Engineering PapersSearch

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “morphology”

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 37 records · Page 2

Mining experimental magnetized liner inertial fusion data: Trends in stagnation morphology

In magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF), a cylindrical liner filled with fusion fuel is imploded with the goal of producing a one-dimensional plasma column at thermonuclear conditions. However, structures attributed to three-dimensional effects are observed in self-emission x-ray images. Despite this, the impact of many experimental inputs on the column morphology has not been characterized. We demonstrate the use of a linear regression analysis to explore correlations between morphology and a wide variety of experimental inputs across 57 MagLIF experiments. Results indicate the possibility of several unexplored effects. For example, we demonstrate that increasing the initial magnetic field correlates with improved stability. Although intuitively expected, this has never been quantitatively assessed in integrated MagLIF experiments. We also demonstrate that azimuthal drive asymmetries resulting from the geometry of the “current return can” appear to measurably impact the morphology. In conjunction with several counterintuitive null results, we expect the observed correlations will encourage further experimental, theoretical, and simulation-based studies. Finally, we note that the method used in this work is general and may be applied to explore not only correlations between input conditions and morphology but also with other experimentally measured quantities.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY

Morphological descriptors of nanoparticles: The link between atomistic structures and x-ray absorption spectra

Understanding and quantifying the morphology of nanoparticles are essential for linking their atomic structure to diverse applications and verifying theoretical models. While experimental information on the structure of nanoparticles in the size range below ∼5 nm can be extracted from x-ray absorption spectroscopy using a small number of descriptors—most commonly coordination numbers—developing an understanding of morphology descriptors from experimental data remains a challenge. Here, in this study, we introduce NanoGene, a genetic algorithm-based method for generating structurally diverse nanoparticle models guided by user-defined descriptors. We establish correlations among structural, size-related, and morphological descriptors and demonstrate how experimentally accessible parameters, such as coordination numbers, can be leveraged to infer otherwise inaccessible ones, such as the generalized coordination number or particle oblateness. Principal component and clustering analyses reveal the relative importance of descriptors, with the number of atoms emerging as a key discriminant of the nanoparticle structure. By providing both the methodology and an extensive dataset of nanoparticle geometries, this work offers a practical foundation for descriptor-based analysis and interpretation of experimental observations, bridging the gap between local atomic coordinates and global morphological characterization.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY

A quantitative imaging framework for lithium morphology: Linking deposition uniformity to cycle stability in lithium metal batteries

Characterizing the morphology of lithium (Li) is crucial for developing long-lasting lithium metal batteries. It is well established that more uniform Li deposition correlates with better cell performance. Li morphology is often characterized through qualitative analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images; however, there are no widely accepted metrics to quantitatively describe deposition uniformity. Here, we propose a framework to quantify uniformity through SEM image analysis via the index of dispersion (ID) metric, which is defined and presented in the context of Li metal batteries. We also explore experimental impacts of sampling protocols onIDmeasurements. Our results demonstrate that theIDmetric is highly sensitive to variations in deposition uniformity, including the coexistence and uniformity of multiple morphologies, uniformity within a single morphology, and particle size distribution uniformity. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that uniformity, as measured by theID, can be related to the average potential of Li||Li symmetric cells over cycling. Higher capacity cycling leads to more pronounced changes in bothIDand average cell potential. Local minima/maxima are found consistently in bothIDand average cell potential immediately before cells short-circuit, which we suggest may indicate a collapse of the microstructure prior to failure. We put forward this framework as a more robust approach to quantify Li deposition uniformity, advancing the development of Li metal batteries that are safer and longer lasting.

