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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

A Redox-Electrodialysis Model with Zero Fitting Parameters: Insights into Process Limitations, Design, and Material Interventions

Redox-Electrodialysis (r-ED) is an electrochemical desalination cell architecture that has recently received considerable interest, due to its low energy demand relative to electrochemical desalination technologies that rely on electrode-based ion removal. To further improve the energy efficiency of r-ED, we developed a lumped mathematical model with no adjustable parameters to investigate the various sources of overpotential within the cell. Existing models of electrodialysis and r-ED cells either do not accurately incorporate all phenomena contributing to the overpotential or utilize empirical fitting parameters. The model developed here indicates that ohmic overpotentials, especially in the diluate chamber, are the most significant contributors to energy losses. Based on this insight, we hypothesized that adding an ion exchange resin wafer in the diluate compartment would increase the ionic conductivity and decrease the energy demand. Experimental results showed an 18% reduction in specific energy use while achieving the same degree of salt removal (20 mM to 12 mM). Furthermore, the resin wafer enabled complete desalination to potable drinking levels at a current density previously unachievable within practical operating voltage limits (4.93 mA cm -2 ). We also expanded the model to explore differences in r-ED energy use between configurations using multiple cells and a single cell with increased area.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Environmental Validation of Materials and Design Concepts to Enable Operational Flexibility of Existing Coal Power Plants

Increasingly, coal-fired power plants are required to balance power grids by compensating for the variable electricity supply from renewable energy sources. Fossil-fueled power plants, originally designed to be base loaded, will increasingly need to operate on a load following or cyclic basis. This demanding requirement for operational flexibility will need to be evaluated for resilience to frequent start-ups, meeting major and rapid load changes, and providing frequency control duties. Our research objective was to evaluate and improve flexibility of existing power plants by improving and redesigning components and defining new operational strategies, with acceptable impacts on component life, efficiency and emissions.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Design and Materials of Reference Electrodes for Radioactive Waste Tank Service – A Literature Review

The Hanford site stores approximately 55 million gallons of radioactive and chemically hazardous wastes from the production of weapons materials. The wastes are stored in 177 underground, carbon steel storage tanks, 149 of these are single shell tanks (SSTs) and 28 of these are double shell tanks (DSTs). The DSTs provide critical retrieval and interim storage before the waste is vitrified in the Waste Treatment and Isolation Plant (WTP). The DSTs have been in service for 38 to 56 years and current plans indicate that WTP operations will be completed in 2075. Thus, the tanks will need to remain in service far beyond the initial 40-year life expectancy. For life extension of the tanks, effective corrosion control practices must remain in force. This effort includes direct measurements of the extent of corrosion (e.g., ultrasonic measurements and corrosion coupons) and electrochemical processes (e.g., linear polarization measurements).

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2024

“Production of High Specific Activity 155 Tb, 161 Tb and 203 Pb for Research and Clinical Applications: Effective Target Design, Target Material Recycling and Radioisotope Separation”

Radioisotopes are essential for the development and application of radiopharmaceuticals that target specific diseases, such as cancer, offering unique potential for precision medicine. The growing demand for theranostic radioisotopes underscores their critical role in personalized medicine, where they enhance diagnostic imaging, minimize patient radiation exposure, and improve targeted tissue uptake, particularly in receptor- and antigen-directed therapies. The theranostic pair terbium-155 (diagnostic) and terbium-161 (therapeutic) holds significant promise for advancing individualized, targeted, and dosimetry-driven radiotherapies. However, the United States currently lacks routine and reliable production of these isotopes. This project made significant progress toward addressing this supply issue by developing production and separation methods for terbium-155 and terbium-161 while also training the next generation of the nuclear and radiochemistry workforce. This grant also strengthened collaboration between scientists at the University of Washington, the University of Missouri and Brookhaven National Laboratory. The research effort focused on evaluating target preparation methods, optimizing irradiation parameters, and refining isolation processes. In addition, the project provided extensive hands-on training to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, equipping them with expertise in radioisotope production technologies and fostering the growth of the nuclear science workforce.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
NASA NTRS1973

Design and material selection for inverter transformer cores

Report is announced which studied magnetic properties of candidate materials for use in spacecraft transformers, static inverters, converters, and transformer-rectifier power supplies. Included are material characteristics for available alloy compositions in tabular form, including: trade names, saturated flux density, dc coercive force, loop squareness, material density, and watts per pound at 3 KHz.

