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At least 379 records · Page 21

Replacement Technologies for Precision Cleaning of Aerospace Hardware for Propellant Service

The NASA White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) is developing cleaning and verification processes to replace currently used chlorofluorocarbon-l13- (CFC-113-) based processes. The processes being evaluated include both aqueous- and solvent-based techniques. Replacement technologies are being investigated for aerospace hardware and for gauges and instrumentation. This paper includes the findings of investigations of aqueous cleaning and verification of aerospace hardware using known contaminants, such as hydraulic fluid and commonly used oils. The results correlate nonvolatile residue with CFC 113. The studies also include enhancements to aqueous sampling for organic and particulate contamination. Although aqueous alternatives have been identified for several processes, a need still exists for nonaqueous solvent cleaning, such as the cleaning and cleanliness verification of gauges used for oxygen service. The cleaning effectiveness of tetrachloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), ethanol, hydrochlorofluorocarbon 225 (HCFC 225), HCFC 141b, HFE 7100(R), and Vertrel MCA(R) was evaluated using aerospace gauges and precision instruments and then compared to the cleaning effectiveness of CFC 113. Solvents considered for use in oxygen systems were also tested for oxygen compatibility using high-pressure oxygen autogenous ignition and liquid oxygen mechanical impact testing.

Harold Beeson↗

Smoldering, Transition and Flaming in Microgravity

A research project is underway to study smolder and the transition to flaming in microgravity. The Microgravity Smoldering Combustion (MSC) flight project is an ongoing research project to provide a better understanding of the controlling mechanisms of smoldering combustion. The Smoldering Transition and Flaming (STAF) project is a recently established research program that will utilize the Fluids and Combustion Facility (FCF) of the ISS to examine the transition from smolder to flaming in microgravity. In forced flow smolder experiments ambient pressure in the MSC chamber rises, thus motivating the need to understand the effects of pressure on smoldering combustion. Further, the STAF experiment has constraints on experimental scale and testing at elevated pressure may be a mechanism to reduce the sample size by enhancing the smolder reaction. In the work we are reporting here, a series of ground-based tests determine the effects of pressure on smoldering combustion. These tests are compared with data obtained from experiments conducted aboard the Space Shuttle in flights STS-69 and STS-77. Measurements of one-dimensional smolder propagation velocity are made by thermocouple probing and a non-intrusive Ultrasound Imaging System (UIS)]. Thermocouples are also used to obtain reaction temperatures and the UIS is used to determine permeabilities of the fuel in real-time.

Fernandez-Pello, A. C.↗

Spin-State-Dependent Ion-Molecule Chemistry as the Origin of N-15 and D Isotopic Anomalies in Primitive Matter.

Many meteoritic and interplanetary dust particle (IDP) samples contain bulk enhancements and hotspots rich in N-15. Similarly low C(14)N/C(15)N ratios have been observed in numerous comets, An almost constant enrichment factor in comets from disti'nct formation zones in the nebular disk (i.e. both Jupiter Family and Oort Cloud comets), strongly suggests that this fractionation is primordial and was set in the protsolar cloud core. Deuterium enrichment is observed in both meteorites and IDPs

Wirstrom, E. S.↗

Selection, Production, and Properties of Regolith Polymer Composites for Lunar Construction

