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DOE OSTI2022

Coupling Between Alfvén Wave and Kelvin–Helmholtz Waves in the Low Latitude Boundary Layer

The Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instability of magnetohydrodynamic surface waves at the low latitude boundary layer is examined using both an eigenfrequency analysis and a time-dependent wave simulation. The analysis includes the effects of sheared flow and Alfvén velocity gradient. When the magnetosheath flows are perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field direction, unstable KH waves that propagate obliquely to the sheared flow direction occur at the sheared flow surface when the Alfvén Mach number is higher than an instability threshold. Including a shear transition layer between the magnetosphere and magnetosheath leads to secondary KH waves (driven by the sheared flow) that are coupled to the resonant surface Alfvén wave. There are remarkable differences between the primary and the secondary KH waves, including wave frequency, the growth rate, and the ratio between the transverse and compressional components. The secondary KH wave energy is concentrated near the shear Alfvén wave frequency at the magnetosheath with a lower frequency than the primary KH waves. Although the growth rate of the secondary KH waves is lower than the primary KH waves, the threshold condition is lower, so it is expected that these types of waves will dominate at a lower Mach number. Because the transverse component of the secondary KH waves is stronger than that of the primary KH waves, more efficient wave energy transfer from the boundary layer to the inner magnetosphere is also predicted.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Additive manufacturing of complexly shaped SiC with high density via extrusion-based technique – Effects of slurry thixotropic behavior and 3D printing parameters

Here, additive manufacturing of dense SiC parts was achieved via an extrusion-based process followed by electrical-field assisted pressure-less sintering. The aim of this research was to study the effect of the rheological behavior of SiC slurry on the printing process and quality, as well as the influence of 3D printing parameters on the dimensions of the extruded filament, which are directly related to the printing precision and quality. Different solid contents and dispersant- Darvan 821A concentrations were studied to optimize the viscosity, thixotropy and sedimentation rate of the slurry. The optimal slurry was composed of 77.5 wt% SiC, Y 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3 powders, 0.25 wt% dispersant and 0.01 wt% defoamer. The printing parameters studied included extrusion pressure, nozzle size, layer height and printing speed; the one that had the most prominent effect on filament width and height was indicated as layer height. The nozzle inner diameter of 1.04 mm, speed of 350 mm/min, layer height of 0.7 mm and extrusion air pressure of 0.31 MPa were the optimal printing parameters. Furthermore, the relationship between the printing parameters and the filament dimensions was successfully predicted by using machine learning and grey system theory. Finally, the relative density of the printed SiC parts sintered at 1900 oC reached 94.7±1.5%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS1984

Hybrid approach to steady transonic normal-shock compressible laminar boundary-layer interactions over airfoils

A simulation of steady transonic viscous-inviscid interactions through a combination of zonal solution methods (involving different equation sets and numerical regions for various flow regions) is used in an investigation of a fluid mechanics problem in which the pressure distribution is determined by the interaction between transonic inviscid flow and an inner laminar viscous layer. The results obtained are in good agreement with laminar experimental data. Both attached and separated boundary layer flows are considered for either weak or strong interactions.

Ram, R. B.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Nano-Plasticity of an Electrified Ionic Liquid/Electrode Interface: Uncovering Hard–Soft Structuring via Controlled Metal Fill Factor

Here, ionic liquids (ILs) nanostructuring at electrified interfaces is of both fundamental and practical interest as these materials are increasingly gaining prominence in energy storage and conversion processes. However, much remains unresolved about IL potential-controlled (re)organization under highly polarized interfaces, mostly due to the difficulty of selectively probing both the distal and proximal surface layers of adsorbed ions. In this work, the structural dynamics of the innermost layer (<10 nm from the surface) were independently interrogated from that of the ionic layers in the sub-surface region (>100 nm from the surface), using an infrared (IR) spectroscopy approach. By tuning the metal fill factor of gold films deposited on conductive metal oxide-modified IR internal reflection elements, the charge-driven (re)structuring of the inner and distal layers of 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium trifluoromethanesulfonate is unveiled. Within a relatively wide potential region (~±1 V) bounding the potential of zero charges, the ionic liquid is shown to undergo a reversible (i.e., soft) reorganization whereby the innermost layer of anions (cations) is exchanged by a layer of cations (anions). Kinetically unhindered changes in the number density of constituent cations and anions largely follow electrostatic expectations in the subsurface region, whereas the innermost layer exhibits a pronounced hysteresis and very slow relaxation. Under larger negative potential bias, IL restructuring is characterized by a highly irreversible (i.e., hard) and intense interfacial densification of the BMPy + cations, consistent with the formation of nanoscale segregated liquids. The outcomes of this work reveal a plastic IL nanostructuring under a strong electric field.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

