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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 127 records · Page 7

High performance interconnection between high data rate networks

The bridge/gateway system needed to interconnect a wide range of computer networks to support a wide range of user quality-of-service requirements is discussed. The bridge/gateway must handle a wide range of message types including synchronous and asynchronous traffic, large, bursty messages, short, self-contained messages, time critical messages, etc. It is shown that messages can be classified into three basic classes, synchronous and large and small asynchronous messages. The first two require call setup so that packet identification, buffer handling, etc. can be supported in the bridge/gateway. Identification enables resequences in packet size. The third class is for messages which do not require call setup. Resequencing hardware based to handle two types of resequencing problems is presented. The first is for a virtual parallel circuit which can scramble channel bytes. The second system is effective in handling both synchronous and asynchronous traffic between networks with highly differing packet sizes and data rates. The two other major needs for the bridge/gateway are congestion and error control. A dynamic, lossless congestion control scheme which can easily support effective error correction is presented. Results indicate that the congestion control scheme provides close to optimal capacity under congested conditions. Under conditions where error may develop due to intervening networks which are not lossless, intermediate error recovery and correction takes 1/3 less time than equivalent end-to-end error correction under similar conditions.

Foudriat, E. C.↗

Constructing Highly Porous Thermoelectric Monoliths with High-Performance and Improved Portability from Solution-Synthesized Shape-Controlled Nanocrystals

Thermoelectricity offers a viable and reliable solution to convert waste heat into electricity. To enhance the performance and portability of thermoelectric materials, the crystal grain and pore structure should be simultaneously manipulated to achieve high electrical conductivity (σ), low thermal conductivity (κ), high figure of merit (zT), and low relative density. However, they cannot be synchronously realized using nanocrystals with uncontrolled domain size and shape as building blocks. Here, we employ solution-synthesized PbS nanocrystals with large grain size, controllable shape and tunable spatial packing to realize the aforementioned structural tuning. In this work, the as-sintered highly porous and well crystalline monolith exhibits high σ, low κ, high zT (1.06 at 838 K) and low relative density (82%). The phonon transport is studied by density functional theory highlighting the crucial role of phonon–pore scattering in reducing κ to enhance zT. Our strategy may benefit thermoelectrics and shed light on other technical fields such as catalysis, gas sensing, photovoltaics, and so forth.

nanocrystal↗

From natural material to high-performance silicon based anode: Towards cost-efficient silicon based electrodes in high-performance Li-ion batteries

As one of the highest specific capacity anode materials in lithium-ion batteries, the main technical issue for silicon (Si) based electrodes is the rapid capacity fading caused by the huge volume changes. Porous Si materials are reported to efficiently alleviate the side effects of volume fluctuation. However, the expensive precursor and complicated production process in previous reports limited their practical applications. Herein, we report a cost-efficient approach on the fabrication of porous Si via the low temperature aluminothermic reduction of low cost natural raw materials, combining the advantages of low temperature and natural materials. The porous structure of attapulgite-derived Si (Si ATP ) is well retained during the compositing process. The obtained composite electrode Si ATP /graphite@carbon (Si ATP /G@C) exhibits excellent electrochemical performance, with a reversible discharge capacity of 799 mAh g -1 after 100 cycles. To demonstrate the versatility of the approach, another natural ore, mica (MIC), was also utilized to the fabrication of porous Si (SiMIC). As expected, the SiMIC/graphite@carbon composite electrode also exhibits high specific capacity (697 mAh g -1 after 100 cycles), superior capacity retention (81% after 100 cycles based the 4th cycle), and outstanding rate capability.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Portable SHMEMCache: A High-Performance Key-Value Store on OpenSHMEM and MPI

The integration of Big Data frameworks and HPC capabilities has drawn enormous interests in recent years. SHMEMCache is a distributed key-value store built on the OpenSHMEM global address space. It has solved several practical issues in leveraging OpenSHMEM’s one-sided operations for a distributed key-value store and providing efficient key-value operations on both commodity machines and supercomputers. However, being based solely on OpenSHMEM, SHMEMCache cannot leverage one-sided operations from a variety of software packages. This results in several limitations for SHMEMCache. First, we cannot make SHMEMCache available to a wider range of platforms. Second, an opportunity for potential performance improvement is missed. Third, there is a lack of deep understanding about how different one-sided operations can fit in with SHMEMCache and other distributed key-values in general. For example, the one-sided operations in OpenSHMEM and MPI have many differences in their interfaces, memory semantics and synchronization methods, all of which can have distinct implications and also increase the complexity in supporting both OpenSHMEM and MPI for SHMEMCache. Therefore, we have taken on an effort on leveraging different one-sided operations for SHMEMCache and proposed a design of portable SHMEMCache. Based on this new framework, we have supported both OpenSHMEM and MPI for SHMEMCache. We have also conducted an extensive set of experiments to compare the performance of the two versions on both commodity machines and the Titan supercomputer.

