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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 865 records · Page 48
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Soot superaggregates from flaming wildfires and their direct radiative forcing

Wildfires contribute significantly to global soot emissions, yet their aerosol formation mechanisms and resulting particle properties are poorly understood and parameterized in climate models. The conventional view holds that soot is formed via the cluster-dilute aggregation mechanism in wildfires and emitted as aggregates with fractal dimension Df < 1.8 mobility diameter Dm # 1 mm, and aerodynamic diameter Da# 300 nm. Here we report the ubiquitous presence of soot superaggregates (SAs) in the outflow from a major wildfire in India. SAs are porous, low-density aggregates of cluster-dilute aggregates with characteristic Df< 2.6, Dm . 1 mm, and Da# 300 nm that form via the cluster-dense aggregation mechanism. We present additional observations of soot SAs in wildfire smoke-laden air masses over Northern California, New Mexico, and Mexico City. We estimate that SAs contribute, per unit optical depth, up to 35% less atmospheric warming than freshly-emitted (Df < 1.8) aggregates, and <90% more warming than the volume-equivalent spherical soot particles simulated in climate models.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Imaging a nuclear reactor using cosmic ray muons

The passage of muons through matter is dominated by the Coulomb interaction with electrons and nuclei. The muon interaction with electrons leads to continuous energy loss and stopping of the muons. The muon interaction with nuclei leads to angular diffusion. We present experimental images of a nuclear reactor, the AGN-201M reactor at the University of New Mexico, using data measured with a particle tracker built from a set of sealed drift tubes. The data are compared with a geant4 model. In both the data and simulation, we identify specific regions corresponding to elements of the reactor structure, including its core, moderator, and shield.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Measuring the x-ray resolving power of bent potassium acid phthalate diffraction crystals

This report presents the results from measuring the X-ray resolving power of a curved potassium acid phthalate (KAP(001)) spectrometer crystal using two independent methods. It is part of a continuing effort to measure the fundamental diffraction properties of bent crystals that are used to study various characteristics of high temperature plasmas. Bent crystals like KAP(001) do not usually have the same diffraction properties as corresponding flat crystals. Models that do exist to calculate the effect of bending the crystal on the diffraction properties have simplifying assumptions and their accuracy limits have not been adequately determined. The type of crystals that we measured is being used in a spectrometer on the Z machine at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The first technique for measuring the crystal resolving power measures the X-ray spectral line width of the characteristic lines from several metal anodes. The second method uses a diode X-ray source and a double crystal diffractometer arrangement to measure the reflectivity curve of the KAP(001) crystal. The width of that curve is inversely proportional to the crystal resolving power. The measurement results are analyzed and discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2017

Emergent kink stability of a magnetized plasma jet injected into a transverse background magnetic field

In this paper, we report experimental results on the injection of a magnetized plasma jet into a transverse background magnetic field in the HelCat linear plasma device at the University of New Mexico [M. Gilmore et al., J. Plasma Phys. 81(1), 345810104 (2015)]. After the plasma jet leaves the plasma-gun muzzle, a tension force arising from an increasing curvature of the background magnetic field induces in the jet a sheared axial-flow gradient above the theoretical kink-stabilization threshold. Finally, we observe that this emergent sheared axial flow stabilizes the n = 1 kink mode in the jet, whereas a kink instability is observed in the jet when there is no background magnetic field present.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

The potential relaxation instability in a helicon plasma

High positive grid biasing (>10T e ) in a large-scale helicon plasma at the University of New Mexico has led to the excitation of large fluctuations (>50%) in ion saturation current and floating potential at a low frequency (100–300 Hz). Additionally, these fluctuations have been identified as an instability and have been studied under a variety of conditions, including variations in the bias voltage, magnetic field strength, and the length of the plasma column. A series of measurements with Langmuir probes has been used to analyze the characteristics of the fluctuations. The instability has been found to travel predominately along the axis with a speed of 1–3c s , where c s is the ion sound speed. The frequency of the mode is found to be dependent on the bias voltage. Increasing the grid bias leads to an increase in the frequency until a second critical voltage causes the fluctuations to disappear. The magnetic field and plasma length are found to affect the amplitude of the mode and the voltage range over which it exists. Finally, this mode has been identified as the potential relaxation instability.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Radiative cooling resource maps for the contiguous United States

