Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “HOMOGENIZATION METHODS”

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 415 records · Page 23

Apparatus for measuring strength in biaxial compression

We report most measurements of compressive strength of ductile materials have involved Hopkinson–Kolsky bars or Taylor anvils placing samples in uniaxial compression. In these geometries, strain is limited by the tendency of the sample to petal, in analogy to necking in uniaxial tension. Estimation of strength for any other form of the stress tensor requires assuming a shape of the yield surface; because data exist only for uniaxial compression, these assumptions are untested. In an imploding spherical shell, compression is biaxial, the plastic strain may not be small, and the material behavior may be nonlinear as a result of work hardening and heating by plastic work. We outline a method of measuring the strengths of materials in biaxial compression, both quasistatically and dynamically, using the compression of thin spherical shells. We suggest surrounding the shell with an annulus filled with a mixture of H 2 and Cl 2 gases whose homogeneous ignition is initiated by a flash of blue and near-ultraviolet light. Less promising approaches are described in Appendixes A–C .

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Catalytic Reduction of Residual Oxygen for the Purification of Carbon Dioxide Streams from Pressurized Oxy-Combustors

Pressurized oxy-combustion (OC) is regarded as an energy-efficient alternative to atmospheric OC. To utilize the captured carbon dioxide (CO2) from pressurized OC for enhanced oil recovery or carbon storage in geological formations, the CO2 product stream must meet the required purity specifications. One major impurity in OC flue gases is residual O2 (e.g., 3 vol%). In this study, a catalytic approach has been investigated to remove the residual O2 through a reduction reaction with injected methane (CH4) in a reverse-flow fixed-bed (RFFB) reactor. The performance was tested for a supported copper (Cu)-based catalyst synthesized by incipient wetness impregnation and a cobalt-manganese (CoMn) oxide catalyst synthesized by a coprecipitation method. A commercial Cu-based catalyst was also studied as the reference. Experimental results revealed that under the reverse-flow operation, the temperature profiles in the reactor were symmetrical on both sides of the catalyst zone and were more homogenous than those under the conventional one-direction-flow operation. Among the tested catalysts, the CoMn catalyst was the most reactive for promoting the reduction of O2 with CH4, able to attain >95% O2 removal at 475 °C and a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 18,000 h-1 with a feed gas containing 3 vol% O2. Under all experiments, the concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) were lower than 30 ppmv in the effluent gas streams. The reaction between O2 and CH4 could be depicted by using the Mars–van Krevelen redox mechanism based on a two-step reduction–oxidation reaction pathway.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Cloud droplet diffusional growth in homogeneous isotropic turbulence: bin microphysics versus Lagrangian super-droplet simulations

The increase in the spectral width of an initially monodisperse population of cloud droplets in homogeneous isotropic turbulence is investigated by applying a finite-difference fluid flow model combined with either Eulerian bin microphysics or a Lagrangian particle-based scheme. The turbulence is forced applying a variant of the so-called linear forcing method that maintains the mean turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and the TKE partitioning between velocity components. The latter is important for maintaining the quasi-steady forcing of the supersaturation fluctuations that drive the increase in the spectral width. We apply a large computational domain (64 3 m 3 ), one of the domains considered in Thomas et al. (2020). The simulations apply 1 m grid length and are in the spirit of the implicit large eddy simulation (ILES), that is, with small-scale dissipation provided by the model numerics. This is in contrast to the scaled-up direct numerical simulation (DNS) applied in Thomas et al. (2020). Two TKE intensities and three different droplet concentrations are considered. Analytic solutions derived in Sardina et al. (2015), valid for the case when the turbulence integral timescale is much larger than the droplet phase relaxation timescale, are used to guide the comparison between the two microphysics simulation techniques. The Lagrangian approach reproduces the scalings relatively well. Representing the spectral width increase in time is more challenging for the bin microphysics because appropriately high resolution in the bin space is needed. The bin width of 0.5 µm is only sufficient for the lowest droplet concentration (26 cm -3 ). For the highest droplet concentration (650 cm -3 ), an order of magnitude smaller bin size is barely sufficient. The scalings are not expected to be valid for the lowest droplet concentration and the high-TKE case, and the two microphysics schemes represent similar departures. Finally, because the fluid flow is the same for all simulations featuring either low or high TKE, one can compare point-by-point simulation results. Such a comparison shows very close temperature and water vapor point-by-point values across the computational domain and larger differences between simulated mean droplet radii and spectral width. The latter are explained by fundamental differences in the two simulation methodologies, numerical diffusion in the Eulerian bin approach and a relatively small number of Lagrangian particles that are used in the particle-based microphysics.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Spectral induced polarization monitoring of induced calcite precipitation in subsurface sediments

