 and a power factor of 70 μW m -1 K -2 at room temperature. To our knowledge, these are the first reported values of plasma-jet printed thermoelectric nanomaterial films. This advancement in plasma jet printing significantly promotes the development of nanoengineered 2D and layered materials not only for energy harvesting but also for the development of large-scale flexible electronics and sensors for both space and commercial applications.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Radio frequency and DC high voltage breakdown of high pressure helium, argon, and xenon

Motivated by the possibility of guiding daughter ions from double beta decay events to single-ion sensors for barium tagging, the NEXT collaboration is developing a program of R&D to test radio frequency (RF) carpets for ion transport in high pressure xenon gas. This would require carpet functionality in regimes at higher pressures than have been previously reported, implying correspondingly larger electrode voltages than in existing systems. This mode of operation appears plausible for contemporary RF-carpet geometries due to the higher predicted breakdown strength of high pressure xenon relative to low pressure helium, the working medium in most existing RF carpet devices. In this paper we present the first measurements of the high voltage dielectric strength of xenon gas at high pressure and at the relevant RF frequencies for ion transport (in the 10 MHz range), as well as new DC and RF measurements of the dielectric strengths of high pressure argon and helium gases at small gap sizes. We find breakdown voltages that are compatible with stable RF carpet operation given the gas, pressure, voltage, materials and geometry of interest.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2018

Peculiarities of the Properties of III–V Semiconductors in a Multigrain Structure

The systematized results of studies of the properties of InAs, InSb, and GaAs semiconductors in a multigrain structure based on measurement and analysis of the current–voltage and spectral characteristics are presented. It is established that electron emission and injection are determined by the localization effects of states in the bulk and surface region of submicron grains. The phenomena of current limitation and lowfield emission characteristic of quantum dots are revealed and studied. The results can be used in studies and in the development of multigrain structures for gas and optical sensors, detectors, and emitters of infrared and terahertz ranges.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

In Vitro Sugar Interference Testing With Amperometric Glucose Oxidase Sensors

Background: Electrochemical enzymatic glucose sensors are intended to measure blood or interstitial fluid glucose concentrations. One class of these glucose sensors are continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), indicated for tracking and trending of glucose concentrations in interstitial fluid and as an adjunct to blood glucose testing. Currently approved CGMs employ a glucose oxidase (GOx) electrochemical detection scheme. Potential interfering agents can impact the accuracy of results obtained by glucose sensors, including CGMs. Methods: Seven sugars, seven sugar alcohols, and three artificial sweeteners were in vitro screened for interference with amperometric glucose oxidase (GOx) sensors at concentrations greater than physiologic concentrations. Galactose was investigated further at physiologically relevant concentrations using a custom amperometric system. Furthermore, glucose and galactose calibration experiments were conducted to facilitate multiple enzyme kinetic analysis approaches (Michaelis-Menten and Hill equation) to understand the potential source and mechanism of interference from galactose. Results: Under in vitro testing, except for galactose, xylose and mannose, all screened compounds exhibited interference bias, expressed in mean absolute relative difference (MARD), of ⩽ 20% even at concentrations significantly higher than normal physiologic concentrations. Galactose exhibited, CGM-dependent, MARD of 47-72% and was subjected to further testing. The highest recorded mean relative difference (MRD) was 6.9 ± 1.3% when testing physiologically relevant galactose concentrations (0.1-10 mg/dL). Enzyme kinetic analysis provided calculations of maximum reaction rates ([Formula: see text]), apparent Michaelis constants ([Formula: see text]), and Hill equation h parameters for glucose and galactose substrates for the enzymes in the CGMs. Conclusion: Under the conditions of in vitro screening, 14 of the 17 compounds did not exhibit measuarable interference. Galactose exhibited the highest interference during screening, but did not substantially interfere with CGMs under the conditions of in vitro testing at physiologically relevant concentrations. Enzyme kinetic analysis conducted with galactose supported the notion that (1) the reactivity of GOx enzyme toward nonglucose sugars and (2) the presence of enzymatic impurities (such as galactose oxidase) are two potential sources for sugar interference with GOx glucose sensors, and thus, should be considered during device development.

