Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “surface anisotropy”

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 217 records · Page 12

Roles of non-axisymmetric perturbations in free drift vertical displacement events on EAST

Abstract The safe operation of most tokamaks, especially the large ones, relies on the feedback control of vertical displacement events (VDEs). However, most of these feedback control systems are based on axisymmetric VDE models. In this study, we use NIMROD simulations to study the role of non-axisymmetric perturbations in free drift vertical displacement events on EAST. The high- n modes in the non-axisymmetric VDE grow first, which drives the formation of high- n magnetic island chains. Subsequently, the magnetic island chains grow and overlap with each other, leading to the destruction of the magnetic flux surface, which induces a minor disruption and accelerates the start of the following major disruption. The magnetic island and the stochastic magnetic field allow the toroidally non-axisymmetric poloidal plasma current to jet towards the hoop force direction, forming finger-like and filamentary structures. Such a plasma current non-axisymmetry strongly depends on the anisotropy in the thermal transport coefficients.

Physics↗

Quantitative analysis of three-dimensional fatigue crack path selection in Mg alloy WE43 using high-energy X-ray diffraction microscopy

Fatigue short-cracks in Mg alloys display complex growth behavior due to high plastic anisotropy and crack path dependence on local microstructural features. In this study, the three-dimensional crystallography of short-crack paths in Mg alloy WE43 was characterized by mapping near-field high-energy X-ray diffraction microscopy (HEDM) reconstructed grain maps to high-resolution X-ray CT reconstructions of the fracture surfaces in the crack initiation and short-crack growth regions of six ultrasonic fatigue specimens. Crack–grain–boundary intersections were analyzed at 81 locations across the six crack paths. The basal intragranular, non-basal intragranular, or intergranular character of short-crack growth following each boundary intersection was correlated to crystallographic and geometric parameters of the trailing and leading grains, three-dimensional grain boundary plane, and advancing crack front. The results indicate that crack paths are dependent on the combined crystallographic and geometric character of the local microstructure, and crack path prediction can be improved by use of dimensionality reduction on subsets of high-linear-correlation microstructural parameters.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Microscale Observation via High-Speed X-ray Diffraction of Alloy 718 During In Situ Laser Melting

The laser melting process is accompanied by rapid evolution in temperature, phase, structure, and strain because of its high heating and cooling rates. In this study, the evolution of grains within a thin solid plate of Ni alloy 718 during laser processing was probed with in situ high-energy x-ray diffraction experiments. The high temporal and spatial resolution available in the measurement allowed us to study the rapid evolution of the melted region beneath the surface of the sample. The characterization of the evolution of secondary phases, i.e., Laves and carbide, was captured despite the weak diffracted peaks caused by small volume fractions. Thermal history was estimated based on changes in the lattice spacing from the thermal contraction upon cooling. In conclusion, the temporal variation in 2θ with azimuthal direction revealed the evolution in anisotropy of lattice spacing and thus of the mechanical state during laser processing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mathematical Modeling of Multi-Phenomena Anisotropic Systems: Ejection of Primary Aerosols during the Fast Pyrolysis of Biomass

This study introduces a novel particle model for biomass fast pyrolysis, incorporating an anisotropic cylindrical particle to address mass and energy transport coupled with aerosol ejection, which previous models have overlooked. The main contribution lies in developing a model that considers aerosol generation in anisotropic cylindrical particles for the first time, addressing bubbling dynamics and bursting within the liquid phase. The population balance equation describes bubble dynamics and aerosol formation, capturing phenomena like nucleation, growth, coalescence, and bursting. The model employs the method of moments with bubble volume as an internal variable, substantially reducing computational costs by eliminating dependence on this variable. Results highlight the significant impact of anisotropy and particle size on aerosol ejection: smaller, less elongated particles experience faster heating, quicker conversion, and the increased accumulation of the liquid intermediate phase. Specifically, 1 mm diameter particles yield higher concentrations of metaplast and bio-oil aerosols, exceeding 15%, compared to concentrations below 11% for 3 mm particles. This model provides insights into aerosol structure (volume, surface area), aiding in understanding aerosol reactivity at the reactor scale.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Nanoscale decoupling of electronic nematicity and structural anisotropy in FeSe thin films

