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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 OSTI2026

A bioinspired approach for adaptive solid-solid phase change material coatings with optimized surface features for passive thermal regulation

The necessity to reduce global energy consumption calls for innovative strategies in building thermal management. Passive thermal regulation, particularly through bio-inspired designs, offers a promising avenue by mimicking nature's efficient control of optical properties. This research introduces a novel, climate-responsive coating that integrates optimized bio-inspired surface features with a solid-solid phase change material (SS-PCM) to dynamically manage solar absorptivity without adding additional thickness, enabling both heating and cooling as needed. Drawing on the photonic architectures of the Saharan silver ant and Morpho Didius butterfly, we employed a modeling and multi-objective optimization framework to tailor these surface features. Simulations reveal that surface texture, rather than the intrinsic phase transition of the SS PCM, dominates optical control. Relative to a flat SS PCM coating, optimized isotropic random roughness and broader range features yielded the highest passive heating power increase of about 144 % and 319 % respectively suitable for cold climates. Saharan ant-inspired features enhanced passive cooling for hot climates, achieving a 21.8 % improvement. For moderate climates, Butterfly-wing-inspired surface features provided a balanced enhancement of 19 % for heating and 7 % for cooling. Across all cases, the optimized surface features reduced combined heating and cooling energy demand more effectively than the baseline coating, while preserving material thickness. These findings demonstrate that climate-adaptive, optimized bio-inspired surface features can unlock the full potential of SS PCM coatings, providing a versatile pathway to significant energy savings in buildings and other applications. The methodology establishes a framework for designing next-generation adaptive envelopes that leverage natural photonic principles for high-impact, low-cost thermal regulation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mechanical Design Guidelines to Inhibit Fracture in Perovskite Solar Cells

Perovskite (PVSK) solar cells offer significant benefits over conventional silicon cells including low-cost solution processibility, minimal materials usage related to strong photon absorption in thin-film cell architectures, and a tunable bandgap. However, PVSK films are mechanically fragile, and fracture of PVSK layers and adjacent interfaces are a significant concern during fabrication, encapsulation, and operation. Herein, a thin-film mechanics fracture analysis tailored for p–i–n and n–i–p PVSK solar cells on both soda lime glass and polyimide substrates fabricated with three PVSK crystallization methods is presented. Here, the role of thermal processing of each cell layer is explored to determine the maximum allowable temperature below which fracture is inhibited. In the analysis, the mechanics basis for processing and materials selection guidelines for preventing fracture in PVSK solar cells is provided.

adhesion↗
DOE OSTI2020

GaAsP/Si Tandem Solar Cells: Pathway to Low-Cost, High-Efficiency Photovoltaics

Si is the dominant PV technology, now and for the foreseeable future, due to its extensive manufacturing infrastructure, supply chain, feedstock availability, and highly optimized degree of fabrication processes, which altogether has produced an economic scenario where PV electricity generation is often cheaper than conventional fossil based generation. In many places, the overarching goal of grid parity has been achieved, but further improvement in performance-cost metrics are still needed to sustain the continued LCOE reductions needed to not only compete with conventional generation, but displace it on a global scale; a matter of critical importance if we stand any hope of slowing climate change. Nevertheless, single-junction Si PV is already nearing its physical limit, both in performance and cost, and is thus cannot meet these long-term goals alone. To this end, we are working on the development of monolithic III-V/Si tandem solar cells, which improve upon the performance of pure Si by providing enhanced utilization (reduced thermalization) of high-energy photons. This architecture nominally combines the substantial existing knowledge base, manufacturing infrastructure, and low cost of Si PV with the high efficiencies afforded by the well-established multijunction approach — the only proven way to break the single-junction limit. Although the metal-halide perovskite/Si tandem architecture has garnered substantial attention in recent years, serious questions regarding reliability and service lifetime remain, whereas III-V PV has a proven track record, including in the harsh concentrator and space environments. Additionally, there are multiple fabrication approaches to producing III-V/Si tandem cells, but we are focused on monolithic epitaxial integration as it is the most likely to yield the lowest ultimate LCOE in a fully mature, scaled technology. In this work we have produced multiple generations of GaAsP/Si tandem solar cells, demonstrating a more than 10% absolute AM1.5G efficiency improvement within the time frame of the project, including two verified world records. We have done this using industry-standard fabrication methods, showing that this platform can ultimately be manufactured at scale using existing or only slightly upgraded Si and III-V tooling. Our scientific and engineering advances across a range of fundamental and applied areas – III-V/Si heteroepitaxial integration, defect control in metamorphic III-V epitaxy, fundamental materials-oriented solar cell design and modeling methodology, and more – have created clear pathways for continued advances toward the goal of >30% AM1.5G cell efficiency (and >25% module) and will serve to inform the broader research community for well beyond this immediate application. Techno-economic modeling indicates that our approach can indeed meet SunShot/SETO LCOE targets, but as with any “post-Si” technology there are difficult, but not insurmountable barriers, requiring continued focused research and development efforts.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Learning from Arctic Microgrids: Cost and Resiliency Projections for Renewable Energy Expansion with Hydrogen and Battery Storage

