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At least 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2012

The Mechanisms for the Onset and Explosive Eruption of Coronal Mass Ejections and Eruptive Flares

We have investigated the onset and acceleration of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and eruptive flares. To isolate the eruption physics, our study uses the breakout model, which is insensitive to the energy buildup process leading to the eruption. We performed 2.5D simulations with adaptive mesh refinement that achieved the highest overall spatial resolution to date in a CME/eruptive flare simulation. The ultra-high resolution allows us to separate clearly the timing of the various phases of the eruption. Using new computational tools, we have determined the number and evolution of all X- and O-type nulls in the system, thereby tracking both the progress and the products of reconnection throughout the computational domain. Our results show definitively that CME onset is due to the start of fast reconnection at the breakout current sheet. Once this reconnection begins, eruption is inevitable; if this is the only reconnection in the system, however, the eruption will be slow. The explosive CME acceleration is triggered by fast reconnection at the flare current sheet. Our results indicate that the explosive eruption is caused by a resistive instability, not an ideal process. Moreover, both breakout and flare reconnections begin first as a form of weak tearing characterized by a slowly evolving plasmoids, but eventually transition to a fast form with well-defined Alfvenic reconnection jets and rapid flux transfer. This transition to fast reconnection is required for both CME onset and explosive acceleration. We discuss the key implications of our results for CME/flare observations and for theories of magnetic reconnection.

Karpen, Judith T.↗
NASA NTRS2021

Stratigraphic Evidence for Early Martian Explosive Volcanism in Arabia Terra

Several large paterae in Arabia Terra are suggested to be calderas that produced colossal explosive eruptions (i.e., supereruptions). If these features are indeed explosive calderas, dispersion modeling suggests extensive ash deposits should be common throughout the region. However, such deposits have not previously been linked with the suggested calderas. Here, we describe layered deposits containing minerals both consistent with and diagnostic of altered volcanic ash throughout Arabia Terra. These deposits include Al-dominant minerals such as montmorillonite, imogolite, and allophane among others. Altered ash deposits are found to thin (from 1-km to 100-m thickness) away from the suggested calderas. We estimate that the volcanic ash observed in Arabia Terra is the result of between 1,000 and 2,000 individual explosive eruptions over 500-million years. Our observations support the hypothesis that Arabia Terra hosted supereruptions in the late Noachian-early Hesperian that repeatedly blanketed the region with layers of ash.

Patrick Whelley↗
NASA NTRS2021

A Large Fraction of Hydrogen-rich Supernova Progenitors Experience Elevated Mass Loss Shortly Prior to Explosion

Spectroscopic detection of narrow emission lines traces the presence of circumstellar mass distributions around massive stars exploding as core-collapse supernovae. Transient emission lines disappearing shortly after the supernova explosion suggest that the material spatial extent is compact and implies an increased mass loss shortly prior to explosion. Here, we present a systematic survey for such transient emission lines (Flash Spectroscopy) among Type II supernovae detected in the first year of the Zwicky Transient Facility survey. We find that at least six out of ten events for which a spectrum was obtained within two days of the estimated explosion time show evidence for such transient flash lines. Our measured flash event fraction (>30% at 95% confidence level) indicates that elevated mass loss is a common process occurring in massive stars that are about to explode as supernovae.

Rachel J. Bruch↗
DOE OSTI2014

Colorimetric chemical analysis sampler for the presence of explosives

A tester for testing for explosives comprising a body, a lateral flow swab unit operably connected to the body, a explosives detecting reagent contained in the body, and a dispenser operatively connected to the body and the lateral flow swab unit. The dispenser selectively allows the explosives detecting reagent to be delivered to the lateral flow swab unit.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2014

Wireless sensor for detecting explosive material

Disclosed is a sensor for detecting explosive devices. The sensor includes a ferromagnetic metal and a molecular recognition reagent coupled to the ferromagnetic metal. The molecular recognition reagent is operable to expand upon absorption of vapor from an explosive material such that the molecular recognition reagent changes a tensile stress upon the ferromagnetic metal. The explosive device is detected based on changes in the magnetic switching characteristics of the ferromagnetic metal caused by the tensile stress.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2014

Geologic Assessment of the Damage Zone from Two Explosions at the Source Physics Experiment

