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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

Inkjet-printed SnO x as an effective electron transport layer for planar perovskite solar cells and the effect of Cu doping

Inkjet printing is a more sustainable and scalable fabrication method than spin coating for producing perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Although spin-coated SnO 2 has been intensively studied as an effective electron transport layer (ETL) for PSCs, inkjet-printed SnO 2 ETLs have not been widely reported. Here, we fabricated inkjet-printed, solution-processed SnO x ETLs for planar PSCs. A champion efficiency of 17.55% was achieved for the cell using a low-temperature processed SnO x ETL. The low-temperature SnO x exhibited an amorphous structure and outperformed high-temperature crystalline SnO 2 . The improved performance was attributed to enhanced charge extraction and transport and suppressed charge recombination at ETL/perovskite interfaces, which originated from enhanced electrical and optical properties of SnO x , improved perovskite film quality, and well-matched energy level alignment between the SnO x ETL and the perovskite layer. Furthermore, SnO x was doped with Cu. Cu doping increased surface oxygen defects and upshifted energy levels of SnO x , leading to reduced device performance. A tunable hysteresis was observed for PSCs with Cu-doped SnO x ETLs, decreasing at first and turning into inverted hysteresis afterwards with increasing Cu doping level. This tunable hysteresis was related to the interplay between charge/ion accumulation and recombination at ETL/perovskite interfaces in the case of electron extraction barriers.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1988

Experiences with serial and parallel algorithms for channel routing using simulated annealing

Two algorithms for channel routing using simulated annealing are presented. Simulated annealing is an optimization methodology which allows the solution process to back up out of local minima that may be encountered by inappropriate selections. By properly controlling the annealing process, it is very likely that the optimal solution to an NP-complete problem such as channel routing may be found. The algorithm presented proposes very relaxed restrictions on the types of allowable transformations, including overlapping nets. By freeing that restriction and controlling overlap situations with an appropriate cost function, the algorithm becomes very flexible and can be applied to many extensions of channel routing. The selection of the transformation utilizes a number of heuristics, still retaining the pseudorandom nature of simulated annealing. The algorithm was implemented as a serial program for a workstation, and a parallel program designed for a hypercube computer. The details of the serial implementation are presented, including many of the heuristics used and some of the resulting solutions.

Brouwer, Randall Jay↗
NASA NTRS1999

Solving Upwind-Biased Discretizations: Multigrid Solver Using Semicoarsening - 2

This paper studies a novel multigrid approach to the solution for a second order upwind biased discretization of the convection equation in two dimensions. This approach is based on semi-coarsening and well balanced explicit correction terms added to coarse-grid operators to maintain on coarse-grid the same cross-characteristic interaction as on the target (fine) grid. Colored relaxation schemes are used on all the levels allowing a very efficient parallel implementation. The results of the numerical tests can be summarized as follows: 1) The residual asymptotic convergence rate of the proposed V(0, 2) multigrid cycle is about 3 per cycle. This convergence rate far surpasses the theoretical limit (4/3) predicted for standard multigrid algorithms using full coarsening. The reported efficiency does not deteriorate with increasing the cycle, depth (number of levels) and/or refining the target-grid mesh spacing. 2) The full multi-grid algorithm (FMG) with two V(0, 2) cycles on the target grid and just one V(0, 2) cycle on all the coarse grids always provides an approximate solution with the algebraic error less than the discretization error. Estimates of the total work in the FMG algorithm are ranged between 18 and 30 minimal work units (depending on the target (discretizatioin). Thus, the overall efficiency of the FMG solver closely approaches (if does not achieve) the goal of the textbook multigrid efficiency. 3) A novel approach to deriving a discrete solution approximating the true continuous solution with a relative accuracy given in advance is developed. An adaptive multigrid algorithm (AMA) using comparison of the solutions on two successive target grids to estimate the accuracy of the current target-grid solution is defined. A desired relative accuracy is accepted as an input parameter. The final target grid on which this accuracy can be achieved is chosen automatically in the solution process. the actual relative accuracy of the discrete solution approximation obtained by AMA is always better than the required accuracy; the computational complexity of the AMA algorithm is (nearly) optimal (comparable with the complexity of the FMG algorithm applied to solve the problem on the optimally spaced target grid).

