Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Diffraction systems”

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 811 records · Page 45

Short and medium range structure in elastic deformation of metallic and covalent glasses

Here, we present a concise methodology to analyze structural response to the applied stress in amorphous solids, including metallic glasses (MG), glassy selenium, silica and polycarbonate, using high energy x-ray diffraction and atomic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis. To assess the structural anisotropy induced by applied axial stress, diffraction data were expanded into spherical harmonics. Using Bessel transformation, components of the structure function were converted into isotropic and anisotropic PDFs. The PDFs were compared to the expected model behavior for ideal elastic deformation to separate homogeneous affine strain from local non-affine strains. In metallic glass the range of non-affine deformation is limited to the nearest neighbor shell, suggesting local strain relaxation under stress that occurs even in the elastic regime. Beyond the second atomic shell strain is uniform. However, in glassy silica, polycarbonate and selenium strong local bonding inhibits local displacements and strain in short range order is accommodated by rotation of local units. Interestingly, beyond a molecular unit, deformation in covalent systems is similar to MG, and response of the medium range order scales with the macroscopic stress.

glassy structure↗

High‐Pressure Synthesis of Ultra‐Incompressible, Hard and Superconducting Tungsten Nitrides

Abstract Transition metal nitrides, particularly those of 5 d metals, are known for their outstanding properties, often relevant for industrial applications. Among these metal elements, tungsten is especially attractive given its low cost. In this high‐pressure investigation of the W–N system, two novel ultra‐incompressible tungsten nitride superconductors, namely W 2 N 3 and W 3 N 5 , are successfully synthesized at 35 and 56 GPa, respectively, through a direct reaction between N 2 and W in laser‐heated diamond anvil cells. Their crystal structure is determined using synchrotron single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. While the W 2 N 3 solid's sole constituting nitrogen species are N 3‐ units, W 3 N 5 features both discrete N 3‐ as well as N 2 4‐ pernitride anions. The bulk modulus of W 2 N 3 and W 3 N 5 is experimentally determined to be 380(3) and 406(7) GPa, and their ultra‐incompressible behavior is rationalized by their constituting WN 7 polyhedra and their linkages. Importantly, both W 2 N 3 and W 3 N 5 are recoverable to ambient conditions and stable in air. Density functional theory calculations reveal W 2 N 3 and W 3 N 5 to have a Vickers hardness of 30 and 34 GPa, and superconducting transition temperatures at ambient pressure (50 GPa) of 11.6 K (9.8 K) and 9.4 K (7.2 K), respectively. Additionally, transport measurements performed at 50 GPa on W 2 N 3 corroborate with the calculations.

Chemistry↗

Synthesis of Mg–K-biochar bimetallic catalyst and its evaluation of glucose isomerization

Highly efficient isomerization of glucose to fructose is essential for valorizing cellulose fraction of biomass to value-added chemicals. This work provided an innovative method for preparing Mg-biochar and Mg–K-biochar catalysts by impregnating either MgCl 2 alone or in combination with different K compounds (Ding et al. in Bioresour Technol 341:125835, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125835 and KHCO 3 ) on cellulose-derived biochar, followed by hydrothermal carbonization and pyrolysis. Single active substance MgO existing in the 10 Mg–C could give better catalytic effect on glucose isomerization than the synergy of MgO and KCl crystalline material present in 10 Mg–KCl–C. But the catalytic effect of 10 Mg–C was decreased when the basic site of MgO was overloaded. Compared to other carbon-based metal catalysts, 10 Mg–KHCO3–C with 10 wt% MgCl 2 loading had excellent catalytic performance, which gave a higher fructose yield (36.7%) and selectivity (74.54%), and catalyzed excellent glucose conversion (53.99%) at 100 °C in 30 min. Scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive spectrometer and X-Ray diffraction revealed that the distribution of Mg 2+ and K+ in 10 Mg–KHCO 3 –C was uniform and the catalytic active substances (MgO, KCl and K2CO 3 ) were more than 10 Mg–C (only MgO). The synergy effects of MgO and K 2 CO 3 active sites enhanced the pH of reaction system and induced H 2 O ionization to form considerable OH– ions, thus easily realizing a deprotonation of glucose and effectively catalyzing the isomerization of glucose. In this study, we developed a highly efficient Mg–K-biochar bimetallic catalyst for glucose isomerization and provided an efficient method for cellulose valorization.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Expanding Configurational Complexity through Dipole Dilution in Pseudohalide Argyrodite Ion Conductors

