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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 OSTI2020

Peptoid-Based Programmable 2D Nanomaterial Sensor for Selective and Sensitive Detection of H 2 S in Live Cells

During the past decades, a variety of two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets have been developed through supramolecular self-assembly. Among them, those assembled from sequence-defined molecules have received particularly attention because they enable a precise displaying of functional groups, including fluorescent dyes, within nanosheet surfaces. On the other hand, due to the fluorescence self-quenching, synthesis of organic 2D nanosheets exhibiting high fluorescence quantum yields is a significant challenge. Herein, we report the utilization of H 2 S-responsive probes as peptoid sidechains to design and synthesize crystalline 2D nanomembranes (2DNMs) as selective and sensitive H 2 S sensors. These 2DNM sensors exhibit a high quantum yield as a result of high crystallinity and tunable probe density. Compared with amorphous state of peptoid assembly and pre-assembled peptoid-probe conjugates, these crystalline 2DNM sensors exhibit a significantly strong fluorescence intensity and a high sensitivity (~ 0.36 nM). By sonication-cutting these 2DNM sensors into a colloidal form in aqueous solution, we further demonstrated the use of colloidal 2DNMs for detecting both exogenous and endogenous H 2 S inside cells or targeted cell organelles. As far as we know, this is the first example of using sequence-defined 2D nanomaterials for selective and sensitive detection of H 2 S. Because peptoids are biocompatible and peptoid-based 2DNMs are highly programmable, we expect that this new class of 2DNM sensors offer great potentials for detecting H 2 S and for biological applications.

2D nanomaterials↗
DOE OSTI2026

Dynamically reconfigurable topological routing in nonlinear photonic systems

The propagation path of topologically protected states is bound to the interface between regions with different topology, and as such, the functionality of linear photonic devices leveraging these states is fixed during fabrication. Here, we propose a mechanism for dynamic control over a driven dissipative system’s local topology, yielding reconfigurable topological interfaces and thus tunable paths for protected routing. We illustrate our approach in non-resonantly pumped polariton lattices, where the nonlinear interaction between the polaritons and the exciton reservoir due to non-resonant pumping can yield picosecond-scale changes in the propagation paths of the chiral edge states. To analytically confirm the numerically observed topological dynamics, we generalize the spectral localizer framework to non-linear non-Hermitian Chern materials and apply this framework to a continuous model of the polariton system based on a driven-dissipative Gross-Pitaevskii equation. In doing so, we show that the local changes in the polariton lattice’s topology are captured by a local Chern marker. Looking forward, we anticipate such reconfigurable topological routing will enable the realization of novel classes of topological photonic devices.

Wong, Stephan [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-N↗
DOE OSTI2024

Block copolymer self-assembly derived mesoporous magnetic materials with three-dimensionally (3D) co-continuous gyroid nanostructure

Magnetic nanomaterials are gaining interest for their many applications in technological areas from information science and computing to next-generation quantum energy materials. While magnetic materials have historically been nanostructured through techniques such as lithography and molecular beam epitaxy, there has recently been growing interest in using soft matter self-assembly. In this work, a triblock terpolymer, poly(isoprene-block-styrene-block-ethylene oxide) (ISO), is used as a structure directing agent for aluminosilicate sol nanoparticles and magnetic material precursors to generate organic–inorganic bulk hybrid films with co-continuous morphology. After thermal processing into mesoporous materials, results from a combination of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are consistent with the double gyroid morphology. Nitrogen sorption measurements reveal a type IV isotherm with H1 hysteresis, and yield a specific surface area of around 200 m 2 g −1 and an average pore size of 23 nm. The magnetization of the mesostructured material as a function of applied field shows magnetic hysteresis and coercivity at 300 K and 10 K. Comparison of magnetic measurements between the mesoporous gyroid and an unstructured bulk magnetic material, derived from the identical inorganic precursors, reveals the structured material exhibits a coercivity of 250 Oe, opposed to 148 Oe for the unstructured at 10 K, and presence of remnant magnetic moment not conventionally found in bulk hematite; both of these properties are attributed to the mesostructure. This scalable route to mesoporous magnetic materials with co-continuous morphologies from block copolymer self-assembly may provide a pathway to advanced magnetic nanomaterials with a range of potential applications.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2016

