Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “temperature gradient”

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 919 records · Page 51
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

Control of bootstrap current in the pedestal region of tokamaks

The high confinement mode (H-mode) plasmas in the pedestal region of tokamaks are characterized by steep gradient of the radial electric field, and sonic poloidal U{sub p,m} flow that consists of poloidal components of the E×B flow and the plasma flow velocity that is parallel to the magnetic field B. Here, E is the electric field. The bootstrap current that is important for the equilibrium, and stability of the pedestal of H-mode plasmas is shown to have an expression different from that in the conventional theory. In the limit where ‖U{sub p,m}‖≫ 1, the bootstrap current is driven by the electron temperature gradient and inductive electric field fundamentally different from that in the conventional theory. The bootstrap current in the pedestal region can be controlled through manipulating U{sub p,m} and the gradient of the radial electric. This, in turn, can control plasma stability such as edge-localized modes. Quantitative evaluations of various coefficients are shown to illustrate that the bootstrap current remains finite when ‖U{sub p,m}‖ approaches infinite and to provide indications how to control the bootstrap current. Approximate analytic expressions for viscous coefficients that join results in the banana and plateau-Pfirsch-Schluter regimes are presented to facilitate bootstrap and neoclassical transport simulations in the pedestal region.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Thermoelectric Mechanism of Field Emission from Carbon Nanostructures

A model describing peculiarities of field emission from carbon nanomaterials is considered. The model is based on inclusion by drag of electrons by ballistic phonons in the temperature gradient range in the emission center. The model does not require any additional assumptions concerning a special energy structure of the emission center. Quantitative estimates of the thermopower coefficient obtained based on the emission model are in good agreement with experimental results.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Synthesis of new Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11}—One-dimensional phase in Ga–Ge–Te ternary system: Crystal structure and physical properties

Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11} single crystals were grown using transport in a temperature gradient. The prepared single crystals have a needle-like appearance, 1 to 40 μm in diameter and 2 to 20 mm in length. The Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11} single crystals were characterized by both single crystalline and powder X-ray diffraction. The structure consists of one-dimensional molecular strings bonded together through tellurium atoms by a weak bond of the van der Waals type. A large unit cell volume indicates the complexity of the structure. The room temperature theoretical density is 5.73 g cm{sup −3}. The compound shows semiconducting properties and possesses peculiar magnetic properties. - Graphical abstract: 1D Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11} - cross-view of the molecular string. - Highlights: • We prepared and characterized novel compound Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11}in single crystalline form. • Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11} is one-dimensional structure; orthorhombic lattice; space group Pnma. • Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11} is an intrinsic semiconductor; E{sub g}≅0.7 eV. • Ga{sub 7}Ge{sub 3}Te{sub 11} is paramagnetic with an effective magnetic moment of p{sub eff}=0.06 μ{sub B} per atom. • Crossover from para – to diamagnetism is observed in field dependence of susceptibility.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Measuring kinetic energy changes in the mesoscale with low acquisition rates

We report on the measurement of the average kinetic energy changes in isothermal and non-isothermal quasistatic processes in the mesoscale, realized with a Brownian particle trapped with optical tweezers. Our estimation of the kinetic energy change allows to access to the full energetic description of the Brownian particle. Kinetic energy estimates are obtained from measurements of the mean square velocity of the trapped bead sampled at frequencies several orders of magnitude smaller than the momentum relaxation frequency. The velocity is tuned applying a noisy electric field that modulates the amplitude of the fluctuations of the position and velocity of the Brownian particle, whose motion is equivalent to that of a particle in a higher temperature reservoir. Additionally, we show that the dependence of the variance of the time-averaged velocity on the sampling frequency can be used to quantify properties of the electrophoretic mobility of a charged colloid. Our method could be applied to detect temperature gradients in inhomogeneous media and to characterize the complete thermodynamics of biological motors and of artificial micro and nanoscopic heat engines.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Measurements of the δ Deuteride Phase in Zircaloy 4