Explosive tests are being conducted in fractured granite in Nevada to increase the understanding of certain basic physical phenomena associated with underground explosions. These tests, collectively known as the Source Physics Experiment (SPE), are designed to study the generation and propagation of seismic waves. The results will help advance the seismic monitoring capability of the United States by improving the predictive capability of physics-based modeling of explosive phenomena (Snelson et al., 2012). Three of seven planned tests have been conducted to date. All the tests have been conducted in the same source hole.

seismic modeling, Nevada National Security Site↗
DOE OSTI2015

Accelerating Our Understanding of Supernova Explosion Mechanism via Simulations and Visualizations with GenASiS

Core-collapse supernovae are among the most powerful explosions in the Universe, releasing about 1053 erg of energy on timescales of a few tens of seconds. These explosion events are also responsible for the production and dissemination of most of the heavy elements, making life as we know it possible. Yet exactly how they work is still unresolved. One reason for this is the sheer complexity and cost of a self-consistent, multi-physics, and multi-dimensional core-collapse supernova simulation, which is impractical, and often impossible, even on the largest supercomputers we have available today. To advance our understanding we instead must often use simplified models, teasing out the most important ingredients for successful explosions, while helping us to interpret results from higher fidelity multi-physics models. In this paper we investigate the role of instabilities in the core-collapse supernova environment. We present here simulation and visualization results produced by our code GenASiS.

Budiardja, R. D.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Challenges in simulating ground interacting nuclear explosions

This paper summarizes recent above-ground nuclear explosion simulations as part of a broader effort to better characterize conditions within a fireball that may influence the chemical evolution of bomb materials and other materials entrained from the local explosion environment. A critical component of this work is validation against historic footage of atmospheric testing, requiring that we understand how the frequency-dependent sensitivity of the utilized film footage influences data captured in such images. We focus first on the early physics of a nuclear explosion in the atmosphere before discussing some of the technical challenges we seek to capture in late-time models that include more complex emplacement conditions and subsurface features. We discuss required physics packages (compressible hydrodynamics, radiation transport, as well as necessary ancillary tables such as equations of state (EOS) and opacities). Additionally, we note reasonable “shortcuts” one may make and their limitations, e.g., using ideal gas EOS, replacing spectrally resolved radiation with spectrally averaged radiation, and exchanging deterministic transport with diffusion. We then discuss an approach to achieving an equilibrated initial stress state for problems where buoyancy and subsurface lithostatic stress are important. Our methodology is presented in the context of LLNL’s ALE3D multiphysics code but may readily be implemented in other codes. In this paper, we start with a description of the challenges of NUDET simulations, followed by a presentation of the simulated intensity (flux) as it would appear on an analysis of the Dixie test. We then progressively introduce additional complexity in subsequent sections (near-surface burst and gravity initialization) before concluding.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2023

Tooling assembly and method for explosively forming features in a thin-walled cylinder

The present invention provides a method of explosively forming a helical tube from at least one thin-walled cylinder using a tooling assembly. The method includes inserting the at least one thin-walled cylinder into a die of the tooling assembly. The die surrounds the at least one thin-walled cylinder and includes an interior surface that defines a helical thread pattern. The method further includes surrounding the at least one thin-walled cylinder and the die with a casing of the tooling assembly. A cavity is defined by the casing and the thin-walled cylinder. The method further includes positioning an explosive charge within the cavity. The method additionally includes at least partially submerging the tooling assembly. The method further includes detonating the explosive charge. As a result, the at least one thin-walled cylinder is formed into a helical tube that corresponds with helical thread pattern of the interior surface of the die.

Eberl, Kurt R.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Data Fusion and Feature Extraction of Explosions Recorded on Smartphones

The prompt detection of explosions is a key element of the nuclear non-proliferation mission. With traditional sensors being limited in number and scale, smartphones as compact and economical multi-modal sensors are gaining traction and are being deployed. To address the flood of heterogeneous smartphone data, our team proposes a feature extraction using standardized constant-Q frequency bands across acoustic, barometric, and accelerometer data. The work presented in this poster utilizes three explosions collected on smartphones with Idaho National Lab. More explosions are planned in the near future at INL and NNSS. These extracted features will be used in machine learning methods in future iterations.

