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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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At least 721 records · Page 40
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Retrieval of Boundary Layer 3D Cloud Properties Using Scanning Cloud Radar and 3D Radiative Transfer

Retrievals of cloud optical and microphysical properties for boundary layer clouds, including those widely used by ASR investigators, frequently assume that clouds are sufficiently horizontally homogeneous that scattering and absorption (at all wavelengths) can be treated using one dimensional (1D) radiative transfer, and that differences in the field-of-view of different sensors are unimportant. Unfortunately, most boundary layer clouds are far from horizontally homogeneous, and numerous theoretical and observational studies show that the assumption of horizontal homogeneity leads to significant errors. The introduction of scanning cloud and precipitation radars at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program sites presents opportunities to move beyond the horizontally homogeneous assumption. The primary objective of this project was to develop a 3D retrieval for warm-phase (liquid only) boundary layer cloud microphysical properties, and to assess errors in current 1D (non-scanning) approaches. Specific research activities also involved examination of the diurnal cycle of hydrometeors as viewed by ARM cloud radar, and continued assessment of precipitation impacts on retrievals of cloud liquid water path using passive microwaves.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2020

Use of Climate Change Projections for Resilience Planning in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In this study we use three different methodologies to document and compare temperature and precipitation projections for the city of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) over the 21st century. It aims to explore in what way the differences and similarities of those methodologies and their outcomes support the incorporation of climate risks in urban planning and improve effective urban climate change governance. We compared the projections for RJ from the Eta Regional Climate Model from the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research nested in two Hadley Center Global Climate Models (GCMs) (Eta-HadCM3 method and Eta-HadGEM2-ES method) and 33 GCMs from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 multi-model dataset (Urban Climate Change Research Network - UCCRN method). The three methods showed increasing temperatures for RJ at the end of the century. Precipitation projections span a 13% decrease to a 12% increase when using the UCCRN method or are reduced between 0.4 and 0.5%, when using the Eta-HadGEM2-ES method. However, the middle range of the projections from UCCRN and Eta-HadGEM2-ES is similar. The three methods project an increase of warm days and nights and a decrease of cold days and nights. Nevertheless, although the directions of change are the same applying the three methods, the magnitude differs when considering warm and cold nights. Hence, city stakeholders are better informed when we apply different projection methods as it gives them the opportunity to consider the level of risk they are willing to bear in the future. We observed that defining climate change projections on the city scale based on clear communication and an interactive process between scientists and stakeholders can be used to inform citywide adaptation strategies and sector-specific uses, as well as promote urban climate risk governance.

urban governance and management↗
DOE OSTI2021

Precipitation and nitrogen application stimulate soil nitrous oxide emission

Precipitation and nitrogen (N) fertilization are the two most important drivers for soil nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emission. However, the effects of changes in N fertilization and precipitation patterns (i.e., precipitation intensity and frequency) on N 2 O emissions in agricultural fields are still unclear. In this study, we simulated soil N 2 O emission under different precipitation patterns (6 precipitation intensities, and 12 precipitation frequencies by either merging or splitting precipitation events) and N fertilization rates (low, typical, and high N fertilization) in a cornfield using the DeNitrification-DeComposition model. The model was parameterized and validated using meteorological data and N experimental measurements in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Results showed that soil water filled pore space (WFPS) and simulated soil N 2 O emission increased as precipitation intensity increased. Less frequent but high intensity precipitation treatments reduced the soil WFPS by 25.2% and stimulated soil N 2 O emission by 45.3%, while more frequent but low intensity precipitation treatments increased soil WFPS by 9.0% and reduced soil N 2 O emission by 23.9%. Compared to typical N fertilization, the sensitivity of soil N 2 O emission to precipitation was higher under high N than low N fertilization treatments, and the response ratios were 50.0% and 40.1%, respectively. There was significant interactive effect of precipitation intensity and N fertilization on soil N 2 O emission. Furthermore, these findings improved our understanding of precipitation and N impacts on soil N 2 O emissions and provided useful knowledge for irrigation and N fertilizer management in agriculture to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Ghost microstructure evolution and identification in the coarse grain heat affected zone of 2.25Cr-1Mo-V-Ti steel using tint etching