In a material prone to a nematic instability, anisotropic strain in principle provides a preferred symmetry-breaking direction for the electronic nematic state to follow. This is consistent with experimental observations, where electronic nematicity and structural anisotropy typically appear hand-in-hand. In this work, we discover that electronic nematicity can be locally decoupled from the underlying structural anisotropy in strain-engineered iron-selenide (FeSe) thin films. We use heteroepitaxial molecular beam epitaxy to grow FeSe with a nanoscale network of modulations that give rise to spatially varying strain. We map local anisotropic strain by analyzing scanning tunneling microscopy topographs, and visualize electronic nematic domains from concomitant spectroscopic maps. While the domains form so that the energy of nemato-elastic coupling is minimized, we observe distinct regions where electronic nematic ordering fails to flip direction, even though the underlying structural anisotropy is locally reversed. The findings point towards a nanometer-scale stiffness of the nematic order parameter.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Terahertz-polarizing effect based on geometric anisotropy of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene nanosheets

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have garnered considerable attention due to their unique properties, such as thinness and excellent electronic properties. The inherent anisotropy of 2D nanomaterials, which is characterized by their high aspect ratio, can maximize the directional functionality to enhance the conductivity and utilization of edges. Here, we demonstrate how to utilize the edges of titanium carbide (Ti 3 C 2 T x ) MXene nanosheet to control the linear polarization in the terahertz (THz) frequency range. By a simple and unique vertical alignment exploiting the high surface charge and excellent colloidal dispersibility of MXene nanosheets, MXene nanosheets are vertically oriented along an applied AC electric field. The well-aligned edges justify the THz polarizing effect, revealing outstanding performances such as the broadband coverage in 0.2–1.5 THz and an exceptional extinction ratio reaching 20 dB. Furthermore, we vary the local orientation of the vertical MXene nanosheets by tailoring the applied electric field, enabling spatially controllable polarization capabilities. Our results can provide a generic tool for the utilization of 2D nanomaterials in diverse potential applications in optics and electronics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dimensional stability of low-cost thermoplastic composite molds

This report addresses a key question for using additively manufactured tooling from carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites. How does the distortion of the molded part change with the print orientation used in the manufacture of tooling? The objective of this research was to discuss the distortion of parts molded with such tooling, in relation to the deflections in the tooling during the compression molding process. This was achieved through both model simulations and experimental molding runs. A vertical orientation was used in printing the mold with a distinctly non-planar surface: this orientation allowed for higher performance along the press closing direction -- higher thermal conductivity, higher stiffness, and lower coefficient of thermal expansion. Epoxy-carbon fiber twill weave fabric prepreg was then compression molded in this mold. The thermomechanical properties of the tooling material and the molded part were measured and used in simulation of mold deformation as well as part distortion. The thermomechanical anisotropy of the mold is quite different from that of the molded part because in the mold, the stiffest direction is the z-axis, while in the molded thermoset part, the z-axis is the weakest direction. The connection between mold deformation during the compression molding process and the final part distortion can be seen from the simulation results. The simulation results for the case where the mold was four times as stiff as the part along the press closing direction compared well with experiment. When the mold stiffness was lowered in relation to the part stiffness, the mold deformation during the compression molding increased; but this led to a smaller extent of part distortion.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Discovery of Charge Order and Corresponding Edge State in Kagome Magnet FeGe

Kagome materials often host exotic quantum phases, including spin liquids, Chern gap, charge density wave, and superconductivity. Existing scanning microscopy studies of the kagome charge order have been limited to nonkagome surface layers. Here, we tunnel into the kagome lattice of FeGe to uncover features of the charge order. Our spectroscopic imaging identifies a 2×2 charge order in the magnetic kagome lattice, resembling that discovered in kagome superconductors. Spin mapping across steps of unit cell height demonstrates the existence of spin-polarized electrons with an antiferromagnetic stacking order. We further uncover the correlation between antiferromagnetism and charge order anisotropy, highlighting the unusual magnetic coupling of the charge order. Finally, we detect a pronounced edge state within the charge order energy gap, which is robust against the irregular shape fluctuations of the kagome lattice edges. Here, we discuss our results with the theoretically considered topological features of the kagome charge order including unconventional magnetism and bulk-boundary correspondence.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Fracture characteristics and heat treatment of laser powder bed fusion additively manufactured GRCop-84 copper

Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) of Glenn Research Copper 84 (GRCop-84), a Cr 2 Nb (8 at. % Cr, 4 at. % Nb) precipitation hardened alloy, produces a fully dense high conductivity alloy with a yield strength of 500 MPa and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 740 MPa, superior to other competing copper alloys, and 20% elongation at fracture for material stressed perpendicular to the build direction. The high thermal stability of the Cr 2 Nb precipitate in the copper matrix reduces coarsening and maintains a 300 MPa yield, 520 MPa UTS and 26% elongation after a 900 °C, 5-h heat treatment, while a 3 h 450 °C heat treatment increases yield to 810 MPa, UTS to 970 MPa with 9% elongation at fracture, for samples stressed perpendicular to the build direction. Tensile strength anisotropy based on print direction was attributed to internal stress and columnar grain formation. Void nucleation during tensile fracture was initiated by brittle fracture of precipitate particles within the copper matrix. Fracture cusps contain matching precipitate fragment geometry on opposing sides located near the cusp center in at least 80% of fracture cusps. An optimal precipitate size of 100 nm is predicted for maximum tensile strength from precipitates on fracture surfaces, while tensile testing with varying heat treatments shows maximum strength with 100 nm and smaller precipitates. Cr2Nb precipitates are shown to transition between polycrystalline and monocrystalline structures at high temperature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Field-angle dependence of sound velocity in the Weyl semimetal TaAs

The elastic modulus c 44 of a single crystal of the Weyl semimetal TaAs was investigated by measuring relative changes in the sound velocity under application of a magnetic field up to 10 T. Using an ultrasonic pulsed-echo technique, we studied the shear response of the crystal when the angle between the sound wave propagation and the magnetic field is changed. We observe a broken tetragonal symmetry at fields above 6 T, an anisotropy that is likely related to a longitudinal negative magnetoresistance and therefore might provide evidence of the chiral anomaly, one of the main topological signatures of this class of materials. Furthermore, we also observe quantum oscillations in the sound velocity whose frequencies vary with magnetic field orientation. A fan diagram of Landau level indices reveals topological and trivial Berry phases, depending on the field orientation, indicating a sensitivity to different Fermi surface pockets that do or do not enclose Weyl nodes, respectively.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Subpicosecond HI elimination in the 266 nm photodissociation of branched iodoalkanes

Here, the 266 nm photodissociation dynamics of 1-iodopropane and 2-iodopropane were studied using photofragment translational energy spectroscopy using vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization and electron impact ionization detection of products. The photochemistry of 1-iodopropane was found to be similar to that of iodomethane and iodoethane, with dominant production of I*( 2 P 1/2 ), and no evidence (<0.21%) for HI + alkene formation. Significantly different behavior was observed for 2-iodopropane, with dominant production of ground state I( 2 P 3/2 ), and a HI yield >10.5%. The anisotropy (β) parameters for all channels approached the limiting value of 2.0, indicating that 1,2-HI elimination occurs on subpicosecond timescales, like direct C–I bond fission, following excitation to 3 Q 0 . The HI translational energy and angular distributions were similar to those for I( 2 P 3/2 ), suggesting that motion of the heavy I atom in HI is largely derived from the repulsive nature of the 1 Q 1 surface correlating to R + I with the light H atom picked up by ground state I late in the exit channel producing highly vibrationally excited HI.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ultrathin, High-Aspect Ratio, and Free-Standing Magnetic Nanowires by Exfoliation of Ferromagnetic Quasi-One-Dimensional van der Waals Lattices

Driven by numerous discoveries of novel physical properties and integration into functional devices, interest in one-dimensional (1D) magnetic nanostructures has grown tremendously. Traditionally, such structures are accessed with bottom-up techniques, but these require increasing sophistication to allow precise control over crystallinity, branching, aspect ratio, and surface termination, especially when approaching the subnanometer regime in magnetic phases. In this work, we show that mechanical exfoliation of bulk quasi-one-dimensional crystals, a method similar to those popularized for two-dimensional van der Waals (vdW) lattices, serves as an efficient top-down method to produce ultrathin freestanding nanowires that are both magnetic and semiconducting. We use CrSbSe 3 as a representative quasi-1D vdW crystal with strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy and show that it can be exfoliated into nanowires with an average cross-section of 10 ± 2.8 nm. The CrSbSe 3 nanowires display reduced Curie–Weiss temperature but higher coercivity and remanence than the bulk phase. The methodology developed here for CrSbSe 3 , a representative for a vast class of 1D vdW lattices, serves as a blueprint for investigating confinement effects for 1D materials and accessing functional nanowires that are difficult to produce via traditional bottom-up methods.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Broadband 2DES detection of vibrational coherence in the S x state of canthaxanthin

