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At least 793 records · Page 44

Stratified charge rotary engine combustion studies

Analytical and experimental studies of the combustion process in a stratified charge rotary engine (SCRE) continue to be the subject of active research in recent years. Specifically to meet the demand for more sophisticated products, a detailed understanding of the engine system of interest is warranted. With this in mind the objective of this work is to develop an understanding of the controlling factors that affect the SCRE combustion process so that an efficient power dense rotary engine can be designed. The influence of the induction-exhaust systems and the rotor geometry are believed to have a significant effect on combustion chamber flow characteristics. In this report, emphasis is centered on Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) measurements and on qualitative flow visualizations in the combustion chamber of the motored rotary engine assembly. This will provide a basic understanding of the flow process in the RCE and serve as a data base for verification of numerical simulations. Understanding fuel injection provisions is also important to the successful operation of the stratified charge rotary engine. Toward this end, flow visualizations depicting the development of high speed, high pressure fuel jets are described. Friction is an important consideration in an engine from the standpoint of lost work, durability and reliability. MSU Engine Research Laboratory efforts in accessing the frictional losses associated with the rotary engine are described. This includes work which describes losses in bearing, seal and auxillary components. Finally, a computer controlled mapping system under development is described. This system can be used to map shapes such as combustion chamber, intake manifolds or turbine blades accurately.

Shock, H.↗

Anomalous Hall effect in conical helimagnetic crystals

Spin-spiral texture can substantially change charge transport properties in helimagnets. Here we find the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) exhibiting the dramatic behavior with respect to chemical potential μ in conical magnetic structures. The direct conductivity demonstrates kinks, and the anomalous Hall current exhibits minima and maxima changing the sign. We analytically derive the expression for energy bands and eigenstates in the most general case. Because of the conical potential, the energy bands are split into two nonparabolic bands where the lower band can have one- or two-minima shapes in the k z direction ($\hat{z}$ is a direction of the spiral axis). We prove that the origin of the anomalous Hall effect is not topological and is due to the interplay between the asymmetry of energy bands in the x and z directions and spin restrictions in the phase space due to the conical potential. We also investigate the dependence of transport properties on cone half- angle θ, and find that the effects are most pronounced at θ=π/2 (a helical state). Electric current is calculated using the Boltzmann equation where the relaxation is caused by electron-acoustic phonon interaction. The transition probability is found to be a 2×2 matrix with nonvanishing off-diagonal elements indicating the strong interband transitions. The origin of interband transitions is because of the nature of the conical potential where conduction electron spins interact with localized magnetic moments. To verify the proposed theory, we calculate the temperature dependence of resistivity for MnSi crystals and find the discontinuity at the phase transition between conical and paramagnetic phases. The calculations are in the excellent agreement with the experimental data. In addition, we predict the discontinuity behavior for the anomalous Hall resistivity at the phase transition where the resistivity exhibits the abrupt change at T=T C , (a) to zero if the relativistic effects for the conduction electrons are small or (b) to a nonzero value if Rashba/Dresselhaus effects are taken into account.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Microscopic origin of reflection-asymmetric nuclear shapes

The presence of nuclear ground states with stable reflection-asymmetric shapes is supported by rich experimental evidence. Theoretical surveys of odd-multipolarity deformations predict the existence of pear-shaped isotopes in several fairly localized regions of the nuclear landscape in the vicinity of near-lying single-particle shells with Δℓ = Δj = 3. We analyze the role of isoscalar, isovector, neutron-proton, neutron-neutron, and proton-proton multipole interaction energies in inducing the onset of reflection-asymmetric ground-state deformations. The calculations are performed in the framework of axial reflection-asymmetric Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov theory using two Skyrme energy-density functionals and density-dependent pairing force. We show that reflection-asymmetric ground-state shapes of atomic nuclei are driven by the odd-multipolarity neutron-proton (or isoscalar) part of the nuclear interaction energy. This result is consistent with the particle-vibration picture, in which the main driver of octupole instability is the isoscalar octupole-octupole interaction giving rise to large E3 polarizability. The necessary condition for the appearance of localized regions of pear-shaped nuclei in the nuclear landscape is the presence of parity doublets involving Δℓ = Δj = 3 proton or neutron single-particle shells. This condition alone is, however, not sufficient to determine whether pear shapes actually appear, and, if so, what the corresponding reflection-asymmetric deformation energies are. The predicted small reflection-asymmetric deformation energies result from dramatic cancellations between even- and odd-multipolarity components of the nuclear binding energy.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Particle flows to shape and voltage surface discontinuities in the electron sheath surrounding a high voltage solar array in LEO

