Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “morphology evolution”

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 631 records · Page 35

Substrate-Driven Catalyst Reducibility for Oxygen Evolution and Its Effect on the Operation of Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers

To increase the efficiency of hydrogen production by proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs), the relationships between the specific activity and stability of the membrane–electrode assembly (MEA) must be clarified. Ir oxide electrodeposited on Ti substrate is used as an oxygen electrode, and its electronic properties and electrochemical behavior in PEMWE operation are observed. The electrode, fabricated through a facile strategy based on annealing in the air atmosphere, enhances the specific oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity and stability in PEMWE operation. Furthermore, the electronic catalyst–substrate interactions associated with different reducibilities in the heteroatom system are studied. The morphology, electronic properties, and chemical state of the oxygen electrode are investigated through X-ray spectroscopy, microscopy techniques, and computational analyses. Thermal treatment of the catalyst-coated substrate decreases the bulk oxidation state of Ir and increases the surface oxidation state. According to the electrochemical and physical behavior analyses of PEMWEs, the oxygen content in the Ir oxide structure, which defines the OER activity and its stability, is influenced by the crystalline structure and formation of a stable interface between the catalyst and substrate. The outcomes can facilitate the development of strategies for enhancing the performance of PEMWEs and designing rational MEAs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Characterizing Self-Assembled Monolayer Breakdown in Area-Selective Atomic Layer Deposition

In order to enable area-selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD), self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have been used as the surface inhibitor to block a variety of ALD processes. The integrity of the SAM throughout the ALD process is critical to AS-ALD. Despite the demonstrated effectiveness of inhibition by SAMs, nucleation during ALD eventually occurs on SAM-protected surfaces, but its impact on SAM structures is still not fully understood. In this study, we chose the octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODTS) SAM as a model system to investigate the evolution of crystallinity and structure of SAMs before and after ALD. The breakdown behavior of SAMs when exposed to ZnO and Al 2 O 3 ALD was systematically studied by combining synchrotron X-ray techniques and electron microscopy. We show that the crystallinity and structure of ODTS SAMs grown on Si substrates remain intact until a significant amount of material deposition takes place. In addition, the undesired ALD materials that grow on ODTS SAMs present contrasting morphologies: dispersed nanoparticles for ZnO while relatively continuous film for Al 2 O 3 . Lastly, substrate dependency was explored by comparing a Si substrate to single-crystal sapphire. Similar results in the evolution of SAM crystallinity and formation of ALD nuclei on top of SAM are observed in the ODTS–sapphire system. This study provides an in-depth view of the influence of ALD processes on the SAM structure and the nucleation behavior of ALD on SAM-protected surfaces.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A Unified Picture of Pinatubo Aerosol Global-to Micro-Scale Evolution, From Space, Air, and Ground Measurements

We combine a variety of measurements to develop a composite picture of the post-Pinatubo aerosol and assess the consistency and uncertainties of the measurement and retrieval techniques. Satellite infrared spectroscopy, particle morphology, and evaporation temperature measurements are in accord with theoretical calculations in showing a dominant particle composition of H2SO4-H2O mixture, with H2SO4 weight fraction of 65-80% for most stratospheric temperatures and humidities. Important exceptions are: (1) the presence of volcanic ash at all altitudes initially and in a layer just above the tropopause until at least March 1992, and (2) much smaller H2SO4 weight fractions at the low temperatures attained in high latitude winters and at the tropical tropopause, Laboratory spectroscopy and theoretical calculations yield wavelength- and temperature-dependent refractive indices for the dominant H2SO4-H2O droplets. These in turn permit derivation of particle size spectra from measured optical depth spectra, for comparison to direct measurements by impactors and optical counters. All three techniques paint a generally consistent picture of the evolution of R(sub eff), the effective, or area-weighted, particle radius. In the first month after the eruption, although particle numbers increased by orders of magnitude, R(sub eff) was similar to the preemption value of 0.1 to 0.2 microns, because both small (r less than 0.2 microns) and large (r greater than 0.6 micron particles increased in number. Over the next 3-6 months, R(sub eff) increased to about 0.5 microns reflecting particle growth through condensation and coagulation. In general, R(sub eff) continued to increase for about a year after the eruption. Extinction spectra computed from in situ size distribution measurements are consistent with optical depth measurements, which show spectra with maxima initially at wavelengths of 0.42 microns or less, and thereafter progressively increasing to between 0.78 and 1 micron. Not until 1993 do optical depth spectra begin to show a clear return to the preemption signature of maximizing at the shortest visible wavelengths or in the near UV. This coupled evolution in particle size distribution and optical depth spectra helps explain the relationship between the global maps of 0.5- 1.0- micron optical depth derived from the AVHRR and SAGE satellite measurements.