Hydrogen pickup by Zr-based LWR fuel cladding during service leads to the formation of circumferential hydride platelet particles embedded within the Zr matrix. The precipitation of the hydride phase occurs preferentially on the water-side due to the temperature gradient within the clad wall. The non-uniform hydride morphology is known as a rim structure. Significant tensile hoop stresses within the clad wall develop during the fuel lifetime due to fission gas release and pellet-clad mechanical interaction. One potential post-service cladding failure mechanism is delayed hydride cracking (DHC) initiated by hydride reorientation under this tensile hoop stress. As a consequence, hydride reorientation and DHC have been extensively studied over the last few decades to understand the interdependencies of tensile stress, temperature, hydride morphology, and hydrogen concentration. Much of the most recent work in this area has taken advantage of 3. generation synchrotron X-ray sources to perform in situ measurements of hydride phase stability. Neutron scattering based techniques offer unique advantages in the study of hydrogen in metals (typically with deuterium substituted for hydrogen) but are under utilized in the study of hydrides in Zr. We present small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements of the deuteride phase in Zircaloy 4 (Zy4) here. The SANS measurements presented here demonstrate the sensitivity of the technique to deuteride phase particles embedded in a Zy4 matrix. Quantifiable net scattering at 50 wppm effective hydrogen concentration is derived from a subtraction of a reference sample. This demonstrates that the strong χ phase Porod scattering can be effectively eliminated, revealing the response from the deuteride phase. A similar experimental protocol using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) would likely fail due to poor contrast between the hydride phase and the Zr matrix. Stated in different terms, the SAXS response would be dominated by SPP Porod scattering with unresolvable net scattering from hydride particles. (authors)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Pyroelectric-field driven defects diffusion along c-axis in ZnO nanobelts under high-energy electron beam irradiation

When ZnO nanobelts are exposed to a high-dose electron probe of several nanometers to hundred nanometers in diameter inside a transmission electron microscope, due to the radiolysis effect, part of oxygen atoms will be ejected into the vacuum and leaving a Zn-ion rich surface with a pit appearance at both the electron-entrance and electron-exit surfaces. At the same time, a temperature distribution is created around the electron probe due to local beam heating effect, which generates a unidirectional pyroelectric field. This pyroelectric field is strong enough to drive Zn ions moving along its positive c-axis direction as interstitial ions. In the first case, for the ZnO nanobelts with c-axis lie in their large surfaces, defects due to the aggregation of Zn interstitial ions will be formed at some distances of 30–50 nm approximately along the c-axis direction from the electron beam illuminated area. Alternatively, for the ZnO nanobelts with ±(0001) planes as their large surfaces, the incident electron beam is along its c-axis and the generated pyroelectric field will drive the interstitial Zn-ions to aggregate at the Zn terminated (0001) surface where the local electrical potential is the lowest. Such electron beam induced damage in ZnO nanostructures is suggested as a result of Zn ion diffusion driven by the temperature gradient induced pyroelectric field along c-axis. Our study shows a radiation damage caused by electron beam in transmission electron microscopy, especially when the electron energy is high.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

FAR-INFRARED DUST TEMPERATURES AND COLUMN DENSITIES OF THE MALT90 MOLECULAR CLUMP SAMPLE

We present dust column densities and dust temperatures for ∼3000 young, high-mass molecular clumps from the Millimeter Astronomy Legacy Team 90 GHz survey, derived from adjusting single-temperature dust emission models to the far-infrared intensity maps measured between 160 and 870 μm from the Herschel/Herschel Infrared Galactic Plane Survey (Hi-Gal) and APEX/APEX Telescope Large Area Survey of the Galaxy (ATLASGAL) surveys. We discuss the methodology employed in analyzing the data, calculating physical parameters, and estimating their uncertainties. The population average dust temperature of the clumps are 16.8 ± 0.2 K for the clumps that do not exhibit mid-infrared signatures of star formation (quiescent clumps), 18.6 ± 0.2 K for the clumps that display mid-infrared signatures of ongoing star formation but have not yet developed an H ii region (protostellar clumps), and 23.7 ± 0.2 and 28.1 ± 0.3 K for clumps associated with H ii and photo-dissociation regions, respectively. These four groups exhibit large overlaps in their temperature distributions, with dispersions ranging between 4 and 6 K. The median of the peak column densities of the protostellar clump population is 0.20 ± 0.02 g cm{sup −2}, which is about 50% higher compared to the median of the peak column densities associated with clumps in the other evolutionary stages. We compare the dust temperatures and column densities measured toward the center of the clumps with the mean values of each clump. We find that in the quiescent clumps, the dust temperature increases toward the outer regions and that these clumps are associated with the shallowest column density profiles. In contrast, molecular clumps in the protostellar or H ii region phase have dust temperature gradients more consistent with internal heating and are associated with steeper column density profiles compared with the quiescent clumps.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Deformation Behavior of Pure Copper Castings with As-Cast Surfaces for Electrical Parts

