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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 1,261 records · Page 70
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2005

Mineral Composition and Abundance of the Rocks and Soils at Gusev and Meridiani from the Mars Exploration Rover Mini-TES Instruments

The Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES) has provided remote measurements of mineralogy, thermophysical properties, and atmospheric temperature profile and composition of the outcrops, rocks, spherules, and soils surrounding the Spirit and Opportunity Rovers. The mineralogy of volcanic rocks provides insights into the composition of the source regions and the nature of martian igneous processes. Carbonates, sulfates, evaporites, and oxides provide information on the role of water in the surface evolution. Oxides, such as crystalline hematite, provide insight into aqueous weathering processes, as would the occurrence of clay minerals and other weathering products. Diurnal temperature measurements can be used to determine particle size and search for the effects of sub-surface layering, which in turn provide clues to the origin of surficial materials through rock disintegration, aeolian transport, atmospheric fallout, or induration. In addition to studying the surface properties, Mini-TES spectra have also been used to determine the temperature profile in the lower boundary layer, providing evidence for convective activity, and have determined the seasonal trends in atmospheric temperature and dust and cloud opacity.

Christensen, P. R.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA’s Space Launch System: Building A Capability for Science and Exploration

NASA’s Space Launch System, designed for human exploration of deep space and offering enabling benefits for a variety of science missions, is entering the final stages of preparation for its first launch, while simultaneously making progress toward future missions. SLS offers robust payload mass, volume, and characteristic energy that can be used not only for human exploration but for a variety of science missions, including probes to the outer solar system and beyond. In addition, while the vehicle is optimized to be a super-heavy lifter for lunar orbit as a staging area for the lunar surface or Mars, the addition of commercially available propulsion systems as third and/or fourth stages allows SLS to deliver unmatched performance for ultra-high C3 missions. Studies show that while the baseline SLS Block 2 vehicle can deliver about 8 t directly to the Jovian system at a C3 of 83, the addition of a Centaur upper stage would raise that mass to more than 15 t. The New Horizons spacecraft, with mass less than 0.5 t, launched toward Pluto with a record C3 of 158 km2/sec2. By comparison, an SLS Block 2 with an Orion 30B and Star 48BV payload stages could launch equivalent mass to a C3 more than double that of the New Horizons launch. (While the study has been conducted based on contemporary cryo stages and solid stages, this analysis provides real-world data for the range of performance this capability enables even as the specific stages available evolve.) Studies have shown it may be possible to reach 80-90 AU within a decade. The initial Block 1 vehicle for the first launch, Artemis I, is completely manufactured and all the elements are at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) with the exception of the core stage, and manufacturing is in progress for the next several flights. Following the completion of the Green Run test series at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, the Artemis I core stage will be refurbished and delivered to KSC for stacking for launch in the second half of 2021. With the Artemis I vehicle fully manufactured and assembly of solid rocket boosters beginning, NASA and its industry partners have made significant progress manufacturing successive vehicles. Hardware for the next two launches is currently in production. NASA is committed to SLS as a key component of its launch architecture. Agency planning manifests outline the launch vehicle’s role in human lunar exploration over the next decade as it moves from its Block1 configuration to its intermediate Block 1B configuration and its ultimate Block 2 configuration.In addition, NASA has issued contracts with prime contractors for SLS hardware for delivery well into the 2030s.

