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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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2,231 records · Page 90
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

Nickel-hydrogen CPV battery update

The multicell common pressure vessel (CPV) nickel hydrogen battery manufactured by Johnson Controls Battery Group, Inc. has completed full flight qualification, including random vibration at 19.5 g for two minutes in each axis, electrical characterization in a thermal vacuum chamber, and mass-spectroscopy vessel leak detection. A first launch is scheduled for late in 1992 or early 1993 by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). Specifics of the launch date are not available at this time due to the classified nature of the program. Release of orbital data for the battery is anticipated following the launch.

Jones, Kenneth R.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Manganese‐Based Spinel Cathodes: A Promising Frontier for Solid‐State Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Recently, all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLIBs), which exhibit improved safety and enhanced energy density compared to conventional commercialized lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), thereby have garnered extensive research interest. Among the promising cathode candidates, Mn-based spinel cathodes LiMn 2 O 4 (LMO) and LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 (LNMO), with the unique characteristics of low cost, structural stability, and 3D Li-ion diffusion channels, have demonstrated excellent performance in LIBs and presented great potential in ASSLIBs applications. However, several challenges, including structural degradations, poor interfacial contact, large interfacial resistance, and Mn-dissolution/diffusion during the electrochemical cycling, hinder their practical applications and commercialization in the ASSLIBs. Particularly, the high-voltage LNMO cathodes suffer from the challenge of electrochemical incompatibility with most of the solid-state electrolytes (SSEs). Herein, the spinel structure, the electrochemical behavior, and the structural degradation of the LMO/LNMO are explored. The characteristics and recent progress of the mitigating strategies to the challenges of various SSEs, including polymer-, oxide-, composite-, sulfide-, halide-, and LiPON-based SSEs, are introduced when paired with LMO/LNMO. Finally, the directions for future research to advance Mn-based spinel cathodes and fulfill the requirements of the next-generation ASSLIBs are also discussed.

Dou, Yu [Concordia University, Montreal, QC (Canad↗
DOE OSTI2026

Dark Energy Survey year 6 results: Magnification modeling and its impact on galaxy clustering and galaxy-galaxy lensing cosmology

Gravitational lensing magnification alters the observed spatial distribution of galaxies and must be accounted for to prevent biases in cosmological probes of the large-scale structure. We investigate its effects on the Dark Energy Survey Year 6 galaxy clustering and galaxy-galaxy lensing analyses using the fiducial lens (position tracer) sample M ag L im++. Magnification bias is parameterized by a coefficient that describes the response of the number of selected objects per unlensed area element to a change in the lensing convergence. We quantify this coefficient using the BALROG synthetic source injection catalog to account for the complexity of the selection function, and compare these results with simplified estimates. The resulting values of the magnification coefficients for each redshift bin are [3.16 ± 0.08, 2.76 ± 0.21, 4.09 ± 0.15, 4.42 ± 0.16, 4.90 ± 0.29, 4.83 ± 0.25]. Relative to Year 3, this analysis provides more precise and accurate magnification bias estimates through a larger BALROG area and reweighting to better match the data properties. Here, the cosmological results are robust when tested against various magnification parameter prior choices and also when adding cross-clustering between lens redshift bins. Neglecting magnification, however, introduces significant systematic shifts: relative to the fiducial analysis with Gaussian priors centered on the BALROG -derived estimates, we observe shifts of 1.37σ in S 8 and -0.84σ in Ω m (with cosmic shear included: -0.61σ in S 8 and -0.71σ in Ω m ), in agreement with findings from simulated data, demonstrating that magnification must be modeled to avoid biases. Freeing the magnification bias in lens bin 2 leads to unphysical negative values, further justifying its exclusion from the fiducial Year 6 analysis.

Cosmological parameters↗
DOE OSTI2026

Nuclear Structure and Decay Data for A=35 Isobars

Here, this work presents a comprehensive and critical evaluation of experimental nuclear spectroscopic data from reactions and decays for all 11 known nuclides with mass number 35 (Ne, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, Ar, K, Ca). Recommended values are produced for level energies, spins and parities, half-lives, and radiation properties including energies, branching ratios, and multipolarities of γ rays, as well as characteristics of β radiation decays, based on a rigorous assessment of all available experimental data. Discrepancies among existing results are carefully addressed. This work supersedes earlier full evaluations of A=35 published by 2011Ch48, 1990En08 (also 1998En04 update) and 1978En02.

