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At least 523 records · Page 29

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NASA NTRS1991

Inverse problems in diffraction

A two-dimensional problem of diffraction of a plane electromagnetic wave on a smooth 2 pi-periodic surface is considered. A numerical algorithm solving this problem is developed. An inverse problem of determination of the shape of 2 pi-periodic surface using the performance data of reverse scattering is considered. The inverse problem was solved by means of minimization of the residual functional with the help of the gradient descent method. The initial data were calculated with the help of the numerical method. On each step of the iterative method of minimization, the residual functional was calculated approximately with the help of the small slope method. The examples of the shape determination are considered.

Mikheev, Andrew G.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Designing shape-memory-like microstructures in intercalation materials

During the reversible insertion of ions, lattices in intercalation materials undergo structural transformations. These lattice transformations generate misfit strains and volume changes that, in turn, contribute to the structural decay of intercalation materials and limit their reversible cycling. In this paper, we draw on insights from shape-memory alloys, another class of phase transformation materials, that also undergo large lattice transformations but do so with negligible macroscopic volume changes and internal stresses. We develop a theoretical framework to predict structural transformations in intercalation compounds and identify crystallographic design rules necessary for forming shape-memory-like microstructures in intercalation materials. We use our approach to systematically screen open-source structural databases comprising $n$ > 5000 pairs of intercalation compounds. We identify candidate compounds, such as Li x Mn 2 O 4 (Spinel), Li x Ti 2 (PO 4 ) 3 (NASICON), that approximately satisfy the crystallographic design rules and can be precisely doped to form shape-memory-like microstructures. Throughout, we compare our analytical results with experimental measurements of intercalation compounds. We find a direct correlation between structural transformations, microstructures, and increased capacity retention in these materials. These results, more generally, show that crystallographic designing of intercalation materials could be a novel route to discovering compounds that do not decay with continuous usage.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS2012

Energy Spectra, Composition, and Other Properties of Ground-Level Events During Solar Cycle 23

We report spacecraft measurements of the energy spectra of solar protons and other solar energetic particle properties during the 16 Ground Level Events (GLEs) of Solar Cycle 23. The measurements were made by eight instruments on the ACE, GOES, SAMPBX, and STEREO spacecraft and extend from approximately 0.1 to approximately 500-700 MeV. All of the proton spectra exhibit spectral breaks at energies ranging from approximately 2 to approximately 46 MeV and all are well fit by a double power-law shape. A comparison of GLE events with a larger sample of other solar energetic particle (SEP) events shows that the typical spectral indices are harder in GLE events, with a mean slope of -3.18 at greater than 40 MeV/nuc. In the energy range 45 to 80 MeV/nucleon about approximately 50% of GLE events have properties in common with impulsive He-3-rich SEP events, including enrichments in Ne/O, Fe/O, Ne-22/Ne-20, and elevated mean charge states of Fe. These He-3 rich events contribute to the seed population accelerated by CME-driven shocks. An analysis is presented of whether highly-ionized Fe ions observed in five events could be due to electron stripping during shock acceleration in the low corona. Making use of stripping calculations by others and a coronal density model, we can account for events with mean Fe charge states of (Q(sub Fe) is approximately equal to +20 if the acceleration starts at approximately 1.24-1.6 solar radii, consistent with recent comparisons of CME trajectories and type-II radio bursts. In addition, we suggest that gradual stripping of remnant ions from earlier large SEP events may also contribute a highly-ionized suprathermal seed population. We also discuss how observed SEP spectral slopes relate to the energetics of particle acceleration in GLE and other large SEP events.