Diskin, Boris↗
NASA NTRS2010

A Densified Liquid Methane Delivery System for the Altair Ascent Stage

The Altair Lunar Lander is currently carrying options for both cryogenic and hypergolic ascent stage propulsion modules. The cryogenic option uses liquid methane and liquid oxygen to propel Altair from the lunar surface back to rendezvous with the Orion command module. Recent studies have determined that the liquid methane should be densified by subcooling it to 93 K in order to prevent over-pressurization of the propellant tanks during the 210 day stay on the lunar surface. A trade study has been conducted to determine the preferred method of producing; loading, and maintaining the subcooled, densified liquid methane onboard Altair from a ground operations perspective. The trade study took into account the limitations in mass for the launch vehicle and the mobile launch platform as well as the historical reliability of various components and their thermal efficiencies. Several unique problems were encountered, namely delivering a small amount of a cryogenic propellant to a flight tank that is positioned over 350 ft above the launch pad as well as generating the desired delivery temperature of the methane at 93 K which is only 2.3 K above the methane triple point of 90.7 K. Over 20 methods of subcooled liquid methane production and delivery along with the associated system architectures were investigated to determine the best solutions to the problem. The top four cryogenic processing solutions were selected for further evaluation and detailed thermal modeling. This paper describes the results of the preliminary trade analysis of the 20 plus methane densification methods considered. The results of the detailed analysis will be briefed to the Altair Project Office and their propulsion team as well as the Ground Operations Project Office before the down-select is made between cryogenic and hypergolic ascent stages in August 2010.

Tomsik, Thomas M.↗
DOE OSTI2021

The effects of process parameters on the properties of manganese-rich carbonate precursors: A study of co-precipitation synthesis using semi-batch reactors

The synthesis of precursors for lithium- and manganese-rich xLi 2 MnO 3 ∙ (1-x)LiMO 2 (M = Ni, Mn, Co) (LMR-NMC) materials is generally carried out via co-precipitation using a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) under steady-state conditions. But during the early stages of research (e.g., when screening compositional spaces of interest), using a CSTR in steady-state mode can be time consuming and wasteful. An alternative is to operate the reactor in semi-batch mode, which shortens reaction times and reduces the amount of waste. However, the effect of this mode on the product is not well documented. The present work investigates how several process variables affect the physical properties of Mn-rich NMC carbonate precursors prepared under semi-batch operation of a CSTR. The process variables examined are pH, ammonia concentration of feed solution, process temperature, stirring speed, and reaction time. Overall, the results can help guide research-scale production to support efficient development of Mn-rich carbonates for cathode oxides.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Investigation of the Solution Chemistry of Hybrid Organic–Inorganic Indium Halides for New Material Discovery

Recently, metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have emerged as a new class of materials for optical and electronic applications such as solar cells and ionizing radiation detectors. Although the solution-processability of MHPs is among their greatest advantages, the solution chemistries of most metal halide systems and their relationship with the observed structural and chemical diversity are poorly understood. In this work, we study the solution chemistry of a model indium halide system, methylammonium (MA)–In–Br, using a combination of the UV–vis spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) measurements, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our results show that indium could form either octahedral [InBr 6 3– ] or tetrahedral [InBr 4 – ] anions in solution or a combination of both, depending on the loading ratios of MABr and InBr 3 reactants. Understanding the solution chemistry of this system and recognizing the optical fingerprints of these polyanions allow for targeted crystallization of two novel compounds: MAInBr 4 featuring tetrahedral [InBr 4 – ] anions and MA 2 InBr 5 containing both octahedral [InBr 6 3– ] and tetrahedral [InBr 4 – ] anions. Further increase of the MABr content leads to the formation of previously reported MA 4 InBr 7 , containing only octahedral [InBr 6 3– ] anions separated by Br – anions. Furthermore, our results suggest that understanding the solution chemistry of multinary metal halide systems could be a valuable tool for discovering functional materials for practical applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1974

On repetitive flutter calculations in structural design

The use of continually updated natural modes, called changing modes, is discussed together with the employment of fixed modes in the design process. 'No-derivatives' methods are considered. The flutter solution process is separated into parts which are mode dependent and parts which are mode independent. On the basis of this separation an attempt is made to identify the type of design problems which are suitable for the use of changing modes, and the type of problems which are more suitable for fixed modes. The use of derivative methods is also examined.

