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Results for “Material selection”

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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Noise Optimization for MKIDs with Different Design Geometries and Material Selections

The separation and optimization of noise components is critical to microwave-kinetic inductance detector (MKID) development. We analyze the effect of several changes to the lumped-element inductor and interdigitated capacitor geometry on the noise performance of a series of MKIDs intended for millimeter-wavelength experiments. We extract the contributions from two-level system noise in the dielectric layer, the generation-recombination noise intrinsic to the superconducting thin-film, and system white noise from each detector noise power spectrum and characterize how these noise components depend on detector geometry, material, and measurement conditions such as driving power and temperature. We observe a reduction in the amplitude of two-level system noise with both an elevated sample temperature and an increased gap between the fingers within the interdigitated capacitors for both aluminum and niobium detectors. We also verify the expected reduction of the generation-recombination noise and associated quasiparticle lifetime with reduced inductor volume. This study also iterates over different materials, including aluminum, niobium, and aluminum manganese, and compares the results with an underlying physical model.

generation-recombination noise↗
DOE OSTI2023

Selective material recovery from solution

Embodiments relate to methods for generating selected materials from a natural brine, where the natural brine is sea water, saline water, fresh water, synthetic solutions, or industrial liquid wastes. A natural brine comprising at least a portion of a selected material is heated. CO 2 is added and mixes with the natural brine forming a mixture such that the CO 2 /P is a first predetermined value. The mixture is held so that impurities in the natural brine precipitate as solids leaving a second brine substantially comprising the selected material. The second brine is heated. CO 2 gas is injected into the second brine, mixing so that the CO 2 /P is a second predetermined value. The mixture is held so that the selected material precipitates out and are removed.

Nakano, Jinichiro↗
DOE OSTI2022

Material Selection and Corrosion Studies of Candidate Bearing Materials for Use in Molten Chloride Salt

Molten chloride salts are being given strong consideration for use in heat transfer and storage in concentrating solar power (CSP) systems as well as in some nuclear reactor applications. Containment of the molten salt, particularly at the highest temperatures, is a major material concern and has received considerable study. Another material issue is the pumps that will be required to move the molten salt along with the bearing materials that will be required to have sufficient corrosion resistance as well as wear resistance in the high temperature salt. A pair of coordinated studies in our laboratory has addressed the corrosion, and the wear issues of candidate bearing materials including the selection of candidate materials as well as their performance in a molten sodium chloride-potassium chloride-magnesium chloride salt environment. This work addresses the selection of candidate materials and their chemical compatibility with the molten salt. The studies have identified material pairs that have suitable properties for use as bearings that would be immersed in molten chloride salt.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Sustainable Materials Selection in Manufactured Products: A Framework for Design-Integrated Life Cycle Thinking with Case Studies

Materials selection can provide a major opportunity to improve the environmental performance of manufactured products. Substitution of conventional materials with eco-friendly options can lower a product's environmental impact while still meeting key application requirements. A prerequisite for sustainability-informed decision-making is that relevant data and information are available for all materials being considered. Here we outline examples of the types and sources of data needed; and we explore key considerations for sustainable materials selection through a series of practical, cross-sectoral case studies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Materials Selection Principles for Designing Electro‐Thermal Neurons

Artificial neurons exhibiting volatile threshold switching and action potential‐like oscillations are crucial for brain‐inspired computing. While Complimentary Metal‐Oxide‐Semiconductor (CMOS)‐based strategies require hundreds of transistors to simulate each neuron, neuronal oscillations arise spontaneously in individual electro‐thermal devices due to nonlinearities like the Mott transition in VO 2 . Despite improved understanding of the physics, quantitative connections between neuronal performance and material properties remain under‐explored, preventing predictive neuron design and rational materials selection. In this work, a physics‐aware forward design methodology is developed for interrogating a wide palette of materials with properties varying by orders of magnitude, and their performance (high frequency, high dynamical reconfigurability and low power) under external circuit and device geometry constraints is assessed. The space of viable materials is identified to be much larger than previously recognized, with candidates from a range of materials classes, including Ge, GaP and MoS 2 . CMOS‐compatible performance (such as 100 GHz oscillating frequencies) can be achieved with CMOS‐compatible node sizes (≈10 nm). Finally, combinations of material properties yielding desired neuronal performance under uncertain design constraints are considered. This work solidifies forward design principles for electro‐thermal neuron devices, a necessary pre‐condition for inverse design from desired neuronal performance to required materials properties.

compact model↗
DOE OSTI2020

Ambient Ion Trapping and Separations for High Throughput Structurally Selective Material Deposition

