Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “content”

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 OSTI2012

The impact of K{sup +} content on the structural transformations and morphological changes during the thermal treatment of α-MnO{sub 2} nanorods

Highlights: ► The acidic treatment considerably shortened the α-MnO{sub 2} nanorods. ► α-MnO{sub 2} nanorods with higher potassium contents undergo to the structural changes at higher temperatures. ► Up to 500 °C no structural and morpholigcal changes are observed. -- Abstract: The effect of heat treatment on the structure and morphology of α-MnO{sub 2} nanorods with different potassium contents was investigated. These nanorods, prepared by ion exchange, were thermally treated at 500, 800, 1000 and 1100 °C, and characterized with X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The structure and morphology of the starting sample remained preserved up to 500 °C. The first structural and morphological changes were observed when α-MnO{sub 2} nanorods with different potassium contents were heated at 800 °C. The sample with the highest potassium content decomposed only partially to α-Mn{sub 2}O{sub 3}, while the decomposition of the α-MnO{sub 2} to α-Mn{sub 2}O{sub 3} was complete in the sample with the lowest potassium content. Morphologically, both samples were composed of nanorods and grains. When the temperature was increased to 1000 and 1100 °C, both the structure and morphology changed: the α-MnO{sub 2} nanorods completely decomposed to Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} grains. The acidic media in which the ion exchange took place shortened the α-MnO{sub 2} nanorods.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effect of copper content on the tensile elongation of Al–Cu–Mn–Zr alloys: Experiments and finite element simulations

Microstructures of cast aluminum alloys used in automotive engine applications often consist of intermetallic particles that can impact the tensile elongation of these alloys. Here in this paper, we investigate the effect of intermetallic grain boundary particles on tensile elongation by fabricating a series of alloys with Cu content varying between 6.0 - 9.0 wt% in cast Al–Cu–Mn–Zr (ACMZ) type compositions. The tensile elongation of as-aged ACMZ alloys decreases monotonically with increase in Cu content. While the microstructure within the grains and yield stress of the alloy remains invariant with Cu content, the decrease in tensile elongation correlates well with increase in the size and volume fraction of grain boundary particles. Microstructural observations are combined with finite element simulations to explain the trend in tensile elongation with changing Cu content. Crack initiation is found to occur by brittle fracture of the grain boundary particles. Increase in particle size promotes crack initiation by reduction in size dependent particle fracture strength. Lower inter-particle spacing at higher particle volume fraction further facilitates crack initiation by increasing stress within the particles caused by the interaction between stress fields of neighboring particles. Increase in particle volume fraction also accelerates crack propagation through the formation of macro shear zones in the microstructure. The increase in Cu content of cast ACMZ alloys, therefore, decreases tensile elongation by promoting both crack initiation and crack propagation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Edaphic controls on genome size and GC content of bacteria in soil microbial communities

Nutrient limitation has been shown to reduce bacterial genome size and influence nucleotide composition; however, much of this work has been conducted in marine systems and the factors which shape soil bacterial genomic traits remain largely unknown. Here, for this work, we determined average genome size, GC content, codon usage, and amino acid content from 398 soil metagenomes across a broad geographic range and used machine-learning to determine the environmental parameters that most strongly explain the distribution of these traits. We found that genomic trait averages were most related to pH, which we suggest is primarily due to the correlation of pH with several environmental parameters, particularly soil carbon content. Low pH soils had higher carbon to nitrogen ratios (C:N) and tended to have communities with lower GC content and larger genomes, potentially a response to increased physiological stress and a requirement for metabolic diversity. Conversely, communities in high pH and low soil C:N had smaller genomes and higher GC content—indicating potential resource driven selection against AT base pairs, which have a higher C:N than GC base pairs. Similarly, we found that nutrient conservation also applied to amino acid stoichiometry, where bacteria in soils with low C:N ratios tended to code for amino acids with lower C:N. Together, these relationships point towards fundamental mechanisms that underpin genome size, and nucleotide and amino acid selection in soil bacteria.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Numerical and experimental studies on effects of moisture content on combustion characteristics of simulated municipal solid wastes in a fixed bed

