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At least 613 records · Page 34

The three-dimensional construction of leaves is coordinated with water use efficiency in conifers

Conifers prevail in the canopies of many terrestrial biomes, holding a great ecological and economic importance globally. Current increases in temperature and aridity are imposing high transpirational demands and resulting in conifer mortality. Therefore, identifying leaf structural determinants of water use efficiency is essential for predicting physiological impacts due to environmental variation. Here, using synchrotron-generated microtomography imaging, we extracted leaf volumetric anatomy and stomatal traits in 34 species across conifers with a special focus on Pinus , the richest conifer genus. We show that intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE i ) is positively driven by leaf vein volume. Needle-like leaves of Pinus , as opposed to flat leaves or flattened needles of other genera, showed lower mesophyll porosity, decreasing the relative mesophyll volume. This led to increased ratios of stomatal pore number per mesophyll or intercellular airspace volume, which emerged as powerful explanatory variables, predicting both stomatal conductance and WUE i . Our results clarify how the three-dimensional organisation of tissues within the leaf has a direct impact on plant water use and carbon uptake. By identifying a suite of structural traits that influence important physiological functions, our findings can help to understand how conifers may respond to the pressures exerted by climate change.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Development of an Advanced Hydrogen Energy Storage System using Aerogel in a Cryogenic Flux Capacitor

The Cryogenic Flux Capacitor (CFC) is a cold, dense fluid storage core with integrated design features that afford the designer flexibility and provide new possibilities for the storage and discharge of energy. The stored energy, in this case, is represented by hydrogen physically bonded within the nanoscale pores within the aerogel composite blanket material, and the process of bonding or debonding is governed by the principles of physical adsorption (physisorption) and thermodynamics. The large surface area afforded by the nanoporous aerogel (~1,000 m 2 /g) allows for storage densities close to, or in some cases exceeding, that of normal boiling point liquids. Its performance easily exceeds what can be achieved via ambient temperature and high-pressure gas storage for an equivalent volume. CFC storage is predicted to be easily scalable, constructed from readily available commercial materials, and lends itself to a range of pressure applications. The project team designed and manufactured the CFC, integrating it into a set of temperature-controlled flow loops. The CFC test setup was validated against existing data from previous NASA work. Tests used bottled hydrogen gas for test validation. A cryogenic fluid, nitrogen, flowed through a metered control system. Hydrogen temperature, pressure, and flow rates, as well as the temperature control targets, provided all necessary control targets. The team analyzed the recorded data and updated the Technology Maturation Plan based on the results of the test, making recommendations for a follow-up test, scale-up, and maturation pathway. For the engineering development and maturation of CFC hydrogen storage technology, a Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA) and Commercialization Plan for the integration of this technology with various power generation assets were produced. A companion analytical model was developed, experimentally validated, compared against performance metric, and used to tune the model and scale up the technology.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Barium Depletion in Hollow Cathode Emitters

The effect of tungsten erosion, transport and redeposition on the operation of dispenser hollow cathodes was investigated in detailed examinations of the discharge cathode inserts from an 8200 hour and a 30,352 hour ion engine wear test. Erosion and subsequent re-deposition of tungsten in the electron emission zone at the downstream end of the insert reduces the porosity of the tungsten matrix, preventing the ow of barium from the interior. This inhibits the interfacial reactions of the barium-calcium-aluminate impregnant with the tungsten in the pores. A numerical model of barium transport in the internal xenon discharge plasma shows that the barium required to reduce the work function in the emission zone can be supplied from upstream through the gas phase. Barium that flows out of the pores of the tungsten insert is rapidly ionized in the xenon discharge and pushed back to the emitter surface by the electric field and drag from the xenon ion flow. This barium ion flux is sufficient to maintain a barium surface coverage at the downstream end greater than 0.6, even if local barium production at that point is inhibited by tungsten deposits. The model also shows that the neutral barium pressure exceeds the equilibrium vapor pressure of the impregnant decomposition reaction over much of the insert length, so the reactions are suppressed. Only a small region upstream of the zone blocked by tungsten deposits is active and supplies the required barium. These results indicate that hollow cathode failure models based on barium depletion rates in vacuum dispenser cathodes are very conservative.

