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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 1,225 records · Page 68
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Small-scale production of bespoke accelerated aging plutonium alloy

Here, this study demonstrates the 100 g scale manufacture of a plutonium alloy that ages at an accelerated rate. The resulting alloy ages six times faster than typical weapons-grade plutonium due to the addition of 238 Pu. As a major innovation, the process involved using a partial direct oxide reduction technique. This method was achieved by developing a new, complex geometry stirrer using additive manufacturing to reduce the 238Pu oxide and efficiently incorporate it into weapons-grade plutonium metal. The material was then purified by molten salt extraction and electrorefining before being alloyed with gallium. The alloy was then cold-rolled and annealed in a homogenization heat treatment. The resulting disk was characterized by metallography and differential scanning calorimetry, and the impurity content was determined using analytical chemistry techniques. The results show that a homogeneous delta phase plutonium alloy was achieved with expected microstructure and minimal impurities. This study was also successful in changing the plutonium isotopic composition by incorporating additional 238 Pu to accelerate the effects of radiation damage. This enables researchers to study long-term aging phenomena in a reduced time frame, thus avoiding the need for large-scale material production and circumventing the limitations of using naturally aged, archived plutonium.

Aging theory↗
DOE OSTI2014

A Novel Absorption Cycle for Combined Water Heating, Dehumidification, and Evaporative Cooling

In this study, development of a novel system for combined water heating, dehumidification, and space evaporative cooling is discussed. Ambient water vapor is used as a working fluid in an open system. First, water vapor is absorbed from an air stream into an absorbent solution. The latent heat of absorption is transferred into the process water that cools the absorber. The solution is then regenerated in the desorber, where it is heated by a heating fluid. The water vapor generated in the desorber is condensed and its heat of phase change is transferred to the process water in the condenser. The condensed water can then be used in an evaporative cooling process to cool the dehumidified air exiting the absorber, or it can be drained if primarily dehumidification is desired. Essentially, this open absorption cycle collects space heat and transfers it to process water. This technology is enabled by a membrane-based absorption/desorption process in which the absorbent is constrained by hydrophobic vapor-permeable membranes. Constraining the absorbent film has enabled fabrication of the absorber and desorber in a plate-and-frame configuration. An air stream can flow against the membrane at high speed without entraining the absorbent, which is a challenge in conventional dehumidifiers. Furthermore, the absorption and desorption rates of an absorbent constrained by a membrane are greatly enhanced. Isfahani and Moghaddam (Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 2013) demonstrated absorption rates of up to 0.008 kg/m2s in a membrane-based absorber and Isfahani et al. (Int. J. Multiphase Flow, 2013) have reported a desorption rate of 0.01 kg/m2s in a membrane-based desorber. The membrane-based architecture also enables economical small-scale systems, novel cycle configurations, and high efficiencies. The absorber, solution heat exchanger, and desorber are fabricated on a single metal sheet. In addition to the open arrangement and membrane-based architecture, another novel feature of the cycle is recovery of the solution heat energy exiting the desorber by process water (a process-solution heat exchanger ) rather than the absorber exiting solution (the conventional solution heat exchanger ). This approach has enabled heating the process water from an inlet temperature of 15 C to 57 C (conforming to the DOE water heater test standard) and interfacing the process water with absorbent on the opposite side of a single metal sheet encompassing the absorber, process-solution heat exchanger, and desorber. The system under development has a 3.2 kW water heating capacity and a target thermal coefficient of performance (COP) of 1.6.