While ion mobility coupled to mass spectrometry (IMS/MS) has been increasingly adapted to biological analysis, the structural and molecular specificity offered by IMS/MS has untapped potential for creating novel materials (for energy, catalysis, biomolecular switches etc.) with rationally tailored properties by precisely controlling the chemical structure and composition of these materials. While electrochemical and catalytic properties of the bulk material are understood by mass-selective ion-soft-landing, different structures of one molecule can exhibit distinct properties from the bulk. Many biological phenomenon occur at interfaces and are highly structurally specific. IMS/MS offers means to separate molecules in a sample (which is first ionized and released to gas phase from the condensed phase) based on mass and structure. Species thus separated can potentially be deposited onto surfaces with molecular and structural specificity, to perform fundamental investigations for understanding critical interfacial phenomenon. Key performance metrics for IMS/MS analysis are resolution of separations and sensitivity. Recently developed Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM)4 enabled unprecedented resolution in IMS separations. In addition, high sensitivity was enabled in SLIM due to lossless confinement of ions using radio frequency fields. Thus, SLIM enabled extremely long path length separations (up to 0.1 km thus far) providing efficient separation of molecular ions never before achieved (e.g. isotopologues, D&L amino acids). While SLIM has unprecedented analytical separations power/utility, the use of SLIM platform for depositing mobility and mass selected molecular ions has two specific technological challenges: (a) Pulsed nature of IMS separations and their low duty cycle and (b) the need for a low vacuum of ~4 torr for lossless ion confinement. These limitations lead to long deposition times due to loss of ions generated from the sample. Enabling ion confinement at atmospheric pressure will be path-breaking contribution to the fundamental understanding of ion manipulations and separations and will also enable novel science currently precluded due to the inability of the present technologies to confine ions under ambient conditions. Traditionally used radio frequency fields are ineffective in confining ions at high pressures due to ion/neutral collisions. To address these, we propose to (a) develop methods for confining and manipulating ions for lossless IMS separations at atmospheric pressure enabling high sensitivity and throughput and (b) use the high specificity of IMS/MS and high throughput from ambient ion confinement to perform mobility and mass selective ion deposition at atmospheric pressure. Our goal is to enable the study of the fundamental properties of energy/catalysis materials and biomolecules. This project paves the way for high-throughput, mass and structure selective material deposition for highly specific surface creation/functionalization (discussed in Section 2 of the report). Further, the developments reported continue to push the boundaries of this process to ambient conditions (discussed in Section 3 of the report). We conclude with a list of specific intellectual property and publications which have been the outcome of this funded project.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Trailblazing Kr/Xe Separation: The Birth of the First Kr-Selective Material

Efficient separation of Kr from Kr/Xe mixtures is pivotal in nuclear waste management and dark matter research. Thus far, scientists have encountered a formidable challenge: the absence of a material with the ability to selectively adsorb Kr over Xe at room temperature. This study presents a groundbreaking transformation of the renowned metal–organic framework (MOF) CuBTC, previously acknowledged for its Xe adsorption affinity, into an unparalleled Kr-selective adsorbent. This achievement stems from an innovative densification approach involving systematic compression of the MOF, where the crystal size, interparticle interaction, defects, and evacuation conditions are synergistically modulated. The resultant densified CuBTC phase exhibits exceptional mechanical resilience, radiation tolerance, and notably an unprecedented selectivity for Kr over Xe at room temperature. Simulation and experimental kinetic diffusion studies confirm reduced gas diffusion in the densified MOF, attributed to its small pore window and minimal interparticle voids. The lighter Kr element demonstrates facile surface passage and higher diffusivity within the material, while the heavier Xe encounters increased difficulty entering the material and lower diffusivity. This Kr-selective MOF not only represents a significant breakthrough in Kr separation but also demonstrates remarkable processability and scalability to kilogram levels. Furthermore, the findings presented herein underscore the transformative potential of engineered MOFs in addressing complex challenges, heralding a new era of Kr separation technologies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Material Selection and Heat Transfer Model for PTUHS Device

The Path to Ultimate Heat Sink Device (PTUHS) is a passive safety system that utilizes a radiative heat transfer valve to control the rate at which heat is removed from a nuclear reactor pressure vessel (RPV) and dispersed into surrounding soil. The material selection for the PTUHS device is investigated, where the thermophysical properties are either maximized or minimized bases on what section of the PTUHS that material is being used for. Final recommendations of material choice are then presented. The heat transfer model of the PTUHS device is solved in ABAQUS, where a normal operating conditions and SCRAM conditions are solved. These temperature maps and heat flux of the system show the system's ability, where minimal heat is lost during normal operating conditions and system failure in a SCRAM scenario due to temperatures that were reached.

