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At least 307 records · Page 17

Multifunctional fiber-reinforced composites for passive sensing and energy harvesting with enhanced mechanical performance

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs) are valid alternatives to metals, especially in the aerospace industry, for their superior strength-to-weight ratio. FRPCs are generally manufactured by stacking layers of fibers and infusing them with epoxy-based adhesives to result in laminates. Such layer-by-layer structure often ensues a poor interlaminar property of the composites. Additionally, FRPCs can sustain complex damage modes because of their inherent anisotropic characteristics. For example, delamination can occur due to low-velocity impact at a subsurface level, which can result in premature catastrophic failures if undetected. Thus, structural monitoring is crucial to identify such damage. Point-based sensors (e.g., strain gauges, accelerometers, among many) can be embedded in the FRPCs for structural monitoring. However, their electrical power demand often embroils their usage. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to design and implement multifunctional composites that can simultaneously perform passive sensing and energy harvesting while exhibiting better mechanical performance. Previous research efforts have demonstrated that a continuous feed-through deposition of functional materials on fiber surfaces simultaneously enhanced the mechanical and sensing properties of the FRPCs. This study explores a similar approach to encode passive sensing and energy harvesting properties in the FRPCs by integrating ferroelectric microparticles on the fiber surfaces. Upon ensuring their superior interlaminar shear strength, sensing and energy harvesting properties were characterized through experimental studies. The outcome is a multifunctional composite fabricated by coating the fibers with functional microparticles through a high throughput, scalable, and low-cost approach that enables passive sensing, energy harvesting, and improved mechanical performance.

Gupta, Sumit↗

Flexible FlueCO2

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reductions remain a significant challenge on the path to clean energy. There are increasing legislative, social, and environmental factors motivating CO2 emissions reduction from power plants with carbon capture and storage (CCS). CCS in natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plants is critical to achieve a net-zero carbon electricity grid. Enhanced 45Q tax credits provide new incentives, but currently available technologies are unable to profitably operate in grids with deep variable renewable penetration which require flexible NGCC operation. Luna Labs has developed the FlueCO2 membrane to enable a profitable NGCC-CCS process. The FlueCO2 membrane couples steam transport across the membrane to CO2 transport in the opposite direction, enabling high capture efficiencies and low energy costs even at low CO2 concentrations. The dual-phase membrane can operate in the range of typical flue gas temperatures and pressures and does not require temperature or pressure cycling. Luna Labs’ FlueCO2 technology enables flexible and profitable operation of NGCC plants with lower capital investment and impact on electricity prices. In this Phase 1 project, Luna Labs utilized experimental testing, modeling, process simulation, and standardized costing methodologies to evaluate the techno-economic value of a 650 MW greenfield NGCC plant with FlueCO2 (NGCC-FlueCO2). Key design requirements for operation were established and plant performance under load-leveling conditions was validated through computational fluid dynamics and process modeling. Luna Labs developed a dynamic modeling tool which modeled plant operational modes across a variety of tax structures and electricity pricing scenarios to project the overall Net Present Value (NPV) of the NGCC-FlueCO2. FlueCO2 minimizes the impact of CCS integration on plant operation by integrating directly into the NGCC heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). By tapping into the plant’s low-pressure (LP) steam, operators can divert LP steam to the greenfield NGCC and/or CCS process in response to dynamic markets. Since FlueCO2 will not significantly affect HRSG (or NGCC) operation, CCS only turns off during peak power demand (>$250/MWh). Under baseload conditions, FlueCO2 lowers the capital (37%), energy (36%) and carbon capture (<$40/tonne) costs and can increase the overall plant lifetime NPV by approximately ~$1B in comparison with NGCC solvent-based capture reference cases (NETL Case 31B). Luna Labs has shared its costing tools with several interested partners and customers, which follows a generalizable approach to costing analysis.