Co-precipitation of contaminants within the crystalline structure of calcite is a promising natural attenuation or remedial technology being considered at contaminated sites. We explore the sensitivity of the spectral induced polarization (SIP) method to induced calcite precipitation in natural sediments as a path forward to non-invasively monitor these sites. We performed time-lapse column experiments using phased (I-IV) injections over 40 days on natural sediments from the Hanford Site (Washington State, USA). In the phased injections, abiotic calcite precipitation was induced and confirmed to have occurred. Previous work in glass beads and homogeneous sand was limited to high frequency detection of calcite, however in this work we observed the development of two polarization mechanisms, one at high frequency (>100 Hz) and one at low frequency (< 100 Hz). Based on the characteristic frequencies from the SIP high and low frequency regimes, characteristic length scales (L) were computed where the adsorption mode of Na+ versus Ca2+ was compared by using diffusion coefficients corresponding to Na+ versus an arithmetically averaged value for Na+ and Ca2+. Using the diffusion coefficient of Na+, the high frequency L was found to correlate well with the size of the calcite crystals. The low frequency L correlated well with the individual natural sediment grain sizes within the columns. During late experimental times (day 36 and 40), the characteristic low frequency in two of the experimental columns shifted to lower frequencies (<0.001 Hz) which may signify SIP sensitivity of the formed calcite with the sediment grains. In field applications, the development of a low frequency polarization length scale to monitor calcite precipitation is promising for field monitoring applications, however further laboratory work needs to be performed to examine the SIP sensitivity of calcite formation in the presence of to natural sediments

calcium carbonate, calcite, precipitation, spectra↗

Shock propagation in aerogel and TPP foams for inertial fusion energy target design

Achieving practical inertial fusion energy (IFE) requires the development of target designs with well-characterized microstructure and compression response. We measured shock dynamics in low-density (17.5–500 mg/cm 3 ) aerogel and two-photon polymerization (TPP) foams using x-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI) methods and the Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector. By analyzing shock front evolution, we examined how target type and density influence shock propagation and energy dissipation. Talbot-XPCI shows that aerogels support a smooth, bowed shock front due to their homogeneous nanometer-scale pore network. In contrast, TPP foams exhibit irregular, stepwise propagation driven by interactions with their periodic micrometer-scale lattice. Shock velocity follows a power-law relation: aerogels deviate from classical ρ −1/2 scaling due to pore-collapse dissipation, while TPP foams follow the trend with larger uncertainties from density variations. Comparisons with xRAGE simulations reveal systematic underestimation of shock speeds. These results provide the first experimental constraints on shock propagation in TPP foams over a wide density range and highlight the influence of internal structure on anisotropic shock behavior. Our findings support improved benchmarking of EOS and hydrodynamic models and inform the design of foam architectures that promote implosion symmetry in IFE capsules.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Tafel Slope Analyses for Homogeneous Catalytic Reactions