The advantageous properties of (pseudo)halide argyrodite ion conductors of the formula Li 6 PS 5 X (X = Cl – , Br – , I – , CN – ) have motivated extensive studies of their structure-transport relationships, particularly as they pertain to the role of atomic site disorder. The argyrodite structure can accommodate additional configurational complexity to promote ion transport via extended three-anion site mixing and the potential for orientational disorder of molecular anions. In this work, we explore a ternary anion system including the cyanide anion, expanding site disorder and introducing dipolar orientations as an additional degree of freedom. We prepared the series Li 6 PS 5 (CN) 1–x Br x , in which the dipolar cyanide anions are systematically diluted with bromide. We find that anion disorder, as determined by synchrotron and neutron diffraction and quantified by configurational entropy (S config ), is correlated with lowered activation barriers and increased lithium ion conductivity. We propose that S config describes the electrostatic heterogeneity of the Li environments, flattening the energetic landscape for ion transport. While anion substitution strongly impacts the activation barrier for transport, the temperature-independent Arrhenius prefactor does not follow the same trend. Through heat-capacity measurements of attempt frequency and deconvolution of terms within the prefactor, we rationalize the apparent decoupling of activation energy and prefactor to strong cyanide-lithium interactions that increase the entropy of migration. Together, these results expand the structure–property relationships in the argyrodite family to encompass multiple facets of disorder and the subsequent impact on lithium ion transport.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Hidden Local Symmetry Breaking in a Kagome-Lattice Magnetic Weyl Semimetal

Exploring the relationship between intriguing physical properties and structural complexity is a central topic in studying modern functional materials. Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 , a newly discovered kagome-lattice magnetic Weyl semimetal, has triggered intense interest owing to the intimate coupling between topological semimetallic states and peculiar magnetic properties. However, the origins of the magnetic phase separation and spin glass state below T C in this ordered compound are two unresolved yet important puzzles in understanding its magnetism. Here, we report the discovery of local symmetry breaking surprisingly co-emerges with the onset of ferromagnetic order in Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 , by a combined use of neutron total scattering and half-polarized neutron diffraction. An anisotropic distortion of the cobalt kagome lattice at the atomic/nano level is also found, with distinct distortion directions among the two Co1 and four Co2 atoms. The mismatch of local and average symmetries occurs below T C , indicating that Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 evolves to an intrinsically lattice disordered system when the ferromagnetic order is established. The local symmetry breaking with intrinsic lattice disorder provides new understanding of the puzzling magnetic properties. Our density functional theory (DFT) calculation indicates that the local symmetry breaking is expected to reorient local ferromagnetic moments, unveiling the existence of the ferromagnetic instability associated with the lattice instability. Furthermore, DFT calculation unveils that the local symmetry breaking could affect the Weyl property by breaking the mirror plane. In conclusion, our findings highlight the fundamentally important role that the local symmetry breaking plays in advancing our understanding on the magnetic and topological properties in Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 , which may draw attention to explore the overlooked local symmetry breaking in Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 , its derivatives and more broadly in other topological Dirac/Weyl semimetals and kagome-lattice magnets.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Role of ferroelectric polarization during growth of highly strained ferroelectric materials