High-temperature phonon-mediated superconductivity in monolayer Mg 2 B 4 C 2

A two-dimensional material – Mg 2 B 4 C 2 , belonging to the family of the conventional superconductor MgB 2 , is theoretically predicted to exhibit superconductivity with critical temperature T c estimated in the 47–48 K range (predicted using the McMillian-Allen-Dynes formula) without any tuning of external parameters such as doping, strain, or substrate-induced effects. The origin of such a high intrinsic T c is ascribed to the presence of strong electron-phonon coupling and large density of states at the Fermi level. This system is obtained after replacing the chemically active boron-boron surface layers in a MgB 2 slab by chemically inactive boron-carbon layers. Hence, the surfaces of this material are inert. Our calculations confirm the stability of 2D Mg 2 B 4 C 2 . We also find that the key features of this material remain essentially unchanged when its thickness is increased by modestly increasing the number of inner MgB 2 layers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

Microstructural heterogeneity of the buffer layer of TRISO nuclear fuel particles

Tristructural isotropic (TRISO) nuclear fuel particles contain a layered spherical shell designed to retain fission products; however, failure occurs in rare cases—commonly initiated in the porous pyrocarbon buffer layer. Achieving a comprehensive understanding of the buffer-initiated failure mechanisms requires detailed characterization of the buffer porosity and its heterogeneous distribution across multiple length scales. Here we performed FIB-SEM tomography across the buffer layer thickness (~100 µm) to produce 3D reconstructions of the buffer microstructure with 50 nm spatial resolution. We found an average overall porosity of ~14%, which does not solely account for the low density of the buffer (50% of the theoretical density). Additionally, the local porosity and its fluctuation increase from the kernel interface towards the inner pyrocarbon (IPyC) layer, which we attribute to the chemical vapor deposition process conditions during the TRISO particle fabrication. Detailed characterization of the porous microstructure—including analysis of the pore size, distribution, shape, and orientation—provides insight into the process-structure-property-performance relations of TRISO nuclear fuel particles and will inform multiscale models designed to predict the failure of TRISO particles under irradiation.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

NASA NTRS1993

Investigation of a strut/endwall interaction in supersonic annular flow

A combined experimental and numerical investigation of strut/endwall interactions within an annular duct having a supersonic core flow has been conducted. Four diamond-shaped struts with a 7 deg half angle were positioned circumferentially equidistant within an annular duct having a gap height of 0.7 strut chords, and an inner-to-outer wall radius ratio of 0.7. Turbulent boundary layers exist on both inner and outer walls of the duct, but have not merged. The core flow upstream of the struts is uniform at a nominal Mach number of 3.0 and a Reynolds number of 3 x 10 exp 5 based on the strut chord length. Experimental results, which include Pitot pressure distributions within the flow field, static pressure distributions on the inner and outer walls of the duct, and oil flow visualization on the centerbody and strut, are presented and compared with CFD predictions. Secondary flows associated with the interactions are examined including the trajectories of the horseshoe vortices formed at the leading and trailing edges of the strut and the trajectories of the vortices formed in the corner of the strut/endwall intersection.