Absorption Heat Pump↗
NASA NTRS1991

Oxygen extraction from lunar soil by fluorination

Mining and processing of lunar material could possibly lead to more cost-efficient scenarios for permanent presence of man in space and on the Moon. Production of oxygen for use as propellant seems especially important. Different candidate processes for oxygen-extraction from lunar soil were proposed, of which the reduction of ilmenite by hydrogen was studied most. This process, however, needs the concentration of ilmenite from lunar regolith to a large extent and releases oxygen only with low efficiency. Another possibility - the fluorination method - which works with lunar bulk material as feedstock is discussed. Liberation of oxygen from silicate or oxide materials by fluorination methods has been applied in geoscience since the early sixties. The fact that even at moderate temperatures 98 to 100 percent yields can be attained, suggests that fluorination of lunar regolith could be an effective way of propellant production. Lunar soil contains about 50 percent oxygen by weight which is gained nearly completely through this process as O2 gas. The second-most element Si is liberated as gaseous SiF4. It could be used for production of Si-metal and fluorine-recycling. All other main elements of lunar soil will be converted into solid fluorides which also can be used for metal-production and fluorine-recycling. Preliminary results of small scale experiments with different materials are discussed, giving information on specific oxygen-yields and amounts of by-products as functions of temperature. These experiments were performed with an already existing fluorine extraction and collection device at the University of Bonn, normally used for determination of oxygen-isotopic abundances. Optimum conditions, especially concerning energy consumption, are investigated. Extrapolation of the experimental results to large industrial-type plants on the Moon is tried and seems to be promising at first sight. The recycling of the fluorine is, however, crucial for the process. It might be achieved by means of electrolysis. This needs further investigation. The technical problem of transport and handling of the toxic and corrosive fluorine seems to be solvable and could be done by inert storage vessels.

Seboldt, W.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Probing Complexity using the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) and the Advanced Light Source (ALS)

The goal of our research program is to investigate fundamental interactions between photons and molecular/nano-systems to advance our quantitative understanding of electron correlations, charge transfer and many body phenomena. Our research projects focus on probing, on a femtosecond time-scale, multi-electron interactions and tracing nuclear motion in order to understand, and ultimately control energy flow and charge transfer processes from electromagnetic radiation to matter. The experiments will be carried out with state of the art instrumentation built by the P.I. team with funds from a DoE "Single Investigator and Small Group Research" (SISGR) grant. The research projects carried out the past three years consisted of first experiments using the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) x-ray free electron laser (FEL) facility at the SLAC National Laboratory, as well as the study of correlated processes in select anions using the Advanced Light Source (ALS). A report for the past cycle is described in section II. These studies have paved the way for our renewal application for the next three years. Our research interests for the next three years extend our past and present research by carrying out time-resolved measurements described in section III. They will consist of: a) The study of molecular dynamics that happen on ultrafast time scales, using pump-probe schemes and the study of non-linear physics in the x-ray regime via multi-photon absorption from the LCLS. This will be achieved by measuring and examining both electronic and nuclear dynamics subsequent to the interaction of molecules and nano-systems with LCLS pulses of various wavelength, intensity and pulse duration as described in section III.A. b) The study of molecular dynamics and correlated processes via absorption of vuv-soft x-rays from the Advanced Light Source (ALS) at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory to provide single-photon ionization baseline results for LCLS studies. In addition, we will study the photodetachment of anions using the ALS as described in section III. B. The PI has an ALS approved program (AP) thus has guaranteed beamtime. Our research underpins several aspects of the DOE mission since our investigations of the formation and evolution of energized states in molecules and nanostructures provides a fundamental basis for understanding elementary processes in solar energy conversion and radiation-induced chemistry. Most of our work is carried out in a strong partnership with theorists. Our proposed work falls in the class of research reported to be timely and necessary by the 2013 DoE Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC) Subcommittee report on Future X-ray Light Sources. Specifically, our proposed experiments fall in the category labeled class II, “Spectroscopy and Dynamics with FELs”.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ion-Exchange Membrane-Centric Durability Testing and Degradation Characterization for Industry-Relevant CO 2 Reduction