Passive cooling devices take advantage of the partially transparent properties of the atmosphere in the longwave spectral band from 8 to 13 μ m (the so-called “atmospheric window”) to reject radiation to outer space. Spectrally designed thermophotonic devices have raised substantial attention recently for their potential to provide passive and carbon-free alternatives to air conditioning. However, the level of transparency of the atmospheric window depends on the local content of water vapor in the atmosphere and on the optical depth of clouds in the local sky. Thus, the radiative cooling capacity of solar reflectors not only depends on the optical properties of their surfaces but also on local meteorological conditions. In this work, detailed radiative cooling resource maps for the contiguous United States are presented with the goal of determining the best climates for large-scale deployment of passive radiative cooling technologies. The passive cooling potential is estimated based on ideal optical properties, i.e., zero shortwave absorptance (maximum reflectance) and blackbody longwave emittance. Both annual and season-averaged maps are presented. Daytime and nighttime cooling potential are also computed and compared. The annual average cooling potential over the contiguous United States is 50.5 m -2 . The southwestern United States has the highest annual averaged cooling potential, over 70 W m -2 , due to its dry and mostly clear sky meteorological conditions. The southeastern United States has the lowest potential, around 30 W m -2 , due to frequent humid and/or overcast weather conditions. In the spring and fall months, the Arizona and New Mexico climates provide the highest passive cooling potential, while in the summer months, Nevada and Utah exhibit higher potentials. Passive radiative cooling is primarily effective in the western United States, while it is mostly ineffective in humid and overcast climates elsewhere.

Thermo optic effects↗
DOE OSTI2021

Simulations of the shock-driven Kelvin–Helmholtz instability in inclined gas curtains

In this paper, we present simulation results for the two-dimensional, shock-driven Kelvin–Helmholtz instability. Simulations are performed with a Mach 2.0 shock propagating through a finite-thickness curtain of gas inclined at an angle α0=30° with respect to the shock plane. After the passage of the shock, the gas curtain is accelerated along its axis. A perturbation develops due to shock reflection near the lower wall, and a Kelvin–Helmholtz instability forms near the vertical center of the curtain. This is the first known numerical reproduction of these phenomena that have previously been observed in experiments with an inclined cylindrical gas column. The effects of varying Mach number and column width were explored in detail to complement experimental data. Additionally, the dependence of the Kelvin–Helmholtz wavelength on Mach number closely matches the relationship observed in experiments. This supports the notion that the observed instability is effectively two-dimensional and inviscid (like classical Kelvin–Helmholtz). The growth rate of the perturbations in the gas curtain was also found to be similar for different Mach numbers. The perturbation at the curtain foot, previously unreported in experiments, was found to have a similar relationship to Mach number as the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability. Both perturbation wavelengths are found to be proportional to layer width. Simulations were performed with the fast interfaces and transport in the atmosphere, an exascale ready, graphics processing unit-accelerated compressible flow solver developed at the University of New Mexico.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Preface to the Proceedings of the 23rd Topical Conference on High-Temperature Plasma Diagnostics

Measurements of phenomena advance our understanding of the physical universe. As our understanding grows, more precise measurements are required, as are measurements of new quantities. Diagnosis of a plasma requires developing new instruments, also called diagnostics, as well as new ways to analyze, interpret, synthesize, and correlate their measurements. Further, as computing power increases and multi-physics codes improve their accuracy, more precise measurements are needed to guide future code developments and to validate predictions of these simulation codes. The Topical Conference on High-Temperature Plasma Diagnostics is focused on presenting and documenting the most recent advances in these instrumentation areas for plasmas. The 23rd occurrence of this biennial conference took place on December 14–17, 2020, and was hosted by Los Alamos National Laboratory. Originally scheduled for June 2020 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the conference was postponed and then held virtually due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Conference times were adjusted and presentations were scheduled to meet the needs of attendees in Europe, the USA, and Asia.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

A fiber-coupled dispersion interferometer for density measurements of pulsed power transmission line electron sheaths on Sandia’s Z machine

A fiber-coupled Dispersion Interferometer (DI) is being developed to measure the electron density of plasmas formed in power flow regions, such as magnetically insulated transmission lines, on Sandia National Laboratories (SNL’s) Z machine [D. B. Sinars et al., Phys. Plasmas 27, 070501 (2020)]. The diagnostic operates using a fiber-coupled 1550 nm CW laser with frequency-doubling to 775 nm. The DI is expected to be capable of line-average density measurements between ∼1013 and 1019 cm−2. Initial testing has been performed on a well-characterized RF lab plasma [A. G. Lynn et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 80, 103501 (2009)] at the University of New Mexico to quantify the density resolution lower limits of the DI. Initial testing of the DI has demonstrated line-average electron density measurements within 9% of results acquired via a 94 GHz mm wave interferometer for line densities of ∼1 × 1014 cm−2, despite significant differences in probe beam geometries. The instrument will next be utilized for measurements on a ∼1 MA-scale pulsed power driver {MYKONOS [N. Bennett et al., Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 22, 120401 (2019)] at SNL} before finally being deployed on SNL’s Z machine. The close electrode spacing (mm scale) on Z requires probe beam sizes of ∼1 mm, which can only be obtained with visible or near infrared optical systems, as opposed to longer wavelength mm wave systems that would normally be chosen for this range of density.