In ferroelectric thin films and superlattices, the polarization is intricately linked to crystal structure. Here we show that it can also play an important role in the growth process, influencing growth rates, relaxation mechanisms, electrical properties and domain structures. This is studied by focusing on the properties of BaTiO 3 thin films grown on very thin layers of PbTiO 3 using x-ray diffraction, piezoforce microscopy, electrical characterization and rapid in-situ x-ray diffraction reciprocal space maps during the growth using synchrotron radiation. Using a simple model we show that the changes in growth are driven by the energy cost for the top material to sustain the polarization imposed upon it by the underlying layer, and these effects may be expected to occur in other multilayer systems where polarization is present during growth. This motivates the concept of polarization engineering as a complementary approach to strain engineering.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Desolvation Processes in Channel Solvates of Niclosamide

The antiparasitic drug niclosamide (NCL) is notable for its ability to crystallize in multiple 1:1 channel solvate forms, none of which are isostructural. Here, using a combination of time-resolved synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry, the process-induced desolvation mechanisms of methanol and acetonitrile solvates are investigated. Structural changes in both solvates follow a complicated molecular-level trajectory characterized by a sudden shift in lattice parameters several degrees below the temperature where the desolvated phase first appears. Model fitting of kinetic data obtained under isothermal heating conditions suggests that the desolvation is rate-limited by the nucleation of the solvent-free product. The desolvation pathways identified in these systems stand in contrast to previous investigations of the NCL channel hydrate, where water loss by diffusion initially yields an anhydrous isomorph that converts to the thermodynamic polymorph at significantly higher temperatures. Taking the view that each solvate lattice is a unique “pre-organized” precursor, a comparison of the pathways from different starting topologies to the same final product provides the opportunity to reevaluate assumptions of how various factors (e.g., solvent binding strength, density) influence solid-state desolvation processes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Hybridization-driven strong anharmonicity in Yb-filled skutterudites

A high-pressure study of the structural and thermal transport properties is carried out on one of the most efficient filled skutterudites, $\mathrm{Yb_{0.3}Co_4Sb_{12}}$, to understand the relatively low thermal conductivity behavior in this family. By combining x-ray diffraction and Raman scattering measurements, we detect a phase transition at around 12.4 GPa. The mode Grüneisen parameters of the observed phonon modes are obtained from the determined bulk modulus and the phonon frequency shifts with pressure. The strong anharmonicity in this material is demonstrated by the obtained large average Grüneisen parameter. We also find the depressed group velocity within the low-frequency range, the flat guest mode avoided crossing with the acoustic-phonon mode, and the significant contribution of optical phonons. The hybridization of the guest atom and host lattice and the related enhanced anharmonicity are suggested to account for the low lattice thermal conductivity in the studied system. So, these findings provide new insight into how phonon-phonon interactions lower lattice thermal conductivity in this important thermoelectric family.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Harnessing metastability for grain size control in multiprincipal element alloys during additive manufacturing

Abstract Controlling microstructure in fusion-based metal additive manufacturing (AM) remains a significant challenge due to the many parameters that directly impact solidification condition. Multiprincipal element alloys (MPEAs), also known as high entropy alloys, offer a vast compositional space to design for microstructural engineering due to their chemical complexity and exceptional properties. Here, we use the FeMnCoCr system as a model platform for exploring alloy design in MPEAs for AM. By exploiting the decreasing stability of the face-centered cubic phase with increasing Mn content, we achieve notable grain refinement and breakdown of epitaxial columnar grain growth. We employ a multifaceted approach encompassing thermodynamic modeling, operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction, multiscale microstructural characterization, and mechanical testing to gain insight into the solidification physics and its ramifications on the resulting microstructure of FeMnCoCr MPEAs. This work aims toward tailoring desirable grain sizes and morphology through targeted manipulation of phase stability, thereby advancing microstructure control in AM applications.