Science & Technology - Other Topics

The macroevolution of filamentation morphology across the Saccharomycotina yeast subphylum

Saccharomycotina is a subphylum of ascomycete fungi with diverse asexual growth morphologies. Filamentous growth can comprise linear and branched budding cells that do not undergo cell separation, termed pseudohyphae, or tubular filaments with septa that perforate allowing movement of organelles, termed true hyphae. We integrated phenotypic, genomic, metabolic, and environmental data on isolation sources from 1051 species to examine the variation and evolutionary history of filamentation across Saccharomycotina and determine whether these data could predict filamentation types. We found that 63.37% of strains can form filaments; 6.56% true hyphae, 42.40% pseudohyphae, and 14.39% both true hyphae and pseudohyphae. The distributions of species that can produce true hyphae or filament were more strongly correlated with the yeast phylogeny than the distribution of species with pseudohyphae. Ancestral state reconstruction suggested that true hyphal and pseudohyphal morphologies evolved several times, that most yeast ancestors likely produced pseudohyphae or lacked filaments, and that the Saccharomycotina last common ancestor likely produced pseudohyphae but not true hyphae. Machine learning models trained on genomic and metabolic features predicted filament morphologies with ∼70% accuracy. Connecting the evolution of morphologies to their genomic, physiological, and ecological characteristics will enrich our understanding of how the diversity of lifestyles evolved in Saccharomycotina.

Saccharomycotina

Robustness of the Galactic Center excess morphology against masking

The Galactic Center excess (GCE) remains an enduring mystery, with leading explanations being annihilating dark matter or an unresolved population of millisecond pulsars. Analyzing the morphology of the GCE provides critical clues to identify its exact origin. We investigate the robustness of the inferred GCE morphology against the effects of masking, an important step in the analysis where the gamma-ray emission from point sources and the galactic disk are excluded. Using different masks constructed from Fermi point source catalogs and a wavelet method, we find that the GCE morphology, particularly its ellipticity and cuspiness, is relatively independent of the choice of mask for energies above 2–3 GeV. The GCE morphology systematically favors an approximately spherical shape, as expected for dark matter annihilation. Compared to various stellar bulge profiles, a spherical dark matter annihilation profile better fits the data across different masks and galactic diffuse emission backgrounds, except for the stellar bulge profile which provides a similar fit to the data. Modeling the GCE with two components, one from dark matter annihilation and one tracing the Coleman bulge, we find this two-component model outperforms any single component or combinations of dark matter annihilation and other stellar bulge profiles. Uncertainty remains about the exact fraction contributed by each component across different background models and masks. Furthermore, when the Coleman bulge dominates, its corresponding spectrum lacks characteristics typically associated with millisecond pulsars, suggesting that it mostly models the emission from other sources instead of the GCE that is still present and spherically symmetric.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS

Elucidating the Morphological Instability Mechanisms During Electrodeposition of Active Metals

The primary aim of this investigation is to elucidate the mechanisms by which a group of metals pertinent to battery technology exhibit unstable growth morphology during electrodeposition, which are crucial for the operational efficacy of batteries. The metals under consideration include alkali metals alongside zinc, all of which are characterized by high atomic mobility and reactivity with the electrolytes employed in battery systems. These materials represent promising electrode candidates for next-generation rechargeable batteries that are anticipated to deliver significantly enhanced energy density at a reduced cost. Nevertheless, the widespread occurrence of distinctly non-uniform morphologies, exemplified by the emergence of filamentous and moss-like structures, constitutes a significant impediment to their effective utilization, as it leads to accelerated capacity degradation and potential internal short circuits. This study addresses a critical question that has thus far garnered limited attention: Does the residual stress induced by the plating process play an instrumental role in inducing the morphological instability? Utilizing zinc as the primary model system, this project will be executed through three interconnected tasks: (1) the quantification of the relationship between plating stress and electroplating morphologies, (2) the three-dimensional imaging of the microstructure of the mossy structure at the nanoscale, and (3) the development of a mesoscale electroplating model to interpret empirical findings and generate additional predictive insights.