Self-detection of x-ray Fresnel transmissivity using photoelectron-induced gas ionization

Electric response of an x-ray mirror enclosed in a gas flow ionization chamber was studied under the conditions of total external reflection for hard x-rays. It is shown that the electric response of the system as a function of the incidence angle is defined by x-ray Fresnel transmissivity and photon-electron attenuation properties of the mirror material. A simple interpretation of quantum yield of the system is presented. The approach could serve as a basis for non-invasive in situ diagnostics of hard x-ray optics, easy access to complementary x-ray transmissivity data in x-ray reflectivity experiments, and might also pave the way to advanced schemes for angle and energy resolving x-ray detectors.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

Decoupling between Shockley partials and stacking faults strengthens multiprincipal element alloys

We report that mechanical properties are fundamental to structural materials, where dislocations play a decisive role in describing their mechanical behavior. Although the high-yield stresses of multiprincipal element alloys (MPEAs) have received extensive attention in the last decade, the relation between their mechanistic origins remains elusive. Our multiscale study of density functional theory, atomistic simulations, and high-resolution microscopy shows that the excellent mechanical properties of MPEAs have diverse origins. The strengthening effects through Shockley partials and stacking faults can be decoupled in MPEAs, breaking the conventional wisdom that low stacking fault energies are coupled with wide partial dislocations. This study clarifies the mechanistic origins for the strengthening effects, laying the foundation for physics-informed predictive models for materials design.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Understanding Majorana braiding in superconductors with a fixed total number of particles

Mean-field one-dimensional topological superconductors host edge Majorana zero modes (MZMs) that encode a topologically protected ground-state degeneracy and enable robust braiding operations within this subspace. Mean-field states lack definite particle number and thus cannot represent isolated systems. Nevertheless, projecting them onto fixed particle number can yield good approximations to an isolated superconductor ground state. In earlier work [Sajith et al., Phys. Rev. B 109, 184509 (2024)] we showed that the projected Kitaev wave function of a single wire preserves some important mean-field features, such as the zero-energy spectral peaks near the wire edges. However, uniqueness of the fixed-number ground state does not allow for any nontrivial operations in the ground-state subspace. To overcome this limitation, here we consider the case of multiple wires with a conserved total charge, using the same approach. In the limit of vanishing interwire coupling, this system has a macroscopic ground-state degeneracy. We show how this degeneracy is resolved by coherent single-particle tunneling, and identify special many-body states which play the same role as the MZM parity states in the mean field. In this work, we demonstrate how braiding operations can be implemented and discuss both intrinsic and extrinsic limits on their fidelity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Ab Initio Investigation of Charge Trapping Across the Crystalline- Si -Amorphous- Si O 2 Interface

Accurate microscopic description of the charge-trapping process from semiconductor to defects in the dielectric-oxide layer is of paramount importance for understanding many microelectronic devices such as complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) transistors, as well as electrochemical reactions. Unfortunately, most current microscopic descriptions of such processes are based on empirical models with parameters fitted to experimental device performance results or simplified approximations like the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) method. Some critical questions are still unanswered, including: What controls the charge-hopping rate, the coupling strength between the defect level to semiconductor level, or the energy difference? How does the hopping rate decay with defect-semiconductor distance? What is the fluctuation of the defect level, especially in amorphous dielectrics? Many of these questions can be answered by ab initio calculations. However, to date, there are few ab initio studies for this problem mainly due to technical challenges from atomic-structure construction to large-system calculations. Here, using the latest advances in calculation methods and codes, we study the carrier-trapping problem using density-functional theory (DFT) based on the Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof (HSE) exchange correlation functional. The valence bond random-switching method is used to construct the crystalline-Si-amorphous-SiO2 (c-Si/a-SiO2) interfacial atomic structure, and the HSE yields a band offset that agrees well with experiments. The hopping rate is calculated with the Marcus theory, and the hopping-rate dependences on the gate potential and defect distances are revealed, as well as the range of fluctuation results from amorphous structural variation. We also analyze the result with the simple WKB model and find a major difference in the description of the coupling constant decay with the defect-semiconductor distance. Our results provide the ab initio simulation insights for this important carrier-trapping process for device operation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Nonaffine Strains Control Ductility of Metallic Glasses

The origin of limited plasticity in metallic glasses is elusive, with no apparent link to their atomic structure. In this study, we propose that the response of the glassy structure to applied stress, not the original structure itself, provides a gauge to predict the degree of plasticity. We carried out high-energy x-ray diffraction on various bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) under uniaxial compression within the elastic limit and evaluated the anisotropic pair distribution function. We show that the extent of local deviation from the affine (uniform) deformation in the elastic regime is strongly correlated with the plastic behavior of BMGs beyond yield, across chemical compositions and sample history. The results suggest that the propensity for collective local atomic rearrangements under stress promotes plasticity.

