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At least 271 records · Page 15

Considerations for human-machine interfaces in tele-operations

Numerous factors impact on the efficiency of tele-operative manipulative work. Generally, these are related to the physical environment of the tele-operator and how he interfaces with robotic control consoles. The capabilities of the operator can be influenced by considerations such as temperature, eye strain, body fatigue, and boredom created by repetitive work tasks. In addition, the successful combination of man and machine will, in part, be determined by the configuration of the visual and physical interfaces available to the teleoperator. The design and operation of system components such as full-scale and mini-master manipulator controllers, servo joysticks, and video monitors will have a direct impact on operational efficiency. As a result, the local environment and the interaction of the operator with the robotic control console have a substantial effect on mission productivity.

Newport, Curt↗

Manipulating Excitonic Quantum Droplets in Two-Dimensional CdSe Nanoplatelets via Thickness and Core/Shell Morphology

Recently, photoexcitation of high-density 4 or 5 monolayer (ML) thick CdSe nanoplatelet films at temperatures below ~200K was observed to produce pump-intensitydependent, superlinear, progressively red-shifted light output due to amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from polyexcitonic species, distinct from biexcitonic ASE. These polyexcitonic species comprise Coulombically bound multiexciton states, termed “quantum droplets”, that form when multiexciton binding energy exceeds thermal energy fluctuations. In this work, we investigate thinner samples as well as core/shell nanoplatelet films and find that the 3 ML sample supports quantum droplet ASE up to higher temperatures than the 4 or 5 ML whereas core/shell structures suppress this form of ASE even at very low sample temperatures despite observable biexcitonic ASE, suggesting that the reduced or repulsive Coulomb binding energy of multiple excitons suppresses quantum droplets. These findings help to add understanding of routes to harness quantum droplet optical nonlinearities.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Low-pressure low-temperature molding process

Use of expanding rubber mandrel allows for bonding of graphite/epoxy laminated parts in oven instead of expensive autoclave. Heavy-duty two-piece aluminum mold limits deflection. Manipulation of resin contact by precise control of mandrel-generated pressure eliminates complex bleeder system.

Bowman, E. L.↗

Effect of Temperature on Jet Velocity Spectra

Statistical jet noise prediction codes that accurately predict spectral directivity for both cold and hot jets are highly sought both in industry and academia. Their formulation, whether based upon manipulations of the Navier-Stokes equations or upon heuristic arguments, require substantial experimental observation of jet turbulence statistics. Unfortunately, the statistics of most interest involve the space-time correlation of flow quantities, especially velocity. Until the last 10 years, all turbulence statistics were made with single-point probes, such as hotwires or laser Doppler anemometry. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) brought many new insights with its ability to measure velocity fields over large regions of jets simultaneously; however, it could not measure velocity at rates higher than a few fields per second, making it unsuitable for obtaining temporal spectra and correlations. The development of time-resolved PIV, herein called TR-PIV, has removed this limitation, enabling measurement of velocity fields at high resolution in both space and time. In this paper, ground-breaking results from the application of TR-PIV to single-flow hot jets are used to explore the impact of heat on turbulent statistics of interest to jet noise models. First, a brief summary of validation studies is reported, undertaken to show that the new technique produces the same trusted results as hotwire at cold, low-speed jets. Second, velocity spectra from cold and hot jets are compared to see the effect of heat on the spectra. It is seen that heated jets possess 10 percent more turbulence intensity compared to the unheated jets with the same velocity. The spectral shapes, when normalized using Strouhal scaling, are insensitive to temperature if the stream-wise location is normalized relative to the potential core length. Similarly, second order velocity correlations, of interest in modeling of jet noise sources, are also insensitive to temperature as well.