Robert W. Stough↗
NASA NTRS2001

Beagle 2: The Next Exobiology Mission to Mars

Beagle 2 is a 60 kg probe (with a 30 kg lander) developed in the United Kingdom for inclusion on the European Space Agency's 2003 Mars Express. Beagle 2 will deliver to the Martian surface a payload which consists of a high percentage of science instruments to landed spacecraft mass. Beagle 2 will be launched in June, 2003 with Mars Express on a Soyuz-Fregat rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Beagle 2 will land on Mars on December 26, 2003 in the Isidis Planitia basin (approximately 10 degrees N and 275 degrees W), a large sedimentary basin that overlies the boundary between ancient highlands and northern plains. Isidis Planitia, the third largest basin on Mars, which is possibly filled with sediment deposited at the bottom of long-standing lakes or seas, offers an ideal environment for preserving traces of life. Beagle 2 was developed to search for organic material and other volatiles on and below the surface of Mars in addition to the study of the inorganic chemistry and mineralogy. Beagle 2 will utilize a mechanical mole and grinder to obtain samples from below the surface, under rocks and inside rocks. A pair of stereo cameras will image the landing site along with a microscope for examination of surface and rock samples. Analyses will include both rock and soil samples at various wavelengths, X-ray spectrometer and Mossbauer spectrometer as well as a search for organics and other light element species (e.g. carbonates and water) and measurement of their isotopic compositions. Beagle 2 has as its focus the goal of establishing whether evidence for life existed in the past on Mars at the Isidis Planitia site or at least establishing if the conditions were ever suitable. Carbonates and organic components were first recognized as existing on Mars when they were found in the Martian meteorite Nakhla. Romanek et al showed the carbonates in ALH84001 were formed at low temperatures. McKay et al noted possible evidence of early life on Mars within the ALH84001 meteorite. Thomas-Keprta et al showed the magnetite biomarkers in ALH84001's carbonates are indistinguishable from those formed by magnetotactic bacteria found on Earth. Gibson et al showed there was significant evidence for liquid water and biogenic products present on Mars across a 3.9 billion year period. A mechanical arm (PAW) operates from the lander and is used for science operations along with sample acquisition. Instruments attached to the PAW include: stereo cameras, Mossbauer instrument, X-ray fluorescence instrument, microscope, environmental sensors, rock corer/grinder, a spoon, mirror, brushes, a mole attachment for acquisition of subsurface to depths of 1 to 2 meters and an illumination device. Each camera has 14 filters which have been optimized for mineralogy composition, dust and water vapor detection. The microscope's camera is designed for viewing the size and shape of dust particles, rock surfaces, microfossils, and characteristics of the samples prior to introduction into the gas analysis package (GAP). The camera has a resolution of 4 microns/pixel, features four color capability (red, green, blue and UV (ultraviolet) fluoresence), a depth of focus of 40 micrometers and translation stage of +3 millimeters. The heart of the Beagle 2's life detection package is the gas analysis package (GAP), which consists of a mass spectrometer with collectors at fixed masses for precise isotopic ratio measurements and voltage scanning for spectral analysis. Primary aim of the GAP is to search for the presence of bulk constituents, individual species, and isotopic fractionations for both extinct and extent life along with studying the low-temperature geochemistry of the hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen components on Mars from both the surface and atmosphere. GAP is a magnetic sector mass spectrometer with the range of 1 to 140 amu which can be operated in both the static and dynamic modes. A triple Faraday collector array will be used for C, N and O ratios along with a double Faraday array for H/D. Pulse counting electron multiplier will be utilized for noble gases and selected organics. Anticipated detection limits are at the picomole level for operation in the static mode of operation and high precision isotopic measurements will be made in the dynamic mode. Sample processing and preparation system consists of reaction vessels along with references. Sample ovens capable of being heated are attached to the manifold for sample combustion. Surface, subsurface materials and interior rock specimens will be combusted in pure oxygen gas at various temperature intervals to release organic matter and volatiles. Combustion process will permit detection of all forms and all atoms of carbon present in the samples. A chemical processing system is capable of a variety of conversion reactions. Gases are manipulated either by cryogenic or chemical reactions and passed through the gas handling portion of the vacuum system. There are two modes of operation: quantitative analysis and precise isotopic measurements. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Gibson, Everett K., Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Origin and tunability of unusually large surface capacitance in doped cerium oxide studied by ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Here, the volumetric redox (chemical) capacitance of the surface of CeO 2–δ films is quantified in situ to be 100-fold larger than the bulk values under catalytically relevant conditions. Sm addition slightly lowers the surface oxygen nonstoichiometry, but effects a 10-fold enhancement in surface chemical capacitance by mitigating defect interactions, highlighting the importance of differential nonstoichiometry for catalysis.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Two-Step Chemical Looping Cycle for Renewable NH 3 Production Based on Non-Catalytic Co 3 Mo 3 N/Co 6 Mo 6 N Reactions