The nonadiabatic mechanism that mediates nonradiative decay of the bright S 2 state to the dark S 1 state of carotenoids involves population of a bridging intermediate state, S x , in several examples. The nature of S x remains to be determined definitively, but it has been recently suggested that S x corresponds to conformationally distorted molecules evolving along out-of-plane coordinates of the isoprenoid backbone near a low barrier between planar and distorted conformations on the S 2 potential surface. Here, the electronic and vibrational dynamics accompanying the formation of S x in toluene solutions of the ketocarotenoid canthaxanthin (CAN) are characterized with broadband two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES) with 7.8 fs excitation pulses and detection of the linear polarization components of the third-order nonlinear optical signal. A stimulated-emission cross peak in the 2DES spectrum accompanies the formation of S x in <20 fs following excitation of the main absorption band. S x is prepared instantaneously, however, with excitation of hot-band transitions associated with distorted conformations of CAN’s isoprenoid backbone in the low frequency onset of the main absorption band. Vibrational coherence oscillation maps and modulated anisotropy transients show that S x undergoes displacements from the Franck–Condon S 2 state along out-of-plane coordinates as it passes to the S 1 state. The results are consistent with the conclusion that CAN’s carbonyl-substituted β-ionone rings impart an intramolecular charge-transfer character that frictionally slows the passage from S x to S 1 compared to carotenoids lacking carbonyl substitution. Despite the longer lifetime, the S 1 state of CAN is formed with retention of vibrational coherence after passing through a conical intersection seam with the S x state.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structural and physicochemical insights into pH-responsive poly(DEAEMA- co -HEMA)-grafted mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (SiO 2 ) grafted with responsive polymer shells are versatile hybrid systems. Understanding their three-dimensional organization in the hydrated state remains a significant challenge. Here, in this study, SiO 2 nanoparticles were functionalized with a poly(DEAEMA-co-HEMA) shell via a “grafting-from” polymerization strategy in aqueous media. Successful surface modification was confirmed by FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N 2 sorption, and ζ-potential, yielding grafting contents of 22% (p1 DEAEMA-co-HEMA ) and 49% (p2 DEAEMA-co-HEMA ). Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) with solvent contrast variation was employed to elucidate the solution-state core–shell architecture of p1 and p2 hybrids at pH 2, where the grafted polymer shell is protonated and highly hydrated. Near contrast matching of the silica core, theoretically estimated at 58% D 2 O, suppressed the scattering intensity, enhancing sensitivity to the polymer shell. Constrained core–shell ellipsoid modeling across solvent contrasts revealed a systematic increase in shell thickness, overall particle dimensions, and shell anisotropy with increasing grafting content. In solution, the hydrated polymer shells were markedly more extended and structurally anisotropic than suggested by dry-state techniques structural characterization, highlighting the importance of solution-state structural analysis for accurately describing grafted polymer architectures.

Core-shell biomaterials↗

Critical impact of experimentally-driven strut level anisotropic material models in advanced stress analysis of additively manufactured lattice structures

The rapid acceleration in materials discovery may overshadow the importance of thoroughly understanding the mechanical performance of newly developed materials in demanding environments. The recent interest in combining parametric studies with machine learning techniques to explore how changes in specific processing parameters or model inputs affect the overall behavior of a material system can only be truly beneficial if the governing constitutive relations describing material behavior are accurately established. In this study, we demonstrate the critical impact of accurately representing strut-level anisotropic material behavior in advanced stress analysis of additively manufactured lattice structures (AMLS). We introduce a systematic experimental and modeling approach for developing strut-level anisotropic elastoplastic material models that account for the influence of microstructural features such as porosity, texture, and surface roughness on the development of local anisotropic mechanical properties, which vary with strut orientation relative to the build direction (BD). As a result the presented material model captures and relates the statistics of spatially varying struts’ microstructural features to the local stress distribution. Our findings suggest that incorporating strut-level anisotropic material behavior into unit cell analysis significantly influences the load distribution and evolution of local stresses within the structure. Therefore, accounting for this anisotropy is critical for developing an understanding of unit cell behavior and performance, including subsequent topology/component design optimization based on this analysis.