Kelly, Jesse↗

Interpretation of electromagnetic modes in the sub-TAE frequency range in JET plasmas with elevated monotonic q-profiles

Recent JET deuterium experiments with an advanced tokamak scenario using an internal transport barrier (ITB) have been performed to clearly observe destabilized toroidicity-induced Alfvén eigenmodes (TAEs) by fast ions; interestingly, these also exhibit unstable electromagnetic (EM) perturbations in the sub-TAE frequency range. We identify such EM perturbations to be beta-induced ion temperature gradient (BTG) eigenmodes and not beta-induced Alfvén eigenmodes nor beta-induced Alfvén acoustic eigenmodes, which are often unstable in such high-beta plasmas with high-power neutral beam injection (NBI). The BTG modes are the most unstable modes due to the high thermal ion temperature gradient related to the ITB, high thermal ion temperature compared to thermal electron temperature (high T i /T⁠ e ), and a high ion beta regime. BTG mode experimental characteristics match the analytical theory, i.e., location in the vicinity of a rational magnetic surface with a low magnetic shear, mode frequency scaling with the ion diamagnetic frequency (⁠ω$^*_i$⁠), and a coupling among Alfvén and drift waves. We also perform linear gyrokinetic simulations with validated plasma profiles and equilibrium, and find a mode kinetically driven by thermal ions with similar characteristics as the experimental BTG modes.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Molecular hydrodynamic theory of the velocity autocorrelation function

The velocity autocorrelation function (VACF) encapsulates extensive information about a fluid’s molecular-structural and hydrodynamic properties. We address the following fundamental question: How well can a purely hydrodynamic description recover the molecular features of a fluid as exhibited by the VACF? To this end, we formulate a bona fide hydrodynamic theory of the tagged-particle VACF for simple fluids. Our approach is distinguished from previous efforts in two key ways: collective hydrodynamic modes and tagged-particle self-motion are modeled by linear hydrodynamic equations; the fluid’s spatial velocity power spectrum is identified as a necessary initial condition for the momentum current correlation. This formulation leads to a natural physical interpretation of the VACF as a superposition of products of quasinormal hydrodynamic modes weighted commensurately with the spatial velocity power spectrum, the latter of which appears to physically bridge continuum hydrodynamical behavior and discrete-particle kinetics. The methodology yields VACF calculations quantitatively on par with existing approaches for liquid noble gases and alkali metals. Furthermore, we obtain a new, hydrodynamic form of the self-intermediate scattering function whose description has been extended to low densities where the Schmidt number is of order unity; various calculations are performed for gaseous and supercritical argon to support the general validity of the theory. Excellent quantitative agreement is obtained with recent MD calculations for a dense supercritical Lennard-Jones fluid.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Localized modes in the IR phase of QCD

Infrared (IR) dimension function d IR ( λ ) characterizes the space effectively utilized by QCD quarks at Dirac scale λ , and indirectly the space occupied by glue fields. It was proposed that its nonanalytic behavior in thermal reflects the separation of QCD system into an IR component and an independent bulk. Here we study the “plateau modes” in the IR component, whose dimensional properties were puzzling. Indeed, in the recent scenario of transition to IR phase, this low-dimensional plateau connects the Anderson-like mobility edge λ IR = 0 in Dirac spectrum with mobility edges ± λ A . For this structure to be truly Anderson-like, plateau modes have to be exponentially localized, implying that both the effective distances L eff ∝ L γ and the effective volumes V eff ∝ L d IR in these modes grow slower than any positive power of IR cutoff L . Although γ = 0 was confirmed in the plateau, it was found that d IR ≈ 1 . Here we apply the recently proposed technique to the problem. We conclude that a plateau mode of pure-glue QCD at UV cutoff a = 0.085 fm occupies a subvolume of IR dimension zero with probability at least 0.9999, substantiating this aspect of metal-to-critical scenario to a respective degree. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Simulation of enhanced light extraction from periodic, disordered, and quasi-periodic OLED structures