Mewaldt, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Hubble Space Telescope imaging of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 2110

Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 2110 in the emission lines of (O III) lambda lambda-4959, 5007 and H-alpha + (N II) lambda lambda-6548, 6584 and the nearby continuum are presented. After deconvolution, the resolution of these images is approximately 0.1 sec, corresponding to a linear scale of approximately 23 pc at the assumed distance (46.8 Mpc) to this galaxy. The dominant line emission is associated with a strongly curved, narrow, 1 sec (230 pc) long feature emanating from the nucleus to the north. The morphology of this feature suggests that it may represent gas flowing outward from the nucleus (perhaps as a 'jet'). While this optical emission-line feature and the jetlike radio emission extend along a similar P.A., their detailed brightness distributions are loosely anticorrelated. In particular, there is no line emission associated with the off-nuclear 6 cm peaks and only weak radio emission along the optical 'jet'. On a larger scale, there is an S-shaped distribution of ionized gas (seen best in H-alpha) extending approximately 4 sec north and south of the nucleus. Ground-based kinematical data suggest this larger scale component represents normally rotating, ambient, interstellar gas photoionized by the central source. A continuum color map derived from HST observations shows evidence for an unresolved region (scale less than 23 pc) of very strong reddening at the location of the optical and radio nucleus. The location and size of the reddened region are consistent with obscuration by a dusty torus, but the observed reddening provides only a lower limit (A(sub V) greater than or equal to 4.6(sub -1.7 sup +1.2) mag) on the amount of obscuration to the nucleus. Nevertheless, this obscuration is sufficient to account for the 'energy deficit' previously reported in this object.

Mulchaey, John S.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Fast-Response-Time Shape-Memory-Effect Foam Actuators

Bulk shape memory alloys, such as Nitinol or CuAlZn, display strong recovery forces undergoing a phase transformation after being strained in their martensitic state. These recovery forces are used for actuation. As the phase transformation is thermally driven, the response time of the actuation can be slow, as the heat must be passively inserted or removed from the alloy. Shape memory alloy TiNi torque tubes have been investigated for at least 20 years and have demonstrated high actuation forces [3,000 in.-lb (approximately equal to 340 N-m) torques] and are very lightweight. However, they are not easy to attach to existing structures. Adhesives will fail in shear at low-torque loads and the TiNi is not weldable, so that mechanical crimp fits have been generally used. These are not reliable, especially in vibratory environments. The TiNi is also slow to heat up, as it can only be heated indirectly using heater and cooling must be done passively. This has restricted their use to on-off actuators where cycle times of approximately one minute is acceptable. Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) has been used in the past to make porous TiNi metal foams. Shape Change Technologies has been able to train SHS derived TiNi to exhibit the shape memory effect. As it is an open-celled material, fast response times were observed when the material was heated using hot and cold fluids. A methodology was developed to make the open-celled porous TiNi foams as a tube with integrated hexagonal ends, which then becomes a torsional actuator with fast response times. Under processing developed independently, researchers were able to verify torques of 84 in.-lb (approximately equal to 9.5 Nm) using an actuator weighing 1.3 oz (approximately equal to 37 g) with very fast (less than 1/16th of a second) initial response times when hot and cold fluids were used to facilitate heat transfer. Integrated structural connections were added as part of the net shape process, eliminating the need for welding, adhesives, or mechanical crimping. Inexpensive net-shape processing was used, which reduces the cost of the actuator by over a factor of 10 over nonporous TiNi made by hot drawing of tube or electrical discharge machining. By forming the alloy as an open-celled foam, the surface area for heat transfer is dramatically increased, allowing for much faster response times. The technology also allows for netshape fabrication of the actuator, which allows for structural connections to be integrated into the actuator material, making these actuators significantly less expensive. Commercial applications include actuators for concepts such as the variable area chevron and nozzle in jet aircraft. Lightweight tube or rod components can be supplied to interested parties.