NASA’s Artemis Program seeks to establish a long-term presence on the Moon to enable scientific exploration and expand the cis-lunar economy by utilizing lunar resources through public-private and international partnerships. Over the next decades, a lunar spaceport will need to be established to provide the services and facilities that are necessary to achieve this goal. Robotic construction technologies using in-situ materials must be developed to build up enabling infrastructure such as launch/landing pads, blast protection, power/communications infrastructure, improved roads, improved operational surfaces, and radiation protection shelters. Kennedy Space Center’s Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations laboratory at Swamp Works has partnered with SpaceFactory and LERA Consulting Structural Engineers to develop the architectural and structural design of an unpressurized lunar shelter. The shelter, called Lunar Infrastructure Asset (LINA), is designed to support 2.3 m of regolith overburden to protect astronauts and surface assets from radiation, meteoroid impact, thermal gradients/cycling, and to withstand moonquakes. LINA’s structural design criteria and the resulting structure design are detailed in separate papers. A Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) construction process using regolith polymer composites has been developed and is detailed in a separate publication. This paper presents material formulations and selection rationale for each of the composite components that were examined. Formulations include 70:30, 80:20, and 85:15 wt.% mixture ratios of lunar mare simulant Black Point-1 (BP-1): Polylactic Acid (PLA), 80:20 Lunar Highlands Simulant-1 (LHS-1): PLA and an 80:20 BP-1: PLA formulation with a flow enhancer additive. Test samples were printed in simulated lunar dirty thermal vacuum conditions (-190 °C, 10-3 torr). A series of tests were performed on each formulation to characterize the achieved mixture ratio, mechanical strength properties, off-gassing products during vacuum printing, and porosity and density of printed products. The LHS-1: PLA formulation yielded an advantageous combination of properties and was used in a final test that additively constructed a sub-scaled LINA on regolith simulant in dirty vacuum conditions. The materials and construction process presented in this paper are considered to be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 with additional testing necessary to characterize long term lunar environmental exposure effects.

lunar infrastructure↗

Dimuon production in the MicroBooNE detector

This analysis studies the production of the rare signal with two muons (dimuon) in the finalstate at µB using the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) as source of neutrino interactions. Themain background source for the dimuon signal are pions. Differentiating muons and pions hasbeen challenging at µB because the tracks left by these particles are almost identical. Thisanalysis faces this problem using a supervised classifier algorithm called boosted decisiontree (BDT). A Monte Carlo simulation (MC) enhanced dimuon signal sample was producedto train a BDT capable of recognizing this signal. A set of variables that show somediscrimination characteristics was used to perform the training. A MC neutrino interactionsimulation sample was used to estimate the background. Estimations of dimuon productionin real data samples were made for different cases. Additionally, an analysis of the systematicuncertainties, fake data studies, and BDT performance checks were obtained.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Pneumatic Sampler (P-Sampler) for the Martian Moons Exploration (MMX)

The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, led by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), will focus on the exploration of the two Martian moons – Phobos and Deimos (Figure 1). The spacecraft will perform close-up remote sensing and observations of both moons and collect a sample from Phobos for Earth sample return. MMX has set the two mission goals: (1) determining the origin of the Martian moons and (2) observing processes in the circumplanetary environment of Mars, based on remote sensing, in-situ observations, and laboratory analyses of returned samples of Phobos regolith [1-2]. To fulfill the mission goals, MMX employs a double sampling approach: Coring and Pneumatic Samplers (Figure 2).The Coring Sampler (C-Sampler), a core soil tube deployed by a robotic arm, providing access to the building blocks of Phobos beneath the surface (>2 cm), and also collect a mixture of near surface material. The P-Sampler, on the other hand, would selectively sample the surface veneer and provides reference of surface component with the C-Sampler. The double sampling system not only enhances the scientific merits of MMX but also reduces risks associated with the sampling of Phobos. Without enough knowledge of the physical and chemical properties, and the geotechnical conditions of the surface of Phobos (e.g., compositions, temperature gradient/variation, porosity, grain size distribution), having two sampling systems that utilize entirely different sampling approaches is prudent.