Russell, Philip B.↗

A Multi-modal Approach to Understanding Degradation of Organic Photovoltaic Materials

State-of-the-art organic photovoltaic (OPV) materials are composed of complex, chemically diverse polymeric and molecular structures that form highly intricate solid-state interactions, collectively yielding exceptional tunability in performance and aesthetics. These properties are especially attractive for semitransparent power-generating windows or shades in living environments, greenhouses, or other architectural integrations. However, before such a future is realized, a broader and deeper understanding of property stability must be acquired. Stability during operating and environmental conditions is critical, namely, material color steadfastness, optoelectronic performance retention, morphological rigidity, and chemical robustness. To date, no single investigation encompasses all four distinct, yet interconnected, metrics. Here, we present a multimodal strategy that captures a dynamic and interconnected evolution of each property during the course of an accelerated photobleaching experiment. We demonstrate this approach across relevant length scales (from molecular to visual macroscale) using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, grazing-incidence X-ray scattering, microwave conductivity, and time-dependent photobleaching spectroscopies for two high-performance semitransparent OPV blends—PDPP4T:PC 60 BM and PDPP4T:IEICO-4F, with comparisons to the stabilities of the individual components. We present direct evidence that specific molecular acceptor (fullerene vs nonfullerene) designs and the resulting donor–acceptor interactions lead to distinctly different mechanistic routes that ultimately arrive at what is termed “OPV degradation.” We directly observe a chemical oxidation of the cyano endcaps of the IEICO-4F that coincides with a morphological change and large loss in photoconductivity while the fullerene acceptor-containing blend demonstrates a significantly greater fraction of oxygen uptake but retains 55% of the photoconductivity. Finally, this experimental roadmap provides meaningful guidance for future high-throughput, multimodal studies, benchmarking the sensitivity of the different analytical techniques for assessing stability in printable active layers, independent of complete device architectures.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Vapor-Phase Aggregation of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles in a Rapidly Cooling Plasma

Local conditions, such as temperature and oxygen availability, have a pronounced effect on the formation and evolution of fallout following a nuclear explosion. While the behavior of nuclear-relevant materials such as uranium has begun to be explored under a wider range of environments, little is known about the behavior of plutonium. Here, using cerium as a surrogate, we track the vapor-phase aggregation of cerium oxide nanoparticles created in a plasma flow reactor under conditions of controlled temperature at two different oxygen fugacities. In situ optical emission spectroscopy is used to measure the variations in the spectral intensity of atomic and molecular species with temperature and oxygen content. We find that the relative rate of gas-phase oxidation of cerium is highly dependent on both temperature and local redox conditions within the flow reactor, to the extent that doubling the oxygen availability effectively doubles the amount of vapor-phase cerium monoxide at high temperatures (>2000 K). Condensed cerium oxide nanoparticles are also collected and analyzed ex situ via transmission electron microscopy and grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering to determine their elemental composition, crystal structure, and size distribution. The size and morphology of the condensed nanoparticles are independent of local redox conditions, forming the same crystal type with the same size distribution regardless of oxygen availability. Postcondensation particle evolution, however, is found to be predominantly driven by temperature, with the average particle size increasing as particles cool and subsequently aggregate. These results expand our understanding of the chemical and physical behavior of refractory oxides that form during the early stages of fallout formation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effects of heat treatment and build orientation on the evolution of $ϵ$ and $α'$ martensite and strength during compressive loading of additively manufactured 304L stainless steel

