Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “HIGH”

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 739 records · Page 41

High‐frequency daily temperature variability in China and its relationship to large‐scale circulation

ABSTRACT Two measures of intra‐seasonal variability, indicated respectively by standard deviations ( SD ) and day‐to‐day ( DTD ) fluctuations denoted by absolute differences between adjacent 2‐day periods, as well as their relationships with large‐scale circulation patterns were investigated in China during 1962–2008 on the basis of homogenized daily temperature records from 549 local stations and reanalysis data. Our results show that both the SD and DTD of daily minimum temperatures ( T min ) in summer as well as the minimum and maximum temperatures in winter have been decreasing, while the daily maximum temperature ( T max ) variability in summer is fluctuating more, especially over southern China. In summer, an attribution analysis indicates that the intensity of the Western Pacific Subtropical High ( WPSH ) and high‐level East Asian Subtropical Jet stream ( EASJ ) are positively correlated with both SD and DTD , but the correlation coefficients are generally greater with the SD than with the DTD of the daily maximum temperature, T max . In contrast, the location of the EASJ shows the opposite correlation pattern, with intensity regarding the correlation with both SD and DTD . In winter, the Arctic Oscillation ( AO ) is negatively correlated with both the SD and DTD of the daily minimum temperature, but its intra‐seasonal variability exhibits good agreement with the SD of the T min . The Siberian High acts differently with respect to the SD and DTD of the T min , demonstrating a regionally consistent positive correlation with the SD . Overall, the large‐scale circulation can well explain the intra‐seasonal SD, but DTD fluctuations may be more local and impacted by local conditions, such as changes in the temperature itself, the land surface, and so on.

Wu, Fu‐Ting↗

Large‐Area, High‐Numerical‐Aperture, Freeform Metasurfaces

Abstract Nanophotonic devices are optical platforms capable of unprecedented wavefront control. To push the limits of experimental device performance, scalable design methodologies that combine the simplicity and fabricability of conventional design paradigms with the extended capabilities of freeform optimization are required. A novel gradient‐based design framework for large‐area freeform metasurfaces is introduced in which nonlocal interactions between simply shaped nanostructures, placed on an irregular lattice, are tailored to produce high‐order hybridized modes that support customizable large‐angle scattering profiles. Utilizing this approach, multifunctional super‐dispersive metalenses are designed and experimentally demonstrated. The approach to high‐numerical‐aperture radial metalenses capable of diffraction limited focusing and the generation of donut‐shaped point spread functions is also extended. It is anticipated that these concepts will have utility in super‐resolution microscopy, particle trapping, additive manufacturing, and metrology applications that require ultra‐high numerical apertures.

Optics↗

Formation of High-Field Pinning Centers in Superconducting MgB{sub 2} Wires by Using High Hot Isostatic Pressure Process

This paper demonstrates the effects of hot isostatic pressure (HIP) on the structure and transport critical parameters of in situ MgB{sub 2} wires without a barrier. Our results show that only HIP and nano-boron allow the formation of more high-field pinning centers, which lead to the increase in critical current density (J{sub c}) at high applied magnetic fields. Nano-boron and annealing at a low pressure increase the J{sub c} in the low magnetic field. This indicates that nano-particles create more high-field pinning centers. In addition, the results show that nano-boron improves the connection between the grains. Scanning electron microscope results show that HIP increases the reaction rate between Mg and B, density, and homogeneity of the MgB{sub 2} material. Additionally, HIP allows to create a structure with small grains and voids and eliminates the significance of the number of voids. High isostatic pressure allows to obtain high J{sub c} of 10 A/mm{sup 2} (at 4.2 K) in 10 T and increases irreversible magnetic field (B{sub irr}) and upper critical field (B{sub c2}). Measurements show that these wires have high critical temperature of 37 K.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

High salt-induced PSI-supercomplex is associated with high CEF and attenuation of state transitions

Abstract While PSI-driven cyclic electron flow (CEF) and assembly of thylakoid supercomplexes have been described in model organisms like Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , open questions remain regarding their contributions to survival under long-term stress. The Antarctic halophyte, C. priscuii UWO241 (UWO241), possesses constitutive high CEF rates and a stable PSI-supercomplex as a consequence of adaptation to permanent low temperatures and high salinity. To understand whether CEF represents a broader acclimation strategy to short- and long-term stress, we compared high salt acclimation between the halotolerant UWO241, the salt-sensitive model, C. reinhardtii , and a moderately halotolerant Antarctic green alga, C. sp. ICE-MDV (ICE-MDV). CEF was activated under high salt and associated with increased non-photochemical quenching in all three Chlamydomonas species. Furthermore, high salt-acclimated cells of either strain formed a PSI-supercomplex, while state transition capacity was attenuated. How the CEF-associated PSI-supercomplex interferes with state transition response is not yet known. We present a model for interaction between PSI-supercomplex formation, state transitions, and the important role of CEF for survival during long-term exposure to high salt.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Porosity detection in electron beam-melted Ti-6Al-4V using high-resolution neutron imaging and grating-based interferometry