Dylan Van Dyne↗

Modern Microbial Ecosystems are a Key to Understanding Our Biosphere's Early Evolution and its Contributions To The Atmosphere and Rock Record

The survival of our early biosphere depended upon efficient coordination anion- diverse microbial populations. Microbial mats exhibit a 3.46-billion-year fossil record, thus they are the oldest known ecosystems. Photosynthetic microbial mats were key because, today, sunlight powers more than 99 percent of global primary productivity. Thus photosynthetic ecosystems have affected the atmosphere profoundly and have created the most pervasive, easily-detected fossils. Photosynthetic biospheres elsewhere will be most detectible via telescopes or spacecraft. As a part of the Astrobiology Institute, our Ames Microbial Ecosystems group examines the roles played by ecological processes in the early evolution of our biosphere, as recorded in geologic fossils and in the macromolecules of living cells: (1) We are defining the microbial mat microenvironment, which was an important milieu for early evolution. (2) We are comparing mats in contrasting environments to discern strategies of adaptation and diversification, traits that were key for long-term survival. (3) We have selected sites that mimic key environmental attributes of early Earth and thereby focus upon evolutionary adaptations to long-term changes in the global environment. (4) Our studies of gas exchange contribute to better estimates of biogenic gases in Earth's early atmosphere. This group therefore directly addresses the question: How have the Earth and its biosphere influenced each other over time Our studies strengthen the systematics for interpreting the microbial fossil record and thereby enhance astrobiological studies of martian samples. Our models of biogenic gas emissions will enhance models of atmospheres that might be detected on inhabited extrasolar planets. This work therefore also addresses the question: How can other biospheres be recogniZed" Our choice of field sites helps us explore Earth's evolving early environment. For example, modern mats that occupy thermal springs and certain freshwater environments experience conditions such as low O2 and sulfate and high inorganic carbon and sulfide levels that resemble those of ancient marine environments. Later in history, both biologically-induced carbonate precipitation and the trapping and binding of suspended grains of carbonate became a dominant mechanism for carbonate deposition. Modern marine carbonate platforms and alkaline offer good examples of microbiologically-induced calcification. Both marine platforms and solar salterns illustrate microbially-driven trapping and binding. We are also exploring the effects of water composition upon the exchange of biogenic gases with the atmosphere.

DesMarais, David J.↗

Plasmonic Hybrid Biocomposite as an Effective Substrate for Detection of Biomolecules by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

The enhancement of the Raman light scattering signal from the surface of the porous hybrid biocomposites based on polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), calcium carbonate (CaCO{sub 3}), and nanoplasmonic Ag particles is investigated. Based on PHB, fibrous scaffolds are obtained by the electrospinning technique. The fibrous scaffolds have been covered by CaCO{sub 3} and Ag nanoparticles by means of mineralization in salt solutions and Ag reduction reaction. Successful formation of the CaCO{sub 3} and Ag nanoparticles on the scaffold surface has been confirmed by the data of scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) of the obtained sample surface has demonstrated a significant enhancement of the Rhodamine 6G signal (E{sub f} > 10{sup 5}) in comparison with the reference sample where the analyte concentration and the laser power were 100 times higher. Thus, the present research has confirmed prospects for the application of biocomposites based on polyhydroxybutyrate for detection and investigation of biomolecules by the SERS method.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Ternary CuInS{sub 2} photoelectrodes created using the sulfurization of Cu–In metal precursors for photoelectrochemical applications