Electrochemical CO 2 reduction is a promising conversion process for producing value-added fuels and chemicals from electricity and CO 2 as a sustainable carbon feedstock to domestically produce fuels and chemicals from industrial waste. Having reached industrially viable performance metrics with small-scale CO 2 electrolysis cells, the field must now increasingly focus on extending the device durability of large stacks to achieve equivalent metrics for 35,000+ hours to decrease maintenance and capital costs. Reported device lifetimes have increased in recent years, with the longest stability studies for CO, ethylene, and formic acid production being published in 2024–2025 with operation times of 4500, 1000, and 5200 h, respectively. Unfortunately, significant extension of the device durability is still required. Here, we provide an overview of ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) and provide insight into the variety of degradation mechanisms that must be overcome to enable the community to meet durability targets. In an effort to accelerate the extension of device lifetimes, we propose a general approach for characterizing CO 2 electrolysis cell degradation before and after durability testing to better elucidate the mechanisms and failure modes of IEMs in zero-gap cells. Furthermore, we encourage the adoption of operando characterizations in tandem with accelerated stress and durability tests, postulating that their combined applications will be increasingly valuable. We hope that this perspective motivates future durability studies to evaluate degradation across the entire electrolysis cell.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2020

SiO 2 Is Wasted Space in Single-Nanometer-Scale Silicon Nanoparticle-Based Composite Anodes for Li-Ion Electrochemical Energy Storage

The electrode processing conditions of silicon-based composite anodes play a pivotal role in the resulting interfacial chemical speciation and, thus, the electrochemical cycling behavior of the electrode. Systematically investigating how small chemical changes to the surface of the silicon nanoparticle (NP) affect larger, electrode-level properties is a strategy that will inform design principles to maximize electrode energy density and extend electrode lifetime. Here, we incorporate silicon nanoparticles (NPs) with an average diameter of 5.5 nm synthesized from the gas phase through a nonthermal plasma method into composite anode half-cell coin cells. We perform chemistry to functionalize the native hydride-terminated silicon NP surface with N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) to improve slurry properties and reduce the silicon reactivity prior to composite electrode fabrication. We construct composite electrodes from these silicon NPs and observe an 86% capacity retention over 100 cycles at a rate of C/5, with an initial silicon specific capacity of 2600 mAh/g. We expose the same Si NPs to water that completely oxidizes these small-diameter NPs to SiO 2 and find that the SiO 2 NPs in the same electrode configuration exhibit no obvious lithium alloying capacity in the electrochemical potential range of lithium silicide alloy formation. As this result stands in contrast to existing literature, we provide a discussion on the origin of the discrepancies.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Molecular Additive Engineering for Process-Humidity Robustness and Reproducible Fabrication of Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules

The commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) faces significant challenges due to their sensitivity to environmental humidity, which compromises film crystallization and device stability. Here, we introduce diphenylvinylphosphine (DPVP) as a Lewis base additive that enhances the performance and reproducibility of PSCs fabricated under ambient-air conditions. DPVP suppresses moisture-induced defect formation and stabilizes crystallization within realistic process-humidity ranges (20–40% relative humidity) commonly encountered in laboratory and pilot-scale manufacturing environments. It improves film uniformity, reduces trap densities, and yields highly reproducible device performance, enabling champion PCEs of 24.2% in small-area devices and 20.5% in blade-coated 12 cm 2 mini-modules. Furthermore, DPVP-assisted modules exhibit enhanced stability, retaining over 85% of their initial efficiency after 900 h of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) at 65 °C. This study demonstrates a humidity-resilient and scalable additive strategy for ambient-air perovskite photovoltaic manufacturing.

defect passivation↗
DOE OSTI2025

How Does the Rate of Chain Exchange Relate to Stress Relaxation in Triblock Copolymer Networks?