Electricity in rural Alaska is provided by more than 200 standalone microgrid systems powered predominantly by diesel generators. Incorporating renewable energy generation and storage to these systems can reduce their reliance on costly imported fuel and improve sustainability; however, uncertainty remains about optimal grid architectures to minimize cost, including how and when to incorporate long-duration energy storage. This study implements a novel, multi-pronged approach to assess the techno-economic feasibility of future energy pathways in the community of Kotzebue, which has already successfully deployed solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, and battery storage systems. Using real community load, resource, and generation data, we develop a series of comparison models using the HOMER Pro software tool to evaluate microgrid architectures to meet over 90% of the annual community electricity demand with renewable generation, considering both battery and hydrogen energy storage. We find that near-term planned capacity expansions in the community could enable over 50% renewable generation and reduce the total cost of energy. Additional build-outs to reach 75% renewable generation are shown to be competitive with current costs, but further capacity expansion is not currently economical. We additionally include a cost sensitivity analysis and a storage capacity sizing assessment that suggest hydrogen storage may be economically viable if battery costs increase, but large-scale seasonal storage via hydrogen is currently unlikely to be cost-effective nor practical for the region considered. While these findings are based on data and community priorities in Kotzebue, we expect this approach to be relevant to many communities in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions working to improve energy reliability, sustainability, and security.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Prefeasibility Assessment for Solar PV and Storage for Critical Community Facilities in Chernihiv, Ukraine [Slides]

A prefeasibility analysis is performed for integrating solar photovoltaics and battery energy storage at four critical facilities in Chernihiv, Ukraine. The facilities were identified by Chernihiv city officials and include Hospital No. 2, the Maternity Hospital, Secondary School No. 11, and Preschool No. 4. The analyses were performed using NREL's REopt decision-support software tool. The analysis identifies potential capacities for PV and battery energy storage to provide both economic and resilience benefits. The conceptual architecture and estimates of key summary financial and performance metrics are presented.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Component-based SHGC determination of BIPV glazing for product comparison

Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems are intrinsically designed to generate electricity and to provide at least one building-related function. When BIPV modules act as glazing products in windows, skylights or curtain walls, their ability to control the transmission of solar energy into the building must be characterised by a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) or g value (also known as Total Solar Energy Transmittance – TSET – or “solar factor”). For the comparison of BIPV glazing products consisting of one PV laminate and possibly further, conventional glazing layers separated by gas-filled cavities, the procedures documented in international standards for architectural glazing (e.g. ISO 9050 and EN 410) form a suitable starting point. Easily implemented modifications to these procedures are proposed to take both optical inhomogeneity (if relevant) and extraction of electricity from BIPV glazing units into account. Geometrically complex glazing and shading devices, and light-scattering glazing layers, are outside the scope of the proposed methodology; SHGC determination for obliquely incident solar radiation is also excluded. For these cases, the experimental calorimetric approach documented in [ISO 19467:2017; ISO 19467-2:2021] is recommended. The paper also presents results and conclusions from an implementation exercise and sensitivity study carried out by participants of the IEA-PVPS Task 15 on BIPV. The cell coverage ratio in the PV laminate, the thermal resistance offered by the glazing configuration, the choice of boundary conditions and the effect of extracting electricity were all identified as parameters which significantly affect the SHGC value determined for a given type of BIPV glazing. A practicable approach to accommodate the great variety of dimensions typical for BIPV glazing is also proposed. These findings should pave the way for modifying the existing component-based standards for architectural glazing to take the specific features of BIPV glazing into account.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Porous potassium tantalate-reduced graphene oxide nano cube architecture for high performance hybrid supercapacitors