In this paper, the effect of heat-treatment and build orientation on martensitic phase transformation in additively manufactured (AM) 304L stainless steel is studied and compared with conventionally produced wrought material. The relationships between observed martensitic transformations and material microstructures and their effects on mechanical strength are established through experimental observations. In situ high-energy X-ray powder diffraction measurements were performed to monitor the evolution of $ϵ$ and $α'$ martensite during compressive loading of stainless steel. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to provide insight on initial grain morphology, crystallographic misorientation within grains, and crystallographic texture. Heat treatment alters the microstructure of AM samples creating different initial conditions. This difference in starting microstructure resulted in variability in martensitic transformation during compressive deformation. The rate of martensitic transformation decreased for AM samples treated with temperatures up to 1100°C, after which the AM microstructures recrystallized, resulting in increased rate of martensitic transformation for those samples treated at higher temperatures. It was also observed that aligning the axis of compression with the AM build direction resulted in a lower rate of strain-induced martensite formation as opposed to aligning the compression axis perpendicular to it. More favorable distribution of crystal orientations in the latter loading orientation promoted martensitic transformation. These and additional experimental observations from EBSD in terms of kernel average misorientation, mean grain orientation spread, and mean crystallite size reveal strong microstructural effects on strength of additively manufactured metallic materials.

304L stainless steel↗

What Controls Crystal Diversity and Microphysical Variability in Cirrus Clouds?

Abstract Variability of ice microphysical properties like crystal size and density in cirrus clouds is important for climate through its impact on radiative forcing, but challenging to represent in models. For the first time, recent laboratory experiments of particle growth (tied to crystal morphology via deposition density) are combined with a state‐of‐the‐art Lagrangian particle‐based microphysics model in large‐eddy simulations to examine sources of microphysical variability in cirrus. Simulated particle size distributions compare well against balloon‐borne observations. Overall, microphysical variability is dominated by variability in the particles' thermodynamic histories. However, diversity in crystal morphology notably increases spatial variability of mean particle size and density, especially at mid‐levels in the cloud. Little correlation between instantaneous crystal properties and supersaturation occurs even though the modeled particle morphology is directly tied to supersaturation based on laboratory measurements. Thus, the individual thermodynamic paths of each particle, not the instantaneous conditions, control the evolution of particle properties.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Control of core–shell nanoparticles properties through plasma synthesis: a computational study

The improved properties of core–shell nanoparticles (CSNPs) over homogeneous nanoparticles (NPs) have expanded and diversified the applications of these nanomaterials. However, controlling the properties of CSNPs can be a challenging task. Low temperature plasmas have proven to be an effective method of producing NPs with uniform size and morphology, and high yield. That said, NP transport and growth dynamics are sensitive to LTP properties. We report on a computational investigation of the evolution of Ge–Si CSNP properties as a function of operating conditions through the modeling of a flowing, two-zone inductively coupled plasma (ICP) reactor. Ar/GeH 4 and Ar/SiH 4 gas mixtures were supplied to separate plasma zones at a pressure of 1 Torr to promote growth of Ge cores and Si shells. The negatively charged CSNPs are trapped electrostatically in the vicinity of the antennas where the plasma is generated and where the majority of particle growth occurs. Particles that grow to a critical size are then de-trapped by fluid drag due to neutral gas flow. A two-dimensional hybrid plasma model coupled with a three-dimensional kinetic NP transport model were utilized to resolve plasma chemistry and NP growth processes that take place on distinct timescales. The trends in CSNP properties and trapping mechanisms associated with flow rate, applied ICP power and inlet precursor fraction are discussed. While the spatial distribution of plasma produced radical species can have significant impact on the NP growth process, the NP transport dynamics are what ultimately dictates the growth environment that is unique to each particle and so determines their final dimension and composition. The key to optimizing reactor conditions involves controlling the spatial density of growth species and plasma profile as a means to tailor particle trapping dynamics suitable to produce CSNPs for a specific application.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Galaxy Cruise: Deep Insights into Interacting Galaxies in the Local Universe