Bridges, James E.↗

Non-volatile electric control of antiferromagnetic states on nanosecond timescales

Electrical manipulation of antiferromagnetic (AFM) states, a cornerstone of AFM spintronics, is a great challenge, requiring novel material platforms. Here we report the full control over AFM states by voltage pulses in the insulating Co 3 O 4 spinel well below its Néel temperature. We show that the strong linear magnetoelectric effect is fully governed by the orientation of the Néel vector. As a unique feature of Co 3 O 4 , the magnetoelectric energy can easily overcome the weak magnetocrystalline anisotropy, thus, the N´eel vector can be manipulated on demand, either rotated smoothly or reversed suddenly, by combined electric and magnetic fields. We achieve the non-volatile switching within a few tens of nanoseconds between time-reversed AFM states in macroscopic volumes by voltage pulses. These observations render quasi-cubic antiferromagnets, like Co 3 O 4 , an ideal platform for the ultrafast (pico- to nanosecond) manipulation of microscopic AFM domains and may pave the way for the realization of AFM spintronic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Observation of solid-state bidirectional thermal conductivity switching in antiferroelectric lead zirconate (PbZrO 3 )

Materials with tunable thermal properties enable on-demand control of temperature and heat flow, which is an integral component in the development of solid-state refrigeration, energy scavenging, and thermal circuits. Although gap-based and liquid-based thermal switches that work on the basis of mechanical movements have been an effective approach to control the flow of heat in the devices, their complex mechanisms impose considerable costs in latency, expense, and power consumption. As a consequence, materials that have multiple solid-state phases with distinct thermal properties are appealing for thermal management due to their simplicity, fast switching, and compactness. Thus, an ideal thermal switch should operate near or above room temperature, have a simple trigger mechanism, and offer a quick and large on/off switching ratio. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate that manipulating phonon scattering rates can switch the thermal conductivity of antiferroelectric PbZrO 3 bidirectionally by –10% and +25% upon applying electrical and thermal excitation, respectively. Our approach takes advantage of two separate phase transformations in PbZrO 3 that alter the phonon scattering rate in different manners. In this study, we demonstrate that PbZrO 3 can serve as a fast (<1 second), repeatable, simple trigger, and reliable thermal switch with a net switching ratio of nearly 38% from ~1.20 to ~1.65 W m –1 K –1 .

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Emergence of ferrimagnetism in Li-intercalated NiPS 3

AbstractIntercalation has become a powerful approach to tune the intrinsic properties and introduce novel phenomena in layered materials. Intercalating van der Waals (vdW) magnetic materials is a promising route to engineer the low-dimensional magnetism. Recently, metal thiophosphates, MPX 3 , has been widely studied because their magnetic orders are highly tunable and persist down to the two-dimensional limit. In this work, we used electrochemical technique to intercalate Li into NiPS 3 single crystals and found the emergence of ferrimagnetism at low temperature in Li-intercalated NiPS 3 . Such tuning of magnetic properties highlights the effectiveness of intercalation, providing a novel strategy to manipulate the magnetism in vdW magnets.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Literature relevant to remote sensing of water quality

References relevant to remote sensing of water quality were compiled, organized, and cross-referenced. The following general categories were included: (1) optical properties and measurement of water characteristics; (2) interpretation of water characteristics by remote sensing, including color, transparency, suspended or dissolved inorganic matter, biological materials, and temperature; (3) application of remote sensing for water quality monitoring; (4) application of remote sensing according to water body type; and (5) manipulation, processing and interpretation of remote sensing digital water data.