25 ENERGY STORAGE

Morphological Characterization of UO 2 F 2 and UF 4 Hydrolysis Products

Bulk samples of UO 2 F 2 and UF 4 were aged for 3 weeks under various relative humidity (RH) conditions to examine morphological changes associated with the hydrolysis of the materials. Aged samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine morphological changes, and Raman spectroscopy was used to correlate these changes with chemical composition. Little to no effect was evident for either material under lower RH conditions (i.e., 16% and 33%–38% RH). Under higher RH conditions (83% and 99%), multiple morphological changes were evident within the UO 2 F 2 samples because of the formation of hydrolysis products and possible interactions at the solid–vapor interface. Only one major morphological change was observed over the aging period—within the UF 4 system at 99% RH. This change can be attributed to the initial formation of anhydrous UO 2 F 2 and, subsequently, its hydrolysis products. After 37 weeks, UO 2 F 2 persisted as a hydrolysis product of UF4; however, no further hydrolysis products were observed. These results suggest that further research into a possible divergence of UF 4 and UO 2 F 2 degradation pathways is warranted.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS

Recognizing Blazars Using Radio Morphology from the VLA Sky Survey

Abstract Blazars are radio-loud active galactic nuclei whose jets have a very small angle to our line of sight. Observationally, the radio emissions are mostly compact or compact-core with a one-sided jet. With 2.″5 resolution at 3 GHz, the Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS) enables us to resolve the structure of some blazar candidates in the sky north of decl. −40°. We introduce an algorithm to classify radio sources as either blazar-like or non-blazar-like based on their morphology in the VLASS images. We apply our algorithm to three existing catalogs, including one of the known blazars (Roma-BzCAT) and two blazar candidates identified by Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer colors and radio emission (WIBRaLS, KDEBLLACS). We show that in all three catalogs, there are objects with morphologies inconsistent with being blazars. Considering all the catalogs, more than 12% of the candidates are unlikely to be blazars, based on this analysis. Notably, we show that 3% of the Roma-BzCATconfirmedblazars could be a misclassification based on their VLASS morphology. The resulting table with all sources and their radio morphological classification is available online.

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Exfoliation of Cu-Containing Poly(triazine imide): From Three-Dimensional to Two-Dimensional Particle Morphology

Controlling the morphological parameters of extended covalent organic frameworks remains challenging and represents an important yet often elusive metric of consideration. Typically, carbon nitride materials possess local ordering but remain largely amorphous in terms of their long-range order and orientation. This study probes the synthesis of a crystalline carbon nitride, poly(triazine imide) lithium bromide which possesses an atomically-precise extended structure, and demonstrates its exfoliation into a two-dimensional hexagonal sheet-like morphology. Furthermore, a previously unreported carbon nitride material, poly(triazine imide) copper bromide, or PTI-CuBr, was developed through an additional flux-assisted cation-exchange process and is shown to retain its internal Cu cations during solvothermal exfoliation. Characterization by dynamic light scattering and high-angle annular dark-field scanning electron microscopy reveals the morphological changes and captures the high aspect ratio of the thin carbon nitride sheets with <10 nm thickness while maintaining hundreds of nm in width. Additional characterization by energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms that the Cu:Br:N molar ratio was maintained within the extended layers throughout the exfoliation process. This top-down synthesis approach differs from typical methods that isolate thin sheets for subsequent metal−cation coordination and illustrates the importance of maintaining oxygen-free conditions to minimize copper clustering. Thus, this new approach is demonstrated to provide a consistent and more homogeneous occupancy of the PTI pore spaces throughout the carbon nitride framework.

Exfoliation

Interface morphology and dislocation-mediated processes during rapid solidification of thin films

Rapid solidification experiments have, in recent years, revealed a wealth of new microstructural phenomena that suggest a strong connection between the kinetics of solidification and the crystalline structures that emerge as a result. In this work, we investigate the interplay between interface morphology and defect-mediated processes during rapid solidification conditions using a Phase Field Crystal (PFC) model, enabling us to simultaneously and efficiently explore the physics of solidification and elasto-plasticity in the formalism of a single-field theory. We predict that there are two mechanisms by which dislocations emitted directly from the solid–liquid interface induce orientation gradients as well as the formation of subgrain boundaries within a single solidifying cell. We relate these mechanisms to the morphology of the moving solid–liquid interface and identify a suitable control parameter in the PFC model with which we can go between said morphologies by effectively changing the relative strength of the capillary length and kinetic coefficients of the solid–liquid interface. Thus, we are able to provide mechanistic explanations for several microstructural features (with an emphasis on orientation gradients and subgrain boundaries) observed during the rapid solidification of pure materials. We also provide a simple explanation for the formation of “jagged” subgrain boundaries, which is consistent with our experimental observations in rapidly solidified samples of Aluminum, whose mechanisms have thus far been unknown.