Wakai, Akane↗

Nanolamellar phase transition in an additively manufactured eutectic high-entropy alloy under high pressures

Much is unknown about how phase transitions link to micro-/nano-structures in high-entropy systems, especially under extreme pressure and temperature conditions. This work studies the evolution of dual-phase nanolamellar eutectic high-entropy alloy phases of AlCoCrFeNi 2.1 generated by laser powder-bed fusion (L-PBF) for pressures up to 42 GPa. We compare quasi-hydrostatic high pressure synchrotron x-ray diffraction studies on L-PBF printed cylindrical samples up to 5.5 GPa (large-volume Paris–Edinburgh cell) to those carried out on an L-PBF printed foil in a diamond anvil cell where the pressure reached 42 GPa. Our results show that the initially alternating face-centered cubic (FCC) and body-centered cubic (BCC) nanolamellar structure of AlCoCrFeNi 2.1 transformed into single-phase FCC nanolamellae under high pressure with BCC–FCC phase transformation completion at 21 ± 3 GPa. Our results indicate a diffusionless BCC–FCC transformation in this additively manufactured far-from-equilibrium microstructure and demonstrate that the FCC phase is stable up to very high pressures. The measured equation of state for the FCC phase of AlCoCrFeNi 2.1 is presented up to 42 GPa and shows excellent agreement between the data obtained in large-volume press and diamond anvil cell experiments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Theoretical Description of Pump-Probe Experiments in Charge-Density-Wave Materials out to Long Times

We describe coupled nonequilibrium electron-phonon systems semiclassically—Ehrenfest dynamics for the phonons and quantum mechanics for the electrons—using a classical Monte Carlo approach that determines the nonequilibrium response to a large pump field. The semiclassical approach is expected to be accurate, because the phonons are excited to average energies much higher than the phonon frequency, eliminating the need for a quantum description. The numerical efficiency of this method allows us to perform a self-consistent time evolution out to very long times (tens of picoseconds), enabling us to model pump-probe experiments of a charge-density-wave (CDW) material. Our system is a half-filled, one-dimensional (1D) Holstein chain that exhibits CDW ordering due to a Peierls transition. The chain is subjected to a time-dependent electromagnetic pump field that excites it out of equilibrium, and then a second probe pulse is applied after a time delay. By evolving the system to long times, we capture the complete process of lattice excitation and subsequent relaxation to a new equilibrium, due to an exchange of energy between the electrons and the lattice, leading to lattice relaxation at finite temperatures. We employ an indirect (impulsive) driving mechanism of the lattice by the pump pulse due to the direct driving of the electrons. We identify two driving regimes, where the pump can either cause small perturbations or completely invert the initial CDW order. Our work successfully describes the ringing of the amplitude mode in CDW systems that has long been seen in experiment but never successfully explained by microscopic theory. We also describe the fluence-dependent crossover that inverts the CDW order parameter and changes the phonon dynamics. Finally, we illustrate how this method can examine a number of different types of experiments including photoemission, x-ray diffraction, and two-dimensional (2D) spectroscopy. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Physics↗

The Roman View of Strong Gravitational Lenses

Galaxy–galaxy strong gravitational lenses can constrain dark matter models and the Lambda cold dark matter cosmological paradigm at subgalactic scales. Currently, there is a dearth of images of these rare systems with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and angular resolution. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (hereafter Roman), scheduled for launch in late 2026, will play a transformative role in strong-lensing science with its planned wide-field surveys. With its remarkable 0.281 square degree field of view and diffraction-limited angular resolution of ~0$^{''}_.$1, Roman is uniquely suited to characterizing dark matter substructure from a robust population of strong lenses. We present a yield simulation of detectable strong lenses in Roman’s planned High Latitude Wide Area Survey (HLWAS). We simulate a population of galaxy–galaxy strong lenses across cosmic time with cold dark matter subhalo populations, select those detectable in the HLWAS, and generate simulated images accounting for realistic Wide Field Instrument detector effects. For a fiducial case of single 146 s exposures, we predict around 160,000 detectable strong lenses in the HLWAS, of which about 500 will have sufficient SNR to be amenable to detailed substructure characterization. We investigate the effect of variation of the point-spread function across Roman’s field of view on detecting individual subhalos and the suppression of the subhalo mass function at low masses. Our simulation products are available to support strong-lens science with Roman, such as training neural networks and validating dark matter substructure analysis pipelines.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