plasma discharges↗

Enhanced CO 2 Adsorption Capacity in Highly Porous Carbon Materials Derived from Melamine-Formaldehyde Resin

Here, the present study explores the synthesis of N-doped carbon materials with large surface porosity using commercial melamine-formaldehyde resin as the precursor and KOH as the activator. The resin was carbonized first and then activated by KOH with varying KOH amount and activation temperature. Notably, the as-obtained sorbents display advanced porosity with the highest surface area and pore volume of 1591 m 2 /g and 0.74 cm 3 /g, respectively, along with high N content ranging from 6.43 to 18.34 wt %. Remarkably, maximum CO 2 capture amounts of 5.42 and 3.52 mmol/g were accomplished at 0 and 25 degrees C, 1 bar for as-synthesized carbons. Systematic studies point out that narrow microporosity is the major factor determining the CO 2 uptake of these carbons under ambient pressure. Furthermore, these sorbents display notable CO 2 selectivity, rapid adsorption kinetics, moderate heat of adsorption, substantial dynamic CO 2 capture capacity, and stable recyclability. These results underscore the potential of melamine-formaldehyde resin-derived N-doped porous carbon as an efficient and versatile adsorbent for CO 2 capture.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Surface and bulk characterization of reservoir and cap-rocks: Past, present, and future

Geologic formations provide potentially some of the largest volume capacities for CO 2 storage or sequestration. Potential storage sites can be deep saline aquifers, depleted oil reservoirs, and coal seams, surrounded by sealing layers to prevent CO 2 from leaking. It is therefore critical to understand mechanisms contributing to CO 2 trapping and CO 2 leaks. Both phenomena are governed by reactions at the interfaces of the reservoir and cap-rocks and are controlled by the complex chemistry and pore structures of rocks. Mechanisms at the macroscale are affected by the processes occurring at the nanoscale. This review highlights the necessity of multitechnique, multiscale characterization of rocks and points to the importance of surface analysis and surface science studies. Two shale rocks (seals) from Niobrara and Agardhfjellet formations with complex surface chemistry are used as examples throughout the paper. Typically, evaluation of rocks with x-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, gas adsorption, and electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy is conducted to provide valuable information about the bulk mineralogy, elemental composition, pore volume, and adsorbed species on the sample surface. These studies are necessary prior to designing surface sensitive experiments with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), guiding both sample preparation and sample analysis. XPS has been widely used to study the surface composition of rocks during the investigations of their fine-scale wettability, and the main findings are highlighted here. This paper also reviews the existing literature on ambient-pressure XPS, which provides new opportunities to study in situ chemical alteration due to interactions with CO 2 and offers recommendations for adapting this technique to study rock-fluid interactions, allowing for the identification of fundamental interactions during CO 2 sequestration and guide selection of formation sites for improved storage.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Alpha-Quartz Plastic Strength Investigation Via Diffraction Experiments on Novaculite Using A D-Dia and Elastic Plastic Self- Consistent Interpretation [Thesis}

X-Ray Tomography. Porosity is commonly measured using mercury injection (MI) or water immersion porosimeter (WIP). Both MI and WIP utilize pressure to fill open voids with mercury or water respectively. A measure of the volume change of the sample is then used to estimate the percentage of open voids. However, for the purpose of rheological study it is important to get an accurate measure of open and closed voids. X-ray tomography has been selected as it offers a three-dimensional view into the sample that can quantify all pores limited only by the voxel size which is in the micron range for this study. Radiographs for tomography were collected at the Material Science and Technology Division at Los Alamos National Lab using the Carl Zeiss Xradio 520 instrument and Scout-and-Scan version 16.1 operating software. Two samples were imaged, the starting material and the deformed sample SiO2_65. 3001 radiographs were taken of the starting material with a 6 second exposure time using a 4x objective lens. The x-ray beam was set to 60 kilovoltage peak (kVp) and 5 watts. 1901 radiographs were taken of SiO2_65 with a 25 second exposure time using a 10x objective lens. The x-ray beam was set to 80 kVp and 7 watts. Radiograph files were analyzed by Brian Patterson using Avizo. Void and inclusion volumes were output by voxel sized (1.03 μm) slices, used to calculate a total percentage volume for the starting material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Molecular-Scale Considerations of Enhanced Oil Recovery in Shale