Interface morphology

Elucidating the Transition of 3D Morphological Evolution of Binary Alloys in Molten Salts with Metal Ion Additives

Molten salts serve as effective high-temperature heat transfer fluids and thermal storage media used in a wide range of energy generation and storage facilities, including concentrated solar power plants, molten salt reactors and high-temperature batteries. However, at the salt–metal interfaces, a complex interplay of charge-transfer reactions involving various metal ions, generated either as fission products or through corrosion of structural materials, takes place. Simultaneously, there is a mass transport of ions or atoms within the molten salt and the parent alloys. The precise physical and chemical mechanisms leading to the diverse morphological changes in these materials remain unclear. Here, to address this knowledge gap, this work employed a combination of synchrotron X-ray nanotomography and electron microscopy to study the morphological and chemical evolution of Ni-20Cr in molten KCl-MgCl 2 , while considering the influence of metal ions (Ni 2+ , Ce 3+ , and Eu 3+ ) and variations in salt composition. Our research suggests that the interplay between interfacial diffusivity and reactivity determines the morphological evolution. The summary of the associated mass transport and reaction processes presented in this work is a step forward toward achieving a fundamental comprehension of the interactions between molten salts and alloys. Overall, the findings offer valuable insights for predicting the diverse chemical and structural alterations experienced by alloys in molten salt environments, thus aiding in the development of protective strategies for future applications involving molten salts.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE

Data from a throughfall exclusion experiment: Fine root dynamics, morphology, chemistry, and AMF colonization across four lowland Panamanian forests

Fine roots regulate forest nutrient, carbon, and water cycling, yet their variation within and among tropical forests remains under-characterized. We quantified root productivity, disappearance, and stocks to 1 m using minirhizotron imaging, and we measured morphology, elemental composition [root carbon (C), root nitrogen (N), root phosphorus (P)], and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization to 20 cm using ingrowth cores and sequential coring. Sampling took place in four distinct lowland Panamanian forests (32 plots; 8 per forest) from 2018 through 2022 under control and throughfall-exclusion (drought) treatments in the Panama Rainforest Changes with Experimental Drying (PARCHED) experiment.The dataset is presented as an Excel workbook with six tabs. The first tab is the data dictionary. Tab S1 contains ingrowth-core production and mortality, morphology and soil moisture. Tab S2 contains sequential-coring standing stocks with associated morphology and soil moisture. Tab S3 contains minirhizotron row data records to 1 m depth, including per-frame root length and diameter, normalized length metrics, and session timing. Tab S4 contains AMF colonization. Tab S5 contains fine-root chemistry at 0–10 cm, reporting %P, %C, %N, and C:N for samples collected via ingrowth cores and sequential-coring standing stocks. CSV mirrors for each tab are provided, and a KML file supplies coordinates for all 32 plots.Key variables span live and dead fine-root biomass (and coarse fractions where applicable), specific root length (SRL) and area (SRA), diameter, root tissue density (RTD), soil moisture, AMF colonization, root %N, %C, %P, and C:N, along with minirhizotron root length and diameter. Depth, season, treatment, and plot/site identifiers are included to support cross-tab integration and analysis from 0–100 cm (minirhizotron) and 0–20 cm (cores).Units are reported in-column and missing values are coded as NA. No special software is required to open or use the files (Excel, CSV, and KML compatible).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Ionic Liquid‐Driven Modulation of DNA Brush Morphology on Nanoparticle Surfaces