Highlights: • The effects of moisture content on the burning process of MSW are investigated. • A two-dimensional mathematical model was built to simulate the combustion process. • Temperature distributions, process rates, gas species were measured and simulated. • The The conversion ratio of C/CO and N/NO in MSW are inverse to moisture content. - Abstract: In order to reveal the features of the combustion process in the porous bed of a waste incinerator, a two-dimensional unsteady state model and experimental study were employed to investigate the combustion process in a fixed bed of municipal solid waste (MSW) on the combustion process in a fixed bed reactor. Conservation equations of the waste bed were implemented to describe the incineration process. The gas phase turbulence was modeled using the k–ε turbulent model and the particle phase was modeled using the kinetic theory of granular flow. The rate of moisture evaporation, devolatilization rate, and char burnout was calculated according to the waste property characters. The simulation results were then compared with experimental data for different moisture content of MSW, which shows that the incineration process of waste in the fixed bed is reasonably simulated. The simulation results of solid temperature, gas species and process rate in the bed are accordant with experimental data. Due to the high moisture content of fuel, moisture evaporation consumes a vast amount of heat, and the evaporation takes up most of the combustion time (about 2/3 of the whole combustion process). The whole bed combustion process reduces greatly as MSW moisture content increases. The experimental and simulation results provide direction for design and optimization of the fixed bed of MSW.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Effect of Sr Content and Strain on Sr Surface Segregation of La 1– x Sr x Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3-δ as Cathode Material for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Strontium doped lanthanum cobalt ferrite (LSCF) is a widely used cathode material due to its high electronic and ionic conductivity, and reasonable oxygen surface exchange coefficient. However, LSCF can have long-term stability issues such as surface segregation of Sr during solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) operation, which can adversely affect the electrochemical performance. Thus, understanding the nature of the Sr surface segregation phenomenon, and how it is affected by the composition of LSCF and strain are critical. In this research, heteroepitaxial thin films of La 1-x Sr x Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3 - with varying Sr content (x = 0.4, 0.3, 0.2) were deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on single crystal NdGaO 3 , SrTiO 3 and GdScO 3 substrates, leading to different levels of strain in the films. The extent of Sr segregation at the film surface was quantified using synchrotron-based total reflection x-ray fluorescence (TXRF), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The electronic structure of the Sr-rich phases formed on the surface was investigated by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES). The extent of Sr segregation was found to be a function of the Sr content in bulk. Lowering the Sr content from 40% to 30% reduced the surface segregation, but further lowering the Sr content to 20% increased the segregation. The strain of LSCF thin films on various substrates was measured using high-resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD) and the Sr surface segregation was found to be reduced with compressive strain and enhanced with tensile strain present within the thin films. A model was developed correlating the Sr surface segregation with Sr content and strain effects to explain the experimental results.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Impact of the hydrogen content on the photoluminescence efficiency of amorphous silicon alloys

This paper analyzes the impact of hydrogen on the photoluminescence (PL) efficiency of the three wide gap silicon alloys: silicon carbide (a-SiC{sub x}), silicon nitride (a-SiN{sub x}): silicon oxide (a-SiO{sub x}). All three materials behave similarly. The progression of the PL efficiency over the Si content splits into two regions. With decreasing Si content, the PL efficiency increases until a maximum is reached. With a further decrease of the Si content, the PL efficiency declines again. A comprehensive analysis of the sample structure reveals that the PL efficiency depends on the degree of passivation of Si and Y atoms (Y = C, N, O) with hydrogen. For samples with a high Si content, an effective passivation of incorporated Y atoms gives rise to an increasing PL efficiency. The PL efficiency of samples with a low Si content is limited due to a rising amount of unpassivated Si defect states. We find that a minimum amount of 0.2 H atoms per Si atom is required to maintain effective luminescence.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Influence of carbon content on the copper-telluride phase formation and on the resistive switching behavior of carbon alloyed Cu-Te conductive bridge random access memory cells

In this paper, we investigate the influence of the carbon content on the Cu-Te phase formation and on the resistive switching behavior in carbon alloyed Cu{sub 0.6}Te{sub 0.4} based conductive bridge random access memory (CBRAM) cells. Carbon alloying of copper-tellurium inhibits the crystallization, while attractive switching behavior is preserved when using the material as Cu-supply layer in CBRAM cells. The phase formation is first investigated in a combinatorial way. With increasing carbon content, an enlargement of the temperature window in which the material stays amorphous was observed. Moreover, if crystalline phases are formed, subsequent phase transformations are inhibited. The electrical switching behavior of memory cells with different carbon contents is then investigated by implementing them in 580 μm diameter dot TiN/Cu{sub 0.6}Te{sub 0.4}-C/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Si memory cells. Reliable switching behavior is observed for carbon contents up to 40 at. %, with a resistive window of more than 2 orders of magnitude, whereas for 50 at. % carbon, a higher current in the off state and only a small resistive window are present after repeated cycling. This degradation can be ascribed to the higher thermal and lower drift contribution to the reset operation due to a lower Cu affinity towards the supply layer, leading cycle-after-cycle to an increasing amount of Cu in the switching layer, which contributes to the current. The thermal diffusion of Cu into Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} under annealing also gives an indication of the Cu affinity of the source layer. Time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy was used to investigate this migration depth in Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} before and after annealing, showing a higher Cu, Te, and C migration for high carbon contents.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

