Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Diffusion rate”

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 595 records · Page 33

Liquid to crystal Si growth simulation using machine learning force field

Machine learning force field (ML-FF) has emerged as a potential promising approach to simulate various material phenomena for large systems with ab initio accuracy. However, most ML-FFs have been used to study the phenomena relatively close to the equilibrium ground states. In this work, we have studied a far from equilibrium system of liquid to crystal Si growth using ML-FF. Here, we found that our ML-FF based on ab initio decomposed atomic energy can reproduce all the aspects of ab initio simulated growth, from local energy fluctuations to transition temperatures, to diffusion constant, and growth rates. We have also compared the growth simulation with the Stillinger-Weber classical force field and found significant differences. A procedure is also provided to correct a systematic fitting bias in the ML-FF training process, which exists in all training models, otherwise critical results like transition temperature will be wrong.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Electron temperature gradient driven transport model for tokamak plasmas

A new model for electron temperature gradient (ETG) modes is developed as a component of the multi-mode anomalous transport module [Rafiq et al., Phys Plasmas 20, 032506 (2013)] to predict a time-dependent electron temperature profile in conventional and low aspect ratio tokamaks. This model is based on two-fluid equations that govern the dynamics of low-frequency short- and long-wavelength electromagnetic toroidal ETG driven drift modes. A low collisionality NSTX discharge is used to scan the plasma parameter dependence on the ETG real frequency, growth rate, and electron thermal diffusivity. Electron thermal transport is discovered in the deep core region where modes are more electromagnetic in nature. Several previously reported gyrokinetic trends are reproduced, including the dependencies of density gradients, magnetic shear, β and gradient of β (β'), collisionality, safety factor, and toroidicity, where β is the ratio of the plasma pressure to the magnetic pressure. Furthermore, the electron heat diffusivity associated with the ETG mode is discovered to be on a scale consistent with the experimental diffusivity determined by power balance analysis.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Defect-mediated diffusion of implanted Mg in GaN: Suppressing dopant redistribution by sequential thermal and microwave annealing

The diffusion behavior of Mg in Mg/N co-implanted GaN is investigated in response to a set of annealing conditions and methodologies, namely, 1000 °C/30 min thermal anneal, by high-temperature pulsed gyrotron microwave annealing at 1420 or 1500 °C, or by thermal and microwave annealing, sequentially. After 1000 °C annealing, the diffusion of Mg in GaN is found to be negligible, as measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry. Annealing by gyrotron microwave annealing alone induces the diffusion of Mg at a rate on the order of 10 −12 cm 2 /s. However, the use of a thermal anneal before microwave gyrotron annealing reduces this rate by an order of magnitude to 10 −13 cm 2 /s. We find that a model that considers Mg diffusion from an inhomogeneous medium that contains a defect-rich implanted region near-surface to a relatively pristine region below the implant range better explains the observed diffusion behavior than a conventional model that assumes a homogeneous medium. By analyzing the diffusion behavior using the Boltzmann–Matano method, we present a discussion of reduction in [V Ga ] by thermal annealing at 1000 °C, leading to a suppressed diffusion coefficient during subsequent high-temperature annealing relative to diffusion after 1420/1500 °C annealing alone. This effect holds potential for improvement in the precision of selectively doped regions for future applications based on the (Al)GaN material system. An improved field profile control in real devices can increase the breakdown and current-handling capabilities in power electronic applications.

Meyers, V.↗

Kinetic description of site ensembles on catalytic surfaces

Significance The kinetic assessment of catalytic reactions is essential to the design and application of thermochemical processes useful in petrochemical synthesis, energy conversion, and environmental remediation. We demonstrate that the ubiquitously used Langmuir–Hinshelwood formalism is incomplete and fails to correctly describe even simple catalytic reactions (e.g., A + A → A 2 ). An accurate kinetic description requires explicit rate equations for multisite configurations (e.g., A*–A* pairs) to account for the nonrandom clustering/isolation of surface species. We rigorously describe clustering/isolation phenomena by derivation of coverage-dependent stoichiometric coefficients, which capture the distinct influence each elementary step exerts on each catalytic site ensemble—thereby overcoming limitations of the mean-field (i.e., Hinshelwood) assumption in describing reactions of mobile Langmuirian adsorbates on catalytic surfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Explosive nucleation and growth of Pb islands on Ge(111) below room temperature via collective diffusion