Haftka, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Process Analyzer

The ChemScan UV-6100 is a spectrometry system originally developed by Biotronics Technologies, Inc. under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract. It is marketed to the water and wastewater treatment industries, replacing "grab sampling" with on-line data collection. It analyzes the light absorbance characteristics of a water sample, simultaneously detects hundreds of individual wavelengths absorbed by chemical substances in a process solution, and quantifies the information. Spectral data is then processed by ChemScan analyzer and compared with calibration files in the system's memory in order to calculate concentrations of chemical substances that cause UV light absorbance in specific patterns. Monitored substances can be analyzed for quality and quantity. Applications include detection of a variety of substances, and the information provided enables an operator to control a process more efficiently.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2023

First of Their Kind: Solar Cells with a Dry-Processed Perovskite Absorber Layer via Powder Aerosol Deposition and Hot-Pressing

Preparing halide perovskite films by solvent-free, powder-based processing approaches currently attracts more and more attention. However, working solar cells employing dry, powder-based halide perovskite thin films, have not been demonstrated so far. Herein, perovskite solar cells are presented where the absorber layer is prepared by transferring readily synthesized perovskite powders into a compact thin film using a fully dry-powder-processing concept. Compact thin films are deposited via an optimized powder aerosol deposition (PAD) process. Pressing at 120 °C further improves the morphology and the optoelectronic film properties. Integrating the perovskite films in a solar cell configuration results in fully working devices, with champion power conversion efficiencies of >6%. While the (optoelectronic) properties of the PAD-processed films are found to be comparable with their solution-processed counterparts, investigations of the solar cell stack suggest deterioration of the electron-transport layer properties due to the PAD process, and the presence of hydrates at the perovskite surface to be important factors that contribute to the limited solar cell efficiency. Herein, perspectives to overcome the identified limitations are outlined, emphasizing the high potential and realizability of efficient perovskite solar cells based on dry-powder-processing approaches in the future.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1984

Surface grid generation for wing-fuselage bodies

In the application of finite-difference methods to obtain numerical solutions of viscous compressible fluid flow about wing-fuselage bodies, it is advantageous to transform the governing equations to an idealized boundary-fitted coordinate system. The advantages are reduced computational complexity and added accuracy in the application of boundary conditions. The solution process requires that a grid be superimposed on the physical solution domain which corresponds to a uniform grid on a rectangular computational domain (uniform rectangular parallel-epiped). Grid generation is the determination of a one to one relationship between grid points in the physical domain and grid points in the computational domain. A technique for computing wing-fuselage surface grids using the Harris geometry and software for smooth-surface representation is described. Grid spacing control concepts which govern the relationship between the wing-fuselage surface and the computational grid are also presented.

Smith, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Code Development for Unsteady Inlet Flows using Parallel Processing, Iced Airfoils

As a part of an effort for the development of an "Integrated Solution Process for Iced Airfoils" which combines a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) code and an ice accretion code for accurate prediction of ice growth and performance degradation, a study on the effect of iced-geometry-smoothing was initiated. As a first step in this study, the degree of smoothing was defined by the number of control points for the given iced airfoil geometry. Then, reducing these number of control points in a systematical way provided various degrees of grid generation. This study will be continued by comparing CFD computed data such as pressure, lift, drag, flow separation, and wake flow patterns between the iced airfoils against any existing experimental data.

