Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Li+ conductivities”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

The growth of short cracks in 4340 steel and aluminum-lithium 2090

The objectives were to investigate crack initiation characteristics and short crack growth behavior for Al-Li 2090 and for 4340 steel and to evaluate the ability of a closure-based crack-growth model to predict fatigue crack growth rates and total fatigue lives for the steel. Single-edge-notched tension specimens of each alloy were used to obtain the short crack growth rate information via an acetate replica technique. In addition to constant amplitude loading, tests on the steel were conducted using the Felix/28 variable amplitude spectrum (a shortened form of a standard loading sequence for fixed or semi-rigid helicopter rotors). The short crack growth rates were compared to those for long cracks grown under similar loading conditions. Metallurgical features associated with crack initiation are discussed. For Al-Li 2090 under R = -1 loading, the short cracks grew well below the long crack threshold and grew at acute angles to the loading axis. For 4340 steel under constant amplitude loading at R = 0.5 and 0 and for the Felix/28 spectrum loading, short-crack growth rates agreed well with long-crack growth rates, even near the long-crack threshold. A slight short-crack effect, growth below the long-crack threshold, was observed at R = -1. Fatigue lives were found to depend on the size and type of initiation site, especially for the Felix/28 loading sequence. A semi-empirical crack-growth model incorporating crack-closure effects was used to predict crack growth rates and total fatigue lives of notched 4340 steel specimens. An initial defect size and shape typical of those identified in this steel was assumed for the life predictions. For all loading conditions, reasonable agreement was found between measured and predicted values for both crack growth rates and fatigue lives.

Swain, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS2008

LiGa(OTf)(sub 4) as an Electrolyte Salt for Li-Ion Cells

Lithium tetrakis(trifluoromethane sulfo - nato)gallate [abbreviated "LiGa(OTf)4" (wherein "OTf" signifies trifluoro - methanesulfonate)] has been found to be promising as an electrolyte salt for incorporation into both liquid and polymer electrolytes in both rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium-ion electrochemical cells. This and other ingredients have been investigated in continuing research oriented toward im proving the performances of rechargeable lithium-ion electrochemical cells, especially at low temperatures. This research at earlier stages, and the underlying physical and chemical principles, were reported in numerous previous NASA Tech Briefs articles. As described in more detail in those articles, lithiumion cells most commonly contain nonaqueous electrolyte solutions consisting of lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) dissolved in mixtures of cyclic and linear alkyl carbonates, including ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC). Although such LiPF6-based electrolyte solutions are generally highly ionically conductive and electrochemically stable, as needed for good cell performance, there is interest in identifying alternate lithium electrolyte salts that, relative to LiPF6, are more resilient at high temperature and are less expensive. Experiments have been performed on LiGa(OTf)4 as well as on several other candidate lithium salts in pursuit of this interest. As part of these experiments, LiGa(OTf)4 was synthesized by the reaction of Ga(OTf)3 with an equimolar portion of LiOTf in a solvent consisting of anhydrous acetonitrile. Evaporation of the solvent yielded LiGa(OTf)4 as a colorless crystalline solid. The LiGa(OTf)4 and the other salts were incorporated into solutions with PC and DMC. The resulting electrolyte solutions exhibited reasonably high ionic conductivities over a relatively wide temperature range down to 40 C (see figure). In cyclic voltammetry measurements, LiGa(OTf)4 and the other salts exhibited acceptably high electrochemical stability over the relatively wide potential window of 0 to 5 V versus Li+/Li. 13C nuclear-magneticresonance measurements yielded results that suggested that in comparison with the other candidate salts, LiGa(OTf)4 exhibits less ion pairing. Planned further development will include optimization of the salt and solvent contents of such electrolyte solutions and incorporation of LiGa(OTf)4 into gel and solid-state polymer electrolytes. Of the salts, LiGa(OTf)4 is expected to be especially desirable for incorporation into lithium polymer electrolytes, wherein decreased ion pairing is advantageous and the large delocalized anions can exert a plasticizing effect.

