GD-OES study of the influence of second phase particles on the deuterium depth distribution in dispersion-strengthened tungsten
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Lang, E. (ORCID:0000000151361875)↗
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Results for “Particle dispersion”
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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Microwave-assisted ammonia synthesis over Cs-Ru/CeO 2 catalyst at ambient pressure: Effects of metal loading and support particle size
Industrially, ammonia is produced by Haber-Bosch process under high temperatures and pressures, consuming more than >2% of the world's energy production. This paper presents microwave-assisted catalytic synthesis of ammonia operated at atmospheric pressure and temperatures from 260 to 360 °C. A Cs-promoted Ru catalyst supported on cerium oxide with different metal loading (4–24 wt% Ru) and support particle size (25nm, 50nm and 5μm) was investigated. The small size cerium oxide support resulted in the highest activity while the large cerium oxide support was less favorable, leading to lower activity associated to large Ru particle size and lower dispersion.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Reversing sintering effect of Ni particles on γ-Mo 2 N via strong metal support interaction
Reversing the thermal induced sintering phenomenon and forming high temperature stable fine dispersed metallic centers with unique structural and electronic properties is one of the ever-lasting targets of heterogeneous catalysis. Here we report that the dispersion of metallic Ni particles into under-coordinated two-dimensional Ni clusters over γ-Mo 2 N is a thermodynamically favorable process based on the AIMD simulation. A Ni-4nm/γ-Mo 2 N model catalyst is synthesized and used to further study the reverse sintering effect by the combination of multiple in-situ characterization methods, including in-situ quick XANES and EXAFS, ambient pressure XPS and environmental SE/STEM etc. The under-coordinated two-dimensional layered Ni clusters on molybdenum nitride support generated from the Ni-4nm/γ-Mo 2 N has been demonstrated to be a thermally stable catalyst in 50 h stability test in CO 2 hydrogenation, and exhibits a remarkable catalytic selectivity reverse compared with traditional Ni particles-based catalyst, leading to a chemo-specific CO 2 hydrogenation to CO.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
High energy, long cycle life electrode for lithium-ion batteries
Anodes for electrochemical cells and batteries are described herein. In particular, and anode comprises silicon oxide particles on a transition metal current collector (e.g., copper, nickel, copper alloy, and the like), wherein the particles comprise nanocrystalline domains of silicon dispersed within a silicon oxide matrix. The particles do not include a metal oxide coating, and are produced by heating a silicon monoxide powder at a temperature in the range of about 400 to about 1100° C. under an inert atmosphere for about 2 to about 20 hours. In some embodiments, the particles are free from a metal oxide coating and have an average diameter of about 20 to 10000 nm; the nanocrystalline domains of silicon comprise about 10 to about 90 mole percent of the particles; and the nanocrystalline domains have dimensions of about 0.2 to about 50 nm in average diameter.
25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
Structural uniformity and compositional homogeneity of solid-phase alloyed rod
Solid-phase processes have emerged as an alternative to fusion-based alloying to avoid coarse microstructures, undesirable phase formation, and high energy consumption. However, achieving uniform distribution of alloying elements during friction-based processing remains challenging due to highly heterogeneous thermomechanical conditions. This work evaluates the structural uniformity and compositional homogeneity of Al–Cu–Zn alloyed rods produced by friction extrusion (FE) and establishes the role of the rotational speed to feed rate ratio (N/V) on alloying effectiveness. A systematic matrix of FE experiments was conducted at constant extrusion ratio with N/V values ranging from 3.7 to 300. Compositional uniformity was assessed along the rod length (ICP-OES), in three dimensions (X-ray computed tomography), and at the microscale (SEM–EDS), supported by a gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM)–based homogeneity metric. Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations were used to reveal material flow and thermomechanical fields. Results show that N/V = 100 produces a high-shear mixing zone that eliminates the unmixed core and enables near-full dissolution and dispersion of Cu and Zn. At lower N/V, a laminar flow region persists at the rod center, causing segregation and large composition gradients. The combined experimental–computational analysis provides mechanistic insight into the transition from fragmented particle dispersion to thermomechanically assisted metallurgical mixing. This study establishes processing–structure relationships for solid-phase alloying and provides guidance for achieving homogenized compositions comparable to wrought alloys via rapid, scalable FE processing.