Boehm, Ryan↗
DOE OSTI2017

Corrosion Monitors for Embedded Evaluation

We have developed and characterized novel in-situ corrosion sensors to monitor and quantify the corrosive potential and history of localized environments. Embedded corrosion sensors can provide information to aid health assessments of internal electrical components including connectors, microelectronics, wires, and other susceptible parts. When combined with other data (e.g. temperature and humidity), theory, and computational simulation, the reliability of monitored systems can be predicted with higher fidelity.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2018

Technical Report: R&D on silicon detectors for future collider experiments

One of the goals of our R&D work was to develop radiation-hard and fast (picosecond timing) sensors utilizing Low Gain Avalanche Detectors (LGAD) for future colliders. The TTU group performed numerical simulation studies to characterize the LGAD signals and built two setups to test irradiated LGADs and silicon sensors for the CMS HGCal.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

Technology-Enabled Risk-Informed Maintenance Strategy to Minimize Operation and Maintenance Costs

The domestic fleet of nuclear power plants (NPPs) is facing a unique economic sustainability challenge in today’s energy market due to high total operating costs. One of the major contributors to the total operating cost of an NPP is the operations and maintenance (O&M) budget, which includes labor-intense preventive maintenance (PM) programs. PM programs involve manually performing inspection, calibration, testing, and maintenance of plant assets at periodic frequencies, as well as time-based replacement of assets, irrespective of individual asset condition. This approach, combined with the push to achieve high capacity factors, has resulted in a labor-centric business model. It is time to transition from this labor-centric business model to a technology-centric business model that will enable an optimal maintenance strategy by eliminating unnecessary costs associated with time-based PM activities. To enable this transition, the commercial nuclear industries are utilizing and developing reliable methodologies, based on available state of the art technologies, which facilitate assessing equipment condition and the dynamic risk of failure. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL) under the Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program is partnering with PKMJ Technical Services and Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) Nuclear, LLC to develop and demonstrate a deployable risk-informed predictive maintenance strategy to eliminate unnecessary O&M costs for an identified plant system, laying the foundation for scale-up to the entire plant. Recently developed technologies such as advanced wireless and wired sensors, data analytics, and risk assessment methodologies will support this transition. The technology-centric O&M model will result in significant automation and lay the foundation for real-time condition assessment of plant assets, thus enabling condition-based maintenance and enhancing plant safety, reliability, and economics of operation.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Retro-Commissioning Sensor Suitcase for Energy Efficiency (CRADA Final Report)

The Sensor Suitcase project aimed to enable cost-effective, data-driven retro-commissioning (RCx) in small commercial buildings through a self-installable toolkit consisting of portable sensors and diagnostic software. Results showed that the Sensor Suitcase could identify common operational faults leading to 5–15% energy savings opportunities, with automated reports requiring minimal user interpretation. The project adhered closely to its Statement of Work (SOW) but evolved the reporting interface and sensor logging duration based on field feedback. The development and validation of diagnostics are documented in PNNL technical reports and internal analysis summaries.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2025

Abstract for CRADA between NETL and Hope Gas, Inc.

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and Hope Gas (PARTICIPANT) will collaborate in field demonstrations of NETL-developed methane quantification and mitigation technologies, including pipeline sensors and pipeline protection materials to mitigate methane emissions. Hope Gas will also provide access to gathering pipelines and other facilities for an NETL team to perform methane emission field survey.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2025

UNCERTAINTY-AWARE DEEP LEARNING FRAMEWORK FOR FORECASTING COASTAL WATER LEVEL IN VIRGINIA BEACH

Coastal areas like Virginia Beach, USA, are increasingly vulnerable to flooding. To mitigate the impact of flooding, it is crucial for the City of Virginia Beach to have reliable 72-hour-ahead (3 days) forecasts of water levels at key gauge locations. To support this effort, several sensors have been installed throughout the city to monitor water levels and other environmental parameters such as wind speed, precipitation, and atmospheric pressure. Leveraging sensor data from one of these locations, we developed an uncertainty-aware deep learning model to forecast water levels. We employed deep quantile regression (DQR) to quantify variability in the predictions and examined the performance of three different model architectures. In addition to exclusively including historical data, we investigated the improvement wind forecasts provide to the accuracy of 72-hour-ahead water level predictions. The results show a twelvefold improvement in the flood forecast for a real flooding event.