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Review of the Effects of Polymer Binder Properties on Microstructure and Irreversible Volume Growth of Plastic Bonded Explosives Formulations

The rational design of effective polymeric binders for the formulation of plastic-bonded explosives (PBX) is challenging due to their inherent compositional complexity. The composites comprise irregularly shaped energetic material (EM) powders coated with low weight fractions of polymer via non-equilibrium processes such as slurry coating. Defects can deleteriously affect PBX stability and performance: nano- to micrometer-scale voids can act as loci for hot spots, lowering deflagration and detonation temperatures in unpredictable ways. Furthermore, some nominally desirable polymer properties are at odds with each other: e. g. good flow characteristics are desirable for coating and adhesion, but mechanical stiffness is needed to prevent deformation and cracking of PBX under mechanical stress. Good binder adhesion is critical, but the best means to predict and measure adhesion in PBX is not obvious. Experimental methods of determining binder adhesion on model surfaces may not capture polymer structural configurations relevant to deposition during coating. Molecular dynamics-based computational models have predicted key observables in PBX formulation, suggesting that they may be powerful tools for binder selection. In this review, primarily recent (~2006 and later) literature on polymeric binders for insensitive HE (IHE) is surveyed. We focus on how binder properties influence observable PBX properties as resistance to irreversible volume growth and void formation in PBX formulations mainly (but not exclusively) featuring 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) as the EM (e. g. PBX 9502, LX-17 and others). Conclusions from these studies yield useful guidelines for choosing HE binder candidates, as well as for the general design of highly-filled polymer composite materials. Finally, studies describing challenges in PBX formulation with the newer and more energetically dense high explosive, LLM-105, will be discussed.

adhesion↗
DOE OSTI2025

Uncertainty Quantification Enabled by Automatic Differentiation for Hydrodynamic Simulation of Shock‐to‐Detonation Transition in High Explosives

Quantifying the effects of uncertainty in a reactive burn model on the run-to-detonation time in high explosives (HEs) provides a robust methodology for assessing the probability of an HE failing the IHE qualification standard. Moreover, uncertainty quantification helps evaluate whether the model calibration accurately represents data outside the calibration set. This study uses a specialized hydrodynamic simulation code for modeling detonation to determine the run-to-detonation time of the HE PBX 9502 for various impact velocities. To quickly approximate uncertainties in the model, a surrogate was constructed using a Taylor series expansion centered at the mean of the input parameters. To obtain the sensitivities required for constructing the Taylor series, HYP-percomplex Automatic Differentiation (HYPAD) was implemented. HYPAD is a methodology for infusing existing codes with automatic differentiation capabilities by augmenting variables with one or more imaginary units to compute step-size independent partial derivatives. These derivatives are accurate to machine precision with respect to the implemented numerical algorithm, meaning their accuracy reflects that of the underlying method (e.g., integration or discretization schemes). Using reduced order modeling techniques, the mean and standard deviation of the run-to-detonation time of a shock within PBX 9502 were computed for a number of initial impact velocities. A weighted least squares regression was then performed to obtain a best fit curve and prediction interval for the computed statistics. Historical data points from explosively driven wedge tests were utilized to validate the prediction interval, ensuring its reliability in predicting future outcomes. With this prediction interval and a known safety constraint curve, the most probable point of failure and the probability of failure for the HE PBX 9502 were determined.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Microstructure and Properties of 5083 Al/1060 Al/AZ31 Composite Plate Fabricated by Explosive Welding

A 5083 Al/1060 Al/AZ31 composite plate was fabricated by explosive welding. The microstructure and properties of the composite plate were investigated after explosive welding. The results showed that all bonding interfaces were wavy interfaces. With an increasing distance from the detonation point, the wavelength and the amplitude also increased. The EDS results indicated that a 5-μm diffusion layer was observed at the 1060 Al/AZ31 layer, including the Mg{sub 2}Al{sub 3} phase. Adiabatic shear bands and twin structures were observed in AZ31. The shear bond strength of the 5083 Al/1060 Al interface was 60 MPa, and the shear bond strength of the 1060 Al/AZ31 interface was 84 MPa.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Mechanism of Nonequilibrium Formation of Novel Interface Structures in Explosive Welding

Novel structures are commonly observed in explosive welding products. This paper presents the nonequilibrium mechanism of the welding interface. A theoretical model was established first to deduce the motion equation of the rapid accelerated flyer plate. Numerical simulations of the welding interface were carried out with the smooth particle hydrodynamic method. Both the theoretical and numerical results were compared with experimental phenomena and showed that under the very rapid application of an impact load usually associated with high-strength plastic deformation, a significant strain rate, and temperature rise, the material volumes of the welding interface are in the viscoelastic state and prone to rotation, detrusion, and dilatation. In addition, the extreme values from the nonequilibrium development of the interface structure are a consequence of the competition between the loading and unloading stress waves during the explosive welding process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Printable sensors for explosive detonation

