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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 1,369 records · Page 76
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
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Optimization of Aerogels for High Temperature Applications

Aerogels can be used in spaceflight applications as thermal insulators due to their low density, low thermal conductivity, and tortuous path for solid conduction. However, the aerogel formulation must be optimized to increase the thermal stability of the aerogels as drastic densification and decrease in surface area is often exhibited after high-temperature exposure. Current research investigates yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) aerogels, which have low thermal conductivity and are expected to be used between 600°C and 1000°C. We anticipate that new sol-gel chemistries and processing will yield YSZ aerogels that display retained mesoporous structure, increased surface area, and minimized shrinkage upon exposure to higher temperatures in the projected use range. This work investigates the cationic surfactant, cetrimonium bromide (CTAB), as a templating agent to prevent the collapse of the aerogel pore structure upon gelation and drying. It was determined that adding one-half times the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of CTAB increased the surface area and pore volume of the aerogels, as compared to aerogels without CTAB or with twice the CMC of CTAB, following high-temperature exposure. By optimizing CTAB, the thermal stability of YSZ aerogels can be enhanced to make these materials more efficient when used as thermal management systems.

Rebecca C Walker↗
DOE OSTI2026

In Situ Studies of Ru-CeO 2 –TiO 2 Catalysts for Selective CO 2 Hydrogenation to Methane: Importance of Metal ↔ Oxide–Oxide Interactions

Here, this work investigates Ru-CeO 2 -TiO 2 catalysts for the CO 2 methanation reaction and compares their performance with previously studied Ru-CeO 2 systems. Despite the lower Ru loading, the TiO 2 -containing catalysts exhibit significantly higher activity. To understand this behavior, in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was carried out at the Ru K-edge and Ce L 3 -edge. Unlike Ru-CeO 2 , which displays reversible redox behavior of Ru, the Ru-CeO 2 -TiO 2 catalysts show irreversible Ru reduction and a substantially higher fraction of Ce 3+ species under all tested conditions (H 2 , CO 2 , H 2 /CO 2 ). The stabilization of metallic Ru during methanation, together with the enhanced formation of Ce 3+ promoted by TiO 2 through interfacial electronic transfer, accounts for their superior performance. Complementary in situ DRIFTS measurements reveal the formation and rapid consumption of bidentate carbonates and formates. These species act as a key intermediate in methane formation. Overall, these findings highlight the crucial role of the mixed CeO 2 -TiO 2 oxide in tuning the surface chemistry of the catalysts by stabilizing metallic Ru, enhancing ceria reducibility, and promoting efficient reaction pathways for CO 2 methanation. The manipulation of metal↔oxide-oxide interactions can be a very useful tool when dealing with the valorization of CO 2 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Assessment of Wind Energy Resource Potential for Future Human Missions to Mars

Energy sustainability and redundancy for surface habitats, life support systems and scientific instrumentation represent one of the highest-priority issues for future crewed missions to Mars. However, power sources utilized for the current class of robotic missions to Mars may be potentially dangerous near human surface habitats (for example, nuclear) or lack stability on diurnal or seasonal timescales (for example, solar) that cannot be easily compensated for by power storage. Here, we evaluate the power potential for wind turbines as an alternative energy resource on the Mars surface. Using a state-of-the-art Mars global climate model, we analyse the total planetary Martian wind potential and calculate its spatial and temporal variability. We find that wind speeds at some proposed landing sites are sufficiently fast to provide a stand-alone or complementary energy source to solar or nuclear power. While several regions show promising wind energy resource potential, other regions of scientific interest can be discarded based on the natural solar and wind energy potential alone. We demonstrate that wind energy compensates for diurnal and seasonal reductions in solar power particularly in regions of scientific merit in the midlatitudes and during regional dust storms. Critically, proposed turbines stabilize power production when combined with solar arrays, increasing the percent time that power exceeds estimated mission requirements from ~40% for solar arrays alone to greater than 60-90% across a broad fraction of the Mars surface. We encourage additional study aimed at advancing wind turbine technology to operate efficiently under Mars conditions and to extract more power from Mars winds.

atmospheric dynamics↗
DOE OSTI2024

Physicochemical control of solvation and molecular assembly of charged amphiphilic oligomers at air-aqueous interfaces