Reddy, V. Prakash↗
NASA NTRS1990

Laboratory studies of the electrical conductivity of silicate perovskites at high pressures and temperatures

The electrical conductivities of two silicate perovskites and a perovskite-magnesiowuestite assemblage, all having an atomic ratio of Mg to Fe equal to 0.88/0.12, have been measured with alternating current and direct current (dc) techniques at simultaneously high pressures and temperatures. Measurements up to pressures of 80 GPa and temperatures of 3500 K, using a laser-heated diamond anvil cell, demonstrate that the electrical conductivity of these materials remains below 10-3 S/m at lower mantle conditions. The activation energies for electrical conduction are between 0.1 and 0.4 eV from the data, and the conduction in these perovskites is ascribed to an extrinsic electronic process. The new measurements are in agreement with a bound that was previously obtained from dc measurements for the high-PT conductivity of perovskite-dominated assemblages. The results show that the electrical conductivity of (Mg/0.88/Fe/0.12)SiO3 perovskite differs significantly from that of the earth's deep mantle, as inferred from geophysical observations.

Li, Xiaoyuan↗
NASA NTRS1991

Advanced radiator concepts feasibility demonstration

An innovative pumped loop concept for 600 K space power system radiators is under development utilizing direct contact heat transfer, which facilitates repeated startup/shutdown of the power system without complex and time-consuming coolant thawing during power startup. The melting/freezing process of Li in a NaK flow was studied experimentally to demonstrate the Li/NaK radiator feasibility during startup (thawing) and shutdown (cold-trapping). Results of the vapor grown carbon fiber/composite thermal conductivity measurements are also presented.

Rhee, Hyop S.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A Multiphysics Study to Improve Specific Energy of Primary Batteries for Low Temperature Operation for Deep Space Missions

Several lander missions on the outer planets such as Europa, Enceladus, and Titan require electrical power to operate scientific and communication equipment. The traditional power generation methods, such as a photovoltaic array, are not feasible as their efficiency drops significantly at these vast distances. The novel radioisotope power systems are not practical today based on current lander designs and the effectiveness of these systems. To perform in situ science on distant planets, a high specific energy battery (>700 Wh/kg) needs to operate for about 480 hours under cold temperatures (-40C or 0C) [1]. While a primary battery such as Li-CFx can provide high specific energy at room temperature, its specific capacity decreases significantly at low temperatures. One of the causes for this drop is low ion and electrical conductivity, and slower reaction kinetics. Slower transport and facile kinetics lead to an increase in the battery’s resistance and higher voltage drops during the cell operation, thus reducing specific capacity. Both the transport and kinetics show a strong dependence on temperature. Thus, a small temperature rise can lead to an increase in the reaction rate and ion conductivity; since the temperature, cell resistance, and specific capacity are interdependent. A conventional battery model accounts for ohmic, thermodynamic, and, electrochemical, and chemical decomposition heating. The ohmic heating can be controlled by designing a resistive microstructure and varying the ratios of the active materials [2]. The kinetics can be improved by increasing the surface area, reducing the particle size, or adding a catalyst. These parameters are often optimized to achieve high specific energy at room temperatures. A similar optimization study is not available at low temperatures and for a primary (high specific energy) battery. For this presentation, we will explore the effect of geometrical, microstructural, and material properties on optimal specific capacity at low temperatures through multiphysics simulations. The ion transport resistance depends on the porosity and the tortuosity of an electrode and the separator.

M. Mehta↗
NASA NTRS2013

Nickel-Graphite Composite Compliant Interface and/or Hot Shoe Material

Next-generation high-temperature thermoelectric-power-generating devices will employ segmented architectures and will have to reliably withstand thermally induced mechanical stresses produced during component fabrication, device assembly, and operation. Thermoelectric materials have typically poor mechanical strength, exhibit brittle behavior, and possess a wide range of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) values. As a result, the direct bonding at elevated temperatures of these materials to each other to produce segmented leg components is difficult, and often results in localized microcracking at interfaces and mec hanical failure due to the stresses that arise from the CTE mismatch between the various materials. Even in the absence of full mechanical failure, degraded interfaces can lead to increased electrical and thermal resistances, which adversely impact conversion efficiency and power output. The proposed solution is the insertion of a mechanically compliant layer, with high electrical and thermal conductivity, between the low- and high-temperature segments to relieve thermomechanical stresses during device fabrication and operation. This composite material can be used as a stress-relieving layer between the thermoelectric segments and/or between a thermoelectric segment and a hot- or cold-side interconnect material. The material also can be used as a compliant hot shoe. Nickel-coated graphite powders were hot-pressed to form a nickel-graphite composite material. A freestanding thermoelectric segmented leg was fabricated by brazing the compliant pad layer between the high-temperature p- Zintl and low-temperature p-SKD TE segments using Cu-Ag braze foils. The segmented leg stack was heated in vacuum under a compressive load to achieve bonding. The novelty of the innovation is the use of composite material that re duces the thermomechanical stresses en - countered in the construction of high-efficiency, high-temperature therm - o-electric devices. The compliant pad enables the bonding of dissimilar thermoelectric materials while maintaining the desired electrical and thermal properties essential for efficient device operation. The modulus, CTE, electrical, and thermal conductances of the composite can be controlled by varying the ratio of nickel to graphite.