Chung, Joongkee↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cold air quench control of local crystallization environment in fully air-processed carbon-based perovskite solar cells

Carbon-based perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) present a low-cost route to efficient photovoltaic technology. Gas quenching is an essential process commonly used for solvent extraction in scalable module fabrication using solution processes, but film quality remains highly sensitive to the localized environmental processing temperature, especially during intermediate phase transitions before perovskite film high temperature annealing. In this study, we introduce a cold air quench strategy to precisely control the local crystallization temperature that simultaneously promotes uniform crystallization and facilitates strain relaxation in fully air-processed C-PSCs. It is found that implementing dry air at 10 °C as the quenching gas yields a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.52 %, with preferential (110) orientation and reduced, homogenized in-plane strain. This newly developed technique of a cost-effective low temperature air quenching process also enhances carrier lifetime, reduces interface recombination, and improves charge extraction. Furthermore, this work presents cold air quenching as a scalable, economic method to control perovskite crystallization and strain in C-PSC fabrication, advancing the industrial viability of high-performance perovskite modules.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS2014

Novel Materials, Processing and Device Technologies for Space Exploration with Potential Dual-Use Applications

We highlight results of a broad spectrum of efforts on lower-temperature processing of nanomaterials, novel approaches to energy conversion, and environmentally rugged devices. Solution-processed quantum dots of copper indium chalcogenide semiconductors and multiwalled carbon nanotubes from lower-temperature spray pyrolysis are enabled by novel (precursor) chemistry. Metal-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructured components of photovoltaic cells have been grown in solution at low temperature on a conductive indium tin oxide substrate. Arrays of ZnO nanorods can be templated and decorated with various semiconductor and metallic nanoparticles. Utilizing ZnO in a more broadly defined energy conversion sense as photocatalysts, unwanted organic waste materials can potentially be repurposed. Current efforts on charge carrier dynamics in nanoscale electrode architectures used in photoelectrochemical cells for generating solar electricity and fuels are described. The objective is to develop oxide nanowire-based electrode architectures that exhibit improved charge separation, charge collection and allow for efficient light absorption. Investigation of the charge carrier transport and recombination properties of the electrodes will aid in the understanding of how nanowire architectures improve performance of electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Nanomaterials can be incorporated in a number of advanced higher-performance (i.e. mass specific power) photovoltaic arrays. Advanced technologies for the deposition of 4H-silicon carbide are described. The use of novel precursors, advanced processing, and process studies, including modeling are discussed from the perspective of enhancing the performance of this promising material for enabling technologies such as solar electric propulsion. Potential impact(s) of these technologies for a variety of aerospace applications are highlighted throughout. Finally, examples are given of technologies with potential spin-offs for dual-use or terrestrial applications.

solid state devices↗
NASA NTRS2015

Novel Materials, Processing, and Device Technologies for Space Exploration with Potential Dual-Use Applications

We highlight results of a broad spectrum of efforts on lower-temperature processing of nanomaterials, novel approaches to energy conversion, and environmentally rugged devices. Solution-processed quantum dots of copper indium chalcogenide semiconductors and multi-walled carbon nanotubes from lower-temperature spray pyrolysis are enabled by novel (precursor) chemistry. Metal-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructured components of photovoltaic cells have been grown in solution at low temperature on a conductive indium tin oxide substrate. Arrays of ZnO nanorods can be templated and decorated with various semiconductor and metallic nanoparticles. Utilizing ZnO in a more broadly defined energy conversion sense as photocatalysts, unwanted organic waste materials can potentially be re-purposed. Current efforts on charge carrier dynamics in nanoscale electrode architectures used in photoelectrochemical cells for generating solar electricity and fuels are described. The objective is to develop oxide nanowire-based electrode architectures that exhibit improved charge separation, charge collection and allow for efficient light absorption. Investigation of the charge carrier transport and recombination properties of the electrodes will aid in the understanding of how nanowire architectures improve performance of electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Nanomaterials can be incorporated in a number of advanced higher-performance (i.e. mass specific power) photovoltaic arrays. Advanced technologies for the deposition of 4H-silicon carbide are described. The use of novel precursors, advanced processing, and process studies, including modeling are discussed from the perspective of enhancing the performance of this promising material for enabling technologies such as solar electric propulsion. Potential impact(s) of these technologies for a variety of aerospace applications are highlighted throughout. Finally, examples are given of technologies with potential spin-offs for dual-use or terrestrial applications.