With only less than 10% recovery, the primary production of hydrocarbon from shale reservoirs has redefined the energy equation in the world. Similar to conventional reservoirs, Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques could be devised to enhance the current recovery factors. However, shale reservoirs possess unique characteristics that significantly affect the fluid properties. Therefore, we are adopting a molecular simulation approach that is well-suited to account for these effects to evaluate the performance of three different gases, methane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen, to recover the hydrocarbons from rough pore surfaces. Our hydrocarbon systems consists of either a single component (decane) or more than one component (decane and pentane). We simulated cases where concurrent and countercurrent displacement is studied. For concurrent displacement (injected fluids displace hydrocarbons towards the production region), we found that nitrogen and methane yielded similar recovery; however nitrogen exhibited a faster breakthrough. On the other hand, carbon dioxide was more effective in extracting the hydrocarbons when sufficient pressure was maintained. For countercurrent displacement (gases are injected and hydrocarbons are produced from the same direction), methane was found to be more effective, followed by carbon dioxide and nitrogen. In all cases, confinement reduced the recovery factor of all gases. This work provides insights to devise strategies to improve the current recovery factors observed in shale reservoirs.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗

Membrane rejection of nitrogen compounds

Rejection characteristics of nitrogen compounds were examined for reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, and low-pressure reverse osmosis membranes. The rejection of nitrogen compounds is explained by integrating experimental results with calculations using the extended Nernst-Planck model coupled with a steric hindrance model. The molecular weight and chemical structure of nitrogen compounds appear to be less important in determining rejection than electrostatic properties. The rejection is greatest when the Donnan potential exceeds 0.05 V or when the ratio of the solute radius to the pore radius is greater than 0.8. The transport of solute in the pore is dominated by diffusion, although convective transport is significant for organic nitrogen compounds. Electromigration contributes negligibly to the overall solute transport in the membrane. Urea, a small organic compound, has lower rejection than ionic compounds such as ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite, indicating the critical role of electrostatic interaction in rejection. This suggests that better treatment efficiency for organic nitrogen compounds can be obtained after ammonification of urea.

NASA Discipline Life Support Systems↗

Vacuum-assisted extrusion to reduce internal porosity in large-format additive manufacturing

Large-scale 3D printing of polymer composite structures has gained popularity and seen extensive use over the last decade. Much of the research related to improving the mechanical properties of 3D-printed parts has focused on exploring new materials and optimizing print parameters to improve geometric control and minimize voids between printed beads. However, porosity at the microstructural level (within the printed bead) has been much less studied although it is almost universally observed at levels of 4 %-10 % when using fiber reinforced materials. This study introduces a vacuum-assist approach that minimizes internal porosity by removing ambient air from the interstitial space between pellets in the hopper and acts as a negative pressure vent for gases that evolve during the initial stages of single-screw extrusion. Vacuum-assisted extrusion was able to reduce porosity below 2 % across a wide range of processing parameters, moisture content, fiber reinforcements, and printing platforms. Specifically, when printing on a large-format extruder (Strangpresse Model-30), the vacuum-assisted extrusion reduced internal porosity by 35–75 % compared to conventional non-vacuum extrusion, and only pores with length scale > 2 microns are affected. The success of this approach prompted the design of a patent-pending continuous vacuum hopper relevant for large-scale 3D printing on commercial systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Some surface characteristics and gas interactions of Apollo 14 fines and rock fragments.