Sun, Lijie [Michigan State University, East Lansin↗
DOE OSTI2025

Symmetry‐Breaking Strategy Yields Dopant‐Free Small Molecule Hole Transport Materials for Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells with 20.58% Efficiency and Outstanding Stability

Abstract Inorganic perovskites are known for their excellent photothermal stability; however, the photothermal stability of all‐inorganic n‐i‐p perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is compromised due to ion diffusion and free radical‐induced degradation caused by the use of doped spiro‐OMeTAD hole transport materials (HTMs). In this study, two isomeric donor–acceptor–donor (D–A–D) type small molecules, namely HBT and HiBT, were developed and used as dopant‐free HTMs, using 2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole or benzo[d][1,2,3]thiadiazole as acceptor moieties. The HiBT molecule, with its symmetry‐breaking features, exhibits a large dipole moment, enhanced coordination‐active sites, and a well‐aligned energy level structure, all of which contribute to passivating perovskite surface defects and improving free charge separation. As a result, inorganic CsPbI 3 PSCs with HiBT HTM achieved an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.58%, the highest reported for dopant‐free HTM‐based inorganic PSCs. Moreover, the enhanced hydrophobic properties of HiBT molecules, coupled with their ability to passivate perovskite surface defects, contribute to significantly improved device stability. The unencapsulated devices based on HiBT HTM retained over 83% and 80% of their initial efficiency after being stored at 85 °C for 50 days and undergoing maximum power point (MPP) tracking at 85 °C for 1100 h, respectively. These results highlight that the symmetry‐breaking strategy is an exceptionally effective approach for designing efficient, dopant‐free small molecule HTMs, significantly contributing to both the high efficiency and enhanced stability of all‐inorganic PSCs.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2026

A stable high-humidity bubbler design to supply steam for solid oxide electrolysis cells

A stable steam supply is required for the operation of solid oxide electrolysis cells. Heated water bubblers are the most common method due to the simplicity and inherent safety of the method, however, several design challenges hinder effective implementation. Here, a stable and validated bubbler design is presented, capable of achieving very high steam concentrations, relatively high flow rates, and continuous operation. A piping and instrumentation diagram and bill of materials are provided to enable easy duplication. Critical design parameters are discussed, including safety considerations and materials requirements, which are applicable to any bubbler design. The practical implementation of bubblers is also presented, including methods to prevent condensation instability and reduce backpressure to achieve a stable steam supply. The 3″ x 6″ (7.6 cm × 15.2 cm) bubbler achieves up to 98% steam balance hydrogen at 200 sccm and up to 1 slpm at 96% steam.

08 - HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS1972

Nonleaking battery terminals.

Three different terminals were designed for usage in a 40 ampere/hour silver zinc battery which has a 45% KOH by weight electrolyte in a plastic battery case. Life tests, including thermal cycling, electrical charge and discharge for up to three years duration, were conducted on these three different terminal designs. Tests for creep rate and tensile strength were conducted on the polyphenylene oxide plastic battery cases. Some cases were unused and others containing KOH electrolyte were placed on life tests. The design and testing of nonleaking battery terminals for use with a KOH electrolyte in a plastic case are considered.

Snider, W. E.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Characterizing the γ-Ray Emission from FR0 Radio Galaxies

Abstract FR0 galaxies constitute the most abundant jet population in the local Universe. With their compact jet structure, they are broadband photon emitters and have been proposed as multimessenger sources. Recently, these sources have been detected for the first time inγrays. Using a revised FR0 catalog, we confirm that the FR0 population as a whole areγ-ray emitters, and we also identify two significant sources. For the first time, we find a correlation between the 5 GHz core radio luminosity andγ-ray luminosity in the 1–800 GeV band, having a 4.8σstatistical significance. This is clear evidence that the jet emission mechanism is similar in nature for FR0s and the well-studied canonical FR (FRI and FRII) radio galaxies. Furthermore, we perform broadband spectral energy distribution modeling for the significantly detected sources as well as the subthreshold source population using a one-zone synchrotron self-Compton model. Within the maximum jet power budget, our modeling shows that the detectedγrays from the jet can be explained as inverse Compton photons. To explain the multiwavelength observations for these galaxies, the modeling results stipulate a low bulk Lorentz factor and a jet composition far from equipartition, with the particle energy density dominating over the magnetic field energy density.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗
DOE OSTI2026

Building a High-Throughput MiniFuel PIE Pipeline for HFIR-Based Advanced Fuel Evaluation