thin films↗
DOE OSTI2020

Different agglomeration properties of PC 61 BM and PC 71 BM in photovoltaic inks – a spin-echo SANS study

Fullerene derivatives are used in a wide range of applications including as electron acceptors in solution-processable organic photovoltaics. We report agglomeration of fullerene derivatives in optically opaque solutions of PC 61 BM and PC 71 BM, with concentrations ranging from 30 mg mL -1 up to 90 mg mL -1 , in different solvents with relevance to organic photovoltaics, using a novel neutron scattering technique, Spin-Echo Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SESANS). From SESANS, agglomerates with correlation lengths larger than 1 μm are found in some PC 61 BM solutions, in contrast no agglomerates are seen in PC 71 BM solutions. These results clearly show that PC 71 BM is fundamentally more soluble than PC 61 BM in the solvents commonly used in photovoltaic inks and corroborating similar observations previously achieved using other experimental techniques. Computer models are presented to study the energetics of solution and agglomeration of both species, ascribing the difference to a kinetic effect probably related to the larger anisotropy of PC 71 BM. Also, this work showcases the power of SESANS to probe agglomerates of fullerene derivatives in completely opaque solutions for agglomerates of the order of one to several microns.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1993

A robust multilevel simultaneous eigenvalue solver

Multilevel (ML) algorithms for eigenvalue problems are often faced with several types of difficulties such as: the mixing of approximated eigenvectors by the solution process, the approximation of incomplete clusters of eigenvectors, the poor representation of solution on coarse levels, and the existence of close or equal eigenvalues. Algorithms that do not treat appropriately these difficulties usually fail, or their performance degrades when facing them. These issues motivated the development of a robust adaptive ML algorithm which treats these difficulties, for the calculation of a few eigenvectors and their corresponding eigenvalues. The main techniques used in the new algorithm include: the adaptive completion and separation of the relevant clusters on different levels, the simultaneous treatment of solutions within each cluster, and the robustness tests which monitor the algorithm's efficiency and convergence. The eigenvectors' separation efficiency is based on a new ML projection technique generalizing the Rayleigh Ritz projection, combined with a technique, the backrotations. These separation techniques, when combined with an FMG formulation, in many cases lead to algorithms of O(qN) complexity, for q eigenvectors of size N on the finest level. Previously developed ML algorithms are less focused on the mentioned difficulties. Moreover, algorithms which employ fine level separation techniques are of O(q(sub 2)N) complexity and usually do not overcome all these difficulties. Computational examples are presented where Schrodinger type eigenvalue problems in 2-D and 3-D, having equal and closely clustered eigenvalues, are solved with the efficiency of the Poisson multigrid solver. A second order approximation is obtained in O(qN) work, where the total computational work is equivalent to only a few fine level relaxations per eigenvector.

Costiner, Sorin↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Boundary Representation Tolerance Impacts on Mesh Generation and Adaptation

The control of discretization error is critical to obtaining reliable simulation results. Re-cent progress has matured anisotropic mesh adaptation, which automates discretization error control for complex geometries. However, the meshing process can fail when geometric model Boundary REPresentation (BREP) tolerances are larger than boundary layer surface nor-mal and tangential spacing requirements. Geometry sources are often created in Mechanical Computer-Aided Design (MCAD) systems, which are designed to produce models for manufacturing and not the stricter requirements of viscous flow analysis. BREP tolerances are strained by three factors: the inherent complexity of the model (e.g., large range of scales and complex topology), the numerical difficulties arising from surface/surface intersections, and the omission of crucial data during export and translation. Manual preparation of geometry is commonly employed to enable expert-guided mesh generation, which severely inhibits work-flow automation. Accommodation of loose BREP tolerances is required for automated mesh processes, because barrier issues may not be detected until well into the solution process. To raise awareness of this class of geometry issues and their impact on simulation, a survey of these barrier issues is presented with example mitigation techniques. This awareness may also impact geometry creation workflows to prevent the introduction of these artifacts.

CAD↗