Abstract We present the first results from GALAXY CRUISE, a community (or citizen) science project based on data from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program (HSC-SSP). The current paradigm of galaxy evolution suggests that galaxies grow hierarchically via mergers, but our observational understanding of the role of mergers is still limited. The data from HSC-SSP are ideally suited to improve our understanding with improved identifications of interacting galaxies thanks to the superb depth and image quality of HSC-SSP. We launched a community science project, GALAXY CRUISE, in 2019 and have collected over two million independent classifications of 20686 galaxies at z < 0.2. We first characterize the accuracy of the participants’ classifications and demonstrate that it surpasses previous studies based on shallower imaging data. We then investigate various aspects of interacting galaxies in detail. We show that there is a clear sign of enhanced activities of super-massive black holes and star formation in interacting galaxies compared to those in isolated galaxies. The enhancement seems particularly strong for galaxies undergoing violent mergers. We also show that the mass growth rate inferred from our results is roughly consistent with the observed evolution of the stellar mass function. The second season of GALAXY CRUISE is currently underway and we conclude with future prospects. We make the morphological classification catalog used in this paper publicly available at the GALAXY CRUISE website, which will be particularly useful for machine-learning applications.

Tanaka, Masayuki↗

Eolian deposits and dunes on Mars

Detailed analysis of the Mariner 9 pictures reveals that eolian activity is not only a superficial effect, but a surface process of profound importance in the geologic evolution of Mars. Moderate- and large-scale topographic features that may be attributed to wind erosion are described and latitudinal variations in crater morphology are interpreted in terms of eolian deposition and erosion in the mid-latitudes of Mars.

Cutts, J. A.↗

Evolution of the total ozone field during the breakdown of the Antarctic circumpolar vortex

Nine years of total ozone measurements from the TOMS on Nimbus 7 are used to study the evolution of the Southern Hemisphere total ozone field during the breakdown of the Antarctic circumpolar vortex. The TOMS data provide detailed maps of the morphology of the ozone field and reliable estimates of the vertically integrated meridional transport of ozone during the springtime period when the breakdown occurs (September, October, November). In estimating the ozone transport, chemical effects, including those thought to be responsible for the Antarctic ozone hole, are neglected. This approximation appears to be valid for time scales of a few days to a week. On this time scale, local ozone changes are primarily due to transport. Planetary-scale waves, especially zonal wave numbers 1 and 2 dominate the eddy variance and ozone transport. Wave number 1 is quasistationary, while wave number 2 is eastward moving with a period of about 10 days.

Bowman, Kenneth P.↗

Nuclear activity and the environments of nearby radio galaxies

Much of our present understanding of galaxy evolution over a large redshift range is based on the study of samples selected on the basis of non-thermal radio emission. It is therefore necessary to understand the relationship between radio source activity and the host galaxy. Recent observations suggest that there is a connection between radio galaxy (RG) activity and radio galaxy evolution. For example, high-redshift RGs (z approx. greater than 0.7) show evidence for significant populations of young stars, and have optical continuum morphologies nearly always aligned with the radio axis (McCarthy et al. 1987; Chambers et al. 1987). This phenomenon is generally attributed to radio jet induced star formation (DeYoung 1989), but the lack of high S/N spectra of the galaxy continua, and recent detections of polarized light in a few objects make it hard to rule out other processes such as scattering or synchrotron radiation. A detailed study of the continuum light in the distant RGs is difficult as they are optically very faint. However, nearby RGs (z approx. less than 0.1) have bluer B-V colors than radio-quiet ellipticals, presumably due to the presence of young stellar populations (Smith and Heckman 1989) and several have extended UV continuum emitting regions along their radio axes (van Bruegel et al. 1985a, b, di Serego Alighieri et al. 1989), reminiscent of the alignment effect seen in the high redshift RGs. We have almost completed a continuum imaging survey of nearby (and therefore optically brighter), powerful RGs to study any possible relationships between the optical continuum light and radio source activity. In particular we are interested in (1) whether these lower redshift RGs shown any evidence of the alignment effect (in their rest-frame UV light) that is seen in the distant RGs, and (2) the effects that the radio source has on the environment of the host galaxy.