Graphical abstract: At an irradiation of 100 mW/cm{sup 2} from a Xe lamp, the highest photo-enhancement current density of sample (f) obtained in this study was 5.81 mA/cm{sup 2} at an external potential of +0.4 V vs. an Ag/AgCl electrode in Na{sub 2}S (0.35 M) + K{sub 2}SO{sub 3} (0.25 M) solution. These results show that the physical properties of CuInS{sub 2} can be controlled by changing the [In]/[In + Cu] molar ratio in the metal precursors using the reactive sulfurization process with the sputtering of Cu–In metal precursors. - Highlights: • CuInS{sub 2} is deposited on substrates using sulfurization of Cu–In precursors. • Samples with [In]/[Cu + In] ratio of below 0.49 are p-type semiconductors. • Samples with [In]/[Cu + In] ratio of above 0.51 are n-type semiconductors. • Sample with [In]/[Cu + In] ratio of 0.53 has a maximum PEC response. - Abstract: Copper indium disulfide semiconductor layers are deposited onto glass substrates or fluorine-doped tin oxide-coated glass substrates with the reactive sulfurization and the sputtering of Cu–In metal precursors. X-ray diffraction patterns and energy dispersive analysis of X-ray results reveal that the samples change from the Cu-rich tetragonal CuInS{sub 2} to the In-rich CuInS{sub 2} phase with an increase in the [In]/[In + Cu] molar ratio in the metal precursors. The thicknesses and direct band gaps of the samples, determined from surface profile measurements and transmittance and reflectance spectra, are in the ranges of 0.82–1.29 μm and 1.39–1.53 eV, respectively. The carrier density and mobility of samples are in the ranges of 3.29 × 10{sup 14}–1.9 × 10{sup 20} cm{sup −3} and 0.58–17.41 cm{sup 2}/V s, respectively. A sample with an [In]/[In + Cu] molar ratio of 0.53 has a maximum photo enhancement current density of 5.81 mA/cm{sup 2} at an applied bias of 0.4 V vs. an Ag/AgCl electrode in aqueous Na{sub 2}S (0.35 M) + K{sub 2}SO{sub 3} (0.25 M) solution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effects of biradical deuteration on the performance of DNP: Towards better performing polarizing agents

We study the effects of the deuteration of biradical polarizing agents on the efficiency of dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) via the cross-effect. To this end, we synthesized a series of bTbK and TOTAPol biradicals with systematically increased deuterium substitution. The deuteration increases the radicals' relaxation time, thus contributing to a higher saturation factor and larger DNP enhancement, and reduces the pool of protons within the so-called spin diffusion barrier. Notably, we report that full or partial deuteration leads to improved DNP enhancement factors in standard samples, but also slows down the build-up of hyperpolarization. Improvements in DNP enhancements factors of up to 70% and time savings of up to 38% are obtained upon full deuteration. As a result, it is foreseen that this approach may be applied to other DNP polarizing agents thus enabling further sensitivity improvements.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Statistical Methods for Improved Evaluation of Environmental Sample Data quarterly FY18Q2

We will develop an enhanced statistical framework to evaluate environmental swipe samples collected at nuclear facilities with the goal of identifying anomalies associated with potential undeclared activities. Our approach will be based on Bayesian methodology and time series analysis. This overall framework should result in a more cost effective and operationally effective approach to environmental swipe sample analysis and interpretation.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Asian Outflow and Trans-Pacific Transport of Carbon Monoxide and Ozone Pollution: An Integrated Satellite, Aircraft, and Model Perspective

Satellite observations of carbon monoxide (CO) from the Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) instrument are combined with measurements from the Transport and Chemical Evolution Over the Pacific (TRACE-P) aircraft mission over the northwest Pacific and with a global three-dimensional chemical transport model (GEOS-CHEM) to quantify Asian pollution outflow and its trans-Pacific transport during spring 2001. Global CO column distributions in MOPITT and GEOS-CHEM are highly correlated (R(exp 2) = 0.87), with no significant model bias. The largest regional bias is over Southeast Asia, where the model is 18% too high. A 60% decrease of regional biomass burning emissions in the model (to 39 Tg/yr) would correct the discrepancy; this result is consistent with TRACE-P observations. MOPITT and TRACE-P also give consistent constraints on the Chinese source of CO from fuel combustion (181 Tg CO/yr). Four major events of trans-Pacific transport of Asian pollution in spring 2001 were seen by MOPITT, in situ platforms, and GEOS-CHEM. One of them was sampled by TRACE-P (26-27 February) as a succession of pollution layers over the northeast Pacific. These layers all originated from one single event of Asian outflow that split into northern and southern plumes over the central Pacific. The northern plume (sampled at 6-8 km off California) had no ozone enhancement. The southern subsiding plume (sampled at 2-4 km west of Hawaii) contained a 8 - 17 ppbv ozone enhancement, driven by decomposition of peroxyacetylnitrate (PAN) to nitrogen oxides (NOx). This result suggests that PAN decomposition in trans-Pacific pollution plumes subsiding over the United States could lead to significant enhancements of surface ozone.

