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At least 919 records · Page 51

A resonance phenomenon observed in a swept frequency experiment on a mother-daughter ionospheric rocket

The report presents observations obtained in a swept frequency experiment conducted in a mother-daughter rocket flight at auroral latitudes. The discussion is essentially restricted to the possible interpretation of the experimental signal structures noted at and in the vicinity of a resonance frequency where signal components apparently are generated by nonlinear mechanisms. Various resonance frequencies have been considered in attempts to identify this multichannel response frequency. It is concluded that of all the possibilities invoked, the best consistency is provided by identifying the frequency concerned with the cone resonance frequency demonstrated experimentally in the case of a laboratory plasma by Fisher and Gould (1971).

Folkestad, K.↗

Hybrid Chemo-Mechanical Plastics Recycling: Solvent-free, High-speed Reactive Extrusion of Low-Density Polyethylene

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is ubiquitous in the packaging industry due to its flexibility, toughness, and low cost. However, it is typically contaminated with other materials, seriously limiting options for mechanical recycling. Interest in chemical recycling techniques such as pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction is growing, but most of these processes face technoeconomic challenges that have limited commercial deployment. We present a hybrid chemo-mechanical approach using reactive twin-screw extrusion (TSE) for tailoring the molecular weight and chain structure of reclaimed LDPE. Two types of zeolite catalysts at several loading levels were evaluated over a range of processing conditions. Structural, thermal, and rheological properties of the extruded samples were investigated and compared to virgin LDPE and LDPE extruded without the catalyst. A nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic technique was used to investigate changes in the structure of the polymer. LDPE extruded with microporous y-zeolite showed lower degradation temperature and increased short chain branching. Mesoporous MCM-41 also induced increased branching but had no effect on degradation temperature. The theoretical mechanical energy input for the chemical modification was calculated using process modeling. The demonstrated hybrid reactive extrusion process provides a potential low-cost, simple approach for repurposing LDPE-based flexible packaging as coatings and adhesives.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Optimal active vibration absorber: Design and experimental results

An optimal active vibration absorber can provide guaranteed closed-loop stability and control for large flexible space structures with collocated sensors/actuators. The active vibration absorber is a second-order dynamic system which is designed to suppress any unwanted structural vibration. This can be designed with minimum knowledge of the controlled system. Two methods for optimizing the active vibration absorber parameters are illustrated: minimum resonant amplitude and frequency matched active controllers. The Controls-Structures Interaction Phase-1 Evolutionary Model at NASA LaRC is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the active vibration absorber for vibration suppression. Performance is compared numerically and experimentally using acceleration feedback.

Lee-Glauser, Gina↗

Optimal active vibration absorber - Design and experimental results

An optimal active vibration absorber can provide guaranteed closed-loop stability and control for large flexible space structures with collocated sensors/actuators. The active vibration absorber is a second-order dynamic system which is designed to suppress any unwanted structural vibration. This can be designed with minimum knowledge of the controlled system. Two methods for optimizing the active vibration absorber parameters are illustrated: minimum resonant amplitude and frequency matched active controllers. The Controls-Structures Interaction Phase-1 Evolutionary Model at NASA LaRC is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the active vibration absorber for vibration suppression. Performance is compared numerically and experimentally using acceleration feedback.

Lee-Glauser, Gina↗

From Bulk to Interface: Solvent Exchange Dynamics and Their Role in Ion Transport and the Interfacial Model of Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries

Multivalent battery chemistries have been explored in response to the increasing demand for high-energy rechargeable batteries utilizing sustainable resources. Solvation structures of working cations have been recognized as a key component in the design of electrolytes; however, most structure–property correlations of metal ions in organic electrolytes usually build upon favorable static solvation structures, often overlooking solvent exchange dynamics. We here report the ion solvation structures and solvent exchange rates of magnesium electrolytes in various solvents by using multimodal nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and molecular dynamics/density functional theory (MD/DFT) calculations. These magnesium solvation structures and solvent exchange dynamics are correlated to the combined effects of several physicochemical properties of the solvents. Moreover, Mg 2+ transport and interfacial charge transfer efficiency are found to be closely correlated to the solvent exchange rate in the binary electrolytes where the solvent exchange is tunable by the fraction of diluent solvents. Our primary findings are (1) most battery-related solvents undergo ultraslow solvent exchange coordinating to Mg 2+ (with time scales ranging from 0.5 μs to 5 ms), (2) the cation transport mechanism is a mixture of vehicular and structural diffusion even at the ultraslow exchange limit (with faster solvent exchange leading to faster cation transport), and (3) an interfacial model wherein organic-rich regions facilitate desolvation and inorganic regions promote Mg 2+ transport is consistent with our NMR, electrochemistry, and cryogenic X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (cryo-XPS) results. In conclusion, this observed ultraslow solvent exchange and its importance for ion transport and interfacial properties necessitate the judicious selection of solvents and informed design of electrolyte blends for multivalent electrolytes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Isolation of a Terminal Cobalt Nitride in a Metal–Organic Framework