Williams, K. E.↗

DOE OSTI2024

The ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider: a description of the detector configuration for Run 3

The ATLAS detector is installed in its experimental cavern at Point 1 of the CERN Large Hadron Collider. During Run 2 of the LHC, a luminosity of ℒ = 2 × 10 34 cm -2 s -1 was routinely achieved at the start of fills, twice the design luminosity. For Run 3, accelerator improvements, notably luminosity levelling, allow sustained running at an instantaneous luminosity of ℒ = 2 × 10 34 cm -2 s -1 , with an average of up to 60 interactions per bunch crossing. The ATLAS detector has been upgraded to recover Run 1 single-lepton trigger thresholds while operating comfortably under Run 3 sustained pileup conditions. A fourth pixel layer 3.3 cm from the beam axis was added before Run 2 to improve vertex reconstruction and b-tagging performance. New Liquid Argon Calorimeter digital trigger electronics, with corresponding upgrades to the Trigger and Data Acquisition system, take advantage of a factor of 10 finer granularity to improve triggering on electrons, photons, taus, and hadronic signatures through increased pileup rejection. The inner muon endcap wheels were replaced by New Small Wheels with Micromegas and small-strip Thin Gap Chamber detectors, providing both precision tracking and Level-1 Muon trigger functionality. Trigger coverage of the inner barrel muon layer near one endcap region was augmented with modules integrating new thin-gap resistive plate chambers and smaller-diameter drift-tube chambers. Tile Calorimeter scintillation counters were added to improve electron energy resolution and background rejection. Upgrades to Minimum Bias Trigger Scintillators and Forward Detectors improve luminosity monitoring and enable total proton-proton cross section, diffractive physics, and heavy ion measurements. These upgrades are all compatible with operation in the much harsher environment anticipated after the High-Luminosity upgrade of the LHC and are the first steps towards preparing ATLAS for the High-Luminosity upgrade of the LHC. This paper describes the Run 3 configuration of the ATLAS detector.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

NASA NTRS1989

Ultraviolet spectroscopy of pre-main-sequence accretion disks

Low-resolution, ultraviolet spectra of the pre-main-sequence objects Z Canis Majoris, V1057 Cygni, and FU Orionis are presented. Ultraviolet absorption features indicate spectral types of A5 I for FU Ori and F5 I for Z CMa. These results are in reasonable agreement with predictions of simple accretion disk models. The lack of significant veiling of ultraviolet absorption features implies that a hot boundary layer at the inner edge of the disk contributes less than 20 percent of the radiation at 2600-3200 A, which is significantly smaller than expected. It is suggested that accretion has significantly modified the structure of the underlying pre-main-sequence stars in these systems (perhaps by expanding the photosphere or by spinning up a radiative photosphere close to breakup velocity, or both), or that the boundary layer region is much more extended above the disk midplane than standard thin disk theories predict.

Kenyon, S. J.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Observation of Electromagnetic Transients in a Nb3Sn 4-layer Dipole Mirror Magnet

During testing of the Stress Managed Cosine-Theta dipole mirror magnet SMCTM1, magnet quenches were observed following large voltage spikes in the half-coil voltage taps which preceded normal quench initiation. Following some recent work at CERN measuring power current converter transients in relation to flux jumps, an additional differential current probe was added to the magnet instrumentation. Measurements of this probe, as well as the half coil voltage taps show a fast and substantial current change preceding the quench, hinting at coil motion. A simple model based on relative shift of the inner and outer layer coils was developed which suggests the magnitude of coil shift events is on the estimated relative coil shift from the magnet constraint conditions. The behavior is shown to be reversible and characteristic of stick-slip.

Krave, Steven [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000217521457)↗

DOE OSTI2021

Self-Assembly of Metallo-Supramolecules with Dissymmetrical Ligands and Characterization by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Asymmetrical and dissymmetrical structures are widespread and play a critical role in nature and life systems. In the field of metallo-supramolecular assemblies, it is still in its infancy for constructing artificial architectures using dissymmetrical building blocks. Herein, we report the self-assembly of supramolecular systems based on two dissymmetrical double-layered ligands. With the aid of ultra-high-vacuum, low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (UHV-LT-STM), we were able to investigate four isomeric structures corresponding to four types of binding modes of ligand LA with two major conformations complexes A. The distribution of isomers measured by STM and total binding energy of each isomer obtained by density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested that the most abundant isomer could be the most stable one with highest total binding energy. Lastly, through shortening the linker between inner and outer layers and the length of arms, the arrangement of dissymmetrical ligand LB could be controlled within one binding mode corresponding to the single conformation for complexes B.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NASA NTRS1993