Here we have developed a rigorous scattering matrix theory of light emission from periodically structured media using a Green’s function approach. We computationally simulate the spectral power inside the structure, incorporating Purcell factor enhancements, and find internal waveguiding modes and plasmonic losses. We simulate the light-outcoupling factor η out and describe how corrugations and structured media can enhance η out . We have extended our framework to describe non-periodic disordered arrays as well as aperiodic quasi-crystalline arrays. Flat organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have low outcoupling with η out ~20% since most of the light is trapped in waveguided modes in higher index layers or lost to plasmonic excitations at the metal cathode. Periodically corrugated OLEDs can achieve highly enhanced η out ~65%-70% for pitch values between 1000 and 2000 nm, representing an enhancement factor >3 over planar structures. Periodic corrugations strongly diffract trapped waveguided and plasmonic modes to the emissive air cone. Disordered templates also can cause significant enhanced outcoupling with η out ~50%-55% for smaller nearest-neighbor separations of 300–400 nm. Quasi-crystalline tilings can also lead to enhancements of η out ~50%-55%. This framework can be utilized to design novel structured media that can generate high light extraction.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Effect of Microstructural Bands on the Localized Corrosion of Laser Surface-melted 316L Stainless Steel

The localized corrosion of laser surface melted (LSM) 316L stainless steel is investigated by a combination of potentiodynamic anodic polarization in 0.1M HCl and microscopic investigation of the initiation and propagation of localized corrosion. The pitting potential of LSM 316L is significantly lower than the pitting potential of wrought 316L. The LSM microstructure is highly banded as a consequence of the high laser power density and high linear energy density. The bands are composed of zones of changing modes of solidification, cycling between very narrow regions of primary austenite solidification and very wide regions of primary ferrite solidification. Pits initiate in the outer edge of each band where the mode of solidification is primary austenite plane front solidification and primary austenite cellular solidification. The primary austenite regions have low chromium concentration (and possibly low molybdenum concentration), which explains their susceptibility to pitting corrosion. The ferrite is enriched in chromium, which explains the absence of pitting in the primary ferrite regions. The presence of the low chromium regions of primary austenite solidification explains the lower pitting resistance of LSM 316L relative to wrought 316L. The influence of banding on localized corrosion is applicable to other rapidly solidified processes such as additive manufacturing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Device and method to manipulate ions in multi level system

An apparatus includes multiple levels of ion transport channels, with successive levels coupled by elevator channels. Efficient three dimensional packing provides long path lengths in practical volumes for ion mobility separation with high resolving power. Disclosed elevator configurations provide efficient routing of ion transport channels across levels with low ion loss, enabling ion mobility separation over 100 levels or more. Elevator configurations include (i) opposed traveling waves meeting at an elevator entrance, (ii) external elevator with a wrap-around electrode bank, (iii) external elevator with electrode banks on parallel extension plates, or (iv) elevator operating in surfing mode, in various combinations. Manufacture is aided by printed wiring boards, with interchangeable boards. Assembly with motherboard, spacer block(s), and alignment pins provides efficient distribution of electrode excitations and accurate reproducible positioning.

Ibrahim, Yehia M.↗

Device and method to manipulate ions in multi-level system

An apparatus includes multiple levels of ion transport channels, with successive levels coupled by elevator channels. Efficient three dimensional packing provides long path lengths in practical volumes for ion mobility separation with high resolving power. Disclosed elevator configurations provide efficient routing of ion transport channels across levels with low ion loss, enabling ion mobility separation over 100 levels or more. Elevator configurations include (i) opposed traveling waves meeting at an elevator entrance, (ii) external elevator with a wrap-around electrode bank, (iii) external elevator with electrode banks on parallel extension plates, or (iv) elevator operating in surfing mode, in various combinations. Manufacture is aided by printed wiring boards, with interchangeable boards. Assembly with motherboard, spacer block(s), and alignment pins provides efficient distribution of electrode excitations and accurate reproducible positioning.