Transition metal nitrides are reactive intermediates in biological and industrial processes. Chemists have synthesized molecular model complexes of such reactive species to understand their function and electronic requirements for new applications. However, molecular chemistry can suffer from intra- and intermolecular decomposition pathways, which preclude further discovery of unknown reactive species. Metal-organic frameworks offer an opportunity for creating long-lived forms of such species with the vacuum of the pore suppressing degradation while simultaneously enabling substrate access for controlled reactivity studies. Here, in this study, we report the characterization of an elusive terminal cobalt nitride species generated through photolysis or thermolysis of a site-isolated cobalt azide within the evacuated metal-organic framework CoN 3 -MFU-4l. The first crystal structure of such a species is presented, with vibrational, X-ray absorption, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies providing further direct evidence for its formation while elucidating its electronic structure. The system additionally enables subsequent reactivity studies with selected substrates, revealing a unique ambiphilic behavior for a metal nitride species.

Börgel, Jonas [University of California, Berkeley,↗

Nanorice Particles: Hybrid Plasmonic Nanostructures

A new hybrid nanoparticle, i.e., a nanorice particle, which combines the intense local fields of nanorods with the highly tunable plasmon resonances of nanoshells, is described herein. This geometry possesses far greater structural tunability than previous nanoparticle geometries, along with much larger local field enhancements and far greater sensitivity as a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) nanosensor than presently known dielectric-conductive material nanostructures. In an embodiment, a nanoparticle comprises a prolate spheroid-shaped core having a first aspect ratio. The nanoparticle also comprises at least one conductive shell surrounding said prolate spheroid-shaped core. The nanoparticle has a surface plasmon resonance sensitivity of at least 600 nm RIU(sup.-1). Methods of making the disclosed nanorice particles are also described herein.

Wang, Hui↗

Energetics of global ocean tides from Geosat altimetry

The present paper focuses on resonance and energetics of the daily tides, especially in the southern ocean, the distribution of gravitational power input of daily and half-daily tides, and comparison with other estimates of global dissipation rates. The present global tidal maps, derived from Geosat altimetry, compare favorably with ground truth data at about the same rms level as the models of Schwiderski (1983), and are slightly better in lunar than in solar tides. Diurnal admittances clearly show Kelvin wave structure in the southern ocean and confirm the resonant mode of Platzman (1984) at 28.5 + or - 0.1 hr with an apparent Q of about 4. Driving energy is found to enter dominantly in the North Pacific for the daily tides and is strongly peaked in the tropical oceans for the half-daily tides. Global rates of working on all major tide constituents except S2 agree well with independent results from analyses of gravity through satellite tracking. Comparison at S2 is improved by allowing for the air tide in gravitational results but suggests deficiencies in all solar tide models.

Cartwright, David E.↗

Announcing the launch of Protein Data Bank China as an Associate Member of the Worldwide Protein Data Bank Partnership

The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is the single global archive of atomic-level, three-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules experimentally determined by macromolecular crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy or three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy. The PDB is growing continuously, with a recent rapid increase in new structure depositions from Asia. In 2022, the Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB; https://www.wwpdb.org/) partners welcomed Protein Data Bank China (PDBc; https://www.pdbc.org.cn) to the organization as an Associate Member. PDBc is based in the National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai which is associated with the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and the iHuman Institute of ShanghaiTech University. This letter describes the history of the wwPDB, recently established mechanisms for adding new wwPDB data centers and the processes developed to bring PDBc into the partnership.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

An approximation function for frequency constrained structural optimization

The purpose is to examine a function for approximating natural frequency constraints during structural optimization. The nonlinearity of frequencies has posed a barrier to constructing approximations for frequency constraints of high enough quality to facilitate efficient solutions. A new function to represent frequency constraints, called the Rayleigh Quotient Approximation (RQA), is presented. Its ability to represent the actual frequency constraint results in stable convergence with effectively no move limits. The objective of the optimization problem is to minimize structural weight subject to some minimum (or maximum) allowable frequency and perhaps subject to other constraints such as stress, displacement, and gage size, as well. A reason for constraining natural frequencies during design might be to avoid potential resonant frequencies due to machinery or actuators on the structure. Another reason might be to satisy requirements of an aircraft or spacecraft's control law. Whatever the structure supports may be sensitive to a frequency band that must be avoided. Any of these situations or others may require the designer to insure the satisfaction of frequency constraints. A further motivation for considering accurate approximations of natural frequencies is that they are fundamental to dynamic response constraints.

