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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.

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At least 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Ultrasound-Mediated Gemcitabine Delivery Reduces the Normal-Tissue Toxicity of Chemoradiation Therapy in a Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Model

Chemoradiation therapy is the standard of care in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Although agents such as gemcitabine can enhance tumor radiosensitivity, their side effects can limit patient eligibility and treatment efficacy. This study investigates ultrasound and microbubbles for targeting gemcitabine delivery to reduce normal-tissue toxicity in a murine orthotopic MIBC model.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Focused Ultrasound-Mediated Blood-Brain Barrier Opening Increases Delivery and Efficacy of Etoposide for Glioblastoma Treatment

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a devastating disease. With the current treatment of surgery followed by chemoradiation, outcomes remain poor, with median survival of only 15 months and a 5-year survival rate of 6.8%. A challenge in treating GBM is the heterogeneous integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which limits the bioavailability of systemic therapies to the brain. There is a growing interest in enhancing drug delivery by opening the BBB with the use of focused ultrasound (FUS). We hypothesize that an FUS-mediated BBB opening can enhance the delivery of etoposide for a therapeutic benefit in GBM.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2018

A Feasibility Study on the Role of Ultrasound Imaging of Bladder Volume as a Method to Improve Concordance of Bladder Filling Status on Treatment with Simulation

Accurate positioning of the prostate is of paramount importance to ensure optimal target coverage and normal tissue sparing in stereotactic ablative body radiation when large doses per fraction are delivered with tight margins around the prostate. Bladder and rectal filling play an important part in controlling the accuracy of a patient's setup and therefore the overall toxicities and outcomes. The aim of this study was to establish the value of characterizing patients' bladder filling kinetics at the time of simulation with ultrasound scans so that a predictive model can be used to ensure that a bladder volume at treatment would match at simulation.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Elastic moduli reduction in SiC-SiC tubular specimen after high heat flux neutron irradiation measured by resonant ultrasound spectroscopy

The initial results of a post-irradiation examination study conducted on a SiC-SiC tubular specimen irradiated under a high radial heat flux are presented herein. The elastic properties of the specimen were evaluated before and after the irradiation using the resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) technique. The composite tubular specimen was considered as an orthotropic elastic with nine elastic constants (Young's moduli, shear moduli and Poisson's ratios—three components of each) for representing its full elastic deformation behavior. All the elastic moduli decreased after irradiation; the reduction was as high as 35% in one of the moduli. The significant decrease in the moduli indicates the presence of microcracks. The results from a computational study show significant stress development in the specimen due to irradiation, primarily caused by differential swelling across the thickness of the specimen. The evaluated stresses exceed the proportional limit stress of the material, indicating the likelihood of matrix microcracking, and thus corroborating the results obtained from RUS. X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) study confirmed the presence of cracks in the irradiated specimen. These cracks occurred at the inner region of the specimen and propagated in axial and hoop directions. Finally, these XCT results are in agreement with the RUS results and stress distribution results from the computational study.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

In situ monitoring of microstructure evolution during thermal processing of uranium-zirconium alloys using laser-generated ultrasound

In this study, laser-generated ultrasound was used to monitor microstructure evolution during thermal processing of as-cast, polycrystalline binary uranium-zirconium metallic fuel alloys with compositions of U-20wt.%Zr (U-20Zr), U-50wt.%Zr (U-50Zr) and U-80wt.%Zr (U-80Zr). Ultrasonic waveforms were recorded during heating and cooling the samples from room temperature to >973 K and back. A phase transition temperature for all three compositions was estimated from the temperature at which an abrupt and rapid reduction in ultrasonic velocities was observed. Microstructural features on the length scale of tens of micrometers were inferred from the observation of scattering of ultrasonic waves by elastic heterogeneities above ~823 K in U-20Zr, while a hysteresis in the ultrasonic velocities of U-80Zr upon cooling was attributed to a partial retention of the high temperature phase following thermal annealing. The U-50Zr alloy exhibited a reversible viscoelastic response above 933 K, as evidenced by the observation of high frequency attenuation of the shear component of the waveforms at high temperature. Ultrasonic measurements were supplemented by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM images revealed that the δ-U-Zr matrix in the three compositions underwent a spinodal decomposition above ~823 K into nanoscale regions. The ultrasonic measurements revealed larger, micron-scale structure evolution in the U-20Zr alloy at the same temperature. This large-scale structure is associated with heterogeneous regions having different Zr content. Our findings show the potential heating rate dependence of microstructural evolution in U-Zr alloys and highlight differences in the thermomechanical response and associated length scales during thermal annealing between single- and dual-phase compositions. These results demonstrate the utility of laser ultrasonics to rapidly and efficiently scan phase boundaries and monitor micrometer-scale structure evolution in metallic fuel alloys.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Effects of ultrasound-related variables on sonochemically synthesized SAPO-34 nanoparticles

