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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

Terminator Double Layer Explorer (TerDLE): Examining the Near-Moon Lunar Wake

As the solar wind flows by the Moon, an antisunward-directed low-density wake forms as the plasma expands to fill in the trailing void in the plasma flow. Analytical modeling and modern plasma simulations suggest that plasma quasi-neutrality could possibly be broken close to the terminator obstruction as solar wind electrons expand into the wake ahead of the ions, leading to the formation of a standing (time-stationary) double layer. The objective of the Terminator Double Layer Explorer is to extend the fundamental understanding of the plasma expansion into the trailing near-vacuum wake region by (1) identifying any plasma expansion density anomalies at low altitudes near the terminator wake initiation region, (2) assessing the highly variable solar wind's effect on the low-altitude wake region, and (3) determining if plasma neutrality is maintained or lost during passages through the low-altitude expansion region. The mission concept uses a propulsion-driven CubeSat with ion spectrometer and plasma wave system in elliptical orbit about the Moon with periselene near the terminator. Over the course of the mission, the periselene decreases, placing the CubeSat ever closer to the terminator wake initiation location and the possible nonneutral region.

lunar science↗

Principles for Termination of Medical Care in Austere Analog Environments for Development of Spaceflight Protocols

INTRODUCTION: When compared to operations in low earth orbit, exploration class missions will have substantially limited resources and ground medical support while the risk of a significant medical event is projected to be higher. Termination of care (TOC) may need to be considered in certain instances. We aim to utilize data from earth-based analogs to identify common principles that can help develop future guidelines to this complex medical and ethical challenge. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted in medline, nasa.gov, Defense Technical Information Center(DTIC) and google scholar. Key search terms including “withdrawal of care, termination of care, termination of CPR, military medicine, wilderness medicine, futility, potentially inappropriate” and others were used to identify analog studies of relevance. These were qualitatively evaluated for recurring principles or themes that were reviewed and structured. RESULTS: Mission planning termination of care principles: definitions of clear medical goals, separate protocols for each relevant condition, protocols developed using best available evidence, crew involvement in development, protocols rehearsal pre-launch, and inclusion of palliative capabilities. In-mission termination of care principles: 1. Crew Medical Officer directed stabilization of the patient; 2. Consultation with mission control with standardized information exchange; 3. Multidisciplinary medical and ethical conference among the mission directors, flight surgeons and relevant specialist experts; 4. Multidisciplinary risk review examining both medical and mission risks for relevant options; 5. Provision of a transparent explanation of the process and decision to crew; 6. Allowing crew feedback and inquiry to review board; 7. Support of the crew in the enacted decision. DISCUSSION: By utilizing the best available evidence in conjunction with expert opinion we have identified common principles from earth-based analogs that could be used to help design future TOC protocols.

Samuel Stephenson↗

Spatial Control of Substitutional Dopants in Hexagonal Monolayer WS 2 : The Effect of Edge Termination

The ability to control the density and spatial distribution of substitutional dopants in semiconductors is crucial for achieving desired physicochemical properties. Substitutional doping with adjustable doping levels has been previously demonstrated in 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs); however, the spatial control of dopant distribution remains an open field. In this work, edge termination is demonstrated as an important characteristic of 2D TMD monocrystals that affects the distribution of substitutional dopants. Particularly, in chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown monolayer WS 2 , it is found that a higher density of transition metal dopants is always incorporated in sulfur-terminated domains when compared to tungsten-terminated domains. Here two representative examples demonstrate this spatial distribution control, including hexagonal iron- and vanadium-doped WS 2 monolayers. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are further performed, indicating that the edge-dependent dopant distribution is due to a strong binding of tungsten atoms at tungsten-zigzag edges, resulting in the formation of open sites at sulfur-zigzag edges that enable preferential dopant incorporation. Based on these results, it is envisioned that edge termination in crystalline TMD monolayers can be utilized as a novel and effective knob for engineering the spatial distribution of substitutional dopants, leading to in-plane hetero-/multi-junctions that display fascinating electronic, optoelectronic, and magnetic properties.