Jardine, Peter↗

DOE OSTI2024

A Variable Eddington Factor Model for Thermal Radiative Transfer with Closure Based on Data-Driven Shape Function

Here, a new variable Eddington factor (VEF) model is presented for nonlinear problems of thermal radiative transfer (TRT). The VEF model is data-driven and acts on known (a-priori) radiation-diffusion solutions for material temperatures in the TRT problem. A linear auxiliary problem is constructed for the radiative transfer equation (RTE) whose emission source and opacities are evaluated at these known material temperatures. The solution to this RTE approximates the specific intensity distribution in phase-space and time. It is applied as a shape function to define the Eddington tensor for the presented VEF model. The shape function computed via the auxiliary RTE problem will capture some degree of transport effects within the TRT problem. The VEF moment equations closed with this approximate Eddington tensor will thus carry with them these captured transport effects. In this study, the temperature data comes from multigroup P 1 , P 1/3 , and flux-limited diffusion radiative transfer models. The proposed VEF model can be interpreted as a transport-corrected diffusion reduced-order model. Numerical results are presented on the Fleck-Cummings test problem which models a supersonic wavefront of radiation. The VEF model is shown to improve accuracy by 1–2 orders of magnitude compared to the considered radiation-diffusion model solutions to the TRT problem.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2020

Experimental Validation of Calorimetric Electron Capture Spectral Theory with 193 Pt

Using microcalorimeters, a high statistics, high-resolution calorimetric spectrum of electron capture in 163 Ho can be used to determine the neutrino mass. The spectral shape can be calculated from first principles with various assumptions and approximations. To determine the validity of these choices, the theoretical calculations must be compared to data from multiple isotopes. In this work, new calorimetric data for a 193 Pt-in-Pt absorber measured with a transition edge sensor are presented and compared to theoretical calculations and values from the literature.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Observation of a uniaxial ferroelectric smectic A phase

We report the observation of the smectic A F , a liquid crystal phase of the ferroelectric nematic realm. The smectic A F is a phase of small polar, rod-shaped molecules that form two-dimensional fluid layers spaced by approximately the mean molecular length. The phase is uniaxial, with the molecular director, the local average long-axis orientation, normal to the layer planes, and ferroelectric, with a spontaneous electric polarization parallel to the director. Polarization measurements indicate almost complete polar ordering of the ∼10 Debye longitudinal molecular dipoles, and hysteretic polarization reversal with a coercive field ∼2 × 10 5 V/m is observed. The SmAF phase appears upon cooling in two binary mixtures of partially fluorinated mesogens: 2N/DIO, exhibiting a nematic (N)–smectic Z A (SmZ A )–ferroelectric nematic (N F )–SmA F phase sequence, and 7N/DIO, exhibiting an N–SmZ A –SmA F phase sequence. The latter presents an opportunity to study a transition between two smectic phases having orthogonal systems of layers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2026

Intermediate Bandgap (IB) Cu 3 VS x Se 4−x Nanocrystals as a New Class of Light Absorbing Semiconductors

A new family of highly uniform, cubic-shaped Cu 3 VS x Se 4−x (CVSSe; 0 ≤ x ≤ 4) nanocrystals based on earth-abundant materials with intermediate bandgaps (IB) in the visible range is reported, synthesized via a hot-injection method. The IB transitions and optical band gap of the novel CVSSe nanocrystals are investigated using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, revealing tunable band gaps that span the visible and near-infrared regimes. The composition-dependent relationships among the crystal phase, optical band gap, and photoluminescence properties of the novel IB semiconductors with progressive substitution of Se by S are examined in detail. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy characterization confirm the high crystallinity and uniform size (~19.7 nm × 17.2 nm for Cu 3 VS 4 ) of the cubic-shaped nanocrystals. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations based on virtual crystal approximation support the experimental findings, showing good agreement in lattice parameters and band gaps across the CVSSe series and lending confidence that the targeted phases and compositions have been successfully realized. A current conversion efficiency, i.e., incident photon-to-current efficiency, of 14.7% was achieved with the p-type IB semiconductor Cu 3 VS 4 . These novel p-type IB semiconductor nanocrystals hold promise for enabling thin film solar cells with efficiencies beyond the Shockley–Queisser limit by allowing sub-band-gap photon absorption through intermediate-band transitions, in addition to the conventional direct-band-gap transition.

