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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 19 records

Magnetocaloric response with significant mechanical efficiency in frustrated intermetallic compound $\mathrm{Pr_{2}Co_{0.86}Si_{2.88}}$

We report magnetically frustrated materials are considered as a promising unconventional members of caloric materials. Here, the magnetocaloric properties of the frustrated Pr 2 Co 0.86 Si 2.88 have been investigated and discussed with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The material exhibits a magnetic entropy change (-ΔS M ) of 13.1 J/kg-K for ΔH = 70 kOe around low-temperature transition T L ~ 4 K associated with the antiferromagnetic coupling between localized Pr-4f and itinerant Co-3d moments. Despite the absence of any long-range magnetic order, the obtained - ΔS M is one of the highest among the known Pr-based good magnetocaloric materials at cryogenic temperature range. It also exhibits a relative cooling power (RCP) of ~ 201 J/kg and an adiabatic temperature change of 6.3 K around T L at 70 kOe. Moreover, the compound also exhibits a high mechanical efficiency and moderate electrical efficiency, being beneficial for possible technological applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The effect on engine performance of change in jacket-water outlet temperature

Tests made on a Curtiss D-12 engine in the Altitude Laboratory at the Bureau of Standards show the following effects on engine performance of change in jacket-water outlet temperature: 1) Friction at all altitudes is a linear function of the jacket-water temperature, decreasing with increasing temperature. 2) The brake horsepower below an altitude of about 9,000 feet decreases, and at higher altitudes increases, with jacket-water temperature. 3) The brake specific fuel consumption tends to decrease, at all altitudes, with increasing jacket-water temperature. 4) The percentage change in brake power output is roughly equal to the algebraic sum of the percentage change in volumetric efficiency and mechanical efficiency.

Garlock, E A↗

Effect of 29 days of simulated microgravity on maximal oxygen consumption and fat-free mass of rats

Effects of a 29-days exposure to simulated microgravity on the values of maximal oxygen consumption and fat-free mass (FFM) and on the mechanical efficiency of running were investigated in rats randomly assigned to one of three regimens: head-down suspension (HDS) at 45 deg, horizontal suspension (HS), or cage control (CC). Before suspension and on days 7, 14, 21, and 28, five exercise performance tests were carried out, with measurements related to maximal oxygen consumption, treadmill run time, and mechanical efficiency. It was found that maximal oxygen consumption of both HDS and HS groups decreased significantly at day 7, after which the HDS rats remained decreased while the HS rats returned to presuspension values. Apparent mechanical efficiency in the HDS and HS groups decreased by 22-35 percent during the experimental period, and FFM decreased significantly.

Woodman, Christopher R.↗

Revealing the Electrophilic‐Attack Doping Mechanism for Efficient and Universal p‐Doping of Organic Semiconductors

Abstract Doping is of great importance to tailor the electrical properties of semiconductors. However, the present doping methodologies for organic semiconductors (OSCs) are either inefficient or can only apply to some OSCs conditionally, seriously limiting their general applications. Herein, a novel p‐doping mechanism is revealed by investigating the interactions between the dopant trityl tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) borate (TrTPFB) and poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT). It is found that electrophilic attack of the trityl cations on thiophenes results in the formation of tritylated thiophenium ions, which subsequently induce electron transfer from neighboring P3HT chains to realize p‐doping. This unique p‐doping mechanism enables TrTPFB to p‐dope various OSCs including those with high ionization energy (IE ≈ 5.8 eV). Moreover, this doping mechanism endows TrTPFB with strong doping capability, leading to doping efficiency of over 80% in P3HT. The discovery and elucidation of this novel doping mechanism not only points out that strong electrophiles are a class of efficient p‐dopants for OSCs, but also provides new opportunities toward highly efficient doping of various OSCs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Chemical and petrographic constraints on the origin of chondrules and inclusions in carbonaceous chondrites

Bulk chemical compositions of the various petrographic types of chondrules and inclusions in Type 3 carbonaceous chondrites (excluding those affected by metamorphism) have been determined by microprobe defocused-beam analysis. Inclusion compositions follow approximately the theoretical compositional trajectory for equlibrium condensation. Chondrules occurring in the same meteorites have higher silica contents and show only slight overlap with inclusion compositions. Dust fusion is apparently an inadequate mechanism for producing the wide chemical variations observed among chondrules. Impact-melting models require sampling of complex target rocks which are unknown as components of meteorites; this mechanism also demands efficient mechanical processing of chondrules before accretion. A genetic relationship between chondrules and inclusions in carbonaceous chondrites is suggested by the compositional continuum between these objects. A condensation sequence which dips into the liquid stability field at lower temperatures is advocated for the production of both inclusions and chondrules. Textural relationships between intergrown chondrules and inclusions support such a sequence. This model suggests that the assembled components (inclusions and chondrules) of carbonaceous chondrites are related by a common process.