Tafel analysis of electrocatalysts is essential in their characterization. This paper analyzes the application of Tafel-like analysis to the four-electron nonelectrochemical oxidation of water by the stoichiometric homogeneous 1-electron oxidant [Ru(bpy)3]3+ to dioxygen catalyzed by homogeneous catalysts, [Ru4O4(OH)2(H2O)4(γ-SiW10O36)2]10− (Ru4POM) and [Co4(H2O)2(PW9O34)2]10– (Co4POM). These complexes have slow electron exchange rates with electrodes due to the Frumkin effect, which precludes the use of known electrochemical methods to obtain Tafel plots at ionic strengths lower than 0.5 M. The application of an electron transfer catalyst, [Ru(bpy)3]3+/2+, increases the rates between the Ru4POM and electrode, but a traditional Tafel analysis of such a complex system is precluded due to a lack of appropriate theoretical models for 4-electron processes. Here, we develop a theoretical framework and experimental procedures for a Tafel-like analysis of Ru4POM and Co4POM, using a stoichiometric molecular oxidant [Ru(bpy)3]3+. The dependence of turnover frequency (TOF) as a function of electrochemical solution potential created by the [Ru(bpy)3]3+/[Ru(bpy)3]2+ redox couple (an analog of the Tafel plot) was obtained from kinetics data and interpreted based on the suggested reaction mechanism.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Functional Data Analysis for Extracting the Intrinsic Dimensionality of Spectra: Application to Chemical Homogeneity in the Open Cluster M67

High-resolution spectroscopic surveys of the Milky Way have entered the Big Data regime and have opened avenues for solving outstanding questions in Galactic archeology. However, exploiting their full potential is limited by complex systematics, whose characterization has not received much attention in modern spectroscopic analyses. In this work, we present a novel method to disentangle the component of spectral data space intrinsic to the stars from that due to systematics. Using functional principal component analysis on a sample of 18,933 giant spectra from APOGEE, we find that the intrinsic structure above the level of observational uncertainties requires ≈10 functional principal components (FPCs). Our FPCs can reduce the dimensionality of spectra, remove systematics, and impute masked wavelengths, thereby enabling accurate studies of stellar populations. To demonstrate the applicability of our FPCs, we use them to infer stellar parameters and abundances of 28 giants in the open cluster M67. We employ Sequential Neural Likelihood, a simulation-based Bayesian inference method that learns likelihood functions using neural density estimators, to incorporate non-Gaussian effects in spectral likelihoods. By hierarchically combining the inferred abundances, we limit the spread of the following elements in M67: Fe ≲ 0.02 dex; C ≲ 0.03 dex; O, Mg, Si, Ni ≲ 0.04 dex; Ca ≲ 0.05 dex; N, Al ≲ 0.07 dex (at 68% confidence). Our constraints suggest a lack of self-pollution by core-collapse supernovae in M67, which has promising implications for the future of chemical tagging to understand the star formation history and dynamical evolution of the Milky Way.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The Effect of Artificial SEIs on Lithium Metal Anode Morphology and Conductivity

Lithium metal has often been termed the “holy grail” of battery technology, due to its high capacity (2,061 mAh/cm3) and low electrochemical potential (-3.04 V vs. SHE). However, lithium’s beneficially low potential also causes it to be highly reactive in the presence of organic solvents, making it difficult to harness the high energy capabilities for rechargeable batteries. Common failure of lithium metal batteries occurs by rapid dendrite growth leading to a hazardous short-circuit. Various methods have been brought forth to better understand the fundamental mechanisms of lithium metal batteries, as well as modifications made to better stabilize lithium metal. A common route of modification is done through interface engineering, with attempts to artificially provide a stable, homogeneous solid-electrolyte interface (SEI). The stability of the SEI has direct effects on the heterogeneity of the electrode surface, which initiates a waterfall effect of for progressive reactions such as dendrite growth, dead lithium accumulation, and electrolyte consumption. This work aims to produce a mixed LiI-LiF artificial SEI to improve ionic conductivity while retaining a high elastic modulus.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Two Co-occurring Liana Species Strongly Differ in Their Hydraulic Traits in a Water-Limited Neotropical Forest