The relationship between macroscopic stress relaxation and molecular-level chain exchange in triblock copolymer micelles has been explored using rheology and time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering (TR-SANS), marking the first measurements of chain exchange in concentrated triblock networks. It has long been assumed in models of transient or thermoreversible networks that the time scales for these two processes are equal. Experimentally, we find that stress relaxation occurs many orders-of-magnitude faster than chain exchange. This difference is quantitatively explained by modest dispersity in the core block that results in a slight asymmetry within any given nominally symmetric triblock. For stress relaxation to occur, only the shorter chain must pull out, while chain exchange is slowed due to the requirement of the eventual pullout of the longer block. The pullout time is extremely sensitive to the length of the core block. This mechanism is supported by measurements with an intentionally asymmetric triblock copolymer, which displays an even larger difference between the stress relaxation and chain exchange rates. These results establish a quantitative molecular-level picture of the chain dynamics associated with stress relaxation in triblock copolymer networks.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Sol–gel based synthesis and enhanced processability of MAX phase Cr 2 GaC

MAX phases are typically prepared by high-temperature (oftentimes high-pressure) solid-state methods. In this paper, we report a new wet chemistry based synthesis technique starting from an aqueous solution of metal nitrates and citric acid to prepare MAX phase Cr 2 GaC. This solution-processable precursor mixture has the potential to be easily scaled, painted, printed or fabricated onto supports – an advantage that is demonstrated by the formation of hollow carbon microspheres which are decorated with Cr 2 GaC particles. A small amount of chromium carbide and oxide remains in the product, however, the amount of the latter can be reduced by a larger excess in citric acid in the precursor gel. The transformation mechanism of the initial amorphous gel into highly crystalline and anisotropic MAX phase particles is investigated by detailed thermal analysis. Transmission electron microscopy studies are conducted to elucidate the microstructure of the sol–gel-prepared particles as well as the decorated hollow microspheres. From magnetic susceptibility measurements, the density of states at the Fermi level is deduced reflecting the quality of the Pauli paramagnet Cr 2 GaC.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Filtering, averaging, and scale dependency in homogeneous variable density turbulence

We investigate relationships between statistics obtained from filtering and from ensemble or Reynolds-averaging turbulence flow fields as a function of length scale. Generalized central moments in the filtering approach are expressed as inner products of generalized fluctuating quantities, q ' ( ξ , x ) = q ( ξ ) - q ¯ ( x ) , representing fluctuations of a field q ( ξ ) , at any point ξ, with respect to its filtered value at x. For positive-definite filter kernels, these expressions provide a scale-resolving framework, with statistics and realizability conditions at any length scale. In the small-scale limit, scale-resolving statistics become zero. In the large-scale limit, scale-resolving statistics and realizability conditions are the same as in the Reynolds-averaged description. Using direct numerical simulations (DNS) of homogeneous variable density turbulence, we diagnose Reynolds stresses, T i j , resolved kinetic energy, kr, turbulent mass-flux velocity, a i , and density-specific volume covariance, b, defined in the scale-resolving framework. These variables, and terms in their governing equations, vary smoothly between zero and their Reynolds-averaged definitions at the small and large scale limits, respectively. At intermediate scales, the governing equations exhibit interactions between terms that are not active in the Reynolds-averaged limit. For example, in the Reynolds-averaged limit, b follows a decaying process driven by a destruction term; at intermediate length scales, it is a balance between production, redistribution, destruction, and transport, where b grows as the density spectrum develops and then decays when mixing becomes strong enough. This work supports the notion of a generalized, length-scale adaptive model that converges to DNS at high resolutions and to Reynolds-averaged statistics at coarse resolutions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2012