Thermal evolution of neutron stars with internal frictional heating

It has been suggested that the frictional interaction of neutron superfluids with normal matter in the inner crust of neutron stars dissipates rotational energy of superfluids and generates heat. Incorporating a general formula of internal heating into the detailed numerical codes of thermal evolution, we examine the effects of the internal heating on thermal evolution of neutron stars. We find that when a very stiff equation of state is used, it takes as long as about 2 x 10 exp 4 yr for the interior of a neutron star to reach the isothermal state, even if a strong heat source is placed in a thin layer of the inner crust. This time scale reduces to a few hundred years or less when medium to soft equations of state are used. A neutron star cools by neutrino emissions during the earlier stages referred to as the neutrino cooling era, while during the later photon cooling era it cools primarily by emission of photons from its surface. We show that heating rates expected in the current superfluid-crust interaction model can greatly increase the surface temperature in the photon cooling era, significantly changing the thermal evolution of relatively old neutron stars if a stiff equation of state is adopted.

Umeda, Hideyuki↗

NASA NTRS1974

Relaxation of an unsteady turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate in an expansion tube

An analysis is presented for the relaxation of a turbulent boundary layer on a semi-infinite flat plate after passage of a shock wave and a trailing driver gas-driven gas interface. The problem has special application to expansion-tube flows. The flow-governing equations have been transformed into the Crocco variables, and a time-similar solution is presented in terms of the dimensionless distance-time variable alpha and the dimensionless velocity variable beta. An eddy-viscosity model, similar to that of time-steady boundary layers, is applied to the inner and outer regions of the boundary layer. A turbulent Prandtl number equal to the molecular Prandtl number is used to relate the turbulent heat flux to the eddy viscosity. The numerical results, obtained by using the Gauss-Seidel line-relaxation method, indicate that a fully turbulent boundary layer relaxes faster to the final steady-state values of heat transfer and skin friction than a laminar boundary layer. The results also give a fairly good estimate of the local skin friction and heat transfer for near steady-flow conditions.

Gurta, R. N.↗

NASA NTRS1989

High temperature insulation barrier composite

A composite material suitable for providing insulation for the nozzle structure of the Space Shuttle and other similar surfaces is disclosed. The composite layer is comprised of an outer skin layer of nickel chromium and an interleaved inner region comprising a top layer of nickel chromium foil which acts as a primary convective shield. There are at least two layers of alumina batting adjacent to the layers of silicon carbide fabric. An additional layer of nickel chromium foil is used as a secondary convective shield. The composite is particularly advantageous for use as nozzle insulation because of its ability to withstand high reentry temperatures, its flexibility, oxidation resistance, low conductivity, and light weight.

Onstott, Joseph W.↗

DOE OSTI2024

The vertical-velocity skewness in the atmospheric boundary layer without buoyancy and Coriolis effects

One of the main features of near-neutral atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) turbulence is the positive vertical velocity skewness $Sk_w$ above the roughness sublayer or the buffer region in smooth-walls. The $Sk_w$ variations are receiving renewed interest in many climate-related parameterizations of the ABL given their significance to cloud formation and to testing sub-grid schemes for Large Eddy Simulations (LES). The vertical variations of $Sk_w$ are explored here using wind tunnel and flume experiments collected above smooth, rough, and permeable-walls in the absence of buoyancy and Coriolis effects. These laboratory experiments form a necessary starting point to probe the canonical structure of $Sk_w$ as they deal with a key limiting case (i.e., near-neutral conditions). Diagnostic models based on cumulant expansions, realizability constraints, and constant mass flux approach routinely employed in the convective boundary layer as well as prognostic models based on third-order budgets are used to explain variations in $Sk_w$ for the idealized laboratory conditions. The failure of flux-gradient relations to model $Sk_w$ from the gradients of the vertical velocity variance σ$_w^2$ are explained and corrections based on models of energy transport offered. Novel links between the diagnostic and prognostic models are also featured, especially for the inertial term in the third-order budget of the vertical velocity fluctuation. The co-spectral properties of w′/σ w vs w′ 2 /σ$_w^2$ are also presented for the first time to assess the dominant scales governing $Sk_w$ in the inner and outer layers, where w′ is the fluctuating vertical velocity and σ w is the vertical velocity standard deviation.>