A two-step solar thermochemical looping cycle based on Co 3 Mo 3 N/Co 6 Mo 6 N reduction/nitridation reactions offers a pathway for green NH 3 production that utilizes concentrated solar irradiation, H 2 O, and air as feedstocks. The NH 3 production cycle steps both derive process heat from concentrated solar irradiation and encompass 1) the reduction of Co 3 Mo 3 N in H 2 to Co 6 Mo 6 N and NH 3 ; and 2) nitridation of Co 6 Mo 6 N to Co 3 Mo 3 N with N 2 . Co 3 Mo 3 N reduction/nitridation reactions are examined at different H 2 and/or N 2 partial pressures and temperatures. NH 3 production is quantified in situ using liquid conductivity measurements coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). Solid-state characterization is performed to identify a surface oxygen layer that necessitates the addition of H 2 during cycling to prevent surface oxidation by trace amounts of O 2 . H 2 concentrations of > 5% H 2 /Ar and temperatures >500 °C are required to reduce Co 3 Mo 3 N to Co 6 Mo 6 N and form NH 3 at 1 bar. Complete regeneration of Co 3 Mo 3 N from Co 6 Mo 6 N is achieved at conditions of 700 °C under 25–75% H 2 /N 2 . H 2 pressure-swings are observed to increase NH 3 production during Co 3 Mo 3 N reduction. In conclusion, the results represent the first comprehensive characterization of and definitive non-catalytic production of NH 3 via chemical looping with metal nitrides and provide insights for technology development.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Optimal design of microseismic monitoring network: Synthetic study for the Kimberlina CO2 storage demonstration site

Microseismic monitoring can play a crucial role to ensure safe long-term geological carbon storage. For reliable long-term monitoring for CO2-injection-induced microseismic events, a surface seismic array is desirable in addition to borehole geophone sensors. Optimal design of surface seismic network is of great interest to achieve cost-effective monitoring. We develop a methodology to determine the optimal number of surface seismic stations with a geometrically satisfactory distribution for given monitoring regions. We design an optimal microseismic monitoring network based on widely-accepted guiding principles, and the relationship between the location accuracy of microseismic events and the total number of seismic stations. We determine the optimal number of seismic stations based on the trade-off curve of the event location accuracy vs. the total number of seismic stations. We apply our optimal design method to the Kimberlina carbon storage site in California. We use a synthetic Kimberlina model to show that approximately 20 surface seismic stations with a geometrically satisfactory distribution are preferred for the best trade-off between the cost and the event location accuracy.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Enhanced stability of silicon for photoelectrochemical water oxidation through self-healing enabled by an alkaline protective electrolyte

Alkaline electrolytes impede the corrosion of Si photoanodes under positive potentials and/or illumination, due to the formation of a SiO x layer that etches 2–3 orders of magnitude more slowly than Si. Hence during water oxidation under illumination, pinholes in protection layers on Si photoanodes result in the local formation of a protective, stabilizing passive oxide on the Si surface. However, operation under natural diurnal insolation cycles additionally requires protection strategies that minimize the dark corrosive etching rate of Si at pinholes. We show herein that addition of [Fe(CN) 6 ] 3- to 1.0 M KOH(aq) results in a self-healing process that extends the lifetime to >280 h of an np + -Si(100) photoanode patterned with an array of Ni catalyst islands operated under simulated day/night cycles. The self-healing [Fe(CN) 6 ] 3- additive caused the exposed Si(100) surface to etch >180 times slower than the Si etch rate in 1.0 M KOH(aq) alone. No appreciable difference in etch rate or facet preference was observed between Si(100) and Si(111) surfaces in 1.0 M KOH(aq) with [Fe(CN) 6 ] 3- , indicating that the surface conformally oxidized before Si dissolved. The presence of [Fe(CN) 6 ] 3- minimally impacted the faradaic efficiency or overpotential of p + -Si/Ni electrodes for the oxygen-evolution reaction.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Ion Cyclotron Heating in a Levitated Dipole Fusion Reactor

OpenStar Technologies is pursuing the levitated dipole (LD) as a highly modular, loosely-coupled system that leverages their expertise in high temperature superconductor (HTS) technology. The next generation experiment at OpenStar, Tahi (Ma¯ori for “first”), will demonstrate the generation and confinement of fast ions in a levitated dipole for the first time. Ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) heating is a leading candidate for energetic ion formation in Tahi. A frequency in the 10 MHz range will be used for H minority heating or D majority heating with waves launched from an antenna located above the floating coil. Unlike a tokamak, where the targeted cyclotron resonance is typically a vertical path through the center of the plasma, in a dipole the resonance location follows a C-shaped path from the separatrix to the center of the plasma. The value of B also varies significantly within the confined plasma resulting in a large number of cyclotron harmonics present in the low field region. Furthermore, levitated dipoles contain a “first closed flux surface” surrounding the floating coil, in addition to the traditional separatrix /last closed flux surface. Simulation e ff orts using full-wave ICRF codes show that ICRF heating of a levitated dipole reactor is feasible using a pair of toroidal current straps phased to launch the appropriate parallel ( i.e. poloidal) refractive index.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1987