Cu3VSxSe4−x↗

DOE OSTI2022

A Machine Learning Framework to Predict Images of Edge-on Protoplanetary Disks

The physical structure and properties of protoplanetary disks are typically derived from spatially resolved disk images. Edge-on disks in particular provide an important view point on the vertical structure and degree of settling of disks. Such analyses rely on radiative transfer (RT) calculations that are generally computationally intensive due to the high optical depth of disks. Here we present a machine learning framework that has the potential to dramatically speed up the forward modeling process by approximating the results of RT calculations. This framework, trained on an initial set of RT calculations, utilizes an autoencoder neural network to enable the generation of synthetic scattered light images of edge-on disks directly from a set of physical parameters. We demonstrate that this framework generates synthetic images 2–3 orders of magnitude faster than using RT calculations. These machine learning-generated images appear to approximate the RT images well, in particular preserving their size and shape. We also find a strong correlation between the latent space representations of the generated disk images and several of their associated physical parameters. Finally, we discuss potential changes to the framework, such as methods to further improve the image quality, extending the framework to multiple wavelengths, and inverting the process to infer physical parameters from observed images. Overall, these new tools have the potential to enable a more efficient and uniform analysis of edge-on disk properties and the initial conditions of planet formation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2023

The Evolution and Mass Dependence of Galaxy Cluster Pressure Profiles at 0.05 ≤ z ≤ 0.60 and 4 × 10 14 M ⊙ ≤ M 500 ≤ 30 × 10 14 M ⊙

Abstract We have combined X-ray observations from Chandra with Sunyaev–Zel’dovich effect data from Planck and Bolocam to measure intracluster medium pressure profiles from 0.03 R 500 ≤ R ≤ 5 R 500 for a sample of 21 low- z galaxy clusters with a median redshift of 〈 z 〉 = 0.08 and a median mass of 〈 M 500 〉 = 6.1 × 10 14 M ⊙ and a sample of 19 mid- z galaxy clusters with 〈 z 〉 = 0.50 and 〈 M 500 〉 = 10.6 × 10 14 M ⊙ . The mean scaled pressure in the low- z sample is lower at small radii and higher at large radii, a trend that is accurately reproduced in similarly selected samples from The Three Hundred simulations. This difference appears to be primarily due to dynamical state at small radii, evolution at intermediate radii, and a combination of evolution and mass dependence at large radii. Furthermore, the overall flattening of the mean scaled pressure profile in the low- z sample compared to the mid- z sample is consistent with expectations due to differences in the mass accretion rate and the fractional impact of feedback mechanisms. In agreement with previous studies, the fractional scatter about the mean scaled pressure profile reaches a minimum of ≃20% near 0.5 R 500 . This scatter is consistent between the low- z and mid- z samples at all radii, suggesting it is not strongly impacted by sample selection, and this general behavior is reproduced in The Three Hundred simulations. Finally, analytic functions that approximately describe the mass and redshift trends in mean pressure profile shape are provided.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1974

New triangular and quadrilateral plate-bending finite elements

A nonconforming plate-bending finite element of triangular shape and associated quadrilateral elements are developed. The transverse displacement is approximated within the element by a quintic polynomial. The formulation takes into account the effects of transverse shear deformation. Results of the static and dynamic analysis of a square plate, with edges simply supported or clamped, are compared with exact solutions. Good accuracy is obtained in all calculations.

Narayanaswami, R.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Testing the linearity of response of gated photomultipliers in wide dynamic range laser radar systems

Laser radar data acquisition systems have been utilized in conjunction with a light emitting diode to evaluate photomultipliers for laser radar use. Light pulses with an exponential decay rate of approximately one decade per sixty microseconds, as well as other pulse shapes, were used to drive the tubes. Properties studied in the analog mode include nonlinearity at high output currents, transient behavior upon gating, gate holdoff, dynamic range limitations because of light-induced noise, and the effect of dynode gating on tubes without a focus grid. Some of these properties were also studied in the photon counting mode, along with single photoelectron pulse shape and afterpulsing. A brief description of the laser radar technique of atmospheric measurements is included.