2D transition metal dichalcogenides↗

A performance comparison between GaInP-on-Si and GaAs-on-Si 3-terminal tandem solar cells

The pursuit of ever-higher solar cell efficiencies has focused heavily on multijunction technologies. In tandem cells, subcells are typically either contacted via two terminals (2T) or four terminals (4T). Simulations show that the less-common three-terminal (3T) design may be comparable to 4T tandem cells in its compatibility with a range of materials, operating conditions, and methods for subcell integration, yet the 3T design circumvents shading losses of the 4T intermediate conductive layers. This study analyzes the performance of two superstrate 3T III-V-on-Si (III-V//Si) tandem cells: One has slightly greater current contribution from the Si bottom cell (GaInP//Si) and the other has substantially greater current contribution from the GaAs top cell (GaAs//Si). Our results show that both tandem cells exhibit the same efficiency (21.3%), thereby demonstrating that the third terminal allows for flexibility in the selection of the top cell material, similar to the 4T design.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Role of Surface Termination in the Metal–Insulator Transition of V 2 O 3 (0001) Ultrathin Films

Surface termination is known to play an important role in determining the physical properties of materials. It is crucial to know how surface termination affects the metal–insulator transition (MIT) of V 2 O 3 films for both fundamental understanding and its applications. By changing growth parameters, we achieved a variety of surface terminations in V 2 O 3 films that are characterized by low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) and photoemission spectroscopy techniques. Depending upon the terminations, our results show that MIT can be partially or fully suppressed near the surface region due to the different fillings of the electrons at the surface and subsurface layers and the change of screening length compared to the bulk. Across MIT, a strong redistribution of spectral weight and its transfer from a high-to-low-binding energy regime is observed in a wide energy scale. Our results show that the total spectral weight in the low-energy regime is not conserved across MIT, indicating a breakdown of the “sum rules of spectral weight”, signature of a strongly correlated system. Such a change in spectral weight is possibly linked to the change in hybridization, lattice volume (i.e., effective carrier density), and the spin degree of freedom in the system that occurs across MIT. We find that MIT in this system is strongly correlation-driven, where the electron–electron interactions play a pivotal role. Furthermore, our results provide better insight into the understanding of the electronic structure of strongly correlated systems and highlight the importance of accounting for surface effects during interpretation of the physical property data mainly using surface-sensitive probes, such as surface resistivity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Highly Oxidized Oxide Surface toward Optimum Oxygen Evolution Reaction by Termination Engineering

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a critical step for sustainable fuel production through electrochemistry process. Maximizing active sites of nanocatalyst with enhanced intrinsic activity, especially the activation of lattice oxygen, is gradually recognized as the primary incentive. Since the surface reconfiguration to oxyhydroxide is unavoidable for oxygen-activated transition metal oxides, developing a surface termination like oxyhydroxide in oxides is highly desirable. In this work, we demonstrate an unusual surface termination of (111)-facet Co 3 O 4 nanosheet that is exclusively containing edge-sharing octahedral Co 3+ similar to CoOOH that can perform at approximately 40 times higher current density at 1.63 V (vs RHE) than commercial RuO 2 . It is found that this surface termination has an oxidized oxygen state in contrast to standard Co-O systems, which can serve as active site independently, breaking the scaling relationship limit. Finally, this work forwards the applications of oxide electrocatalysts in the energy conversion field by surface termination engineering.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Reacceleration of Galactic Cosmic Rays beyond the Knee at the Termination Shock of a Cosmic-Ray-driven Galactic Wind

The origin of cosmic rays (CRs) above the knee in the spectrum is an unsolved problem. We present a wind model in which interstellar gas flows along a nonrotating, expanding flux tube with a changing speed and cross-sectional area. CRs from Galactic sources, such as supernova remnants, which are coupled to the plasma via Alfvén waves, provide the main pressure source for driving this outflow. These CRs are then subject to diffusive shock reacceleration at the Galactic wind termination shock, which is located at a distance ~200 kpc. Some of the highest-energy reaccelerated particles propagate upstream against the wind and can contribute to the petaelectronvolt to exaelectronvolt range of the spectrum. We analyze the conditions under which efficient reacceleration can occur and find that rigidities ~10–40 PV can be obtained and that the termination shock may account for between 10% and 50% of the proton spectrum measured in IceCube/IceTop experiment. In our model, the termination shock is unable to fully explain the CR spectrum in the petaelectronvolt to exaelectronvolt range. The highest-energy particles that escape downstream from our termination shock, and similar shocks surrounding most galaxies, can be further accelerated by intergalactic shock fronts.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Tactical Separation and Safety Alerting System for Terminal Airspace