Comprehensive survey of the physical surface characteristics of Apollo 14 fines, two fragments of a breccia (14321), and a crystalline rock (14310). The survey was carried out with optical and both scanning and transmission electron microscopy and by studying the adsorption of a variety of gases including nitrogen, hydrogen, and water vapor. Our objective in the optical microscope study was to relate the visible geological and petrological features to the surface properties. Electron microscopy particularly helped relate surface roughness and particle fusion to gas adsorption and pore structure. The fine sample (14163,111) had a surface area of 0.210 sq m/g and a helium density of 2.9 g/cc. Similar values have been observed with breccia fragments. Other observations include physical adsorption of molecular hydrogen at low temperatures and of water vapor at ambient temperatures. It is concluded that these particular lunar materials, while capable of adsorbing water vapor, do not retain it for any significant time at low pressures, nor, under lunar conditions, is there any indication of absorption or penetration.

Cadenhead, D. A.↗

The narrow pulse approximation and long length scale determination in xenon gas diffusion NMR studies of model porous media

We report a systematic study of xenon gas diffusion NMR in simple model porous media, random packs of mono-sized glass beads, and focus on three specific areas peculiar to gas-phase diffusion. These topics are: (i) diffusion of spins on the order of the pore dimensions during the application of the diffusion encoding gradient pulses in a PGSE experiment (breakdown of the narrow pulse approximation and imperfect background gradient cancellation), (ii) the ability to derive long length scale structural information, and (iii) effects of finite sample size. We find that the time-dependent diffusion coefficient, D(t), of the imbibed xenon gas at short diffusion times in small beads is significantly affected by the gas pressure. In particular, as expected, we find smaller deviations between measured D(t) and theoretical predictions as the gas pressure is increased, resulting from reduced diffusion during the application of the gradient pulse. The deviations are then completely removed when water D(t) is observed in the same samples. The use of gas also allows us to probe D(t) over a wide range of length scales and observe the long time asymptotic limit which is proportional to the inverse tortuosity of the sample, as well as the diffusion distance where this limit takes effect (approximately 1-1.5 bead diameters). The Pade approximation can be used as a reference for expected xenon D(t) data between the short and the long time limits, allowing us to explore deviations from the expected behavior at intermediate times as a result of finite sample size effects. Finally, the application of the Pade interpolation between the long and the short time asymptotic limits yields a fitted length scale (the Pade length), which is found to be approximately 0.13b for all bead packs, where b is the bead diameter. c. 2002 Elsevier Sciences (USA).

NASA Discipline Life Sciences Technologies↗

Metal-Organic Framework Glasses as Rad Contaminant Sequesters and Nuclear Waste Forms

Remediation of Tc remains an unresolved problem at SRS and other DOE sites. The objective of this project was to develop novel metal organic framework (MOF) glasses for radioactive contaminant sequestration and stabilization from aqueous media. During FY20, we synthesized, characterized and evaluated additional cetyltrimethylcimmonium bromide (CTAB)-functionalized and F - , Cl - , I - , CF 3 SO 3 - exchanged MIL-101-Cr samples. MIL-10l-Cr-NO 3 -CTAB was demonstrated to have high ReO 4 - removed capacity (139 mg/g sorbent) from artificial groundwater (AGW). Re chemical specicition and binding mechanism on MIL-101-CTAB were also studied by synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy. ReO 4 - was demonstrated as being in the pore structure with slightly larger Re-O bond distances than those in NciReO 4 and binding with the positively charged sites of CTAB. In addition, a new Ni-TIPA MOF was demonstrated to be very stable, selective and effective for TcO 4 - removed from the SRS tank waste stream (~90% removed). The Ni-TIPA MOF sample containing ReO 4 - was prepared and shipped/planned for vitrification studies by a high-pressure technique. This research may provide a highly applicable platform for solving critical DOE and industrial problems related to nuclear environmental stewardship and nuclear power production.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Morphological Evolution of Directional Solidification Interfaces in Microgravity: An Analysis of Model Experiments Performed on the International Space Station