Heald, Colette L.↗

Cyclic moisture reactivation of calcium sorbents for long duration thermochemical energy storage

The transition to a flexible and reliable energy infrastructure, using electro-thermal energy generation technologies such as geothermal, concentrated solar power, and nuclear, usually demands simultaneous advancement of thermal energy storage (TES) to support on-demand electricity generation and industrial applications while mitigating the inherent intermittency of renewable energy sources and power outages from direct energy generation. Among TES technologies, thermochemical energy storage (TCES) based on calcium looping emerges as a compelling high-power energy storage candidate due to its high reaction enthalpy, compatibility with elevated operating temperatures, and abundance of low-cost materials. However, the long-term durability of calcium-based sorbents for TCES is hindered by surface sintering and particle aggregation, leading to performance degradation over repeated thermal cycles. This study explores a moisture hydration-based strategy to regenerate a degraded calcium sorbent and mitigate performance degradation for long duration TCES. The addition of moisture transforms calcium oxide into calcium hydroxide and produces intercalation water layers, associated with a regenerated surface area and reduced calcium oxide crystallite size. Both these effects are beneficial in restoring the sorbents' reactivity for carbonization. Additionally, an optimized hydration-assisted reactivation protocol balances the recovered energy storage capacity with heating penalty required for moisture removal from hydrated samples, resulting in an enhanced energy storage capacity up to 176% compared to benchmark sorbents that undergo cycling without reactivation after 60 cycles. In conclusion, these results highlight the potential of hydration-assisted reactivation to enhance the long-term performance of TCES, providing an effective pathway to advancing electro-thermal storage technologies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Determining the crystalline degree of silicon nanoclusters/SiO{sub 2} multilayers by Raman scattering

We use Raman scattering to investigate the size distribution, built-in strains and the crystalline degree of Si-nanoclusters (Si-nc) in high-quality Si-rich oxynitride/SiO{sub 2} multilayered samples obtained by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition and subsequent annealing at 1150 °C. An initial structural characterization of the samples was performed by means of energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to obtain information about the cluster size and the presence of significant amounts of crystalline phase. The contributions to the Raman spectra from crystalline and amorphous Si were analyzed by using a phonon confinement model that includes the Si-nc size distribution, the influence of the matrix compressive stress on the clusters, and the presence of amorphous Si domains. Our lineshape analysis confirms the existence of silicon precipitates in crystalline state, in good agreement with XRD results, and provides also information about the presence of a large compressive stress over the Si-nc induced by the SiO{sub 2} matrix. By using the Raman spectra from low temperature annealed samples (i.e., before the crystallization of the Si-nc), the relative scattering cross-section between crystalline and amorphous Si was evaluated as a function of the crystalline Si size. Taking into account this parameter and the integrated intensities for each phase as extracted from the Raman spectra, we were able to evaluate the degree of crystallization of the precipitated Si-nc. Our data suggest that all samples exhibit high crystalline fractions, with values up to 89% for the biggest Si-nc. The Raman study, supported by the EFTEM characterization, indicates that this system undergoes a practically abrupt phase separation, in which the precipitated Si-nanoclusters are formed by a crystalline inner part surrounded by a thin amorphous shell of approximately 1–2 atomic layers.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Path Sampling for Rare Events Boosted by Machine Learning

The study by Jung et al. introduced Artificial Intelligence for Molecular Mechanism Discovery (AIMMD), a novel sampling algorithm that integrates machine learning to enhance the efficiency of transition path sampling (TPS). By enabling on-the-fly estimation of the committor probability and simultaneously deriving a human-interpretable reaction coordinate, AIMMD offers a robust framework for elucidating the mechanistic pathways of complex molecular processes. Here, this commentary provides a discussion and critical analysis of the core AIMMD framework, explores its recent extensions, and offers an assessment of the method’s potential impact and limitations.