A high-resolution neutron tomography system and a grating-based interferometer are used to explore electron beam-melted titanium test objects. The high-resolution neutron tomography system (attenuation-based imaging) has a pixel size of 6.4 µm, appropriate for detecting voids near 25 µm over a (1.5 cm) 3 volume. The neutron interferometer provides dark-field (small-angle scattering) images with a pixel size of 30 µm. Moreover, the interferometer can be tuned to a scattering length, in this case, 1.97 µm, with a field-of-view of (6 cm)3. The combination of high-resolution imaging with grating-based interferometry provides a way for nondestructive testing of defective titanium samples. A chimney-like pore structure was discovered in the attenuation and dark-field images along one face of an electron beam-melted (EBM) Ti-6Al-4V cube. Tomographic reconstructions of the titanium samples are utilized as a source for a binary volume and for skeletonization of the pores. As a result, the dark-field volume shows features with dimensions near and smaller than the interferometer auto-correlation scattering length.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Energetics and Concentration of Defects in Gd2Ti2O7 and Gd2ZrO7 Pyrochlore at High Pressure

Using first-principles calculations and complementary experiments, the defect formation energies and defect concentrations were calculated as a function of pressure. The results show that at high pressure, the defect formation energies decrease with pressure for both systems. In Gd{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}, the dominant defect type is cation anti-site defect, the local structure around a defect is highly distorted, and the energetically favorable defect-defect interactions at shorter distance suggest the possibility of defect clustering. In Gd{sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7}, anion Frenkel-pair defects are favored at all pressures and the dominant defect type involving a cation is a coupled defect of a cation anti-site and an anion Frenkel-pair defect. There are only minor distortions around the defects, and the defect-defect interactions are weak, which suggests almost-ideal non-interacting defect formation. Comparison of experimentally observed defect concentrations and those based on the calculated defect formation energies suggests that the defects formed at high pressure are better estimated with a concentrated limit approximation, while those formed at ambient pressure can be evaluated at a dilute limit approximation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Facile electrostatic self-assembly of silicon/reduced graphene oxide porous composite by silica assist as high performance anode for Li-ion battery

Silicon(Si)/graphene composite has been regarded as one of the most promising candidates for next generation anode materials with high power and energy density in lithium ion batteries. Introduction of graphene in Si anodes could improve the electronic conductivity, suppress the severe volume expansion of Si, and facilitate the formation of stable solid electrolyte interphase, etc. However, traditionally mechanical mixing of Si and graphene cannot realize uniform distribution of Si particles on the graphene sheets, which would largely weaken the effectiveness of the graphene in the composite. In this work, nano-Si/reduced graphene oxide porous composite (p Si/rGO) has been fabricated by a facile electrostatic self-assembly approach via using SiO2 as the sacrificial template. Compared with the simply mechanically mixed nano-Si and rGO (Si/rGO), the nano-Si particles could be more uniformly dispersed among the rGO sheets in the p Si/rGO, which significantly increases its electronic conductivity. Moreover, the drastic volume expansion of nano-Si during repeated lithiation/delithiation cycles also has been effectively accommodated by the large number of pores left after removing the SiO2 template in the composite. Thus, the p Si/rGO presented largely enhanced electrochemical performances, showing a high reversible capacity up to 1849?mA?h?g-1 at 0.2?A?g-1 with good capacity retention, and high rate capability (535?mA?h?g-1 at 2?A?g-1).

Silicon, Reduced graphene oxide, Electrostatic sel↗

High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy as Monotherapy for Intermediate- and High-Risk Prostate Cancer: Clinical Results for a Median 8-Year Follow-Up