Ibrahim, Yehia M.↗

PFPO plasma scenarios for exploration of long pulse operation in ITER

Long Pulse Scenarios (LPS) in ITER foreseen during the Pre-Fusion Power Operation (PFPO) phase of the ITER Research Plan (IRP) are assessed using 1.5D transport simulations within the ASTRA framework. Such assessment is required to predict the operational space for LPS operation in PFPO, as well as to evaluate which physics processes for LPS operation during Fusion Power Operation (FPO) could be studied during PFPO. An important aspect in the development of LPSs in PFPO is to minimize lifetime consumption of the Central Solenoid (CS) for these scenarios. The maximum pulse length achievable for LPSs in PFPO with no consumption of CS lifetime (currents in CS coils $&LessSlantEqual;$30 kA per turn) has been assessed for a range of heating schemes and heating mixes, confinement regimes (L-mode and H-mode) and for helium and hydrogen plasmas. The operational space of LPS and pulse length has been explored through density scans with the Heating and Current Drive mix required for the FPO Q $&GreaterSlantEqual;$ 5 steady-state plasma scenario (namely Neutral Beam Injection and Electron Cyclotron Heating) including acceptable shine through losses on the first wall for both helium and hydrogen plasmas. Fast particle physics aspects that are common between FPO plasmas and LPS PFPO H-mode plasmas at low densities are studied including MHD stability analysis with the KINX code and non-perturbative critical gradient model based on high-n Toroidal Alfven Eigenmodes (TAE) stability kinetic ballooning code HINST calculations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

The Intrinsic 150‐Day Periodicity of the Southern Hemisphere Extratropical Large‐Scale Atmospheric Circulation

Abstract The variability of the Southern Hemisphere (SH) extratropical large‐scale circulation is dominated by the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), whose timescale is extensively used as a key metric in evaluating state‐of‐the‐art climate models. Past observational and theoretical studies suggest that the SAM lacks any internally generated (intrinsic) periodicity. Here, we show, using observations and a climate model hierarchy, that the SAM has an intrinsic 150‐day periodicity. This periodicity is robustly detectable in the power spectra and principal oscillation patterns (aka dynamical mode decomposition) of the zonal‐mean circulation, and in hemispheric‐scale precipitation and ocean surface wind stress. The 150‐day period is consistent with the predictions of a new reduced‐order model for the SAM, which suggests that this periodicity is associated with a complex interaction of turbulent eddies and zonal wind anomalies, as the latter propagate from low to high latitudes. These findings present a rare example of periodic oscillations arising from the internal dynamics of the extratropical turbulent circulations. Based on these findings, we further propose a new metric for evaluating climate models, and show that some of the previously reported shortcomings and improvements in simulating SAM's variability connect to the models' ability in reproducing this periodicity. We argue that this periodicity should be considered in evaluating climate models and understanding the past, current, and projected Southern Hemisphere climate variability.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Dominant end-tunneling effect in two distinct Luttinger liquids coexisting in one quantum wire

Luttinger liquids occupy a notable place in physics as one of the most understood classes of quantum many-body systems. The experimental mission of measuring its main prediction, power laws in observable quantities, has already produced a body of exponents in different semiconductor and metallic structures. Here, we combine tunneling spectroscopy with density-dependent transport measurements in the same quantum wires over more than two orders of magnitude in temperature to very low electron temperatures down to ∼40 mK. This reveals that, when the second 1D subband becomes populated, the temperature dependence splits into two ranges with different exponents in the power-law dependence of the conductance, both dominated by the finite-size effect of the end-tunneling process. This result demonstrates the importance of measuring the Luttinger parameters as well as the number of modes independently through spectroscopy in addition to the transport exponent in the characterization of Luttinger liquids. This opens a pathway to unambiguous interpretation of the exponents observed in quantum wires.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

GaSb doping facilitates conduction band convergence and improves thermoelectric performance in n-type PbS