Hypothesis : Understanding the rules that control the assembly of nanostructured soft materials at interfaces is central to many applications. We hypothesize that electrolytes can be used to alter the hydration shell of amphiphilic oligomers at the air-aqueous interface of Langmuir films, thereby providing a means to control the formation of emergent nanostructures. Experiments : Three representative salts – (NaF, NaCl, NaSCN) were studied for mediating the self-assembly of oligodimethylsiloxane methylimidazolium (ODMS-MIM + ) amphiphiles in Langmuir films. The effects of the different salts on the nanostructure assembly of these films were probed using vibrational sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy and Langmuir trough techniques. Experimental data were supported by atomistic molecular dynamic simulations. Findings : Langmuir trough surface pressure – area isotherms suggested a surprising effect on oligomer assembly, whereby the presence of anions affects the stability of the interfacial layer irrespective of their surface propensities. In contrast, SFG results implied a strong anion effect that parallels the surface activity of anions. These seemingly contradictory trends are explained by anion driven tail dehydration resulting in increasingly heterogeneous systems with entangled ODMS tails and appreciable anion penetration into the complex interfacial layer comprised of headgroups, tails, and interfacial water molecules. These findings provide physical and chemical insight for tuning a wide range of interfacial assemblies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

In Situ Studies of Copper-Zirconia-Zinc Oxide Model Catalysts for CO 2 Hydrogenation

A combination of in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) was used to investigate the formation of surface intermediates from CO 2 hydrogenation on copper-zirconia-zinc oxide model catalysts under reaction conditions. Copper clusters with different numbers of atoms (n = 1, 4, 13) were deposited onto bare and ZrO 2 -modified ZnO powder supports to systematically examine the effects of Cu cluster size and the synergy between metal and metal-oxide components. Under low pressure CO 2 hydrogenation conditions (CO 2 :H 2 = 1:9, 0.4 mbar, 300–600 K), XPS and IRAS identify the most prominent intermediates as carbonate (CO 3 *), formate (HCOO*) and methoxy (CH 3 O*), which is the final surface-bound intermediate leading to methanol. The temperature profiles are consistent with a mechanism in which CO 2 is adsorbed as carbonate species (HCO 3 *, CO 3 *) followed by hydrogenation reactions to formate (HCOO*) and methoxy (CH 3 O*), but the relative yields strongly depend on surface composition. Specifically, the presence of ZrO 2 promotes CO 2 adsorption and activation and improves the thermal stability of the Cu clusters against loss of surface area. Moreover, the ternary Cu 4 /ZrO 2 /ZnO surface is significantly more active than Cu 4 /ZnO and ZrO 2 /ZnO surfaces for the formation of methoxy (CH 3 O*), indicating that Cu–ZrO 2 interfaces promote the formation of key intermediates leading to methanol. Finally, the yields of intermediates are similar for all Cu cluster sizes (Cu 1 , Cu 4 and Cu 13 ), indicating that the primary role of Cu is to provide H atoms via H 2 dissociation and spillover. In conclusion, these molecular-level insights provide a fundamental understanding of the enhanced efficiency of ternary Cu–ZrO 2 –ZnO catalysts and establish design principles for developing improved catalysts for CO 2 conversion.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2002

Satellite-Based Surface Heat Budgets and Sea Surface Temperature Tendency in the Tropical Eastern Indian and Western Pacific Oceans for the 1997/98 El Nino and 1998/99 La Nina

The 1997/98 is a strong El Nino warm event, while the 1998/99 is a moderate La Nina cold event. We have investigated surface heat budgets and sea surface temperature (SST) tendency for these two events in the tropical western Pacific and eastern Indian Oceans using satellite-retrieved surface radiative and turbulent fluxes. The radiative fluxes are taken from the Goddard Satellite-retrieved Surface Radiation Budget (GSSRB), derived from radiance measurements of the Japanese Geostationary Meteorological Satellite 5. The GSSRB covers the domain 40 deg S - 4 deg N, 90 deg E-17 deg W and a period from October 1997 to December 2000. The spatial resolution is 0.5 deg x 0.5 deg lat-long and the temporal resolution is 1 day. The turbulent fluxes are taken from Version 2 of the Goddard Satellite-based Surface Turbulent Fluxes (GSSTF-2). The GSSTF-2 has a spatial resolution of 1 deg x 1 deg lat-long over global Oceans and a temporal resolution of 1 day covering the period July 1987-December 2000. Daily turbulent fluxes are derived from the S S M (Special Sensor Microwave/Imager) surface wind and surface air humidity, and the SST and 2-m air temperature of the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis, using a stability-dependent bulk flux algorithm. The changes of surface heat budgets, SST and tendency, cloudiness, wind speed, and zonal wind stress of the 1997/98 El Nino relative to the1998/99 La Nina for the northern winter and spring seasons are analyzed. The relative changes of surface heat budgets and SST tendency of the two events are quite different between the tropical eastern Indian and western Pacific Oceans. For the tropical western Pacific, reduced solar heating (more clouds) is generally associated with decreased evaporative cooling (weaker winds), and vise versa. The changes in evaporative cooling over-compensate that of solar heating and dominate the spatial variability of the changes in net surface heating. Both solar heating and evaporative cooling offset each other to reduce interannual variability of net surface heating. In addition, the area of increased SST tendency is larger than that of increased net surface heating, due to less solar radiation penetration through the bottom of deeper ocean mixed layer (stronger winds). For the tropical eastern Indian Ocean, enhanced solar heating (less clouds) is generally associated with reduced evaporative cooling (weaker winds). Both solar heating and evaporative cooling reinforce each other to increase interannual variability of net surface heating. In addition, the area of increased SST tendency is smaller than that of increased net surface heating in the southern domain. The relative changes in wind and zonal wind stress indicate more solar radiation penetration through the ocean mixed layer and more northward heat transport by Ocean current from the south to the north Indian Ocean for the El Nino than for the La Nina.