Provision of tactical alerts to aid air traffic controllers in providing separation assurance in terminal airspace is hindered by the complexity of the airspace, its operations, and flight procedures. A prototype automation system is studied that provides controllers with both separation and safety alerts based on or derived from the separation standard for terminal airspace. The system models flight trajectories heuristically, with use of merged intent information from readily available sources: area navigation departure procedures, flight-plan routes, and arrival nominal interior routes used in terminal automation systems. Flight vertical intent is modeled according to standard procedural restrictions except when superseded by controller-issued altitude clearances. Importantly, flight trajectories are modeled for all aircraft, including those conducting visual approaches. New safety-alert thresholds for aircraft conducting visual approaches are studied. Performance of the system is evaluated through fast-time playback of recorded air traffic data from high-fidelity Human-In-The-Loop simulations and real-world operations in two Terminal Radar Approach Control facilities. The prototype system is found to produce a false-alert rate of 8% for separation alerts. The number and validity of safety alerts are studied by comparing with the current Conflict Alert system, showing that the false alerts of Conflict Alert are at 85% and they are avoided in the prototype system.

Air Traffic Management↗

NASA's LCOT (Low-Cost Optical Terminal) FSOS (Free-Space Optical Subsystem): Concept, Design, Build, & Test

We present the status of ongoing work at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to build a prototype, low-cost-of-production, flexibly-configured ground terminal for space optical communication. For laser telecommunication to be cost effective for future missions, a wide-spread global network of operationally responsive optical terminals should be established. There has been a decades-old need for a single modular open systems approach (MOSA) ground terminal architecture capable of supporting multiple space missions ranging from LEO to Lunar distances with 2-way laser communications. At the heart of LCOT’s design concept is the Free-Space Optical Subsytem (FSOS). The major subassemblies of LCOT/FSOS that address most optical comms configurations are : (1) Single 700mm F/12 Nasmyth folded Rx R-C Telescope, (2) Four independent 150mm diameter high-power all-reflective Tx beam directors (XOA), (3) Non-coherent direct detection Rx bench on starboard side of telescope (SOB), and (4) Coherent (possibly Quantum) optical communications bench on port side (POB). The Low-Cost Optical Terminal (LCOT) research and development (R&D) prototype is designed to be a generalized system that can be quickly field-reconfigured to support a wide variety of laser communications missions past, present, & future.

COTS↗

NASA's Low-Cost Optical Terminal (LCOT) Free-Space Optical Subsystem (FSOS): Concept, Design, Build, & Test

We present the status of ongoing work at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to build a prototype, low-cost-of-production, flexibly-configured ground terminal for space optical communication. For laser telecommunication to be cost effective for future missions, a wide-spread global network of operationally responsive optical terminals should be established. There has been a decades-old need for a single modular open systems approach (MOSA) ground terminal architecture capable of supporting multiple space missions ranging from LEO to Lunar distances with 2-way laser communications. At the heart of LCOT’s design concept is the Free-Space Optical Subsystem (FSOS). The major subassemblies of LCOT/FSOS that address most optical common configurations are : (1) Single 700mm F/12 Nasmyth folded Rx R-C Telescope, (2) Four independent 150mm diameter high-power all-reflective Tx beam directors (XOA), (3) Non-coherent direct detection Rx bench on starboard side of telescope (SOB), and (4) Coherent (possibly Quantum) optical communications bench on port side (POB). The Low-Cost Optical Terminal (LCOT) research and development (R&D) prototype is designed to be a generalized system that can be quickly field-reconfigured to support a wide variety of laser communications missions past, present, & future.

COTS↗

Pd3Ag(111) as a Model System for Hydrogen Separation Membranes: Combined Effects of CO Adsorption and Surface Termination on the Activation of Molecular Hydrogen

Abstract The co-adsorption of hydrogen and carbon monoxide on Pd 3 Ag(111) alloy surfaces has been studied as a model system for Pd-Ag alloys in membrane and catalysis applications using periodic density functional theory calculations (PW91-GGA). We explored the effects of Pd–Ag surface composition, since segregation of silver towards and away from the surface has been suggested to explain the experimentally observed changes in H 2 activation, CO inhibition and reactivity. We found that CO pre-adsorbed on the surface weakens the adsorption of H on Pd 3 Ag(111) alloy surfaces irrespective of whether the surface termination corresponds to the bulk Pd 3 Ag composition, or is purely Pd-terminated. A higher coverage of H with CO present is obtained for the Pd-terminated surface; this surface also exhibits a larger range of chemical potentials for co-adsorbed hydrogen and CO. The barrier for H 2 activation increases with increasing CO coverage, but the surface composition has the largest impact on H 2 activation at intermediate CO coverage. The results imply that Pd-based membranes with typically ~ 23 wt% Ag are less prone to CO poisoning if the surface becomes Pd-terminated.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Nature of Terminating Hydroxyl Groups and Intercalating Water in Ti 3 C 2 T x MXenes: A Study by 1 H Solid-State NMR and DFT Calculations

