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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 1,567 records · Page 87
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Tuning domain size and crystallinity in isoindigo/PCBM organic solar cells via solution shearing

Despite having achieved the long sought-after performance of 10% power conversion efficiency, high performance organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are still mostly constrained to lab scale devices fabricated by spin coating. Efforts to produce printed OPVs lag considerably behind, and the sensitivity to different fabrication methods highlights the need to develop a comprehensive understanding of the processing-morphology relationship in printing methods. Here we present a systematic experimental investigation of a model low bandgap polymer/fullerene system, poly-isoindigo thienothiophene/PC 61 BM, using a lab-scale analogue to roll-to-roll coating as the fabrication tool in order to understand the impact of processing parameters on morphological evolution. We report that domain size and polymer crystallinity can be tuned by a factor of two by controlling the temperature and coating speed. Lower fabrication temperature simultaneously decreased the phase separation domain size and increased the relative degree of crystallinity in those domains, leading to improved photocurrent. We conclude that domain size in isoindigo/PCBM is dictated by spontaneous phase separation rather than crystal nucleation and growth. Moreover we present a model to describe the temperature dependence of domain size formation in our system, which demonstrates that morphology is not necessarily strictly dependent on the evaporation rate, but rather on the interplay between evaporation and diffusion during the printing process.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1998

Investigation of Thermal High Cycle and Low Cycle Fatigue Mechanisms of Thick Thermal Barrier Coatings

Ceramic thermal barrier coatings have attracted increased attention for diesel engine applications. The advantages of using the ceramic coatings include a potential increase in efficiency and power density and a decrease in maintenance cost. Zirconia-based ceramics are the most important coating materials for such applications because of their low thermal conductivity, relatively high thermal expansivity and excellent mechanical properties. However, durability of thick thermal barrier coatings (TBCS) under severe temperature cycling encountered in engine conditions, remains a major question. The thermal transients associated with the start/stop and no-load/full-load engine cycle, and with the in-cylinder combustion process, generate thermal low cycle fatigue (LCF) and thermal high cycle fatigue (HCF) in the coating system. Therefore, the failure mechanisms of thick TBCs are expected to be quite different from those of thin TBCs under these temperature transients. The coating failure is related not only to thermal expansion mismatch and oxidation of the bond coats and substrates, but also to the steep thermal stress gradients induced in the coating systems. Although it has been reported that stresses generated by thermal transients can initiate surface and interface cracks in a coating system, the mechanisms of the crack propagation and of coating failure under the complex LCF and HCF conditions are still not understood. In this paper, the thermal fatigue behavior of an yttria partially stabilized zirconia coating system under simulated LCF and HCF engine conditions is investigated. The effects of LCF and HCF on surface crack initiation and propagation are also discussed.

Zhu, Dong-Ming↗
NASA NTRS1999

Effects of Fiber/Matrix Interface and its Composition on Mechanical Properties of Hi-Nicalon/Celsian Composites

To evaluate the effects of fiber coatings on composite mechanical properties. unidirectional celsian matrix composites reinforced with uncoated Hi-Nicalon fibers and those precoated with a dual BN/SiC layer in two separate batches (batch 1 and batch 2) were tested in three-point flexure. The uncoated-fiber reinforced composites showed catastrophic failure with strength of 210+/-35 MPa and a flat fracture surface. In contrast, composites reinforced with coated fibers exhibited graceful failure with extensive fiber pullout and showed significantly higher ultimate strengths, 904 and 759 MPa for the batch 1 and 2 coatings. respectively. Fiber push-in tests and microscopic examination indicated no chemical reaction at the uncoated or coated fiber-matrix interfaces that might be responsible for fiber strength degradation. Instead, the low strength of composite with uncoated fibers was due to degradation of the fiber strength from mechanical damage during composite processing. Despite identical processing, the first matrix cracking stresses (Sigma(sub mc)) of the composites reinforced with fibers coated in batch 1 and batch 2 were quite different, 436 and 122 MPa, respectively. The large difference in Sigma(sub mc) of the coated-fiber composites was attributed to differences in fiber sliding stresses (Tau(sub friction)), 121.2+/-48.7 and 10.4+/-3.1 MPa, respectively. for the two composites as determined by the fiber push-in method. Such a large difference in Tau(sub friction). for the two composites was found to be due to the difference in the compositions of the interface coatings. Scanning Auger microprobe analysis revealed the presence of carbon layers between the fiber and BN. and also between the BN and SiC coatings in the composite showing lower Tau(sub friction). This resulted in lower Sigma(sub mc) in agreement with the ACK theory. The ultimate strengths of the two composites depended mainly on the fiber volume fraction and were not significantly effected by Tau(sub friction) values, as expected. The poor reproducibility of the fiber coating composition between the two batches was judged to be the primary source of the large differences in performance of the two composites.