MiniFuel irradiation experiments have become a key capability for accelerated evaluation of advanced and high-burnup nuclear fuels in the High Flux Isotope Reactor. As the number of irradiated MiniFuel targets entering postirradiation examination (PIE) has increased, improvements to the PIE workflow were needed to support more repeatable target disassembly, subcapsule processing, specimen recovery, and downstream measurements. This report summarizes FY 2026 improvements developed and implemented at the Irradiated Fuels Examination Laboratory to improve the MiniFuel target-to-specimen (T2S) workflow and related PIE activities.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Equilibrium and non-equilibrium effects in high pressure phase transformations of carbon

The behavior of carbon in the range 1–100 GPa and 1–10 kK is central to problems in planetary interiors, inertial confinement fusion targets, and high-pressure synthesis of carbon-based materials, but experiments in this regime are difficult and often provide only indirect constraints on phase behavior. As a result, phase boundary loci, structure, and limits of metastability at high pressure remain uncertain. In this work, machine-learning enhanced atomistic simulations are used to address this knowledge gap. We determine the melt line up to 100 GPa, the graphite-diamond phase boundary up to the melt line, and analyze structure of the coexisting phases. We show that the coexisting liquid evolves smoothly with pressure without evidence for a first-order liquid–liquid transition. Orientation-resolved graphite melting simulations indicate that basal-plane interfaces develop a dewetting layer and undergo layer-by-layer melting, producing kinetic hysteresis and an apparent orientation dependence of the melt line. Non-equilibrium quenches from the melt are used to construct a kinetically limiting graphite–diamond phase boundary for rapid quenches from above the melt line, and show that graphite is metastable at pressures of up to ≈ 25 GPa. These results provide bounds on equilibrium and metastable behavior in carbon relevant for interpreting high-pressure experiments and for designing synthesis pathways to specific carbon microstructures.

Lyu, Yanjun [Department of Materials Science and E↗
DOE OSTI1989

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 30, No. 1, January-March 1989]

Nuclear Safety is a review journal that covers significant developments in the field of nuclear safety. Its scope includes the analysis and control of hazards associated with nuclear energy, operations involving fissionable materials, and the products of nuclear fission and their effects on the environment. Primary emphasis is on safety in reactor design, construction, and operation; however, the safety aspects of the entire fuel cycle, including fuel fabrication, spent-fuel processing, nuclear waste disposal, handling of radioisotopes, and environmental effects of these operations, are also treated. Table of Contents for this issue follows. GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: 1 International Conference on Thermal Reactor Safety: NUCSAFE 88 by A. P. Malinauskas and J. G. Pruett; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 18 Chernobyl Today: State of Research by A. Yu. Gagarinskii; CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION: 23 Problems Associated with Routine In-Plant Radioactive Effluent Monitoring Systems at U.S. Light-Water Reactors by Barry G. Wahlig, David M. Walker, Mahmoud R. Ghavi, and John M. Palms; DESIGN FEATURES: 34 Twentieth DOE/NRC Nuclear Air-Cleaning Conference by R. R. Bellamy, D. W. Moeller, and M. W. First, 46 Design Options for the Core Support Structure for Liquid-Metal-Cooled Reactor Plants by J. P. Burelbach, W. J. Kann, J. G. Saiveau, and R. W. Seidensticker; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 53 The Radiological Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident by L. V. Konstantinov and A. J. González; WASTE AND SPENT FUEL MANAGEMENT: 70 Activities Related to Waste Management Compiled by E. G. Silver; OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 80 Fuel Performance Annual Report for 1986 by W. J. Bailey, 103 Safety Considerations Related to 12-Hour Shift Schedules by S. Gould, 105 Reactor Shutdown Experience Compiled by J. W. Cletcher, 108 Operating U.S. Power Reactors Compiled by E. G. Silver; RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 130 General Administrative Activities Compiled by E. G. Silver, 140 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides by D. S. Queener, 145 Status of Power-Reactor Licensing Activities Compiled by E. G. Silver, 153 Proposed Rule Changes as of Sept. 30, 1988; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 69 Northwestern University Short Course on Radiation Safety, 79 International Seminar on Fission Product Transport Processes in Reactor Accidents, 129 Harvard School of Public Health Offers Short Courses, 152 MIT Offers Summer Short Courses on Reactor Safety and Nodal Analysis, 152 Seminar on Use of PCs in Probabilistic Safety Analysis, 157 The Authors, 160 Indexes to Nuclear Safety, Volume 29.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2026

The Role of Nuclear Data Sensitivities in Prompt α-Eigenvalue Predictions of Delayed Critical Benchmarks