A universal and constant rate of gene content change traces pangenome flux to LUCA

Abstract Prokaryotic genomes constantly undergo gene flux via lateral gene transfer, generating a pangenome structure consisting of a conserved core genome surrounded by a more variable accessory genome shell. Over time, flux generates change in genome content. Here, we measure and compare the rate of genome flux for 5655 prokaryotic genomes as a function of amino acid sequence divergence in 36 universally distributed proteins of the informational core (IC). We find a clock of gene content change. The long-term average rate of gene content flux is remarkably constant across all higher prokaryotic taxa sampled, whereby the size of the accessory genome—the proportion of the genome harboring gene content difference for genome pairs—varies across taxa. The proportion of species-level accessory genes per genome, varies from 0% (Chlamydia) to 30%–33% (Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Clostridia). A clock-like rate of gene content change across all prokaryotic taxa sampled suggest that pangenome structure is a general feature of prokaryotic genomes and that it has been in existence since the divergence of bacteria and archaea.

Microbiology↗
DOE OSTI2022

A genetically encoded biosensor reveals spatiotemporal variation in cellular phosphate content in Brachypodium distachyon mycorrhizal roots

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is accompanied by alterations to root cell metabolism and physiology, and to the pathways of orthophosphate (Pi) entry into the root, which increase with Pi delivery to cortical cells via arbuscules. How AM symbiosis influences the Pi content and Pi response dynamics of cells in the root cortex and epidermis is unknown. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based Pi biosensors, here we mapped the relative cytosolic and plastidic Pi content of Brachypodium distachyon mycorrhizal root cells, analyzed responses to extracellular Pi and traced extraradical hyphae-mediated Pi transfer to colonized cells. Colonized cortical cells had a higher cytosolic Pi content relative to noncolonized cortical and epidermal cells, while plastidic Pi content was highest in cells at the infection front. Pi application to the entire mycorrhizal root resulted in transient changes in cytosolic Pi that differed in direction and magnitude depending on cell type and arbuscule status; cells with mature arbuscules showed a substantial transient increase in cytosolic Pi while those with collapsed arbuscules showed a decrease. Directed Pi application to extraradical hyphae resulted in measurable changes in cytosolic Pi of colonized cells 18 h after application. Our experiments reveal that cells within a mycorrhizal root vary in Pi content and Pi response dynamics.

32Pi tracing↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of Pb content and solution concentration of Pb{sub x}TiO{sub 3} seed layer on (100)-texture and ferroelectric/dielectric behavior of PZT (52/48) thin films

The effect of Pb content and solution concentration of lead titanate (Pb{sub x}TiO{sub 3}) seed layer on the texture and electric properties of Pb{sub 1.1}(Zr{sub 0.52},Ti{sub 0.48})O{sub 3} (PZT) thin films was investigated. A variety of seed layers (y Pb{sub x}TiO{sub 3}) with varying solution concentration (y = 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 M) and Pb content (x = 1.0, 1.05, 1.1, and 1.2) was deposited on Pt/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2}/Si substrates using chemical-solution deposition method. PZT films were then deposited on these seed layers using the same process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigations of the seed layers confirm change in crystal structure with variation in the solution properties. XRD studies of PZT films deposited on seed layers demonstrate that the seed layer helps in enhancing (100)-texture and suppressing (111)-texture. It was observed that PZT films prepared on seed layers with lower solution concentrations results in highly (100)-textured films, which further helps to improve the electric properties. The polarization and dielectric constant of the PZT films were seen to increase while the coercive field decreased with increase in (100)-texture. Irrespective of the seed layer solution concentration, higher Pb content in the seed layer deteriorates the PZT film properties. Ninety-five percent to ninety-six percent (100)-texture was obtained from thin PZT films deposited on seed layers of 0.02 M solution concentration with 1.05 and 1.10 Pb contents, which is higher than the values reported for thick PZT films. Optimization of both Pb content and solution concentration of the seed layer is a promising route to achieve highly (100)-textured PZT films with improved electric properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Investigating the Link Between Radiologists Gaze, Diagnostic Decision, and Image Content