Firdosy, Samad A.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Novel Ordered Crown Ether-Containing Polyimides for Ion Conduction

We report the synthesis and characterization of thermally-stable polyimides for use as battery and fuel cell electrolyte membranes. Dianhydrides used were 1,4,5,8- naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride and/or 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride. Diamines used were anti-4,4-diaminodibenzo-l8-crown-6, 4,4'- diaminodibenzo-24-crown-8, 2,2-bis(4-aminophenyl)hexafluoropropane, and/or 2,5- diaminobenzenesulfonic acid. The polymers were characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction. Polymers containing the hexafluoroisopropylidene (HFIP) group were soluble in common organic solvents, while polymers without the HFIP group were very poorly soluble. Sulfonation yields polymers that are sparingly soluble in aqueous base and/or methanol. Degree of sulfonation, determined by titration, was between one and three sulfonate groups per repeat unit. Proton conductivity was determined as a function of water content, with a maximum conductivity of l x 10(exp -2) per centimeter when fully hydrated. Crown ether-containing polymers exhibit a high degree of order that may be indicative of crown ether channel formation, which may facilitate Li(+) transport for use in battery membranes.

Irvin, Jennifer A.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Thermophysical Properties of Selected II-VI Semiconducting Melts

Thermophysical properties are essential for the accurate predication of the crystal growth process by computational modeling. Currently, the temperature dependent thermophysical property data for the II-VI semiconductor melts are scarce. This paper reports the results of the temperature dependence of melt density, viscosity and electrical conductivity of selected II-VI compounds, including HgTe, HgCdTe and HgZnTe. The melt density was measured using a pycnometric method, and the viscosity and electrical conductivity were measured by a transient torque method. The results were compared with and showed good agreement with the existing data in the literature.

Li, C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Current evaluation of the tripropellant concept

An analytical study was conducted to determine the specific-impulse advantages of adding metals to conventional liquid-bipropellant systems. These tripropellant systems theoretically offer higher specific impulse and increased propellant density compared with bipropellant systems. Metals considered were Be, Li, and Al. Bipropellant systems were H2/O2, N2H4/N2O4, RP-1/O2, and H2/F2. Thermochemical calculations were performed for sea-level expansion from 6.895-MN/sq. m. (1000-psia) chamber pressure over a wide range of mixture ratios and propellant compositions. Three-dimensional plots characterize the specific impulse of each tripropellant system. Technology issues pertinent to metallized propellant systems are discussed.

Zurawski, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Current evaluation of the tripropellant concept

An analytical study was conducted to determine the specific-impulse advantages of adding metals to conventional liquid-bipropellant systems. These tripropellant systems theoretically offer higher specific impulse and increased propellant density compared with bipropellant systems. Metals considered were Be, Li, and Al. Bipropellant systems were H2/O2, N2H4/N2O4, RP-1/O2, and H2/F2. Thermochemical calculations were performed for sea-level expansion from 6.895-MN/sq. m. (1000-Psia) chamber pressure over a wide range of mixture ratios and propellant compositions. Three-dimensional plots characterize the specific impulse of each tripropellant system. Technology issues pertinent to metallized propellant systems are discussed.