Chou, Shu-Hsien↗
DOE OSTI2020

The Stability of SiO{sub 2} Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} Nanoparticles for Uranium Extraction in Acidic Media - 20189

This comprehensive study has shown that the proposed strategy of SiO{sub 2} coating of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles (NPs) for the use of uranium (U) extraction in acidic media was successful. The breakdown of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} in acidic media has proven to be a challenge when applying to a nuclear waste removal scenario, leading to the dissolution of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and preventing uptake of U ions in the waste. To overcome this a SiO{sub 2} passivating layer was grafted to the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs, to which an acid stability test was conducted between pH 3 and pH 4. It has been shown via Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential measurements that the uncoated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs exhibit rapid coagulation when exposed to acidic conditions, moving from a stable zeta potential of -44 mV to an unstable zeta potential of +6 mV. SiO{sub 2} coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} on the other hand can remain stable for several hours and continue to be stable beyond that. Throughout acid exposure the zeta potential of these NPs remained at ∼ -38 mV, showing great stability. As a functionality is needed on the surface of the NPs for separation and extraction, the phosphate complex used was also tested for its acid stability. It was determined that with a constant zeta potential of ∼ -20 mV, the phosphate functionality was able to remain stable in the acidic conditions simulating the environment of certain nuclear wastes. Overall SiO{sub 2} coated (PO)x-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs show great promise for application in separation and removal of U in acid media. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2023

Stable Photoemission from the Wehnelt Aperture Surface in 4D Ultrafast Electron Microscopy

Here we show that photoemission with high long-term stability that is immediate and robust can be generated from the surface of the Wehnelt aperture in a TEG-based UEM. Further, we show that the resulting photobeam quality can be at least as good as that from LaB 6 , whether under photo or thermionic operation. We hypothesize that the energy distribution and the temporal properties of the beam are improved relative to LaB 6 owing to the closer match of photon energy to aperture work function.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2003

Flight Investigation of Prescribed Simultaneous Independent Surface Excitations for Real-Time Parameter Identification

Near real-time stability and control derivative extraction is required to support flight demonstration of Intelligent Flight Control System (IFCS) concepts being developed by NASA, academia, and industry. Traditionally, flight maneuvers would be designed and flown to obtain stability and control derivative estimates using a postflight analysis technique. The goal of the IFCS concept is to be able to modify the control laws in real time for an aircraft that has been damaged in flight. In some IFCS implementations, real-time parameter identification (PID) of the stability and control derivatives of the damaged aircraft is necessary for successfully reconfiguring the control system. This report investigates the usefulness of Prescribed Simultaneous Independent Surface Excitations (PreSISE) to provide data for rapidly obtaining estimates of the stability and control derivatives. Flight test data were analyzed using both equation-error and output-error PID techniques. The equation-error PID technique is known as Fourier Transform Regression (FTR) and is a frequency-domain real-time implementation. Selected results were compared with a time-domain output-error technique. The real-time equation-error technique combined with the PreSISE maneuvers provided excellent derivative estimation in the longitudinal axis. However, the PreSISE maneuvers as presently defined were not adequate for accurate estimation of the lateral-directional derivatives.