This paper discusses the numerical modeling of electron flows from the sheath surrounding high positively biased objects in LEO (Low Earth Orbit) to regions of voltage or shape discontinuity on the biased surfaces. The sheath equations are derived from the Two-fluid, Warm Plasma Model. An equipotential corner and a plane containing strips of alternating voltage bias are treated in two dimensions. A self-consistent field solution of the sheath equations is outlined and is pursued through one cycle. The electron density field is determined by numerical solution of Poisson's equation for the electrostatic potential in the sheath using the NASCAP-LEO relation between electrostatic potential and charge density. Electron flows are calculated numerically from the electron continuity equation. Magnetic field effects are not treated.

Metz, Roger N.↗

Hexagonal Distributed Embedded Energy Converters (HexDEECs)

Distributed Embedded Energy Converter Technologies (DEEC-Tec) is a new domain for marine renewable energy research that utilizes a conglomeration of small distributed embedded energy converters (DEECs) that, in aggregate, form larger metamaterial frameworks. These resulting DEEC-Tec metamaterials can then, in turn, be used to construct flexible ocean wave energy converters called flexWECs. DEEC-Tec enables flexWECs: (i) to be inherently broad-banded ocean wave frequency energy converters and (ii) to have an inherent lack of highly loaded rigid bodies. The DEEC-Tec domain also benefits the marine renewable energy domain by inherently availing ways that marine energy can be harvested and converted that heretofore has not yet been considered possible: real-time execution of transforming topologies (e.g., actively changing a flexWEC's shape and form) and morphologies (e.g., actively changing a flexWEC's stiffness and damping throughout its entire structure). Presented, is one specific type of DEEC, a HexDEEC, that shows promise in aiding the adoption and further development of the DEEC-Tec domain - it is a small energy transducer being developed by the United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The HexDEEC is a small (characteristic length approximating a centimeter) energy transducer that converts the dynamic deformations of an elastomer into electricity through a charging-discharging cycle of a capacitor whose capacitance is varied by those elastic deformations. The HexDEEC is composed of a hyperelastic hexagonal housing (nominally silicon rubber) with six electrodes on its inner faces. The upper three electrodes share the same charge while the lower three electrodes oppose the upper electrode charges. Externally, the HexDEEC has two arms extending away from the middle vertices of the hexagon. Via principles governing the relationship between electrical capacitance and electrical potential (voltage and charge), electricity is generated when the HexDEEC's arms are dynamically pulled or released under tensile loading as doing so causes the distance between the upper and lower sets of electrodes to change - varying the energy converter's overall capacitance. Analytical and numerical modeling have already been used to estimate the electrical energy produced by a HexDEEC. The cursory models approximate the HexDEEC as a parallel plate variable capacitor - simplifying from six to two opposing plates with a constant dielectric volume between those two plates. To account for the elastic HexDEEC material properties, software such as SolidWorks and STAR-CCM+ have been used to generate hyperelastic models; notably, Mooney-Rivlin based models. Individual HexDEECs have been fabricated by drawing uncured liquid silicon rubber into molds via vacuum pressure. To simplify manufacturing, HexDEEC sub-components - e.g., electrodes, wires - can be placed within those molds such that they are directly embedded into the hexagonal housing during the curing process. Furthermore, DEEC-Tec metamaterials can be created by interweaving or sequentially layering multiple HexDEEC strands together. The HexDEEC based metamaterial could then generate electricity through its gross deformations. Ultimately, HexDEECs represent a specific type of energy transducer that can be leveraged, by the DEEC-Tec domain, to create metamaterials used to construct novel flexWECs.