3-dimensional systems↗
DOE OSTI2016

Parts Per Million CH4 Chemoresistor Sensors Based on multi wall Carbon Nanotubes/Metal-oxide Nanoparticles

This paper presents a novel atomic layer deposition (ALD) based ZnO functionalization of surface pretreated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for highly sensitive methane chemoresistive sensors. The temperature optimization of the ALD process leads to enhanced ZnO nanoparticle functionalization and improvement in their crystalline quality as shown by transmission electron microscopy. Here we propose a facile and effective top-down method for the high-yield fabrication of chemoresistor sensors making use of MWCNTs/ZnO composite. The behavior of MWCNTs/ZnO sensors in presence of methane concentrations down to 10 ppm level has been investigated. The sensor is currently being tested under a range of conditions that include potentially interfering gases and changes to relative humidity.

chemoresistor, carbon nanotubes, metal-oxide- nano↗
DOE OSTI2015

Fabrication of nanoporous membranes for tuning microbial interactions and biochemical reactions

Here we describe how new strategies for combining conventional photo- and soft- lithographic techniques with high-resolution patterning and etching strategies are needed in order to produce multi-scale fluidic platforms that address the full range of functional scales seen in complex biological and chemical systems. The smallest resolution required for an application often dictates the fabrication method used. Micromachining and micro-powder blasting yield higher throughput, but lack the resolution needed to fully address biological and chemical systems at the cellular and molecular scales. In contrast, techniques such as electron beam lithography or nanoimprinting allow nanoscale resolution, but are traditionally considered costly and slow. Other techniques such as photolithography or soft lithography have characteristics between these extremes. Combining these techniques to fabricate multi-scale or hybrid fluidics allows fundamental biological and chemical questions can be answered. In this study, a combination of photolithography and electron beam lithography are used to produce two multi-scale fluidic devices that incorporate porous membranes into complex fluidic networks to control the flow of energy, information, and materials in chemical form. In the first device, materials and energy were used to support chemical reactions. A nanoporous membrane fabricated with e-beam lithography separates two parallel, serpentine channels. Photolithography was used to write microfluidic channels around the membrane. The pores were written at 150nm and reduced in size with silicon dioxide deposition from plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD). Using this method, the molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) of the membrane can be adapted to the system of interest. In the second approach, photolithography was used to fabricate 200nm thin pores. The pores confined microbes and allowed energy replenishment from a media perfusion channel. The same device can be used for study of intercellular communication via the secretion and uptake of signal molecules. Pore size was tested with 750nm fluorescent polystyrene beads and fluorescein dye. The 200nm PDMS pores were shown to be robust enough to hold 750nm beads while under pressure, but allow fluorescein to diffuse across the barrier. Further testing showed that extended culture of bacteria within the chambers was possible. Finally, these two examples show how lithographically defined porous membranes can be adapted to two unique situations and used to tune the flow of chemical energy, materials, and information within a microfluidic network.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Photodisintegration of the isotopes {sup 186,188,189,190,192}Os: Similarities and distinctions