Bansal, Narottam P.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Thermal conductivity of zirconia thermal barrier coatings

Thermal barrier coatings (TBC's) applied to the hot gas components of turbine engines lead to enhanced fuel efficiency and component reliability. Understanding the mechanisms which control the thermal transport behavior of the TBC's is of primary importance. Physical vapor description (PVD) and plasma spraying (PS) are the two most commonly used coating techniques. These techniques produce coatings with unique microstructures which control their performance and stability. The PS coatings were applied with either standard power or hollow sphere particles. The hollow sphere particles yielded a lower density and lower thermal conductivity coating. The thermal conductivity of both fully and partially stabilized zirconia, before and after thermal aging, will be compared. The thermal conductivity of the coatings permanently increase upon being exposed to high temperatures. These increases are attributed to microstructural changes within the coatings. Sintering of the as fabricated plasma sprayed lamellar structure is observed by scanning electron microscopy of coatings isothermally heat treated at temperatures greater than 1100 C. During this sintering process the planar porosity between lamella is converted to a series of small spherical pores. The change in pore morphology is the primary reason for the observed increase in thermal conductivity. This increase in thermal conductivity can be modeled using a relationship which depends on both the temperature and time of exposure. Although the PVD coatings are less susceptible to thermal aging effects, preliminary results suggest that they have a higher thermal conductivity than PS coatings, both before and after thermal aging. The increases in thermal conductivity due to thermal aging for partially stabilized plasma sprayed zirconia have been found to be less than for fully stabilized plasma sprayed zirconia coatings. The high temperature thermal diffusivity data indicates that if these coatings reach a temperature above 1100 C during operation, they will begin to lose their effectiveness as a thermal barrier.

Dinwiddie, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Thermal conductivity of zirconia thermal barrier coatings

Thermal barrier coatings (TBC's) applied to the hot gas components of turbine engines lead to enhanced fuel efficiency and component reliability. Understanding the mechanisms which control the thermal transport behavior of the TBC's is of primary importance. Physical vapor deposition (PVD) and plasma spraying (PS) are the two most commonly used coating techniques. These techniques produce coatings with unique microstructures which control their performance and stability. The PS coatings were applied with either standard powder or hollow sphere particles. The hollow sphere particles yielded a lower density and lower thermal conductivity coating. The thermal conductivity of both fully and partially stabilized zirconia, before and after thermal aging, will be compared. The thermal conductivity of the coatings permanently increases upon exposed to high temperatures. These increases are attributed to microstructural changes within the coatings. Sintering of the as-fabricated plasma sprayed lamellar structure is observed by scanning electron microscopy of coatings isothermally heat treated at temperatures greater than 1100 C. During this sintering process the planar porosity between lamella is converted to a series of small spherical pores. The change in pore morphology is the primary reason for the observed increase in thermal conductivity. This increase in thermal conductivity can be modeled using a relationship which depends on both the temperature and time of exposure. Although the PVD coatings are less susceptible to thermal aging effects, preliminary results suggest that they have a higher thermal conductivity than PS coatings, both before and after thermal aging. The increases in thermal conductivity due to thermal aging for partially stabilized plasma sprayed zirconia have been found to be less than for fully stabilized plasma sprayed zirconia coatings. The high temperature thermal diffusivity data indicate that if these coatings reach a temperature above 1100 C during operation, they will begin to lose their effectiveness as a thermal barrier.

Dinwiddie, R. B.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Nb3Sn Multilayer Sequential Sputtering at Jefferson Lab

Nb3Sn-coated Nb SRF cavities are studied due to their potential of providing a higher accelerating gradient over Nb SRF cavities. Magnetron sputtering can be a feasible alternative to conventional tin vapor diffusion process to fabricate Nb3Sn for SRF cavities. By depositing Nb and Sn layers separately and annealing afterwards, the stoichiometry of the coated films can be controlled to create Nb3Sn. To understand the formation of Nb3Sn at higher annealing temperatures, a comparative study of deposition and processing conditions is required. We have sputtered Nb and Sn multilayers and post-deposition annealed at 850, 950, 1000, 1100 and 1200 °C for 3 hours. The structural properties of the annealed films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and compared to as-coated films. The film microstructures and compositions were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The superconducting transition of the films were measured by surface resistivity data obtained down to cryogenic temperatures. A new cavity deposition system with a cylindrical magnetron has been designed to implement the sequential sputtering technique onto a single-cell cavity.