DEEC-Tec↗

Flash radiotherapy accelerator

Methods, devices and systems for ultra-high dose radiotherapy are disclosed. The described techniques rely in-part on active switching control of a photoconductive switch during the time the accelerator is accelerating charged particles to produce the output radiation at the desired dose rates. One flash radiotherapy system includes an induction accelerator, and a controllable switch coupled to the induction accelerator. The switch is operable to produce a plurality of voltage pulses to drive the induction accelerator. The radiotherapy system also includes a radiation measurement device to measure output radiation produced by the radiotherapy system and provide feedback to the controllable switch. The controllable switch is operable to, based on the received feedback, modify an amplitude, shape, spacing, number or width of the voltage pulses that are supplied to the particle accelerator to deliver the desired output radiation.

Sampayan, Stephen E.↗

Tunable Dopants with Intrinsic Counterion Separation Reveal the Effects of Electron Affinity on Dopant Intercalation and Free Carrier Production in Sequentially Doped Conjugated Polymer Films

Carrier mobility in doped conjugated polymers is limited by Coulomb interactions with dopant counterions. This complicates studying the effect of the dopant’s oxidation potential on carrier generation because different dopants have different Coulomb interactions with polarons on the polymer backbone. In this work, dodecaborane (DDB)-based dopants are used, which electrostatically shield counterions from carriers and have tunable redox potentials at constant size and shape. DDB dopants produce mobile carriers due to spatial separation of the counterion, and those with greater energetic offsets produce more carriers. Neutron reflectometry indicates that dopant infiltration into conjugated polymer films is redox-potential-driven. Remarkably, X-ray scattering shows that despite their large 2-nm size, DDBs intercalate into the crystalline polymer lamellae like small molecules, indicating that this is the preferred location for dopants of any size. These findings elucidate why doping conjugated polymers usually produces integer, rather than partial charge transfer: dopant counterions effectively intercalate into the lamellae, far from the polarons on the polymer backbone. Finally, it is shown that the IR spectrum provides a simple way to determine polaron mobility. Overall, higher oxidation potentials lead to higher doping efficiencies, with values reaching 100% for driving forces sufficient to dope poorly crystalline regions of the film.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The ladder and readout cables of intermediate silicon strip detector for sPHENIX

A new silicon-strip-type detector was developed for precise charged-particle tracking in the central rapidity region of heavy ion collisions. A new detector and collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory is sPHENIX, which is a major upgrade of the PHENIX detector. The intermediate tracker (INTT) is part of the advanced tracking system of the sPHENIX detector complex together with a CMOS monolithic-active-pixel-sensor based silicon-pixel vertex detector, a time-projection chamber, and a micromegas-based detector. The INTT detector is barrel shaped and comprises 56 silicon ladders. Two different types of strip sensors of 78 micron pitch and 320 micron thick are mounted on each half of a silicon ladder. Each strip sensor is segmented into 8 × 2 and 5 × 2 blocks with lengths of 16 and 20 mm. Strips are read out with a silicon strip-readout (FPHX) chip. In order to transmit massive data from the FPHX to the down stream readout electronics card (ROC), a series of long and high speed readout cables were developed. This document focuses on the silicon ladder, the readout cables, and the ROC of the INTT. The radiation hardness is studied for some parts of the INTT devices in the last part of this document, since the INTT employed some materials from the technology frontier of the industry whose radiation hardness is not necessarily well known.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Piecewise Omnigenous Stellarators

