Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Local mixing”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Scaling relationships for the elastic moduli and viscosity of mixed lipid membranes

The elastic and viscous properties of biological membranes play a vital role in controlling cell functions that require local reorganization of the membrane components as well as dramatic shape changes such as endocytosis, vesicular trafficking, and cell division. These properties are widely acknowledged to depend on the unique composition of lipids within the membrane, yet the effects of lipid mixing on the membrane biophysical properties remain poorly understood. Here, we present a comprehensive characterization of the structural, elastic, and viscous properties of fluid membranes composed of binary mixtures of lipids with different tail lengths. We show that the mixed lipid membrane properties are not simply additive quantities of the single-component analogs. Instead, the mixed membranes are more dynamic than either of their constituents, quantified as a decrease in their bending modulus, area compressibility modulus, and viscosity. While the enhanced dynamics are seemingly unexpected, we show that the measured moduli and viscosity for both the mixed and single-component bilayers all scale with the area per lipid and collapse onto respective master curves. This scaling links the increase in dynamics to mixing-induced changes in the lipid packing and membrane structure. More importantly, the results show that the membrane properties can be manipulated through lipid composition the same way bimodal blends of surfactants, liquid crystals, and polymers are used to engineer the mechanical properties of soft materials, with broad implications for understanding how lipid diversity relates to biomembrane function.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Characterization of multi-regime reaction zones in a piloted inhomogeneous jet flame with local extinction

In this study, gradient free regime identification (GFRI) is applied to 1D Raman/Rayleigh/LIF measurements of temperature and major species from the intermediate velocity case of the Sydney piloted inhomogeneous jet flame series to better understand the structure of reaction zones and the downstream evolution of multi-regime characteristics. The GFRI approach allows local reaction zones to be detected and characterized as premixed, dominantly premixed, multi-regime, dominantly non-premixed, or non-premixed flame structures, based on flame markers (mixture fraction, chemical mode, and heat release rate) derived from the experimental data. The statistics of chemical mode zero-crossings, which mark premixed reaction zones, and the relative populations of flame structures are shown to be sensitive to the state of mixing in the near field of the flame and to the level of local extinction farther downstream. Multi-regime structures, where premixed and non-premixed reaction zones occur in close proximity and both contribute to overall heat release, account for nearly half the total population at streamwise locations within the first several jet diameters. There is a rapid transition within the near field whereby the relative population of non-premixed and dominantly non-premixed structures grows from 0.05 to nearly 0.5, and the population of premixed and dominantly premixed structures decreases correspondingly as fluid entering the reaction zone becomes progressively fuel-rich. Local extinction and re-ignition bring a resurgence in premixed-type structures, many of which occur at fuel-lean conditions. There are also modest populations of multi-regime structures, having chemical mode zero-crossings at lean conditions, which would not exist in a fully burning jet flame.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2026

Multi-facility analysis using metered power data to quantify MRI energy use and utility bill costs across scanner operating modes

This study quantifies the energy consumption of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners across discrete operating modes during routine clinical workflows, based solely on electrical power measurements. Although previous studies have investigated MRI energy consumption within single hospitals or specific clinical settings, this research provides a broader and more systematic analysis. Researchers analyzed electrical power data and applied a previously developed semi-automatic method for identifying MRI operating modes using load duration curves for 20 MRI scanners across four different U.S. healthcare facilities, encompassing outpatient, inpatient, and mixed-use clinical settings. A key innovation is the inclusion of localized hourly utility rates to estimate costs, a parameter absent in prior literature. Key findings indicate significant variability in energy and cost profiles between weekdays and weekends. Scanner characteristics, including magnet strength, manufacturer, vintage, location, and clinical setting, influenced average daily energy consumption and power thresholds for operating modes. Notably, the clinical setting of a scanner predominantly determines its energy use. For example, the scanners in outpatient facilities consumed more energy. The breakdown of energy usage and costs by operating modes showed scanners spend between 61% and 93% of their time in nonproductive modes, with one outlier spending 34%. Average daily energy use for the scanners in the study ranged from 160 to 1069 kWh, with energy costs ranging from $\$$9 to $\$$149. This study uses an existing framework to quantify MRI energy behavior, leading to insights that can enable improved performance and cost savings across different healthcare environments.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Local cation order and ferrimagnetism in compositionally complex spinel ferrites