Energy storage has always been a major concern in the present-day situation. Advanced energy storage devices are batteries, supercapacitor and solar cells. However, advancements have been noteworthy in the field of high-performance hybrid supercapacitors. On this note, we have fabricated a hybrid supercapacitor electrode material Potassium tantalate nano cube (KT NCs) and its reduced graphene oxide composite (KT-rGO NCs) and tested its electrochemical performance. The materials showed high performances with specific capacitance of 565 F/g for KT NCs and 850 F/g for KT-rGO NCs respectively. Energy densities of both KT NCs & KT-rGO NCs are 28.24 Wh/Kg and 29.50 Wh/kg with good retention capacities. Further detailed study of both KT NCs and KT-rGO NCs are carried out with characterization techniques like XRD, FTIR, BET, Raman and HRTEM for structural analysis and electrochemical measurements to analyse various parameters pertaining to its charge storage capacity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Secure and Resilient Operations Using Open-Source Distributed Systems Platform (OpenDSP)

The goal of this project is to identify and address cybersecurity gaps by developing a multi-layer multi-channel cyber-physical defense and survival mechanism for operating distribution networks with high penetration of solar / inverter-based resource (IBR) / distributed energy resource (DER). The proposed security enhancements are built upon the distributed framework and solution architecture for both information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems. The technical solutions consist of two composite functionalities and six layers: proactive defense (vulnerability assessment, communication protection, and attack detection, as layers 1-3), and adaptive self-healing (attack-resilient control, adaptive recovery, and resilient survival, as layers 4-6). These layers, built on and extended from DHS CISA Cyber Framework, establish an integrated and robust cybersecurity framework for operating large-scale distribution networks.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Unraveling the mechanism of tip-enhanced molecular energy transfer

Electronic Energy Transfer (EET) between chromophores is fundamental in many natural light-harvesting complexes, serving as a critical step for solar energy funneling in photosynthetic plants and bacteria. The complicated role of the environment in mediating this process in natural architectures has been addressed by recent scanning tunneling microscope experiments involving EET between two molecules supported on a solid substrate. These measurements demonstrated that EET in such conditions has peculiar features, such as a steep dependence on the donor-acceptor distance, reminiscent of a short-range mechanism more than of a Förster-like process. By using state of the art hybrid ab initio/electromagnetic modeling, here we provide a comprehensive theoretical analysis of tip-enhanced EET. In particular, we show that this process can be understood as a complex interplay of electromagnetic-based molecular plasmonic processes, whose result may effectively mimic short range effects. Therefore, the established identification of an exponential decay with Dexter-like effects does not hold for tip-enhanced EET, and accurate electromagnetic modeling is needed to identify the EET mechanism.

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

Illuminating the mechanistic impacts of an Fe-quaterpyridine functionalized crystalline poly(triazine imide) semiconductor for photocatalytic CO 2 reduction

The strategy of incorporating earth-abundant catalytic centers into light-absorbing architectures is desirable from the viewpoint of low cost, low toxicity, and versatility for activating small molecules to produce solar-based fuels. Herein, we show that an Fe-quaterpyridine molecular catalyst can be anchored to a light-absorbing, crystalline, carbon nitride (PTI), to yield a molecular-catalyst/material hybrid, Fe-qpy-PTI, capable of facilitating CO 2 reduction to CO selectively (up to ∼97–98%) in aqueous solution under low-intensity light irradiation. This hybrid material leverages the ability of the Fe-qpy catalyst to bind CO 2 upon a one-electron reduction, as achieved by transfer of excited electrons from the carbon-nitride semiconductor. At a low incident power density of only 50 mW cm −2 , the catalytic activity of the hybrid material was measured across a range of catalyst loadings from 0.1–3.8 wt%, yielding CO rates of up to 596 μmol g −1 h −1 for a 3.8 wt% loading during a 3 h experiment. Over the course of 8 h, the hybrid material attained a CO evolution rate of 608 μmol g −1 h −1 and 305 turnovers for a TOF of ∼38 h −1 and an apparent quantum yield of 2.6%. Higher light intensities provided an initial increase in activity but negatively impacted photocatalytic rates with time, with an AQY of 0.6% at 150 mW cm −2 and 0.4% at 250 mW cm −2 . Transient absorption spectroscopy results showed electron survival probabilities consistent with the trends in observed product rates. Computational modeling was also used to evaluate and understand the mechanistic pathway of the high product selectivity for CO versus H 2 . These results thus help unveil key factors for leveraging the mechanistic understanding of molecular catalysts for CO 2 reduction for pairing with light absorbing semiconductors and establishing optimal conditions to attain maximal rates in aqueous solution.