Zurawski, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

NASA-UVA Light Aerospace Alloy and Structures Technology Program (LA2ST)

The NASA-UVA Light Aerospace Alloy and Structures Technology (LA2ST) Program continues a high level of activity. Progress achieved between 1 Jan. and 30 Jun. 1993 is reported. The objective of the LA2ST Program is to conduct interdisciplinary graduate student research on the performance of next generation, light weight aerospace alloys, composites, and thermal gradient structures in collaboration with NASA-Langley researchers. The following projects are addressed: environmental fatigue of Al-Li-Cu alloys; mechanisms of localized corrosion and environmental fracture in Al-Cu-Li-Mg-Ag alloy X2095 and compositional variations; the effect of zinc additions on the precipitation and stress corrosion cracking behavior of alloy 8090; hydrogen interactions with Al-Li-Cu alloy 2090 and model alloys; metastable pitting of aluminum alloys; cryogenic fracture toughness of Al-Cu-Li + In alloys; the fracture toughness of Weldalite (TM); elevated temperature cracking of advanced I/M aluminum alloys; response of Ti-1100/SCS-6 composites to thermal exposure; superplastic forming of Weldalite (TM); research to incorporate environmental effects into fracture mechanics fatigue life prediction codes such as NASA FLAGRO; and thermoviscoplastic behavior.

Gangloff, Richard P.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Mixed-Domain Charge Transport in S-Se Alloys as a Li-S Battery Cathode Material

Lithium-sulfur batteries are emerging candidate systems for the next-generation long-range electric aircraft application owing to their potential to deliver high energy density per weight. Their cathodes are to be made primarily with sulfur, but sulfur by itself has much too low electron conductivity to serve as a useful cathode. An idea that has been suggested to overcome this bottleneck is to alloy sulfur with selenium in the hope that electron mobility, which is thought to improve charge transport at some expense of increased weight and reduced energy density. However, understanding of these alloy structures and their transport mechanism is insufficient, and electron mobility at varying degrees of selenium content is not well charted, which are critical for determining the optimum selenium content and testing whether this strategy is generally feasible. The difficulty of computationally characterizing these alloy systems is rooted in the structure. The structures of both sulfur and selenium exhibit eight-atom rings that pack together in various orientations to form their respective crystals. For one, because these crystals (and presumably their alloys as well) feature multiple polymorphs such that their structural coherence is rather unclear. Secondly, these are also relatively large systems (32 atoms per cell) with low-symmetry, which complicate computation both in terms of accuracy and efficiency. Thirdly, such semi-molecular, semi-crystalline structures lead to a combination of band-transport characteristics and hopping-transport characteristics, each of which is a domain with its own physics and set of computational, theoretical challenges. In addition, there is a general dearth of experimental transport data for sulfur-selenium alloys. In this study, we make a comprehensive attempt to tackle this problem using a wide array of first-principles methods. We generate special quasirandom structures to simulate alloy structures, and compute their first-principles Raman spectra for comparison with experimental data to ensure their structural soundness. We then proceed to use recently developed, state-of-the-art tool (AMSET) in order to efficiently compute electronic mobilities under band transport of pure sulfur, pure selenium, as well as their alloys of various compositions at a reasonable accuracy. We then sample numerous dimer configurations of nearest-neighbor eight-atom-ring-pairs and compute electronic hopping rates between them, which yields hopping mobility. A combination of these efforts lead to a general mapping of electron transport behaviors throughout the alloy range. Preliminary results show that introduction of selenium into sulfur initially damages electron mobility due to disorder but eventually improves it beyond that of pure sulfur with additional selenium content, ultimately peaking at the pure-selenium limit. Band transport dominates for holes in sulfur and electrons in selenium, but in all other cases, hopping transport is dominant. Ongoing efforts include determination of charge concentration and conductivity, as well as performing multiphysics modeling to determine the optimum selenium content for best tradeoff between conductivity and energy density for aircraft range.