The sonochemical method was developed to synthesize uniform SAPO-34 (silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve) nanoparticles with high crystallinity using TEAOH as a structure-directing agent (SDA). The physicochemical characteristics of SAPO-34 products, i.e. crystallinity, particle size and shape can be controlled by varying the ultrasonic-related variable such as ultrasound power intensity, ultrasonic irradiation time, sonication temperature and geometrical characteristics of the ultrasonic device (e.g., sonotrode size). The products were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and BET. It is found that each of the parameters can play a significant role in acoustic cavitation, number of nuclei and the crystal growth. The experimental data establish that the crystallinity is related to ultrasonic intensity and diameter of the sonotrode, as well as sonication temperature. By increasing the ultrasonic power, duration and the sonication temperature, the mean sizes of particles decrease and the morphology of the products efficiently alters from spherical aggregates of cube type SAPO-34 particles to uniform spherical nanoparticles. - Graphical abstract: Increasing US power by increasing either US power intensity or the sonotrode diameter leads to smaller particle size and the morphology changes from spherical aggregates of cubic particles to uniform nanospheres. Highlights: • Effects of ultrasonic parameters on sonochemical synthesis of SAPO-34 nanoparticles. • The higher crystallinity by increasing ultrasonic power, duration and sonication temperature. • The morphology changes from spherical aggregates of cubic particles to uniform nanospheres. • Decreasing the particle size by increasing ultrasonic power, duration and sonication temperature.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of CuO nanostructures templated by cotton fibers

Highlights: ► Flower-like and corn-like CuO nanostructures were synthesized by a simple method. ► Cotton fibers purchased from commercially are used as template. ► The concentration of Cu(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} solution is an important parameter. -- Abstract: Flower-like and corn-like CuO nanostructures composed of CuO nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via ultrasound-assisted template method, respectively, by controlling the initial concentration of Cu(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} solution. Here, cotton fibers were used as template agent. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. The results demonstrated that the initial concentration of Cu(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} solution was an important parameter for determining whether CuO nanoparticles assembled into flower-like structures or corn-like structures. The mechanism of forming different nanostructures of CuO was discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Ultrasound assisted sonochemically engineered effective red luminescent labeling agent for high resolution visualization of latent fingerprints

Highlights: • BaTiO{sub 3}:Eu{sup 3+} NPs were prepared by facile bio-template assisted sonochemical route. • The obtained samples displayed superstructures of various regular morphological shapes. • The optimized product was used for forensic and anti-counterfeiting applications. • CIE, CCT studies indicate the present phosphor was highly useful in LED’s. - Abstract: Nanoscience and technology finds wide range of benefits in the area of surface based science due to its nano size and high surface area. This offers new potentials in surface-based science comprising latent fingerprint (LFP) and to develop luminescent ink for anti-counterfeiting applications. Due to high backward hindrance, low sensitivity, complicated setup, and poor universality of traditionally developed techniques were main drawbacks for the visualization of LFPs. To overcome these problems, we explored the superstructures (SS) of europium ions doped BaTiO{sub 3} nanophosphors (NPs) prepared via sonochemical route with bio-template as surfactant for the detection of LFPs and as an anti-counterfeiting ink. The morphologies of SS were highly dependent on the concentration of Aloe vera (A.V.) gel as well as ultrasound irradiation time. The obtained SS displayed pure red emission which corresponds to the {sup 5}D{sub 0} → {sup 7}F{sub J} transitions of Eu{sup 3+} ions under UV light. The results clearly evident that the optimized BaTiO{sub 3}:Eu{sup 3+} NPs will create a new prospect for research in LFPs visualization and anti-counterfeiting technology.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Dosimetric differences between intraoperative and postoperative plans using Cs-131 in transrectal ultrasound–guided brachytherapy for prostatic carcinoma