Microstructural characteristics of the CGHAZ (coarse grained heat affected zone) made of the 2.25Cr-1Mo-V-Ti material for the thermal power plant boiler tube were discussed using the technique of tint etching. To conduct the micro structural characterization, the sample on which CGHAZ was produced by using a high temperature thermal cycle simulator, Gleeble 3500 equipment was used for comparative analyses using the existing Nital etching (ASTM E407-74) and the alkaline etching (ASTM E40785). The latter was used to observe a specific phase. For the microstructure on which the alkaline etching was experimented, the shape of a black strip (Ghost microstructure) in a few microns was observed, which was not observed from the Nital etching. It was found from the phase identifications based EPMA, EBSD and TEM experiments that the image of the black strip in a few microns represented the alpha phase in which C, Cr and Mo became segregated. In addition, it was verified that austenite and M{sub 23}C{sub 6} phase were present around the segregated zone. Based on such results, the mechanism by which the image of the black strip in a few microns was formed at the CGHAZ. In this study, we have investigated the mechanism of the appeared black strip in the CGHAZ. - Highlights: •Ghost microstructure was observed which was not observed from the nital etching. •Ghost microstructure has high concentrations of carbon and molybdenum than matrix. •Schematic illustration proposed of why Ghost microstructure was generated. •Ghost microstructure caused by partial dissolution of M{sub 23}C{sub 6} precipitation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Fermi Level Equilibration and Charge Transfer at the Exsolved Metal-Oxide Interface

Exsolution is a promising approach for fabricating oxide-supported metal nanocatalysts through redox-driven metal precipitation. A defining feature of exsolved nanocatalysts is their anchored metal-oxide interface, which exhibits exceptional structural stability in (electro)catalysis. However, the electronic interactions at this unique interface remain unclear, despite their known impact on catalytic performance. In this study, we confirm charge transfer between the host oxide and the exsolved metal by demonstrating a two-stage Fermi level ( E F ) evolution on SrTi 0.65 Fe 0.35 O 3−δ (STF) during metallic iron (Fe 0 ) exsolution. Combining ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with theoretical analysis, we show that E F initially rises due to electron doping from oxygen vacancy formation in STF. Subsequently, upon Fe 0 precipitation, E F stabilizes and becomes insensitive to further oxygen release in STF, driven by E F equilibration and charge transfer between STF and the exsolved Fe 0 . In conclusion, these findings highlight the importance of considering electronic metal–support interactions when optimizing exsolved nanocatalysts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Role of seasonal transitions and the westerlies in the interannual variability of the East Asian summer monsoon precipitation

A recent hypothesis holds that changes to the East Asian summer rainfall are characterized by changes in the timing and duration of its intraseasonal stages, controlled by the meridional position of the westerlies relative to the Tibetan Plateau. This hypothesis is examined in the context of the leading mode of East Asian summer (July–August) rainfall. One phase of this “tripole” mode—characterized by less rainfall over central eastern China and increased rainfall over northeastern and southeastern China—is tied to an earlier termination of Meiyu that results in a significantly shorter Meiyu and longer Midsummer stage. This phase also exhibits an earlier northward transition of the westerlies to the north of the Plateau, essentially mirroring the changes to precipitation seasonality. The reverse does not hold true for the opposite phase. Lastly, our results show direct observational evidence for the meridional position of the westerlies to control East Asian summer monsoon seasonality.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Correlation Between the Pitting Potential Evolution and σ Phase Precipitation Kinetics in the 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel

The aim of this work is to correlate the pitting potential (E{sub pit}) evolution with the kinetics of σ phase precipitation in the 2205 duplex stainless steel aged at 850 °C after solution treatment at 1150 °C. The potentiodynamic polarization curves indicate a reduction of the pitting corrosion resistance with the aging time, which is revealed by a decrease in the E{sub pit} values from 0.65 to 0.40 V{sub SCE}. Thus, E{sub pit} values are used to determine the kinetics parameters of the σ phase precipitation. The experimental transformed fraction agrees well with the one calculated by using the modified Kolmogorov–Johnson–Mehl–Avrami equation with an impingement parameter c = 0.6.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Relating phase transitions to pore size distributions and mechanical mortar properties in CSA-OPC-C$ based systems – The potential impact of delayed straetlingite formation

The scope of this research is to investigate the performance evolution of five ternary CSA-OPC-Cs systems. Time resolved thermodynamic modeling was employed to gain insight into changes in the volume fractions of the hydrating pastes and link these changes to trends in the pore size distributions of the mortars. Pore solution analyses were performed to investigate which hydrates have the potential to exert high crystallization pressures. In three out of five blends the resulting tensile stress exceeded the tensile strength of the materials, resulting in the occurrence of coarse pores, which could be linked to the measured compressive strengths. Two damaging crystallization processes were identified in the investigated blends. One is the continuous precipitation of ettringite at high supersaturation in a system with high anhydrite addition. The other is the delayed crystallization of straetlingite at high supersaturation and crystallization pressure in the confined environment of mature pastes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Effect of microalloying additions on microstructural evolution and thermal stability in cast Al-Ni alloys

Enhancement of thermal stability in Al-Ni alloys through microalloying with slow-diffusing elements, specifically Zr, has been previously reported which is attributed to Zr segregation at the Al/Al 3 Ni interface. In this study, we explore the influence of microalloying Al-Ni alloys with Zr, Ti, V, and Fe on microstructural evolution, hardness, and electrical and thermal conductivity across a range of heat-treatment temperatures from 300 to 450 °C. The distribution of microalloying elements and precipitates after heat treatment is characterized using atom probe tomography (APT). Our investigation confirms Zr segregation to the Al/Al 3 Ni interface, while similar interfacial segregation is absent with the addition of Ti, V, and Fe. Additionally, our analysis of the Al 3 Ni microfiber morphology reveals that their coarsening and spheroidization rates are similar with and without interfacial segregation; thus, retaining the fiber reinforcement through interfacial segregation of slow diffusing elements may not be an effective strategy. Precipitation of L1 2 nanoparticles was found to be the dominant mechanism affecting enhanced hardness and electrical conductivity in Al-Ni-Zr alloys, attributed to precipitation strengthening and solute depletion, respectively. Similar precipitation was not observed for additions of Ti, V, and Fe following heat treatment. We provide a thermodynamic explanation for this limitation. Furthermore, the findings of this study suggest that an effective approach for designing Al-Ni alloys should involve prioritizing microalloying elements to maximize L1 2 precipitation and minimize solute content in the FCC-Al matrix post heat treatment, rather than focusing on Al/Al3Ni interfacial segregation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1988

Tracer water transport and subgrid precipitation variation within atmospheric general circulation models

A capability is developed for monitoring tracer water movement in the three-dimensional Goddard Institute for Space Science Atmospheric General Circulation Model (GCM). A typical experiment with the tracer water model follows water evaporating from selected grid squares and determines where this water first returns to the Earth's surface as precipitation or condensate, thereby providing information on the lateral scales of hydrological transport in the GCM. Through a comparison of model results with observations in nature, inferences can be drawn concerning real world water transport. Tests of the tracer water model include a comparison of simulated and observed vertically-integrated vapor flux fields and simulations of atomic tritium transport from the stratosphere to the oceans. The inter-annual variability of the tracer water model results is also examined.