Mcsween, H. Y., Jr.↗

Penrose photoproduction processes - A high efficiency energy mechanism for active galactic nuclei and quasars

Recent observations of NGC 4151 and 3C273 suggest that the nuclei of active galaxies have very high gamma ray efficiencies. In addition, optical studies of M87 have indicated the possibility of a massive black hole in its central region. The above facts have led to study of a new physical mechanism, Penrose Photoproduction Processes, in the ergospheres of massive Kerr black holes, as a way to account for the fluctuating, high efficiency, energy production associated with active galaxies and quasars. Observational signatures, associated with this mechanism, occur in the form of approximately 2 MeV and approximately 2 GeV gamma ray cutoffs which might be corroborated by the observed spectra of NGC 4151 and 3C273, respectively.

Leiter, D.↗

Efficiency and mechanisms of Sb(III/V) removal by Fe-modified biochars using X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Fe-modified biochars (FeBC) are effective antimony (Sb) removal materials; however, the removal mechanisms require further investigation. In this study, aqueous Sb(III) and Sb(V) removal by FeBC (300, 600, and 900 °C) was evaluated, with the adsorption mechanisms investigated using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Screening results (based on removal efficiencies) using different types of FeBC indicated the 900 °C FeCl3- modified biochar (FeCl3BC900) achieved the best Sb(III/V) removal performance. The kinetics of the Sb(III/V) removal process were best fitted by a pseudo-second-order model. Additionally, the isothermal results were described by Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson models. Aqueous analysis and X-ray absorption near-edge structure data fitting indicated Sb(III) was oxidized to Sb(V) in the Sb(III)-spiked system, and the oxidation extent increased with increasing pyrolysis temperature. The oxidation process rapidly occurred in both the solution and biochar. No Sb(V) was reduced to Sb(III) in the Sb(V)-spiked system. The XAS results of the isothermal experiment indicated the oxidation capacity of FeCl3BC900 was limited for high initial Sb(III) concentrations. The SbFe1 and Sb-Fe2 bonding distances were 3.05–3.10 and 3.47–3.54 Å, respectively, indicating inner-sphere complexes were formed during the Sb(III/V) removal processes. The Sb(III/V) removal mechanisms included electrostatic adsorption, inner-sphere complexes, and coprecipitation. Oxidation was also involved in Sb(III) removal.

Antimony↗

Simultaneously Improving Process Efficiency and Mechanical Properties in Aluminum Alloys with Applied Magnetic Fields

In the aluminum heat treatment sector, large resistive batch furnaces are used for many heat treatment processes and are generally always running, operating at approximately 20–30% efficiency. The primary avenue for energy savings lies in shortening heat treatment times, which can be 24+ hours for solutionizing (450–625 °C) and aging treatments (150–250 ℃), depending on the alloy and specification requirements. The application of high magnetic fields (<9 T) has shown to significantly reduce aluminum alloy heat treatment times, while achieving enhanced mechanical properties. Here, we explore the effects of thermomagnetic processing on the heat treatment response of a commercial aluminum alloy A390.1. Heat treatment times were reduced by >80%, while achieving ~10% improvement in microhardness, and these improvements persisted after longer thermal exposures simulating use. The microstructural evolution and resulting properties will be discussed.

Kesler, Michael [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000161423128)↗

Distribution Network Capacity Market Design: Marginal Distribution Capacity Pricing Mechanism for Efficient Investment and Cost Allocation

As electricity markets begin to shift from reliance on large, centralized power plants and towards distributed energy resources (DERs), there is a growing acknowledgement that more efficient planning, operations, and oversight is needed in the distribution system. This paper addresses one step in that direction by proposing an auction mechanism that uses a detailed distribution system planning model that allocates permits to end-used customers who request capacity to install new devices at their location and network upgrade contracts to utilities or 3rd-party companies who offer to upgrade system components. The resulting plan maximizes market surplus, that is, maximizes the total benefit to consumers minus the cost of network upgrades. We apply a marginal pricing scheme to the auction’s results such that the cost of each permits or contracts is differentiated by time and location, based on the Lagrangian multipliers of binding network constraints. These prices are shown to be no greater than the bid price of any awarded contract and no less than the offered cost of any awarded upgrade contract. Furthermore, the nonlinearity of power flows in the planning model result in an additional surplus that would be collected by the entity that hosts the auction, which could then be refunded to market participants or used to cover overhead costs of running the market. We provide four example auction results in a simple three-node distribution feeder to demonstrate the properties of the design. Results suggest that larger or more realistic case studies could be a promising next step.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

An experimental study of energy loss mechanisms and efficiency consideration in the low power dc arcjet

The potential utility of the low power dc arcjet in auxiliary propulsion was investigated. It was indicated that improvements in the areas of stability, energy efficiency, reliability, and electrode erosion are necessary to obtain a useful device. A water-cooled arcjet simulator was tested to investigate both the energy loss mechanisms at the electrodes and the stability of different conventional arcjet configurations in the presence of a vortex flow field. It is shown that in certain configurations only 25 to 30% of the input energy is lost to the electrodes. It is also shown that vortex stabilization is not difficult to obtain in many cases at the flow rates used and that a careful starting procedure is effective in minimizing electrode damage.