We present an exploration of a family of compositionally complex cubic spinel ferrites featuring combinations of Mg, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mn, and Zn cations, systematically investigating the average and local atomic structures, chemical short-range order, magnetic spin configurations, and magnetic properties. All compositions result in ferrimagnetic average structures with extremely similar local bonding environments; however, the samples display varying degrees of cation inversion and, therefore, differing apparent bulk magnetization. Additionally, first-order reversal curve analysis of the magnetic reversal behavior indicates varying degrees of magnetic ordering and interactions, including potentially local frustration. Finally, reverse Monte Carlo modeling of the spin orientation demonstrates a relationship between the degree of cation inversion and the spin collinearity. Collectively, these observations correlate with differences in synthesis procedures. This work provides a framework for understanding magnetic behavior reported for “high-entropy spinels,” revealing many are likely compositionally complex oxides with differing degrees of chemical short-range order—not meeting the community established criteria for high or medium entropy compounds. Moreover, this work highlights the importance of reporting complete sample processing histories and investigating local to long-range atomic arrangements when evaluating potential entropic mixing effects and assumed property correlations in high entropy materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Transformer coupled toroidal wave-heated remote plasma sources operating in Ar/NF 3 mixtures

Remote plasmas are used in semiconductor device manufacturing as sources of radicals for chamber cleaning and isotropic etching. In these applications, large fluxes of neutral radicals (e.g. F, O, Cl, H) are desired with there being negligible fluxes of potentially damaging ions and photons. One remote plasma source (RPS) design employs toroidal, transformer coupling using ferrite cores to dissociate high flows of moderately high pressure (up to several Torr) electronegative gases. In this paper, results are discussed from a computational investigation of moderate pressure, toroidal transformer coupled RPS sustained in Ar and Ar/NF 3 mixtures. Operation of the RPS in 1 Torr (133 Pa) of argon with a power of 1.0 kW at 0.5 MHz and a single core produces a continuous toroidal plasma loop with current continuity being maintained dominantly by conduction current. Operation with dual cores introduces azimuthal asymmetries with local maxima in plasma density. Current continuity is maintained by a mix of conduction and displacement current. Operation in NF 3 for the same conditions produces essentially complete NF 3 dissociation. Electron depletion as a result of dissociative attachment of NF 3 and NF x fragments significantly alters the discharge topology, confining the electron density to the downstream portion of the source where the NFx density has been lowered by this dissociation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Modeling, analysis, and code/data validation of DIII-D tokamak divertor experiments on ELM and non-ELM plasma tungsten sputtering erosion

Abstract We analyzed recent DIII-D tokamak tungsten divertor probe experiments using advanced, coupled, sputter erosion/redeposition, plasma, and surface response code packages. Modeling is done for ELMing H-mode, and L-mode plasmas, impinging on various size tungsten deposits on Divertor Material Evaluation System (DiMES) carbon probes. The simulations compute 3D, full kinetic, sub-gyromotion, impurity sputtering and transport, including changes in tungsten surface composition and response due to mixed deuterium and carbon ions irradiation. Per our analysis, ELM (edge localized mode) plasma sputtering in DIII-D mostly involves free-streaming high energy (∼500–1000 eV) D + and C +6 ions, with high near-surface plasma density. L-Mode sputtering is due to impurity sputtering (C, W) only, with lower density. All cases show complete redeposition of tungsten on the divertor, with significant redeposition on the tungsten spots themselves, and low self-sputtering. Comparison of ELM plasma gross tungsten erosion simulation results with in-situ spectroscopic data is good, as are code/data comparisons of net erosion using post-exposure Rutherford backscattering (RBS) data for the L-mode probes. The analysis, extrapolated to a full tungsten divertor, implies low net erosion and negligible plasma contamination from sputtering. These results support the use of high-Z plasma facing surfaces in ITER and beyond.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Energy and Carbon Payback Times for Modern U.S. Utility Photovoltaic Systems

Manufacturing and operating a PV system consumes non-renewable energy and produces carbon emissions, as does end-of-life handling when PV systems are eventually decommissioned. To fully account for PV's contribution toward decarbonization, these life cycle impacts must be quantified. A 2023 NREL LCA of utility PV systems in the United States Study show energy payback times between 0.5 and 1.2 years and carbon payback times between 0.8 to 20 years, depending on the system install location. Payback times are affected by the amount of local solar radiation, and carbon payback time is significantly affected by the carbon-intensity of the local grid it offsets, as well as the future projected grid mix for the location it is installed. In an average U.S. location, carbon payback times are less than 2 years.