Nucleation is a fundamental process in nature controlling phase transitions and pattern formation. Classical nucleation is based on the gradual aggregation of diffusing atoms after a critical cluster size is reached. Contrary to these expectations, we have observed in real time the formation of perfect Pb(111) islands with more than 10 5 atoms emerging out of the compressed wetting layer within a few seconds during growth of Pb on Ge(111) below room temperature. Pb deposited on Ge(111) in a temperature range between −30 °C and 10 °C exhibited explosive nucleation of height-selected islands upon reaching a critical coverage of 1.33 ± 0.07 ML with respect to Ge(111). Island nucleation was fueled by the 2% compression of the Pb wetting layer at the critical coverage. The island areas grew linearly with time, exhibiting collective diffusion, where thousands of atoms follow correlated, non-random walk diffusion. The total growth rate was higher with increasing temperature. Density functional theory simulations of the chemical potential and binding sites of the Pb/Ge(111) system give insight into the role of the compression of the wetting layer and the strain within the growing Pb layers, which explain this nonclassical behavior of the system.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Electron transport in a tokamak scrape-off layer: impact of toroidal nonuniformities of divertor targets

An analysis of electron dynamics is carried out in the tokamak scrape-off layer (SOL) region. Small non-axisymmetric perturbations of the divertor target sheath potential affect electron drift orbits in the SOL and may lead to non-ambipolar electron radial transport. The resulting rates of electron convection, diffusion, and mobility are calculated analytically, and the analytic results are compared with direct numerical simulations of electron drift orbits. The proposed mechanism of non-ambipolar electron transport may be relevant to the sustainment of the SOL plasma quasi-neutrality in the ‘heuristic’ model of the SOL width (Eich et al 2011 Phys. Rev. Lett. 107 215001).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Investigating the Effects of Lithium Deposition on the Abuse Response of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Li deposition at the graphitic anode is widely reported in literature as one of the leading causes of capacity fade in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Previous literature has linked Li deposition resulting from low-temperature ageing to diminished safety characteristics, however no current research has probed the effects of Li deposition on the abuse response of well-characterized cells. Using overtemperature testing, a relationship between increased concentrations of Li deposition and exacerbated abuse response in 1 Ah pouch cells has been established. A novel Li deposition technique is also investigated, where cells with n:p < 1 (anode-limiting) have been cycled at a high rate to exploit Li + diffusion limitations at the anode. Scanning Electron Microscopy of harvested anodes indicates substantial Li deposition in low n:p cells after 20 cycles, with intricate networks of Li(s) deposits which hinder Li + intercalation/deintercalation. Peak broadening and decreased amplitude of differential capacity plots further validates a loss of lithium inventory to Li + dissolution, and Powder X-ray Diffraction indicates Li + intercalation with staging in anode interstitial sites as the extent of Li deposition increases. A cradle-to-grave approach is leveraged on cell fabrication and testing to eliminate uncertainty involving the effects of cell additives on Li deposition and other degradation mechanisms.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Electron Temperature Gradient Driven Transport Model for Tokamak Plasmas

A new model for electron temperature gradient (ETG) modes is developed as a component of the Multi-Mode anomalous transport module [T. Rafiq \textit{et al.,} Phys Plasmas \textbf{20}, 032506 (2013)] to predict a time dependent electron temperature profile in conventional and low aspect ratio tokamaks. This model is based on two-fluid equations that govern the dynamics of low-frequency short- and long-wavelength electromagnetic toroidal ETG driven drift modes. A low collisionality NSTX discharge is used to scan the plasma parameter dependence on the ETG real frequency, growth rate, and electron thermal diffusivity. Electron thermal transport is discovered in the deep core region where modes are more electromagnetic in nature. Several previously reported gyrokinetic trends are reproduced, including the dependencies of density gradients, magnetic shear, $\beta$ and gradient of $\beta$ $(\betap)$, collisionality, safety factor, and toroidicity, where $\beta$ is the ratio of plasma pressure to the magnetic pressure. The electron heat diffusivity associated with the ETG mode is discovered to be on a scale consistent with the experimental diffusivity determined by power balance analysis.

ETG↗

Inverse-Velocity Transformation Wall Model for Reacting Turbulent Hypersonic Boundary Layers

The present study builds on prior work by taking advantage of the novel framework proposed by Griffin et al. (hereafter referred to as the GFM) as a baseline. The model is progressively extended to multicomponent reacting mixtures, accounting for differential diffusion and finite-rate chemistry in a similar fashion to Di Renzo & Urzay and Di Renzo et al. The accuracy of the present approach, as well the prior model of Di Renzo & Urzay, is assessed in an a priori sense for the first time in a turbulent reacting boundary layer, using the boundary-layer data of Williams et al. Five species are included in the present analysis, i.e., N s = 5, namely N 2 , O 2 , NO, N and O, a neutral mixture most representative of dissociation/recombination phenomena for temperatures below 6000 K. A schematic of a flow over a wedge representative of the described configuration is presented in Figure 1. The brief is organized as follows: In Section 2, the wall-model equations and the computational framework are presented. In Section 3, the a priori results of the proposed model are described and compared to the extended EWM. Finally, in Section 4, some conclusions are offered.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Implications of Microstructure in Helium-Implanted Nanocrystalline Metals