Middleton, E. M.↗

Development of a Linear Stirling Model with Varying Heat Inputs

The linear model of the Stirling system developed by NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been extended to include a user-specified heat input. Previously developed linear models were limited to the Stirling convertor and electrical load. They represented the thermodynamic cycle with pressure factors that remained constant. The numerical values of the pressure factors were generated by linearizing GRC s non-linear System Dynamic Model (SDM) of the convertor at a chosen operating point. The pressure factors were fixed for that operating point, thus, the model lost accuracy if a transition to a different operating point were simulated. Although the previous linear model was used in developing controllers that manipulated current, voltage, and piston position, it could not be used in the development of control algorithms that regulated hot-end temperature. This basic model was extended to include the thermal dynamics associated with a hot-end temperature that varies over time in response to external changes as well as to changes in the Stirling cycle. The linear model described herein includes not only dynamics of the piston, displacer, gas, and electrical circuit, but also the transient effects of the heater head thermal inertia. The linear version algebraically couples two separate linear dynamic models, one model of the Stirling convertor and one model of the thermal system, through the pressure factors. The thermal system model includes heat flow of heat transfer fluid, insulation loss, and temperature drops from the heat source to the Stirling convertor expansion space. The linear model was compared to a nonlinear model, and performance was very similar. The resulting linear model can be implemented in a variety of computing environments, and is suitable for analysis with classical and state space controls analysis techniques.

Regan, Timothy F.↗

Development of a Linear Stirling System Model with Varying Heat Inputs

The linear model of the Stirling system developed by NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been extended to include a user-specified heat input. Previously developed linear models were limited to the Stirling convertor and electrical load. They represented the thermodynamic cycle with pressure factors that remained constant. The numerical values of the pressure factors were generated by linearizing GRC's nonlinear System Dynamic Model (SDM) of the convertor at a chosen operating point. The pressure factors were fixed for that operating point, thus, the model lost accuracy if a transition to a different operating point were simulated. Although the previous linear model was used in developing controllers that manipulated current, voltage, and piston position, it could not be used in the development of control algorithms that regulated hot-end temperature. This basic model was extended to include the thermal dynamics associated with a hot-end temperature that varies over time in response to external changes as well as to changes in the Stirling cycle. The linear model described herein includes not only dynamics of the piston, displacer, gas, and electrical circuit, but also the transient effects of the heater head thermal inertia. The linear version algebraically couples two separate linear dynamic models, one model of the Stirling convertor and one model of the thermal system, through the pressure factors. The thermal system model includes heat flow of heat transfer fluid, insulation loss, and temperature drops from the heat source to the Stirling convertor expansion space. The linear model was compared to a nonlinear model, and performance was very similar. The resulting linear model can be implemented in a variety of computing environments, and is suitable for analysis with classical and state space controls analysis techniques.

Regan, Timothy F.↗

Simultaneous ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and grazing incidence x-ray scattering in gas environments

We have developed an experimental system to simultaneously measure surface structure, morphology, composition, chemical state, and chemical activity for samples in gas phase environments. This is accomplished by simultaneously measuring x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and grazing incidence x-ray scattering in gas pressures as high as the multi-Torr regime while also recording mass spectrometry. Scattering patterns reflect near-surface sample structures from the nano-scale to the meso-scale, and the grazing incidence geometry provides tunable depth sensitivity of structural measurements. Scattered x rays are detected across a broad range of angles using a newly designed pivoting-UHV-manipulator for detector positioning. At the same time, XPS and mass spectrometry can be measured, all from the same sample spot and under ambient conditions. To demonstrate the capabilities of this system, we measured the chemical state, composition, and structure of Ag-behenate on a Si(001) wafer in vacuum and in O 2 atmosphere at various temperatures. These simultaneous structural, chemical, and gas phase product probes enable detailed insights into the interplay between the structure and chemical state for samples in gas phase environments. The compact size of our pivoting-UHV-manipulator makes it possible to retrofit this technique into existing spectroscopic instruments installed at synchrotron beamlines. Because many synchrotron facilities are planning or undergoing upgrades to diffraction limited storage rings with transversely coherent beams, a newly emerging set of coherent x-ray scattering experiments can greatly benefit from the concepts we present here.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Accelerating Quantum Materials Development with Advances in Transmission Electron Microscopy