Eremeev, Grigory↗
DOE OSTI2016

H-terminated diamond field effect transistor with ferroelectric gate insulator

An H-terminated diamond field-effect-transistor (FET) with a ferroelectric vinylidene fluoride (VDF)-trifluoroethylene (TrFE) copolymer gate insulator was fabricated. The VDF-TrFE film was deposited on the H-terminated diamond by the spin-coating method and low-temperature annealing was performed to suppress processing damage to the H-terminated diamond surface channel layer. The fabricated FET structure showed the typical properties of depletion-type p-channel FET and showed clear saturation of the drain current with a maximum value of 50 mA/mm. The drain current versus gate voltage curves of the proposed FET showed clockwise hysteresis loops due to the ferroelectricity of the VDF-TrFE gate insulator, and the memory window width was 19 V, when the gate voltage was swept from 20 to −20 V. The maximum on/off current ratio and the linear mobility were 10{sup 8} and 398 cm{sup 2}/V s, respectively. In addition, we modulated the drain current of the fabricated FET structure via the remnant polarization of the VDF-TrFE gate and obtained an on/off current ratio of 10{sup 3} without applying a DC gate voltage.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

Pressure-assisted thermal sterilization of avocado puree in high barrier polymeric packaging

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of pressure-assisted thermal sterilization (PATS) on properties of polymeric packaging and packaged avocado puree. High pressure of 600 MPa and initial vessel temperature of 90 °C were used over 5 min processing time. We used two high barrier film pouches: Film A-(PE/PA6//EVOH//PA6/PE) and film B-(AlO x -coated PET//AlO x -coated PET//PA//CPP). Oxygen transmission rates (OTR) changed from 0.16 ± 0.07 to 3.24 ± 0.52 cm 3 /m 2 .day for film A after processing while OTRs were not detected for film B. Water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) changed from 3.72 ± 0.06 to 4.97 ± 0.14 g/m 2 .day for film A and 0.11 ± 0.02 to 0.62 ± 0.0.6 g/m 2 .day for film B. The dissolved oxygen in packaged avocado puree reduced from 21% to 3% after PATS for both films. Reduced oxygen level in packaged avocado may help extend its shelf life. Dielectric properties and X-ray diffraction helped explain PATS induced changes in film barrier properties. The total chlorophyll, greenness, and lightness decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after PATS. The thiobarbituric acid activity reduced after PATS. PATS showed potential to produced shelf-stable avocado puree; however, shelf-life studies are needed to further develop PATS process.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2016

Sol–gel preparation of well-adhered films and long range ordered inverse opal films of BaTiO{sub 3} and Bi{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}

Highlights: • Highly adaptable sols are presented for processing of the electroceramic materials BaTiO{sub 3} and Bi{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}. • High quality thin films are produced by dip coating with good phase control. • Infiltration of cross-linked polystyrene templates led to high quality inverse opals. - Abstract: Barium and bismuth titanate thin films and well-ordered inverse opal films are produced by dip coating from sols containing titanium alkoxides with acetic acid, acetylacetone, methoxyethanol and water. The inverse opal preparations used crosslinked polystyrene opal templates. Heat treatment in air produced tetragonal BaTiO{sub 3} or mixtures of the hexagonal and tetragonal phases, or phase pure Bi{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}. Good quality films were obtained with a thickness of 5 μm from a single dipping, and the thickness could be increased by dipping multiple times. Inverse opals were well ordered and exhibited opalescence and photonic stop band effects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1987

Use of hydrophilic polymer coatings for control of electroosmosis and protein adsorption

The purpose of this project was to examine the utility of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran coatings for control of electroosmosis and protein adsorption; electroosmosis is an important, deleterious process affecting electrophoretic separations, and protein adsorption is a factor which needs to be controlled during protein crystal growth to avoid multiple nucleation sites. Performance of the project required use of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to refine previously developed synthetic methods. The results of this spectroscopic examination are reported. Measurements of electroosmotic mobility of charged particles in appropriately coated capillaries reveals that a new, one-step route to coating capillaries gives a surface in which electroosmosis is dramatically reduced. Similarly, both PEG and dextran coatings were shown by protein adsorption measurements to be highly effective at reducing protein adsorption on solid surfaces. These results should have impact on future low-g electrophoretic and protein crystal growth experiments.