carbon payback time↗
DOE OSTI2025

Non-Gaussianity from explicit U(1)-breaking interactions

We investigate primordial non-Gaussianity (NG) arising from the explicit U(1) symmetry-breaking interactions during inflation involving a nearly massless axial component of a complex scalar field P. We analyze the induced NG parameter f NL under scenarios where the axial field functions as either a curvaton or cold dark matter (CDM). In the curvaton framework, there is a conventional contribution to the local NG of f NL ≃ -O(1). Additional positive local NG can result from either the self-interactions of axial field fluctuations, their interactions with a light radial partner, or kinetic mixing with the inflaton via U(1) symmetry-breaking terms. We identify parameter regions where the interactions lead to cancellations, suppressing the overall local NG to |f loc NL | ≲ O(0.1). In the CDM scenario, these interactions enhance the NG in the isocurvature fluctuations. Moreover, interactions between the axial field and another light scalar, such as a curvaton, can generate O(1) curvature NG signals and significant mixed curvature-isocurvature NGs that are within the reach of future experiments with σ(f loc NL ) ∼ 1. We also explore the role of a heavy radial field in generating oscillating correlation signals, noting that such signals can dominate the shape of the mixed adiabatic-isocurvature bispectrum. In certain cases, an oscillatory isocurvature bispectrum signal may be observable in the future, aiding in distinguishing between certain types of the U(1)-breaking self-interactions of the axial field.

axions↗
DOE OSTI2024

Tracking copper nanofiller evolution in polysiloxane during processing into SiOC ceramic

Polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) remain at the forefront of research for a variety of applications including ultra-high-temperature ceramics, energy storage and functional coatings. Despite their wide use, questions remain about the complex structural transition from polymer to ceramic and how local structure influences the final microstructure and resulting properties. This is further complicated when nanofillers are introduced to tailor structural and functional properties, as nanoparticle surfaces can interact with the matrix and influence the resulting structure. The inclusion of crystalline nanofiller produces a mixed crystalline–amorphous composite, which poses characterization challenges. With this study, we aim to address these challenges with a local-scale structural study that probes changes in a polysiloxane matrix with incorporated copper nanofiller. Composites were processed at three unique temperatures to capture mixing, pyrolysis and initial crystallization stages for the pre-ceramic polymer. We observed the evolution of the nanofiller with electron microscopy and applied synchrotron X-ray diffraction with differential pair distribution function (d-PDF) analysis to monitor changes in the matrix's local structure and interactions with the nanofiller. The application of the d-PDF to PDC materials is novel and informs future studies to understand interfacial interactions between nanofiller and matrix throughout PDC processing.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2023

CROCUS Sodar Measurements of Lower Atmospheric Wind Profiles at Argonne Testbed for Multiscale Observational Science (ATMOS) Site

The Scintec MFAS Sodar (Multiple-Frequency Acoustic Sounder) is an autonomous, ground-based acoustic remote sensing system designed to measure vertical profiles of horizontal wind speed, wind direction, and vertical velocity in the lower atmosphere. The instrument transmits sequences of acoustic pulses and detects the Doppler-shifted sound waves backscattered by small-scale temperature and velocity fluctuations caused by atmospheric turbulence. From these Doppler shifts, the system derives three-dimensional wind vectors by combining radial velocities from multiple beam orientations.The MFAS Sodar operates with a first usable range gate beginning at approximately 30 m above ground level and a configurable vertical resolution of 10 m. Under favorable acoustic conditions, the system provides wind profiles extending up to 600 m above ground level. Measurements are processed into 15-minute averaged profiles containing wind speed, direction, vertical velocity, and diagnostic quantities such as signal-to-noise ratio and echo strength.This dataset was collected at the Argonne Testbed for Multiscale Observational Science (ATMOS) facility in Lemont, Illinois, as part of DOE's CROCUS Urban Integrated Field Laboratory (UIFL) initiative. The purpose of these observations is to characterize the vertical wind structure and boundary-layer evolution across the urban–suburban gradient of the greater Chicago region. In particular, these data are intended to improve understanding of how local meteorology, such as lake-breeze penetration, nocturnal jets, and daytime mixing, varies between the densely built urban core and the suburban periphery. The MFAS observations provide critical context for evaluating high-resolution model simulations and for integrating with complementary lidar, radar, and in-situ meteorological measurements within the broader CROCUS UIFL network.All data are archived in NetCDF (Network Common Data Form) format and include wind and diagnostic parameters. The files can be accessed and analyzed using standard software that supports NetCDF, such as Python (e.g., xarray, netCDF4), MATLAB, R (e.g., ncdf4, raster), or Panoply (NASA’s NetCDF visualization application).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