Quantum materials are driving a technology revolution in sensing, communication, and computing, while simultaneously testing many core theories of the past century. Materials such as topological insulators, complex oxides, superconductors, quantum dots, color center-hosting semiconductors, and other types of strongly correlated materials can exhibit exotic properties such as edge conductivity, multiferroicity, magnetoresistance, superconductivity, single photon emission, and optical-spin locking. These emergent properties arise and depend strongly on the material’s detailed atomic-scale structure, including atomic defects, dopants, and lattice stacking. In this review, we describe how progress in the field of electron microscopy (EM), including in situ and in operando EM, can accelerate advances in quantum materials and quantum excitations. We begin by describing fundamental EM principles and operation modes. We then discuss various EM methods such as (i) EM spectroscopies, including electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), cathodoluminescence (CL), and electron energy gain spectroscopy (EEGS); (ii) four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM); (iii) dynamic and ultrafast EM (UEM); (iv) complementary ultrafast spectroscopies (UED, XFEL); and (v) atomic electron tomography (AET). We describe how these methods could inform structure–function relations in quantum materials down to the picometer scale and femtosecond time resolution, and how they enable precision positioning of atomic defects and high-resolution manipulation of quantum materials. For each method, we also describe existing limitations to solve open quantum mechanical questions, and how they might be addressed to accelerate progress. Among numerous notable results, our review highlights how EM is enabling identification of the 3D structure of quantum defects; measuring reversible and metastable dynamics of quantum excitations; mapping exciton states and single photon emission; measuring nanoscale thermal transport and coupled excitation dynamics; and measuring the internal electric field and charge density distribution of quantum heterointerfaces- all at the quantum materials’ intrinsic atomic and near atomic-length scale. Finally, we conclude by describing open challenges for the future, including achieving stable sample holders for ultralow temperature (below 10K) atomic-scale spatial resolution, stable spectrometers that enable meV energy resolution, and high-resolution, dynamic mapping of magnetic and spin fields. With atomic manipulation and ultrafast characterization enabled by EM, quantum materials will be poised to integrate into many of the sustainable and energy-efficient technologies needed for the 21st century.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Overview of NASA's Microgravity Materials Research Program

The NASA microgravity materials program is dedicated to conducting microgravity experiments and related modeling efforts that will help us understand the processes associated with the formation of materials. This knowledge will help improve ground based industrial production of such materials. The currently funded investigations include research on the distribution of dopants and formation of defects in semiconductors, transitions between columnar and dendritic grain morphology, coarsening of phase boundaries, competition between thermally and kinetically favored phases, and the formation of glassy vs. crystalline material. NASA microgravity materials science investigators are selected for funding either through a proposal in response to a NASA Research Announcement or by participation in a team proposing to a foreign agency research announcement. In the latter case, a US investigator participating in a successful proposal to a foreign agency can then apply to NASA for funding of an unsolicited proposal. The program relies on cooperation with other aerospace partners from around the world. The ISS facilities used for these investigations are provided primarily by partnering with foreign agencies and in most cases the US investigators are working as a part of a larger team studying a specific area of materials science. The following facilities are to be utilized for the initial investigations. The ESA provided Low Gradient Facility and the Solidification and Quench Inserts to the Materials Research Rack/Materials Science Laboratory are to be used primarily for creating bulk samples that are directionally solidified or quenched from a high temperature melt. The CNES provided DECLIC facility is used to observe morphological development in transparent materials. The ESA provided Electro-Magnetic Levitator (EML) is designed to levitate, melt and then cool samples in order to study nucleation behavior. The facility provides conditions in which nucleation of the solid is not triggered from the wall and in which fluid flows in the sample can be controlled and manipulated. These conditions allow scientists ideal conditions for understanding the relative amounts and distribution of different phases that form in the solid. Finally, the Coarsening of Solid Liquid Melts hardware allows quenching of low temperature samples in the Microgravity Science Glovebox.