Since the discovery of two-dimensional transition metal carbides, referred to as MXenes, research efforts targeted their applications in energy storage, as lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors. This interest is attributable to MXenes’ large volumetric capacitance, high rate handling capability and stable cycling performance, which largely rely on surface chemistry provided by the terminating groups, such as -OH, -O, and -F. However, the atomic-scale characterization of these surface terminations challenges the diffraction methods. Solid-state (SS)NMR spectroscopy, especially 1 H SSNMR, is a promising approach for scrutinizing the surface terminations and the intercalated water in an atomistic-scale, yet only a few SSNMR studies in MXenes have been reported to date offering conflicting results and limited understanding of -OH terminations. Here, we used 1 H SSNMR experiments in concert with the DFT calculations of NMR parameters to identify multiple types of -OH groups, residing on the external and internal surfaces, in a commonly studied MXene, Ti 3 C 2 T x . The study also identifies bulk-like water trapped between the MXene flakes and interfacial water stranded on the surface. Lastly, two-dimensional 1 H -1 H correlation spectra elucidated the water-surface interactions and the mechanism of de-intercalation of water upon annealing.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Surface Terminations of LaAlO 3 Perovskite Nanoparticles as Viewed by Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Nanocrystal surfaces generally undergo reconstructions that differentiate them from the bulk structures, often in nontrivial ways. Understanding these terminations is critical across diverse fields, from heterogeneous catalysis to the formation of topological states and the synthesis of semiconductor nanomaterials. Determining surface structures is currently an interdisciplinary task, most often involving high-resolution electron microscopy and surface electron diffraction. These methods, however, do not provide a global view of the ensemble of structures present in a sample. Here, we show how surface-sensitive solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopy methods can bridge this gap. In this context, we investigated the surface structure of lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO 3 ) perovskite nanoparticles. Four distinct surface terminations have previously been observed for this material, but their relative abundances were unknown. Using an array of double- and triple-resonance SSNMR methods probing the relative proximities of surface 1 H, 27 Al, 17 O, and 139 La nuclei, we conclude the surface to be majority terminated (80%) by AlO x with substantial (20%) LaO x terminated regions.

Materials↗

Single-event burnout in homojunction GaN vertical PiN diodes with hybrid edge termination design

GaN devices play a major role in modern electronics, providing high-power handling, efficient high-frequency operation, and resilience in harsh environments. However, electric field crowding at the edge of the anode often limits its full potential, leading to single-event effects (SEEs) at lower bias voltages under heavy ion radiation. Here, in this work, we report on the performance of homojunction GaN vertical PiN diodes with a hybrid edge termination design under heavy ion irradiation, specifically, oxygen ions, chlorine ions, Cf-252 fission fragments, and alpha particles from an Am-241 source. The unique hybrid edge termination (HET) design provides better electric field management, preventing breakdown from occurring at the edge of the anode at lower voltages. The results of this study reveal that these devices exhibit excellent tolerance to 12-MeV oxygen and 16-MeV chlorine ions, owing to their low linear energy transfer (LET) and range in GaN. However, single-event burnout (SEB) is observed during the Cf-252 exposure at about 50% of the diodes' electrical breakdown voltage due to the presence of higher LET and longer-range ions. Optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveal that the damage that caused by SEB lies close to the center of these devices rather than the anode edge. Devices with junction termination extension (JTE) instead of HET edge termination also show similar SEB when irradiated with Cf-252 fission fragments. Physical damage due to SEB occurs at the edge of the anode for these devices. These comparative results show the benefits of HET for enhancing the resistance of GaN-based PiN diodes to heavy ion irradiation.