U-splines: Splines over unstructured meshes

U-splines are a novel approach to the construction of a spline basis for representing smooth objects in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE). A spline is a piecewise-defined function that satisfies continuity constraints between adjacent cells in a mesh. U-splines differ from existing spline constructions, such as Non-Uniform Rational B-splines (NURBS), subdivision surfaces, T-splines, and hierarchical B-splines, in that they can accommodate local variation in cell size, polynomial degree, and smoothness simultaneously over more varied mesh configurations. Mixed cell types (e.g., triangle and quadrilateral cells in the same mesh) and T-junctions are also supported, although the continuity of interfaces with triangle and tetrahedral cells is limited in the present work. The U-spline algorithm introduces a new technique for using local null space solutions to construct basis functions for the global spline null space problem. The U-spline construction is presented for curves, surfaces, and volumes with higher dimensional generalizations possible. Lastly, a set of requirements are given to ensure that the U-spline basis is positive, forms a partition of unity, is complete, and is locally linearly independent.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Structure, Magnetism, and First-Principles Modeling of the Na 0.5 La 0.5 RuO 3 Perovskite

High-purity polycrystalline Na 0.5 La 0.5 RuO 3 was synthesized by a solid-state method, and its properties were studied by magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity, and resistivity measurements. In this study, we find it to be an orthorhombic perovskite, in contrast to an earlier report, with random La/Na mixing. With a Curie–Weiss temperature of –231 K and an effective moment of 2.74 μB/mol Ru, there is no magnetic ordering down to 1.8 K. A broad hump at 1.4 K in the heat capacity, however, indicates the presence of a glassy magnetic transition, which we attribute to the influence of the random distribution of Na and La on the perovskite A-sites. Comparison to CaRuO 3 , a structurally ordered ruthenate perovskite with a similar A-site ionic radius and magnetic properties, is presented. First-principles calculations indicate that the Na–La distribution determines the local magnetic exchange interactions between Ru ions, favoring either antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic coupling when the local environment is Na- or La-rich. Thus, our data and analysis suggest that mixing cations with different charges and sizes on the A-site in this perovskite results in magnetic frustration through a balance of local magnetic exchange interactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Capturing Secondary Kinetic Instabilities in Three‐Dimensional Dayside Reconnection Using an Improved Gradient‐Based Closure

Magnetic reconnection is a highly dynamic process that excites a wide variety of kinetic waves and instabilities. Transverse current sheet instabilities such as the lower-hybrid drift and secondary drift-kink instabilities in particular have been shown by kinetic simulations to modify the reconnection and introduce significant turbulence and mixing to the reconnection layer. Past studies using the ten-moment fluid model to capture important kinetic physics such as the electron inertia and full representation of the pressure tensor proved advantageous to a two-fluid representation of reconnection, but the model struggled when using a local relaxation closure for the heat flux to replicate the current sheet instabilities and subsequent mixing seen in kinetic simulations. This work uses the Gkeyll software framework to perform simulations of asymmetric reconnection based on the 16 October 2015 MMS crossing of a diffusion region, the Burch event. An improved gradient-based heat flux closure is implemented, showing significant improvement in secondary kinetic instabilities that grow in the current sheet. These instabilities generate turbulence which leads to growth of secondary magnetic islands and flux ropes.

Bradshaw, K. [Princeton University, NJ (United Sta↗
DOE OSTI2022

Supernova-driven Turbulent Metal Mixing in High-redshift Galactic Disks: Metallicity Fluctuations in the Interstellar Medium and its Imprints on Metal-poor Stars in the Milky Way

The extent to which turbulence mixes gas in the face of recurrent infusions of fresh metals by supernovae (SN) could help provide important constraints on the local star formation conditions. This includes predictions of the metallicity dispersion among metal-poor stars, which suggests that the interstellar medium was not very well mixed at these early times. The purpose of this Letter is to help isolate, via a series of numerical experiments, some of the key processes that regulate turbulent mixing of SN elements in galactic disks. We study the gas interactions in small simulated patches of a galaxy disk with the goal of resolving the small-scale mixing effects of metals at parsec scales, which enables us to measure the turbulent diffusion coefficient in various galaxy environments. By investigating the statistics of variations of α elements in these simulations, we are able to derive constraints not only on the allowed range of intrinsic yield variations in SN explosions but also on the star formation history of the Milky Way. We argue that the observed dispersion of [Mg/Fe] in metal-poor halo stars is compatible with the star-forming conditions expected in dwarf satellites or in an early low-star-forming Milky Way progenitor. In particular, metal variations in stars that have not been phase-mixed can be used to infer the star-forming conditions of disrupted dwarf satellites.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Light-Driven Iodine Loss and Photoluminescence Homogenization in Mixed-Halide Perovskite Semiconductors