Aluminum↗
Association of Mesoscale Auroral Structures and Breakups With Energetic Particle Injections at Geosynchronous Orbit
Geomagnetic substorms are associated with characteristic energetic particle injection signatures at geosynchronous orbit that are often dispersionless in both electrons and ions near the magnetic local time sector of auroral onset locations and are dispersed farther away from this region. Although the precise mechanism responsible for the coherent injection signatures at geosynchronous orbit have been the topic on considerable ongoing debate for decades, recent work on bursty bulk flows (BBFs) in the tail have led to the hypothesis that they may be the result of multiple, overlapping flow bursts penetrating into the inner magnetosphere from more distant downtail reconnection sites. Since auroral streamers are thought to be ionospheric signatures of BBFs in the tail, they can be used as proxies for testing this hypothesis. Using high resolution auroral imagery from the POLAR/VIS instrument combined with multi-spacecraft observations of energetic particle injections at geosynchronous orbit, we examine the association of mesoscale auroral structures with particle injection signatures over many hours during the 9 November 1998 storm. We find that the explosive types of auroral activations, such as pseudo-breakups and substorm onset breakups, are associated with the more intense and well-defined dispersed injection signatures, while intervals of isolated streamer activity appear to be associated with smaller dispersed “injectionlet” signatures. Furthermore, intervals of sustained, intense, and late expansion phase/recovery phase streamer activity appear to be associated with sustained elevated dispersed particle fluxes. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that it is the overlapping effects of sustained, intense multiple flow bursts penetrating toward the Earth that result in classical substorm particle injection signatures at geosynchronous orbit. However, it is also suggested that torches/omega-band tongues are the prime fate of braking isolated flow bursts (streamers) rather than the development of breakups, bulges, and substorm current wedge formation. A statistical analysis is presented showing that 93% of the observed torches evolved from streamers, 93% of streamers arriving in the equatorward regions of the bulge led to torches, 10.5% of such streamers led to breakups (either pseudo-breakups or substorm onsets), and only 3.5% of such streamers led to substorm onsets.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
Numerical modeling for dilute and dense sprays
We have successfully implemented a numerical model for spray-combustion calculations. In this model, the governing gas-phase equations in Eulerian coordinate are solved by a time-marching multiple pressure correction procedure based on the operator-splitting technique. The droplet-phase equations in Lagrangian coordinate are solved by a stochastic discrete particle technique. In order to simplify the calculation procedure for the circulating droplets, the effective conductivity model is utilized. The k-epsilon models are utilized to characterize the time and length scales of the gas phase in conjunction with turbulent modulation by droplets and droplet dispersion by turbulence. This method entails random sampling of instantaneous gas flow properties and the stochastic process requires a large number of computational parcels to produce the satisfactory dispersion distributions even for rather dilute sprays. Two major improvements in spray combustion modelings were made. Firstly, we have developed a probability density function approach in multidimensional space to represent a specific computational particle. Secondly, we incorporate the Taylor Analogy Breakup (TAB) model for handling the dense spray effects. This breakup model is based on the reasonable assumption that atomization and drop breakup are indistinguishable processes within a dense spray near the nozzle exit. Accordingly, atomization is prescribed by injecting drops which have a characteristic size equal to the nozzle exit diameter. Example problems include the nearly homogeneous and inhomogeneous turbulent particle dispersion, and the non-evaporating, evaporating, and burning dense sprays. Comparison with experimental data will be discussed in detail.
Chen, C. P.↗
Thickness of the particle swarm in cosmic ray air showers
The average dispersion in arrival time of air shower particles detected with a scintillator at an impact parameter r is described with accuracy 5-10% by the empirical formula sigma = Sigma sub to (1+r/r sub t) sup b, where Sigma sub to = 2.6 ns, r sub t = 30m and b = (1.94 + or - .08) (0.39 + or - .06) sec Theta, for r 2 km, 10 to the 8th power E 10 to the 11th power GeV, and Theta 60 deg. (E is the primary energy and theta is the zenith angle). The amount of fluctuation in sigma sub t due to fluctuations in the level of origin and shower development is less than 20%. These results provide a basis for estimating the impact parameters of very larger showers with data from very small detector arrays (mini-arrays). The energy of such showers can then be estimated from the local particle density. The formula also provides a basis for estimating the angular resolution of air shower array-telescopes.