Hines, N. R. (ORCID:0000000315316465)↗
DOE OSTI2020

Murray Gell-Mann

Murray Gell-Mann, the preeminent architect of theoretical elementary-particle physics, died on 24 May 2019 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He received the 1969 Nobel Prize “for his contributions and discoveries concerning the classification of elementary particles and their interactions.” His contributions to physics include many foundational ideas, such as the renormalization group, which is fundamental to quantum field theory and statistical mechanics.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

A New Era of Nuclear Criticality Experiments: The First 10 Years of Planet Operations at NCERC

Planet is a vertical-lift assembly machine currently located at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC) at the Nevada National Security Site. In the past, Planet resided at Technical Area-18 in Los Alamos, New Mexico, as part of the Los Alamos Critical Experiments Facility (LACEF). Following the de-inventorying of LACEF, the Planet assembly was relocated to NCERC in 2008 and became fully operational in June of 2011. The Class Foils experiment, which involves stacking highly enriched uranium foils to obtain a critical configuration, was the first critical experiment performed on Planet. As a major component of the Nuclear Criticality Safety Class taught for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Criticality Safety Program, the Class Foils experiment allows personnel from all over the DOE complex to handle nuclear material and to complete the approach to critical safely and successfully. This paper describes the Planet vertical assembly and recent engineering upgrade and a selection of the experiments that have been performed on Planet since its transition to NCERC 10 years ago.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Development of Conceptual Lead Cartridge Design to Perform Irradiation Experiments in VTR

This paper seeks to introduce the latest design of the Extended Length Test Assembly–Cartridge Lead (ELTA-CL) with associated thermal-hydraulic (TH) assessment and related experiment activities to support the critical component development performed by the ELTA-CL team (Los Alamos National Laboratory, Westinghouse Electric Company, and the University of New Mexico). The goal of the ELTA-CL program is to develop and validate an experimental capability to perform irradiation experiments in the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) addressing Lead Fast Reactor (LFR) technology gaps, in support of the commercial development of advanced lead-cooled fast reactor concepts. Through a design maturation process and parametric study, a conceptual design is proposed to meet the requirements for material and corrosion testing. Thermal-hydraulic characteristics for the conceptual design at desired operating conditions are assessed with systems-level (one-dimensional) and computational fluid dynamics (three-dimensional) simulations. Along with the conceptual design work, experimental activities for the development of critical components such as the pump and flowmeter are undertaken. From both the modeling study and the experimental results, the design requirements of the Phase 1 ELTA-CL (e.g., 500°C and 2 m/s) are achievable with the current conceptual design. Additional design improvements and safety assessments at both steady-state and transient conditions for the final ELTA-CL design will be pursued.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Workshop on laser-driven neutron sources held at LANSCE

A workshop on laser-driven neutron sources was held at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), Los Alamos, New Mexico USA, on August 16th, 2017. The workshop brought together experts in plasma physics, high intensity lasers, laser target fabrication, spallation physics, and applications for intense pulsed neutron sources.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Source Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park (CAVE), located in southeastern New Mexico, experiences elevated ground-level ozone (O 3 ) exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 70 ppbv. It is situated adjacent to the Permian Basin, one of the largest oil and gas (O&G) producing regions in the US. In 2019, the Carlsbad Caverns Air Quality Study (CarCavAQS) was conducted to examine impacts of different sources on ozone precursors, including nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Here, we use positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis of speciated VOCs to characterize VOC sources at CAVE during the study. Seven factors were identified. Three factors composed largely of alkanes and aromatics with different lifetimes were attributed to O&G development and production activities. VOCs in these factors were typical of those emitted by O&G operations. Associated residence time analyses (RTA) indicated their contributions increased in the park during periods of transport from the Permian Basin. These O&G factors were the largest contributor to VOC reactivity with hydroxyl radicals (62%). Two PMF factors were rich in photochemically generated secondary VOCs; one factor contained species with shorter atmospheric lifetimes and one with species with longer lifetimes. RTA of the secondary factors suggested impacts of O&G emissions from regions farther upwind, such as Eagle Ford Shale and Barnett Shale formations. The last two factors were attributed to alkenes likely emitted from vehicles or other combustion sources in the Permian Basin and regional background VOCs, respectively.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2010