McGuigan, Scott [Baylor University, Waco, TX (Unit↗
DOE OSTI2021

Eject, crash, or survive: Using machine learning to predict orbital instability of exoplanetary systems

Astronomers throughout history, including titans like Kepler and Newton, have tackled planetary dynamics and orbital instability. Despite strides taken in research, understanding the evolution of planetary orbits remains an intricate, computationally expensive, and analytically unsolved problem. I apply machine learning classification methods to numerical simulations of planetary systems in order to predict the long-term fate of the planet - whether the planet remains in a stable orbit or not. My method uses the first 41.1 years (≤ 500 orbits) of data from a planet’s simulation to calculate 17 dynamically-motivated metrics; I trained my classifier on these features to predict a planet’s stability after 107 years. At 84.33%, my classifier was comparable in accuracy to pre-existing literature, despite using significantly less computational power than most other methods. In my research, I found that the standard deviation of eccentricity, mass ratios for neighboring planets, and semi-major axis ratio with the outer planet neighbor to be the most predictive features of instability. I propose reasons for the importance of these features, their role in planetary dynamics, as well as possible explanations for why some planets were misclassified. By understanding the important metrics of instability and reasons for misclassification, we can begin to understand more about system architectures, orbital motion and dynamics, and the formation and evolution of the exoplanetary systems. This is applicable in our own Solar System, and with exoplanet discovery missions such as TESS, this research becomes especially relevant in understanding the new exoplanetary systems we discover.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Eject, crash, or survive: Using machine learning to predict orbital instability of exoplanetary systems

Astronomers throughout history, including titans like Kepler and Newton, have tackled planetary dynamics and orbital instability. Despite strides taken in research, understanding the evolution of planetary orbits remains an intricate, computationally expensive, and analytically unsolved problem. I apply machine learning classification methods to numerical simulations of planetary systems in order to predict the long-term fate of the planet - whether the planet remains in a stable orbit or not. My method uses the first 41.1 years (≤ 500 orbits) of data from a planet’s simulation to calculate 17 dynamically-motivated metrics; I trained my classifier on these features to predict a planet’s stability after 107 years. At 84.33%, my classifier was comparable in accuracy to pre-existing literature, despite using significantly less computational power than most other methods. In my research, I found that the standard deviation of eccentricity, mass ratios for neighboring planets, and semi-major axis ratio with the outer planet neighbor to be the most predictive features of instability. I propose reasons for the importance of these features, their role in planetary dynamics, as well as possible explanations for why some planets were misclassified. By understanding the important metrics of instability and reasons for misclassification, we can begin to understand more about system architectures, orbital motion and dynamics, and the formation and evolution of the exoplanetary systems. This is applicable in our own Solar System, and with exoplanet discovery missions such as TESS, this research becomes especially relevant in understanding the new exoplanetary systems we discover.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Architectural Approaches for Integrating ADMS and DERMS: Challenges, Comparisons, and Real-World Use Cases

The electrical distribution landscape is rapidly transforming due to the proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage systems, combined heat and power units, and electric vehicles, introducing variability and uncontrollability that traditional grid operators are ill-equipped to manage. This transformation is further accelerated by advancements in Information and Communication Technology infrastructure that connects control centers with end devices, demanding automation and a deeper understanding of new technologies by utility personnel. Advanced grid control techniques using system-level optimization, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning at the enterprise level and distributed level are evolving to address these issues. There is also an opportunity to utilize the enormous data created by these new DER technologies in the grid. Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) and Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) are critical in addressing these challenges by automating grid operations and enhancing reliability. Given the relatively recent development of ADMS and DERMS, and the still relatively low level of ADMS and DERMS deployment in the industry, there is a notable deficiency in the comprehensive understanding of the challenges and benefits associated with these new technologies, especially with their complementary natures and integration architectures. This paper aims to bridge the knowledge gap in ADMS and DERMS integration, presenting three distinct integration architectures currently available, and discussing the challenges and benefits of each architecture to guide utilities, industry professionals, and researchers in optimizing grid management and decision-making processes for a resilient and efficient energy future.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

In-situ Characterizations of Microstructural Degradation of Perovskite Solar Cells