Sahoo, Subhadip [University of Arizona]↗

Anisotropic Thermally Conductive Composites Enabled by Acoustophoresis and Stereolithography

Opportunities to improve thermal management in electronic devices are currently hindered by processing constraints that limit thermal conductivity in polymer-matrix composites. Active patterning of filler particles is a promising route to improve conductivity while retaining processability by improving particle contact density and directing heat along optimized pathways. Here, we employ acoustic patterning to align and compact filler particles into stripes during stereolithographic 3D printing. This approach produces polymer-based composite materials with highly efficient embedded heat transport pathways which reach 95 vol% particle utilization (relative to the parallel conduction upper limit). These composites exhibit anisotropic thermal conductivity up to 300% higher than unpatterned composites, with in-plane anisotropy ratios of up to 350%. Combining this high conductivity with 3D printing enables materials with engineered heat networks that optimize transport from hot spots to heatsinks while maintaining low viscosity for fast particle patterning and for infiltration around electronic components. Finally, numerical simulations of acoustic assembly of particles with varied geometry, when compared to experimentally characterized particle packing, illuminate pathways for further improving conductivity by optimizing particle geometry for alignment and stacking of particles with maximum contact surface area.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Rapid simulations of hyperspectral near-field images of three-dimensional heterogeneous surfaces – part II

The modeling of the near-field interaction in the scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscope (s-SNOM) is rapidly advancing, although an accurate yet versatile modeling framework that can be easily adapted to various complex situations is still lacking. In this work, we propose a time-efficient numerical scheme in the quasi-electrostatic limit to capture the tip-sample interaction in the near field. This method considers an extended tip geometry, which is a significant advantage compared to the previously reported method based on the point-dipole approximation. Using this formalism, we investigate, among others, nontrivial questions such as uniaxial and biaxial anisotropy in the near-field interaction, the relationship between various experimental parameters (e.g. tip radius, tapping amplitude, etc.), and the tip-dependent spatial resolution. The demonstrated method further sheds light on the understanding of the contrast mechanism in s-SNOM imaging and spectroscopy, while also representing a valuable platform for future quantitative analysis of the experimental observations.

Chen, Xinzhong (ORCID:0000000261033848)↗

Time-resolved site-selective imaging of predissociation and charge transfer dynamics: the CH 3 I B-band

The predissociation dynamics of the 6s (B 2 E) Rydberg state of gas-phase CH 3 I were investigated by time-resolved Coulomb-explosion imaging using extreme ultraviolet (XUV) free-electron laser pulses. Inner-shell ionization at the iodine 4d edge was utilized to provide a site-specific probe of the ensuing dynamics. The combination of a velocity-map imaging (VMI) spectrometer coupled with the pixel imaging mass spectrometry (PImMS) camera permitted three-dimensional ionic fragment momenta to be recorded simultaneously for a wide range of iodine charge states. In accord with previous studies, initial excitation at 201.2 nm results in internal conversion and subsequent dissociation on the lower-lying A-state surface on a picosecond time scale. Examination of the time-dependent yield of low kinetic energy iodine fragments yields mechanistic insights into the predissociation and subsequent charge transfer following multiple ionization of the iodine products. The effect of charge transfer was observed through differing delay-dependencies of the various iodine charge states, from which critical internuclear distances for charge transfer could be inferred and compared to a classical over-the-barrier model. Time-dependent photofragment angular anisotropy parameters were extracted from the central slice of the Newton sphere, without Abel inversion, and highlight the effect of rotation of the parent molecule before dissociation, as observed in previous works. Our results demonstrate the ability to perform three-dimensional ion imaging at high event rates and showcase the potential benefits of this approach, particularly in relation to further time-resolved studies at free-electron laser facilities.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