X-Ray Diffraction and Electron Microscopy Studies of the Size Effects on Pressure-Induced Phase Transitions in CdS Nanocrystals

In recent years, investigations of the phase transition behavior of semiconducting nanoparticles under high pressure has attracted increasing attention due to their potential applications in sensors, electronics, and optics. However, current understanding of how the size of nanoparticles influences this pressure-dependent property is somewhat lacking. In particular, phase behaviors of semiconducting CdS nanoparticles under high pressure have not been extensively reported. Therefore, in this work, CdS nanoparticles of different sizes are used as a model system to investigate particle size effects on high-pressure-induced phase transition behaviors. In particular, 7.5, 10.6, and 39.7 nm spherical CdS nanoparticles are synthesized and subjected to controlled high pressures up to 15 GPa in a diamond anvil cell. Analysis of all three nanoparticles using in-situ synchrotron wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) data shows that phase transitions from wurtzite to rocksalt occur at higher pressures than for bulk material. Bulk modulus calculations not only show that the wurtzite CdS nanomaterial is more compressible than rocksalt, but also that the compressibility of CdS nanoparticles depends on their particle size. Furthermore, sintering of spherical nanoparticles into nanorods was observed for the 7.5 nm CdS nanoparticles. Our results provide new insights into the fundamental properties of nanoparticles under high pressure that will inform designs of new nanomaterial structures for emerging applications.

Meng, Lingyao↗

Magnetic structure determination of multiple phases in the multiferroic candidate GdCrO 3

Due to their potential applications in low-power consumption and/or multistate memory devices, multiferroic materials have attracted a lot of attention in the condensed matter community. As part of the effort to identify new multiferroic compounds, perovskite-based GdCrO 3 was studied in both bulk and thin film samples. A strong enhancement of the capacitance in a field suggested ferroelectric behaviour but significant leakage and no well developed P–E hysteresis loops were observed. Measurements clearly indicate the existence of a polar phase but only below 2 K (likely connected to Gd ordering). Here the determination of the magnetic structure through neutron diffraction collected on an isotopic 160 GdCrO 3 sample at the WISH diffractometer at ISIS is reported. The presence of three successive magnetic phases as a function of temperature (commensurate, spin re-orientation and incommensurate phases once the Gd order), previously only seen by magnetization, is confirmed. Using the most recent guidelines for reporting the determined structures, we highlight the benefits of using such nomenclature for discussing physical properties and consider possible mechanisms and couplings that led this seemingly rather isotropic system to display the complex structures observed.

incommensurate magnetic structure↗

Density Measurement of NaCl-MgCl 2 -PuCl 3 and NaCl-UCl 3 -PuCl 3 Molten Salt Systems by Neutron Radiographic Dilatometry

A novel neutron radiographic technique was developed and implemented to measure the change in volume as a function of temperature of select plutonium-containing liquid chloride mixtures from melt to 1250 K. These measurements were performed at Los Alamos National Laboratory by members of the molten salt research group under support from Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) voucher NE-21-25117: “Density Measurements of Plutonium Bearing Salts via Neutron Beam Dilatometry”. This technical report contains a description of the experimental method and a summary of the results. Initial characterization of the {NaCl, MgCl 2 , UCl 3 , PuCl 3 } salts used in this experiment includes a combination of x-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, gamma ray spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Four samples of NaCl + MgCl 2 + x mol% PuCl 3 and four samples of NaCl + UCl 3 + x mol% PuCl 3 were prepared at the Plutonium Facility, shipped to the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), and radiographed with the density via neutron radiography (DvNR) apparatus. Density data in the form of meniscus heights were recorded as a function of temperature. The results show a linear dependence of density with temperature and a third order polynomial dependence of density with composition as a function of PuCl 3 addition in the corresponding halide salt mixture. Additions of PuCl 3 result in a significant increase in density of the salt mixture and a slight reduction in the coefficient of volumetric expansion. These results represent a first measurement of the density of plutonium chloride salt mixtures and, in combination with additional measurements, may lead to a generalized description of the density of such salt systems for arbitrary compositions and temperature.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Evaluation of IrO 2 catalysts doped with Ti and Nb at industrially relevant electrolyzer conditions: A comprehensive study