Koster, Randal D.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Manganese Oxidation States in Volcanic Soils across Annual Rainfall Gradients

Manganese (Mn) exists as Mn(II), Mn(III), or Mn(IV) in soils, and the Mn oxidation state controls the roles of Mn in numerous environmental processes. However, the variations of Mn oxidation states with climate remain unknown. Here we determined the Mn oxidation states in highly weathered bulk volcanic soils (primary minerals free) across two rainfall gradients covering mean annual precipitation (MAP) of 0.25–5 m in the Hawaiian Islands. With increasing MAP, the soil redox conditions generally shifted from oxic to suboxic and to anoxic despite fluctuating at each site; concurrently, the proportions of Mn(IV) and Mn(II) decreased and increased, respectively. Mn(III) was low at both low and high MAP, but accumulated substantially, up to 80% of total Mn, in soils with prevalent suboxic conditions at intermediate MAP. Mn(III) was likely hosted in Mn(III,IV) and iron(III) oxides or complexed with organic matter, and its distribution among these hosts varied with soil redox potentials and soil pH. Soil redox conditions and rainfall-driven leaching jointly controlled exchangeable Mn(II) in soils, with its concentration peaking at intermediate MAP. The Mn redox chemistry was at disequilibrium, with the oxidation states correlating with long-term average soil redox potentials better than with soil pH. The soil redox conditions likely fluctuated between oxic and anoxic conditions more frequently at intermediate than at low and high MAP, creating biogeochemical hot spots where Mn, Fe, and other redox-sensitive elements may be actively cycled.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Clusters of Regional Precipitation Seasonality Change in the Community Earth System Model, Version 2

Abstract The likely changes to precipitation seasonality with warming are both impactful and not well understood. This work aims to describe areas that experience similar changes to seasonal precipitation irrespective of the original underlying precipitation seasonality. We train a self-organizing map on the difference between the seasonal cycle of precipitation in the past and in a high-warming future climate as represented by the Community Earth System Model, version 2, to create regions with similar changes in precipitation seasonality. This method is applied separately over land and ocean surfaces because of the differing processes leading to precipitation over each. This method indicates that future changes in seasonal precipitation are most varied in the tropics because of a southward shift in the intertropical convergence zone. The seasonal shifts found over midlatitude oceans indicate a poleward shift in atmospheric river activity. We find a correspondence between certain land-based precipitation changes and Köppen climate classification. The seasonality of large-scale and convective precipitation is examined for each region. The relationship between the seasonal changes to precipitation and associated atmospheric processes is discussed. These processes include atmospheric rivers, the intertropical convergence zone, tropical cyclones, and monsoons.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

In-situ neutron diffraction of a quasicrystal-containing Mg alloy interpreted using a new polycrystal plasticity model of hardening due to {10.2} tensile twinning

Due to the excellent balance of strength and ductility exhibited by some Mg-Zn-RE (Y subgroup rare earth element) alloys, which contain icosahedral quasicrystalline precipitates, it is of interest to examine their deformation mechanisms. Furthermore, the internal strain evolution Mg-3at%Zn-0.5 at%Y with 4 vol% i-phase was measured using in-situ neutron diffraction. The extruded samples exhibit an initially weak <10.0> || extrusion direction “rod texture,” distinct from the normally strong texture of extruded Mg alloys, but the grain size is unexceptional (16.7 ± 2.1 μm). The initially weak texture contributes to a nearly symmetric yielding response between tension and compression. The hardening responses are asymmetric, however, since {10.2} extension twinning is significantly more active during compressive straining, despite the initially weak texture. In-situ neutron diffraction tension and compression experiments parallel to the extrusion direction, together with elasto-plastic self-consistent (EPSC) crystal plasticity modeling, reveal the strength and hardening behavior of individual slip and twinning modes. A model that was previously published about twinning-detwinning (TDT) is implemented within the EPSC framework, and it is proven effective for describing the observed, mild tension-compression asymmetry. This is not possible with previous EPSC-based models of twinning. Finally, the description of hardening within the TDT model is modified, in order to accurately describe the evolution of internal strains within the twins.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Effects of experimental and seasonal drying on soil microbial biomass and nutrient cycling in four lowland tropical forests