Canfield, R. A.↗

Structural and magnetic transitions in the planar antiferromagnet Ba 4 Ir 3 O 10

We report the structural and magnetic ground state properties of the monoclinic compound barium iridium oxide Ba 4 Ir 3 O 10 using a combination of resonant x-ray scattering, magnetometry, and thermodynamic techniques. Magnetic susceptibility exhibits a pronounced antiferromagnetic transition at T N ≈ 25 K, a weaker anomaly at T S ≈ 142 K, and strong magnetic anisotropy at all temperatures. Resonant elastic x-ray scattering experiments reveal a second order structural phase transition at T S and a magnetic transition at T N . Both structural and magnetic superlattice peaks are observed at L = half integer values. The magnetization anomaly at T S implies the presence of magnetoelastic coupling, which conceivably facilitates the symmetry lowering. Mean field critical scattering is observed above T S . The magnetic structure of the antiferromagnetic ground state is discussed based on the measured magnetic superlattice peak intensity. Furthermore, our study not only presents essential information for understanding the intertwined structural and magnetic properties in Ba 4 Ir 3 O 10 but also highlights the necessary ingredients for exploring novel ground states with octahedra trimers.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Investigation of the basic physics of high efficiency semiconductor hot carrier solar cell

The main purpose of this research program is to investigate potential semiconductor materials and their multi-band-gap MQW (multiple quantum wells) structures for high efficiency solar cells for aerospace and commercial applications. The absorption and PL (photoluminescence) spectra, the carrier dynamics, and band structures have been investigated for semiconductors of InP, GaP, GaInP, and InGaAsP/InP MQW structures, and for semiconductors of GaAs and AlGaAs by previous measurements. The barrier potential design criteria for achieving maximum energy conversion efficiency, and the resonant tunneling time as a function of barrier width in high efficiency MQW solar cell structures have also been investigated in the first two years. Based on previous carrier dynamics measurements and the time-dependent short circuit current density calculations, an InAs/InGaAs - InGaAs/GaAs - GaAs/AlGaAs MQW solar cell structure with 15 bandgaps has been designed. The absorption and PL spectra in InGaAsP/InP bulk and MQW structures were measured at room temperature and 77 K with different pump wavelength and intensity, to search for resonant states that may affect the solar cell activities. Time-resolved IR absorption for InGaAsP/InP bulk and MQW structures has been measured by femtosecond visible-pump and IR-probe absorption spectroscopy. This, with the absorption and PL measurements, will be helpful to understand the basic physics and device performance in multi-bandgap InAs/InGaAs - InGaAs/InP - InP/InGaP MQW solar cells. In particular, the lifetime of the photoexcited hot electrons is an important parameter for the device operation of InGaAsP/InP MQW solar cells working in the resonant tunneling conditions. Lastly, time evolution of the hot electron relaxation in GaAs has been measured in the temperature range of 4 K through 288 K using femtosecond pump-IR-probe absorption technique. The temperature dependence of the hot electron relaxation time in the X valley has been measured.

Alfano, R. R.↗

Tunable Solid Acid Catalyst Thin Films Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition

Solid acid catalysts, including zeolites and amorphous silica-aluminas (ASAs), are industrially important materials widely used in the fuel and petrochemical industries. The versatility of zeolites is due to the Brønsted acidity of the bridging hydroxyl and shape selectivity that can be tailored during and after synthesis. This is in contrast to amorphous silica-alumina, where tailoring acidity is a major challenge as the Brønsted acid structure in ASA is still debated. In both cases, however, the pore size and acidity cannot be tuned independently, and this is particularly limiting in the application of biomass conversion, where zeolite pores are too small for the molecules of interest. Herein, we present a method using atomic layer deposition (ALD) to prepare thin films of solid acid materials where the ratio of Brønsted to Lewis acid sites can be tuned precisely. This capability, combined with the sub-nm pore size control afforded by ALD yields a powerful and flexible method for synthesizing solid acid catalysts inside virtually any mesoporous host. We demonstrate the utility of these materials in two acid-catalyzed reactions relevant to biomass conversion: (1) Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley–Oppenauer (MPVO) reaction and dehydration of fructose and (2) cascade reaction of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. Finally, we propose a plausible structure for the Brønsted acid sites in our materials based on infrared spectroscopy and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance measurements and density functional theory calculations and argue that this same structure might apply to conventional ASAs as well.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Theory of beat-resonant coupling of electrostatic modes

A general expression is derived for the beat-resonant coupling electrostatic modes in a Vlasov plasma. The result for the coupling of two modes has a simple structure: the appropriate momentum gradient of the equilibrium particle distribution is weighted by a positive coupling coefficient and averaged over the resonance surface in momentum space. The contributions of all the resonance surfaces are then summed. This basic structure had been previously exhibited only for specific homogeneous plasma models. The present theory, which unifies and greatly simplifies these individual treatments, is based on a variational formulation of the Vlasov-Poisson equations. Using Lie transforms, the variational principle is reexpressed in oscillation-center variables, and then the nonlinear wave dynamics are obtained from the independent variations of the wave phase and the wave amplitude. The power of the method is then applied to a strongly magnetized, strongly inhomogeneous, non-neutral plasma model.