Interaction of interplanetary shocks with nonuniform ambient solar wind

Three interplanetary shock wave events are selected from the plasma and magnetic field data of Helios 1 and 2, IMP-8, and Voyagers 1 and 2 for study of the interactions of a weak interplantary shock with a nonuniform ambient solar wind. These events occurred during the periods 22-26 November 1977, 1-7 January 1978, and 2-5 April 1979, respectively. It is found that the shock surfaces of these events are highly distorted. In addition, a portion of the shock surface may be degenerated into a disturbance which does not satisfy the Rankine-Hugoniot jump conditions.

Chao, J. K.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Low- to Mid-Latitude X-Ray Emission from Jupiter

The Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO) observed Jupiter during the period 2003 February 24-26 for approx.40 hours (4 Jupiter rotations), using both the spectroscopy array of the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS-S) and the imaging array of the High-Resolution Camera (HRC-I). Two ACIS-S exposures, each approx.8.5 hr long, were separated by an HRC-I exposure of approx.20 hr. The low- to mid-latitude non-auroral disk X-ray emission is much more spatially uniform than the auroral emission. However, the low- to mid-latitude X-ray count rate shows a small but statistically significant hour angle dependence, and is higher in regions of relatively low surface magnetic field strength, confirming ROSAT results. In addition, the spectrum from the low surface field region shows an enhancement in the energy band 1.14- 1.38 keV, perhaps partly due to line emission from that region. Correlation of surface magnetic field strength with count rate is not found for the 2000 December HRC-I data, at a time when solar activity was high. The low- to mid-latitude disk X-ray count rate observed by the HRC-I in the 2003 February observation is about 50% of that observed in 2000 December, roughly consistent with a decrease in the solar activity index (F10.7 cm flux) by a similar amount over the same time period. The low- to mid-latitude X-ray emission does not show any oscillations similar to the -45 minute oscillations sometimes seen from the northern auroral zone. The temporal variation in Jupiter's non-auroral X-ray emission exhibits similarities to variations in solar X-ray flux observed by GOES and TIMED/SEE. The two ACIS-S 0.3-2 keV low- to mid-latitude X-ray spectra are harder than the auroral spectrum, and are different from each other at energies above 0.7 keV, showing variability in Jupiter s non-auroral X-ray emission on a time scale of a day. The 0.3-2.0 keV X-ray power emitted at low- to mid-latitudes is 0.21 GW and 0.39 GW for the first and second ACIS-S exposures, respectively. We suggest that X-ray emission from Jupiter's disk may be largely generated by solar X-rays resonantly and fluorescently scattered in its upper atmosphere, especially at times of high incident solar X-ray flux. However, the correlation of higher count rate with low surface magnetic-field strength indicates the presence of some secondary component, possibly ion precipitation from radiation belts closer to the planet than elsewhere at low- to mid-latitudes.

Bhardwaj, Anil↗
NASA NTRS2016

Evaluation of the Effect of Surface Finish on High-Cycle Fatigue of SLM-IN718

The surface finish of parts produced by additive manufacturing processes is much rougher than the surface finish generated by machining processes, and a rougher surface can reduce the fatigue strength of a part. This paper discusses an effort to quantify that reduction of strength in high-cycle fatigue for selective laser melt (SLM) coupons. A high-cycle fatigue (HCF) knockdown factor was estimated for Inconel 718, manufactured with the SLM process. This factor is the percentage reduction from the maximum stress in fatigue for low-stress ground (LSG) specimens to the maximum stress of those left with the original surface condition at the same fatigue life. Specimens were provided by a number of vendors, free to use their "best practice"; only one heat treat condition was considered; and several test temperatures were characterized, including room temperature, 800F, 1000F, and 1200F. The 1000F data had a large variance, and was omitted from consideration in this document. A first method used linear approximations extracted from the graphs, and only where data was available for both. A recommended knockdown factor of the as-built surface condition (average roughness of approximately 245 micro-inches/inch) versus low-stress ground condition (roughness no more than 4 micro-inches/inch) was established at approximately 1/3 or 33%. This is to say that for the as-built surface condition, a maximum stress of 2/3 of the stress for LSG can be expected to produce a similar life in the as-built surface condition. In this first evaluation, the knockdown factor did not appear to be a function of temperature. A second approach, the "KP method", incorporated the surface finish measure into a new parameter termed the pseudo-stress intensity factor, Kp, which was formulated to be similar to the fracture mechanics stress intensity factor. Using Kp, the variance seemed to be reduced across all sources, and knockdown factors were estimated using Kp over the range where data occurred. A plot of the results suggests that the knockdown factor is a function of temperature, and that for low lives the knockdown might be lower than the knockdown observed above about one million cycles, where it tended to stabilize. This was not universal for all temperatures tested. The higher temperature tests are thought to be influenced by the test temperature, which perhaps continued the aging process. Further evaluation of the method is suggested.