Purpose: To present mature results of high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) as monotherapy for intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer. Methods and Materials: From 1995 through 2012, 190 patients, 79 with intermediate-risk and 111 with high-risk prostate cancer, were treated with HDR-BT alone using 48 Gy/8 fractions, 54 Gy/9 fractions, or 45.5 Gy/7 fractions over 4 to 5 days. Neoadjuvant with or without adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy was administered to 139 patients, 35 intermediate- and 104 high-risk. Results: Median follow-up time was 92 months (range, 10-227 months), with a minimum of 2 years for surviving patients. Respective rates of cause-specific survival, overall survival, metastasis-free survival, and biochemical no evidence of disease for the intermediate-risk patients were 100%, 100%, 96%, and 93% at 5 years, and 100%, 96%, 91%, and 91% at 8 years. Corresponding rates for the high-risk patients were 97%, 93%, 84%, and 81% at 5 years, and 93%, 81%, 74%, and 77% at 8 years. The cumulative incidence of late grade 2 to 3 genitourinary toxicity was 5% at 5 years and 10% at 8 years, and that of late grade 3 was 0 at 5 years and 1% at 8 years. The cumulative incidence of late grade 2-3 gastrointestinal toxicity was 4% at 5 years and 6% at 8 years, and that of late grade 3 was 0 at 5 years and 2% at 8 years. No grade 4 or 5 toxicity was detected. Conclusions: Our single-institution study with a median 8-year follow-up showed that HDR-BT as monotherapy was safe and effective for patients with intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Irradiation performance of fast reactor MOX fuel pins with ferritic/martensitic cladding irradiated to high burnups

The ACO-3 irradiation test, which attained extremely high burnups of about 232 GWd/t and resisted a high neutron fluence (E > 0.1 MeV) of about 39E26 n/m2 as one of the lead tests of the Core Demonstration Experiment in the Fast Flux Test Facility, demonstrated that the fuel pin cladding made of ferritic/martensitic HT-9 alloy had superior void swelling resistance. The measured diameter profiles of the irradiated ACO-3 fuel pins showed axially extensive incremental strain in the MOX fuel column region and localized incremental strain near the interfaces between the MOX fuel and upper blanket columns. These incremental strains were as low as 1.5% despite the extremely high level of the fast neutron fluence. Evaluation of the pin diametral strain indicated that the incremental strain in the MOX fuel column region was substantially due to cladding void swelling and irradiation creep caused by internal fission gas pressure, while the localized strain near the MOX fuel/upper blanket interface was likely the result of the pellet/cladding mechanical interaction (PCMI) caused by cesium/fuel reactions. The evaluation also suggested that the PCMI was effectively mitigated by a large gap size between the cladding and blanket column.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Irradiation dose and temperature dependence of fracture toughness in high dose HT9 steel from the fuel duct of FFTF

To expand the knowledge base for fast reactor core materials, fracture toughness has been evaluated for high dose HT9 steel using miniature disk compact tension (DCT) specimens. The HT9 steel DCT specimens were machined from the ACO-3 fuel duct of the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), which achieved high doses in the range of 3–148 dpa at 378–504 C. The static fracture resistance (J-R) tests have been performed in a servohydraulic testing machine in vacuum at selected temperatures including room temperature, 200 C, and each irradiation temperature. Brittle fracture with a low toughness less than 50 MPa pm occurred in room temperature tests when irradiation temperature was below 400 C, while ductile fracture with stable crack growth was observed when irradiation temperature was higher. No fracture toughness less than 100 MPa pm was measured when the irradiation temperature was above 430 C. It was shown that the influence of irradiation temperature was dominant in fracture toughness while the irradiation dose has only limited influence over the wide dose range 3–148 dpa. A slow decrease of fracture toughness with test temperature above room temperature was observed for the nonirradiated and high temperature (>430 *C) irradiation cases, which indicates that the ductile–brittle transition temperatures (DBTTs) in those conditions are lower than room temperature. A comparison with the collection of existing data confirmed the dominance of irradiation temperature in the fracture toughness of HT9 steels.

Byun, Thak Sang↗

Enabling High-Voltage Lithium-Metal Batteries under Practical Conditions

Rechargeable lithium (Li) metal batteries (LMBs) offer a great opportunity for applications needing high-energy-density battery systems. However, rare progress has been demonstrated so far under practical conditions including high voltage, high loading cathode, thin Li anode, and lean electrolyte. Here, in opposite to the common wisdom, we report an ether-based localized high concentration electrolyte that can greatly enhance the stability of Ni-rich LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811) cathode under 4.4 V and 4.5 V with an effective protection interphase enriched in LiF. This effect, in combination with the superior Li stability in this electrolyte, enables dramatically improved cycling performances of Li||NMC811 batteries under highly challenging conditions. The LMBs can retain over 80% capacity in 150 stable cycles with extremely limited amounts of Li anode and electrolyte. The findings in this work point out a very promising strategy to develop practical high-energy LMBs.

