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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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Evaluating intragrain gradients in the δ34S of pyrite using a 7f-GEO SIMS
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Characterization of subsurface media from locations up- and down-gradient of a uranium-contaminated aquifer
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Instabilities and phase transitions in architected metamaterials: a gradient-enhanced continuum approach
Architected metamaterials such as foams and lattices exhibit a wide range of properties governed by microstructural instabilities and emerging phase transitions. Their macroscopic response–including energy dissipation during impact, large recoverable deformations, morphing between configurations, and auxetic behavior–remains difficult to capture with conventional continuum models, which often rely on discrete approaches that limit scalability. In this work, we propose a nonlocal continuum formulation that captures both stable and unstable responses of elastic architected metamaterials. The framework extends anisotropic hyperelasticity by introducing nonlocal variables and internal length scales reflective of microstructural features. Local polyconvex free-energy models are systematically augmented with two families of non-(poly)convex energies, enabling both metastable and bistable responses. Implementation in a finite element framework enables solution using a hybrid monolithic–staggered strategy. Simulations capture densification fronts, forward and reverse transitions, hysteresis loops, imperfection sensitivity, and globally coordinated auxetic modes. Overall, this framework provides a robust foundation for accelerated modeling of instability-driven phenomena in architected metamaterials, while enabling extensions to anisotropic, dissipative, and active systems as well as integration with data-driven and machine learning approaches.
Surface with wettability gradient — A novel approach for crystallization fouling control on the horizontal falling film flow
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The evolution of soil microstructure and micromineralogy along a soil age gradient on the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador)
The islands of the Galápagos archipelago are of different ages due to the combination of a geostationary volcanic hotspot and the eastward movement of the Nazca tectonic plate. Taking advantage of this, a soil chronosequence (1.5–1070 ka) has recently been established covering four of the islands. This was used to investigate the temporal development of soil microstructure and micromineralogy using micromorphological methods in combination with synchrotron-based mineralogical and geochemical microanalyses. Along the chronosequence, the microstructure changed from intergrain microaggregates in the young soils to angular blocky microaggregates in the older soils. In the young soils, a high amount of vitric scoria and weatherable minerals occur, but they quickly disappear with age, and micromass increased fast. The micromorphological studies as well as micro-XRD and micro-XRF revealed increasing heterogeneity of soil microstructure and micromineralogy due to weathering and pedogenic processes until intermediate soil age. In the oldest soils, the microstructure became more uniform again, de-mixing pedofeatures like clay coatings have completely disappeared, and kaolinite, hematite and gibbsite dominate the mineralogical composition. Our study shows that the development of soil microstructure mirrors macroscopic soil profile development showing increasing differentiation until intermediate developmental stages and receding heterogeneity in highly weathered soils.
Migration velocities of intergranular He gas bubbles under thermal gradients in Fe by phase-field modeling
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The effect of secondary phases on microstructure and irradiation damage in an as-built additively manufactured 316 L stainless steel with a hafnium compositional gradient
Additive manufacturing (AM) or rapid prototyping has become a crucial tool for reducing both cost and time while increasing efficiency in qualifying structural materials for reactor use. In this study, directed energy deposition (DED) was used to develop an as-built 316 L stainless steel sample with three regions of increasing Hf-dopant to study the effects of Hf on the irradiation response of the material. Morphological and microstructural changes were analyzed before and after 2 MeV proton irradiation at 360 °C to a damage of 2.5 dpa at ~ 10 µm below the surface. The addition of Hf effectively suppressed radiation-induced damage (dislocation loops, radiation-induced segregation) due to enhanced point defect recombination. The radiation damage seen in the as-built sample was further compared to a thermo-mechanically treated counterpart of the same fabrication and irradiation parameters which was found to behave superiorly. In conclusion, the increased radiation resistance of this material may be attributed to the as-built microstructure, which includes undissolved Hf particles, delta ferrite grains and cellular sub-grain boundaries that can hinder defect motion.
Modeling hydrogen localization in Zircaloy cladding subjected to temperature gradients
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Hydraulic permeation-induced water concentration gradients in ion exchange membranes
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Microstructure and tensile behavior of nanostructured gradient TWIP steel
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Commissioning results of the BNL Alternating Gradient Synchrotron booster AC dipole
Here, an AC dipole has been installed in the AGS booster as part of polarized beam developments for the future Electron Ion Collider (EIC). This will allow preserving helion beam polarization through two intrinsic resonances during acceleration to an energy corresponding to |$Gγ$| = 10.5. AC dipoles can preserve polarization by forcing the beam to undergo large amplitude vertical betatron oscillations. These coherent oscillations cause all particles to sample the strong horizontal fields of quadrupoles, and result in a full spin flip. In preparation for the AC dipole being used for polarized helions, it was first commissioned with polarized protons. The proton extraction energy was raised to allow protons to cross $Gγ$ = 0 + $v_y$ = 4.8087. As an artifact of the experiment using polarized protons, the booster settings for bunch extraction interfered with the coherent oscillations and limited the maximum coherent amplitude. This interference will be well separated in the case of polarized helions. Polarized protons crossed the $Gγ$ = 0 + $v_y$ intrinsic resonance with a full spin flip through use of the AC dipole. Simulations of the resonance crossing using Zgoubi accurately predict the polarization relative to the coherent amplitude.