Computer Science↗

A Tunable 3D Nanostructured Conductive Gel Framework Electrode for High-Performance Lithium Ion Batteries

This study develops a tunable 3D nanostructured conductive gel framework as both binder and conductive framework for lithium ion batteries. A 3D nanostructured gel framework with continuous electron pathways can provide hierarchical pores for ion transport and form uniform coatings on each active particle against aggregation. The hybrid gel electrodes based on a polypyrrole gel framework and Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a model system in this study demonstrate the best rate performance, the highest achieved mass ratio of active materials, and the highest achieved specific capacities when considering total mass, compared to current literature. This 3D nanostructured gelbased framework represents a powerful platform for various electrochemically active materials to enable the next-generation high-energy batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Facile electrostatic self-assembly of silicon/reduced graphene oxide porous composite by silica assist as high performance anode for Li-ion battery

Silicon(Si)/graphene composite has been regarded as one of the most promising candidates for next generation anode materials with high power and energy density in lithium ion batteries. Introduction of graphene in Si anodes could improve the electronic conductivity, suppress the severe volume expansion of Si, and facilitate the formation of stable solid electrolyte interphase, etc. However, traditionally mechanical mixing of Si and graphene cannot realize uniform distribution of Si particles on the graphene sheets, which would largely weaken the effectiveness of the graphene in the composite. In this work, nano-Si/reduced graphene oxide porous composite (p Si/rGO) has been fabricated by a facile electrostatic self-assembly approach via using SiO2 as the sacrificial template. Compared with the simply mechanically mixed nano-Si and rGO (Si/rGO), the nano-Si particles could be more uniformly dispersed among the rGO sheets in the p Si/rGO, which significantly increases its electronic conductivity. Moreover, the drastic volume expansion of nano-Si during repeated lithiation/delithiation cycles also has been effectively accommodated by the large number of pores left after removing the SiO2 template in the composite. Thus, the p Si/rGO presented largely enhanced electrochemical performances, showing a high reversible capacity up to 1849?mA?h?g-1 at 0.2?A?g-1 with good capacity retention, and high rate capability (535?mA?h?g-1 at 2?A?g-1).

Silicon, Reduced graphene oxide, Electrostatic sel↗

Structured Innovation of High-Performance Wave Energy Converter Technology: Preprint

Wave energy converter (WEC) technology development has not yet delivered the desired commercial maturity nor, and more importantly, the techno-economic performance. The reasons for this have been recognized and fundamental requirements for successful WEC technology development have been identified. This paper describes a multi-year project pursued in collaboration by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories to innovate and develop new WEC technology. It specifies the project strategy, shows how this differs from the state-of-the-art approach and presents some early project results. Based on the specification of fundamental functional requirements of WEC technology, structured innovation and systemic problem solving methodologies are applied to invent and identify new WEC technology concepts. Using Technology Performance Levels (TPL) as an assessment metric of the techno-economic performance potential, high performance technology concepts are identified and selected for further development. System performance is numerically modelled and optimized and key performance aspects are empirically validated. The project deliverables are WEC technology specifications of high techno-economic performance technologies of TPL 7 or higher at TRL 3 with some key technology challenges investigated at higher TRL. These wave energy converter technology specifications will be made available to industry for further, full development and commercialisation (TRL 4 - TRL 9).

17 WIND ENERGY↗

High-Performance Pyrochlore-Type Yttrium Ruthenate Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Acidic Media

Development of acid-stable electrocatalysts with low overpotential for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a major challenge for the production of hydrogen directly from water. We report in this paper a pyrochlore yttrium ruthenate (Y2Ru2O7-δ) electrocatalyst that has significantly enhanced performance towards OER in acid media over the best-known catalysts, with an onset overpotential of 190 mV and high stability in 0.1-M perchloric acid solution. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) indicates Y2Ru2O7-δ electrocatalyst had a low valence state that favors the high OER activity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation shows this pyrochlore has lower band center energy for the overlap between Ru 4d and O 2p orbitals and therefore more stable Ru-O bond than RuO2, highlighting the effect of yttrium on the enhancement in stability. The Y2Ru2O7-δ pyrochlore is also free of expensive iridium metal, thus a cost-effective candidate for practical applications.

Kim, Jaemin↗

3D printed high performance strain sensors for high temperature applications

Realization of high temperature physical measurement sensors, which are needed in many of the current and emerging technologies, is challenging due to the degradation of their electrical stability by drift currents, material oxidation, thermal strain, and creep. In this paper, for the first time, we demonstrate that 3D printed sensors show a metamaterial-like behavior, resulting in superior performance such as high sensitivity, low thermal strain, and enhanced thermal stability. The sensors were fabricated using silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs), using an advanced Aerosol Jet based additive printing method followed by thermal sintering. The sensors were tested under cyclic strain up to a temperature of 500 °C and showed a gauge factor of 3.15 ± 0.086, which is about 57% higher than that of those available commercially. The sensor thermal strain was also an order of magnitude lower than that of commercial gages for operation up to a temperature of 500 °C. An analytical model was developed to account for the enhanced performance of such printed sensors based on enhanced lateral contraction of the NP films due to the porosity, a behavior akin to cellular metamaterials. Here, the results demonstrate the potential of 3D printing technology as a pathway to realize highly stable and high-performance sensors for high temperature applications.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