Mclyman, W. T.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Photovoltaic Module Encapsulation Design and Materials Selection, Volume 1, Abridged

A summary version of Volume 1, presenting the basic encapsulation systems, their purposes and requirements, and the characteristics of the most promising candidate systems and materials, as identified and evaluated by the Flat-Plate Solar Array Project is presented. In this summary version considerable detail and much supporting and experimental information has necessarily been omitted. A reader interested in references and literature citations, and in more detailed information on specific topics, should consult Reference 1, JPL Document No. 5101-177, JPL Publication 81-102, DOE/JPL-1012-60 (JPL), June 1, 1982.

Cuddihy, E. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Photovoltaic module encapsulation design and materials section, volume 2

Tests for chemical structure, material properties, water absorption, aging and curing agent of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and UV absorption studies are carried out. A computer model was developed for thermal optical modeling, to investigate dependence between module operating temperature and solar insolation, and heat dissapation behavior. Structural analyses were performed in order to determine the stress distribution under wind and heat conditions. Curves are shown for thermal loading conditions. An electrical isolation was carried out to investigate electrical stress aging of non-metallic encapsulation materials and limiting material flaws, and to develop a computer model of electrical fields and stresses in encapsulation materials. In addition, a mathematical model was developed and tests were conducted to predict hygroscopic and thermal expansion and contraction on a plastic coated wooden substrate. Thermal cycle and humidity freezing cycle tests, partial discharge tests, and hail impact tests were also carried out. Finally, the effects of soiling on the surface of photovoltaic modules were investigated. Two antisoiling coatings, a fluorinated silane and perflourodecanoic acid were considered.

Cuddihy, E. F.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Developing a Material Strength Design Value Based on Compression after Impact Damage for the Ares I Composite Interstage

The derivation of design values for compression after impact strength for two types of honeycomb sandwich structures are presented. The sandwich structures in this study had an aluminum core and composite laminate facesheets of either 16-ply quasi or 18-ply directional lay-ups. The results show that a simple power law curve fit to the data can be used to create A- and B-basis residual strength curves.

Nettles, A. T.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Design of Materials for IR Detectors Using High Z Elements for High Energy Radiation Environment

There is a strong need for rad hard and high operating temperature IR detectors for space environment. Heavy metal Selenides (high Z and large density) have been investigated for more than half century for high operating temperature mid wave infrared (MWIR) applications. Most of the efforts have been devoted to make detector arrays on high-resistivity Si substrates for operating wavelengths in the 1.5 to 5.0 m region using physical vapor transport grown poly crystalline materials. For most of the biological spectral and imaging applications, short wave infrared (SWIR) detectors have shown better performance. Recent growth materials have shown variation in morphology with slight change in growth conditions and hence variation in performance parameters such as bandgap, mobility and resistivity from sample to sample. We have performed growth and optical characterization of binary materials CdSe-PbSe to determine the suitability for IR detector. We have determined bandgap using several theoretical models for different morphologies observed during growth on silicon wafers.

Saraf, Sonali↗
DOE OSTI2024

Production of High Specific Activity 155 Tb, 161 Tb and 203 Pb for Research and Clinical Applications: Effective Target Design, Target Material Recycling and Radioisotope Separation (Final Technical Report)

The overall objectives of this project were (1) to develop methods for the production and separation of a diagnostic and therapeutic or “theranostic” pair of radioisotopes, terbium-155 ( 155 Tb) and terbium-161 ( 161 Tb) and (2) to train graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in technologies and methods used in radionuclide production. Radionuclides can be incorporated into drugs called radiopharmaceuticals that target a specific disease (e.g., cancer). The need for theranostic radionuclides is escalating with the clinical translation of radiopharmaceuticals due to their implementation in personalized medicine, which has demonstrated enhanced patient treatments. High purity and high specific activity radionuclides are critical for theranostic agent development, for example to maintain diagnostic image quality, to minimize radiation dose to the patient, and to increase uptake in the targeted tissue (e.g., tumor), especially in the case of receptor- and antigen-targeted agents. The 155 Tb (diagnostic) and 161 Tb (therapeutic) radioisotopes that were generated through this project are a theranostic pair with demonstrated potential for the development and translation into individualized, targeted, and dosimetry-driven radiotherapies. However, the development of such radiotherapies has been hindered by the lack of a routine and reliable supply of these isotopes in the United States. Methods for the production, separation, and supply of 155 Tb and 161 Tb were investigated and developed in this project. Further, the strong emphasis throughout the project on the training of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows has helped to ensure and enhance the nuclear science workforce through the training of the next generation of highly qualified scientists in nuclear and radiochemistry. This grant also continued a collaboration between scientists at the University of Washington (UW), the University of Missouri (MU) and Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). All three institutions were involved in the project, but to different degrees on the various tasks through which the overall objectives were met.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