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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Developing Materials and Coating Technologies for Mitigation of Lunar Dust Adhesion and Abrasion

Lunar regolith was first identified as a major issue during the Apollo missions. There are three characteristics of lunar regolith that cause issues: small size, rough surface topology, and particle charge. The lack of a magnetosphere allows solar wind to bombard the lunar surface which results in the regolith becoming charged. These charged particles will adhere to most surfaces and degrade thermal control systems. The lack of atmosphere and surface liquids on the lunar surface results in the regolith’s small particle size, abrasive topology, and chemical reactivity. When the dust adheres to a surface, or the lunar lander exhaust kicks up dust regolith, it can impair instrument or thermal control system function, abrade optical surfaces, diminish range of motion, and mechanically degrade soft-goods such as gloves and astronaut suits. All of these examples were experienced during the Apollo missions. The objective of this study was to select and evaluate abrasion-resistant ceramic materials for application on the lunar landing equipment.

materials↗
DOE OSTI2017

FY17 end of year MARMOT materials model development update

This document summarizes the lower length scale progress made in FY17 in developing materials models for fuel performance modeling of oxide fuels and their implementation in the MARMOT code. The progress covers the development of a phase field recrystallization model for high-burnup structure formation in oxide fuels, a phase field model for studying stage-3 fission gas release in UO 2 , a phase-field model for irradiation-enhanced densification in UO 2 , a quantitative model for hydride morphology in Zirconium based cladding, and the calculation of hydrogen diffusivity under stress in various Zirconium based alloys as cladding candidates. Further development in the MARMOT code has been carried out as well to improve the multi-phase, multi-component phase field model, the representation of interfacial energy in the Kim-Kim-Suzuki model, and the description of interfacial stress. For most of the above, separated reports have been generated with detailed description. Here a brief summary is provided, with references pointing to the detailed reports to guide interested readers.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Production of Carbon Nanomaterials and Sorbents from Domestic U.S. Coal (Final Report)

The main goal of this project was to produce high-value carbon nanomaterials and carbon sorbents from domestic coal resources in a cost-effective manner. Four types of domestic coal samples were processed through a combination of deashing, devolatilization, oxidation, reduction, and activation treatments to produce graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and activated carbon (AC). The precursors and developed materials were extensively characterized by various methods to investigate the impact of the coal feedstock type on the yield and quality of each product. A commercial graphite-based GO sample was included in the experimental work as the baseline material for comparison with the coal-based materials developed in this work. The performed work also included a technoeconomic analysis and cost estimation for a plant processing 20 tons/day coal, a market evaluation for the graphene materials, and a technology gap analysis. A simple process by concentrated nitric acid oxidation is used to oxidize coal precursors for the production of GO. Fine oxidized coal particles that were separated from larger oxidized coal particles had significantly higher oxygen contents and were identified as coal-based GO samples. Coarse oxidized coal particles were used as precursors for production of AC. Based on the Raman spectroscopy results, coal-based GO samples exhibited G and D bands similar to those of graphite-based GO samples. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that coal-based GO samples had surface oxygen contents of ~26-35% that were higher than the oxygen contents of graphite-based GO samples. Larger particles of oxidized coal samples were activated under different conditions to produce high surface area functionalized AC. Prepared materials had surface areas exceeding 1,500 m 2 /g and pore volumes more than 1 cm 3 /g with different pore size distributions. Reduced graphene oxide samples were prepared by thermal reduction of both coal-based and graphite-based GO samples at 170-2800 ºC. Coal-based and graphite-based RGO samples exhibited similar carbon contents, Raman spectra, and XRD profiles. Heat treatment above 1500 ºC shifted RGO to synthetic graphite. Among anthracite, bituminous, subbituminous, and lignite coals tested, anthracite was the best precursor to produce carbon nanomaterials exhibiting properties similar to those of graphite-based materials. Anthracite-based carbon nanomaterials also had the highest production yields. Technoeconomic analysis estimated the production cost of GO and RGO for anthracite-based samples at about 2,600 and 4,200 $/ton, respectively, which is about two orders of magnitude lower than the current estimated price of graphite-based materials. Several gaps to further develop the proposed technology were identified and discussed that include process and equipment optimization, process integration, need for additional bench- and pilot-scale experiments, and other items to reduce the scale up risk. Market analysis reports suggested a compound annual growth rate of 40% for graphene and related materials. Short-term applications include composites, inks, and coatings. However, energy storage applications appear to be the dominant potential long-term applications. Different applications of coal-based GO and RGO need to be explored and clear metrics and standards for each application need to be developed.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2019

Review of Models to Evaluate and Guide the Development of Low-Thermal-Conductivity Materials

Developing insulation materials with low–thermal conductivity values is appealing for building envelope retrofits and new construction. Therefore, it is a priority research area for the US Department of Energy Building Technologies Office (BTO). Multiple institutions are exploring various methods to develop new insulation materials with a thermal resistivity ≥97 m·K/W (14 h·ft2·°F/Btu/inch). Current materials that provide such high thermal resistivity use micro- or nanoporous structures, as well as low–thermal conductivity gases and reduced pressure. Efforts to develop these new materials would benefit greatly from a tool that can numerically evaluate various options to optimize material design and achieve the desired thermal resistivity. The available models do not capture all modes of heat transfer through the complex structures required to achieve very high thermal resistivity. This paper presents a literature review of the existing models that have been used in the study of heat transfer mechanisms of insulation materials such as aerogels, foams, and fibrous materials. The review shows most of the models make some assumptions to simplify the analysis. Further, such models have not included important factors, such as the size effect and the interfacial effect, which could significantly affect heat transfer through insulation materials. Moreover, there is a lack of a database for the thermal accommodation coefficients of various insulation materials that are used to calculate gaseous thermal conductivity. In addition, this paper presents details regarding the development of new models. The new models will capture various factors that have been neglected in existing models (such as nanoscale heat transfer, interfacial thermal resistance). They will allow parametric studies that identify optimum design options for insulation materials and thus accelerate the achievement of BTO’s goal of developing insulation technologies with thermal resistivity greater than ≥97 m·K/W (14 h·ft2·°F/Btu/inch).

Shrestha, Som↗
NASA NTRS2001

Test Facilities Capability Handbook

The John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) is located in Southern Mississippi near the Mississippi-Louisiana state line. SSC is chartered as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Center of Excellence for large space transportation propulsion system testing. This charter has led to many unique test facilities, capabilities and advanced technologies provided through the supporting infrastructure. SSC has conducted projects in support of such diverse activities as liquid, and hybrid rocket testing and development; material development; non-intrusive plume diagnostics; plume tracking; commercial remote sensing; test technology and more. On May 30, 1996 NASA designated SSC the lead Center for rocket propulsion testing, giving the Center total responsibility for conducting and/or managing all NASA rocket engine testing. Test services are now available not only for NASA but also for the DoD, other government agencies, academia, and industry. This handbook was developed to provide a summary of the capabilities that exist within SSC. It is intended as a primary resource document, which will provide the reader with the top-level capabilities and characteristics of the numerous test facilities, test support facilities, laboratories, and services. Due to the nature of continually evolving programs and test technologies, descriptions of the Center's current capabilities are provided. Periodic updates and revisions of this document will be made to maintain is completeness and accuracy.

Taliancich, Paula↗