Moes, Timothy R.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Composition and persistence of soil organic matter along eroding and depositional transects in buried vs. modern soil layers: A case of the Brady paleosol at Wauneta, Nebraska

Paleosols form when soils are buried through deposition by aeolian, colluvial, alluvial or other processes. Burial of former topsoil isolates soil organic matter (SOM) from surface conditions, allowing carbon to accumulate and potentially remain stable for millennia. In this study, SOM composition, distribution, and persistence were analyzed in the Brady Soil of Nebraska, USA to compare SOM spatial variability in modern and buried soils, as well as the impact of erosional exposure on SOM stability. The Brady Soil, formed as a surface soil during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition and now a paleosol buried up to 6 m deep (or more) by loess deposition during the Holocene, was sampled along burial (up to 5.8 m depth) and erosional (up to 1.8 m depth) transects to compare SOM dynamics in different geomorphic settings. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Fourier Transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) were used to analyze SOM composition, while δ 13 C isotope analyses identified SOM sources and radiocarbon values were used to estimate turnover rates. Results confirmed a vegetation shift from C3 to C4 plants after Brady Soil formation, reflecting warming climatic conditions. Increasing SOM age and decreasing δ 13 C and δ 15 N values with depth indicated slowing of decomposition rate in buried soils. Higher pH in the Brady Soil suggested greater base cation content, supporting SOM stabilization through organo-mineral associations and aggregate formation. However, exposure of the Brady Soil due to surface erosion caused faster SOM turnover. This result suggested susceptibility of buried SOM to losses via decomposition upon erosional exposure, possibly accelerated by priming in response to modern SOM inputs. These findings highlight the potential loss of carbon stocks in buried soils under future climate change, as shifts in soil physicochemical properties may destabilize long-preserved SOM.

Environmental sciences↗
NASA NTRS1981

Stability of goethite /alpha-FeOOH/ and lepidocrocite /gamma-FeOOH/ to dehydration by UV radiation - Implications for their occurrence on the Martian surface

The geochemistry of the FeOOH polymorphs is an important consideration when evaluating the likelihood of an occurrence of detectable amounts of these minerals on Mars. An investigation is conducted regarding the stability of the FeOOH polymorphs geothite and lepidocrocite to dehydration in the presence of UV radiation. A thorough characterization of the FeOOH powders used in the laboratory experiments is presented, and the irradiational facility and experimental procedures are described. The results obtained in the conducted experiments are discussed. It is found that there is as yet no basis in laboratory experiments for inferring that perceptible UV photodehydration of FeOOH polymorphs will occur naturally on the surface of Mars on a time scale of at least 10-100 years.

Morris, R. V.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Regulating the Electron Distribution of Metal-Oxygen for Enhanced Oxygen Stability in Li-rich Layered Cathodes

Li-rich Mn-based layered oxides (LLO) hold great promise as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their unique oxygen redox (OR) chemistry, which enables additional capacity. However, the LLOs face challenges related to the instability of their OR process due to the weak transition metal (TM)-oxygen bond, leading to oxygen loss and irreversible phase transition that results in severe capacity and voltage decay. Herein, a synergistic electronic regulation strategy of surface and interior structures to enhance oxygen stability is proposed. In the interior of the materials, the local electrons around TM and O atoms may be delocalized by surrounding Mo atoms, facilitating the formation of stronger TM—O bonds at high voltages. Besides, on the surface, the highly reactive O atoms with lone pairs of electrons are passivated by additional TM atoms, which provides a more stable TM—O framework. Hence, this strategy stabilizes the oxygen and hinders TM migration, which enhances the reversibility in structural evolution, leading to increased capacity and voltage retention. This work presents an efficient approach to enhance the performance of LLOs through surface-to-interior electronic structure modulation, while also contributing to a deeper understanding of their redox reaction.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Stabilization of Oxidized Copper Nanoclusters in Confined Spaces

Copper is an important industrial catalyst. The ability to manipulate the oxidation state of copper clusters in a controlled way is critical to understanding structure–reactivity relations of copper catalysts at the molecular level. Experimentally, cupric oxide surfaces or even small domains can only be stabilized at elevated temperatures and in the presence of oxygen, as copper can be easily reduced under reaction conditions. Herein bilayer silica films grown on a metallic substrate are used to trap diluted copper oxide clusters. By combining in situ experiments with first principles calculations, it is found that the confined space created by the silica film leads to an increase in the energy barrier for Cu diffusion. Dispersed copper atoms trapped by the silica film can be easily oxidized by surface oxygen chemisorbed on the metallic substrate, which results in the formation and stabilization of Cu 2+ cations.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Coadsorption of Formic Acid and Hydrazine on Cu(110) Single-Crystal Surfaces