In addition to the results obtained earlier for the isotopes {sup 188,189}Os, experimental data on the photodisintegration of the isotopes {sup 186,190,192}Os are analyzed on the basis of specially introduced objective criteria of reliability of data on the cross sections for partial photoneutron reactions. It is found that the (γ, 1n), (γ, 2n), and (γ, 3n) cross sections for each isotope satisfy differently or, on the contrary, do not satisfy the data-reliability criteria. In many cases, the multiplicity transition functions specified as the ratios F{sub i} = σ(γ, in)/σ(γ, xn) of the cross sections for the (γ, in) partial reactions to the neutron-yield reaction cross section σ(γ, xn) = σ(γ, 1n) + 2σ(γ, 2n) + 3σ(γ, 3n) +... have values that are physically unreliable by definition. It is shown that ambiguities in the dependence of significant systematic uncertainties in experimentally determined neutron multiplicities on the measured kinetic energies is the reason for this. The dependence of these uncertainties on the energy spectra of neutrons is analyzed. For the isotopes {sup 186,190,192}Os, new evaluated data satisfying the data-reliability criteria are obtained for the cross sections for partial and total photoneutron reactions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Measurement of lepton differential distributions and the top quark mass in $t\bar{t}$ production in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV with the ATLAS detector

We present single lepton and dilepton kinematic distributions measured in dileptonic t$\bar{t}$ events produced in 20.2fb - 1 of √s=8 TeV pp collisions recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC. Both absolute and normalised differential cross-sections are measured, using events with an opposite-charge eμ pair and one or two b-tagged jets. Furthermore, the cross-sections are measured in a fiducial region corresponding to the detector acceptance for leptons, and are compared to the predictions from a variety of Monte Carlo event generators, as well as fixed-order QCD calculations, exploring the sensitivity of the cross-sections to the gluon parton distribution function. Some of the distributions are also sensitive to the top quark pole mass; a combined fit of NLO fixed-order predictions to all the measured distributions yields a top quark mass value of m$pole\atop{t}$=173.2±0.9±0.8±1.2 GeV, where the three uncertainties arise from data statistics, experimental systematics, and theoretical sources.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Lewis Acid Pairs for the Activation of Biomass-derived Oxygenates in Aqueous Media

The objective of this project is to understand the mechanistic aspects behind the cooperative activation of oxygenates by catalytic pairs in aqueous media. Specifically, we will investigate how the reactivity of a solid Lewis acid can be modulated by pairing the active site with other catalytic sites at the molecular level, with the ultimate goal of enhancing activation of targeted functional groups. Although unusual catalytic properties have been attributed to the cooperative effects promoted by such catalytic pairs, virtually no studies exist detailing the use heterogeneous water-tolerant Lewis pairs. A main goal of this work is to devise rational pathways for the synthesis of porous heterogeneous catalysts featuring isolated Lewis pairs that are active in the transformation of biomass-derived oxygenates in the presence of bulk water. Achieving this technical goal will require closely linking advanced synthesis techniques; detailed kinetic and mechanistic investigations; strict thermodynamic arguments; and comprehensive characterization studies of both materials and reaction intermediates. For the last performance period (2014-2015), two technical aims were pursued: 1) C-C coupling using Lewis acid and base pairs in Lewis acidic zeolites. Tin-, zirconium-, and hafnium containing zeolites (e.g., Sn-, Zr-, and Hf-Beta) are versatile solid Lewis acids that selectively activate carbonyl functional groups. In this aim, we demonstrate that these zeolites catalyze the cross-aldol condensation of aromatic aldehydes with acetone under mild reaction conditions with near quantitative yields. NMR studies with isotopically labeled molecules confirm that acid-base pairs in the Si-O-M framework ensemble promote soft enolization through α-proton abstraction. The Lewis acidic zeolites maintain activity in the presence of water and, unlike traditional base catalysts, in acidic solutions. 2) One-pot synthesis of MWW zeolite nanosheets for activation of bulky substrates. Through post-synthetic modifications, layered zeolite precursors can be transformed into 2-dimensional (2D), zeolites with open architectures. These novel hierarchical microporous/mesoporous materials with exposed active sites can facilitate the conversion of bulky substrates while maintaining higher stability than amorphous mesoporous materials. However, post-synthetic exfoliation techniques are energy intensive, multi-step and require highly alkaline conditions that result in low silica yields and a partially amorphous product. In this aim, we demonstrate an effective one-pot synthesis method to generate exfoliated single-unit-cell thick MWW nanosheets. The new material, named MIT-1, is synthesized using a rationally-designed OSDA and results in a material with high crystallinity, surface area, and acidity that does not require post-synthetic treatments other than calcination. A parametric study of Al, Na, and water content reveals that MIT-1 crystallizes over a wide synthetic window. Characterization data show that MIT-1 has high mesoporosity with an external surface area exceeding 500 m2g-1 and a high external acid site density of 21 x 10-5 mol g-1. Catalytic tests demonstrate that MIT-1 has three-fold higher catalytic activity for the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzene with benzyl alcohol as compared to that of other 3D MWW topology zeolites.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Synthetic Design of Microorganisms for Lignin Fuel