Hasan, Mahmud [Thomas Jefferson National Accelerat↗
DOE OSTI2026

Identification and mitigation of memory block timing issue in ITk ABCStar during ASIC production

The ABCStar is a mixed-signal front-end readout ASIC for the strips sensor portion of the ATLAS ITk detector being developed as part of the High-Luminosity LHC upgrade. In pre-production testing, a subtle design flaw was uncovered in the ABCStar that was reducing wafer yields in some manufactured lots from the expected 90% to as low as 2%. The root cause was determined to be a timing issue in the logic synthesized to control previously silicon proven memory blocks re-used for this ASIC. The solutions proposed included manufacturing process changes by the wafer foundry, changes to the operating parameters for the ABCStar in the detector, and the possibility that a redesign might be required. The two mitigation efforts were undertaken in parallel, with the process modification route a less desirable solution since already manufactured wafers would need to be scrapped in favour of the new ones. Based on a knowledge of the existing process, and testing done on the worst performing wafers, it was proposed that raising the core operating voltage of the ABCStar from 1.20V to 1.25V could address the timing issue by sufficiently speeding up its transistors. An extensive testing program that included the effects of temperature and radiation expected over the lifetime of the ITk detector was conducted to validate that approach. Those tests and studies proved that even the worst performing wafers would have yields over 80% with the 1.25V core voltage, and neither the modified process nor redesign would be required for ensuring reliable operation of the ITk. Based on testing, a further timing mitigation was implemented to provide an additional margin of reliability by increasing the duty cycle of the clock to the ABCStar. Testing of all ABCStar wafers has been completed and the production of the detector modules using these ASICs is now well underway as a result of the efforts detailed herein.

FOS: Physical sciences↗
DOE OSTI2024

Deriving cloud droplet number concentration from surface-based remote sensors with an emphasis on lidar measurements

Abstract. Given the importance of constraining cloud droplet number concentrations (Nd) in low-level clouds, we explore two methods for retrieving Nd from surface-based remote sensing that emphasize the information content in lidar measurements. Because Nd is the zeroth moment of the droplet size distribution (DSD), and all remote sensing approaches respond to DSD moments that are at least 2 orders of magnitude greater than the zeroth moment, deriving Nd from remote sensing measurements has significant uncertainty. At minimum, such algorithms require the extrapolation of information from two other measurements that respond to different moments of the DSD. Lidar, for instance, is sensitive to the second moment (cross-sectional area) of the DSD, while other measures from microwave sensors respond to higher-order moments. We develop methods using a simple lidar forward model that demonstrates that the depth to the maximum in lidar-attenuated backscatter (Rmax⁡) is strongly sensitive to Nd when some measure of the liquid water content vertical profile is given or assumed. Knowledge of Rmax⁡ to within 5 m can constrain Nd to within several tens of percent. However, operational lidar networks provide vertical resolutions of > 15 m, making a direct calculation of Nd from Rmax⁡ very uncertain. Therefore, we develop a Bayesian optimal estimation algorithm that brings additional information to the inversion such as lidar-derived extinction and radar reflectivity near the cloud top. This statistical approach provides reasonable characterizations of Nd and effective radius (re) to within approximately a factor of 2 and 30 %, respectively. By comparing surface-derived cloud properties with MODIS satellite and aircraft data collected during the MARCUS and CAPRICORN II campaigns, we demonstrate the utility of the methodology.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Filter Sensing Technologies

Leaders from Filter Sensing Technologies, CTS Corporation, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory discuss how a small business developed an award-winning diesel emissions control sensor with support from the DOE Vehicle Technologies Office and researchers at ORNL’s National Transportation Research Center.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