Hunt, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Calculation of autoionization of He and H/-/ using the projection-operator formalism

Improved calculations are reported for the first several autoionization states of the lower symmetries of He and H(-). Unshifted energies are calculated by diagonalizing QHQ using a Hylleraes basis with more terms than previously used; shifts, widths, and photoabsorption shape parameters are obtained with the additional use of exchange-approximate nonresonant continuum functions. Previous calculations of H(-) resonances are reviewed and slightly augmented by applying various nonresonant continua and correcting small errors. A comparison is made between the calculations and experimental results and is found to be very satisfactory except for the lowest 1P autoionization state of He, which is shown to need a more accurate experimental determination.

Bhatia, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Stability of elastic bending and torsion of uniform cantilever rotor blades in hover with variable structural coupling

The stability of elastic flap bending, lead-lag bending, and torsion of uniform, untwisted, cantilever rotor blades without chordwise offsets between the elastic, mass, tension, and areodynamic center axes is investigated for the hovering flight condition. The equations of motion are obtained by simplifying the general, nonlinear, partial differential equations of motion of an elastic rotating cantilever blade. The equations are adapted for a linearized stability analysis in the hovering flight condition by prescribing aerodynamic forces, applying Galerkin's method, and linearizing the resulting ordinary differential equations about the equilibrium operating condition. The aerodynamic forces are obtained from strip theory based on a quasi-steady approximation of two-dimensional unsteady airfoil theory. Six coupled mode shapes, calculated from free vibration about the equilibrium operating condition, are used in the linearized stability analysis. The study emphasizes the effects of two types of structural coupling that strongly influence the stability of hingeless rotor blades. The first structural coupling is the linear coupling between flap and lead-lag bending of the rotor blade. The second structural coupling is a nonlinear coupling between flap bending, lead-lag bending, and torsion deflections. Results are obtained for a wide variety of hingeless rotor configurations and operating conditions in order to provide a reasonably complete picture of hingeless rotor blade stability characteristics.

Hodges, D. H., Roberta.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for arbitrary blunt bodies in supersonic flows

A time-dependent, two-dimensional Navier-Stokes code employing the body-fitted coordinate technique has been developed for supersonic flows past blunt bodies of arbitrary shape. The computer program is based on the finite-difference approximation of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations transformed to nonorthogonal curvilinear coordinates with the contravariant components of the velocity vector as dependent variables. The bow shock ahead of the body is obtained as part of the solution, by 'shock capturing'. Numerical solutions of the complete equations are presented in detail for free-stream Mach number 4.6, Reynolds number 10,000, and an isothermal wall temperature of 556 K for a circular cylinder with the free-stream outer boundaries forming a hyperbola in the front and a circular arc in the back.

Warsi, Z. U. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Studies of the aurorally-induced ultraviolet emissions on the nightside of Venus

The effect of a monoenergetic flux of electrons on a model atmosphere of the nightside thermosphere of Venus was examined. The neutral model chosen is that of Hedin for high solar activity and l65 degrees solar zenith angle. The model is based on measurements made by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter Neutral Mass Spectrometer. Four species were included in the calculation: CO2, O, CO, and N2. The numerical method that was chosen for energy deposition of the primary electrons is the continuous slowing down approximation. The secondary electron distribution was computed using the empirically determined shape of the differential cross section.

Fox, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Optimal location of actuators for correcting distortions due to manufacturing errors in large truss structures

A continuum approximation to the calculation of the statistical properties of the corrected shape of a beam truss is presented, and results of a comparison with the exact statistical analysis were found to be very good. In addition, the position of the actuators was optimized to minimize the weighted rms of the distortion using the continuum analysis. The optimal design is shown to be 13.6 percent better than a uniform design for a parabolic weighting function. It was also found that actuators located on the beam face elements were more effective than actuators located on the diagonal elements.

Burdisso, R.↗