Lianas are a key growth form in tropical forests. They are believed to be strong competitors for water, thanks to their presumed efficient vascular systems. However, despite being a large polyphyletic group, they are currently often considered as a functionally homogeneous entity. In this study, we challenged this assumption by estimating the variability in hydraulic traits of two common, co-occurring liana species in a water-limited environment, namely, a seasonally dry tropical forest in Costa Rica. We measured vulnerability to embolism at the leaf and branch levels using two different methods (optical and acoustic vulnerability) and found that both species had very different hydraulic properties. Compared to reported P 50 values in literature, we found two extreme P 50 values: a low value for Bignonia diversifolia (−4.30 ± 0.54 MPa at the leaf level; −7.42 ± 0.54 MPa at the branch level) and a high value for Cissus microcarpa (−1.07 ± 0.14 at the leaf level; −1.20 ± 0.05 MPa at the branch level). Furthermore, B. diversifolia had a higher apparent modulus of elasticity in the radial direction (556.6 ± 401.0 MPa) and a variable midday water potential. On the other hand, C. microcarpa had a low apparent modulus of elasticity in the radial direction (37.8 ± 26.3 MPa) and a high branch water content, which enabled the species to keep its water potential stable during the dehydration experiments and during a drought period in the field. This mechanism may enable this species to coexist with species that are more resistant to drought-induced embolisms such as B. diversifolia . Although only two species were studied, considerable overlap was found between the range of hydraulic properties of trees growing in the same location and trees and lianas growing in two forests in Panama. These findings demonstrate that lianas cannot be considered as a homogeneous group and call for further research into the intra-growth form diversity of liana properties.

Coppieters, Kasper↗

Optimal Strategies for Hybrid Battery‐Storage Systems Design

As stationary hybrid energy‐storage systems (HESS) for power systems applications have recently drawn interest due to their enhanced performance and decreasing cost, developing systematic approaches for HESS design while considering controls is gaining traction. Herein, a method is presented to optimally design hybrid battery storage by proposing a mathematical modeling framework, formulated as a mixed integer linear programming model. The optimization is capable of handling multiple subsystems of batteries, considering their economic and technological performance. Decisions involve sizing of the batteries, optimal temporal and strategic dispatch to end uses, and energy sources for charging each battery. The applicability of the model is tested on four case studies for three battery chemistries representing distinct objectives: high‐power, high‐energy, and second life. Compared to traditionally designed battery storage with a homogeneous battery, optimally designed hybrid systems can save 12%–26% of system costs, depending on the nature of the dispatch profile. Findings point to design preference toward the second life battery supplemented with some high‐power or high‐energy battery capacity, or both. With the utilized electricity price structure, customers can experience approximately 10%–35% reduction in their bills.

Koleva, Mariya↗

Heterogeneous Fe‐N‐C Cocatalyst for Hydroquinone Oxidation Enables Aerobic Oxidation of Primary Alcohols to Aldehydes

Abstract Benzoquinone (BQ) is commonly used as a cocatalyst in multi‐component catalyst systems for aerobic oxidation of organic molecules. Such methods often proceed by a redox cascade in which a secondary catalyst supports aerobic oxidation of hydroquinone (HQ) to BQ. The present study shows that a commercially available non‐precious metal heterogeneous catalyst, PAJ‐Fe‐N‐C, is much more efficient than established homogeneous catalysts for aerobic oxidation of HQ to BQ, and this improved reactivity is crucial to support aerobic oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes with the homogeneous iridium catalyst, [Ir(trop 2 DAD]OTf (trop 2 DAD= N , N ‐bis(5‐ H ‐dibenzo[ a , d ]cycloheptene‐5‐yl)‐1,4‐diazabuta‐1,3‐diene). The combination of this heterogeneous/homogeneous catalyst system operates with Ir catalyst loadings as low as 0.05 mol % and turnover frequencies ≥350 h −1 .