Herein, the tensile deformation behavior of pure copper castings with as-cast surfaces was investigated. It was found that small and sufficiently large uniform elongation types corresponded, respectively, to the presence or absence of a Cu-Cu{sub 2}O eutectic phase in the microstructure. Fissure defects were observed near the as-cast surfaces when the eutectic phase was present, probably leading to stress concentration. On the other hand, surface pinholes were observed when the eutectic phase was absent, and these were not prevented by directional solidification. Although the as-cast specimens (non-directionally solidified) exhibited a slightly reduced uniform elongation compared to the machined specimens in the absence of the eutectic phase, the directionally solidified as-cast samples exhibited a uniform elongation that was similar to that of the machined specimens. In addition, micropore arrays were formed along the grain boundaries inside the castings when the eutectic phase was absent, whereas almost no micropores were observed inside the directionally solidified as-cast specimens because the solidification process involved a faster cooling rate and/or higher temperature gradient. These results do not only suggest the existence of surface pinholes but also indicate that microporosity can reduce the cross-sectional area of the specimens, thus, affecting their uniform elongation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Effect of Bismuth on the Properties of Elastically Stressed AlGaInAsP〈Bi〉/InP Heterostructures

The results of growing elastically stressed AlGaInAsP〈Bi〉 thin epitaxial layers from the liquid phase on indium phosphide substrates in a temperature-gradient field are discussed. The effect of bismuth on the structural perfection, the luminescence properties, and the external quantum yield of AlGaInAsP〈Bi〉/InP heterostructures is investigated.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Thermo-mechanical simulations of CO{sub 2} laser–fused silica interactions

CO{sub 2} laser heating of silica glass is used in many scientific and industrial applications. Particularly, localized CO{sub 2} laser heating of silica glass has demonstrated its ability to mitigate surface damage on optics used for high power laser applications. To develop such applications, the control of temperature, heat affected area, and resulting mechanical stresses are critical. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the silica transformation, the material ejection, and the thermo-mechanical stresses induced by the laser heating and subsequent cooling. In this paper, we detail the development of comprehensive thermo-mechanical numerical simulations of these physical processes, based on finite-element method. The approach is developed for 2D or 3D cases to tackle the case of a moving beam at the surface of the sample, and we particularly discuss the choice of the different parameters based on bibliographic inputs. The thermal and mechanical numerical results have been compared to different dedicated experimental studies: infrared thermography measurements at the surface of the irradiated area, optical profilometry measurements of the laser-processed sites, and photo-elastic measurements. Very consistent results are obtained between numerical and experimental results for the description of the temperature gradients, the material ejection, and the residual stresses.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Laser-induced thermoelectric current as a source of generation of THz surface electromagnetic waves

The theory of excitation of a surface electromagnetic wave (typically of a terahertz frequency range) is developed, the source of which is the thermoelectric current that arises when a charged inhomogeneous layer of hot electrons of submicron thickness is generated by an intense laser ultrashort pulse at the surface of a solid target under conditions of crossed electron density and temperature gradients. The efficiency of such a generation mechanism is compared with the efficiency of generation of transient surface radiation caused by a bunch of high-energy electrons leaving the target. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2017

Characterization of Flame Cut Heavy Steel: Modeling of Temperature History and Residual Stress Formation

Heavy steel plates are used in demanding applications that require both high strength and hardness. An important step in the production of such components is cutting the plates with a cost-effective thermal cutting method such as flame cutting. Flame cutting is performed with a controlled flame and oxygen jet, which burns the steel and forms a cutting edge. However, the thermal cutting of heavy steel plates causes several problems. A heat-affected zone (HAZ) is generated at the cut edge due to the steep temperature gradient. Consequently, volume changes, hardness variations, and microstructural changes occur in the HAZ. In addition, residual stresses are formed at the cut edge during the process. In the worst case, unsuitable flame cutting practices generate cracks at the cut edge. The flame cutting of thick steel plate was modeled using the commercial finite element software ABAQUS. The results of modeling were verified by X-ray diffraction-based residual stress measurements and microstructural analysis. The model provides several outcomes, such as obtaining more information related to the formation of residual stresses and the temperature history during the flame cutting process. In addition, an extensive series of flame cut samples was designed with the assistance of the model.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

X-ray radiographic expansion measurements of isochorically heated thin wire targets

Solid density matter at temperatures ranging from 150 eV to <5 eV has been created by irradiating thin wire targets with high-energy laser pulses at intensities ≈10{sup 18}W/cm{sup 2}. Energy deposition and transport of the laser-produced fast electrons are inferred from spatially resolved K{sub α}-spectroscopy. Time resolved x-ray radiography is employed to image the target mass density up to solid density and proves isochoric heating. The subsequent hydrodynamic evolution of the target is observed for up to 3 ns and is compared to radiation-hydrodynamic simulations. At distances of several hundred micrometers from the laser interaction region, where temperatures of 5–20 eV and small temperature gradients are found, the hydrodynamic evolution of the wire is a near axially symmetric isentropic expansion, and good agreement between simulations and radiography data confirms heating of the wire over hundreds of micrometers.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Nitrogen-doped 9-cell cavity performance in a test cryomodule for LCLS-II