Dey, Arjun↗

Predictive Tools for Customizing Heat Treatment of Additively Manufactured Aerospace Components

Laser-bed powder fusion (LBPF) additive manufacturing is increasingly being used to produce components of complex geometries using the Ni-base superalloy Inconel 718. The composition and the microstructure of the alloy are currently well optimized for wrought components made using conventional manufacturing processes such as rolling, forging, extrusion, etc. The attractive mechanical properties of the alloy result from the underlying austenitic matrix with fine equiaxed grains, and a high density and uniform distribution of the precipitation hardening phase, γ". Heat treatment steps such as homogenization, solutioning and aging are well documented for the wrought alloy. However, when the same wrought alloy compositions are used for the additive manufacturing (AM) processes, the asprocessed microstructure is significantly different, because of the different thermal history associated with LBPF, including rapid solidification and multiple temperature excursions that lead to multiple re-melting and reheating in the solid state. Rapid solidification introduces potential non-equilibrium effects at the moving solid-liquid interfaces that impact the extent of solute segregation, as well as the morphology of the dendritic grains that form. In order to recover the target mechanical properties, AM components have to undergo post-process heat treatments. However, such heat treatments have to be custom designed for the AM process and the component geometry because of the expected vast differences in the microstructure at various locations of a component with complex geometry. The homogenization and precipitation steps should be optimized for the component so that target mechanical properties can be obtained throughout the part. The objective of this research is to utilize High Performance Computing in phase field simulations of microstructure evolution during post-processing of AM components. The physics-based modeling will be beneficial in reducing the experimental effort required for heat treatment process selection, optimization, and certification, thus leading to a significant reduction in energy consumption for AM and post-processing heat treatment. The optimization study will help identify heat treatments steps that are critical for development of a final desired microstructure with the minimum energy input. This combined with shortening of the production cycle (time-to-market) by reducing the number of failed parts (property targets), and reduction in the number of iterations for process optimization, will enable 30-40% savings in the energy costs. Phase field simulations of the degree of homogenization and the effect of local matrix composition on the nucleation and growth of competing precipitating phases were performed using the Microstructure Evolution Using Massively Parallel Phase Field Simulations code developed in-house at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The simulations were able to successfully capture the kinetics of nucleation and growth, and morphologies of various precipitating phases as a function of local matrix compositions and composition gradients characteristic of local microstructures arising from location-dependent variations in the thermal conditions. Future work will involve extending the simulations to a length scale consisting of multiple dendrites, so that the effect of homogenization on the coarsening of the dendrites can be simulated and used as an additional input to the optimization of the heat treatment process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Compositional Phase Control in High-Entropy Alloy Electrocatalysts

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) provide uniquely tunable structural and electronic properties that enable robust electrocatalysis. While compositional manipulation of HEAs is well-known, systematically controlling the crystalline phase and morphology remains a challenge that could provide new avenues for controlling reactive sites and physical properties. Here, we show the preferential stabilization of mixed fcc/bcc to fcc phases by controlling the Au content in quinary AuPdFeCoNi HEA nanoparticles. This systematic structural and compositional control, when investigated with an ensemble of electronic, X-ray synchrotron, and surface techniques, allows us to identify the critical short- (few-Å) and medium- (6–10 Å) range structural motifs that deliver exceptional hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysis. Specifically, these HEAs exhibit both outstanding durability (240 h) and high mass activity (50 A/mg PGM ) normalized to noble metal content, outperforming commercial Pt/C (3.18 A/mg PGM ). This structural control over HEA morphology, and its direct association with changes in specific metallic oxidation states and pair–pair atomic structural features, provides new means and strategies for finely designing robust and sustainable electrocatalysts with a majority nonprecious metal composition.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Investigating Atmospheric Effects on Impact Ejecta Morphology: Possible Tool for Determining Past Climate Conditions on Mars?

The combined use of impact crater morphology and mechanics provides important information on the physical conditions of both planetary atmospheres and planetary and asteroid surfaces present during crater formation, while an understanding of the rate of crater production on the surface of asteroids provides information of their surface and spin rate evolution. The research performed with support from this project improves our understanding of (1) the mechanics of impact cratering in order to gain insights on the evolution of these physical surface conditions on planets with atmospheres and asteroids, and (2) how impact flux across an asteroid surface may vary due to anisotropic distribution of impactors in the solar system. As part of this project, we have undertaken three studies. In the first study, we investigate atmospheric effects on the morphology of ejecta excavated during a cratering event in order to determine the atmospheric and target conditions from observed crater morphologies. In the second study, we use the physical and morphological consequences of oblique impacts on an asteroid to understand how the asteroid Mathilde (recently imaged by the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous - NEAR- spacecraft) could have survived the formation of five giant craters. In a third study, we use a Monte Carlo method to calculate the impact flux on an asteroid given a distribution of impactors on elliptical orbits. In the following section, we present the result obtained from all three studies.