42 ENGINEERING↗

N-Terminal domain homologs of the orange carotenoid protein increase quenching of cyanobacterial phycobilisomes

Stress exerted by excess captured light energy in cyanobacteria is prevented by the photoprotective activity of the orange carotenoid protein (OCP). Under high light, the OCP converts from an orange, inactive form (OCP O ) into the red form (OCP R ) that binds to and quenches the phycobilisome (PBS). Structurally, the OCP consists of 2 domains: the N-terminal effector domain and a C-terminal regulatory domain. Structural analysis of the OCP-PBS complex showed that the N-terminal domains of an OCP dimer interact with the PBS core. These N-terminal OCP domains have single-domain protein paralogs known as helical carotenoid proteins (HCPs). Using PBS quenching assays, we show that the HCP4 and HCP5 homologs efficiently quench PBS fluorescence in vitro, surpassing the quenching ability of the OCP. This is consistent with computational quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics results. Interestingly, when using a maximum quenching concentration of OCP with PBSs, HCP5 addition further increases PBS quenching. Our results provide mechanistic insight into the quenching capacity and roles of HCP4 and HCP5 in cyanobacteria, suggesting that they are more than simply functionally redundant to the OCP.

Sheppard, Damien I.↗

Multiple valence-space and core-excited band terminations in Ho and Er isotopes

High-spin structures of holmium (𝑍 = 67) and erbium (𝑍 = 68) isotopes are presented near mass 160, a region where collective and single-particle modes of excitation compete in the generation of angular momentum at the highest experimentally attainable spins in atomic nuclei. The level schemes of the 156,157,158 Ho isotopes have been significantly extended, reaching spins in the 40⁢ℏ to 55⁢ℏ range, through multiple experiments utilizing the Gammasphere spectrometer. In particular, several new noncollective band-terminating states are reported for these nuclei. The nature of these states, including both valence-space terminations and core-excited oblateconfigurations, is discussed in terms of proton particle-hole (p-h) excitations across the semimagic 𝑍 = 64 shell closure. Cranked-Nilsson–Strutinsky (CNS) calculations have been used to interpret the nature of these noncollective states. The corresponding terminating states in 154–159 Er are also included, providing a systematic description of band termination in this mass region. In addition, three weak rotational structures have been assigned to 157 Ho at the highest spins. These collective bands are proposed to be based on a triaxial strongly deformed nuclear shape, involving neutron p-h excitations across the 𝑁 = 82 shell gap.

150 ≤ A ≤ 189↗

Crystal structure of N-terminally hexahistidine-tagged Onchocerca volvulus macrophage migration inhibitory factor-1

Onchocerca volvulus causes blindness, onchocerciasis, skin infections and devastating neurological diseases such as nodding syndrome. New treatments are needed because the currently used drug, ivermectin, is contraindicated in pregnant women and those co-infected with Loa loa . The Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID) produced, crystallized and determined the apo structure of N-terminally hexahistidine-tagged O. volvulus macrophage migration inhibitory factor-1 (His- Ov MIF-1). Ov MIF-1 is a possible drug target. His- Ov MIF-1 has a unique jellyfish-like structure with a prototypical macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) trimer as the `head' and a unique C-terminal `tail'. Deleting the N-terminal tag reveals an Ov MIF-1 structure with a larger cavity than that observed in human MIF that can be targeted for drug repurposing and discovery. Removal of the tag will be necessary to determine the actual biological oligomer of Ov MIF-1 because size-exclusion chomatographic analysis of His- Ov MIF-1 suggests a monomer, while PISA analysis suggests a hexamer stabilized by the unique C-terminal tails.

Kimble, Amber D. (ORCID:0000000167851596)↗

Plasma-free hydrogenation of oxygen-terminated polycrystalline diamond as determined by circular transmission line measurements (CTLM)

Here, we developed a process to fully hydrogen-terminate diamond by annealing in forming gas. The surface was characterized using circular transmission line measurements (CTLMs) to evaluate the onset and degree of hydrogen termination. No hydrogenation occurred at temperatures at or below 500 °C. Hydrogenation occurs after annealing for 5 min at temperatures between 600 and 1000 °C, with complete hydrogenation achieved at 1000 °C, which showed the same sheet resistance as diamond terminated in a hydrogen plasma. Annealing at temperatures lower than 1000 °C resulted in only partial hydrogenation but can be compensated by increasing the anneal time. At temperatures exceeding 1100 °C, the sheet resistance suddenly and drastically increases, indicating instability of a hydrogen-terminated diamond surface at elevated temperatures under forming gas. The activation energy was determined to be 1.20eV. SEM inspection showed that annealing in hydrogen produced significantly reduced surface roughness compared to diamond surfaces hydrogenated in a H 2 plasma.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