Here, we report the development of an organic thin film transistor (OTFT) based on printable solution processed polymers and employing a quantum tunnelling composite material as a sensor to convert the pressure wave output from detonation transmission tubing (shock tube) into an inherently amplified electronic signal for explosives initiation. The organic electronic detector allows detection of the signal in a low voltage operating range, an essential feature for sites employing live ordinances that is not provided by conventional electronic devices. We show that a 30-fold change in detector response is possible using the presented detector assembly. Degradation of the OTFT response with both time and repeated voltage scans was characterised, and device lifetime is shown to be consistent with the requirements for on-site printing and usage. The integration of a low cost organic electronic detector with inexpensive shock tube transmission fuse presents attractive avenues for the development of cheap and simple assemblies for precisely timed initiation of explosive chains.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Reactive flow modeling of small scale detonation failure experiments for a baseline non-ideal explosive

Small scale characterization experiments using only 1–5 g of a baseline ammonium nitrate plus fuel oil (ANFO) explosive are discussed and simulated using an ignition and growth reactive flow model. There exists a strong need for the small scale characterization of non-ideal explosives in order to adequately survey the wide parameter space in sample composition, density, and microstructure of these materials. However, it is largely unknown in the scientific community whether any useful or meaningful result may be obtained from detonation failure, and whether a minimum sample size or level of confinement exists for the experiments. In this work, it is shown that the parameters of an ignition and growth rate law may be calibrated using the small scale data, which is obtained from a 35 GHz microwave interferometer. Calibration is feasible when the samples are heavily confined and overdriven; this conclusion is supported with detailed simulation output, including pressure and reaction contours inside the ANFO samples. The resulting shock wave velocity is most likely a combined chemical-mechanical response, and simulations of these experiments require an accurate unreacted equation of state (EOS) in addition to the calibrated reaction rate. Other experiments are proposed to gain further insight into the detonation failure data, as well as to help discriminate between the role of the EOS and reaction rate in predicting the measured outcome.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2017

Characterization of hypervelocity metal fragments for explosive initiation

The fragment impact response of two plastic-bonded explosive (PBX) formulations was studied using explosively driven aluminum fragments. A generic aluminum-capped detonator generated sub-mm aluminum particles moving at hypersonic velocities. The ability of these fragments to initiate reaction or otherwise damage two PBX materials was assessed using go/no-go experiments at standoff distances of up to 160 mm. Lower density PBX 9407 (RDX-based) was initiable at up to 115 mm, while higher density PBX 9501 (HMX-based) was only initiable at up to 6 mm. Several techniques were used to characterize the size, distribution, and velocity of the particles. Witness plate materials, including copper and polycarbonate, and backlit high speed video were used to characterize the distribution of particles, finding that the aluminum cap did not fragment homogeneously but rather with larger particles in a ring surrounding finer particles. Finally, precise digital holography experiments were conducted to measure the three-dimensional shape and size of the fastest-moving fragments, which ranged between 100 and 700 μm and traveled between 2.2 and 3.2 km/s. Crucially, these experiments showed variability in the fragmentation in terms of the number of fragments at the leading edge of the fragment field, indicating that both single and multiple shock impacts could be imparted to the target material. As a result, these types of data are critical for safety experiments and hydrocode simulations to quantify shock-to-detonation transition mechanisms and the associated risk-margins for these materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Standoff detection of chemical plumes from high explosive open detonations using a swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade laser

A swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade laser (ECQCL) is used to perform standoff detection of combustion gases in a plume generated from an outdoor high-explosive (HE) open detonation. The swept-ECQCL system was located at a standoff distance of 830 m from a 41kg charge of LX-14(polymer-bonded high explosive) and was used to measure the infrared transmission/absorption through the post-detonation plume as it propagated through the beam path. The swept-ECQCL was operated continuously to record broadband absorption spectra at 200hz rate over a spectral range from 2050 to 2230 cm -1 (4.48 - 4.88 μm). Fitting of measured spectra was used to determine time-resolved column densities of CO, CO 2 , H 2 O, and N 2 O. Analysis of visible video imagery was used to provide timing correlations and to estimate plume dimensions, from which gas mixing ratios were estimated. Measured emission factors and modified combustion efficiency show good agreement with previously reported values.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