42 - ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Material Selection and Sizing of a Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) for Power Generation in a Self-Powered Heating System

By employing the high temperature heat source to directly generate the electricity needed to power auxiliary systems in a natural gas furnace, boiler or hot water heater, a “self-powered” heating system can provide several benefits. Compared with a traditional furnace, boiler or hot water heater, when overall fuel utilization is kept constant, the self-powered system will have a higher primary energy efficiency, lower operating costs, and dramatically improved building safety and resilience during electric grid outages. Furthermore, a self-powered heating system only has a single utility connection – natural gas, without an electric connection – thus simplifying installation. A thermoelectric generator can be used for direct energy conversion of thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts, which offers a very simple means to provide power for the self-powered heating system, and the operation is without noise or vibration and can thus provide a very long system life. This paper provides an analysis focused on materials selection and the thermal power requirements for a thermoelectric generator (TEG) for use in a self-powered heating system. The dimensionless figure of merit for thermoelectric materials, zT, is used to estimate the optimal efficiency that can be achieved with a TEG to produce the electric power required in such an application. Comparisons of the predicted efficiency, the required heat transfer rate to the TEG and the heat transfer area needed for sustained operation under thermal conditions relevant to the self-powered heating application are made for several potential thermoelectric materials. This analysis was used to develop system requirements for a self-powered hot water heater using a TEG for electric power generation.

Laclair, Tim↗
DOE OSTI2020

Guidelines for Phase Change Material Selection Based on a Holistic System Model

Concentrating solar power (CSP) has potential to increase the amount of renewable energy on electric grids and reduce global carbon emissions, in particular because of its capability to incorporate inexpensive thermal energy storage. To realize this potential, development of latent heat storage with phase change materials (PCMs) is attractive because of its high energy density and low material cost. Research in this area has identified many promising materials, and has developed effective storage system designs that could be used to deploy PCMs. However, the field has lacked a rigorous methodology to select the optimal material for a particular CSP system. To address this need, here we present a holistic model that evaluates all important influences of PCM properties on the performance and cost of an entire CSP plant. We apply this model to over 100 of the most widely considered candidate materials, including both salts and metals. We quantify the relative value of each PCM property, and identify leading materials for application in CSP systems. This method and our results may aid future efforts to develop latent heat storage by providing a more informed view of how material selection impacts an entire CSP system.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Effects of Material Selection on the Remanufacturability of a Swashplate in an Axial Piston Pump

A swashplate is a critical component in an axial piston pump for motion transformation that undergoes cyclic loading. Traditionally, swashplates are not designed to have multiple lives of operation. According to industry experts, a remanufacturability analysis of swashplates suggests that the scrap rate is high. Among the primary reasons for this high scrap rate is insufficient material on the running surface, especially for subtractive recovery. Therefore, the selection of the proper material and its amount plays a significant role in the fatigue behavior, the remanufacturability of the swashplate, as well as its cost. Analyses addressing fatigue life, remanufacturability, and cost of the swashplate were carried out in this paper through a comparative study utilizing various materials. Recommendations on the material selection that balance the failure consequences, remanufacturability, and cost are provided to guide designers in making informed decisions for alternative design options.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Material selection and manufacturing for high‐temperature heat exchangers: Review of state‐of‐the‐art development, opportunities, and challenges

Abstract Many energy systems demand heat transfer at high temperatures to keep up with high demand for power, so high‐temperature material that can perform and last under these harsh conditions is needed for heat exchangers. The engineering requirements for these high‐temperature heat exchanger material call for high thermal conductivity, high resistance to fracture, high resistance to creep deformation, environmental stability in environments associated with the application, and high modulus of elasticity while maintaining low cost to make and maintain. Naturally, ceramics are a good solution for this endeavor. In the past, high‐temperature heat exchangers made from ceramics have been used. We provide examples of ceramics in relevant heat exchange applications and provide motivation where additive manufacturing (AM) can improve efficiency. AM for the relevant material is under development, and we provide insight on the AM of ceramic materials and examples of AM heat exchangers keeping cost in mind. The motivation of the review paper is to provide a framework for material and manufacturing selection for high‐temperature heat exchangers for AM to keep up with the demand for better efficiency, better material, better manufacturing, and cost moving forward with AM technology in high‐temperature ceramic heat exchangers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Plasma-catalyst modeling for materials selection: challenges and opportunities in nitrogen oxidation