THE ROLE OF FAST MAGNETOSONIC WAVES IN THE RELEASE AND CONVERSION VIA RECONNECTION OF ENERGY STORED BY A CURRENT SHEET

Using a simple two-dimensional, zero-{beta} model, we explore the manner by which reconnection at a current sheet releases and dissipates free magnetic energy. We find that only a small fraction (3%-11% depending on current-sheet size) of the energy is stored close enough to the current sheet to be dissipated abruptly by the reconnection process. The remaining energy, stored in the larger-scale field, is converted to kinetic energy in a fast magnetosonic disturbance propagating away from the reconnection site, carrying the initial current and generating reconnection-associated flows (inflow and outflow). Some of this reflects from the lower boundary (the photosphere) and refracts back to the X-point reconnection site. Most of this inward wave energy is reflected back again and continues to bounce between X-point and photosphere until it is gradually dissipated, over many transits. This phase of the energy dissipation process is thus global and lasts far longer than the initial purely local phase. In the process, a significant fraction of the energy (25%-60%) remains as undissipated fast magnetosonic waves propagating away from the reconnection site, primarily upward. This flare-generated wave is initiated by unbalanced Lorentz forces in the reconnection-disrupted current sheet, rather than by dissipation-generated pressure, as some previous models have assumed. Depending on the orientation of the initial current sheet, the wave front is either a rarefaction, with backward-directed flow, or a compression, with forward-directed flow.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

SLoG: Large-Scale Logging Middleware for HPC and Big Data Convergence

Cloud developers traditionally rely on purpose-specific services to provide the storage model they need for an application. In contrast, HPC developers have a much more limited choice, typically restricted to a centralized parallel file system for persistent storage. Unfortunately, these systems often offer low performance when subject to highly concurrent, conflicting I/O patterns. This makes difficult the implementation of inherently concurrent data structures such as distributed shared logs. Yet, this data structure is key to applications such as computational steering, data collection from physical sensor grids, or discrete event generators. In this paper we tackle this issue. We present SLoG, shared log middleware providing a shared log abstraction over a parallel file system, designed to circumvent the aforementioned limitations. We evaluate SLoG’s design on up to 100,000 cores of the Theta supercomputer: the results show high append velocity at scale while also providing substantial benefits for other persistent backend storage systems.

big data↗
DOE OSTI2015

Anomaly Detection In Additively Manufactured Parts Using Laser Doppler Vibrometery

Additively manufactured parts are susceptible to non-uniform structure caused by the unique manufacturing process. This can lead to structural weakness or catastrophic failure. Using laser Doppler vibrometry and frequency response analysis, non-contact detection of anomalies in additively manufactured parts may be possible. Preliminary tests show promise for small scale detection, but more future work is necessary.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Efficiently resolving the terrestrial-aquatic interface in E3SM with sub-grid methods to improve coastal simulations (Final Technical Report)

The broad goal of this project was to extend the capabilities of MPAS‐Ocean, the ocean component of DOE’s Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM), to better resolve the hydrodynamics of the terrestrial‐aquatic interface without significantly increasing computing resource requirements. Specifically, our goal was to better resolve the small-scale features across the terrestrial‐aquatic interface which includes the low lying coastal floodplain and a dendritic network of hydraulically efficient channels connected to estuarine systems and back bays, barrier islands and high energy inlets. The processes driving flow across the terrestrial‐aquatic interface include upland and floodplain hydrology, tides, wind and atmospheric pressure (including coastally generated storm surge across continental shelves and within estuaries and bays), wind waves and water temperature and salinity gradients.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1991

Fabrication and performance analysis of 4-sq cm indium tin oxide/InP photovoltaic solar cells

Large-area photovoltaic solar cells based on direct current magnetron sputter deposition of indium tin oxide (ITO) into single-crystal p-InP substrates demonstrated both the radiation hardness and high performance necessary for extraterrestrial applications. A small-scale production project was initiated in which approximately 50 ITO/InP cells are being produced. The procedures used in this small-scale production of 4-sq cm ITO/InP cells are presented and discussed. The discussion includes analyses of performance range of all available production cells, and device performance data of the best cells thus far produced. Additionally, processing experience gained from the production of these cells is discussed, indicating other issues that may be encountered when large-scale productions are begun.