Lambert, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS2021

Southwest Water Resources: Monitoring Surface Water Extents of Remote Stock Ponds in the Southwestern United States Using Earth Observing Systems for Enhanced Water Resources Management

Due to increasingly frequent and severe drought conditions in the southwestern US, land managers and livestock producers need to monitor stock ponds with increasing regularity. The ability to assess stock pond water levels with Earth observing satellite systems would enhance monitoring efforts of partners at the US Forest Service, Arizona Department of Game and Fish, and the Diablo Trust. This study employed Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), Sentinel-1 C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (C-SAR), and Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI) to monitor surface water extent for hundreds of critical stock ponds in Arizona. Using methods adapted from previously developed image processing workflows, this project conducted a time-series analysis to capture seasonal and interannual variations in surface water area between 2013 to 2021. In addition, end users can monitor the surface water extent of stock ponds through the developed Google Earth Engine software tool called Surface Water Identification and Forecasting Tool (SWIFT). SWIFT incorporates the Automated Water Extraction Index, Modified Normalized Difference Water Index, and Tasseled Cap-Wetness Index for optical imagery and the incidence angle, VV and VH polarization bands for Sentinel-1 imagery to detect small water bodies in the study area with an overall accuracy range of 88-93%. These tools will empower our partners to monitor the extents of water in their stock ponds remotely, enabling them to develop data-informed and sustainable management solutions for decades to come.

Rainey Aberle↗
DOE OSTI2018

Pick and Place Robotic Actuator for Big Area Additive Manufacturing

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility has created a system that works in tandem with an existing large-scale additive manufacturing (AM) system to ‘pick and place’ custom components into a part as it is printed. Large-scale AM leaves a layered surface finish and is typically post-processed through 5-axis CNC machining. Each surface must be accurately recorded into a laser tracking system. This process can be simplified with the use of fiducials, which are small location indicators placed on the surface of a part. Additionally, the ability to monitor an AM tool via wireless sensors is advantageous to gauge part health as it is fabricated and later used. The ‘pick and place’ system allows thermocouples, fiducials, and other sensors to be accurately placed throughout the tool as it is fabricated. This solution has the potential to reduce time, labor, and cost associated with fabricating, post-processing, and using AM parts.

Boulger, Alex↗
DOE OSTI2019

High performance SRF accelerator structure and method

A high performance accelerator structure and method of production. The method includes precision machining the inner surfaces of a pair of half-cells that are maintained in an inert atmosphere and at a temperature of 100 K or less. The method includes removing thin layers of the inner surfaces of the half-cells after which the roughness of the inner surfaces in measured with a profilimeter. Additional thin layers are removed until the inner surfaces of the half-cell measure less than 2 nm root mean square (RMS) roughness over a 1 mm2 area on the profilimeter. The two half-cells are welded together in an inert atmosphere to form an SRF cavity. The resultant SRF cavity includes a high accelerating gradient (Eacc) and a high quality factor (Q0).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Landing Humans and Human-Class Cargo on the Moon and Mars