Reliable kinetic models are essential to rationalize observations and to guide the selection of appropriate plasma-catalyst combinations. Kinetic models coupling plasma- and heterogeneous-catalytic-chemistries, however, are primitive. Here, we combine reduced plasma chemistries and density functional theory parameterized surface reactions to model NO formation from N2 oxidation, an alternative nitrogen fixation process. We first show plasma excited species can enhance turnover frequencies of both Pt and Au. The enhancing potential is a function of plasma species and their densities. We then compare NO production between plasma/Pt and plasma/Au with an integral reactor model and explore the dependence of NO production as a function of plasma conditions, reactor configurations and chemical compositions. Plasma/Pt generates more NO than plasma/Au under most thermal and plasma parametric conditions. Plasma/Au outperforms plasma/Pt under high plasma excitations at low temperatures. Furthermore, these results highlight that selection of plasma-catalyst combinations should consider the properties of plasmas, materials and the coupling of the two.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Informing ARC divertor design and plasma facing material selection through integrated modeling

This INFUSE 2023 project between UCLA and Commonwealth Fusion Systems used computer modeling to test whether tungsten materials can survive in CFS's ARC fusion reactor divertor. The team simulated plasma conditions and material responses, finding that tungsten-rhenium alloys resist grain growth better than pure tungsten, and that hydrogen buildup depends more on particle flux than temperature. The work helps CFS design durable plasma-facing components for their fusion power plant.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Roadmap to Iodine and Mercury Abatement Materials Selection in Nuclear Waste Processing Off-Gas Streams

This work provides a guide for candidate mercury (Hg) and iodine-129 (129I) abatement material identification, screening, evaluation, technical gap identification, and bench-scale testing prioritization while also conceptualizing a materials deployment roadmap for implementation of new materials in the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) Low-Activity Waste (LAW) Facility at Hanford in Richland, Washington, and elsewhere in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) complex for similar applications. The study was prompted by the need to replace the Kombisorb BAT-37 due to uncertainties in Hg and 129I capture performance and future availability for use in the WTP LAW Facility secondary off-gas system, specifically the Carbon Adsorber units. However, replacement of this material could also mitigate two other issues with Kombisorb BAT-37 (and its successor BAT II 37): (1) fire safety risk due to exothermic heat generated by adsorption reactions between the carbon material and Hg and (2) the risk of low retention of 129I in glass and subsequent downstream impacts on secondary liquid waste treatment at the Effluent Treatment Facility.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2026

Improving indirect-drive ablator performance through pulse shaping and material selection in double shell implosions

The double shell path to inertially confined volumetric thermonuclear burn relies on efficient kinetic energy transfer from an outer ablator shell to an inner shell containing DT fuel at implosion velocities near 250 km/s. In order to experimentally realize adequate compression, target imperfections and assembly features must be tightly controlled. Pulse shape and ablator material are critical design choices that impact all aspects of the implosion. In this article, we evaluate three designs: an Al ablator with single-shock radiation drive, a CH ablator with single-shock drive, and a CH ablator with reduced-adiabat 2-shock drive. All designs use the same W inner (pusher) shell overcoated with a glow discharge polymer tamper and filled with liquid-density DT. One-dimensional HYDRA simulations revealed that the plastic ablator design required the use of the 2-shock drive to match the performance of the Al design. Two-dimensional simulations resolving broadband surface roughness up to modes of several hundred placed only on the ablator showed plastic to greatly outperform Al. The plastic ablator designs did exhibit higher levels of inner shell instability growth when surface roughness was only placed at the pusher/tamper interface, which was mitigated with higher foam cushion densities. A unique and additional benefit of a plastic ablator is also discussed, where heating of the ablator by Au M-band radiation is predicted to rapidly expand the hemi-shell surfaces, closing the equatorial joint gap ahead of the first shock. Taken together, the properties of the plastic ablator for indirect-drive double shell implosions appear promising in removing several long-standing fabrication challenges.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Optimizing Material Selection and Operational Conditions for XHV Systems: Lessons from AISI 1020 and 316L Comparative Studies

In this study, AISI 1020 low-carbon steel is investigated as a cost-effective alternative to SS316 stainless steel for reaching extreme high vacuum (XHV) conditions. After being baked at 400°C, a vacuum chamber made of the low-carbon steel material exhibited an outgassing rate approximately 2000 times smaller than a similar chamber made of stainless steel. Its activation energy for hydrogen diffusion (27 kJ/mol) is less than half that of stainless steel (60.3 kJ/mol), indicating more efficient hydrogen removal during bakeout. MolFlow+ simulations supported the experimental data and demonstrated the importance of system geometry optimization and minimizing stainless steel content for achieving optimal vacuum performance. AISI 1020's magnetic properties, typically considered disadvantageous for accelerator applications, could benefit spin-polarized electron sources by shielding photocathodes from stray fields while simultaneously providing improved vacuum through reduced outgassing. To optimize AISI 1020's performance in XHV systems, practical considerations include pre-baking protocols and careful system design to minimize stainless steel components.

Al-Allaq, Aiman H.↗