SURVEYING THE DYNAMIC RADIO SKY WITH THE LONG WAVELENGTH DEMONSTRATOR ARRAY

This paper presents a search for radio transients at a frequency of 73.8 MHz (4 m wavelength) using the all-sky imaging capabilities of the Long Wavelength Demonstrator Array (LWDA). The LWDA was a 16-dipole phased array telescope, located on the site of the Very Large Array in New Mexico. The field of view of the individual dipoles was essentially the entire sky, and the number of dipoles was sufficiently small that a simple software correlator could be used to make all-sky images. From 2006 October to 2007 February, we conducted an all-sky transient search program, acquiring a total of 106 hr of data; the time sampling varied, being 5 minutes at the start of the program and improving to 2 minutes by the end of the program. We were able to detect solar flares, and in a special-purpose mode, radio reflections from ionized meteor trails during the 2006 Leonid meteor shower. We detected no transients originating outside of the solar system above a flux density limit of 500 Jy, equivalent to a limit of no more than about 10{sup -2} events yr{sup -1} deg{sup -2}, having a pulse energy density {approx}>1.5 x 10{sup -20} J m{sup -2} Hz{sup -1} at 73.8 MHz for pulse widths of about 300 s. This event rate is comparable to that determined from previous all-sky transient searches, but at a lower frequency than most previous all-sky searches. We believe that the LWDA illustrates how an all-sky imaging mode could be a useful operational model for low-frequency instruments such as the Low Frequency Array, the Long Wavelength Array station, the low-frequency component of the Square Kilometre Array, and potentially the Lunar Radio Array.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

DETECTION AND IMAGING OF THE CRAB NEBULA WITH THE NUCLEAR COMPTON TELESCOPE

The Nuclear Compton Telescope (NCT) is a balloon-borne Compton telescope designed for the study of astrophysical sources in the soft gamma-ray regime (200 keV-20 MeV). NCT's 10 high-purity germanium crossed-strip detectors measure the deposited energies and three-dimensional positions of gamma-ray interactions in the sensitive volume, and this information is used to restrict the initial photon to a circle on the sky using the Compton scatter technique. Thus NCT is able to perform spectroscopy, imaging, and polarization analysis on soft gamma-ray sources. NCT is one of the next generation of Compton telescopes-the so-called compact Compton telescopes (CCTs)-which can achieve effective areas comparable to the Imaging Compton Telescope's with an instrument that is a fraction of the size. The Crab Nebula was the primary target for the second flight of the NCT instrument, which occurred on 2009 May 17 and 18 in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Analysis of 29.3 ks of data from the flight reveals an image of the Crab at a significance of 4{sigma}. This is the first reported detection of an astrophysical source by a CCT.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

He I VECTOR MAGNETOMETRY OF FIELD-ALIGNED SUPERPENUMBRAL FIBRILS

Atomic-level polarization and Zeeman effect diagnostics in the neutral helium triplet at 10830 A in principle allow full vector magnetometry of fine-scaled chromospheric fibrils. We present high-resolution spectropolarimetric observations of superpenumbral fibrils in the He I triplet with sufficient polarimetric sensitivity to infer their full magnetic field geometry. He I observations from the Facility Infrared Spectropolarimeter are paired with high-resolution observations of the H{alpha} 6563 A and Ca II 8542 A spectral lines from the Interferometric Bidimensional Spectrometer from the Dunn Solar Telescope in New Mexico. Linear and circular polarization signatures in the He I triplet are measured and described, as well as analyzed with the advanced inversion capability of the ''Hanle and Zeeman Light'' modeling code. Our analysis provides direct evidence for the often assumed field alignment of fibril structures. The projected angle of the fibrils and the inferred magnetic field geometry align within an error of {+-}10 Degree-Sign . We describe changes in the inclination angle of these features that reflect their connectivity with the photospheric magnetic field. Evidence for an accelerated flow ({approx}40 m s{sup -2}) along an individual fibril anchored at its endpoints in the strong sunspot and weaker plage in part supports the magnetic siphon flow mechanism's role in the inverse Evershed effect. However, the connectivity of the outer endpoint of many of the fibrils cannot be established.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