Rapid progress has been achieved in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), and their efficiencies have improved from 3.8 % to 24.2 % in less than a decade. With low-cost processing, PSCs have shown exciting photovoltaic (PV) properties, such as effective optical absorption, a long carrier lifetime, and unique defect tolerance. While recent studies demonstrated improved stability up to 100 days, PSC technology is still challenged to meet the stringent industry requirements for commercialization. Despite considerable efforts, the underlying physical mechanisms for the inferior stability of PSCs are not well understood. One reason for this divergence is that many established measurement techniques (e.g., quantum efficiency, photoluminescence) probe the properties on length scales far greater than that of electronic and/or structural inhomogeneity (i.e., < 1 μm near grain boundaries) and therefore characterize convoluted and/or averaged properties. Ion/electron beam-based techniques have been extensively used to access the microstructures of PSCs, enabling atomic/nanoscale structural, chemical, optical, and electrical characterizations. For example, focused ion beam (FIB) milling produces an atomically smooth surface that minimizes the artifacts attributed to the surface roughness. FIB techniques can also create a well-defined cross-section of PSCs without mechanical damage in a physical cleaving sample preparation. While powerful, there are some concerns about possible beam damage of inorganic-organic perovskites via chemical-bond breakage and local heating. This project aims to comprehensively understand how the microstructural/interfacial properties of PSCs (e.g., Methylammonium Lead Iodide [MAPbI 3 ]) are modified under the irradiating ion beams. Specifically, we investigate the sub-surface properties of PSCs before and after Ar-ion beam injections. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) measures the contact potential differences (CPDs). Photoluminescence (PL) microscopy in conjunction with Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulations infers the formation of a “dead layer” (< 15 nm) on the subsurface of MAPbI 3 during Ar+ milling processes while preserving the initial bulk properties. The x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) confirms this modified surface is a lead-rich and iodine-deficient surface. We initiate customizing in-situ measurement setup while measuring the local optical and electrical properties of PSC under thermal (cooling, heating) and light stressors. Our results provide in-depth knowledge of the ion-beam impact on metal-halide perovskites and how this modified sub-surface impacts their properties under accelerated stressors of light and heat. Intensive Monte Carlo simulations of an electron beam interacting with PSCs provide the beam energy distribution in PSCs, proposing possible measurement conditions of using e-beam with minimizing beam damage. Our in-situ measurement platform can accommodate the diverse architecture of PSC devices for studying deterioration mechanisms under mixed environmental stressors.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Solar-powered self-descaling seesaw extractor for lithium production from seawater

The low Li + concentration and the abundance of competing ions limit the efficiency of lithium extraction from seawater. Here, in this work, we report a solar-powered seesaw extractor (SPSE) to boost Li + adsorption while minimizing scaling caused by competing ions during photothermal evaporation. The SPSE features a sandwich architecture, with a hydrophilic adsorbent layer placed between two hydrophobic photothermal layers. The seesaw configuration enables Li + to be elevated and concentrated through evaporation to overcome sluggish adsorption kinetics, while the associated salt scaling is removed by the seesawing motion. As a demonstration, we assembled 60 SPSEs into a 3 × 20 array that achieved a 15.5-fold increase in local Li + concentration and a 69.1% improvement in Li + uptake over 120 h, with a Li + /Na + separation factor exceeding 370,000.

localized enrichment↗
DOE OSTI2024

Novel Hot Gas Components for Gas Turbine Engines Enabled by Materials and Additive Manufacturing Process Development

Additive Manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, has emerged as a manufacturing method that enables new design freedom for gas turbine engine manufacturers. However, the material selection for AM processable high-temperature super alloys is currently limited. Additionally, the heat transfer performance of AM enabled micro-cooling architectures is not yet well understood. Accordingly, in support of advanced manufacturing and engine performance development, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)and Solar Turbines (Solar) conducted a multidisciplinary project to generate both AM super alloy material properties data and micro-channel performance data for two AM super alloys. The data supported the design and analysis of an internally cooled turbine hot section AM tip shoe component. This data was used to analytically predict the reduction in operating temperature of a gas turbine tip shoe. The work concluded that the cooling flow required to cool the tip shoe can be tuned to suit the efficiency improvements desired in an industrial gas turbine.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

2020 Solar Decathlon Education Partner: Cooperative Research and Development (Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-19-00802)

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon (DOE/SD) is a collegiate competition, comprising 10 contests, that challenges student teams to design and build highly efficient and innovative buildings powered by renewable energy. The winners will be those teams that best blend architectural and engineering excellence with innovation, market potential, building efficiency, and smart energy production. The DOE/SD is comprised of two Challenges--Design Challenge (annual, in April of each year at NREL in Golden, Colo.) and Build Challenge (biennial, held next in June/July 2020 in Washington D.C.). NREL provides competition management for DOE/SD. For over 35 years, EEBA has provided the most trusted resources for building science information and education in the construction industry. EEBA delivers turn-key educational resources and events designed to transform residential construction practices through high performance design, marketing, materials, and technologies. NREL and EEBA establish this CRADA to enable the success of the DOE/SD program in managing sponsorship funds and creating a professional education program. EEBA acted as an Education Partner to DOE/SD, which included: 1) accepting and dispersing sponsorship funds for DOE/SD; and 2) providing professional development content.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