The superconducting RF linac for Linac Coherent Light Source-II calls for 1.3 GHz 9-cell cavities with an average intrinsic quality factor Q{sub 0} of 2.7 × 10{sup 10} at 2.0 K and 16 MV/m accelerating gradient. Two niobium 9 cell cavities, prepared with nitrogen-doping at Fermilab, were assembled into the Cornell Horizontal Test Cryomodule (HTC) to test cavity performance in a cryomodule that is very similar to a full LCLS-II cryomodule. The cavities met LCLS-II specifications with an average quench field of 17 MV/m and an average Q{sub 0} of 3 × 10{sup 10}. The sensitivity of the cavities' residual resistance to ambient magnetic field was determined to be 0.5 nΩ/mG during fast cool down. In two cool downs, a heater attached to one of the cavity beam tubes was used to induce large horizontal temperature gradients. Here, we report on the results of these first tests of nitrogen-doped cavities in a cryomodule, which provide critical information for the LCLS-II project.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Observation of dust torus with poloidal rotation in direct current glow discharge plasma

Observation of dust cloud rotation in parallel-plate DC glow discharge plasma is reported here. The experiments are carried out at high pressures (∼130 Pa) with a metallic ring placed on the lower electrode (cathode). The dust cloud rotates poloidally in the vertical plane near the cathode surface. This structure is continuous toroidally. Absence of magnetic field rules out the possibility of E × B induced ion flow as the cause of dust rotation. The dust rotational structures exist even with water cooled cathode. Therefore, temperature gradient driven mechanisms, such as thermophoretic force, thermal creep flow, and free convection cannot be causing the observed dust rotation. Langmuir probe measurement reveals the existence of a sharp density gradient near the location of the rotating dust cloud. The gradient in the density, giving rise to a gradient in the ion drag force, has been identified as the principal cause behind the rotation of dust particles.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Thermal-Conductive Boards Based on Aluminum with an Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} Nanostructured Layer for Products of Power Electronics

The experimental results of electrical and thermal characteristics of circuit boards based on aluminum with a nanostructured layer of anodic aluminum oxide and copper conductors for assembling high-power field-effect transistors have been considered. It has been shown that the presence of a thin dielectric layer and thick aluminum base with high thermal conductivity provides a uniform distribution of heat generated by the active element over the entire volume of the board without formation of local regions with increased temperature. The experimental results have shown that the temperature gradient between the heat source and anodic aluminum oxide surface is about 17–18°C at a surface heat power of 4.4 W/cm{sup 2}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

A simple Boltzmann transport equation for ballistic to diffusive transient heat transport

Developing simplified, but accurate, theoretical approaches to treat heat transport on all length and time scales is needed to further enable scientific insight and technology innovation. Using a simplified form of the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE), originally developed for electron transport, we demonstrate how ballistic phonon effects and finite-velocity propagation are easily and naturally captured. We show how this approach compares well to the phonon BTE, and readily handles a full phonon dispersion and energy-dependent mean-free-path. This study of transient heat transport shows (i) how fundamental temperature jumps at the contacts depend simply on the ballistic thermal resistance, (ii) that phonon transport at early times approach the ballistic limit in samples of any length, and (iii) perceived reductions in heat conduction, when ballistic effects are present, originate from reductions in temperature gradient. Importantly, this framework can be recast exactly as the Cattaneo and hyperbolic heat equations, and we discuss how the key to capturing ballistic heat effects is to use the correct physical boundary conditions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Electromagnetic effects on turbulent transport in high-performance ASDEX Upgrade discharges

Modern tokamak H-mode discharges routinely operate at high plasma beta. Dedicated experiments performed on multiple machines measure contradicting dependence of the plasma confinement on this important parameter. In view of designing high-performance scenarios for next-generation devices like ITER, a fundamental understanding of the involved physics is crucial. Theoretical results—most of which have been obtained for simplified setups—indicate that increased beta does not only modify the characteristics of microturbulence but also potentially introduces fundamentally new physics. Empowered by highly accurate measurements at ASDEX Upgrade, the GENE turbulence code is used to perform a comprehensive gyrokinetic study of dedicated H-Mode plasmas. We find the stabilization of ion-temperature-gradient driven turbulence to be the most pronounced beta effect in these experimentally relevant cases. The resulting beta-improved core confinement should thus be considered for extrapolations to future machines.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