Harris, J. Milton↗
DOE OSTI2025

High-throughput multimodal exploration of a nanocrystalline Cu-Ag library

Sputter-deposited, nanocrystalline Cu-Ag thin films produced across a broad compositional and deposition-parameter space were evaluated to unravel the process-structure-property relationships important for creating hard, conductive electrical contacts and coatings. Combinatorial deposition involving pulsed direct current magnetron sputtering of elemental targets enabled swift examination of nearly the full range of alloy compositions and a relevant portion of deposition atomistics. Several high-throughput characterization modalities were employed to evaluate the chemistry, structure, and properties of the films. The resultant hardness, modulus, film density, crystal texture, and resistivity were analyzed in terms of key deposition characteristics (incident atom kinetic energy and incidence angle) predicted by binary-collision, kinematic Monte Carlo simulations. The study revealed improved hardness, parabolic resistivity dependence on composition, and compositional and process dependencies of film tarnishing. The results are discussed in the context of variations in microstructure and film density. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction demonstrate several forms of compositional variation including solute segregation to grain boundaries as well as periodic, intragranular compositional modulations. Annealing of a Cu-rich alloy film exhibiting grain boundary segregation showed that this as-deposited, compositional variation is not stable above 100 °C. Finally, the Cu-Ag system is shown to have potential for hard, conductive, tarnish-resistant and room temperature-stable nanocrystalline thin films across the composition space.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Effect of tetrahedral amorphous carbon coating on the resistivity and wear of single-walled carbon nanotube network

Single walled carbon nanotube networks (SWCNTNs) were coated by tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) to improve the mechanical wear properties of the composite film. The ta-C deposition was performed by using pulsed filtered cathodic vacuum arc method resulting in the generation of C+ ions in the energy range of 40–60 eV which coalesce to form a ta-C film. The primary disadvantage of this process is a significant increase in the electrical resistance of the SWCNTN post coating. The increase in the SWCNTN resistance is attributed primarily to the intrinsic stress of the ta-C coating which affects the inter-bundle junction resistance between the SWCNTN bundles. E-beam evaporated carbon was deposited on the SWCNTNs prior to the ta-C deposition in order to protect the SWCNTN from the intrinsic stress of the ta-C film. The causes of changes in electrical resistance and the effect of evaporated carbon thickness on the changes in electrical resistance and mechanical wear properties have been studied.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Environmental and Polarization Characterizations of E-Beam Plasma-Based AlF 3 -Passivated Aluminum Mirrors for Astronomical Telescopes

Astronomical space telescopes to study astrophysical phenomena from the far ultraviolet (FUV) to the near infrared (NIR) will require mirror coatings with high reflectance over this entire spectral region. While coatings for the optical and NIR part of the spectrum are fairly well developed with proven performance, the FUV range has presented significant challenges, particularly below 120nm. Recent developments in electron-beam (e-Beam) generated plasma treatment in a SF 6 environments has enabled the effective passivation of aluminum (Al) coatings for applications in the FUV, by native oxide removal and the formation of a AlF 3 passivation layer which could be tuned to any desired AlF 3 thickness. These results have been produced through a collaboration between the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The passivation experiments have been carried out using the Large Area Plasma Processing System (LAPPS) at NRL using bare aluminum samples and provided by the coating group at GSFC. This novel procedure has demonstrated improved Al mirrors with state-of-the-art FUV reflectivity (e.g. R=91% at 121.6nm). In this paper, we will be reporting on environmental testing, micro-roughness, as well as polarization studies of these E-beam treated samples. These characterizations are being done in order to advance the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for these Al+AlF 3 mirror coatings produced at LAPPS. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate the promise of using this coating technology to deliver reflectance performance plus stability and uniformity over a large area for a future IR/O/UV space telescope observatory.