The aim of the study was to investigate the differences between intraoperative and postoperative dosimetry for transrectal ultrasound–guided transperineal prostate implants using cesium-131 ({sup 131}Cs). Between 2006 and 2010, 166 patients implanted with {sup 131}Cs had both intraoperative and postoperative dosimetry studies. All cases were monotherapy and doses of 115 were prescribed to the prostate. The dosimetric properties (D{sub 90}, V{sub 150}, and V{sub 100} for the prostate) of the studies were compared. Two conformity indices were also calculated and compared. Finally, the prostate was automatically sectioned into 6 sectors (anterior and posterior sectors at the base, midgland, and apex) and the intraoperative and postoperative dosimetry was compared in each individual sector. Postoperative dosimetry showed statistically significant changes (p < 0.01) in every dosimetric value except V{sub 150}. In each significant case, the postoperative plans showed lower dose coverage. The conformity indexes also showed a bimodal frequency distribution with the index indicating poorer dose conformity in the postoperative plans. Sector analysis revealed less dose coverage postoperatively in the base and apex sectors with an increase in dose to the posterior midgland sector. Postoperative dosimetry overall and in specific sectors of the prostate differs significantly from intraoperative planning. Care must be taken during the intraoperative planning stage to ensure complete dose coverage of the prostate with the understanding that the final postoperative dosimetry will show less dose coverage.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Measuring the elastic tensor of a monolithic SiC hollow cylinder with resonant ultrasound spectroscopy

Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS) has become a standard tool in material science to measure nondestructively the elastic properties of materials. The widespread adoption of this tool for applications related to nondestructive testing and structural health monitoring in the industry and other places has been restricted thus far by some requirements imposed by RUS on the sample to be tested, in particular the fact that the sample geometry should be relatively simple (e.g., cuboid, cylinder, or sphere). Here, we use RUS to determine the baseline material properties of a hollow cylinder made of monolithic SiC, a surrogate material and geometry representing nuclear fuel cladding for this study. Typically, elastic properties of the nuclear fuel cladding samples are inspected destructively (e.g., indentation) or with acoustic techniquesrequiring multiple and cumbersome measurements. Here, a relatively new RUS approach specifically developed to measure the elastic tensor of samples with arbitrary geometries is used. The results obtained from this RUS approach are compared to values reported in the literature. As a second verification step, vibrational mode shapes computed numerically with the elastic constants are compared to those measured on the sample using a 3D laser Doppler vibrometer, showing an excellent agreement.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Nonlinear resonant ultrasound spectroscopy of stress corrosion cracking in stainless steel rods

Stainless steel containers are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) under certain stress and corrosion conditions. Nonlinear ultrasonic techniques are very sensitive to the early presence of damage, more so than linear techniques. Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (NRUS) is used here to measure a nonlinear shift in the resonance frequency due to a cumulative amount of SCC. Steel rods are immersed in a heated magnesium chloride solution and removed after different exposure times. NRUS measurements are conducted using the fundamental longitudinal mode of vibration. Rods exposed longer generally have a larger resonance frequency shift and are therefore more nonlinear. Thus NRUS might offer a means of detecting a cumulative SCC damage in a sample.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy measurement and modeling of additively manufactured octet truss lattice cubes

In this work, the elastic characteristics of additively manufactured Ti-5553 octet truss lattice cubes were examined using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) techniques and correlated to X-ray computed tomography measurements of strut continuity. RUS models and measurements identified an outlier lattice possessing lower effective modulus despite larger effective density. Here, experimental measurements of density and effective Young's modulus were treated as input parameters in a homogenous anisotropic continuum model. The continuum model exhibited good agreement with experimental RUS measurements, thus confirming the potential for a simplified approximation of the octet truss lattice.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Laser-based ultrasound interrogation of surface and sub-surface features in advanced manufacturing materials