P-type lead chalcogenides have superior thermoelectric performance because they exhibit the energy convergence of several valence bands. However, despite the existence of two conduction bands, there has been no report about conduction band (CB) convergence for n-type counterparts because of the large energy difference between them. Therefore, new strategies are required to manipulate the CBs if enhancing the electrical transport performance of n-type lead chalcogenides is to be achieved. PbS is a highly attractive member of the lead chalcogenides because of its high earth-abundance and low cost. Here, we report that the introduction of GaSb can successfully dope the PbS matrix with Ga and Sb atoms occupying the Pb site in its rock salt structure. GaSb doping leads to conduction band convergence and enlarged effective density of state mass for n-type PbS. This effect results in superior power factor and decreased lattice thermal conductivity caused by the soft phonon modes and point defect scattering of phonons. Consequently, a record-high average power factor PF avg of ~20.4 μW cm –1 K –2 and figure of merit ZT avg of ~0.84 in the temperature range of 400 K to 923 K were obtained, higher than any n- and p-type PbS-based thermoelectric materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Progress in extending high poloidal beta scenarios on DIII-D towards a steady-state fusion reactor and impact of energetic particles

To prepare for steady-state operation of future fusion reactors (e.g. the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor and China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR)), experiments on DIII-D have extended the high poloidal beta ( β P ) scenario to reactor-relevant edge safety factor q 95 ~ 6.0, while maintaining a large-radius internal transport barrier (ITB) using negative magnetic shear. Excellent energy confinement quality ( H 98y2 > 1.5) is sustained at high normalized beta ( β N ~ 3.5). This high-performance ITB state with Greenwald density fraction near 100% and q min ≥ 3 is achieved with toroidal plasma rotation V tor ~ 0 at ρ ≥ 0.6. This is a key result for reactors expected to have low V tor . At high β P (≥1.9), large Shafranov shift can stabilize turbulence leading to a high confinement state with a low pedestal and an ITB. At lower β P (<1.9), negative magnetic shear in the plasma core contributes to turbulence suppression and can compensate for reduced Shafranov shift to continue to access a large-radius ITB and excellent confinement with low V tor , consistent with the results of gyrofluid transport simulations. These high- β P cases are characterized by weak/no Alfvén eigenmodes (a.e.) and classical fast-ion transport. At high density, the fast-ion deceleration time decreases and Δ β fast is lower; these reduce a.e. drive. The reverse-shear Alfvén eigenmodes are weaker or stable because the negative magnetic shear region is located at higher radius, away from the peaked fast-ion profile. Resistive wall modes can be a limitation at simultaneous high β N , low internal inductance, and low rotation. Analysis suggests that additional off-axis external current drive could provide a more stable path at reduced q 95 . Based on a DIII-D high- β P plasma with large-radius ITB, two scenarios are proposed for CFETR Q = 5 steady-state operation with ~1 GW fusion power: a lower-$l_i$($l_i$ ~ 0.66) and a higher-$l_i$($l_i$ ~ 0.75) case. Using a Landau closure model, multiple energetic particle (EP) effects on the a.e. stability are analyzed modifying the growth rate of the a.e.s triggered by the neutral-beam-injection EPs and alpha particles, although the stabilizing/destabilizing effect is weak for the cases analyzed. The stabilizing effects of the combined EP species β , energy, and density profile in CFETR need further investigation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Transition to Petschek Reconnection in Subrelativistic Pair Plasmas: Implications for Particle Acceleration

While relativistic magnetic reconnection in pair plasmas has emerged in recent years as a candidate for the origin of radiation from extreme astrophysical environments, the corresponding subrelativistic pair-plasma regime has remained less explored, leaving open the question of how relativistic physics affects reconnection. In this paper, we investigate the differences between these regimes by contrasting two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations of reconnection in pair plasmas with relativistic magnetization (σ ≫ 1) and subrelativistic magnetization (σ < 1). By utilizing unprecedentedly large domain sizes and outflow boundary conditions, we demonstrate that lowering the magnetization results in a change in the reconnection geometry from a plasmoid chain to a Petschek geometry, where laminar exhausts bounded by slow-mode shocks emanate from a single diffusion region. We attribute this change to the reduced plasmoid production rate in the low-σ case: When the secondary tearing rate is sufficiently low, plasmoids are too few in number to prevent the system from relaxing into a stable Petschek configuration. This geometric change also affects particle energization: We show that while high-σ plasmoid chains generate power-law energy spectra, low-σ Petschek exhausts merely heat incoming plasma and yield negligible nonthermal acceleration. These results have implications for predicting the global current sheet geometry and the resulting energy spectra in a variety of systems.