Objective: To investigate machine learning for linking image content, human perception, cognition, and error in the diagnostic interpretation of mammograms. Methods: Gaze data and diagnostic decisions were collected from six radiologists who reviewed 20 screening mammograms while wearing a head-mounted eye-tracker. Texture analysis was performed in mammographic regions that attracted radiologists attention and in all abnormal regions. Machine learning algorithms were investigated to develop predictive models that link: (i) image content with gaze, (ii) image content and gaze with cognition, and (iii) image content, gaze, and cognition with diagnostic error. Both group-based and individualized models were explored. Results: By pooling the data from all radiologists machine learning produced highly accurate predictive models linking image content, gaze, cognition, and error. Merging radiologists gaze metrics and cognitive opinions with computer-extracted image features identified 59% of the radiologists diagnostic errors while confirming 96.2% of their correct diagnoses. The radiologists individual errors could be adequately predicted by modeling the behavior of their peers. However, personalized tuning appears to be beneficial in many cases to capture more accurately individual behavior. Conclusions: Machine learning algorithms combining image features with radiologists gaze data and diagnostic decisions can be effectively developed to recognize cognitive and perceptual errors associated with the diagnostic interpretation of mammograms.

Tourassi, Georgia↗
DOE OSTI2016

Tailoring the Ag + Content within the Tunnels and on the Exposed Surfaces of α-MnO 2 Nanowires: Impact on Impedance and Electrochemistry

Efficient conduction of both electrons and cations (e.g., Li + ) has a profound effect on the current and capacity of lithium-based batteries. With this study, we focus on cathode effects, with the preparation of pure silver hollandite materials with variable silver ion content within (intra-tunnel) and on the surface of α-MnO 2 tunneled materials, followed by the measurement and analysis of impedance and electrochemistry data. Specifically, pure Ag x Mn 8 O 16-y materials with low (x = 1.13) and high (x = 1.54) intra-tunnel silver content are compared with Ag x Mn 8 O 16-y ·aAg 2 O (a = 0.25, 0.63, 1.43) composites prepared via a new Ag 2 O coating strategy. When the Ag 2 O (a = 0, 0.25) content is low, the material with higher intra-tunnel silver (x = 1.53) content delivers up to ~5-fold higher capacity accounted for by a ~10-fold lower impedance than its lower intra-tunnel silver (x = 1.13) counterpart. In the presence of high Ag 2 O content (a = 0.63, 1.43), both composites exhibit comparable impedance but the lower intra-tunnel silver (x = 1.13) composite delivers up to ~1.5-fold higher capacity than higher intra-tunnel silver composite, highlighting the key role of Li + transport under those conditions. Our results demonstrate material design strategies which can significantly increase electronic and ionic conductivities.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Is AMOC More Predictable than North Atlantic Heat Content?

Predictability properties of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) are measured and compared to those of the upper-500-m heat content in the North Atlantic based on control simulations from nine comprehensive coupled climate models. By estimating the rate at which perfect predictions from initially similar states diverge, the authors find the prediction range at which initialization loses its potential to have a positive impact on predictions. For the annual-mean AMOC, this range varies substantially from one model to another, but on average, it is about a decade. For eight of the models, this range is less than the corresponding range for heat content. For 5- and 10-yr averages, predictability is substantially greater than for annual means for both fields, but the enhancement is more for AMOC; indeed, for the averaged fields, AMOC is more predictable than heat content. Also, there are spatial patterns of AMOC that have especially high predictability. For the most predictable of these patterns, AMOC retains predictability for more than two decades in a typical model. These patterns are associated with heat content fluctuations that also have above-average predictability, which suggests that AMOC may have a positive influence on the predictability of heat content for these special structures.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Single-cell correlations of mRNA and protein content in a human monocytic cell line after LPS stimulation