Alpha (α) eigenvalues, which describe the logarithmic time derivative of the neutron population in a multiplying system, are integral to time-dependent behavior and diagnostic applications. However, uncertainties in the evaluated nuclear data can significantly impact the accuracy of transport simulations for such quantities. This work explores the use of machine learning models to predict two key outputs, α-eigenvalues and keff bias, using input features derived from α-eigenvalue sensitivities to nuclear data. The criticality safety benchmark models used in this study come from the International Handbook of Evaluated Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiments. Three models, random forest, XGBoost, and NGBoost, are trained on both energy-resolved and energy-summed α sensitivities. For the α-eigenvalue bias prediction, NGBoost achieved the highest R 2 (0.9476) using energy-resolved features, while XGBoost performed best using summed sensitivities. In contrast, when predicting the keff bias, all the models showed moderate predictive capability (best R 2 ≈ 0.72), as the mapping from the static α-sensitivities to the static keff bias was less direct. SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis was used to interpret the model predictions. Across both prediction tasks, the features associated with neutron capture [H-1 (n, γ)], uranium scattering reactions (such as 235 U elastic/inelastic), and actinide capture/fission reactions (such as 239 Pu and 234 U) were consistently identified as the most impactful. This highlights the key role of specific nuclear reactions and energy ranges in shaping both time-dependent and steady-state criticality behavior. These results demonstrated that α-sensitivities, despite being computed for time-dependent metrics, can provide valuable insights for predicting both α-eigenvalues and the keff bias. Moreover, machine learning models offer a promising pathway for uncovering important nuclear data dependencies and guiding future data evaluation efforts.

Nuclear data↗
DOE OSTI2026

Conditional diffusion machine-learning framework for mapping valence electron distribution from convergent beam electron diffraction

Quantitative convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) enables determination of aspherical valence electron distributions through refinement of low-order structure factors, which are highly sensitive to chemical bonding and charge density variations. However, conventional quantitative CBED (QCBED) requires solving a highly nonlinear inverse problem with many coupled parameters, and computationally intensive dynamical diffraction calculations, making it time-consuming and difficult to apply to complex systems. More broadly, reconstructing charge density and orbital electron distribution from diffraction data has long been a central challenge in both x-ray and electron crystallography. Here, in this study, we introduce an artificial-intelligence (AI)-based framework that replaces traditional refinement with a data-driven inverse solver. Using a large synthetic CBED dataset generated by Bloch-wave simulations, we train a conditional diffusion model to directly infer crystal structural parameters and multipole density formalism parameters, and hence valence electron distributions, from CBED patterns alone. By learning from forward simulations across realistic parameter space, the model effectively solves the inverse problem. Compared with direct regression approaches, the diffusion-based framework provides posterior parameter distributions for rigorous uncertainty quantification while preserving quantitative fidelity and reducing analysis time by orders of magnitude. By eliminating the need for external single-crystal x-ray diffraction data and complex nonlinear refinement, this approach enables practical, high-throughput, and in situ quantitative CBED, enabling real-time mapping of valence electron distributions and their correlation with functional responses in quantum and energy materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1981

The 50 AMP-hour nickel cadmium battery manual

The battery is designed with a minimum battery to cell weight ratio consistent with adequate containment for operating conditions and dynamic environments and minimized weight. The battery is fully qualified and the environments to which it was successfully subjected were selected by NASA Goddard to cover a wide range of probable uses. The battery is suitable for either near-Earth geosynchronous missions, is compatible with passive or active thermal control systems and may be electrically controlled by a variety of changing routines. The initial application of the 50 A.H. Battery is a near-Earth mission aboard the LANDSAT D Satellite.

Webb, D. A.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Depletion benchmark for a high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel experiment in the advanced test reactor

Reactor physics depletion benchmarks for high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel are limited in number. In particular, there is limited data for HALEU benchmarks for U-10Mo (uranium-10% molybdenum) plate fuel that is being developed for use in the United States’ high performance research reactors including the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR), Advanced Test Reactor Critical Facility (ATR-C), High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reactor (MITR), University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR), National Bureau of Standards Reactor (NBSR). These six reactors currently operate with highly enriched uranium dispersed fuel in an aluminum matrix. In support of conversion to a HALEU fuel, qualification of U-10Mo formed into a monolithic foil is being performed. Fuel qualification involves irradiating fuel specimens in the ATR. The irradiation tests provide an opportunity to benchmark depletion capabilities of reactor physics codes in support of the ATR operation, as well as develop benchmarks that can be used by other institutions to benchmark other reactor physics codes. This paper documents the development of a benchmark model of the irradiation of the ATR Full-size plate In center flux trap Position 7 (AFIP-7) experiment using the depletion codes MC21 and Advanced Dimensional Depletion for Engineering of Reactors (ADDER).