Downey, James Patton↗

Observation of Vector Spin Seebeck Effect in a Noncollinear Antiferromagnet

Spintronic phenomena to date have been established in magnets with collinear moments, where the spin injection through the spin Seebeck effect (SSE) is always along the out-of-plane direction. Here, we report the observation of a vector SSE in a noncollinear antiferromagnet (AF) LuFeO 3 , where temperature gradient along the out-of-plane and also the in-plane directions can both inject a pure spin current and generate a voltage in the heavy metal via the inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE). We show that the thermovoltages are due to the magnetization from canted spins in LuFeO 3 . Furthermore, in contrast to the challenges of generating, manipulating, and detecting spin current in collinear AFs, the vector SSE in LuFeO 3 is readily viable in zero magnetic field and can be controlled by a small magnetic field of about 150 Oe at room temperature. Furthermore, the noncollinear AFs expand new realms for exploring spin phenomena and provide a new route to low-field antiferromagnetic spin caloritronics and magnonics.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Investigating Thaw and Plant Productivity Constraints on Old Soil Carbon Respiration From Permafrost

Isotopic radiocarbon (Δ 14 C) signatures of ecosystem respiration (Reco) can identify old soil carbon (C) loss and serve as an early indicator of permafrost destabilization in a warming climate. Warming also stimulates plant productivity causing plant respiration to dominate Reco Δ 14 C signatures and potentially obscuring old soil C loss. Here, we investigate how a wide spatio-temporal gradient of permafrost thaw and plant productivity affects Reco Δ 14 C patterns and isotopic partitioning. Spatial gradients came from a warming experiment with doubling thaw depth and variable biomass, and a vegetation removal manipulation to eliminate plant contributions. We sampled in August and September to capture transitions from high to low plant productivity, decreased surface soil temperature, and relatively small seasonal thaw extensions. We found that surface processes dominate spatial variation in old soil C loss and a process-based partitioning approach was crucial for constraining old soil C loss. Resampling the same plots in different times of the year revealed that old soil C losses tripled with cooling surface temperature, and the largest old soil C losses were detected when the organic-to-mineral soil horizons thawed (~50–60 cm). We suggest that the measured increase in old soil respiration over the season and when the organic-to-mineral horizon thawed, may be explained by mobilization of nitrogen that stimulates microbial decomposition at depth. Our results suggest that soil C in the organic to mineral horizon may be an important source of soil C loss as the entire Arctic region warms and could lead to nonlinearities in projected permafrost climate feedbacks.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Geometrically stabilized skyrmionic vortex in FeGe tetrahedral nanoparticles

The concept of topology has dramatically expanded the research landscape of magnetism, leading to the discovery of numerous magnetic textures with intriguing topological properties. A magnetic skyrmion is an emergent topological magnetic texture with a string-like structure in three dimensions and a disk-like structure in one and two dimensions. Skyrmions in zero dimensions have remained elusive due to challenges from many competing orders. Here, by combining electron holography and micromagnetic simulations, we uncover the real-space magnetic configurations of a skyrmionic vortex structure confined in a B20-type FeGe tetrahedral nanoparticle. An isolated skyrmionic vortex forms at the ground state and this texture shows excellent robustness against temperature without applying a magnetic field. Furthermore, our findings shed light on zero-dimensional geometrical confinement as a route to engineer and manipulate individual skyrmionic metastructures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Climate change alters slug abundance but not herbivory in a temperate grassland

Climate change will significantly impact the world’s ecosystems, in part by altering species interactions and ecological processes, such as herbivory and plant community dynamics, which may impact forage quality and ecosystem production. Yet relatively few field experimental manipulations assessing all of these parameters have been performed to date. To help fill this knowledge gap, we evaluated the effects of increased temperature (+3°C day and night, year-round) and precipitation (+30% of mean annual rainfall) on slug herbivory and abundance and plant community dynamics biweekly in a pasture located in central Kentucky, U.S.A. Warming increased slug abundance once during the winter, likely due to improving conditions for foraging, whereas warming reduced slug abundance at times in late spring, mid-summer, and early fall (from 62–95% reduction depending on month). We found that warming and increased precipitation did not significantly modify slug herbivory at our site, despite altering slug abundance and affecting plant community composition and forage quality. Climate change will alter seasonal patterns of slug abundance through both direct effects on slug biology and indirect effects mediated by changes in the plant community, suggesting that pasture management practices may have to adapt.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