A series of commercial Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) IrO 2 -based materials doped with acid-stable titanium and niobium species were comprehensively characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray Scattering. Electrocatalysts were integrated into Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) using a fabrication method developed under the US DOE H2NEW consortium. An electrolysis performance in a commercial setup as well as a laboratory screening system was performed at conditions relevant to industrial application. According to the comprehensive characterizations, the studied materials are closer to doped iridium oxides rather than core–shell structures. In an electrolysis cell, the IrO 2 /TiO x catalyst slightly outperforms the IrO 2 /NbO x based on the activity. It was demonstrated that the operation of electrolysis cells at elevated temperatures and the implementation of thinner Nafion-type membranes allows for substantially increased performance, which is consistent with the literature report. Finally, this work provides valuable baselines including characterization and performance for guiding future research in this direction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Combinatorial Synthesis and High-Throughput Characterization of Microstructure and Phase Transformation in Ni–Ti–Cu–V Quaternary Thin-Film Library

Ni–Ti–based shape memory alloys (SMAs) have found widespread use in the last 70 years, but improving their functional stability remains a key quest for more robust and advanced applications. Named for their ability to retain their processed shape as a result of a reversible martensitic transformation, SMAs are highly sensitive to compositional variations. Alloying with ternary and quaternary elements to fine-tune the lattice parameters and the thermal hysteresis of an SMA, therefore, becomes a challenge in materials exploration. Combinatorial materials science allows streamlining of the synthesis process and data management from multiple characterization techniques. In this study, a composition spread of Ni–Ti–Cu–V thin-film library was synthesized by magnetron co-sputtering on a thermally oxidized Si wafer. Composition-dependent phase transformation temperature and microstructure were investigated and determined using high-throughput wavelength dispersive spectroscopy, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and temperature-dependent resistance measurements. Of the 177 compositions in the materials library, 32 were observed to have shape memory effect, of which five had zero or near-zero thermal hysteresis. These compositions provide flexibility in the operating temperature regimes that they can be used in. A phase map for the quaternary system and correlations of functional properties are discussed with respect to the local microstructure and composition of the thin-film library.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Influence of stacking fault energy and hydrogen on deformation mechanisms in high Mn austenitic steels during in-situ tensile testing

High Mn austenitic steels are considered an economical alloy system for hydrogen storage and transport applications. This study used stacking fault energy (SFE) as a design parameter to achieve hydrogen embrittlement (HE)-resistant high Mn austenitic alloys. The role of hydrogen on the deformation mechanisms of low (29 mJ/m 2 ) and high SFE (49 mJ/m 2 ) alloys was evaluated through in-situ neutron diffraction during tensile loading. Hydrogen-precharging increased yield strength, partly due to hydrogen-induced lattice distortion (i.e., solute strengthening). Hydrogen accelerated the increase in defect density, including dislocations and stacking faults. The formation of planar deformation structures (twins and stacking faults), relative to dislocations, plays a critical role in promoting hydrogen-assisted fracture. The stacking fault frequency parameter obtained from neutron diffraction quantifies planar deformation tendencies, correlated with HE sensitivity. The higher SFE alloy exhibited greater resistance to HE, associated with the reduced propensity to form stacking faults and twins upon deformation in the hydrogen-precharged condition.

High Mn austenitic steel↗