Nielsen, Joseph W. [Idaho National Laboratory (INL↗
NASA NTRS1999

Initial Test Firing Results for Solid CO/GOX Cryogenic Hybrid Rocket Engine for Mars ISRU Propulsion Applications

ORBITEC is developing methods for producing, testing, and utilizing Mars-based ISRU fuel/oxidizer combinations to support low cost, planetary surface and flight propulsion and power systems. When humans explore Mars we will need to use in situ resources that are available, such as: energy (solar); gases or liquids for life support, ground transportation, and flight to and from other surface locations and Earth; and materials for shielding and building habitats and infrastructure. Probably the easiest use of Martian resources to reduce the cost of human exploration activities is the use of the carbon and oxygen readily available from the CO2 in the Mars atmosphere. ORBITEC has conducted preliminary R&D that will eventually allow us to reliably use these resources. ORBITEC is focusing on the innovative use of solid CO as a fuel. A new advanced cryogenic hybrid rocket propulsion system is suggested that will offer advantages over LCO/LOX propulsion, making it the best option for a Mars sample return vehicle and other flight vehicles. This technology could also greatly support logistics and base operations by providing a reliable and simple way to store solar or nuclear generated energy in the form of chemical energy that can be used for ground transportation (rovers/land vehicles) and planetary surface power generators. This paper describes the overall concept and the test results of the first ever solid carbon monoxide/oxygen rocket engine firing.

Eric E Rice↗
NASA NTRS1997

High Capacity Battery Cell Flight Qualified

The High Capacity Battery Cell project is an effort equally funded by the NASA Lewis Research Center and Hughes Space and Communications Company (a unit of Hughes Aircraft Company) to develop and flight qualify a higher capacity nickel hydrogen battery for continuing use on commercial spacecraft. The larger diameter, individual pressure vessel cell will provide approximately twice the power, while occupying the same volume, as the current state-of-the-art nickel hydrogen cell. These cells are also anticipated to reduce battery cost by 20 percent. The battery is currently booked for use on 26 spacecraft, with the first flight scheduled in 1997. A strong requirement for batteries with higher power levels (6 to 12 kW), long life, and reduced cost was identified in studies of the needs of commercial communications spacecraft. With the design developed in this effort, the higher power level was accommodated without having to modify the rest of the existing spacecraft bus. This design scaled-up the existing state-of-the-art nickel hydrogen battery cell from a 3.5-in., 50-Ahr cell to a 5.5-in., 350-Ahr cell. An improvement in cycle life was also achieved by the use of the 26-percent KOH electrolyte design developed by NASA Lewis. The cell design was completed, and flight batteries were built and flight qualified by Hughes Space and Communications Company with input from NASA Lewis. Two batteries were shipped in September 1996 to undergo life cycle testing under the purview of NASA Lewis.

McKissock, Barbara I.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Accelerating actinium-225 purification by high-pressure ion chromatography

Actinium-225 (t1/2 = 9.92 days) is an important radioisotope for targeted alpha therapy applications. The limited supply obtained through the decay of thorium-229 has motivated accelerator-based production routes, including irradiation of thorium targets. Irradiated targets can produce useful quantities of actinium-225, but the product requires final purification from chemically similar lanthanide contaminants. This work describes an automated high-pressure ion chromatography method for this final polishing step. The method uses a reusable strong-acid cation-exchange column bearing sulfonic acid functional groups. α-Hydroxyisobutyric acid (α-HIBA), adjusted to pH 4.3 with lithium hydroxide, complexes and elutes lanthanides, a dilute hydrochloric acid matrix-exchange step removes residual α-HIBA, and concentrated hydrochloric acid then elutes retained actinium(III). The protocol purified actinium-225 to >99% radiopurity across tracer-level samples and samples containing >150 µCi (5.6 MBq) of activity. A 10 min, 0.1 M hydrochloric acid matrix exchange substantially reduced organic eluent carryover, and in-line sodium iodide detection enabled real-time monitoring of actinium and lanthanide elution. The developed method can be completed in <1 h and provides a basis for automated purification workflows for accelerator-produced actinium-225.

Gaddis, Kevin [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000183398314)↗