Despite the proof-of-the-concept for lignin bioconversion at the time when the project was first funded, the conversion efficiency and titer were extremely low for bioconversion of lignin into lipid. The low conversion efficiency is due the inherent recalcitrance of lignin and limited understanding of lignin chemistry. In nature, lignin is a complex aromatic heteropolymer composed of phenylpropane units cross-linked via a variety of chemically stable bonds, which makes it particularly difficult for microbial degradation. In addition to the recalcitrance, lignin as a biorefinery waste is also highly heterogeneous in terms of chemical linkage abundance, functional group distribution, molecular weight and uniformity. In order to achieve better lignin bioconversion, it is critical to understand how lignin chemistry impacts the conversion performance. Throughout the project, we have clearly found that ‘not all lignin are created equal’, in particular, for the lignin out of different biochemical conversion processes. In addition, we have clearly shown that lignin chemistry defines its functionality and processiblity for bioconversion. In particular, the S/G/H ratio, functional groups, chemical linkages and molecular weight defines the reactivity of lignin during bioconversion. Throughout the project, we have advanced the understanding for the impact of lignin chemistry on reactivity, developed a series of lignin 3 fractionation technologies to improve lignin processibility, and ultimately advanced biorefinery design holistically for simultaneous optimization of carbohydrate release and lignin reactivity. In addition to lignin reactivity, another important consideration for lignin bioconversion is the available microbial strains for bioconversion. Natural biomass utilization systems evolved mechanisms for lignin degradation, often with at least three sequential steps: lignin depolymerization into aromatic compounds, subsequent degradation of aromatic compounds into common intermediates like acetyl-CoA, and eventually the conversion of central metabolites into target bioproducts like lipid and PHA. Extensive work has gone into understanding the mechanisms of lignin depolymerization in model systems such as white rot fungi and termites. Despite interest, no fungus-based commercial process for lignin depolymerization has been developed, due in large part to the practical challenges of fungal genetic manipulations. In addition to white rot fungi, a few members of the Actinobacteria, α-Proteobacteria, and γ-Proteobacteria (including Rhodococcus putida) have lignin degradation activity in vitro. However, most of lignindegrading bacteria has very low lignin conversion efficiency, in particular, for lignin depolymerization. The project focused on addressing the issue with systems biology-guided microbial design to improve lignin bioconversion. The project first established that laccase enzyme can synergize with bacteria to promote lignin depolymerization, and further utilized synthetic biology approach to designed functional modules for lignin depolymerization, aromatic compound utilization, and bioproduct accumulation. The integration of biorefinery design, synthetic biology, and fermentation optimization eventually allowed us to achieve the target yield of 10g/L lipid production from lignin-containing biorefinery waste. In this summary, we hereby briefly review the major discoveries from the project with reference to different sections of this report.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Semi-automated Design of Artificial Intelligence Earth Systems Models

Prediction and observation of water cycles at various scales involve not only patterns isolated in space and time, but also modeling of complex spatio-temporal relationships across multiple domains. For instance, evapotranspiration (ET) and leaf area indexes (LAI) are two parameters that are needed to accurately model and understand land-atmosphere processes. Accurate assessments of ET and LAI are critical for understanding hydrological processes, deforestation, crop yield, and irrigation impacts. However, ET estimates for global simulations are available at very coarse spatial resolution. They are usually derived from satellite data based on broad plant functional types (PFTs), which fail to capture fine-scale variations because of changes in vegetation type across the globe. Similarly LAI estimates have typically been derived from vegetation indices at global scales or estimated locally using physical models, both of which suffer from a range of uncertainties that impact model sensitivity. The new era of AI model development for Earth systems (ES) calls for data-driven methods that provide domain scientists with uncertainty-aware estimations of biophysical parameters such as ET and LAI in a generalizable, interpretable, and discoverable manner.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Scalable Thin Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Light Sheet Platform