Asmaul Hoque, Md [Department of Chemistry Universi↗

Heterogeneous Fe‐N‐C Cocatalyst for Hydroquinone Oxidation Enables Aerobic Oxidation of Primary Alcohols to Aldehydes

Abstract Benzoquinone (BQ) is commonly used as a cocatalyst in multi‐component catalyst systems for aerobic oxidation of organic molecules. Such methods often proceed by a redox cascade in which a secondary catalyst supports aerobic oxidation of hydroquinone (HQ) to BQ. The present study shows that a commercially available non‐precious metal heterogeneous catalyst, PAJ‐Fe‐N‐C, is much more efficient than established homogeneous catalysts for aerobic oxidation of HQ to BQ, and this improved reactivity is crucial to support aerobic oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes with the homogeneous iridium catalyst, [Ir(trop 2 DAD]OTf (trop 2 DAD= N , N ‐bis(5‐ H ‐dibenzo[ a , d ]cycloheptene‐5‐yl)‐1,4‐diazabuta‐1,3‐diene). The combination of this heterogeneous/homogeneous catalyst system operates with Ir catalyst loadings as low as 0.05 mol % and turnover frequencies ≥350 h −1 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Uncertainty of SW Cloud Radiative Effect in Atmospheric Models Due to the Parameterization of Liquid Cloud Optical Properties

Clouds are largely responsible for the spread of climate models predictions. Here we focus on the uncertainties in cloud shortwave radiative effect due to the parameterization of liquid cloud single scattering properties (SSPs) from liquid water content (LWC) and droplet number concentration (N), named parameterization of cloud optical properties. Uncertainties arise from not accounting for the droplet size distribution (DSD)—which affects the estimation of the effective radius (r eff ) and modulates the r eff -dependency of the SSPs—and from averaging SSPs over wide spectral bands. To assess these uncertainties a series of r eff -dependent SSPs parameterizations corresponding to various DSDs and spectral averaging methods are derived and implemented in a radiative code. Combined with the DSD-dependent estimation of r eff they are used to compute the bulk radiative properties (reflectance, transmittance, absorptance) of various clouds (defined in terms of LWC and N), including a homogeneous cloud, more realistic case studies, and outputs of a climate model. The results show that the cloud radiative forcing can vary up to 20% depending on the assumed DSD. Likewise, differences up to 20% are obtained for heating rates. The estimation of r eff is the main source of uncertainty, while the SSPs parameterization contributes to around 20% of the total uncertainty. Spectral averaging is less an issue, except for atmospheric absorption. Overall, global shortwave cloud radiative effect can vary by 6 W m –2 depending on the assumed DSD shape, which is about 13% of the best observational estimate.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Propagation of a Stress Pulse in a Heterogeneous Elastic Bar

The propagation of a wave pulse due to low-speed impact on a one-dimensional, heterogeneous bar is studied. Due to the dispersive character of the medium, the pulse attenuates as it propagates. This attenuation is studied over propagation distances that are much longer than the size of the microstructure. A homogenized peridynamic material model can be calibrated to reproduce the attenuation and spreading of the wave. The calibration consists of matching the dispersion curve for the heterogeneous material in the limit of long and moderately long wavelengths. It is demonstrated that the peridynamic method reproduces the attenuation of wave pulses predicted by an exact microstructural model over large propagation distances.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Material Characterization of Grade 91 Steel Welds using, Micro-resolution Ultrasonic Imaging System

Grade 91 (9Cr-1Mo-V) steel is a common structural material for fossil-fuel fired and nuclear power plants because of its creep strength and oxidation resistance at high temperatures. In this research, we studied the feasibility of correlating the high-resolution images obtained from the immersion ultrasonic imaging technique to microstructure regions in Grade 91 steel plate weldments. The high-resolution ultrasonic images presented in this paper were generated using a 20-MHz focused transducer as the transmitter, and a laser vibrometer as the receiver in the through transmission configuration to produce longitudinal and shear waves. This nondestructive evaluation (NDE) method was used to identify the Fusion Zone (FZ), Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ), and Base Metal (BM) regions of Grade 91 cold metal transfer (CMT) and flux core arc welds (FCAW). The ultrasonic imaging results were analyzed using beam propagation amplitudes and homogeneity, which in turn were used to relate the different microstructure regions of the FCAW and CMT welded samples. With this study, we were able to identify highly susceptible microstructures in the weld that could potentially promote creep type failures.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Real-Frequency Response Functions at Finite Temperature