Helium bubbles are known to form in nuclear reactor structural components when displacement damage occurs in conjunction with helium exposure and/or transmutation. If left unchecked, bubble production can cause swelling, blistering, and embrittlement, all of which substantially degrade materials and—moreover—diminish mechanical properties. On the mission to produce more robust materials, nanocrystalline (NC) metals show great potential and are postulated to exhibit superior radiation resistance due to their high defect and particle sink densities; however, much is still unknown about the mechanisms of defect evolution in these systems under extreme conditions. Here, the performances of NC nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe) are investigated under helium bombardment via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Bubble density statistics are measured as a function of grain size in specimens implanted under similar conditions. While the overall trends revealed an increase in bubble density up to saturation in both samples, bubble density in Fe was over 300% greater than in Ni. To interrogate the kinetics of helium diffusion and trapping, a rate theory model is developed that substantiates that helium is more readily captured within grains in helium-vacancy complexes in NC Fe, whereas helium is more prone to traversing the grain matrices and migrating to GBs in NC Ni. Our results suggest that (1) grain boundaries can affect bubble swelling in grain matrices significantly and can have a dominant effect over crystal structure, and (2) an NC-Ni-based material can yield superior resistance to irradiation-induced bubble growth compared to an NC-Fe-based material and exhibits high potential for use in extreme environments where swelling due to He bubble formation is of significant concern.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of molecular shape and flexibility on gamma-ray directional correlations.

Huntress' formalism (1968) is used to calculate the angular correlation behavior for an ensemble of radioactive nuclei, each of which is bound to an asymmetric-top molecule. The calculation is carried out both in an extreme narrowing limit (rapid motion) and in an adiabatic limit (slow motion). The two limiting cases span nearly the whole range of rates of rotational reorientation. It is shown that the problem of internal rotation is formally identical to that of rotation of a symmetric-top molecule. The experimentally observable time-integrated anisotropy is plotted for several rates of internal rotational diffusion.

Marshall, A. G.↗

Mach 1 oxidation of thoriated nickel chromium at 1204 C /2200 F/.

Electropolished and ground samples of TD-NiCr were exposed to a 1-atm, Mach 1 gas stream at 1204 C for times up to 50 hr. The samples were subjected to both cyclic and isothermal exposure. Weight change, metal loss, X-ray diffraction, metallographic, and electron microprobe analyses were performed. Neither surface preparation nor cyclic-against-isothermal-exposure conditions had a strong effect on the oxidation behavior of the alloy. Initially, a Cr2O3 layer was formed whose volatilization resulted in a very rapid loss of metal - more than 40 microns in the first hour. At about 1 hr, the Cr2O3 layer broke down and NiO began to cover the surface. By 5 hr, the NiO had covered the surface and the rate of loss slowed. The rate-controlling step was diffusion of Cr through NiO.

Lowell, C. E.↗

Degassing procedure for ultrahigh vacuum

Calculations based on diffusion coefficients and degassing rates for stainless-steel vacuum chambers indicate that baking at lower temperatures for longer periods give lower ultimate pressures than rapid baking at high temperatures. Process could reduce pressures in chambers for particle accelerators, fusion reactors, material research, and other applications.

Moore, B. C.↗

Gas phase hydrogen permeation in alpha titanium and carbon steels

Commercially pure titanium and heats of Armco ingot iron and steels containing from 0.008-1.23 w/oC were annealed or normalized and machined into hollow cylinders. Coefficients of diffusion for alpha-Ti and alpha-Fe were determined by the lag-time technique. Steady state permeation experiments yield first power pressure dependence for alpha-Ti and Sievert's law square root dependence for Armco iron and carbon steels. As in the case of diffusion, permeation data confirm that alpha-titanium is subject to at least partial phase boundary reaction control while the steels are purely diffusion controlled. The permeation rate in steels also decreases as the carbon content increases. As a consequence of Sievert's law, the computed hydrogen solubility decreases as the carbon content increases. This decreases in explained in terms of hydrogen trapping at carbide interfaces. Oxidizing and nitriding the surfaces of alpha-titanium membranes result in a decrease in the permeation rate for such treatment on the gas inlet surfaces but resulted in a slight increase in the rate for such treatment on the gas outlet surfaces. This is explained in terms of a discontinuous TiH2 layer.

Johnson, D. L.↗