Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “STRENGTH CALCULATIONS”

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 451 records · Page 25

Selective electron-phonon coupling strength from nonequilibrium optical spectroscopy: The case of MgB 2

The coupling between quasiparticles and bosonic excitations rules the energy transfer pathways in condensed matter systems. The possibility of inferring the strength of specific coupling channels from their characteristic timescales measured in nonequilibrium experiments is still an open question. Here, in this study, we investigate MgB 2 , in which conventional superconductivity at temperatures as high as 39 K is mediated by the strong coupling between the conduction electrons and the 𝐸 2⁢𝑔 phonon mode. By means of broadband time-resolved optical spectroscopy, we show that this selective electron-phonon coupling dictates the nonequilibrium optical response of MgB 2 at early times (<100 fs) after photoexcitation. Furthermore, based on an effective temperature model analysis, we estimate its contribution to the total electron-boson coupling function extracted from complementary equilibrium spectroscopy approaches, namely, optical reflectivity and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The coupling strength with the 𝐸 2⁢𝑔 phonon modes is thus estimated to be 𝜆 ≃ 0.56, which is approximately half of the total coupling constant, in agreement with 𝑎𝑏 initio calculations from the literature. As a benchmark, broadband time-resolved optical spectroscopy is performed also on the isostructural and nonsuperconducting compound AlB 2 , showing that the nonequilibrium optical response relaxes on a slower timescale due to the lack of strongly coupled phonon modes. Our findings demonstrate the possibility to resolve and quantify selective electron-phonon coupling from nonequilibrium optical spectroscopy.

Mor, Selene [Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore,↗

Evolution of shape and collectivity along the Ge isotopic chain: The case of 80 Ge

In this work, the shape and collectivity of 80 Ge were investigated via a sub-barrier-energy Coulomb excitation measurement using the JANUS setup at the NSCL ReA3 facility. The 80 Ge spectroscopic quadrupole moment $Q_{s}(2^{+}_{1})$ of the $2^{+}_{1}$ state was measured for the first time, and the precision of the 80 Ge $B(E2; 0^{+}_{1}$ → $2^{+}_{1}$) transition strength was increased. The experimental $Q_{s}(2^{+}_{1})$ value indicates a large, prolate deformation for 80 Ge, which is consistent with large-scale shell-model calculations performed for comparison. These results provide important benchmarks for models that try to describe nuclear shape in neutron-rich nuclei near the magic number N=50.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Phonon Hall Viscosity of Ionic Crystals

When time-reversal symmetry is broken, the low-energy description of acoustic lattice dynamics allows for a dissipationless component of the viscosity tensor, the phonon Hall viscosity, which captures how phonon chirality grows with the wave vector. In this work, we show that, in ionic crystals, a phonon Hall viscosity contribution is produced by the Lorentz forces on moving ions. We calculate typical values of the Lorentz force contribution to the Hall viscosity using a simple square lattice toy model, and we compare it with literature estimates of the strengths of other Hall-viscosity mechanisms.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Experimental and modeling studies of PR and ND oxalate solubility to high ionic strengths: Insight into actinide(III) oxalates

Actinide oxalates are chemical compounds important to nuclear industry, ranging from actinide separation in waste reprocessing, to production of specialty actinides, and to disposal of high level nuclear waste (HLW) and spent nuclear fuel (SNF). In this study, the solubility constants for Pr 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O and Nd 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O by performing solubility experiments in HNO 3 and mixtures of HNO 3 and H 2 C 2 O 4 at 23.0 ± 0.2 °C have been determined. The targeted starting materials, Pr 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O and Nd 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O, were successfully synthesized at room temperature using PrCl 3 , NdCl 3 and oxalic acid as the source metrials. Then, we utilized the targeted solubility-controlling phases to conduct solubility measurements. There was no phase change over the entire periods of experiments, demonstrating that Pr 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O and Nd 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O were the solubility-controlling phases in our respective experiments. Based on our experimental data, we have developed a thermodynamic model for Pr 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O and Nd 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O in the mixtures of HNO 3 and H 2 C 2 O 4 to high ionic strengths. The model for Pr 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O reproduces well the reported experimental data for Pu 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O, which are not utilized for the model development, demonstrating that Pr(III) is an excellent analog for Pu(III). Similarly, the model for Nd 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O reproduces the solubility of Am 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O and Cm 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O. The Pitzer model was used for the calculation of activity coefficients. Based on the published, well established model for dissociation constants for oxalic acid and stability constants for actinide-oxalate complexes [i.e., AmC 2 O 4 + , and Am(C 2 O 4 ) 2 - ] to high ionic strengths, we have obtained the solubility constants (log 10 K 0 ) for the following reactions at 25 °C, Pr 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O ⇌ 2Pr 3+ + 3C 2 O 4 2- + 10H 2 O(l). Nd 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O ⇌ 2Nd 3+ + 3C 2 O 4 2- + 10H 2 O(l). to be -30.82 ± 0.30 (2σ), and - 31.14 ± 0.35 (2σ), respectively. These values for can be directly applied to Pu 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O, Am 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O and Cm 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O. The model established for actinide oxalates by this study provides the needed knowledge with regard to solubilities of actinide/REE oxalates at various ionic strengths, and is expected to find applications in many fields, including the geological disposal of nuclear waste and the mobility of REE under the surface conditions, as Pr 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O and Nd 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O can be regarded as the pure Pr and Nd end-members of deveroite, a recently discovered natural REE oxalate with the following stoichiometry, (Ce 1.01 Nd 0.33 La 0.32 Pr 0.11 Y 0.11 Sm 0.01 Pb 0.04 U 0.03 Th 0.01 Ca 0.04 ) 2.01 (C 2 O 4 ) 2.99 •9.99H 2 O. Regarding its importance in the geological disposal of nuclear waste, Am 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O/Pu 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O/Cm 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O can be the source-term phase for actinides, as demonstrated by the instance in the disposal in clay/shale formations. This is exemplified by the stability of Am 2 (C 2 O 4 ) 3 •10H 2 O in comparison with Am(OH) 3 (am), Am(OH) 3 (s) and AmCO 3 (OH)(s) under the relevant geological repository conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Controlled Placement of Trivalent Heteroatoms in MFI Zeolite Frameworks Using Structure-Directing Agents

MFI zeolites contain distinct confining pore environments, either smaller (∼0.55 nm) channels or larger (∼0.70 nm) intersections. The substitution of trivalent heteroatoms generates Brønsted acid sites of varying acid strength, which, together with their location within different pore environments, dictates the stability of transition states via electrostatic (ion-pair) and van der Waals interactions. Here, we report that structure-directing agents (SDAs) that control Al 3+ substitutional patterns during MFI crystallization analogously position other trivalent heteroatoms (Ga 3+ , Fe 3+ , B 3+ ), altering the distribution of acid sites between channels and intersections, as probed by low-temperature (403 K) toluene methylation kinetics. Heteroatom-substituted MFI crystallized with tetrapropylammonium result in low selectivity toward p-xylene (<30%), while those crystallized using (co-)SDAs containing peripheral hydrogen-bonding groups (e.g., ethylenediamine) show high p-xylene selectivity (∼80%). These selectivities are consistent with DFT-calculated Gibbs free energy barriers for intersection-dominant and channel-dominant active site distributions, respectively. Transition states to form each xylene isomer are similar in size and charge; thus, their rate constants decrease with acid strength similarly, causing isomer selectivity to depend strongly on confinement but not on acid strength. These generalizable synthetic strategies enable independently controlling acid site strength and location in MFI zeolites and, in turn, catalytic rates and selectivities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Unmasking the Origin of Kinks in the Photoemission Spectra of Cuprate Superconductors

The origin of a ubiquitous bosonic coupling feature in the photoemission spectra of high- T c cuprates, an energy-momentum dispersion “kink” observed at ~70 meV binding energy, remains a two-decade-old mystery. Understanding this phenomenon requires an accurate description of the coupling between the electron and some collective modes. In this work, we report ab initio calculations based on G W perturbation theory and show that correlation-enhanced electron-phonon interaction in cuprates gives rise to the strong kinks, which not only explains quantitatively the observations but provides new understanding of experiments. Our results reveal it is the electron density of states being the predominant factor in determining the doping dependence of the kink size, manifesting the multiband nature of the cuprates, as opposed to the prevalent belief of it being a measure of the mode-coupling strength.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Impact of post-irradiation annealing on mechanical performance of irradiated 718 alloy

Here, the effect of post-irradiation annealing on solution-annealed 718 alloy was investigated using advanced mechanical testing, fractography, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Specimens were extracted from a proton beam window operated at the Spallation Neutron Source, irradiated with 940 MeV protons to a maximum dose of approximately 9.7 displacements per atom (dpa) at a calculated temperature not exceeding 110 °C while in service. Helium and hydrogen concentrations reached about 1700 and 6900 atomic parts per million (appm), respectively. Despite irradiation and high tensile strength (yield stress over 1 GPa), the material exhibited significant ductility. Annealing at 500 °C, 700 °C, and 900 °C for 30 min resulted in an appreciable decrease in yield strength and an increase in ductility for annealing treatments at 500 °C and 900 °C relative to the strength and ductility of the as-irradiated material. The presence of helium and hydrogen led to cavity formation and cleavage-like brittle features on fractured surfaces; however, high-magnification imaging revealed the presence of small-scale ductile dimples, indicating that the fracture mechanism remained mixed. The annealed specimens retained total elongation levels of 14–33 %, and there was no sudden drop in ductility after heat treatments. The ductility level in the irradiated and annealed material is notable despite the presence of helium and hydrogen.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Analysis of contact conditions and microstructure evolution in shear assisted processing and extrusion using smoothed particle hydrodynamics method

Shear assisted processing and extrusion (ShAPE) is a solid-phase processing technique that adds an additional shear force as compared with a conventional extrusion approach. Recently, ShAPE has demonstrated the capability of extruding high-performance aluminum alloy 7075 (AA7075) tubes at speeds up to 12.2 m/min without surface tearing. However, the relationship among the ShAPE processing parameters, thermomechanical conditions, contact conditions, heat generation, and microstructure evolution remains primarily empirical because an insightful understanding of the associated physics is still lacking. To help elucidate these relationships, this work proposes a thermomechanical meshfree model for the first time for ShAPE processing of AA7075 using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. The meshfree model is first validated thoroughly by experimental data in terms of material flow, die face temperature, and extrusion force with various processing parameters. The validated model is then used to analyze the steady-state contact conditions and heat generation rates during ShAPE processing. Distributions of the average grain size of AA7075 being extruded are calculated using the SPH model output. The meshfree model results reveal that extrusions conducted at lower temperatures and higher strain rates yield more refined grains and possibly higher material strength, which is also consistent with the experimental observations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Elucidation of Active Sites in Aldol Condensation of Acetone over Single-Facet Dominant Anatase TiO 2 (101) and (001) Catalysts

Aldol condensations of carbonyl compounds for C–C bond formation are a very important class of reactions in organic synthesis and upgrading of biomass-derived feedstocks. However, the atomic level understanding of reaction mechanisms and structure-activity correlation on widely used transition metal oxide catalysts are limited due to the high degree of struc-tural heterogeneity of catalysts such as commercial TiO 2 powders. Here, we provide a deep understanding of the reaction mechanisms, kinetics, and structure–function relationships for vapor phase acetone aldol condensation through the con-trolled synthesis of two catalysts with high surface areas and clean, dominant facets, coupled with detailed characterization and kinetic studies that are further assisted by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Temperature-dependent diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy showed the existence of abundant acetone bonded to surface hydroxyl groups (acetone-O s H) and acetone bonded to Lewis acid sites (acetone-Ti 5c ) on surface of both {101} and {001} facet dom-inant TiO 2 . Intermolecular C–C coupling of enolate intermediate from acetone-Ti 5c and a vicinal acetone-O s H is a kinetically relevant step, which is consistent with kinetic and isotopic studies and DFT calculations. The {001} facet showed a lower apparent activation energy (or higher reactivity) than the {101} facet. This is likely caused by the weaker Lewis acid and Brønsted base strengths of the {001} facet which favors the reprotonation–desorption of the coupled intermediate, making the C–C coupling step more exothermic on the {001} facet and resulting in an earlier transition state with a lower activation barrier. It is also possible that the {001} facet has a smoother surface configuration and less steric hindrance during intermo-lecular C–C bond formation than the {101} facet.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Scattering Processes from Quantum Simulation Algorithms for Scalar Field Theories

We provide practical simulation methods for scalar field theories on a quantum computer that yield improved asymptotics as well as concrete gate estimates for the simulation and physical qubit estimates using the surface code. We achieve these improvements through two optimizations. First, we consider a finite volume approach for estimating the elements of the S-matrix. This approach is appropriate in general for 1+1D and for certain low-energy elastic collisions in higher dimensions. Second, we implement our approach using a series of different fault-tolerant simulation algorithms for Hamiltonians formulated both in the field occupation basis and field amplitude basis. Our algorithms are based on either second-order Trotterization or qubitization. The cost of Trotterization in occupation basis scales as O ( λ N 7 | Ω | 3 / ( M 5 / 2 ϵ 3 / 2 ) ) where λ is the coupling strength, N is the occupation cutoff, | Ω | is the volume of the spatial lattice, M is the mass of the particles and ϵ is the uncertainty in the energy calculation used for the S -matrix determination. Qubitization in the field basis scales as O ( | Ω | 2 ( k 2 Λ + k M 2 ) / ϵ ) , where k is the cutoff in the field and Λ is a scaled coupling constant. We find in both cases that the bounds suggest physically meaningful simulations can be performed using on the order of 4 × 10 6 physical qubits and 10 12 T -gates which corresponds to roughly one day on a superconducting quantum computer with surface code and a cycle time of 100 ns. This places the simulation of scalar field theory within striking distance of the gate counts for the best available chemistry simulation results.

Hardy, Andrew [Toronto U.] (ORCID:0000000235817382↗

Updated systematics of intermediate-energy single-nucleon removal cross sections

The body of experimental measurements of intermediate-energy reactions that remove a single nucleon from a secondary beam of neutron- or proton-rich nuclei continues to grow. These data have been analyzed consistently using an approximate, eikonal-model treatment of the reaction dynamics combined with appropriate shell-model descriptions of the projectile initial state, the bound final states spectrum of the reaction residue, and single-particle removal strengths computed from their wave-function overlaps. Here, the systematics of the ratio R s of the measured inclusive cross section to all bound final states and the calculated cross section to bound shell-model states—in different regions of the nuclear chart and involving both very weakly bound and strongly bound valence nucleons—is important in relating the empirically deduced orbital occupancies to those from the best available shell-model predictions. Importantly, several new higher-energy measurements, for which the sudden-approximation aspect of the dynamical description is placed on an even stronger footing, now supplement the previously analyzed measurements. These additional data sets are discussed. Their R s values are shown to conform to and reinforce the earlier-observed systematics, with no indication that the approximately linear reduction in R s with increasing nucleon separation energy is a consequence of a breakdown of the sudden approximation.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Noniterative finite amplitude methods for E 1 and M 1 giant resonances

The finite amplitude method (FAM) is a very efficient approach for solving the fully self-consistent random-phase approximation (RPA) equations. We use FAM to rederive the RPA matrices for Skyrme functionals, calculate the electric dipole ( E 1) and the magnetic dipole ( M 1) giant resonances, and compare the results with available experimental and evaluated data. For the E 1 transitions in heavy nuclei, the calculations reproduce well the resonance energy of the photoabsorption cross sections. In the case of M 1 transitions, we show that the residual interaction does not affect the transition strength of double-magic nuclei, which suggests that the spin terms in the Skyrme force currently neglected in the present computation could improve the agreement between FAM and experimental data.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Curvature perturbations from stochastic particle production during inflation

We calculate the curvature power spectrum sourced by spectator fields that are excited repeatedly and non-adiabatically during inflation. In the absence of detailed information of the nature of spectator field interactions, we consider an ensemble of models with intervals between the repeated interactions and interaction strengths drawn from simple probabilistic distributions. We show that the curvature power spectra of each member of the ensemble shows rich structure with many features, and there is a large variability between different realizations of the same ensemble. Such features can be probed by the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and large scale structure observations. They can also have implications for primordial black hole formation and CMB spectral distortions. The geometric random walk behavior of the spectator field allows us to calculate the ensembleaveraged power spectrum of curvature perturbations semi-analytically. For sufficiently large stochastic sourcing, the ensemble averaged power spectrum shows a scale dependence arising from the time spent by modes outside the horizon during the period of particle production, in spite of there being no preferred scale in the underlying model. We find that the magnitude of the ensemble-averaged power spectrum overestimates the typical power spectra in the ensemble because the ensemble distribution of the power spectra is highly non-Gaussian with fat tails.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Mixed quantum-classical methods for polaron spectral functions

In this work, using two distinct semiclassical approaches—namely, the mean-field Ehrenfest method and the mapping approach to surface hopping—we investigate the spectral function of a single charge interacting with phonons on a lattice. This quantity is relevant for the description of angle-resolved photoemission experiments. Focusing on the one-dimensional Holstein model, we compare the performance of these approaches across a range of coupling strengths and lattice sizes, exposing the relative strengths and weaknesses of each. We demonstrate that these approaches can be efficiently applied with reasonable accuracy to ab initio polaron models. Furthermore, our work provides a route to the calculation of spectral properties in realistic electron–phonon-coupled systems in a computationally inexpensive manner with encouraging accuracy.

Atomic and molecular spectra↗

Assessment of the beta-delayed proton decay rate of 11 Be

The 11 Be neutron halo nucleus appears to decay into 10 Be with a rate that exceeds expectations. Neutron disappearance into dark matter, beta decay of a halo neutron, or beta-delayed proton decay have been offered as explanations. In this work we study the latter option; we carry out shell model calculations and sequential decay analysis examining the beta-delayed proton decay going through a resonance in 11 B. Finally, the narrow energy window, lack of states with sufficient spectroscopic strength, overwhelming alpha decay branch, all make reconciling the observed rate with beta-delayed proton decay difficult.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Doubly-Charged Negative Ions as Novel Tunable Catalysts: Graphene and Fullerene Molecules Versus Atomic Metals

The fundamental mechanism underlying negative-ion catalysis involves bond-strength breaking in the transition state (TS). Doubly-charged atomic/molecular anions are proposed as novel dynamic tunable catalysts, as demonstrated in water oxidation into peroxide. Density Functional Theory TS calculations have found a tunable energy activation barrier reduction ranging from 0.030 eV to 2.070 eV, with Si 2– , Pu 2– , Pa 2– and Sn 2– being the best catalysts; the radioactive elements usher in new application opportunities. C 60 2– significantly reduces the standard C 60 – TS energy barrier, while graphene increases it, behaving like cationic systems. According to their reaction barrier reduction efficiency, variation across charge states and systems, rank-ordered catalysts reveal their tunable and wide applications, ranging from water purification to biocompatible antiviral and antibacterial sanitation systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Soft-mode enhanced type-I superconductivity in LiPd 2 Ge

The synthesis, crystal structure, and physical properties (magnetization, resistivity, heat capacity) in combination with theoretical calculations of the electronic structure and phonon properties are reported for intermetallic compounds LiPd 2 X ( X = Si, Ge, and Sn). LeBail refinement of powder x-ray diffraction data confirms that all compounds belong to the Heusler family (space group $\textit{F m-3m}$, No. 225). The lattice parameter increases with atomic size of X , and its value varies from $\textit{a}$ = 5.9059(4) Å for LiPd 2 Si and $\textit{a}$ = 6.0082(3)Å for LiPd 2 Ge, to $\textit{a}$ = 6.2644(1) Å for LiPd 2 Sn. The first compound, LiPd 2 Si, has apparently not been previously reported. All measured quantities demonstrate that LiPd 2 Ge exhibits superconductivity below $T_c$ = 1.96 K and the normal- and superconducting-state data indicate that it is a weak-strength type-I superconductor ($C/γT_c$ = 1.38) with electron-phonon coupling constant $λ_{e–p}$ = (0.53–0.56). LiPd 2 Si and LiPd 2 Sn are not superconducting above 1.68 K. The experimental observations are supported by theoretical calculations which show that LiPd 2 Ge has the highest computed $λ_{e–p}$ and $T_c$ of the group. A strong softening of the acoustic phonon mode is calculated, and in the case of X = Ge and Sn, imaginary phonon frequencies were computed. In this work, the soft mode is most pronounced in the case of LiPd 2 Ge, which suggests its correlation with superconductivity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Microstructural refinement in ultrasonically modified A356 aluminum castings

Two A356 aluminum alloys (Al-Si-Mg), one with 0.09 wt.% Fe and one with 0.91 wt.% Fe, were cast in a graphite mold with the simultaneous application of local ultrasonic intensification to refine the as-cast microstructure. Ultrasonication during casting transformed the morphology of primary Al grains from dendritic (~140-290 microns in size) to globular (~33-36 microns in size). The alloy with high Fe exhibited globular grains at distances up to 45 mm away from the ultrasound probe, while the alloy with low Fe exhibited globular grains at distances only up to 6 mm away from the ultrasound probe. Near the location of the ultrasound probe (< 2 mm away), a second non-dendritic microstructural morphology was observed with fine aluminum grains (~9-25 microns in size). This unique fine-grained morphology has not been previously reported, contains a greater concentration of Si relative to the globular microstructure, and may be a large, fully eutectic region. Ultrasonication during casting also transformed the morphology of the ß-Al 5 FeSi phase particles (which are deleterious to the strength and ductility of the alloy) in the high Fe alloy from needle-like to rectangular, which could enable the greater use of secondary Al alloys. Thermodynamic simulations conducted to calculate the solidification paths of the two alloys studied predict that the ß-Al 5 FeSi phase begins to form earlier in the alloy with high Fe. Finally, data suggest that the ß-Al 5 FeSi phase (which is more abundant in alloys with high Fe content) may enhance ultrasonically-induced grain refinement.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