The heterogeneity of mRNA and protein expression at the single-cell level can reveal fundamental information about cellular response to external stimuli, including the sensitivity, timing, and regulatory interactions of genes. Here we describe a fully automated system to digitally count the intron, mRNA, and protein content of up to five genes of interest simultaneously in single-cells. Full system automation of 3D microscope scans and custom image analysis routines allows hundreds of individual cells to be automatically segmented and the mRNA-protein content to be digitally counted. Single-molecule intron and mRNA content is measured by single-molecule fluorescence in-situ hybridization (smFISH), while protein content is quantified though the use of antibody probes. To mimic immune response to bacterial infection, human monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1) were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the expression of two inflammatory genes, IL1β (interleukin 1β) and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor α), were simultaneously quantified by monitoring the intron, mRNA, and protein levels over time. The simultaneous labeling of cellular content allowed for a series of correlations at the single-cell level to be explored, both in the progressive maturation of a single gene (intron-mRNA-protein) and comparative analysis between the two immune response genes. In the absence of LPS stimulation, mRNA expression of IL1β and TNF-α were uncorrelated. Following LPS stimulation, mRNA expression of the two genes became more correlated, consistent with a model in which IL1β and TNF-α upregulation occurs in parallel through independent mechanistic pathways. This smFISH methodology can be applied to different complex biological systems to provide valuable insight into highly dynamic gene mechanisms that determine cell plasticity and heterogeneity of cellular response.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Multi-Element Water Content System Instrument Handbook

The SEA Model WCM-2000 multi-element water content system was designed to provide aircraft and wind tunnel users with a single, rugged sensor to simultaneously measure liquid water content (LWC), total water content (TWC), and ice water content (IWC). The instrument consists of four heated stainless steel elements, each with a different shape or size. Each element is directly heated by low-voltage DC current flowing through the element. These elements are maintained at a constant temperature, typically 140°C, by a digital closed-loop control system. Three of the heated elements are exposed directly to the airstream and incoming cloud water. A fourth element, the reference/comp element, is arranged to be exposed to the airflow but not to incoming cloud water. This element is used to establish the “dry power term” that is subtracted from the other three elements’ power readings to establish the measured water content.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

An Evaluation of Main Content Extraction Libraries in Java and Python

Main content extraction is a method to isolate the relevant content from a webpage and remove extraneous content such as advertisements and sidebars. There are many different Python and Java libraries that attempt to perform main content extraction through various algorithms. Due to the differing structures between web pages, there is no “perfect” way to accomplish this task, motivating an evaluation of different main content extraction libraries.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Real-Time Monitoring of Strain Accumulation and Relief during Epitaxy of Ultrathin Co Ferrite Films with Varied Co Content

Ultrathin Co x Fe 3-x O 4 films of high structural quality and with different Co content (x = 0.6–1.2) were prepared by reactive molecular beam epitaxy on MgO(001) substrates. Epitaxy of these ferrite films is extensively monitored by means of time-resolved (operando) X-ray diffraction recorded in out-of-plane geometry to characterize the temporal evolution of the film structure. The Co ferrite films show high crystalline ordering and smooth film interfaces independent of their Co content. All Co x Fe 3-x O 4 films exhibit enhanced compressive out-of-plane strain during the early stages of growth, which partly releases with increasing film thickness. When the Co content of the ferrite films increases, the vertical-layer distances increase, accompanied by slightly increasing film roughnesses. The latter result is supported by surface-sensitive low-energy electron diffraction as well as X-ray reflectivity measurements on the final films. In contrast, the substrate–film interface roughness decreases with increasing Co content, which is confirmed with X-ray reflectivity measurements. In addition, the composition and electronic structure of the ferrite films is characterized by means of hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy performed after film growth. The experiments reveal the expected increasing Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ cation ratios for a higher Co content.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1973

Protonospheric columnar electron content determination. I - Analysis.

A combination of phase-path length difference and Faraday rotation angle data obtained from geostationary satellite transmissions is used to determine the integration constant necessary to convert phase-path length difference information into absolute values of total slant columnar electron content. The total content thus determined, which is the sum of the ionospheric and protonospheric contents, is measured with uncertainties about one order of magnitude smaller than the value of the protonospheric content. It is thus, in principle, possible to determine the latter by subtracting from the measurement the so-called 'Faraday content.' This idea, proposed by several authors in the past, is critically examined in the present paper. It is impossible to totally eliminate the ionospheric contribution to the measurements; however, it is shown that the degree of elimination depends on the type of distribution of the longitudinal component of the geomagnetic field along the path of observation. Satisfactory minimization of the ionospheric contribution can be accomplished only under certain geometries of observation.

Almeida, O. G.↗