Plasma astrophysics↗

New Design for Low-Mode Asymmetry Mitigation in Inertial Confinement Fusion Implosions

Radiation flux symmetry in laser-irradiated hohlraum environments is difficult to model and control and relies on the details of plasma evolution and laser energy deposition in the harsh plasma-filled hohlraum over the duration of the laser pulse. This study presents a conceptual design and assesses the feasibility of using lasers to create a drive where the implosion symmetry relies mainly on radiation transport. In this design lasers irradiate the ends of a capsule containing hohlraum that are shielded from the view of the capsule. This configuration enables the use of frequency doubled light that has a higher power and energy threshold for the current capability of NIF, up to 670TW and ~3.5 MJ. We estimate, using VISRAD benchmarked against HYDRA calculations, that the same drive conditions that are currently being achieved in hybridE experiments at the NIF 270-290 at the equator can be reached in this new geometry and large 6.4 mm diameter hohlraums. The radiation drive asymmetries in this design can be mitigated by shimming the capsule ablator thickness or through tailoring the shape of the shielding to the laser spots.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Probing exotic charged Higgs decays in the Type-II 2HDM through top rich signal at a future 100 TeV pp collider

The exotic decay modes of non-Standard Model Higgs bosons are efficient in probing the hierarchical Two Higgs Doublet Models (2HDM). In particular, the decay mode H ± → HW ± serves as a powerful channel in searching for charged Higgses. In this paper, we analyze the reach for H ± → HW ± → $t\bar{t}W$ at a 100 TeV pp collider, and show that it extends the reach of the previously studied ττW final states once above the top threshold. Top tagging technique is used, in combination with a boosted decision tree classifier. At the low tan β region, almost the entire hierarchical Type-II 2HDM parameter space can be probed via the combination of all exotic decay channels.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Study on Application of Distributed Network of Sensors with List Mode for NMAC Literature Review

Nuclear material accounting and control (NMAC) for nuclear security detects, deters, and resolves questions related to unauthorized removal (i.e. theft) or misuse of nuclear material. NMAC also serves as a key insider threat mitigation measure and aids in recovery of nuclear material that is missing. Effective nuclear security depends on NMAC for timely and accurate information about nuclear material types, quantities, and locations. Bulk nuclear material processing facilities, however, present unique challenges for effective NMAC due to the presence of large quantities of material in-process and the accumulation of residual material holdup within process equipment. These holdup accumulations can obscure accurate physical inventory taking and complicate efforts to resolve NMAC irregularities at the facility level. Bulk material monitoring systems often rely on material balance calculations and indirect measurement techniques, which may mask protracted theft of smaller amounts of nuclear material. These monitoring limitations have generated increased interest in continuous monitoring technologies, including distributed non-destructive assay (NDA) sensor networks capable of providing real-time or near-real-time measurement of material movement and accumulation within bulk processing environments. Recent advancements in distributed networks of NDA radiation detectors and sensing technologies provide an opportunity to address these limitations. Although such distributed sensor networks have been implemented in select facilities for IAEA Safeguards applications, their potential for supporting NMAC functions specifically tailored to nuclear security objectives remains largely unexplored. Furthermore, emerging list-mode data acquisition technologies have reached high technology readiness levels, enabling time-correlated detection of nuclear events across multiple temporal scales. These capabilities provide enhanced opportunities for accurate holdup measurement, continuous process monitoring, and improved detection of material theft or misuse over time. The increasing global expansion of civil nuclear power and development of related bulk material processing facilities, including those supporting high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) and other advanced reactor fuel fabrication, further increases the need for advanced measurement and monitoring strategies for NMAC.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