In omnigenous magnetic fields, charged particles are perfectly confined in the absence of collisions and turbulence. For this reason, the magnetic configuration is optimized to be close to omnigenity in any candidate for a stellarator fusion reactor. However, approaching omnigenity imposes severe constraints on the spatial variation of the magnetic field. In particular, the topology of the contours of constant magnetic field strength on each magnetic surface must be such that there are no particles transitioning between different types of wells. This, in turn, usually leads to complicated plasma shapes and coils. This Letter presents a new family of optimized fields that display tokamak-like collisional energy transport while having transitioning particles. This result radically broadens the space of accessible reactor-relevant configurations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Development of a Spectral Model Based on Charge Transport for the Swift/BAT 32K CdZnTe Detector Array

The properties of 32K CdZnTe (4 x 4 sq mm large, 2 mm thick) detectors have been studied in the pre-flight calibration of the Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) on-board the Swift Gamma-ray Burst Explorer (scheduled for launch in November 2004). In order to understand the energy response of the BAT CdZnTe array, we first quantify the mobility-lifetime (mu tau) products of carriers in individual CdZnTe detectors, which produce a position dependency in the charge induction efficiency and results in a low energy tail in the energy spectrum. Based on a new method utilizing (57)Co spectra obtained at different bias voltages, the mu tau for electrons ranges from 5.0 x 10(exp -4) to 1.0 x 10(exp -2) sq cm/V while the mu tau for holes ranges from 1.3 x 10(exp -5 to 1.8 x 10(exp -4) sq cm/V. We find that this wide distribution of mu tau products explains the large diversity in spectral shapes between CdZnTe detectors well. We also find that the variation of mu tau products can be attributed to the difference of crystal ingots or manufacturing harness. We utilize the 32K sets of extracted mu tau products to develop a spectral model of the detector. In combination with Monte Carlo simulations, we can construct a spectral model for any photon energy or any incident angle.

Sato, Goro↗

Titanium doped kagome superconductor CsV 3–x Ti x Sb 5 and two distinct phases

The vanadium-based kagome superconductor CsV 3 Sb 5 has attracted tremendous attention due to its unexcepted anomalous Hall effect (AHE), charge density waves (CDWs), nematicity, and a pseudogap pair density wave (PDW) coexisting with unconventional strong-coupling superconductivity. The origins of CDWs, unconventional superconductivity, and their correlation with different electronic states in this kagome system are of great significance, but so far, are still under debate. Chemical doping in the kagome layer provides one of the most direct ways to reveal the intrinsic physics, but remains unexplored. Here, we report, for the first time, the synthesis of Ti-substituted CsV 3 Sb 5 single crystals and its rich phase diagram mapping the evolution of intertwining electronic states. The Ti atoms directly substitute for V in the kagome layers. CsV 3–x Ti x Sb 5 shows two distinct superconductivity phases upon substitution. The Ti slightly-substituted phase displays an unconventional V-shaped superconductivity gap, coexisting with weakening CDW, PDW, AHE, and nematicity. The Ti highly-substituted phase has a U-shaped superconductivity gap concomitant with a short-range rotation symmetry breaking CDW, while long-range CDW, twofold symmetry of in-plane resistivity, AHE, and PDW are absent. Furthermore, we also demonstrate the chemical substitution of V atoms with other elements such as Cr and Nb, showing a different modulation on the superconductivity phases and CDWs. These findings open up a way to synthesise a new family of doped CsV 3 Sb 5 materials, and further represent a new platform for tuning the different correlated electronic states and superconducting pairing in kagome superconductors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Machine learning based prediction of airflow maldistribution in air-to-refrigerant heat exchangers