Gessert, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Flight Weight Design Nickel-Hydrogen Cells Using Lightweight Nickel Fiber Electrodes

The goal of this program is to develop a lightweight nickel electrode for advanced aerospace nickel-hydrogen cells and batteries with improved specific energy and specific volume. The lightweight nickel electrode will improve the specific energy of a nickel-hydrogen cell by >50%. These near-term advanced batteries will reduce power system mass and volume, while decreasing the cost, thus increasing mission capabilities and enabling small spacecraft missions. This development also offers a cost savings over the traditional sinter development methods for fabrication. The technology has been transferred to Eagle-Picher, a major aerospace battery manufacturer, who has scaled up the process developed at NASA GRC and fabricated electrodes for incorporation into flight-weight nickel-hydrogen cells.

Britton, Doris L.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Simulation of Boundary-Layer Cumulus and Stratocumulus Clouds using a Cloud-Resolving Model With Low- and Third-Order Turbulence Closures

The effects of subgrid-scale condensation and transport become more important as the grid spacings increase from those typically used in large-eddy simulation (LES) to those typically used in cloud-resolving models (CRMs). Incorporation of these effects can be achieved by a joint probability density function approach that utilizes higher-order moments of thermodynamic and dynamic variables. This study examines how well shallow cumulus and stratocumulus clouds are simulated by two versions of a CRM that is implemented with low-order and third-order turbulence closures (LOC and TOC) when a typical CRM horizontal resolution is used and what roles the subgrid-scale and resolved-scale processes play as the horizontal grid spacing of the CRM becomes finer. Cumulus clouds were mostly produced through subgrid-scale transport processes while stratocumulus clouds were produced through both subgrid-scale and resolved-scale processes in the TOC version of the CRM when a typical CRM grid spacing is used. The LOC version of the CRM relied upon resolved-scale circulations to produce both cumulus and stratocumulus clouds, due to small subgrid-scale transports. The mean profiles of thermodynamic variables, cloud fraction and liquid water content exhibit significant differences between the two versions of the CRM, with the TOC results agreeing better with the LES than the LOC results. The characteristics, temporal evolution and mean profiles of shallow cumulus and stratocumulus clouds are weakly dependent upon the horizontal grid spacing used in the TOC CRM. However, the ratio of the subgrid-scale to resolved-scale fluxes becomes smaller as the horizontal grid spacing decreases. The subcloud-layer fluxes are mostly due to the resolved scales when a grid spacing less than or equal to 1 km is used. The overall results of the TOC simulations suggest that a 1-km grid spacing is a good choice for CRM simulation of shallow cumulus and stratocumulus.

Xu, Kuan-Man↗
DOE OSTI2011

A High Resolution Hydrodynamic Model of Puget Sound to Support Nearshore Restoration Feasibility Analysis and Design

Estuarine and coastal hydrodynamic processes are sometimes neglected in the design and planning of nearshore restoration actions. Despite best intentions, efforts to restore nearshore habitats can result in poor outcomes if circulation and transport which also affect freshwater-saltwater interactions are not properly addressed. Limitations due to current land use can lead to selection of sub-optimal restoration alternatives that may result in undesirable consequences, such as flooding, deterioration of water quality, and erosion, requiring immediate remedies and costly repairs. Uncertainty with achieving restoration goals, such as recovery of tidal exchange, supply of sediment and nutrients, and establishment of fish migration pathways, may be minimized by using numerical models designed for application to the nearshore environment. A high resolution circulation and transport model of the Puget Sound, in the state of Washington, was developed to assist with nearshore habitat restoration design and analysis, and to answer the question “can we achieve beneficial restoration outcomes at small local scale, as well as at a large estuary-wide scale?” The Puget Sound model is based on an unstructured grid framework to define the complex Puget Sound shoreline using a finite volume coastal ocean model (FVCOM). The capability of the model for simulating the important nearshore processes, such as circulation in complex multiple tidal channels, wetting and drying of tide flats, and water quality and sediment transport as part of restoration feasibility, are illustrated through examples of restoration projects in Puget Sound.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