Minh, Porhouy [Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN↗

Purcell enhancement of directional edge photocurrent in a van der Waals self-cavity

Cavities provide a means to manipulate the optical and electronic responses of quantum materials by selectively enhancing light-matter interaction at specific frequencies and momenta. While cavities typically involve external structures, exfoliated flakes of van der Waals (vdW) materials can form intrinsic self-cavities due to their small finite dimensions, confining electromagnetic fields into plasmonic cavity modes, characterized by standing-wave current distributions. While cavity-enhanced phenomena are well-studied at optical frequencies, the impact of self-cavities on nonlinear electronic responses—such as directional photocurrent—remains largely unexplored, particularly in the terahertz regime, critical for emerging ultrafast optoelectronic technologies. Here, we report a self-cavity-induced Purcell enhancement of directional photocurrents in the vdW semimetal WTe 2 . Using ultrafast optoelectronic circuitry, we measured coherent near-field THz emission resulting from nonlinear photocurrents excited at the sample edges. We observed enhanced emission at finite frequencies, tunable via excitation fluence and sample geometry, which we attribute to plasmonic interference effects controlled by the cavity boundaries. We developed an analytical theory that captures the cavity resonance conditions and spectral response across multiple devices. Our findings establish WTe 2 as a bias-free, geometry-tunable THz emitter and demonstrate the potential of self-cavity engineering for controlling nonlinear, nonequilibrium dynamics in quantum materials.

condensed-matter physics↗

Report on the effect of dopants on FLASH sintering of enhanced UO 2

Large grained UO 2 can be achieved through the addition of dopants such as, Cr, Al, Nb and Mg. The enhanced microstructure can enable slower fission gas release that reduces pressure build up in the fuel rods and better mechanical properties that can alter the pellet cracking behavior and, therefore, limit accident prone pellet cladding loading. UO 2 fuel is sintered through conventional sintering methods that require high temperatures and long sintering times. Field assisted sintering techniques like flash sintering use current and voltage to enable sintering of ceramics at low temperatures and short times. Flash sintering has been demonstrated for sintering UO 2 to high densities. In this work, this technique has been applied to Cr-doped UO 2 to assess the feasibility of the technique for grain enhancement. Doped UO 2 samples below and above the solubility limit of Cr into UO 2 have been assessed. The results show that grain enhancement was not possible in either case and this was attributed to the low temperatures and sintering times that make flash sintering attractive. For the Cr-doped sample below or near the solubility of Cr, it is postulated that the temperatures were not high enough to actually dissolve it into solution in the UO 2 lattice. For the Cr-doped sample above the solubility limit of Cr, secondary phases were identified via SEM and EDS, as expected. Follow up work should be carried out to assess if flash sintering can produce grain enlargement for UO 2 feedstocks with dopants already in solid solution such as UO 2 produced via sol-gel or modified direct denitration method.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Cavity Quantum Eliashberg Enhancement of Superconductivity

Driving a conventional superconductor with an appropriately tuned classical electromagnetic field can lead to an enhancement of superconductivity via a redistribution of the quasiparticles into a more favorable nonequilibrium distribution—a phenomenon known as the Eliashberg effect. Here, we theoretically consider coupling a two-dimensional superconducting film to the quantized electromagnetic modes of a microwave resonator cavity. As in the classical Eliashberg case, we use a kinetic equation to study the effect of the fluctuating, dynamical electromagnetic field on the Bogoliubov quasiparticles. We find that when the photon and quasiparticle systems are out of thermal equilibrium, a redistribution of quasiparticles into a more favorable nonequilibrium steady state occurs, thereby enhancing superconductivity in the sample. Here, we predict that by tailoring the cavity environment (e.g., the photon occupation and spectral functions), enhancement can be observed in a variety of parameter regimes, offering a large degree of tunability.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