Flow maldistribution is a common challenge in heat exchanger (HX) design and particularly important for air-to-refrigerant geometries where capacity losses can approach 65%. This has a major impact on central air conditioning systems, as compact duct design motivates the use of A-type HXs which are known to be affected by airflow maldistribution. Because velocity profiles are difficult to predict, components are often oversized leading to increased material cost, system footprint, and refrigerant charge. Several studies detail airflow maldistribution for individual HXs and packages, but findings cannot always be extrapolated to new designs. In this work, a machine learning (ML) based flow profile prediction framework is developed and applied to two common package configurations: (i) A-type and (ii) U-type HXs, across a broad range of HX geometries and flow rates. Porous media CFD simulations are validated against independent data for both package types as well as comprehensive in house measurements for a finless geometry with shape optimized non-round tubes, which validates the framework for new heat transfer surfaces. The ML models are trained on the porous media CFD simulations, predicting volumetric flow rate (VFR) within 1.1% and 1.9% with maximum relative L 2 norm errors of 0.48 and 0.65, respectively, while also delivering 10 5 speed up factor compared to full porous media CFD. HX level simulations show an up to 9% reduction in heat transfer from flow maldistribution, with greater losses occurring at smaller half apex angles. This framework enables rapid and highly accurate prediction of airflow maldistribution induced capacity degradation.

42 ENGINEERING↗

3D microstructure design of lithium-ion battery electrodes assisted by X-ray nano-computed tomography and modelling

Driving range and fast charge capability of electric vehicles are heavily dependent on the 3D microstructure of lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) and substantial fundamental research is required to optimise electrode design for specific operating conditions. Here we have developed a full microstructure-resolved 3D model using a novel X-ray nano-computed tomography (CT) dual-scan superimposition technique that captures features of the carbon-binder domain. This elucidates how LiB performance is markedly affected by microstructural heterogeneities, particularly under high rate conditions. The elongated shape and wide size distribution of the active particles not only affect the lithium-ion transport but also lead to a heterogeneous current distribution and non-uniform lithiation between particles and along the through-thickness direction. Building on these insights, we propose and compare potential graded-microstructure designs for next-generation battery electrodes. To guide manufacturing of electrode architectures, in-situ X-ray CT is shown to reliably reveal the porosity and tortuosity changes with incremental calendering steps.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Details of the neutral energy distribution and ionization source using spectrally resolved Balmer-alpha measurements on DIII-D

Spectrally resolved passive Balmer- α (D- α, H- α) measurements from the DIII-D 16 channel edge main-ion charge exchange recombination system confirm the presence of higher energy neutrals (“thermal” neutrals) in addition to the cold neutrals that recycle off the walls in the edge region of DIII-D plasmas. Charge exchange between thermal ions and edge neutrals transfers energy and momentum between the populations giving rise to thermal neutrals with energies approximating the ions in the pedestal region. Multiple charge exchange events in succession allow an electron to effectively take a random walk, transferring from ion to ion, providing a pathway of increasing energy and velocity, permitting a neutral to get deeper into the plasma before a final ionization event that contributes to the ion and electron particle fueling. Spectrally resolved measurements provide information about the density and velocity distribution of these neutrals, which has been historically valuable for validating Monte Carlo neutral models, which include the multi stage charge exchange dynamics. Here, in this study, a multi-channel set of such measurements is used to specifically isolate the details of the thermal neutrals that are responsible for fueling inside the pedestal top. Being able to separate the thermal from the cold emission overcomes several challenges associated with optical filter-based neutral density measurements. The neutral dynamics, deeper fueling by the thermal neutrals, and spectral measurement are modeled with the FIDASIM Monte Carlo collisional radiative code, which also produces synthetic spectra with a shape that is in close agreement with the measurements. By scaling the number of neutrals in the simulation to match the intensity of the thermal emission, we show it is possible to obtain local neutral densities and ionization source rates.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A Particle-in-Cell Simulation for the Traveling Wave Direct Energy Converter (TWDEC) for Fusion Propulsion

A Particle-in-cell simulation model has been developed to study the physics of the Traveling Wave Direct Energy Converter (TWDEC) applied to the conversion of charged fusion products into electricity. In this model the availability of a beam of collimated fusion products is assumed; the simulation is focused on the conversion of the beam kinetic energy into alternating current (AC) electric power. The model is electrostatic, as the electro-dynamics of the relatively slow ions can be treated in the quasistatic approximation. A two-dimensional, axisymmetric (radial-axial coordinates) geometry is considered. Ion beam particles are injected on one end and travel along the axis through ring-shaped electrodes with externally applied time-varying voltages, thus modulating the beam by forming a sinusoidal pattern in the beam density. Further downstream, the modulated beam passes through another set of ring electrodes, now electrically oating. The modulated beam induces a time alternating potential di erence between adjacent electrodes. Power can be drawn from the electrodes by connecting a resistive load. As energy is dissipated in the load, a corresponding drop in beam energy is measured. The simulation encapsulates the TWDEC process by reproducing the time-dependent transfer of energy and the particle deceleration due to the electric eld phase time variations.