The chemistry of coadsorbed formic acid and hydrazine on Cu(110) surfaces was characterized both experimentally, by temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and theoretically, via density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It was found that the two reactants interact with each other via hydrogen bonds, and that this modifies their individual thermal chemistry on the surface in two main ways: by stabilizing a HCOOH:N 2 H 4 adduct, which desorbs molecularly at around 240 K, and by slightly delaying the decomposition of the hydrazine to higher temperatures and shifting the selectivity of that step from dehydrogenation and formation of N 2 H x (ads) species to scission of the N–N bond and ammonia production. The coadsorbed formic acid was determined to react at higher temperatures than hydrazine, in chemistry not affected by the latter, which is no longer present on the surface at that stage. One interesting aspect of this chemistry revealed by the DFT calculations is that formic acid may preferentially H-bond on top of adsorbed hydrazine rather than directly attach to the copper surface. The implications of these results to atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes are discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1991

The FM-007: An advanced jet commuter for HUB to spoke transportation

Due to the increasing need for new commuter aircraft, the FM-007 is proposed, a technologically advanced jet propelled short takeoff and landing (STOL) airplane. The proposed commuter is designed for hub to spoke air travel. In order to reduce drag, natural laminar flow technology is integrated into the design using the natural laminar flow airfoil section for the wing. A three lifting surface configuration provides for more efficient cruise flight. This unique design includes a small forward wing (canard), a rear mounted high aspect ratio main wing, and a small horizontal stabilizer high atop the vertical tail. These three surfaces act together to reduce drag by minimizing the downward force the horizontal stabilizer has to account for due to the nose down pitching moment. Commuter aircraft must also incorporate passenger comfort. This is achieved by providing a spacious pressurized cabin with a large galley and reduced cabin noise due to incorporation of noise reduction gear. A basic oval design is adopted, as opposed to a circular design in order to allow for the seating of five passengers abreast. To get STOL capability, an over the wing blown flap is used using a Rolls Royce Tay series engine.

Blouke, Peter Scott↗
DOE OSTI2023

Design Principles for Using Amphiphilic Polymers To Create Microporous Water

Aqueous dispersions of microporous nanocrystals with dry, gas-accessible pores—referred to as “microporous water”—enable high densities of gas molecules to be transported through water. For many applications of microporous water, generalizable strategies are required to functionalize the external surface of microporous particles to control their dispersibility, stability, and interactions with other solution-phase components—including catalysts, proteins, and cells—while retaining as much of their internal pore volume as possible. Here, in this work, we establish design principles for the noncovalent surface functionalization of hydrophobic metal–organic frameworks with amphiphilic polymers that render the particles dispersible in water and enhance their hydrolytic stability. Specifically, we show that block co-polymers with persistence lengths that exceed the micropore aperture size of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) can dramatically enhance ZIF particle dispersibility and stability while preserving porosity and >80% of the theoretical O 2 carrying capacity. Moreover, enhancements in hydrolytic stability are greatest when the polymer can form strong bonds to exposed metal sites on the external particle surface. More broadly, our insights provide guidelines for controlling the interface between polymers and metal–organic framework particles in aqueous environments to augment the properties of microporous water.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1986

Near-field Testing of the 15-meter Model of the Hoop Column Antenna

The technical results from near-field testing of the 15-meter model of the hoop column antenna at the Martin Marietta Denver Aerospace facility are documented. The antenna consists of a deployable central column and a 15 meter hoop, stiffened by cables into a structure with a high tolerance repeatable surface and offset feed location. The surface has been configured to have four offset parabolic apertures, each about 6 meters in diameter, and is made of gold plated molybdenum wire mesh. Pattern measurements were made with feed systems radiating at frequencies of 7.73, 11.60, 2.27, 2.225, and 4.26 (all in GHz). This report (Volume 1) covers the testing from an overall viewpoint and contains information of generalized interest for testing large antennas. This volume discusses the deployment of the antenna in the Martin Facility and the measurements to determine mechanical stability and trueness of the reflector surface, gives the test program outline, and gives a synopsis of antenna electromagnetic performance. Three techniques for measuring surface mechanical tolerances were used (theodolites, metric cameras, and near-field phase), but only the near-field phase approach is included. The report also includes an error analysis. A detailed listing of the antenna patterns are provided for the 2.225 Ghz feed in Volume 3 of this report, and for all other feeds in Volume 2.

Hoover, J.↗