A series of experiments performed using the Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI) apparatus within the glovebox facility (GBX) on board the International Space Station (ISS) has provided video images of the morphological evolution of a three-dimensional interface in a diffusion controlled regime. The experimental samples were prepared on ground by filling glass tubes, 1 cm ID and approximately 30 cm in length, with "alloys" of succinonitrile (SCN) and water in an atmosphere of nitrogen at 450 millibar pressure. The compositions of the samples processed and analyzed are 0.25,0.5 and 1.0 wt% water. Experimental processing parameters of temperature gradient and translation speed, as well as camera settings, were remotely monitored and manipulated from the ground Telescience Center (TSC) at the Marshall !3pace Flight Center. During the experiments, the sample was first subjected to a unidirectional melt back, generally at 10 microns per second, with a constant temperature gradient ahead of the melting interface. Following the melt back, the interface was allowed to stabilize before translation is initiated. The temperatures in the sample were monitored by six in situ thermocouples and the position is monitored by an optical linear encoder. For the experiments performed and analyzed, the gradients ranged from 2.5 - 3.3 K/mm and the initial pulling velocities ranged from 0.7 micron per second to 1 micron per second with subsequent transition velocities of up to 100 microns per second. The data provided by the PFMI for analysis includes near-real-time (NRT) video captured on the ground during the experiment runs, ISS Video Tape Recorder (VTR) data dumped from the VTR at the end of the experiment run and recorded on the ground, telemetry data including temperature and position measurements, and limited flight HI-8 tapes in 2 camera views of experiment runs for which tapes have been returned to the investigators from ISS. Because of limited down mass from the ISS, the majority of the initial analysis has been performed using the NRT and VTR video data but will be supplemented with the HI-8 video as it becomes available. hardware and procedures required to prepare samples for correlation to flight samples is described. Using this ground-based system, a series of experiments have been performed for direct comparison with the flight data. The results of these comparisons as well as implications to future microgravity experiments are presented and discussed. A ground-based thin-sample directional solidification system as well as all associated

Strutzenberg, Louise L.↗

Liquid Acquisition Device Design Sensitivity Study

In-space propulsion often necessitates the use of a capillary liquid acquisition device (LAD) to assure that gas-free liquid propellant is available to support engine restarts in microgravity. If a capillary screen-channel device is chosen, then the designer must determine the appropriate combination screen mesh and channel geometry. A screen mesh selection which results in the smallest LAD width when compared to any other screen candidate (for a constant length) is desirable; however, no best screen exists for all LAD design requirements. Flow rate, percent fill, and acceleration are the most influential drivers for determining screen widths. Increased flow rates and reduced percent fills increase the through-the-screen flow pressure losses, which drive the LAD to increased widths regardless of screen choice. Similarly, increased acceleration levels and corresponding liquid head pressures drive the screen mesh selection toward a higher bubble point (liquid retention capability). After ruling out some screens on the basis of acceleration requirements alone, candidates can be identified by examining screens with small flow-loss-to-bubble point ratios for a given condition (i.e., comparing screens at certain flow rates and fill levels). Within the same flow rate and fill level, the screen constants inertia resistance coefficient, void fraction, screen pore or opening diameter, and bubble point can become the driving forces in identifying the smaller flow-loss-to-bubble point ratios.