Chap, Andrew↗

Doping-driven topological polaritons in graphene/$\alpha$-MoO 3 heterostructures

Control over charge carrier density provides an efficient way to trigger phase transitions and modulate the optoelectronic properties of materials. This approach can also be used to induce topological transitions in the optical response of photonic systems. Here we report a topological transition in the isofrequency dispersion contours of hybrid polaritons supported by a two-dimensional heterostructure consisting of graphene and α-phase molybdenum trioxide. By chemically changing the doping level of graphene, we observed that the topology of polariton isofrequency surfaces transforms from open to closed shapes as a result of doping-dependent polariton hybridization. Moreover, when the substrate was changed, the dispersion contour became dominated by flat profiles at the topological transition, thus supporting tunable diffractionless polariton propagation and providing local control over the optical contour topology. We achieved subwavelength focusing of polaritons down to 4.8% of the free-space light wavelength by using a 1.5-μm-wide silica substrate as an in-plane lens. Our findings could lead to on-chip applications in nanoimaging, optical sensing and manipulation of energy transfer at the nanoscale.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The forward-backward asymmetry and differences of partial moments in inclusive semileptonic $B$ decays

Global fits to moments of kinematic distributions measured in inclusive semileptonic B\rightarrow X_c l \nu_l B → X c l ν l enable the determination of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element \left|V_{cb}\right| | V c b | together with non-perturbative matrix elements of the heavy quark expansion. In current fits, only two distinct kinematic distributions are employed and, as a consequence, higher moments of these distributions need to be taken into account to extract the relevant non-perturbative matrix elements. The moments of a given distribution are highly correlated and experimental uncertainties increase for higher moments. To address these issues, Turczyk suggested the inclusion of the charged lepton forward-backward asymmetry \mathcal{A}_{FB} 𝒜 F B in global fits, since it provides information on non-perturbative parameters beyond the commonly used moments. It is possible to construct differences of partial moments of kinematic distributions, which can provide additional information on the non-perturbative parameters beyond \mathcal{A}_{FB} 𝒜 F B and are studied in this work for the first time. Further, experimental cuts on the four-momentum transfer square are studied and are shown to preserve the shape of the angular distribution, in contrast to commonly used cuts on the lepton energy. Finally, the impact of final-state radiation and experimental lepton identification requirements on measurements of \mathcal{A}_{FB} 𝒜 F B and differences of partial moments are discussed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Rotary engine performance limits predicted by a zero-dimensional model

A parametric study was performed to determine the performance limits of a rotary combustion engine. This study shows how well increasing the combustion rate, insulating, and turbocharging increase brake power and decrease fuel consumption. Several generalizations can be made from the findings. First, it was shown that the fastest combustion rate is not necessarily the best combustion rate. Second, several engine insulation schemes were employed for a turbocharged engine. Performance improved only for a highly insulated engine. Finally, the variability of turbocompounding and the influence of exhaust port shape were calculated. Rotary engines performance was predicted by an improved zero-dimensional computer model based on a model developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the 1980's. Independent variables in the study include turbocharging, manifold pressures, wall thermal properties, leakage area, and exhaust port geometry. Additions to the computer programs since its results were last published include turbocharging, manifold modeling, and improved friction power loss calculation. The baseline engine for this study is a single rotor 650 cc direct-injection stratified-charge engine with aluminum housings and a stainless steel rotor. Engine maps are provided for the baseline and turbocharged versions of the engine.

Bartrand, Timothy A.↗