Crawford, John David↗

NMR relaxometry characterization of water adsorption in corn stover anatomical fractions

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry is applied to provide direct measurement of water adsorption in anatomical fractions of corn stover. NMR transverse T 2 relaxation time distribution measurements indicate multiple water populations, which vary with anatomical fraction and water adsorption. Measured T 2 data are used to calculate thermodynamic properties of Brunauer-Emmet-Teller adsorption theory using a model to estimate mono and bilayer relaxation. T 2 data are used directly to determine rotational diffusion correlation times indicating adsorption interaction strength. T 1 -T 2 longitudinal-transverse relaxation time correlation measurements quantify differences in the molecular level structural order of the adsorbate surface water as a function of water activity, i.e. relative humidity or water vapor partial pressure. The T 1 /T 2 ratio provides a measure of the surface energy related to the adsorption strength and surface diffusive mobility of the water adsorbate and differentiates the anatomical fractions. Furthermore, the results indicate that direct measurement of NMR relaxation times can be used to characterize corn stover biomass water adsorption, data relevant to processing and handling considerations.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Controlled n –Doping of Naphthalene Diimide–Based Two–Dimensional Polymers

Two-dimensional polymers (2DPs) are promising as structurally well-defined, permanently porous, organic semiconductors. However, 2DPs are nearly always isolated as closed shell organic species with limited charge carriers, which leads to low bulk conductivities. Here, we enhance the bulk conductivity of two naphthalene diimide (NDI)-containing 2DP semiconductors by controllably n-doping the NDI units using cobaltocene (CoCp 2 ). Optical and transient microwave spectroscopy reveals that both as-prepared NDI-containing 2DPs are semiconducting with sub-2 eV optical bandgaps and photoexcited charge-carrier lifetimes of tens of nanoseconds. Following reduction with CoCp 2 , both 2DPs largely retain their periodic structures and exhibit optical and electron-spin resonance spectroscopic features consistent with the presence of NDI-radical anions. Here, while the native NDI-based 2DPs are electronically insulating, maximum bulk conductivities of >10 –4 S cm –1 are achieved by substoichiometric levels of n-doping. Density functional theory calculations show that the strongest electronic couplings in these 2DPs exist in the out-of-plane (π-stacking) crystallographic directions, which indicates that cross-plane electronic transport through NDI stacks is primarily responsible for the observed electronic conductivity. Taken together, this study underlines that controlled molecular doping is a useful approach to access structurally well-defined, paramagnetic, 2DP n-type semiconductors with measurable bulk electronic conductivities of interest for electronic or spintronic devices.

2D polymers↗

Development of Superconducting RF Cavity in Traveling-Wave Regime at Fermilab

Niobium Superconducting RF (SRF) cavities have a theoretical peak magnetic field which limits the accelerating field to 50-60 MV/m. Presently, all SRF cavities operate in a Standing Wave (SW) resonance field in which particles experience an accelerating force alternating from zero to peak. In contrast, a resonance field in Traveling Wave (TW) mode propagates along with a structure, so particles in such field can experience a constant acceleration force and could have higher energy gain than that of SW mode. This phenomenon is defined by the cavity’s transit time factor, T. A TW structure proposed in an early study achieves T ~0.9, suggesting an increase in acceleration per structure by more than 20% compared to a SW structure (T ~0.7). The early stages of developments had been funded by several SBIR grants to Euclid Techlabs and completed in collaboration with Fermilab through a 1-cell prototype and a proof-of-principle 3-cell TW cavity. It demonstrated the TW resonance excitation at room temperature in the “as-fabricated” 3-cell structure. Here we report recent progresses and the first cryogenic testing of the 3-cell TW cavity in 2 K liquid helium at Fermilab.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Study of structure defect interactions in aluminum by the acoustic method

Using echo pulse and resonance rod methods, internal friction in pure aluminum was studied as a function of frequency, hardening temperature, time (internal friction relaxation) and impurity content. These studies led to the conclusion that internal friction in these materials depends strongly on dislocation structure and on elastic interactions between structure defects. It was found experimentally that internal friction relaxation depends on the cooling rate and on the impurity content. Some parameters of the dislocation structure and of the diffusion process were determined. It is shown that the dislocated dependence of internal friction can be used as a method of nondestructive testing of the impurity content of high-purity materials.

Nicolaescu, I. I.↗