Boundary layer flow↗

NASA NTRS1978

The magnetopause energetic electron layer. I - Observations along the distant magnetotail

Instrumentation aboard Imp 8 was used to study the magnetopause energetic electron layer along the distant magnetotail, and the observations are discussed. The inner edge of the layer corresponds to the magnetopause boundary, and energetic electrons within the layer persistently stream tailward along local magnetosheath field lines. Pitch angles of electrons along the dusk magnetopause are often restricted to values less than approximately 40 deg, while along the dawnside of the tail somewhat larger pitch angles are normally seen. The differential energy spectra of electrons in the layer, the intensity enhancements, and the average directional intensities are characterized.

Baker, D. N.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Implementation of a self-consistent slab model of bilayer structure in the SasView suite

Slab models are simple and useful structural descriptions which have long been used to describe lyotropic lamellar phases, such as lipid bilayers. Typically, slab models assume a midline symmetry and break a bilayer structure into three pieces, a central solvent-free core and two symmetric outer layers composed of the soluble portion of the amphiphile and associated solvent. This breakdown matches reasonably well to the distribution of neutron scattering length density and therefore is a convenient and common approach for the treatment of small-angle scattering data. Here, an implementation of this model within the SasView software suite is reported. The implementation is intended to provide physical consistency through the area per amphiphile molecule and number of solvent molecules included within the solvent-exposed outer layer. The proper use of this model requires knowledge of (or good estimates for) the amphiphile and solvent molecule volume and atomic composition, ultimately providing a self-consistent data treatment with only two free parameters: the lateral area per amphiphile molecule and the number of solvent molecules included in the outer region per amphiphile molecule. Here, the use of this code is demonstrated in the fitting of standard lipid bilayer data sets, obtaining structural parameters consistent with prior literature and illustrating the typical and ideal cases of fitting for neutron scattering data obtained using single or multiple contrast conditions. While demonstrated here for lipid bilayers, this model is intended for general application to block copolymers, surfactants, and other lyotropic lamellar phase structures for which a slab model is able to reasonably estimate the neutron scattering length density/electron-density profile of inner and outer layers of the lamellae.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS2003

Preliminary Analysis and Simulations of July 23rd Extended Anvil Case

A key focus of CRYSTAL-FACE (Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and cirrus Layers - Florida Area Cirrus Experiment) was the generation and subsequent evolution of cirrus outflow from deep convective cloud systems. A preliminary integrated look at the observations of an extended cirrus anvil cloud system observed on 23 July 2002 will be presented, including lidar and millimeter radar observations from NASA's ER-2 and in- situ observations from NASA's WB-57 and University of North Dakota Citation. The observations will be compared to preliminary results of simulations using 1-D and 2-D high-resolution (100 meter) cloud resolving models. The CRMs explicitly account for cirrus microphysical development by resolving the evolving ice crystal size distribution (bin model) in time and space. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation are allowed in the model. The CRM simulations are driven using the output of regional simulations using MM5 that produces deep convection similar to what was observed. The MM5 model employs a 2 km inner grid (32 layers) over a 360 km domain, nested within a 6 km grid over a 600 km domain. Initial and boundary conditions for the 36- hour MM5 simulation are taken from NCEP Eta model analysis at 32 km resolution. Key issues to be explored are the settling of the observed anvil versus the model simulations, and comparisons of dynamical properties, such as vertical motions, occurring in the observations and models. The former provides an integrated measure of the validity of the model microphysics (fallspeed) while the latter is the key factor in forcing continued ice generation.

Lin, R.-F.↗