Building on previous developments [A. Taheridehkordi, S. H. Curnoe, and J. P. F. LeBlanc, Phys. Rev. B 99, 035120 (2019); A. Taheridehkordi, S. H. Curnoe, and J. P. F. LeBlancPhys. Rev. B101, 125109 (2020); A. Taheridehkordi, S. H. Curnoe, and J. P. F. LeBlancPhys. Rev. B102, 045115 (2020), B. Holm and U. von Barth, Phys. Rev. B 57, 2108 (1998), J. Vičičevic and M. Ferrero, Phys. Rev. B 101, 075113 (2020)], we show that the diagrammatic Monte Carlo technique allows us to compute finite-temperature response functions directly on the real-frequency axis within any field-theoretical formulation of the interacting fermion problem. There are no limitations on the type and nature of the system’s action or whether partial summation and self-consistent treatment of certain diagram classes are used. In particular, by eliminating the need for numerical analytic continuation from a Matsubara representation, our scheme allows us to study spectral densities of arbitrary complexity with controlled accuracy in models with frequency-dependent effective interactions. Finally, for illustrative purposes we consider the problem of the plasmon linewidth in a homogeneous electron gas (jellium).

3-dimensional systems↗

Internal defect detection and characterization of samarium-cobalt sintered magnets by ultrasonic testing technique

Excessive quantities of samarium-cobalt (Sm-Co) magnet material are being scrapped needlessly due to a lack of understanding of inhomogeneity distribution and unacceptable internal defects. If there is a way to identify, locate, characterize and when needed separate the defective portions of magnet material, utilization can be increased and product quality improved. Further, the magnets’ magnetic and mechanical performance can be improved by reducing the occurrence of internal defects. This paper reports on a cost-effective and efficient nondestructive evaluation method based on an ultrasonic testing (UT) technique applied for detecting and characterizing internal defects in Sm-Co sintered magnets. Applying the UT technique will allow users to comprehensively analyze internal defects, such as inclusions, porosity, microcracks, and other structural irregularities, check for homogeneity and anomalous regions and give the locations of these internal anomalies and defects within the Sm-Co sintered magnets. The UT technique can also be applied to other rare-earth permanent magnets, such as sintered or die-upset neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnets. The UT technique can effectively guide quality control and acceptable product selection, in addition to optimizing the magnet alloy design and production processes. Therefore, it can facilitate the improvement of magnet manufacturing efficiency and machinability, reduce scrap, prolong service life, increase the use of what would be post-production waste, and enhance product reuse and recycling at end-of-life disposition.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mapping strain and structural heterogeneities around bubbles in amorphous ionically conductive Bi 2 O 3

While amorphous materials are often approximated to have a statistically homogeneous atomic structure, they frequently exhibit localized structural heterogeneity that challenges simplified models. This study uses 4D scanning transmission electron microscopy to investigate the strain and structural modifications around gas bubbles in amorphous Bi 2 O 3 induced by argon irradiation. We present a method for determining strain fields surrounding bubbles that can be used to measure the internal pressure of the gas. Compressive strain is observed around the cavities, with higher-order crystalline symmetries emerging near the cavity interfaces, suggesting paracrystalline ordering as a result of bubble coarsening. This ordering, along with a compressive strain gradient, indicates that gas bubbles induce significant localized changes in atomic packing. By analyzing strain fields with maximum compressive strains of 3%, we estimate a lower bound on the internal pressure of the bubbles at 2.5 GPa. These findings provide insight into the complex structural behavior of amorphous materials under stress, particularly in systems with gas inclusions, and offer new methods for probing the local atomic structure in disordered materials. Although considering structural heterogeneity in amorphous systems is non-trivial, these features have crucial impacts on material functionalities, such as mechanical strength, ionic conductivity, and electronic mobility.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