Changes in precipitation represent a major effect of climate change on tropical forests, which contain some of the earth’s largest terrestrial carbon (C) stocks. Such changes are expected to influence microbes, nutrients, and the fate of C in tropical forest soils. To explore this, we assessed soil microbial biomass, potential extracellular enzyme activities, and nutrient availability in a partial throughfall exclusion experiment in four seasonal lowland tropical humid forests in Panama with wide variation in precipitation and soil fertility. We hypothesized that throughfall exclusion would reduce microbial biomass and activity and accentuate dry season soil nutrient accumulation, with larger effects in wetter, less droughtresistant forests. We observed a baseline seasonal pattern of decreased microbial biomass and increased extractable dissolved organic C (DOC), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), nitrate (NO 3 – ), and resinextractable phosphorus (P) in the dry season, with the strongest patterns for nitrogen (N). However, potential enzyme activities showed no consistent seasonality. In line with seasonal drying, throughfall exclusion decreased soil microbial biomass in the wet season and increased TDN and NO 3 – , especially in the dry season. In contrast to seasonal drying, throughfall exclusion decreased DOC and did not affect resinextractable P, but slightly decreased potential phosphatase activities. Potential enzyme activities varied among sites and sampling times, but did not explain much variation in microbial biomass or substrate availability. We conclude that reduced rainfall in tropical forests might accentuate some dry season patterns, like reductions in microbial biomass and accumulation of extractable nutrients. However, our data also suggest new patterns, like reduced inputs of DOC to soils with drying, which could have cascading effects on soil ecological function and C storage.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Effect of cold working and isothermal aging on the precipitation of sigma phase in 2205 duplex stainless steel

A comprehensive understanding of the formation of the sigma phase resulting from the eutectoid reaction ({delta} {yields} {sigma} + {gamma}{sub 2}) is required. The kinetics necessary for the eutectoid reaction are closely related to the amount of plastic deformation in DSS. This work investigates the microstructural evolution of the {sigma} phase in a 22Cr-5Ni SAF 2205 DSS after subsequent plastic deformation and isothermal aging. The precipitation of the {sigma} phase resulted from the higher driving force for precipitating intermetallic compounds and the higher diffusion rate of their elements by cold-rolling, as well as the sufficient supply of molybdenum. The maximum amount of {sigma} phase precipitation remarkably increased with an increasing cold deformation, as compared with the non-cold-rolled materials. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The microstructural evolution of sigma phase has been characterized. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The chemical compositions of sigma phases were analyzed using TEM-EDX. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The effect of cold deformation on the precipitation of sigma phase was investigated.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

A Causal Inference Model Based on Random Forests to Identify the Effect of Soil Moisture on Precipitation

Soil moisture influences precipitation mainly through its impact on land–atmosphere interactions. Understanding and correctly modeling soil moisture–precipitation (SM–P) coupling is crucial for improving weather forecasting and subseasonal to seasonal climate predictions, especially when predicting the persistence and magnitude of drought. However, the sign and spatial structure of SM–P feedback are still being debated in the climate research community, mainly due to the difficulty in establishing causal relationships and the high degree of nonlinearity in land–atmosphere processes. To this end, we developed a causal inference model based on the Granger causality analysis and a nonlinear machine learning model. This model includes three steps: nonlinear anomaly decomposition, nonlinear Granger causality analysis, and evaluation of the quality of SM–P feedback, which eliminates the nonlinear response of interannual and seasonal variability and the memory effects of climatic factors and isolates the causal relationship of local SM–P feedback. We applied this model by using National Climate Assessment–Land Data Assimilation System (NCA-LDAS) datasets over the United States. Here, the results highlight the importance of nonlinear atmosphere responses in land–atmosphere interactions. In addition, the strong feedback over the southwestern United States and the Great Plains both highlight the impacts of topographic factors rather than only the sensitivity of evapotranspiration to soil moisture. Furthermore, the SM–P index defined by our framework is used to benchmark Earth system models (ESMs), which provides a new metric for efficiently identifying potential model biases in modeling local land–atmosphere interactions and may help the development of ESMs in improving simulations of water cycle variability and extremes.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