Here, the morphology of DNA is strongly influenced by its surrounding environment, including factors such as pH, salt type and valency, and the presence of polymers. Inorganic salts are known to reduce the DNA chain length through mechanisms like electrostatic screening and ion bridging. In contrast, ionic liquids, a new class of organic salts, have previously been found to increase the DNA chain length, indicating a distinct mode of interaction between the ionic liquid and DNA chains. This study utilizes self-assembled DNA-AuNPs as a model system to examine changes in the DNA chain morphology and the nanoscale interaction mechanisms in an ionic liquid environment. The DNA chain lengths are measured in solution using X-ray scattering measurements at varying concentrations of two imidazolium ([$BMIM$] acetate and [$EMIM$] acetate) based ionic liquids. Additionally, Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations are performed mimicking the experimental system. Our results suggest an interplay of electrostatic and groove-binding interactions governing the DNA chain morphology, which depends on IL concentration and the composition of the DNA chains. It has been found that for DNA chains with majority ssDNA, electrostatic interaction dominate, however with increasing composition of double strands, the DNA chains exhibit compaction due to a non-electrostatic hydrophobic groove-binding mechanism.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY

Stirring and peristaltic pumping alter flow electrode particle size and morphology

Flowable carbon-based electrodes are widely studied in electrochemical systems for energy storage and water treatment. Most laboratory- and pilot-scale studies employ active mixing for slurry preparation and handling and use peristaltic pumps for slurry circulation. Magnetic stirring is the most prevalent mixing method at the laboratory scale, and the combination of magnetic mixing and peristaltic pumping is favored for convenience and compatibility with particulate suspensions. However, these methods can strongly affect particle size and morphology (and therefore cell performance). In this study, we evaluate how mixing and pumping influence particle degradation in two commonly used carbon materials: spherical carbon black (CB) beads and powdered activated carbon (AC). We performed 24 h stirring-only experiments using magnetic, orbital, and overhead stirring. Separately, we conducted 32 h circulation experiments using a commercial peristaltic pump. Particle morphology and size were analyzed using optical microscopy and laser diffraction. The initially spherical CB beads (~580 μm, 1.5 wt%) exhibit rapid and extensive breakdown under both peristaltic pumping and magnetic stirring. By comparison, AC particles (initially ~31 μm) tested at 1.5 and 15 wt% showed measurable size reductions of up to ~25 % under either stirring or pumping. In conclusion, these findings highlight the need to account for and quantify morphological changes caused by both stirring and pumping in the design and associated evaluation of flowable electrode systems.

Chemistry

Analytical simulation of meander morphology from equilibrium to long-term evolution: Impacts of channel geometry and vegetation-induced coarsening

This study introduces an innovative approach to modeling meandering river morphology, integrating and investigating the effects of geometric characteristics and vegetation-induced channel coarsening. The developed comprehensive framework combines several advanced techniques: Genetic Programming for refining the scour factor of transverse bed slope, a Leaf Area Index (LAI)-enhanced analytical model for quantifying vegetative flow resistance, and an upstream-weighted moving average method for efficient approximation of the convolution integral in meander migration calculations. The model is validated against both an idealized Kinoshita meander and a natural bend of the Tumen River (China) in equilibrium, demonstrating its robustness across diverse scales and conditions. The model's ability to simulate the long-term evolution, including cutoff events, provides valuable insight for river management strategies. The current findings demonstrate that channel geometry, particularly width-to-depth ratio, plays a dominant role in meander evolution, with wider channels prone to more complex and rapid morphological changes. Vegetation effects are most pronounced in channels with moderate width-to-depth ratios, where they can significantly influence migration rates and bed topography. A combination of channel widening and deepening, coupled with strategic vegetation management, can effectively enhance navigability while maintaining channel stability in the studied Tumen River reach. Sensitivity analyses highlight the complex interplay between hydraulic conditions, sediment characteristics, and vegetation in shaping river morphology. This research advances understanding of the multifaceted nature of meandering river systems and offers practical tools for informed decision-making in river engineering and environmental management, particularly in the context of climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressures on fluvial ecosystems.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Retention and surface morphology evaluation of fine-grain dispersion-strengthened tungsten for plasma-facing component applications