Junsoo Park↗
NASA NTRS2013

Copper Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes and Copper-Diamond Composites for Advanced Rocket Engines

This paper reports on the research effort to improve the thermal conductivity of the copper-based alloy NARloy-Z (Cu-3 wt.%Ag-0.5 wt.% Zr), the state-of-the-art alloy used to make combustion chamber liners in regeneratively-cooled liquid rocket engines, using nanotechnology. The approach was to embed high thermal conductivity multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and diamond (D) particles in the NARloy-Z matrix using powder metallurgy techniques. The thermal conductivity of MWCNTs and D have been reported to be 5 to 10 times that of NARloy-Z. Hence, 10 to 20 vol. % MWCNT finely dispersed in NARloy-Z matrix could nearly double the thermal conductivity, provided there is a good thermal bond between MWCNTs and copper matrix. Quantum mechanics-based modeling showed that zirconium (Zr) in NARloy-Z should form ZrC at the MWCNT-Cu interface and provide a good thermal bond. In this study, NARloy-Z powder was blended with MWCNTs in a ball mill, and the resulting mixture was consolidated under high pressure and temperature using Field Assisted Sintering Technology (FAST). Microstructural analysis showed that the MWCNTs, which were provided as tangles of MWCNTs by the manufacturer, did not detangle well during blending and formed clumps at the prior particle boundaries. The composites made form these powders showed lower thermal conductivity than the base NARloy-Z. To eliminate the observed physical agglomeration, tangled multiwall MWCNTs were separated by acid treatment and electroless plated with a thin layer of chromium to keep them separated during further processing. Separately, the thermal conductivities of MWCNTs used in this work were measured, and the results showed very low values, a major factor in the low thermal conductivity of the composite. On the other hand, D particles embedded in NARloy-Z matrix showed much improved thermal conductivity. Elemental analysis showed migration of Zr to the NARloy-Z-D interface to form ZrC, which appeared to provide a low contact thermal resistance. These results are consistent with the quantum mechanics-based model predictions. NARloy-Z-D composites have relatively high thermal conductivities and are promising for further development.

Bhat, Biliyar N.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Cryogenic Thermal Conductance Measurements of Candidate Materials and Components for WFIRST

Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) is the next generation astrophysics flagship mission. The primary mission goal is to probe the expansion history of the Universe and the growth of cosmic structure. The wide field instrument has an operating temperature of 90K. We measured the thermal conductance of several candidate materials and components for thermal subsystem of the instrument at cryogenic temperatures. This paper describes these measurements and presents the results.

Li, Xiaoyi↗
NASA NTRS2022

Sharing Operational Intent with Containment Confidence Level for Negotiating Deconfliction in Upper Class E Airspace

Community-based Cooperative Separation Management (CSM) is expected to provide separation services in Upper Class E airspace (near and above FL600). Under CSM, operators are responsible for maintaining separation. The CSM concept is enabled by sharing Operational Intent (OI) among the operators to ensure common situation awareness. The OI is represented as four-dimensional (time and space) information that indicates where an aircraft would be contained within the space and time, with a known level of confidence. However, each vehicle’s ability to stay within its region of OI may differ based on each vehicle’s performance characteristics, resulting in varying OI sizes among the vehicles. Such varying OI size could adversely affect efficient and fair access to the airspace. In this paper, an OI-generation algorithm under varying OI size restriction with Containment Confidence Level (CCL) is presented. High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) balloon operations are used as an example application. A framework is presented by which CCL information is used in the deconfliction process. A fast-time simulation experiment is conducted to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed framework. The simulation results show a reduced number of unnecessary deconfliction actions.

Upper Class E Traffic Management↗
NASA NTRS2022

Sharing Operational Intent with Containment Confidence Level for Negotiating Deconfliction in Upper Class E Airspace

Community-based Cooperative Separation Management (CSM) is expected to provide separation services in Upper Class E airspace (near and above FL600). Under CSM, operators are responsible for maintaining separation. The CSM concept is enabled by sharing Operational Intent (OI) among the operators to ensure common situation awareness. The OI is represented as four-dimensional (time and space) information that indicates where an aircraft would be contained within the space and time, with a known level of confidence. However, each vehicle’s ability to stay within its region of OI may differ based on each vehicle’s performance characteristics, resulting in varying OI sizes among the vehicles. Such varying OI size could adversely affect efficient and fair access to the airspace. In this paper, an OI-generation algorithm under varying OI size restriction with Containment Confidence Level (CCL) is presented. High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) balloon operations are used as an example application. A framework is presented by which CCL information is used in the deconfliction process. A fast-time simulation experiment is conducted to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed framework. The simulation results show a reduced number of unnecessary deconfliction actions.

Upper Class E Traffic Management, ETM, Cooperative↗