Linsley, J.↗
Particle–hole asymmetry and quantum confinement effects on the magneto-optical response of topological insulator thin-films
Intrinsically broken symmetries in the bulk of topological insulators (TIs) are manifested in their surface states. Despite particle–hole asymmetry in TIs, it has often been assumed that their surface states are characterized by a particle–hole symmetric Dirac energy dispersion. In this work, we demonstrate that the effect of particle–hole asymmetry is essential to correctly describe the energy spectrum and the magneto-optical response in TIs thin-films. In thin-films of TIs with a substantial degree of particle–hole symmetry breaking, such as Sb 2 Te 3 , the longitudinal optical conductivity displays absorption peaks arising from optical transitions between bulk and surface Landau levels for low photon energies. The transition energies between the bulk and surface Landau levels exhibit clearly discernable signatures from those between surface Landau levels due to their distinct magnetic field dependence. Furthermore, bulk contributions to the magneto-optical conductivity in a TI thin-film are enhanced via one type of doping while being suppressed by the other. This asymmetric dependence on the type of doping aids in revealing the particle–hole asymmetry in TI thin-films.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
PFSA-Ionomer Adsorption to C and Pt/C Particles in Fuel-Cell Inks
Catalyst inks used to make fuel-cell electrodes consist of Pt/C catalyst particles and a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer dispersed in water/alcohol solvent mixtures. PFSA ionomer in the ink adsorbs to the surface of the catalyst particles, dictating the dispersion colloid properties. Following adsorption, the subsequent distribution of excess nonadsorbed ionomer in the ink then governs the final structure of the electrode. Here, we characterize the adsorption of the PFSA ionomer onto Pt/C catalyst particles. PFSA adsorption is largely irreversible. Adsorbed sulfonic-acid moieties impart a negative charge on the catalyst surface, causing electrostatic repulsion between the free ionomer in solution and the ionomer-covered Pt/C particle surface. The amount of adsorption is limited by the resulting electrostatic charge that grows as more ionomer adsorbs, and the catalyst surface becomes more negatively charged. Attenuating electrostatic repulsion by increasing the ink ionic strength promotes ionomer adsorption. Electrostatically limited adsorption is observed, irrespective of the solvent water/n-propanol ratio or the catalyst particle porosity and Pt loading. Experimentally measured ionomer adsorption isotherms are well predicted by a Smoluchowski-based kinetic adsorption model, in which the electrostatic energy barrier for adsorption is predicted from DLVO theory. These findings help to unravel the complex phenomena within these colloidal dispersions, allowing for subsequent tailoring of inks to optimize fuel-cell electrode structure and performance.
Adsorption↗
Cost-Effective Thermomechanical Processing of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys: Microstructure and Mechanical Properties Investigation
Nanostructured ferritic alloys (NFAs), such as oxide-dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys, play a vital role in advanced fission and fusion reactors, offering superior properties when incorporating nanoparticles under irradiation. Despite their importance, the high cost of mass-producing NFAs through mechanical milling presents a challenge. This study delves into the microstructure-mechanical property correlations of three NFAs produced using a novel, cost-effective approach combining severe plastic deformation (SPD) with the continuous thermomechanical processing (CTMP) method. Analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) revealed nano-grain structures and phases, while scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM)-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) quantified the size and density of Ti-N, Y-O, and Cr-O fine particles. Atom probe tomography (APT) further confirmed the absence of finer Y-O particles and characterized the chemical composition of the particles, suggesting possible nitride dispersion strengthening. Correlation of microstructure and mechanical testing results revealed that CTMP alloys, despite having lower nanoparticle densities, exhibit strength and ductility comparable to mechanically milled ODS alloys, likely due to their fine grain structure. However, higher nanoparticle densities may be necessary to prevent cavity swelling under high-temperature irradiation and helium gas production. Further enhancements in uniform nanoparticle distribution and increased sink strength are recommended to mitigate cavity swelling, advancing their suitability for nuclear applications.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Aqueous transfer of colloidal metal oxide nanocrystals via base-driven ligand exchange
In our work we develop a base-driven ligand stripping method for metal oxide nanocrystals, replacing oleate ligands with hydroxyls to create an aqueous dispersion. We generalize this method across a range of material compositions, particle sizes, and particle shapes to get stable dispersions.