FUV reflectance↗
DOE OSTI2017

Magnetic Quantum Dots Steer and Detach Microtubules From Kinesin‐Coated Surfaces

The microtubule (MT)‐kinesin system has been extensively studied because of its role in cellular processes, as well as its potential use for controllably transporting objects at the nanoscale. Thus, there is substantial interest in methods to evaluate MT properties, including bending radius and the binding energy of kinesin motor proteins to MT tracks. Current methods to identify these properties include optical tweezers, microfluidic devices, and magnetic fields. Here, the use of magnetic quantum dots (i.e., MagDots) is evaluated as a method to study MT‐kinesin interactions via applied magnetic forces. Magnetic fields are generated using a magnetic needle whose field gradient is quantified by finite element modeling (FEM). Magnetic force is applied to MagDot‐labeled MTs and demonstrated sufficient to steer and detach MTs from kinesin‐coated surfaces. Taking advantage of the dual‐functionality of MagDots, the magnetic force experienced by a single MagDot and the number of MagDots on MTs are determined. The total force exerted on MTs by MagDots is estimated to be ≈0.94–2.47 pN. This approach could potentially be used to interrogate MT properties and MT‐kinesin interactions, enhancing our biological understanding of this system and enabling further development of MT shuttles for nanotransport.

Mahajan, Kalpesh D.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Low‐Cost Industrial Organic Pigment Coating

Abstract Surface passivation of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) using a low‐cost industrial organic pigment quinacridone (QA) is presented. The procedure involves solution processing a soluble derivative of QA, N , N ‐bis(tert‐butyloxycarbonyl)‐quinacridone (TBOC‐QA), followed by thermal annealing to convert TBOC‐QA into insoluble QA. With halide perovskite thin films coated by QA, PSCs based on methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI 3 ) showed significantly improved performance with remarkable stability. A PCE of 21.1 % was achieved, which is much higher than 18.9 % recorded for the unmodified devices. The QA coating with exceptional insolubility and hydrophobicity also led to greatly enhanced contact angle from 35.6° for the pristine MAPbI 3 thin films to 77.2° for QA coated MAPbI 3 thin films. The stability of QA passivated MAPbI 3 perovskite thin films and PSCs were significantly enhanced, retaining about 90 % of the initial efficiencies after more than 1000 hours storage under ambient conditions.

He, Qingquan↗
DOE OSTI2020

Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Low‐Cost Industrial Organic Pigment Coating

Abstract Surface passivation of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) using a low‐cost industrial organic pigment quinacridone (QA) is presented. The procedure involves solution processing a soluble derivative of QA, N , N ‐bis(tert‐butyloxycarbonyl)‐quinacridone (TBOC‐QA), followed by thermal annealing to convert TBOC‐QA into insoluble QA. With halide perovskite thin films coated by QA, PSCs based on methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI 3 ) showed significantly improved performance with remarkable stability. A PCE of 21.1 % was achieved, which is much higher than 18.9 % recorded for the unmodified devices. The QA coating with exceptional insolubility and hydrophobicity also led to greatly enhanced contact angle from 35.6° for the pristine MAPbI 3 thin films to 77.2° for QA coated MAPbI 3 thin films. The stability of QA passivated MAPbI 3 perovskite thin films and PSCs were significantly enhanced, retaining about 90 % of the initial efficiencies after more than 1000 hours storage under ambient conditions.

He, Qingquan↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cold-Sprayed NMC622 Composite as a Cathode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

The growing demand for high-energy, low-cost lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) to power electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates advances in both materials and manufacturing processes. Conventional cathode fabrication methods, such as slurry casting and drying, are energy-intensive and pose challenges for scalability and environmental compliance. In this study, we propose cold-spray (CS) deposition as a solvent-free approach for fabricating LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 (NMC622) composite cathodes. Powder blends of NMC622, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), and carbon black (CB) are directly deposited onto stainless steel and Inconel substrates under varied gas temperatures, pressures (and thus velocities), and standoff distances. The effects of temperature on the deposit morphology, coating density, and volume are systematically investigated. Computational fluid dynamics simulations reveal that increasing the gas temperature enhances the particle velocity, narrows the spray angle, and reduces the mass concentration radially at the nozzle outlet. CS deposition results in a dense cathode microstructure, accompanied by fracture in polycrystalline NMC622 particles. X-ray diffraction analysis further verifies that there are no phase changes during the deposition process. The electrochemical performance of the cold-sprayed cathodes reveals an initial capacity of approximately 96 mAh g –1 for single-crystal NMC622 and 167 mAh g –1 for polycrystalline NMC622. While these values are modest compared to state-of-the-art slurry-cast cathodes, which typically exhibit 180–200 mAh g –1 under optimized conditions. The results demonstrate a competitive performance given the solvent-free nature of the CS process and compare favorably with tape-cast samples made from identical feedstock. In conclusion, he CS process enables the formation of dense, binder-integrated cathode coatings without the need for solvent processing, offering a promising pathway for scalable, energy-efficient dry electrode manufacturing of next-generation LIBs.

Batteries↗