Ren, Xiaodi↗

High-pressure high-temperature synthesis and crystal structure of the isotypic rare earth (RE)-thioborate-sulfides RE{sub 9}[BS{sub 3}]{sub 2}[BS{sub 4}]{sub 3}S{sub 3}, (RE=Dy-Lu)

Application of high-pressure high-temperature conditions (3.5 GPa at 1673 K for 5 h) to mixtures of the elements (RE:B:S=1:3:6) yielded crystalline samples of the isotypic rare earth-thioborate-sulfides RE{sub 9}[BS{sub 3}]{sub 2}[BS{sub 4}]{sub 3}S{sub 3}, (RE=Dy-Lu), which crystallize in space group P6{sub 3} (Z=2/3) and adopt the Ce{sub 6}Al{sub 3.33}S{sub 14} structure type. The crystal structures were refined from X-ray powder diffraction data by applying the Rietveld method. Dy: a=9.4044(2) A, c=5.8855(3) A; Ho: a=9.3703(1) A, c=5.8826(1) A; Er: a=9.3279(12) A, c=5.8793(8) A; Tm: a=9.2869(3) A, c=5.8781(3) A; Yb: a=9.2514(5) A, c=5.8805(6) A; Lu: a=9.2162(3) A, c=5.8911(3) A. The crystal structure is characterized by the presence of two isolated complex ions [BS{sub 3}]{sup 3-} and [BS{sub 4}]{sup 5-} as well as [{open_square}(S{sup 2-}){sub 3}] units. -- Graphical abstract: Isotypic rare earth-thioborate-sulfides RE{sub 9}[BS{sub 3}]{sub 2}[BS{sub 4}]{sub 3}S{sub 3}, (RE=Dy-Lu) were prepared by application of high-pressure high-temperature conditions to mixtures of the elements. Their crystal structures are characterized by presence of the two isolated complex ions [BS{sub 3}]{sup 3-} and [BS{sub 4}]{sup 5-} as well as [{open_square}(S{sup 2-}){sub 3}] units. Quantum mechanical calculations revealed the arrangement of the intrinsic vacancies. Display Omitted Research Highlights: {yields} Application of high-pressure high-temperature conditions to mixtures of the elements yields crystalline samples of the isotypic rare earth-thioborate-sulfides RE{sub 9}[BS{sub 3}]{sub 2}[BS{sub 4}]{sub 3}S{sub 3}, (RE=Dy-Lu). {yields} RE{sub 9}[BS{sub 3}]{sub 2}[BS{sub 4}]{sub 3}S{sub 3}, (RE=Dy-Lu) crystallize in space group P6{sub 3} (Z=2/3) and adopt the Ce{sub 6}Al{sub 3.33}S{sub 14} structure type. {yields} The crystal structure of RE{sub 9}[BS{sub 3}]{sub 2}[BS{sub 4}]{sub 3}S{sub 3}, (RE=Dy-Lu) is characterized by the presence of two isolated complex ions [BS{sub 3}]{sup 3-} and [BS{sub 4}]{sup 5-} as well as [{open_square}(S{sup 2-}){sub 3}] units. {yields} The vacancies in Lu{sub 9}[BS{sub 3}]{sub 2}[BS{sub 4}]{sub 3}S{sub 3} are located at the trigonal planar coordinated boron site with preferred ordering -B2-B2-{open_square}-B2-B2-{open_square}- along [001].

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

High-temperature synthesis of highly hydrothermal stable mesoporous silica and Fe-SiO{sub 2} using ionic liquid as a template

Mesoporous silicas and Fe-SiO{sub 2} with worm-like structures have been synthesized using a room temperature ionic liquid, 1-hexadecane-3-methylimidazolium bromide, as a template at a high aging temperature (150-190 {sup o}C) with the assistance of NaF. The hydrothermal stability of mesoporous silica was effectively improved by increasing the aging temperature and adding NaF to the synthesis gel. High hydrothermally stable mesoporous silica was obtained after being aged at 190 {sup o}C in the presence of NaF, which endured the hydrothermal treatment in boiling water at least for 10 d or steam treatment at 600 {sup o}C for 6 h. The ultra hydrothermal stability could be attributed to its high degree of polymerization of silicate. Furthermore, highly hydrothermal stable mesoporous Fe-SiO{sub 2} has been synthesized, which still remained its mesostructure after being hydrothermally treated at 100 {sup o}C for 12 d or steam-treated at 600 {sup o}C for 6 h. -- Graphical abstract: Worm-like mesoporous silica and Fe-SiO{sub 2} with high hydrothermal stability have been synthesized using ionic liquid 1-hexadecane-3-methylimidazolium bromide as a template under the assistance of NaF at high temperature. Display Omitted Research highlights: {yields} Increasing aging temperature improved the hydrothermal stability of materials. {yields}Addition of NaF enhanced the polymerization degree of silicates. {yields} Mesoporous SiO{sub 2} and Fe-SiO{sub 2} obtained have remarkable hydrothermal stability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A General Strategy for Batch Development of High-Performance and Cost-Effective Sodium Layered Cathodes