Lakhanpal, Vikram S.↗
Sound Propagation in Gas-Vapor-Droplet Suspensions with Evaporation and Nonlinear Particle Relaxation
The Sound attenuation and dispersion in saturated gas-vapor-droplet mixture in the presence of evaporation has been investigated theoretically. The theory is based on an extension of the work of Davidson to accommodate the effects of nonlinear particle relaxation processes of mass, momentum and energy transfer on sound attenuation and dispersion. The results indicate the existence of a spectral broadening effect in the attenuation coefficient (scaled with respect to the peak value) with a decrease in droplet mass concentration. It is further shown that for large values of the droplet concentration the scaled attenuation coefficient is characterized by a universal spectrum independent of droplet mass concentration.
Kandula, Max↗
Modeling the microplastic distribution along the Delaware River Estuary: Accumulation patterns and hydrodynamic influences
Microplastic pollution is an escalating environmental concern, particularly in densely populated estuary regions, where it poses significant threats to aquatic life and human health. The dispersion patterns of microplastic particles along estuaries are influenced and complicated by multiple environmental factors such as river flow, tidal mixing, salt intrusion, and estuarine circulation. This study examines the accumulation and dispersion patterns by modeling three typical classes of microplastics in the Delaware River Estuary: synthetic fibers, sinking plastic films, and rising plastic pellets. Our findings reveal specific areas with high microplastic accumulation for each type. Notably, the upper estuary regions exhibit significant retention of rising microplastics, associated with a region with reduced along-thalweg velocities downstream of Trenton, NJ and upstream of Philadelphia, PA. Conversely, synthetic fibers and sinking plastic films accumulate in the flow convergence zone near the bottom salinity front, typically downstream of Philadelphia. All of the microplastic accumulation hot spot locations are controlled by the balance of river discharge and salinity intrusions. During the dry season, microplastic accumulation hot spots shift upstream in the estuary, whereas in the wet season, the strong river discharge pushes them downstream. Furthermore, on the other hand, tidal mixing, settling, and resuspension processes strongly impact the spreading of microplastics along the river.
Delaware River Estuary↗
Properties of splat-quenched 7075 aluminum type alloys
The 7075 alloy belonging to the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu system, prepared by powder metallurgy techniques, was used in a study of alloys prepared from splat-quenched foils consolidated into bar material by hot extrusion. Ni and Fe were included in one alloy specimen, producing a fine dispersion of FeAl3 type particles which added to the strength of the aged alloy but did not coarsen upon heat treatment. Fine oxide films showing up on air-splatted foils induce finely dispersed oxide stringers (if the foils are not hot-worked subsequently) which in turn promote axial cracking (but longitudinal tensile strength is not seriously impaired). Splatting in a protective atmosphere, or thermomechanical processing, is recommended to compensate for this.
Durand, J. P. H. A.↗
Methodology for Producing a Uniform Distribution of UO2 in a Tungsten Matrix
Current work at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is focused on the development CERMET fuel materials for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP). The CERMETs consist of uranium dioxide (UO2) fuel particles embedded in a tungsten (W) metal matrix. Initial testing of W-UO2 samples fabricated from fine angular powders performed reasonably well, but suffered from significant fuel loss during repeated thermal cycling due to agglomeration of the UO2 (1). The blended powder mixtures resulted in a non-uniform dispersion of the UO2 particles in the tungsten matrix, which allows rapid vaporization of the interconnected UO2 from the sample edges into the bulk material. Also, the angular powders create areas of stress concentrations due to thermal expansion mismatch, which eventually cracks the tungsten matrix. Evenly coating spherical UO2 particles with chemical vapor deposited (CVD) tungsten prior to consolidation was previously demonstrated to provide improved performance. However, the CVD processing technology is expensive and not currently available. In order to reduce cost and enhance performance, a powder coating process has been developed at MSFC to produce a uniform distribution of the spherical UO2 particles in a tungsten matrix. The method involves utilization of a polyethylene binder during mixing which leads to fine tungsten powders clinging to the larger UO2 spherical particles. This process was developed using HfO2 as a surrogate for UO2. Enough powder was mixed to make 8 discs (2cm diameter x 8mm thickness) using spark plasma sintering. A uniaxial pressure of 50 MPa was used at four different temperatures (2 samples at each temperature). The first two samples were heated to 1400C and 1500C respectively for 5 minutes. Densities for these samples were less than 85% of theoretical, so the time at temperature was increased to 20 minutes for the remaining samples. The highest densities were achieved for the two samples sintered at 1700C (approx. 92% of theoretical). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the mixed powders and the sintered samples along with energy dispersive x-ray analysis was obtained. The SEM of the powders clearly show the fine W powder adhered to the larger HfO2 particles and a uniform distribution of HfO2 particles in a tungsten matrix upon densification. Vicker's Microhardness testing was also performed on all samples using 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 kg loads. Five indents were made at each load level. All indents were placed in the tungsten matrix to assist as a proxy in measuring densification. The highest hardness value was obtained for the 1700C specimens. The hardness average for these samples was 312.14 MPa. This powder processing method has been applied to W/UO2 powders with the SEM of the powders appearing similar to the W/HfO2 powder images.
Tucker, Dennis S.↗
Surface morphology and chemistry of rusty particle 60002,108
Scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray, and microprobe analyses of the surface of rusty colored particle 60002,108 from deep core 60002 reveal the particle to be basically metallic Ni-Fe that probably grew in contact with silicate minerals, principally plagioclase and pyroxene, and was later partially oxidized and hydrated. A yellowish wrinkled and 'shatter cone' like granular material that is either iron oxide or oxyhydrate may have formed while the particle was in the lunar environment. Ruby-red mounds of lawrencite formed, and the reaction of lawrencite, metallic Ni-Fe, and water vapor resulted in aprons of iron oxyhydrate that surrounds these mounds and flows out over the preexisting yellowish granular substrate. The observations do not allow one to distinguish unequivocally between the initiation of hydration of the ruby-red lawrencite mounds in the lunar environment followed by reaction in the terrestrial and/or spacecraft environment or only reaction in the terrestrial and/or spacecraft environment. The relationship of the lawrencite-rich mounds to the yellowish granular substrate favors the first possibility.
Carter, J. L.↗
High-temperature LDV seed particle development
The feasibility of developing a method for making monodisperse, unagglomerated spherical particles greater than 50 nm in diameter was demonstrated. Carbonaceous particles were made by pyrolyzing ethylene with a pulsed CO2 laser, thereby creating a non-equilibrium mixture of carbon, hydrogen, hydrocarbon vapors, and unpyrolyzed ethylene. Via a complex series of reactions, the carbon and hydrocarbon vapors quickly condensed into the spherical particles. By cooling and dispersing them in a supersonic expansion immediately after their creation, the hot newly-formed spheres were prevented from colliding and coalescing, thus preventing the problem of agglomeration which as plagued other investigators studying laser-simulated particle formation. The cold particles could be left suspended in the residual gases indefinitely without agglomerating. Their uniform sizes and unagglomerated nature were visualized by collecting the particles on filters that were subsequently examined using electron microscopy. It was found the mean particle size can be coarsely controlled by varying the initial ethylene pressure, and can be finely controlled by varying the fluence (energy/unit area) with which the laser irradiates the gas. The motivating application for this research was to manufacture particles that could be used as laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) seeds in high-temperature high-speed flows. Though the particles made in this program will not evaporate until heated to about 3000 K, and thus could serve as LDV seeds in some applications, they are not ideal when the hot atmosphere is also oxidizing. In that situation, ceramic materials would be preferable. Research performed elsewhere has demonstrated that selected ceramic materials can be manufactured by laser pyrolysis of appropriate supply gases. It is anticipated that, when the same gases are used in conjunction with the rapid cooling technique, unagglomerated spherical ceramic particles can be made with little difficulty. Such particles would also be valuable to manufacturers of ceramic or abrasive products, and this technique may find its greatest commercial potential in those areas.
Frish, Michael B.↗