VanDyke, M. K.↗

Olefin methylation over iron zeolites and the methanol to hydrocarbons reaction

The effect of olefin addition to a stream of dimethyl ether on the methanol homologation reaction is investigated using iron-substituted zeolites Fe-beta and Fe-ZSM-5. The reaction was investigated using plug-flow microreactors in the temperature range of 240–400 °C, at a total pressure of 0.239 MPa and a WHSV of 6.12 (g DME/ gcat -hr). For Fe-beta (Si/Fe= 9.2) catalysts, isobutene co-feeding almost doubles dimethyl ether (DME) consumption rate and shifts selectivity towards larger olefins with carbon numbers from 5 to 7. Addition of isobutene above 6.3%, however, resulted in a reduction of DME consumption rates, an effect assigned to the replacement of surface methoxy groups for adsorbed olefins in the zeolite pores. Below a temperature of 340 °C hydride-transfer rates are negligible; reaction rates are stable for over 5.5 h and the products consist almost exclusively of olefins and a small amount of methane. Above 360 °C the onset of catalytic hydride transfer processes is observed leading to fast catalyst deactivation rates and an increase in the concentration of aromatic species. Iron ZSM-5 (Si/Fe = 21.4) catalysts under similar reaction conditions consumes methanol faster than Fe-beta at approximately three times the TOF (on a per iron basis). The Fe-ZSM-5 catalyst was selective to a distribution of products (C5 to C8) as compared to Fe-beta which was selective to primarily C5 and C7. Co-feeding larger olefins (2-methyl-2-butene, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene, 2,3,3-trimethyl-1-butene, and 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentene) at a 3.9% olefin concentration over Fe-beta changed selectivity towards cracking products (C4 compounds such as isobutene). As the size of the olefin increases, a reduction of DME consumption rate is also observed. Here these results show that co-feeding olefins with DME over Fe-zeolites is a promising route to increase methylation rates at relatively low temperatures producing larger branched olefins and that the product distribution is highly dependent on the zeolite pore size and structure of the olefin.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Role of heating and turbulent heat transfer in HE burning and detonation

Enhanced heat transfer model has been developed due to the turbulence in the cracks and pores in the burning fractured HE. This turbulence then serves in the initialization of the turbulence in the product gas. Enhanced heat transfer is also modeled in the turbulent product gas. Numerical simulations of the onset of HE burning and transition to detonation have been performed with and without the turbulent heat transfer model. Computational results indicate that onset of chemical reactions and transition to detonation is induced by the shockwave formed by the pressure rise caused by the heating. In other words, processes similar to shock-to-detonation transition (SDT) could become the driving mechanism for HE explosion and detonation in the case of heating rather than the temperature alone.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

Soft interface instability and gas flow channeling in low-permeability deformable media

Understanding gas percolation through a clay layer or a shale formation is of great importance for the development of a geologic repository for nuclear waste disposal, a subsurface system for gas storage, and an engineering approach for hydrocarbon extraction from unconventional reservoirs. Gas injection experiments have revealed complex dynamic behaviours of gas percolation through water saturated compacted bentonite, characterized by a high breakthrough pressure, rapid breakthrough, a pressure/stress decay after the breakthrough, a relatively high migration rate, high-frequency periodic/nonperiodic variations in flow rate, stepwise rate reductions during relaxation, and low gas saturation over the whole process, all indicating channelling nature of the processes. Using linear stability analyses, we show that this channelling can autonomously emerge from the instability of the deformable interface between the injected gas and the compacted bentonite matrix driven by local stress concentration, pore dilation, and hydrologic gradient. Channel patterns formed would possess a fractal geometry. We further show that, once a percolating channel is established, the gas injected would percolate through the channel in a chain of gas bubbles, also due to the interface instability, resulting in periodic/chaotic variations in gas flow rate. Our work provides a unified explanation for key features observed for gas percolation in low-permeability deformable media. The work also suggests a possibility of designing an engineered barrier system for a nuclear waste repository that can have controllable gas release while limit water transport.

Bentonite↗

Stress rupture and creep behavior of a low pressure plasma-sprayed NiCoCrAlY coating alloy in air and vacuum

The creep behavior of a NiCoCrAlY coating alloy in air and vacuum at 660 and 850 C is studied. The microstructure of the coating alloy is described. Analysis of the creep curves reveal that the secondary creep rates, the transition from secondary to tertiary creep, and the strain-to-failure are affected by the environment, preexposure, stress, and temperature. It is observed that the rupture lives of the NiCoCrAlY alloy at 660 and 850 C are greater in air than in vacuum. Several mechanisms that may explain the lack of crack growth from surface-connected pores during tests in air are proposed.

Hebsur, M. G.↗