High-performance and low-cost transition metal (TM) layered oxides using earth abundant elements are promising cathodes for Na-ion batteries. However, it is challenging to obtain desired materials because the large Na size, different Na occupations and various layer stacking sequences multiply the complication in determining the structure of a given composition and exacerbate uncertainty to the structure-property correlation. In this work, we use the attainment of desired NaxMnyNiZTM1-y-zO2-based cathode materials as an example to demonstrate a general roadmap for batch development of sodium layered cathodes towards practical applications. A synthesis phase diagram of NaxMnyNi1-yO2 was created for pre-screening and rational selection of the platform material of P2/O3-structured Na0.85Mn0.6Ni0.4O2. Cationic potential was leveraged in elemental substitution to further promote the material structural stability and electrochemical performance. Several cost-effective O3 and P2/O3 hybrid cathode materials have been obtained, all of which demonstrate excellent performance. In particular, the Na0.85Mn0.5Ni0.4Ti0.1O2 delivers a high specific capacity of ~130 mAh/g between 2-4 V and 91% retention after 500 cycles. The work discovers multiple materials as high-performance and cost-effective Na-ion battery cathodes and offers critical guidance to the rational design of future layered cathode materials.

Xiao, Biwei↗

Carbocation Stability in H-ZSM5 at High Temperature

Zeolites are common catalysts for multiple industrial applications, including alcohol dehydration to produce olefins, and given their commercial importance, reaction mechanisms in zeolites have long been proposed and studied. Some proposed reaction mechanisms for alcohol dehydration exhibit noncyclic carbocation intermediates or transition states that resemble carbocations, and several previous studies suggest that the tert-butyl cation is the only noncyclic cation more stable than the corresponding chemisorbed species with the hydrocarbon bound to the framework oxygen (i.e., an alkoxide). To determine if carbocations can exist at high temperatures in zeolites, where these catalysts are finding new applications for biomass vapor-phase upgrading (~500 °C), the stability of carbocations and the corresponding alkoxides were calculated with two ONIOM embedding methods (M06-2X/6-311G(d,p):M06-2X/3-21G) and (PBE-D3/6-311G(d,p):PBE-D3/3-21G) and plane-wave density functional theory (DFT) using the PBE functional corrected with entropic and Tkatchenko-Scheffler van der Waals corrections. The embedding methods tested are unreliable at finding minima for primary carbocations, and only secondary or higher carbocations can be described with embedding methods consistent with the periodic DFT results. The relative energy between the carbocations and alkoxides differs significantly between the embedding and the periodic DFT methods. The difference is between ~0.23 and 14.30 kcal/mol depending on the molecule, the model, and the functional chosen for the embedding method. At high temperatures, the pw-DFT calculations predict that the allyl, isopropyl, and sec-butyl cations exhibit negligible populations while acetyl and tertbutyl cations exhibit significant populations (>10%). Moreover, the periodic DFT results indicate that mechanisms including secondary and tertiary carbocations intermediates or carbocations stabilized by adjacent oxygen or double bonds are possible at high temperatures relevant to some industrial uses of zeolite catalysts, although as the minority species in most cases.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

High Performing Inverted Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells via Solution Phase Deposition of Yttrium-Doped SnO 2 Directly on Perovskite

Solution processing of flexible perovskite solar cells (f-PSCs) provides an avenue for scalable, high-throughput printing of lightweight, scalable, and cost-effective flexible solar cells. However, the deposition of fully solution-processed metal oxide charge transport layers on perovskites has been limited by solvent incompatibilities and high processing temperatures for metal oxide nanoparticles. In this study, we present high-performance, inverted f-PSCs from the direct deposition of yttrium doped SnO 2 nanoparticles functionalized with acetate on top of perovskite as an ink in anhydrous ethanol via blade coating. Yttrium doping improved device performance by improving the charge extraction leading with a decreased series resistance leading to improvements in the open-circuit voltage and fill factor. Furthermore, the champion power conversion efficiency for 0.1 cm 2 devices increased from 14.3% for undoped SnO 2 to 18.2% with 2% Y:SnO 2 doping, which is unprecedented for f-PSCs on ITO-PET substrate employing SnO 2 as an ETL.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