Carrier-induced instabilities in lead halide perovskites are often investigated as either transient phenomena, e.g., photoinduced halide segregation or permanent performance changes, e.g., photodegradation, while the mechanistic links between them remain unclear. Here, we aim to connect these observations by studying a model mixed-halide system, MAPb(Br x I 1–x ) 3 . By combining grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction, photothermal deflection spectroscopy, and photoluminescence measurements with hyperspectral microscopy, we investigate the role of mobile halide defects and local chemistry on reversible and long-term instabilities in these materials. Our results show that mixed-halide perovskites are uniquely susceptible to photoinduced changes with illumination driving initial iodide redistribution (i.e., halide segregation), eventual selective iodine expulsion, and subsequent changes in photoinduced halide segregation behavior. By quantifying structural and compositional changes, we estimate an approximately 3–5% iodine loss in our mixed-halide samples after only 24 h of illumination. Further, using microscale measurements, we identify pre-existing iodide-rich domains as key contributors to both the observed transient photostability and permanent iodine loss in MAPbBrI 2 , and see evidence that extended light soaking results in iodide redistribution that improves optoelectronic homogeneity. Overall, our results emphasize the importance of carrier-induced halide oxidation in creating a dynamic defect landscape in mixed-halide perovskites and provide a framework for interpreting apparent light-driven changes in optoelectronic behavior through the lens of permanent compositional changes.

electrical conductivity↗
DOE OSTI2023

Thermodynamic Properties of Aggregate Coated by Different Types of Waste Plastic: Adhesion and Moisture Resistance of Asphalt-Aggregate Systems

The utilization of acidic aggregates in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) is often inevitable due to the limited supply of locally available aggregates, posing a potential threat of moisture damage to asphalt pavements. In this regard, the use of urban waste plastic to coat the low-quality aggregates is a promising way to improve the moisture resistance. This study fundamentally evaluated the compatibility between asphalt and plastic-coated aggregate by measuring surface energy, and for the first time compared the effects of different types of waste plastic including high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polypropylene (PP). The plastic-coating significantly altered the chemistry of aggregate surface by increasing the nonpolar components and reducing the polar components. Such changes remarkably increased the dry adhesion energy between asphalt and aggregate and enhanced the wettability of aggregate. For the acidic aggregates, the polymeric treatment could decrease the value of wet adhesive, which indicated the debonding tendency in the presence of water was reduced. Finally, the energy ratios of the asphalt-aggregate combinations significantly increased by the surface pretreatment, which proved the effect of waste plastic coating on improving the moisture damage resistance of asphalt mixtures. By comparison, the HDPE coating was the most effective way to enhance the compatibility with asphalt, followed by PP and LDPE coatings. The PVC and PET coatings were investigated as the least effective way. In conclusion, this study cannot only contribute to the potential large-scale utilization of waste plastic but also remove the obstacles of using large quantities of acidic natural aggregate in asphalt pavements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Land management explains major trends in forest structure and composition over the last millennium in California’s Klamath Mountains

Significance We provide the first assessment of aboveground live tree biomass in a mixed conifer forest over the late Holocene. The biomass record, coupled with local Native oral history and fire scar records, shows that Native burning practices, along with a natural lightning-based fire regime, promoted long-term stability of the forest structure and composition for at least 1 millennium in a California forest. This record demonstrates that climate alone cannot account for observed forest conditions. Instead, forests were also shaped by a regime of frequent fire, including intentional ignitions by Native people. This work suggests a large-scale intervention could be required to achieve the historical conditions that supported forest resiliency and reflected Indigenous influence.

Knight, Clarke A.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Verification of Data-Driven Models of Physical Phenomena using Interpretable Approximation

Machine-learned models, specifically neural networks, are increasingly used as “closures” or “constitutive models” in engineering simulators to represent fine-scale physical phenomena that are too computationally expensive to resolve explicitly. However, these neural net models of unresolved physical phenomena tend to fail unpredictably and are therefore not used in mission-critical simulations. In this report, we describe new methods to authenticate them, i.e., to determine the (physical) information content of their training datasets, qualify the scenarios where they may be used and to verify that the neural net, as trained, adhere to physics theory. We demonstrate these methods with neural net closure of turbulent phenomena used in Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations. We show the types of turbulent physics extant in our training datasets, and, using a test flow of an impinging jet, identify the exact locations where the neural network would be extrapolating i.e., where it would be used outside the feature-space where it was trained. Using Generalized Linear Mixed Models, we also generate explanations of the neural net (à la Local Interpretable Model agnostic Explanations) at prototypes placed in the training data and compare them with approximate analytical models from turbulence theory. Finally, we verify our findings by reproducing them using two different methods.

42 ENGINEERING↗