For more than a decade, efforts have been ongoing at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama, to land humans and large, human-rated cargo on planetary bodies like the Moon and Mars. This work continues today under the Center’s Lander Programs (LP) office. Recognizing MSFC’s heritage, NASA stood up the Human Landing System program at the Center in August 2019 to be responsible for spacecrafts that will land the next American astronauts on the Moon under Artemis. With work well underway for the historic Artemis III mission to land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface through the Appendix H Option A contract with SpaceX, LP is focused on the development of landers that will support the Agency’s long-term Artemis efforts at the Moon and NASA’s future at Mars. In March 2022, NASA announced its plan to solicit a second industry provider in addition to SpaceX to develop and demonstrate a lander that meets the program’s extended set of requirements for missions beyond Artemis III. Under the umbrella of Sustaining Lunar Development, these requirements will meet NASA’s needs for recurring, long-term access to the lunar surface, such as accommodating an increased crew size and delivering more mass to the surface. Additionally, NASA plans to leverage crewed lander development activities to procure and certify the design of landers capable of human-class cargo delivery. This paper will examine how the Lander Program office at MSFC is bridging from the initial demonstration phase of development for the Human Landing System program to the Sustaining Lunar Development phase and feeding forward to Mars. The requirements and lines of effort for landing humans and human class cargo will be discussed, as well as near-term and future milestones for the program.

Lemuel Carpenter↗
DOE OSTI2015

Observation of a hole-size-dependent energy shift of the surface-plasmon resonance in Ni antidot thin films

A combined experimental and theoretical study of the magneto-optic properties of a series of nickel antidot thin films is presented. The hole diameter varies from 869 down to 636 nm, while the lattice periodicity is fixed at 920 nm. This results in an overall increase of the polar Kerr rotation with decreasing hole diameter due to the increasing surface coverage with nickel. In addition, at photon energies of 2.7 and 3.3 eV, where surface-plasmon excitations are expected, we observe distinct features in the polar Kerr rotation not present in continuous nickel films. The spectral position of the peaks exhibits a red shift with decreasing hole size. This is explained within the context of an effective medium theory by a change in the effective dielectric function of the Ni thin films.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2026

Preparing large area of thermochromic nanocomposite films for smart window application

The challenges posed by high building energy bill necessitate proactive implementation of energy-efficient strategies to minimize the uses of both electricity and heating gas and promote the use of free solar energy sources. "Smart" window films/glass, leveraging thermochromic vanadium dioxide (VO 2 ), offer an adaptive approach to harness solar energy, significantly reducing the thermal load of buildings. This is achieved by reflecting the infrared portion of the solar spectrum through a phase transition in the monoclinic M-phase (M) of VO 2 induced by heating. In this study, a scalable continuous flow synthesis process invented by Argonne was employed to explore a wide parameter space, targeting the controlled synthesis of monoclinic VO 2 (M) nanoparticles with well-controlled sizes and morphologies. Additionally, a doping strategy and surface modifications were utilized for high-throughput tuning of the metal-to-insulator transition temperature. Strategies to enhance the solar modulation properties of VO 2 nanoparticles in polymer films were investigated through (i) morphological transformation from spherical to nanorod structures, (ii) surface modification with low refractive index ligands, and (iii) incorporation of additional thermochromic materials for improved solar energy modulation and aesthetically appealing colors in smart films. Furthermore, the study outlines scaling-up synthesis methods for VO 2 nanoparticles in a continuous flow reactor using hydrazine monohydrate. This comprehensive investigation provides valuable insights into the upscaling synthesis and design of advanced VO 2 /polymer composite smart window films with enhanced functionality, solar energy modulation and visible light transmittance, driving the technology a step close for industrial application.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Idea Evolution ... What's Next?

No research project lasts forever. Even the most wildly successful programs will eventually come to an end. The challenge in that moment, when a project ends, is how to take what was learned in that project and apply it to the next research activity you undertake. Although not always possible, information and insights from a project that is underway or coming to a close can be leveraged to identify a new research direction and advance existing tangentially related activities. In this presentation, a common thread will be followed through a series of sequential research projects where lessons learned in each activity were built into the next enabling each new research project to advance further and faster. Initial research focused on lunar dust adhesion mitigation coalesced into two major contributors to adhesion interactions; which were, not surprisingly, surface chemistry and topography. This knowledge was applied to addressing insect residue adhesion mitigation on commercial aircraft leading edge surfaces. Composite epoxy coatings formulated with controlled surface chemistry and topography were evaluated and led to identification of additional relevant considerations: dynamics and surface morphology. Collectively, these considerations were applied to address impact ice adhesion mitigation where further properties were elucidated: surface mechanical properties and durability. Seeking commonality between these research endeavors led to greater understanding of each new research objective and ultimately, identification of robust, viable pathways toward meaningful results.

Adhesion Mitigation↗