Appleby, John F.↗

The Boreal Summer Madden–Julian Oscillation and Moist Convective Morphology over the Maritime Continent

Abstract While the boreal summer Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is commonly defined as a planetary-scale disturbance, the convective elements that constitute its cloud dipole exhibit pronounced variability in their morphology. We therefore investigate the relationship between the intraseasonal cloud anomaly of the MJO and the convective elements that populate its interior by simulating a boreal summer MJO event over the Maritime Continent using a cloud-resolving model. A progressive relationship between convective cell morphology and the MJO within the convectively enhanced region of the MJO was identified and characterized as follows: anomalously long-lasting cells in the initial phases, followed by an increased number of cells in the intermediate phases, progressing into more expansive cells in the terminal phases. A progressive relationship does not seem to exist within the convectively suppressed region of the MJO within the simulated domain, however. Within the convectively enhanced region of the MJO, the progressive relationship is partially explained by the evolution of bulk atmospheric characteristics, such as instability and wind shear. Positive midlevel moisture anomalies coincide with anomalously long-lasting convective cells, which is hypothesized to further cascade into an increase in convective cell volume, although variability in the number of convective cells seems to be related to an unidentified variable. This intraseasonal relationship between convective cell morphology and the boreal summer MJO within the Maritime Continent may have broader implications for the large-scale structure and evolution of the MJO, related to both convective moistening and cloud-radiative feedbacks.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Relating Texture and Thermomechanical Processing Variables in Mg–Zn–Ca Alloys

It is well known that the strong basal texture commonly produced in magnesium alloy sheets leads to poor formability at room temperature. A sizable body of work has explored how changing the alloy composition and rolling conditions can yield more desirable textures; however important thermomechanical variables, such as the feed rate during rolling, are often not included in the literature, making it difficult to correlate how changes in processing affect the final crystallographic texture. This work explores the texture evolution and grain refinement in Mg-Zn-Ca alloys during plane strain compression (PSC) using a Gleeble thermomechanical simulator. This instrument allows for precise control and capture of the thermomechanical history of the sample. The texture and grain morphology of the compressed samples were characterized using Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). The texture results will be used to identify which alloys and processing conditions should be scaled up for future rolling studies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

What Turns Galaxies Off? the Different Morphologies of Star-Forming and Quiescent Galaxies Since z Approximates 2 from CANDELS

We use HST/WFC3 imaging from the CANDELS multicyc1e treasury survey, in conjunction with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, to explore the evolution of galactic structure for galaxies with stellar masses > 3 x 10(exp 10) Solar Mass from Z= 2.2 to the present epoch, a time span of 10 Gyr. We explore the relationship between rest-frame optical color, stellar mass, star formation activity and the structural parameters of galaxies as determined from parametric fits to the surface brightness profiles of galaxies. We confirm the dramatic evolution from z= 2.2 to the present day in the number density of non-star-forming galaxies above 3 x 10(exp 10) Solar Mass reported by other authors. We find that the vast majority of these quiescent systems have concentrated light profiles, as parameterized by the Sersic index, and the population of concentrated galaxies grows similarly rapidly. We examine the joint distribution of star formation activity, Sersic index, stellar mass, mass divided by radius (a proxy for velocity dispersion), and stellar surface density. Quiescence correlates poorly with stellar mass at all z < 2.2 (given the approx < 0.2 dex scatter between halo mass and stellar mass at z approximates 0 inferred by More et al, this argues against halo mass being the only factor determining quiescence). Quiescence correlates better with Sersic index, 'velocity dispersion' and stellar surface density, where Sersic index correlates the best (increasingly so at lower redshift). Yet, there is significant scatter between quiescence and galaxy structure: while the vast majority of quiescent galaxies have prominent bulges, many of them have significant disks, and a number of bulge-dominated galaxies have significant star formation. Noting the rarity of quiescent galaxies without prominent bulges, we argue that a prominent bulge (and, perhaps by association, a supermassive black hole) is a necessary but not sufficient condition for quenching star formation on galactic scales over the last 10 Gyr; such a result is qualitatively consistent with the expectations of the AGN feedback paradigm.

Bell, Eric F.↗