Abstract Structures formed by advanced manufacturing methods increasingly require nondestructive characterization to enable efficient fabrication and to ensure performance targets are met. This is especially important for aerospace, military, and high precision applications. Surface acoustic waves (SAW) generated by laser-based ultrasound can detect surface and sub-surface defects relevant for a broad range of advanced manufacturing processes, including laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). In particular, an all-optical SAW generation and detection configuration can effectively interrogate laser melt lines. Here we report on scattered acoustic energy from melt lines, voids, and surface features. Sub-surface voids are also characterized using X-ray Computed Tomography (CT). High resolution CT results are presented and compared with SAW measurements. Finite difference simulations inform experimental measurements and analysis.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

The role of fast and slow dynamics in nonlinear resonant ultrasound spectroscopy of consolidated granular materials

Abstract Elastic nonlinearity observed in consolidated granular media can be attributed to the combination of slow and fast effects, which give rise to hysteresis and relaxation of both modulus and damping after the sample is perturbed. A consequence is a high level of complexity in the measurements of the sample linear and nonlinear elastic parameters. The results of experiments are dependent on the experimental protocol that is adopted to measure the relevant quantities and it is hard to quantify parameters with accuracy and repeatability. Here we focus on examining Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy, showing experimentally the role of slow dynamics in the process and quantifying/discussing its influence on the quantification of nonlinearity. We also propose a model to describe the process, which shows that different contributions to nonlinearity (e.g., classical and hysteretic) could be due to physical features (defects) relaxing with different relaxation times.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2010

Thermoviscoelastic finite element modeling of laser-generated ultrasound in viscoelastic plates

Laser-generated ultrasound in a thin composite plate with thermoviscoelastic property has been studied quantitatively. According to thermoviscoelastic theory, considering the viscoelastic and thermophysical properties of materials, a numerical model for the laser-generated Lamb waves is established in the frequency domain by using a finite element method. It is confirmed that the temperature and displacement fields calculated in the frequency domain coincide well with those obtained in the time domain. In the numerical simulations of thermoviscoelastically generated Lamb waves, the effects of viscoelastic and elastic stiffness moduli, and the thickness of the materials have been taken into account in details. The characteristics of the Lamb waves in the numerical results agree well with the features of the disperse curves. The results show that the finite element method in this paper provides a useful technique to characterize mechanical properties of composite materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2011

Ultrasound nondestructive characterization of transparent spinel

Ceramic materials have attractive attributes for applications that experience high stresses or strain rates. Compared to metal-based systems, ceramics offer a lower areal density which reduces weight, but do not depreciate the integrity of other properties. The ability to tailor the microstructure of ceramics used in armor systems is a common way to increase specific mechanical properties or obtain certain material characteristics. Properties such as elastic modulus, hardness, and density are those that are typically desired to be enhanced. By modifying the microstructure one can obtain a ceramic with these enhanced properties as well as high optical transmission across a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The testing of these properties and ballistic performance is usually destructive, expensive, and time consuming. Common assessments using ultrasonic NDE usually include spatially locating large flaws, sonic velocity measurements, and elastic property measurements. The use of acoustic spectroscopy to go beyond typical ultrasonic NDE in structural ceramics and allow for the use of a microstructural characterization tool is investigated in this paper. Ultrasound absorption by lithium fluoride precipitates in aluminate spinel (MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}) present as defined spectral peaks. Average heterogeneity size determination in magnesium aluminate spinel MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} by method of acoustic spectroscopy is shown.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Modeling of ultrasound transmission through a solid-liquid interface comprising a network of gas pockets

Ultrasonic inspection of sodium-cooled fast reactor requires a good acoustic coupling between the transducer and the liquid sodium. Ultrasonic transmission through a solid surface in contact with liquid sodium can be complex due to the presence of microscopic gas pockets entrapped by the surface roughness. Experiments are run using substrates with controlled roughness consisting of a network of holes and a modeling approach is then developed. In this model, a gas pocket stiffness at a partially solid-liquid interface is defined. This stiffness is then used to calculate the transmission coefficient of ultrasound at the entire interface. The gas pocket stiffness has a static, as well as an inertial component, which depends on the ultrasonic frequency and the radiative mass.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