This study exposed novel fine-grain dispersion-strengthened tungsten (W) to high fluence, low energy deuterium (D) and helium (He) plasmas to evaluate how material microstructure and composition affect hydrogen retention and surface morphology. Tested materials included fine-grain dispersion-strengthened tungsten (DSW) with 3 wt% zirconium carbide (ZrC) dispersoids, fine-grain dense W without any dispersoids (FGW), and coarse-grained polycrystalline ‘ITER-grade’ W. Samples were exposed to D 2 + and He + plasmas at fusion-relevant fluences (∼10 25 m -2 ) and ion energies (75 eV) over a range of temperatures (200 °C, 300 °C, 450 °C for D, 850 °C for He). Helium ion microscopy was performed on the exposed samples to evaluate surface morphology changes and material integrity. After D plasma exposure, the ZrC dispersoids showed near-surface degradation at exposure temperatures above 300 °C, but no detrimental morphology changes were observed for the adjacent W grains. After He plasma-exposure, nano-structured fuzz formation was observed in the tungsten matrix of all samples. The ZrC dispersoids maintained their integrity despite the surrounding fuzz growth, with clear delineation between the W fuzz and dispersoid regions. Thermal desorption spectroscopy showed that ZrC DSW consistently retained more D than the FGW by about a factor of 2 across all temperatures. At 200 °C and 300 °C, the ITER-W displayed lower D retention than both the DSW and FGW, however at 450 °C ITER-W showed the highest retention, about 50% more than DSW. He retention was comparable across all samples, with the highest retention observed in the fine-grain W, only 26% higher than in ITER-W. These insights on retention behavior will inform further optimization of these novel fine-grained tungsten materials with and without dispersoid additives.

Dispersion-strengthened tungsten

Investigating Morphology and Diffusion in Simulations of Precise Anion-Conducting Polymers

Using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the morphology and transport properties of a new class of polymers which are functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups for use as anion exchange membranes. The polymers are precision polyolefins with either a trimethylammonium (p5CNMe3) or a dimethyl-hexyl ammonium (p5CNMe2Hx) pendant group at every fifth carbon along a polyethylene backbone. Simulations are performed at hydration levels of 5, 10, 15, and 20 water molecules per ammonium group. The hydrated polymers form nanoscale, percolated hydrophilic domains (water channels) in the hydrophobic polymer matrix that become wider with increasing water content. Water and hydroxide anion diffusion coefficients also increase with increasing water content. The morphology of the water domains is similar in both polymers, while the diffusion coefficients are somewhat lower in p5CNMe2Hx at fixed water content. Furthermore, the diffusion coefficients in both polymers fall on the same curve as a function of the fractal dimension of the percolated water channels, which appears to be a useful scalar measure of the effects of the nanoscale morphology on water and hydroxide anion transport.

Anion exchange membrane

Direct Observation of Morphological and Chemical Changes during the Oxidation of Model Inorganic Ligand-Capped Particles

Functionalization and volatilization are competing reactions during the oxidation of carbonaceous materials and are important processes in many different areas of science and technology. Here, we present a combined ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) and grazing incidence X-ray scattering (GIXS) investigation of the oxidation of oleic acid ligands surrounding NaYF 4 nanoparticles (NPs) deposited onto SiO x /Si substrates. While APXPS monitors the evolution of the oxidation products, GIXS provides insight into the morphology of the ligands and particles before and after the oxidation. Our investigation shows that the oxidation of the oleic acid ligands proceeds at O 2 partial pressures of below 1 mbar in the presence of X-rays, with the oxidation eventually reaching a steady state in which mainly CH x and –COOH functional groups are observed. The scattering data reveal that the oxidation and volatilization reaction proceeds preferentially on the side of the particle facing the gas phase, leading to the formation of a chemically and morphologically asymmetric ligand layer. This comprehensive picture of the oxidation process could be obtained only by combining the X-ray scattering and APXPS data. The investigation presented here lays the foundation for further studies of the stability of NP layers in the presence of reactive trace gases and ionizing radiation and for other nanoscale systems where chemical and morphological changes happen simultaneously and cannot be understood in isolation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH