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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 469 records · Page 26
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Rapid Brownian Motion Primes Ultrafast Reconstruction of Intrinsically Disordered Phe-Gly Repeats Inside the Nuclear Pore Complex

Conformational behavior of intrinsically disordered proteins, such as Phe-Gly repeat domains, alters drastically when they are confined in, and tethered to, nan channels. This has challenged our understanding of how they serve to selectively facilitate translocation of nuclear transport receptor (NTR)-bearing macromolecules. Heterogeneous FG-repeats, tethered to the NPC interior, nonuniformly fill the channel in a diameter-dependent manner and adopt a rapid Brownian motion, thereby forming a porous and highly dynamic polymeric meshwork that percolates in radial and axial directions and features two distinguishable zones: a dense hydrophobic rod-like zone located in the center, and a peripheral low-density shell-like zone. The FG-meshwork is locally disrupted upon interacting with NTR-bearing macromolecules, but immediately reconstructs itself between 0.44μs and 7.0μs, depending on cargo size and shape. This confers a perpetually-sealed state to the NPC, and is solely due to rapid Brownian motion of FG-repeats, not FGrepeat hydrophobic bonds. Elongated-shaped macromolecules, both in the presence and absence of NTRs, penetrate more readily into the FG-meshwork compared to their globular counterparts of identical volume and surface chemistry, highlighting the importance of the shape effects in nucleocytoplasmic transport. These results can help our understanding of geometrical effects in, and the design of, intelligent and responsive biopolymer-based materials in nanofiltration and artificial nanopores.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Phosphatidic acid: an emerging versatile class of cellular mediators

Abstract Lipids function not only as the major structural components of cell membranes, but also as molecular messengers that transduce signals to trigger downstream signaling events in the cell. Phosphatidic acid (PA), the simplest and a minor class of glycerophospholipids, is a key intermediate for the synthesis of membrane and storage lipids, and also plays important roles in mediating diverse cellular and physiological processes in eukaryotes ranging from microbes to mammals and higher plants. PA comprises different molecular species that can act differently, and is found in virtually all organisms, tissues, and organellar membranes, with variations in total content and molecular species composition. The cellular levels of PA are highly dynamic in response to stimuli and multiple enzymatic reactions can mediate its production and degradation. Moreover, its unique physicochemical properties compared with other glycerophospholipids allow PA to influence membrane structure and dynamics, and interact with various proteins. PA has emerged as a class of new lipid mediators modulating various signaling and cellular processes via its versatile effects, such as membrane tethering, conformational changes, and enzymatic activities of target proteins, and vesicular trafficking.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology↗
DOE OSTI2012

Mach-Zehnder recording systems for pulsed power diagnostics

Fiber-optic transmission and recording systems, based on Mach-Zehnder modulators, have been developed and installed at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), and are being developed for other pulsed-power facilities such as the Z accelerator at Sandia, with different requirements. We present the design and performance characteristics for the mature analog links, based on the system developed for the Gamma Reaction History diagnostic at the OMEGA laser and at NIF. For a single detector channel, two Mach-Zehnders are used to provide high dynamic range at the full recording bandwidth with no gaps in the coverage. We present laboratory and shot data to estimate upper limits on the radiation effects as they impact recorded data quality. Finally, we will assess the technology readiness level for mature and developing implementations of Mach-Zehnder links for these environments.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2012

A single-shot, multiwavelength electro-optic data-acquisition system for inertial confinement fusion applications (invited)

Electro-optic data-acquisition systems encode the output from voltage-history diagnostics onto optical signals. The optical signals can propagate long distances over fiber-optic links without degrading the bandwidth of the encoded signal while protecting the recording electronics from overvoltage damage. The sinusoidal response and tolerance to high-input voltages of the Mach-Zehnder modulator used for the encoding leads to the additional advantage of a high dynamic range and a reduced need for manually swapping attenuators. We have demonstrated a single-shot, electro-optic data-acquisition system with a 600:1 dynamic range. This system provides optical isolation and a bandwidth of 6 GHz. The prototype system uses multiple optical wavelengths to allow for the multiplexing of up to eight signals onto one photodetector.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Color-based tracking of plasma dust particles

Color-based tracking to observe agglomeration of deposited particles inside a compact planar magnetron during plasma discharge was done by creating high dynamic range (HDR) images of photos captured by a Pentax K10D digital camera. Carbon erosion and redeposition was also monitored using the technique. The HDR images were subjected to a chromaticity-based constraint discoloration inside the plasma chamber indicating film formation or carbon redeposition. Results show that dust deposition occurs first near the evacuation pumps due to the pressure gradient and then accumulates at the positively charged walls of the chamber. This method can be applied to monitor dust formation during dusty plasma experiments without major modification of plasma devices, useful especially for large fusion reactors.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effect of implanted species on thermal evolution of ion-induced defects in ZnO

Implanted atoms can affect the evolution of ion-induced defects in radiation hard materials exhibiting a high dynamic annealing and these processes are poorly understood. Here, we study the thermal evolution of structural defects in wurtzite ZnO samples implanted at room temperature with a wide range of ion species (from {sup 11}B to {sup 209}Bi) to ion doses up to 2 × 10{sup 16} cm{sup −2}. The structural disorder was characterized by a combination of Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, nuclear reaction analysis, and transmission electron microscopy, while secondary ion mass spectrometry was used to monitor the behavior of both the implanted elements and residual impurities, such as Li. The results show that the damage formation and its thermal evolution strongly depend on the ion species. In particular, for F implanted samples, a strong out-diffusion of the implanted ions results in an efficient crystal recovery already at 600 °C, while co-implantation with B (via BF{sub 2}) ions suppresses both the F out-diffusion and the lattice recovery at such low temperatures. The damage produced by heavy ions (such as Cd, Au, and Bi) exhibits a two-stage annealing behavior where efficient removal of point defects and small defect clusters occurs at temperatures ∼500 °C, while the second stage is characterized by a gradual and partial annealing of extended defects. These defects can persist even after treatment at 900 °C. In contrast, the defects produced by light and medium mass ions (O, B, and Zn) exhibit a more gradual annealing with increasing temperature without distinct stages. In addition, effects of the implanted species may lead to a nontrivial defect evolution during the annealing, with N, Ag, and Er as prime examples. In general, the obtained results are interpreted in terms of formation of different dopant-defect complexes and their thermal stability.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

A direct measurement of the electronic structure of Si nanocrystals and its effect on optoelectronic properties

Since reports that silicon nanocrystals (Si-NCs) can exhibit direct transition emission, the silicon laser field is at a juncture where the importance of this discovery needs to be evaluated. Most theoretical models predicted a monotonic increase in the bandgap and experimental information currently available on the electronic structure at the Γ valley of these promising materials is circumstantial as it is obtained from emission measurements where competing non-radiative relaxation and recombination processes only provide an incomplete picture of the electronic structure of Si-NCs. Optical absorption, the most immediate probe of the electronic structure beyond the band-edges, showing the evolution of the Γ valley states with nanocrystal size has not been measured. Here, we show such measurements, performed with high dynamic range, allowing us to observe directly the effect of crystal size on the Γ valley splitting far above the band-edges. We show that the splitting is 100 s of meV more pronounced than predicted by pseudo potential calculations and Luttinger-Kohn model. We also show that ultrafast red-shifting emission can be observed in plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition prepared Si-NCs.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

The link between shocks, turbulence, and magnetic reconnection in collisionless plasmas

Global hybrid (electron fluid, kinetic ions) and fully kinetic simulations of the magnetosphere have been used to show surprising interconnection between shocks, turbulence, and magnetic reconnection. In particular, collisionless shocks with their reflected ions that can get upstream before retransmission can generate previously unforeseen phenomena in the post shocked flows: (i) formation of reconnecting current sheets and magnetic islands with sizes up to tens of ion inertial length. (ii) Generation of large scale low frequency electromagnetic waves that are compressed and amplified as they cross the shock. These “wavefronts” maintain their integrity for tens of ion cyclotron times but eventually disrupt and dissipate their energy. (iii) Rippling of the shock front, which can in turn lead to formation of fast collimated jets extending to hundreds of ion inertial lengths downstream of the shock. The jets, which have high dynamical pressure, “stir” the downstream region, creating large scale disturbances such as vortices, sunward flows, and can trigger flux ropes along the magnetopause. This phenomenology closes the loop between shocks, turbulence, and magnetic reconnection in ways previously unrealized. These interconnections appear generic for the collisionless plasmas typical of space and are expected even at planar shocks, although they will also occur at curved shocks as occur at planets or around ejecta.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Balancing high gain and bandwidth in multilayer organic photodetectors with tailored carrier blocking layers

We present detailed studies of the high photocurrent gain behavior in multilayer organic photodiodes containing tailored carrier blocking layers we reported earlier in a Letter [W. T. Hammond and J. Xue, Appl. Phys. Lett. 97, 073302 (2010)], in which a high photocurrent gain of up to 500 was attributed to the accumulation of photogenerated holes at the anode/organic active layer interface and the subsequent drastic increase in secondary electron injection from the anode. Here, we show that both the hole-blocking layer structure and layer thickness strongly influence the magnitude of the photocurrent gain. Temporal studies revealed that the frequency response of such devices is limited by three different processes with lifetimes of 10 μs, 202 μs, and 2.72 ms for the removal of confined holes, which limit the 3 dB bandwidth of these devices to 1.4 kHz. Furthermore, the composition in the mixed organic donor-acceptor photoactive layer affects both gain and bandwidth, which is attributed to the varying charge transport characteristics, and the optimal gain-bandwidth product is achieved with approximately 30% donor content. Finally, these devices show a high dynamic range of more than seven orders of magnitude, although the photocurrent shows a sublinear dependence on the incident optical power.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

A comparative analysis of clustering algorithms: O{sub 2} migration in truncated hemoglobin I from transition networks

The ligand migration network for O{sub 2}–diffusion in truncated Hemoglobin N is analyzed based on three different clustering schemes. For coordinate-based clustering, the conventional k–means and the kinetics-based Markov Clustering (MCL) methods are employed, whereas the locally scaled diffusion map (LSDMap) method is a collective-variable-based approach. It is found that all three methods agree well in their geometrical definition of the most important docking site, and all experimentally known docking sites are recovered by all three methods. Also, for most of the states, their population coincides quite favourably, whereas the kinetics of and between the states differs. One of the major differences between k–means and MCL clustering on the one hand and LSDMap on the other is that the latter finds one large primary cluster containing the Xe1a, IS1, and ENT states. This is related to the fact that the motion within the state occurs on similar time scales, whereas structurally the state is found to be quite diverse. In agreement with previous explicit atomistic simulations, the Xe3 pocket is found to be a highly dynamical site which points to its potential role as a hub in the network. This is also highlighted in the fact that LSDMap cannot identify this state. First passage time distributions from MCL clusterings using a one- (ligand-position) and two-dimensional (ligand-position and protein-structure) descriptor suggest that ligand- and protein-motions are coupled. The benefits and drawbacks of the three methods are discussed in a comparative fashion and highlight that depending on the questions at hand the best-performing method for a particular data set may differ.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Unified continuum damage model for matrix cracking in composite rotor blades

This paper deals with modeling of the first damage mode, matrix micro-cracking, in helicopter rotor/wind turbine blades and how this effects the overall cross-sectional stiffness. The helicopter/wind turbine rotor system operates in a highly dynamic and unsteady environment leading to severe vibratory loads present in the system. Repeated exposure to this loading condition can induce damage in the composite rotor blades. These rotor/turbine blades are generally made of fiber-reinforced laminated composites and exhibit various competing modes of damage such as matrix micro-cracking, delamination, and fiber breakage. There is a need to study the behavior of the composite rotor system under various key damage modes in composite materials for developing Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system. Each blade is modeled as a beam based on geometrically non-linear 3-D elasticity theory. Each blade thus splits into 2-D analyzes of cross-sections and non-linear 1-D analyzes along the beam reference curves. Two different tools are used here for complete 3-D analysis: VABS for 2-D cross-sectional analysis and GEBT for 1-D beam analysis. The physically-based failure models for matrix in compression and tension loading are used in the present work. Matrix cracking is detected using two failure criterion: Matrix Failure in Compression and Matrix Failure in Tension which are based on the recovered field. A strain variable is set which drives the damage variable for matrix cracking and this damage variable is used to estimate the reduced cross-sectional stiffness. The matrix micro-cracking is performed in two different approaches: (i) Element-wise, and (ii) Node-wise. The procedure presented in this paper is implemented in VABS as matrix micro-cracking modeling module. Three examples are presented to investigate the matrix failure model which illustrate the effect of matrix cracking on cross-sectional stiffness by varying the applied cyclic load.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Status of the ELISE test facility

The test facility ELISE, equipped with a large radio frequency (RF) driven ion source (1×0.9 m2) of half the size of the ion source for the ITER neutral beam injection (NBI) system, is operational since beginning of 2013. The first experimental campaign was dedicated to a thorough qualification of the test facility and its diagnostic tools at low RF power (80 kW in total, i.e. 20 kW per driver) in volume operation, i.e. operation without cesium, where the negative hydrogen ion production is done in the plasma volume only. This paper reports on the main results of the second and third experimental campaigns, where Cs was inserted in the ion source for an enhancement of the negative ion production by the surface process. The second experimental campaign was done still with low RF power, both for hydrogen and deuterium, with pulse lengths of up to 500 s. The results of this campaign are rather encouraging, especially in hydrogen, where large current densities with respect to the low RF power could be achieved at a ratio of co-extracted electrons to extracted ions of 0.5-0.6 at the relevant source pressure of 0.3 Pa. Similar large extracted ion currents could be achieved also in deuterium, but with larger amounts of co-extracted electrons. The required ratio of co-extracted electrons to extracted ions of one could be achieved only in short pulses. The third experimental campaign aimed then for approaching the required ITER NBI parameters with respect to the ion and electron extracted currents, both for hydrogen and deuterium, by increasing the RF power with short pulses, i.e. beam-on times of up to 10 s and RF-on time up to 20 s. Current densities near the ITER NBI requirements could be achieved in hydrogen at a ratio of co-extracted electrons to extracted ions of 0.5-0.6 at the relevant source pressure of 0.3 Pa. As it was the case for the low RF operation, the required filter field was significantly lower than expected from the experience with the small prototype RF source. Similar large extracted ion currents could be achieved also in deuterium, but with larger amounts of co-extracted electrons; the main problem in deuterium operation are the non-stable currents of the co-extracted electrons, most probably caused by the high dynamic of the Cs redistribution in the system. The reasons for this larger instability are still under investigation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Thermodynamic parameters for mixtures of quartz under shock wave loading in views of the equilibrium model

The numerical results of modeling of shock wave loading of mixtures with the SiO{sub 2} component are presented. The TEC (thermodynamic equilibrium component) model is employed to describe the behavior of solid and porous multicomponent mixtures and alloys under shock wave loading. State equations of a Mie–Grüneisen type are used to describe the behavior of condensed phases, taking into account the temperature dependence of the Grüneisen coefficient, gas in pores is one of the components of the environment. The model is based on the assumption that all components of the mixture under shock-wave loading are in thermodynamic equilibrium. The calculation results are compared with the experimental data derived by various authors. The behavior of the mixture containing components with a phase transition under high dynamic loads is described.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Low-noise kinetic inductance traveling-wave amplifier using three-wave mixing

We have fabricated a wide-bandwidth, high dynamic range, low-noise cryogenic amplifier based on a superconducting kinetic inductance traveling-wave device. The device was made from NbTiN and consisted of a long, coplanar waveguide on a silicon chip. By adding a DC current and an RF pump tone, we are able to generate parametric amplification using three-wave mixing (3WM). The devices exhibit gain of more than 15 dB across an instantaneous bandwidth from 4 to 8 GHz. The total usable gain bandwidth, including both sides of the signal-idler gain region, is more than 6 GHz. The noise referred to the input of the devices approaches the quantum limit, with less than 1 photon excess noise. We compare these results directly to the four-wave mixing amplification mode, i.e., without DC-biasing. We find that the 3WM mode allows operation with the pump at lower RF power and at frequencies far from the signal. We have used this knowledge to redesign the amplifiers to utilize primarily 3WM amplification, thereby allowing for direct integration into large scale qubit and detector applications.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Characterization of a time-resolved non-contact scanning diffuse optical imaging system exploiting fast-gated single-photon avalanche diode detection

We present a system for non-contact time-resolved diffuse reflectance imaging, based on small source-detector distance and high dynamic range measurements utilizing a fast-gated single-photon avalanche diode. The system is suitable for imaging of diffusive media without any contact with the sample and with a spatial resolution of about 1 cm at 1 cm depth. In order to objectively assess its performances, we adopted two standardized protocols developed for time-domain brain imagers. The related tests included the recording of the instrument response function of the setup and the responsivity of its detection system. Moreover, by using liquid turbid phantoms with absorbing inclusions, depth-dependent contrast and contrast-to-noise ratio as well as lateral spatial resolution were measured. To illustrate the potentialities of the novel approach, the characteristics of the non-contact system are discussed and compared to those of a fiber-based brain imager.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Validation of modelled imaging plates sensitivity to 1-100 keV x-rays and spatial resolution characterisation for diagnostics for the “PETawatt Aquitaine Laser”

Thanks to their high dynamic range and ability to withstand electromagnetic pulse, imaging plates (IPs) are commonly used as passive detectors in laser-plasma experiments. In the framework of the development of the diagnostics for the Petawatt Aquitaine Laser facility, we present an absolute calibration and spatial resolution study of five different available types of IP (namely, MS-SR-TR-MP-ND) performed by using laser-induced K-shell X-rays emitted by a solid silver target irradiated by the laser ECLIPSE at CEntre Lasers Intenses et Applications. In addition, IP sensitivity measurements were performed with a 160 kV X-ray generator at CEA DAM DIF, where the absolute response of IP SR and TR has been calibrated to X-rays in the energy range 8-75 keV with uncertainties of about 15%. Finally, the response functions have been modeled in Monte Carlo GEANT4 simulations in order to reproduce experimental data. Simulations enable extrapolation of the IP response functions to photon energies from 1 keV to 1 GeV, of interest, e.g., for laser-driven radiography.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Generation of constant-amplitude radio-frequency sweeps at a tunnel junction for spin resonance STM

We describe the measurement and successful compensation of the radio-frequency transfer function of a scanning tunneling microscope over a wide frequency range (15.5–35.5 GHz) and with high dynamic range (>50 dB). The precise compensation of cabling resonances and attenuations is critical for the production of constant-voltage frequency sweeps for electric-field driven electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments. We also demonstrate that a well-calibrated tunnel junction voltage is necessary to avoid spurious ESR peaks that can arise due to a non-flat transfer function.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