The goal of the Scalable Thin Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Light Sheet Platform project is to derisk the manufacturing scalability for a high chip count heterogeneous smart lighting platform, with the potential to enable significant energy savings through dynamic directional light control and custom. Specifically, the project derisks the scalability of a disruptive new computer controlled microassembly fabrication process SRI International is developing, to address fundamental cost barriers to mass production of high chip count systems. This is key for enabling mass adoption and thus maximum societal energy savings impact. The LED light sheet technology is a smart illumination platform that can be applied to lighting, signage, and display. It has features and a form factor similar to bendable or conformal OLED light sheets but uses more efficient LEDs with a remote phosphor layer that is very close to the LED to deliver a luminous efficacy that exceeds 125 lumen/Watt and enable > 50% Lighting Application Efficiency (LAE) energy savings. During Budget Period 1 (BP1), all of the BP1 milestones were successfully completed: (M2.0.1) Design demonstrator details that will meet the final project goals, (M6.1.1) Show lighting output model can predict illuminance, spatial, spectral distribution for specific light-sheet designs and use case, (M3.2.1) Automated loading supports 200 chip arrays, and (M3.3.1) Finish first interconnect process run for 200 chip array. The BP1 Go/No-Go Decision Point (G/NG 1) 200 chip demonstrator sample was in the process of final assembly and test at the end of BP1 on December 31, 2023. The objective was successfully achieved on January 16, 2024, when a wired 200-chip sample underwent confirmation testing that demonstrated a 93.75% first pass electrical yield that successfully exceeded the 75% first-pass electrical yield BP1 G/NG requirement. In addition, all 93.75% of the sample devices lit up, further demonstrating the ability to assemble and transfer small LED chips without damaging their functionality.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2017

Measuring the Properties of Dark Energy with Photometrically Classified Pan-STARRS Supernovae. I. Systematic Uncertainty from Core-collapse Supernova Contamination

The Pan-STARRS (PS1) Medium Deep Survey discovered over 5000 likely supernovae (SNe) but obtained spectral classifications for just 10% of its SN candidates. We measured spectroscopic host galaxy redshifts for 3147 of these likely SNe and estimate that ∼1000 are Type Ia SNe (SNe Ia) with light-curve quality sufficient for a cosmological analysis. We use these data with simulations to determine the impact of core-collapse SN (CC SN) contamination on measurements of the dark energy equation of state parameter, w. Using the method of Bayesian Estimation Applied to Multiple Species (BEAMS), distances to SNe Ia and the contaminating CC SN distribution are simultaneously determined. We test light-curve-based SN classification priors for BEAMS as well as a new classification method that relies upon host galaxy spectra and the association of SN type with host type. By testing several SN classification methods and CC SN parameterizations on large SN simulations, we estimate that CC SN contamination gives a systematic error on w (σ{sub w}{sup CC}) of 0.014, 29% of the statistical uncertainty. Our best method gives σ{sub w}{sup CC}=0.004, just 8% of the statistical uncertainty, but could be affected by incomplete knowledge of the CC SN distribution. This method determines the SALT2 color and shape coefficients, α and β, with ∼3% bias. However, we find that some variants require α and β to be fixed to known values for BEAMS to yield accurate measurements of w. Finally, the inferred abundance of bright CC SNe in our sample is greater than expected based on measured CC SN rates and luminosity functions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

In-situ ionothermal synthesis of nanoporous carbon/oxide composites: A new key to functional separators for stable lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) with high energy density are promising for energy storage. However, conventional polypropylene-based separator cannot avoid polysulfides shuttling which impedes the practical application of LSBs. Herein, an in-situ ionothermal synthesis strategy that concurrently applies ionic liquid as the solvent, template and high-yield carbon source is proposed for the facile preparation of nanoporous carbon/oxide composite separator modifiers. The composites exhibit features of high polarity, self doping, oxygen vacancy, heteroatom doping, abundant defects and high electronic conductivity. Theoretical and experimental studies suggest that the composites can efficiently trap and convert polysulfides for high-performance LSBs. Indeed, in the composite-modified LSBs with next-generation roll-to-roll dry-processed high-loading sulfur cathodes, enhanced performance is achieved, revealing the effectiveness of the composites as functional materials towards separator modification. Therefore, the proposed strategy and its delivered nanoporous composites exhibit excellent versatility and practicality for high-performance LSBs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