Curran, F. M.↗

An experimental study of energy loss mechanisms and efficiency considerations in the low power dc arcjet

The potential utility of the low power dc arcjet in auxiliary propulsion was investigated. It was indicated that improvements in the areas of stability, energy efficiency, reliability, and electrode erosion are necessary to obtain a useful device. A water-cooled arcjet simulator was tested to investigate both the energy loss mechanisms at the electrodes and the stability of different conventional arcjet configurations in the presence of a vortex flow field. It is shown that in certain configurations only 25 to 30 percent of the input energy is lost to the electrodes. It is also shown that vortex stabilization is not difficult to obtain in many cases at the flow rates used and that a careful starting procedure is effective in minimizing electrode damage.

Curran, F. M.↗

Connecting Interfacial Mechanical Adhesion, Efficiency, and Operational Stability in High Performance Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

Carbazole-based self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) at the interface between the metal-halide perovskite (MHP) and the transparent conducting oxide (TCO) serve the function of hole-transport layers in p-i-n "inverted" perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this report we show that the use of an iodine-terminated carbazole-based SAM increases the interfacial mechanical adhesion dramatically (2.6-fold) and that this is responsible for substantial improvements in the interfacial morphology, photocarrier transport, and operational stability. While the improved morphology and optoelectronic properties impart high efficiency (up to 25.39%) to the PSCs, the enhanced adhesion suppresses nucleation and propagation of pores/cracks during PSC operation, resulting in the retention of 96% of the initial efficiency after 1000 h of continuous-illumination testing at the maximum power-point. This demonstrates the strong connection between judicious interfacial adhesion toughening and simultaneous enhancement in the efficiency and operational stability of p-i-n PSCs, with broader implications for the reliability and durability of perovskite photovoltaics before they can be commercialized.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Post sunset behavior of the 6300 A atomic oxygen airglow emission

A theoretical model of the 6300 A OI airglow emission was developed based on the assumptions that both the charged and neutral portions of the Earth's upper atmosphere are in steady state conditions of diffusive equilibrium. Intensities of 6300 A OI emission line were calculated using electron density true height profiles from a standard C-4 ionosonde and exospheric temperatures derived from Fabry-Perot interferometer measurements of the Doppler broadened 6300 A emission line shape as inputs to the model. Reaction rate coefficient values, production mechanism efficiencies, solar radiation fluxes, absorption cross sections, and models of the neutral atmosphere were varied parametrically to establish a set of acceptable inputs which will consistently predict 6300 A emission intensities that closely agree with intensities observed during the post-sunset twilight period by an airglow observatory consisting of a Fabry-Perot interferometer and a turret photometer. Emission intensities that can only result from the dissociative recombination of molecular oxygen ions were observed during the latter portion of the observational period. Theoretical calculations indicate that contamination of the 6300 A OI emission should be on the order of or less than 3 percent; however, these results are very sensitive to the wavelengths of the individual lines and their intensities relative to the 6300 A OI intensity. This combination of a model atmosphere, production mechanism efficiencies, and quenching coefficient values was used when the dissociative photoexcitation and direct impact excitation processes were contributing to the intensity to establish best estimates of solar radiation fluxes in the Schumann--Runge continuum and associated absorption cross sections. Results show that the Jacchia 1971 model of the upper atmosphere combined with the Ackerman recommended solar radiation fluxes and associated absorption cross sections produces theoretically calculated intensities that more closely agree with the observed intensities than all the other combinations.

Smith, R. E.↗

Performance efficient macromolecular mechanics via sub-nanometer shape based coarse graining

Dimensionality reduction via coarse grain modeling is a valuable tool in biomolecular research. For large assemblies, ultra coarse models are often knowledge-based, relying on a priori information to parameterize models thus hindering general predictive capability. Here, we present substantial advances to the shape based coarse graining (SBCG) method, which we refer to as SBCG2. SBCG2 utilizes a revitalized formulation of the topology representing network which makes high-granularity modeling possible, preserving atomistic details that maintain assembly characteristics. Further, we present a method of granularity selection based on charge density Fourier Shell Correlation and have additionally developed a refinement method to optimize, adjust and validate high-granularity models. We demonstrate our approach with the conical HIV-1 capsid and heteromultimeric cofilin-2 bound actin filaments. Our approach is available in the Visual Molecular Dynamics (VMD) software suite, and employs a CHARMM-compatible Hamiltonian that enables high-performance simulation in the GPU-resident NAMD3 molecular dynamics engine.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Mechanism of efficient double-strand break repair by a long non-coding RNA

The Authors wish to correct an error in Figure 6. In Figure 6B the panel label should read ‘Ku + DNA-PKcs + LINP1, 6 kbp bridge’ instead of ‘Ku + DNA-PKcs + PAXX, 6 kbp bridge’. The published article has been updated. This error does not affect the conclusions of the article.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